RICHARD Montano and Laverne Smith have been crowned 2025 Jouvert King and Queen, respectively. Montano’s portrayal, which took jabs at embattled suspended Commissioner of Police (CoP) Erla Harewood-Christopher, secured him the title, while Smith, last year’s winner, tackled the Beenie Man doubles brouhaha.

The Ole Mas competition at the Lord Kitchener Stand, South Quay, Port of Spain, saw a continued decline in spectator turnout, mirroring recent years. However, participation increased significantly, with 23 registered competitors compared with 15 last year.

Participants in the ole mas competition used their portrayals to highlight national issues, including politics and the state of emergency (SoE). Montano, this year’s King of Jouvert, said he had waited 60 years for this moment. His portrayal, Dee-Pee-Pee Not Charging De Cop, featured an effigy of the CoP seated in a chair with an LED-lit apparatus connected to himself.