La Brea Pitch Lake and Fort Knox: A Tale of Hidden Wealth and Unanswered Questions

In the grand scheme of global resources, some treasures are well-guarded, while others are quietly siphoned away under layers of bureaucracy and secrecy. Two places stand as symbols of untapped; or perhaps mysteriously managed; wealth: the La Brea Pitch Lake in Trinidad and Tobago and the Fort Knox Bullion Depository in the United States.

Both hold immense value. Both have fueled economies. And both are shrouded in mystery, raising the same unsettling question: Who really controls these resources, and where does the wealth go?

La Brea Pitch Lake: A National Treasure with No Transparency

The La Brea Pitch Lake is a geological wonder; is the largest natural deposit of asphalt in the world. The pitch extracted from this lake has paved roads in cities from New York to London and tarmacs in the World's Major Airports, yet the average Trinidadian has no idea how much revenue it generates for the nation.

For decades, questions have swirled around who actually profits from the Pitch Lake. Recent reports suggest that China now holds significant control over its extraction and exportation, but the details of this agreement remain murky. Who signed the lease? How much was it worth? Where does the money go? These are the questions no one in government; on either side of the fence, seems eager to answer.

Unlike oil, gas and methanol, which is often discussed in budget statements and economic reports, the earnings from asphalt exports remain a mystery. While ordinary citizens struggle with economic uncertainty, this priceless natural resource is seemingly being managed behind closed doors, with no public audits or accountability.

 

 

Fort Knox: A Vault of Doubt

Halfway across the world, Fort Knox holds another kind of treasure: the United States' gold reserves - or so we've been told. Officially, it houses 4,500 metric tons of gold, worth over $270 billion. But when was the last time anyone actually saw it?

The last full audit of Fort Knox was in 1953; over 70 years ago. Since then, multiple requests for a public, independent audit have been denied or ignored. Conspiracy theories abound, with some suggesting the gold has been secretly sold or replaced with gold-plated tungsten bars. Others speculate that the U.S. government has leveraged the gold as collateral for international debts.

The situation mirrors La Brea in an unsettling way. Why the secrecy? If the gold is truly there, why not conduct a full, transparent audit and put all doubts to rest? If Fort Knox were a bank, its depositors; the American people; would have every right to demand proof that their savings hadn't been looted.

 

 

A Shared Pattern: Wealth Hoarded in Silence

Both the La Brea Pitch Lake and Fort Knox represent national wealth. One in the form of a natural resource, the other in precious metal. Yet, in both cases, the people who should benefit from them are kept in the dark.

Trinidad and Tobago's citizens deserve to know:

. Who controls the Pitch Lake, and what are the financial terms?

. How much money does it contribute to the economy each year?

. Why is there no public accounting of its revenue?

Similarly, Americans should demand answers about Fort Knox:

. When was the last full, independent audit?

. Can the government prove the gold is still there?

. If the gold has been sold or moved, where did the money go?

 

 

Why Transparency Matters

History has shown that secrecy breeds corruption. From missing oil revenues and fake oil scandals in developing countries to financial scandals in the banking sector, whenever vast sums of money are involved, there are always those looking to profit in the shadows.

La Brea's asphalt could be a national economic booster, funding infrastructure, healthcare, and education in Trinidad and Tobago. Fort Knox's gold could provide financial security for the U.S. economy in times of crisis. But if no one knows the truth, how can the public hold those in power accountable?

 

At Tamana Coffee, we believe in the power of conversation over a good cup of coffee; not just idle chatter, but real, meaningful discussions that challenge the status quo. We want to rekindle the spirit of open dialogue, the kind that happens when people sit together, reflect and ask tough questions. Weather it's in a cozy cafe or at a bustling conference table, the truth needs a platform and change starts with awareness. Just as coffee fuels minds, transparency fuels progress.

 

 

Demanding Accountability

It's time for both Trinidadians and Americans to demand transparency. Public resources should not be hidden behind bureaucratic walls, shady contracts, or government silence.

For La Brea, this means calling for a full, detailed report on asphalt revenue, including all leases and foreign agreements. For Fort Knox, it means an independent, public audit of the gold reserves; something that hasn't been done in seven decades.

Wealth without oversight is a dangerous thing. And until the people demand answers, those in power will keep pretending there's nothing to hide.

But maybe, just maybe, there is.