

Durrant Pate/Contributor
Authorities in Trinidad and Tobago have partially relented on some restrictions imposed on controversial Jamaican dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel ahead of his anticipated performance at the One Caribbean Music Festival.
Defence Minister Wayne Sturge has agreed to grant Kartel, born Adidja Palmer, two media interviews but is adamant on not allowing him direct access to the nation’s impressionable youths.
In one of his first ministerial acts since being appointed after the United National Congress’ (UNC) April 28 general election victory, Sturge sought to prohibit the entertainer from two media interviews and other events.
Kartel was initially scheduled to arrive in the country on May 26 but will now arrive a day later. Speaking with Guardian Media at his Temple Court, Port-of-Spain office, Sturge advised that the permit for Kartel will be signed soon after last-minute adjustments are made to it.
New draft order being finalised
The draft order, which will be finalised before his arrival, will now allow two radio interviews during non-peak hours between 9:00 am to noon and 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. Sturge said the move is to ensure children are in school and away from the radios.
However, an early morning television interview was denied, as the Trinbagonian defence minister remains adamant that a meet and greet, a visit to a school or youth centre, and a cultural lunch with community leaders will not be allowed. Sturge explained that the aim is not to punish Kartel but to ensure that his messaging is in alignment with “positivity.”
While there were some changes to the first draft, the minister advised his ministry “dug its heels in” and denied the youth and community leaders meetings.
“I have no doubt that his message might very well be positive and well-intended. But in the meantime, we can’t give the perception of legitimising him, having regard to recent history. But as I indicated earlier, with the passage of time, I’m sure we can make an objective assessment and come up with the conclusion that there is no need for a permit in the future,” Sturge said.

Kartel fans unfazed
He admitted that he could not stop Kartel’s fans from flocking to him declaring that this was not the intent to “micromanage” his time in the country, noting that the administration needed to be stern on the stance of what was accepted by the ministry.
Kartel was originally scheduled to perform in Trinidad and Tobago in February, but the One Caribbean Music Festival was postponed to May 31 due to clashes with Carnival activities.
Asked if he will be attending the concert, Sturge laughed saying, “No. I’m too old for that sort of thing, but I was a, and still remain a fan of Bounty Killer, Super Cat and Cutty Ranks and Shabba Ranks.” In a social media post last Friday, Kartel addressed the matter, saying he agreed with Sturge and had no issues with the restrictions.
Vybz was freed of the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams by the Privy Council in 2024 on the grounds of juror misconduct. Jamaica’s Court of Appeal ruled against retrying him and his co-accused after the case was remitted back to it for determination.
Kartel, along with Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St John, were convicted of the September 2011 murder of Williams.
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