Trinidad and Tobago’s Energy Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal has forcefully responded to St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, after Gonsalves likened Trinidad’s currency to “Monopoly money” during a recent regional summit.

Gonsalves made the controversial comment at the opening of the 77th Meeting of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Authority, expressing frustration about the foreign exchange restrictions in Trinidad and Tobago. He argued that these controls have severely hampered trade, reducing what was once a US$12-15 million annual agricultural export flow from St Vincent to Trinidad to “near nothingness.” Gonsalves called the situation an “injustice,” highlighting the material difficulties it has caused for Vincentian farmers and traders.

Dr. Moonilal, speaking during a Society of Petroleum Engineers energy symposium, dismissed Gonsalves’ remarks as misguided and suggested the St Vincent leader should have directed his criticism at previous Trinidadian administrations. “He should have shared his wisdom with his colleagues who are responsible for the collapse of our economy,” Moonilal stated, pointing out that prudent management and enhanced investment in the energy sector could have averted the current foreign exchange challenges.

Moonilal also defended Trinidad and Tobago’s economic management and currency, emphasizing that the government is working to resolve the foreign exchange issues and restore robust trade relationships within the region. The exchange has sparked debate across the Caribbean, with regional leaders and business communities closely watching how the two governments will navigate the diplomatic fallout and address the underlying trade concerns.