Carib Scope

作者： admin

  • The Chapman Challenge to officially launch on October 9

    The Chapman Challenge to officially launch on October 9

    Barbados’ President’s Trust has formally announced the launch of The Chapman Challenge, a groundbreaking national youth empowerment initiative operating under the patronage of the island nation’s President Jeffrey Bostic. As the first flagship programme launched by the trust since Bostic took office, the effort marks a key milestone in the administration’s pledge to deliver tangible, life-changing impact for ordinary Barbadians.

    President Bostic shared the origins of the programme in comments announcing the launch, noting that empowering younger generations has been a core priority since his election. “From the moment I took office as President of Barbados, my goal has been to advance initiatives that move the needle for our people,” Bostic explained. “The Chapman Challenge is the first of these efforts, and it stands as the flagship undertaking of the President’s Trust.”

    At its core, the programme is built on a simple but powerful vision: to open doors for every child and young adult in Barbados by providing the foundational support they need to turn their personal and professional goals into reality. “We built this initiative on the belief that every young Barbadian deserves the scaffolding to reach their own definition of success,” Bostic said. “We will deliver every tool necessary to help them map their unique path, stay on track through challenges, and cross the finish line to achieve their dreams.”

    Designed as a transformative developmental framework, The Chapman Challenge combines mentorship and structured support to nurture key traits among participants: a drive for excellence, strong leadership skills, personal growth, resilience in the face of adversity, and deep national pride. The three-tiered programme targets young people between the ages of 10 and 24, with a mission to help each participant unlock their full potential in whatever field or passion they choose to pursue. Beyond individual growth, the initiative also aims to cultivate a culture of community service, collaborative teamwork, and responsible, active citizenship across the island’s youth population.

    The programme aligns directly with the President’s Trust’s core mission: investing in Barbados’ people to create sustainable opportunities that drive long-term social and economic progress for the entire nation.

    The official public launch ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Friday, October 9, at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium. As patron of the initiative, President Bostic will deliver the keynote address at the event. Prime Minister Mia Mottley will also join the ceremony to share remarks and signal the government’s support for the landmark national project.

    The launch is expected to bring together a cross-section of stakeholders, including senior government officials, local community leaders, programme partners and sponsors, registered participants, and grassroots supporters. Attendees will gather to mark the start of what many observers expect to become a transformative platform for youth development and community growth across Barbados.

  • Satellite Company Joins Alliance Supporting Antigua and Barbuda’s SIDS Agenda

    Satellite Company Joins Alliance Supporting Antigua and Barbuda’s SIDS Agenda

    In a landmark move that strengthens global collaboration for sustainable development, European Earth observation satellite operator GEOSAT has made history as the first European entity to join the SDG Data Alliance — the international coalition dedicated to unlocking data-driven progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Antigua & Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

    The formal partnership agreement, signed with the PVBLIC Foundation — the New York-based non-profit that convenes the alliance — was finalized during the high-level week of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, marking a major step forward in connecting European space technology with the most climate-vulnerable nations on Earth.

    As a member of the alliance, GEOSAT now joins an elite network of partners working alongside the United Nations and global stakeholders to expand access to very high-resolution (VHR) satellite imagery and geospatial data across more than 3,000 islands spanning nearly 40 SIDS, the coalition’s priority focus regions. VHR technology enables the capture of imagery that can distinguish ground objects smaller than one meter, delivering the granular detail needed for precision environmental and development planning.

    Under the partnership framework, the alliance will identify national and regional leaders to spearhead on-the-ground implementation. GEOSAT will contribute raw VHR imagery, which will be transformed alongside other alliance partners into actionable intelligence that supports better policy and operational decision-making. A key innovation of the collaboration is joint procurement of satellite capabilities, a model that allows small island nations to access advanced geospatial tools that most could not afford or implement independently. These capabilities span a wide range of critical use cases, including sustainable land management, agricultural productivity planning, forest conservation, coastal erosion monitoring, and rapid emergency response to climate-driven disasters.

    GEOSAT brings decades of proven operational experience to the alliance, holding recognition from the European Commission and the Copernicus Programme as one of only five accredited VHR satellite operators in Europe. The company has a long track record of delivering satellite coverage to public and private stakeholders across the continent, with a core mission of making space-derived data accessible to communities worldwide. In a notable prior collaboration with Airbus, GEOSAT launched VHR 24, the first complete high-resolution satellite coverage of the entire European landmass. It also contributes thousands of imagery captures annually for emergency response scenarios and is an active participant in the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters.

    The new membership builds on existing work GEOSAT has already completed in SIDS regions. In 2023, the company supported the launch of the Maldives Space Research Organisation (MSRO), contributing technical expertise and data to the organization’s inaugural Goidhoo Earth Observation Pilot. The project was later selected for showcase at the UN Peace Forum held in Paris, highlighting its successful model for local sustainable development. GEOSAT has already begun developing the first two new implementation pilots as part of its SDG Data Alliance partnership.

    “Satellite images and space-based information are critical assets to support populations in climate change adaptation,” said Francisco Vilhena da Cunha, Chief Executive Officer of GEOSAT. “By joining the SDG Data Alliance, GEOSAT commits to continue working to bring space to people, leveraging local knowledge and value chains that can lead to the sustainable use of Earth Observation for social development.”

  • AI en onderwijs centraal tijdens regionale IPTP-bijeenkomst in Paraguay

    AI en onderwijs centraal tijdens regionale IPTP-bijeenkomst in Paraguay

    On September 24, 2026, the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace (IPTP) concluded its regional gathering in Asunción, Paraguay, centered on one of the most pressing topics in 21st-century learning: unlocking artificial intelligence’s potential for education while ensuring equitable, widespread access to this transformative technology. Hosted in partnership with the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace (GCTP) and welcomed by Paraguay’s Honorable Chamber of Deputies, the three-day conference brought together parliamentary representatives and technology experts from across the globe to share cross-regional insights on integrating AI into learning ecosystems.

    Conference attendees heard targeted presentations and case studies from a range of contributors, including leading South Korean technology and education specialists. Delegates exchanged on-the-ground experiences from diverse national and subnational contexts, with deep dives into AI-education advancements in both South Korea and the Brazilian state of Paraná. Representing Suriname at the discussions was Asiskumar Gajadien, a sitting IPTP member and faction leader of the Progressive People’s Party (VHP), who attended the gathering at his own expense. Gajadien emphasized that AI carries unprecedented opportunity to strengthen global education systems— but only if paired with intentional investment in core enabling infrastructure.

    “Investing in AI for education means, first and foremost, investing in our children and our teachers,” Gajadien told delegates. He argued that beyond teaching students to interact with AI tools, education systems must prioritize building core critical thinking competencies, information evaluation skills, and frameworks for responsible technology use. Even as AI becomes more integrated into classrooms, Gajadien noted, teachers will remain central to guiding student learning and digital literacy development.

    The conference’s landmark outcome was the unanimous adoption of the *Asunción Declaration – Artificial Intelligence for Tolerance and Peace*, a framework guiding collaborative global action on responsible AI development. The declaration commits all signatories to advancing AI innovation and deployment that upholds human dignity, fundamental human rights, accountability, and transparency. It also reiterates the urgent need for inclusive access to AI’s benefits across all regions and socioeconomic groups, ensuring no community is left behind by the digital transition.

    Beyond core AI ethics principles, the declaration highlights AI’s role in advancing public service delivery and social development, with a specific focus on education. The document frames education that fosters critical thinking, social tolerance, and responsible citizenship as an essential tool to prepare populations for rapid change in an increasingly digital society. For Gajadien, the declaration creates a shared foundation for cross-parliamentary collaboration on navigating AI’s rise. He noted that cross-border knowledge and experience sharing allows nations to more effectively adapt to both the opportunities and challenges brought by fast-paced technological evolution.
    “Not all of our countries have access to the same resources,” Gajadien said. “That is why collaboration and mutual learning are so important. Technology will continue to change, but our starting point must always be that technology serves people, and contributes to better education, greater inclusion, tolerance, and peace.”

    Gajadien extended formal gratitude to Paraguay and the Honorable Chamber of Deputies for their hospitality as hosts, as well as to all participating experts who shared their AI and education insights with delegates. Founded to connect parliamentary leaders across borders to advance shared goals of tolerance, peace, and equitable social development, the IPTP now counts representatives from more than 100 countries among its membership.

  • PM Browne Meets EU Commissioner as Caribbean Citizenship Programmes Face 2028 Deadline

    PM Browne Meets EU Commissioner as Caribbean Citizenship Programmes Face 2028 Deadline

    On the sidelines of this year’s United Nations General Assembly in New York, top political leaders from across the Eastern Caribbean gathered Thursday for high-stakes discussions with a senior European Union official, centered on a contentious mandate to scrap regional citizenship-by-investment programs by 2028.

    The European Commission formally issued the demand earlier, requiring all Eastern Caribbean nations that operate these programs to wind them down entirely by the June 2028 deadline. In response, regional officials organized the closed-door meeting with Magnus Brunner, the EU’s Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, to voice their shared position on the policy.

    Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne was among the key regional leaders in attendance, alongside Saint Lucia Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre. Both leaders stressed during the talks that citizenship-by-investment initiatives have long served as a critical lifeline of development funding for small island economies across the Eastern Caribbean. For these nations, revenue generated through the programs has supported critical infrastructure projects, public service expansions, and economic resilience efforts that would otherwise be difficult to fund through traditional tax streams.

    The delegation called for ongoing, constructive negotiations to craft a transition plan that balances two competing sets of priorities: addressing the security concerns that the EU has cited to justify the phase-out, while also protecting the fragile economic interests of Eastern Caribbean states that rely on program revenue.

    Other senior officials participating in the meeting included Timothy Antoine, Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, and Didacus Jules, Director General of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. According to an official statement released by the government of Saint Lucia following the talks, no binding agreement was reached, and no adjustment to the Commission’s proposed 2028 phase-out deadline was announced during the gathering. The discussion is expected to pave the way for future consultations between the two blocs as the deadline approaches.

  • India-CARICOM Foreign Ministers meet in New York, discuss deeper cooperation

    India-CARICOM Foreign Ministers meet in New York, discuss deeper cooperation

    On September 23, 2026, a high-stakes gathering of the India-CARICOM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting took place in New York, convened on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. Co-chaired by India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Suriname’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and Cooperation Melvin W. J. Bouva, the meeting brought together senior diplomatic representatives from 14 CARICOM member states alongside CARICOM Secretary General Dr. Carla Natalie Barnett. Attendees included foreign ministers from Barbados, Dominica, the Bahamas, Guyana, Jamaica, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, St. Lucia, St. Kitts & Nevis, and Antigua and Barbuda, alongside Grenada’s finance minister and the chief executive officer of Belize’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    This diplomatic session was designed as a formal follow-up to the second India-CARICOM Summit, hosted in Guyana in November 2024 and led by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and regional CARICOM heads of government. From the opening of discussions, both sides voiced clear satisfaction with the consistent, steady advancement of collaborative ties between India and the Caribbean Community bloc, laying out a broad agenda to expand partnership across multiple priority areas.

    Dialogue covered multiple pillars of engagement, starting with deepening high-level political exchanges between the two sides. Participants also explored pathways to boost bilateral trade volumes and attract new cross-regional investment, while mapping out cooperative frameworks in critical sectors including agriculture and global food security, digital public governance, climate change resilience, and sustainable energy development.

    CARICOM representatives used the meeting to publicly recognize the meaningful impact of India’s longstanding development partnership across the Caribbean region, and praised New Delhi’s ongoing efforts to strengthen collective South-South cooperation between emerging and developing economies. On the multilateral front, the two blocs aligned on priorities for joint collaboration in international forums, agreeing to continue coordinated action on core global challenges including comprehensive United Nations system reform, collective climate action, counter-terrorism efforts, and the fight against transnational organized crime.

    A key announcement emerged from the session when CARICOM’s co-chair confirmed the bloc’s collective decision to formally back India’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2028-2029 term. In response, Jaishankar thanked CARICOM member states for their trust and public support, affirming that if elected, India will serve as a strong, unwavering voice for the entire Global South in the UN’s top security body.

    In closing, the meeting underscored the shared commitment of both India and the CARICOM bloc to deepen their bilateral ties and advance coordinated action on global issues that impact developing nations across the Global South.

  • Azerbaijan, Antigua and Barbuda sign mutual visa exemption agreements at UNGA

    Azerbaijan, Antigua and Barbuda sign mutual visa exemption agreements at UNGA

    On the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, two nations separated by thousands of miles — Azerbaijan and the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda — have marked a major milestone in their diplomatic relationship with the signing of two landmark agreements that establish full mutual visa exemption for all passport types. The deals, covering holders of diplomatic, official/service and ordinary passports, were formalized in a signing ceremony between Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Everly Paul Chet Greene, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Barbuda Affairs.

    During the bilateral meeting leading up to the signing, the top diplomats from both countries conducted a comprehensive review of the current trajectory of Azerbaijan-Antigua and Barbuda relations, and mapped out a strategic path for future cooperation. The talks prioritized two core priorities: deepening high-level political dialogue and increasing the frequency of official and informal mutual visits between the two states. Beyond bilateral collaboration, the pair also explored opportunities to expand joint work outside their existing cooperation frameworks within multilateral bodies, including the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement, where both nations hold active memberships.

    The confirmation of the signing was shared publicly by Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry via an official post on the social platform X, which clarified that the two agreements were signed as separate documents: one covering diplomatic and official/service passport holders, and a second standalone agreement extending the visa waiver to ordinary passport holders for travel purposes.

    Per official immigration data from Antigua and Barbuda, the Caribbean nation had already unilaterally granted visa-free entry to Azerbaijani citizens prior to the new agreement. The newly formalized mutual arrangement is projected to unlock a wide range of benefits for both countries: it will streamline travel for official government delegations, remove barriers to informal people-to-people exchanges, and create more favorable conditions for growth in bilateral tourism and cultural connections.

    This signing is part of Azerbaijan’s broader diplomatic push during this year’s UN General Assembly session, where the country has prioritized advancing a slate of bilateral agreements and expanding its global diplomatic network. Just days before the deal with Antigua and Barbuda, on September 23, Minister Bayramov also signed a reciprocal visa exemption agreement with Bangladesh that applies to holders of diplomatic, official and service passports, marking another step forward in Azerbaijan’s efforts to deepen its international ties.

  • UAE deputy prime minister Abdullah bin Zayed meets Prime Minister Antigua and Barbuda

    UAE deputy prime minister Abdullah bin Zayed meets Prime Minister Antigua and Barbuda

    Diplomatic discussions between the United Arab Emirates and Antigua and Barbuda took place this week on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly session in New York, bringing together top leadership from both nations to advance bilateral ties. His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, led the UAE delegation in a meeting with Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda.

    Beyond bilateral cooperation, the two leaders also delved into a range of key priority items featured on the official UNGA 81 agenda, exchanging perspectives on global issues that matter to both small island nations and broader international stakeholders.

    During the meeting, Sheikh Abdullah reaffirmed the UAE’s long-standing commitment to deepening collaborative partnerships with Antigua and Barbuda. He emphasized that the goal of this strengthened cooperation is to advance shared mutual interests for both countries and deliver tangible gains that drive greater prosperity for the people of both nations.

    The high-level meeting included several senior UAE officials in addition to Sheikh Abdullah. Attendees were Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade; and Omar Shehadeh, Envoy of the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Caribbean and Pacific States.

  • Today and Saturday don’t miss your chance to see Fly on the Wall – a Caribbean play presented by La Cour Des Arts De La Dominique Inc.

    Today and Saturday don’t miss your chance to see Fly on the Wall – a Caribbean play presented by La Cour Des Arts De La Dominique Inc.

    Theater enthusiasts across Dominica and the broader Caribbean region are gearing up for a sharp, culturally rooted theatrical experience this weekend, as local non-profit arts collective La CourDes Arts De La Dominique brings Dorbrene O’Marde’s acclaimed satirical play *Fly On The Wall* to St. Gerard’s Hall. Scheduled for nightly 8pm performances on Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26, the production promises a thought-provoking look at the hidden mechanics of political power through a distinctly Caribbean lens. Penned by O’Marde, *Fly On The Wall* is the second of his five full-length dramatic works, crafted to pull back the curtain on the gap between politicians’ public rhetoric and their private, behind-closed-doors decision-making. The play’s core premise is a clever, engaging thought experiment: what would unfold if ordinary people could slip unseen into private negotiations and strategy sessions among political leaders, observing every interaction just like a quiet fly on the wall? When characters let their guard down, convinced no member of the public is watching, their true motives emerge—creating a stark, often humorous contrast between polished public speeches and unvarnished private conversations. O’Marde weaves biting satire, sharp witty dialogue, local Caribbean idioms, and region-specific cultural references throughout the script, grounding the narrative in the lived realities of Caribbean communities. Beyond entertainment, the work challenges audiences to interrogate the actions of their leaders and demand greater transparency and accountability from those in power. The production’s creator is far more than a celebrated playwright: Dorbrene Eversfield O’Marde is an Antiguan-born cultural icon, published author, and diplomat whose work spans arts advocacy and global reparatory justice. Currently serving as Chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Reparations Support Commission and Vice-Chair of the CARICOM Reparations Commission, O’Marde has spent more than 20 years at the forefront of the global reparatory justice movement, and was appointed Ambassador Plenipotentiary for Antigua and Barbuda’s Reparatory Justice Programme in 2022. His contributions to Caribbean arts have earned him widespread recognition, including the International Sunshine Award as ‘Friend of the Arts’, the UWI Pelican Award for outstanding contribution to the arts, and most recently a Lifetime Achievement Award honoring decades of service to theater arts in Antigua and Barbuda. Bringing *Fly On The Wall* to the stage is La Cour des Arts De la Dominique Inc FwijéTeyát, a registered non-profit theater collective dedicated to elevating regional art and Caribbean culture. The group traces its origins back to 1997, when it launched as the Alliance Française Drama Group before earning official registration as an independent organization in 2003. In 2006, the collective launched its flagship outreach initiative, the Joint Secondary Schools Drama Group, built around the founding vision of nurturing ‘A Generation of Dramatists Through Opportunity’ to grow the next wave of Caribbean theater talent. Today, the group’s roster boasts members with between 10 and 50 years of professional experience across stage, film, and radio production. For decades, the collective has centered drama as a tool for public education, using performance to spread information on critical health, social, and environmental issues facing Caribbean communities, with support from a range of local and regional partner agencies. Many of the group’s members earned early recognition for their roles in the groundbreaking 1998 domestic violence awareness television series *Wake Up Call*, produced in partnership with the Women’s Bureau, which remains a landmark piece of Caribbean educational media. In recent years, the collective has continued its tradition of collaborative, community-focused theater, partnering with the Alwin Bully Foundation to stage Alwin Bully’s thriller *Nite Box* in 2023 and the dramatic production *STREAK!* in 2025.

  • Nations League 2026 : Victory for the Grenadiers [3-2] against the Soca Warriors of Trinidad and Tobago

    Nations League 2026 : Victory for the Grenadiers [3-2] against the Soca Warriors of Trinidad and Tobago

    In a riveting Group A CONCACAF Nations League clash played at Kingston, Jamaica’s Sabina Park on September 24, 2026, Haiti’s national men’s football team, the Grenadiers, produced a stunning late comeback to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory over Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Warriors. The result marked a dream debut for newly appointed Spanish head coach David Badía, who took charge of the side ahead of the 2026-2027 tournament.

    Badía opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation for his first game at the helm, handpicking a starting lineup that mixed established talent with fresh prospects selected from clubs across Europe, North America, and beyond. The starting XI featured goalkeeper Alexandre Pierre of France’s FC Sochaux, defenders Carlens Arcus (Angers SCO, France), Garven Metusala (Colorado Springs Switchbacks, USA), Hannes Delcroix (FC Lugano, Switzerland), and Duke Lacroix (Colorado Springs Switchbacks, USA), midfielders Carl Fred Sainté (El Paso Locomotive FC, USA), Danley Jean Jacques, Fabrice “Fafà” Picault (Atlanta FC, USA), Dany Jean (SCU Torreense), and forwards Deedson Louicius (FC Sochaux, France) and Wilson Isidor (Sunderland AFC, England).

    A series of tactical substitutions reshaped the match through the second half: Y. Fortuné replaced Picault, K. Quetant replaced Dany Jean, and J. Bellegarde replaced Sainté all in the 58th minute, R. Providence came on for Louicius in the 69th minute, and F. Pierrot replaced Jean Jacques in the 84th minute.

    The action on the pitch delivered nonstop excitement from the opening whistle. Haiti broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute, when Picault powered an unstoppable header past the Soca Warriors’ goalkeeper to put his side up 1-0. Trinidad and Tobago responded swiftly, equalizing just eight minutes later through Wayne Frederick, who slotted a clinical right-footed shot into the back of the net from inside the penalty area to level the score at 1-1 heading into halftime.

    Trinidad and Tobago seized the lead early in the second half, with Levi García finding the back of the net in the 59th minute to push the Soca Warriors ahead 2-1. For the next half-hour, Haiti threw everything forward in search of an equalizer, and their persistence paid off deep into stoppage time. Metusala notched his first goal of the match in the first minute of added time to level the score at 2-2, setting the stage for a last-gasp winner. In the 8th minute of stoppage, Wilson Isidor outmaneuvered Trinidad and Tobago’s goalkeeper to slot home the decisive goal, securing a 3-2 win for the Grenadiers and sending the Haitian camp into celebration.

    Following the opening round of group stage matches, Haiti sits tied for second place in Group A of League A alongside the Dominican Republic, both with 3 points from one win, three goals scored, and two goals conceded. Curaçao tops the table with 3 points and a superior goal difference, while Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago sit at the bottom of the standings with zero points each, having lost their opening fixtures.

    Haiti will continue its group stage campaign in just three days, facing Costa Rica at Sabina Park on September 27. Subsequent fixtures include an away match against the Dominican Republic on October 1, followed by a second away clash against Costa Rica on October 4. The Nations League quarter-finals are scheduled for November 2026, with the final tournament set to take place in March 2027. All sides are competing for a coveted spot in the 2027 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

  • 8 roofs blown off

    8 roofs blown off

    A fierce band of severe thunderstorms driven by the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone swept through the Trinidadian community of Sangre Grande yesterday, leaving a trail of damage that includes at least eight displaced residential roofs, a fallen communications tower, and widespread power outages across the Ojoe Road corridor.

    The worst of the weather hit shortly after 8 a.m., when torrential downpours, frequent lightning, and sudden gusty winds surged through eastern Trinidad, where the highest rainfall totals—between 20 and 50 millimeters—were recorded. For Simeon Joel Spence, a resident along Azalea Circular, the storm brought sudden and unexpected destruction to his home. While he and his family worked to hold back incoming rain from a broken window by weighting down curtains, a loud shift in the structure revealed half of his entire roof had torn free from the framing. The missing half of the roof landed three properties away in a neighbor’s yard, smashing the front passenger window of a parked car and leaving crumpled debris behind.

    Local Government Minister Khadijah Ameen later confirmed Spence’s home was one of eight properties across the area that suffered full or partial roof loss during the extreme weather. Farther along Ojoe Road, at the intersection of Graham and Katwaroo Trace, the high winds proved too strong for a standing cellular communications tower, which toppled into a set of overhead power lines, dragging them to the ground with it. Nearby residents reported hearing a noise similar to a large explosion just before the tower crashed down. In a separate incident along the same corridor, a fully grown large tree was also uprooted by wind gusts and fell across additional power lines.

    The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) reported the fault on the 12kV feeder line running from the Sangre Grande Substation was registered at 8:21 a.m., right as peak wind and rain hit the region. The outages extended as far as the local Multipurpose Sporting Facility, leaving the entire Ojoe Road area without power for hours. By mid-afternoon, crews had restored service to customers as far out as Adventist Street and Katwaroo Trace, with extra work teams deployed to the remaining affected zones. T&TEC projected full power restoration by 6 p.m. yesterday and issued a formal apology to all customers impacted by the unplanned outage.

    Meteorological officials linked the severe weather to the seasonal activity of the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone, which generates scattered thunderstorms across Trinidad this time of year. Forecasts issued yesterday afternoon called for additional rounds of thunderstorms and rainfall through the evening, concentrated again in southern and eastern regions of the country. Hazards forecaster warned residents to prepare for continued gusty winds, frequent lightning strikes, and potential localized street flooding in low-lying areas.