Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has initiated a significant policy shift regarding the distribution of diplomatic passports in Trinidad and Tobago following concerns about widespread misuse.

Investigations revealed that nearly one thousand individuals currently hold these documents despite failing to meet the necessary eligibility requirements.

Consequently, former leaders Dr. Keith Rowley and Stuart Young have been ordered to surrender their diplomatic credentials in exchange for official passports.

While Young has characterized the move as victimization, the Prime Minister maintains that the changes are a necessary corrective action prompted by requests from foreign governments.

The new system aims to distinguish clearly between state representatives granted international immunity and other officials performing administrative duties.