Carib Scope

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  • Beckles: PM behaving like a dictator

    Beckles: PM behaving like a dictator

    Trinidad and Tobago’s political landscape is embroiled in a heated controversy surrounding the undisclosed establishment of US military infrastructure on sovereign soil. Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles has launched scathing criticisms against Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, accusing her of exhibiting dictatorial tendencies through evasive responses regarding American military presence in Tobago.

    The core of the dispute centers on a sophisticated G/ATOR radar system developed by Northrop Grumman, a prominent US defense contractor specializing in advanced military technology including stealth aircraft and unmanned drones. This multi-role detection system, capable of identifying aerial threats from missiles to drones, became operational at the ANR Robinson International Airport in November alongside supporting US Marine facilities.

    Beckles, who also serves as Political Leader of the People’s National Movement, condemned the Prime Minister’s dismissive attitude toward legitimate public inquiries. During a December 21 press engagement, Persad-Bissessar exhibited visible irritation when questioned about the military infrastructure, characterizing these national security concerns as ‘nonsense’ and a waste of her time.

    The Opposition Leader highlighted concerning inconsistencies in the government’s narrative, noting that Tobagonian leadership including Chief Secretary Farley Augustine maintained no prior knowledge or consultation regarding the military installation. This lack of transparency extends to the National Security Council, where key regional representatives claim exclusion from critical decision-making processes.

    Beckles, drawing from her diplomatic experience as Trinidad’s former UN ambassador, emphasized the fundamental principles of international law and CARICOM solidarity that previous administrations had consistently upheld. She expressed grave concerns about the Prime Minister’s simultaneous defense of US military actions while criticizing regional partners for questioning these developments.

    The escalating confrontation underscores deeper tensions regarding national sovereignty, governmental accountability, and the proper channels for democratic oversight. Beckles reiterated that no elected leader stands above public scrutiny, emphasizing that transparency remains non-negotiable when concerning matters of national security and international military cooperation.

  • TTUTA: Schools must be safe zone

    TTUTA: Schools must be safe zone

    The Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) has issued a strong condemnation of all sexual misconduct by educators against students, emphasizing that schools must remain secure environments for children. This declaration came in response to disturbing findings published in the 2024 Teaching Service Commission (TSC) annual report, which documented 16 separate allegations involving five different teachers across the nation’s educational system.

    According to the TSC report, which prompted Newsday’s December 18 investigation titled “Probe into touchy teachers,” the allegations reveal a troubling pattern of misconduct. One primary school teacher faced five distinct abuse allegations, while another primary educator was accused in two separate cases, and a third faced one allegation of sexual misconduct. At the secondary level, one teacher was implicated in a single case, while another secondary educator confronted four separate misconduct matters. The report did not clarify whether multiple allegations against individual teachers involved repeated abuse of single victims or multiple victims.

    TTUTA President Crystal Ashe articulated the union’s position, stating, “Our schools are and should always be safe zones for all who occupy them, including students.” While acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations, the teachers’ association refrained from commenting on specific cases currently under review by the TSC. The union emphasized its confidence in existing legal mechanisms and the collaborative efforts between the Teaching Service Commission and the Ministry of Education to properly address such incidents.

    The association has urged all TSC members to strictly comply with legal requirements, particularly emphasizing the thorough and timely reporting of all sexual misconduct cases. “Our students are our future leaders,” the statement concluded, “and we all should work together to keep them safe.” Notably, none of the five accused teachers have faced criminal proceedings to date, with all matters remaining within the TSC’s administrative jurisdiction.

  • Judge approves pension lawsuit against Sando City Corporation by retired assessor

    Judge approves pension lawsuit against Sando City Corporation by retired assessor

    In a significant legal development, the High Court of Trinidad and Tobago has authorized retired city assessor Heidi Henry to pursue judicial review proceedings against the San Fernando City Corporation over its failure to properly calculate her pension and gratuity entitlements.

    Justice Frank Seepersad granted leave for Henry to challenge what her legal team characterizes as the corporation’s unlawful disregard of a 2020 High Court ruling that established her right to equal treatment with her counterpart at the Port of Spain City Corporation. The court had previously determined she should receive pension and gratuity calculations based on salary range 59D.

    The controversy stems from the corporation’s alleged failure to implement Justice Kevin Ramcharan’s April 2020 decision, which found Henry’s right to equality of treatment by a public authority had been violated. Despite this judicial mandate, the corporation reportedly calculated her benefits at the lower salary range 41E.

    Henry, who dedicated 39 years of service to the corporation before retiring in June 2023, asserts that the organization was fully aware of its obligations long before her retirement. Upon leaving her position, she received only a reduced interim pension of $3,500 without her gratuity payment.

    Legal correspondence from March 2024 indicated the corporation was quantifying and auditing her benefits, but subsequent communications revealed the maintained position of calculating at the lower salary range. Henry’s legal representatives argue this constitutes a direct violation of court orders and breaches principles of procedural fairness.

    The case, which will next be heard on February 9, 2026, seeks orders compelling the corporation to recalculate and pay all owed amounts according to the correct salary classification. Attorneys Kingsley Walesby and Sunil Gopaul Gosine are representing Henry in this matter that highlights ongoing challenges in public sector pension administration.

  • Works Minister: Non-partisan approach to fixing potholes

    Works Minister: Non-partisan approach to fixing potholes

    Trinidad and Tobago’s Works and Infrastructure Minister Jearlean John has characterized the nation’s road infrastructure as a comprehensive ‘mess’ requiring urgent attention. In a December 22 telephone interview with Newsday, Minister John emphasized her ministry’s non-partisan methodology in addressing pervasive pothole problems affecting communities across the dual-island nation.

    The minister’s assessment follows controversial remarks from Phillip Alexander, Minister in the Ministry of Housing, who criticized residents of Westmoorings North for their complaints about road conditions. In a widely circulated Facebook video, Alexander asserted that constituents had effectively ‘voted for potholes’ by supporting incumbent MP Hans Des Vignes in recent elections, suggesting they should consequently endure the infrastructure deficiencies.

    Minister John maintained she was unaware of Alexander’s comments, noting ‘He is free to say whatever he wants. We’re free to speak, just as you’re free to speak. We’ve a democracy: we are all free to run our mouths.’ This reference to democratic principles echoes previous disciplinary actions involving Alexander, who was previously instructed by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to ‘stay in his lane’ following diplomatic controversies.

    Despite the political friction, John confirmed her ministry is implementing a systematic approach to national infrastructure rehabilitation. ‘We have started to clean up some of the mess along highways and in communities,’ she stated, adding that no geographic area receives preferential treatment regarding repair prioritization.

    Looking forward, Minister John revealed concrete plans for infrastructure revitalization, announcing that January 22 will mark the rollout of a comprehensive rehabilitation process in collaboration with Udecott (Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago). This initiative forms part of the United National Congress government’s broader strategy to address infrastructure deficits following their recent electoral victory.

    Beyond her ministerial responsibilities, John shared personal insights into her Christmas traditions, describing a quiet, family-oriented celebration centered around culinary customs including fresh bread, ham, and black cake. She particularly emphasized the significance of spending Christmas Eve with her mother in the kitchen, characterizing these moments as deeply treasured annual occurrences.

  • Armanii hits Billboard with ‘The Impact’, named among 10 Best Caribbean albums of 2025

    Armanii hits Billboard with ‘The Impact’, named among 10 Best Caribbean albums of 2025

    Emerging dancehall sensation Armanii has achieved a significant career milestone with his second studio album, ‘The Impact,’ securing the #10 position on Billboard’s prestigious Reggale Albums Chart. The independently released project, distributed through Armanii/United Masters on December 12th, marks a notable breakthrough for the ascending artist in the competitive music landscape.

    The comprehensive 15-track collection demonstrates Armanii’s artistic evolution, featuring strategic collaborations with prominent dancehall figures Jada Kingdom and Malie Donn. The album’s diverse tracklist includes standout singles such as the rhythmic ‘8:00 PM,’ emotionally charged ‘Bleach,’ and the titular anthem ‘Impact,’ alongside other notable compositions including ‘U a Gwaan,’ ‘Shy,’ and the captivating ‘Lose Your Love.’

    Beyond its chart performance, ‘The Impact’ has received critical recognition from Billboard, earning the #8 spot on the publication’s esteemed ’10 Best Caribbean Albums of 2025′ list. This dual accomplishment highlights both commercial success and artistic merit within the contemporary Caribbean music scene.

    The album’s independent distribution through United Masters represents a growing trend within the music industry where artists maintain creative and commercial control while achieving mainstream recognition. This achievement signals a shift in how dancehall and Caribbean music reaches global audiences without traditional label infrastructure.

    Armanii’s successful chart placement demonstrates the continuing global appeal of dancehall music and the genre’s evolving landscape where emerging artists can achieve international recognition through strategic releases and collaborative efforts that honor the genre’s roots while pushing creative boundaries.

  • Quinn Cabralis, Aradhana Ramnarine Singh crowned top chess players for 2025

    Quinn Cabralis, Aradhana Ramnarine Singh crowned top chess players for 2025

    The Trinidad and Tobago Chess Association (TTCA) has recognized FIDE Master Quinn Cabralis as its most outstanding player of 2025 following a remarkably dominant competitive season. Cabralis achieved his breakthrough by capturing the National Chess Championship title in September, completing the tournament undefeated against eleven national finalists at Cascadia Hotel in St. Ann’s. His impressive record included eight victories and three draws, marking a significant career milestone after illness forced his withdrawal from the previous year’s finals.

    Cabralis maintained his winning momentum throughout the year, securing third place in the National Blitz Tournament and claiming victory in the National Swiss Tournament at Hillview College in El Dorado during November—again without suffering a single defeat. His earlier success included winning the second National Qualifier in Arima last May.

    The newly crowned national champion demonstrated remarkable consistency across all chess formats, simultaneously elevating his international FIDE rating in every discipline and solidifying his status as Trinidad and Tobago’s premier chess competitor.

    In women’s chess, Aradhana Ramnarine Singh emerged as the standout female player of the year after achieving a rare feat—becoming only the second player in three years to defeat Venezuela-born Women’s FIDE Master Ysvett Hermoso Rodriguez (who now represents Trinidad and Tobago) in the national female finals. Singh continued to excel throughout the competitive calendar, securing third place in the Female National Swiss Tournament and finishing as runner-up in the National Rapid Tournament among women competitors.

    The current national girls’ U18 champion represented Trinidad and Tobago at the Central American and Caribbean Youth Championship in Puerto Rico earlier this month. Despite missing several tournaments due to academic commitments at Naparima Girls’ High School, Singh established herself as one of the country’s top female junior players under the guidance of coach Dev Soondarsingh.

    The TTCA underwent administrative changes in 2025 with Sandy Razark assuming the presidency. The association also mourned the passing of long-serving member Roderick Noel in August, who served as FIDE rating officer and was remembered for his dedicated contributions to local chess development.

    Looking forward, the TTCA is preparing to field both male and female teams at the 46th World Chess Olympiad scheduled for September next year in Uzbekistan.

  • Warrenville United lift east zone division two table tennis crown

    Warrenville United lift east zone division two table tennis crown

    In a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 East Zone Division Two table tennis championship, Warrenville United Table Tennis Club emerged victorious following a decisive 8-1 triumph over Arima Table Tennis Club. The final matches, held at Arima New Government Primary School on December 21, capped off an intense six-round, four-team round robin tournament that saw Warrenville and Hawks finish level on ten points each.

    The championship was ultimately determined by the slimmest of margins—superior win-loss ratio—with Warrenville’s record of 33 games won against 21 losses narrowly outperforming Hawks’ 30 wins and 24 losses. This mathematical advantage secured the title for Warrenville despite the points deadlock.

    Warrenville’s triumph was spearheaded by an exceptional team performance. Shahjahan Khan and Samir Hosein maintained perfect records in the final contest, both remaining undefeated throughout their matches. Triston Soomarie contributed significantly with two victories from his three encounters, demonstrating remarkable resilience after suffering a single defeat.

    The individual matches showcased exceptional skill and determination. Khan delivered particularly impressive performances, including a hard-fought five-set victory against Kenny Second (11-8, 5-11, 7-11, 12-10, 12-10) that demonstrated tremendous composure under pressure. Hosein’s consistent dominance was evident throughout his straight-sets victories against multiple opponents.

    Supporting players Jewel Serrette, Justin Bachan, and Adeeb Rajab provided crucial contributions during earlier rounds, building the foundation for Warrenville’s eventual championship success.

    In the final standings, Wasa secured third position with nine points (29 wins, 25 losses), while Arima finished fourth with seven points and a 16-38 win-loss ratio. Individual honors went to Wasa’s Joel Henry, who recorded the tournament’s highest individual match wins at 17, followed by Hawks’ Emmanuel Chuniesingh (16 wins) and Warrenville’s Khan (13 wins).

  • Chosen Few finish strong, land NCA GENESIS 3×3 basketball title

    Chosen Few finish strong, land NCA GENESIS 3×3 basketball title

    In a stunning display of resilience and skill, The Chosen Few quartet overcame early tournament adversity to capture victory at the New Chapter Global Sports Academy (NCA) GENESIS 3×3 Basketball Series. The dramatic finals unfolded on December 20 at Princess Royal Basketball Court in Arima, where eight carefully drafted teams competed in the fast-paced basketball format.

    The tournament journey proved particularly challenging for The Chosen Few—comprising Samuel Edwards, Matthias Phillips, Kai Sunich, and standout performer Jervais Edwards-Caracciolo—who concluded the group phase with a disappointing 0-3 record. Entering the knockout stage as considerable underdogs, the team miraculously found their rhythm and embarked on an impressive winning streak that ultimately propelled them to the championship match against The Mighty Men.

    Led by tournament Most Valuable Player Taalib Daniel, The Mighty Men established early dominance in the final, racing to a commanding 5-0 advantage. However, The Chosen Few mounted a spectacular comeback through enhanced defensive coordination and strategic offensive execution. The match evolved into an intense back-and-forth contest with both teams exchanging scores under mounting pressure.

    The game’s pivotal moment arrived with under three minutes remaining when Edwards-Caracciolo seized control, delivering a spectacular 14-point performance that shifted momentum decisively in his team’s favor. Their remarkable resurgence culminated in a 21-17 victory against the previously dominant opponents.

    Despite the loss, Daniel’s exceptional tournament performance deserved recognition, as he contributed 12 points during the final match and accumulated 49 points throughout the competition. In the third-place playoff, The Watchmen secured bronze medal honors with a 15-12 victory against The Ark Builders, powered by Antonio Vasquez’s 11-point contribution.

    The GENESIS tournament represents a strategic initiative by NCA to strengthen Trinidad and Tobago’s international presence in 3×3 basketball. Academy officials emphasized their commitment to developing young athletic talent through meaningful competitive exposure and creating structured pathways toward international competitions, including qualification for the 2026 FIBA 3X3 Under-18 World Cup.

  • Police top TTPFL tree at Christmas, big wins for ‘Cale,’ Eagles

    Police top TTPFL tree at Christmas, big wins for ‘Cale,’ Eagles

    Miscellaneous Police FC has claimed the top position in the TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) standings just before the Christmas holiday, following a crucial 2-1 victory over third-placed Club Sando at St James Police Barracks on December 20. This result propelled Police FC to 22 points, establishing a narrow two-point advantage over defending champions Defence Force, who remain undefeated this season with 20 points from eight matches.

    The league’s Boxing Day fixtures promise high-stakes drama with an anticipated double-header at Sangre Grande recreation ground. Defence Force will face last season’s runners-up MIC Central FC Reboot at 5 pm, followed by Police FC’s encounter with fourth-placed Prisons FC at 7 pm. Prisons, despite beginning the season with five consecutive wins, have recently struggled with three losses in their last four outings.

    Meanwhile, at the bottom of the table, FC Eagles orchestrated a remarkable resurgence with a 4-1 triumph over 1976 FC Phoenix at Mahaica Sporting Complex. Despite conceding an early goal to league top scorer Teejay Cadiz—his eighth of the season—Eagles mounted an impressive comeback. Coach Reshad Wint’s strategic double substitution at halftime proved instrumental, with Jomoul Francois scoring twice in his return from a two-year injury absence and Miquel Williams providing dynamic wing play.

    In the subsequent Mahaica fixture, Caledonia AIA delivered a commanding 4-0 performance against hosts Civic, featuring a first-half brace from Malachi Celestine complemented by goals from Jariel Arthur and Ernesto Rodriguez.

    The December 20 action also saw AC Port of Spain climb to sixth position with a 2-1 victory over Prisons, while Police FC’s winning goal against Club Sando came from Tobago-born striker Mickaeel ‘Jem’ Gordon during first-half stoppage time after goalkeeper Teshorne Ragoo mishandled a right-side cross.

    Current TTPFL Tier One Standings:
    1. Police FC: 22 pts (9 matches)
    2. Defence Force: 20 pts (8 matches)
    3. Club Sando: 18 pts (9 matches)
    4. Prisons FC: 16 pts (9 matches)
    5. MIC Central FC: 16 pts (9 matches)
    6. AC Port of Spain: 14 pts (9 matches)
    7. Jabloteh: 12 pts (9 matches)
    8. Caledonia AIA: 10 pts (8 matches)
    9. Point Fortin: 7 pts (9 matches)
    10. 1976 FC Phoenix: 6 pts (9 matches)
    11. Eagles FC: 4 pts (8 matches)
    12. La Horquetta Rangers: 4 pts (8 matches)

  • Dennis: Sustainable jobs will boost Tobago’s birthrate

    Dennis: Sustainable jobs will boost Tobago’s birthrate

    In a major campaign launch for the upcoming Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections, PNM Tobago Council leader Ancil Dennis has positioned his party as the sole contender with a viable plan for the island’s sustainable development. Speaking at the Magdalena Grand Hotel on December 21, Dennis unveiled the ‘Big Bold Red Deal’ – a comprehensive strategy designed specifically for Tobago’s 60,000 residents through extensive community consultations.

    The centerpiece of PNM’s proposal involves creating 7,000 new jobs within four years across multiple sectors. Dennis emphasized that this employment initiative would directly address the island’s concerning birthrate decline by enabling families to achieve financial stability. The plan specifically targets 2,000 construction jobs, 1,000 agricultural positions, and 500 roles in the creative industries, with a firm commitment to prioritizing local contractors and workers.

    Dennis sharply criticized the current Tobago People’s Party (TPP) administration, accusing them of economic stagnation and sidelining local businesses. He promised a return to transparency and accountability, particularly regarding official foreign travel, vowing that any taxpayer-funded trips would exclusively focus on securing concrete investments for Tobago’s development.

    Additional components of the PNM plan include a $50 million annual contribution to community infrastructure development, micro-loans of up to $1 million for first-time entrepreneurs, and substantial support for the agricultural sector. Parlatuvier/L’anse Fourmi/Speyside candidate Maxslon N Robert revealed ambitions to transform Tobago into a ‘mega farm’ through new fishing ports and financial support for farmers developing five-acre plots.

    The party also committed to cultural revitalization, with Mason Hall/North Mariah candidate Kwesi Des Vignes promising to ‘involve every single community’ in developing Tobago’s rich cultural expressions. Contract workers would see improved job security under PNM governance, with contract terms extending from three to five years according to Scarborough/Mt Grace candidate Petal Benoit.