Prime Minister RESPONDS To Viral Video of Minister Barry Padarath At Hyatt Lime Fete

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Prime Minister the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP, has responded to a viral video involving Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath at the Hyatt Lime fete in Port-of-Spain on Wednesday night (11th February, 2026). 

The video, which went viral later that night, showed an animated Padarath addressing the crowd from the stage and praising Minister of Works and Infrastructure, Jearlean John, crediting her as the founder of the Hyatt Lime fete. He also attempted to sing the chorus of Machel Montano’s hit song, “Give Them Performance.”

Shouting over the music, Padarath repeatedly called on John to come forward. “Minister! Minister Jearlean John. Jearlean don’t hide. Do you know who is the founder of Hyatt fete?” he said, urging patrons to put their hands in the air and calling on DJs to “give them performance” and “give them the time of their life.”

At one point, DJ Simmo approached Padarath, who then turned to DJ Ana and again called for music. During the exchange, sections of the crowd could be heard booing.

Undeterred, Padarath returned to the front of the stage and continued rallying the audience before the music resumed.

Many took to social media, including Opposition members, to criticize the Minister’s behaviour at the Hyatt Lime fete, with some suggesting he was intoxicated.

However, Padarath told the Trinidad Express on Thursday (12th February, 2026) that he was not drunk and downplayed the controversy. He also dismissed criticism from the Opposition and his detractors. “I wasn’t drunk. It was a Carnival event, it is a festive atmosphere. I said nothing that was inappropriate. I bigged up a colleague as the founder of the event.”

He continued, “It is the job, role and function of the Opposition and its detractors to use every opportunity they can to criticize for their own relevance.” He maintained that his remarks were simply intended to commend a colleague. “I spoke about one colleague at the event, simply giving her kudos. Of course, she works hard and performs,” Padarath added.

There were questions by some online about what the Prime Minister would say, given that earlier this week she advised Carnival revellers to enjoy themselves, but “don’t do anything to embarrass yourself or demean your loved one’s reputations.

“I wouldn’t want to see anyone who was really just trying to have a good time being humiliated on social media because of a regrettable act they committed in a moment of bad or impaired judgment.”

When contacted about the incident on Thursday, the Prime Minister responded with humour, saying she would have booed him, too. She said: “I saw the video, I thought his terrible singing was hilarious, I would have booed his singing, also. It’s Carnival, enjoy yourselves safely.”

Despite the online chatter, the Hyatt Lime fete continues to draw strong support. Diamond tickets, priced at US $679, were said to have been sold out by January, with platinum packages also gone ahead of Carnival celebrations.

More on this as it becomes available. 

[Source: Trinidad Express]

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