Trinidad and Tobago News & Current Events

Anthony Carmona Succeeds George Maxwell Richards as President

On February 3, 2013, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced the ruling party's nomination of Anthony Carmona to succeed President George Maxwell Richards. The Opposition People's National Movement (PNM) party also supported the nomination, but questioned Carmona's eligibility since he left the country from 2001 to 2004, pointing out that a president must live in the country for a full ten years prior to being elected. Government officials met with legal experts and they determined that Carmona was eligible.

Carmona assumed office on March 18, 2013. He had previously served as a Judge of the International Criminal Court and on the Supreme Court of Trinidad and Tobago.

In the 2015 parliamentary elections, Keith Rowley led his People's National Movement party to victory, winning 23 of 41 seats. Leader of the opposition since 2010, Rowley became prime minister on Sept. 9, 2015.

See also Encyclopedia: Trinidad and Tobago .
U.S. State Dept. Country Notes: Trinidad and Tobago