Amid escalating security concerns following a United States advisory to its citizens in Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar was conspicuously absent from the final night of Divali Nagar on October 19, where she was slated to deliver the keynote address. Despite multiple attempts by Newsday to reach her for comment, the Prime Minister remained unresponsive. Surujdeo Mangaroo, president of the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC), which organized the nine-night event, indicated around 1 pm on Sunday that no security sweep had been conducted at the Chaguanas venue, suggesting Persad-Bissessar’s attendance was unlikely. Nevertheless, the NCIC implemented additional security measures as a precaution. Later that evening, ushers and NCIC members confirmed to the media that the Prime Minister would not be attending. In her Divali message, Mangaroo emphasized the importance of unity and harmony, urging citizens to strengthen the bonds that unite them. In a special message in the Divali Nagar 2025 commemorative magazine, Persad-Bissessar reflected on the event’s theme, ‘Loka Sangraha – the Welfare of the World,’ highlighting the need for compassion, justice, and peace in a world plagued by conflict and division. She underscored the nation’s commitment to building a society where every individual can live with dignity, opportunity, and hope. Meanwhile, tensions have been rising nationwide since the US deployed military assets off the Venezuelan coast to combat the drug trade. Persad-Bissessar has faced criticism for her support of US operations and her controversial statement advocating violent measures against drug runners. On October 18, the US Embassy in Port of Spain issued a social media alert warning of a heightened state of alert and advised its nationals to avoid US government facilities in Trinidad and Tobago. Rumors circulated that Persad-Bissessar and Attorney General John Jeremie had been relocated to safe houses, a claim denied by acting Commissioner of Police Junior Benjamin. Both Benjamin and Minister of National Security Roger Alexander acknowledged a credible threat but urged the public not to panic. Calls have grown for the Prime Minister to address the nation regarding the nature of the threat, particularly its connection to the US military presence in the southern Caribbean and potential risks to Trinidad and Tobago nationals. While Persad-Bissessar has remained publicly silent, she shared photographs on October 18 of herself and Foreign Affairs Minister Sean Sobers hosting US Embassy staff at a private Divali celebration at her home in Phillipine, South Trinidad—coinciding with the embassy’s alert.