Carib Scope

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  • One year later, prayer service for missing Pete Phillip

    One year later, prayer service for missing Pete Phillip

    A solemn prayer service was held on December 22, 2025, at the La Romaine home of missing oil rig worker Pete Phillip, marking one year since his disappearance in a catastrophic rig collapse. The intimate gathering brought together immediate family members to commemorate the tragedy that presumably claimed Phillip’s life.

    The incident occurred in the early hours of December 22, 2024, when Well Services Ltd Rig 110 in the East Soldado Field suffered a partial structural failure during drilling operations. Among the 75 employees aboard, Phillip was the sole individual unaccounted for following the collapse. Despite extensive search and recovery efforts mounted immediately after the accident, his remains have yet to be recovered.

    Preparations for the memorial service were underway at the family home, where Phillip’s mother Patricia and sister Pauline coordinated meals for close relatives. As devout Pentecostals, the family made a collective decision to hold the prayer meeting despite the absence of a body or formal funeral proceedings.

    Pauline explained the family’s perspective: “We decided we had to mark the one-year anniversary. At least we can still put him to rest spiritually until we can recover his remains—whatever bones might be left.”

    Patricia Phillip, struggling with emotion, recalled receiving the devastating news while visiting her sister in New York. She immediately caught one of the first flights home, spending Christmas in Point Fortin during rescue operations, praying for her son’s safe return.

    The family continues to endure significant anxiety as recovery efforts remain stalled due to safety concerns regarding the unstable rig structure. Well Services Ltd has indicated they have a general idea of Phillip’s location within the wreckage but require specialized equipment from abroad to stabilize the structure before proceeding with recovery.

    A November 12 company release announced that a US-based contractor had arrived to undertake stabilization work and remove hazardous materials. The recovery of Phillip’s remains will commence once this initial phase is completed, though no specific timeline has been provided. The company has obtained necessary approvals from multiple regulatory agencies including the Environmental Management Agency and the Ministry of Energy.

    Family members have expressed frustration with the pace of recovery operations. Pauline stated, “I find they’re moving too slow. If this involved some minister or important person, they would have acted more quickly.” Patricia echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the response would have been different “if it was some big man, some big pappy.”

    Communication issues have compounded the family’s distress. The company has primarily engaged with Phillip’s wife, Candacy, as next of kin, leaving other family members feeling excluded from critical updates. “We just have to wait for whatever message we get from them,” Pauline lamented.

    Despite these frustrations, the family acknowledges the company’s support for Candacy and Phillip’s five children, including an 18-year-old son from a previous relationship. The company has provided educational support, weekly stipends, and home improvements for the family.

    Candacy, who was pregnant at the time of the accident, gave birth to Javon Pete Phillip in February—a son who will never know his father. The family now hopes recovery efforts might be completed before what would have been Phillip’s birthday on January 17.

  • Morris: US military radar undermining Tobago tourism

    Morris: US military radar undermining Tobago tourism

    A significant political dispute has emerged in Tobago regarding the impact of a US military radar installation on the island’s tourism industry. Minority Leader Kelvon Morris of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) has declared that the radar system deployed at the ANR Robinson International Airport is substantially undermining Tobago’s tourism sector.

    Speaking at the unveiling of the PNM’s political platform on December 21, Morris, who serves as the PNM candidate for Darrel Spring/Whim in the upcoming January 12 THA election, presented concerning statistics showing international tourist arrivals plummeting from 1,988 in January to approximately 828 by May. He highlighted that even a highly anticipated jazz festival in April attracted only 972 visitors, far below projections.

    Morris attributed the tourism decline to multiple factors including airlift challenges, seasonal tourism patterns, and inadequate accommodations—issues he claims the ruling Tobago People’s Party (TPP) has failed to address over four years. The situation has been further exacerbated by the recent radar installation, which Morris states has already prompted three cruise ship cancellations and daily cancellations of flight and wedding bookings.

    The controversy extends beyond tourism into jurisdictional disputes. THA Chief Secretary and TPP leader Farley Augustine maintains he was never consulted about the radar installation before its implementation in November. Augustine asserts he should hold membership on the National Security Council (NSC), currently chaired by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

    Former national security minister Gary Griffith has clarified that NSC membership is restricted to select cabinet ministers, excluding even heads of protective services. The political dynamics are further complicated by the TPP’s two MPs sitting with UNC backbenchers in Parliament, though no formal coalition exists between the parties.

    Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar first publicly acknowledged the radar’s existence on November 27, describing it as a Northrop Grumman G/ATOR system designed to enhance surveillance capabilities against narco traffickers and various security threats. At a recent public event, she condemned critics of the US military presence and warned that such criticism could jeopardize the US visas of approximately 350,000 Trinbagonians.

    The situation presents a complex intersection of national security priorities, local economic concerns, and international diplomacy that continues to evolve as Tobago approaches critical elections.

  • Emile Elias ordered to pay $5m to brothers

    Emile Elias ordered to pay $5m to brothers

    In a landmark ruling concluding one of Trinidad and Tobago’s longest-running familial legal disputes, the High Court has mandated the disbursement of over $5 million from court-held trust funds to settle decades-old costs between warring brothers. Justice Robin Mohammed delivered the decisive judgment that will see Joseph and Robert Elias receive payment from their brother Emile Elias’s share of their mother’s estate.

    The protracted legal conflict originated in 1985 with probate litigation concerning the estate of their father, Nagib Elias. The recent proceedings centered on enforcing costs orders from litigation in both 1985 and 1995. The judgment creditors, Joseph and Robert Elias, acting as executors of their father’s estate, sought recovery of $4.9 million in outstanding costs that they claimed Emile had persistently refused to pay.

    Justice Mohammed’s ruling established crucial legal precedents regarding limitation periods, determining that the Limitation of Personal Actions Ordinance—not the Limitation of Certain Actions Act—governed the dispute. This finding enabled the recovery of both principal amounts and accrued interest dating back to the original proceedings.

    The court quantified the debt at a principal sum of $1,578,482.27 as of 2012. Following a partial payment of $400,000 in 2016, the outstanding principal stood at $1,178,482.26. The court calculated accrued interest at $3,892,677.74 as of December 9, with daily interest continuing to accumulate at $161.43.

    The enforcement mechanism targeted Emile Elias’s entitlement to a one-fourth share (US$983,505.50) of a trust established under the will of Linda Elias, which had been paid into court earlier this year pending resolution of these proceedings.

    Justice Mohammed rejected Emile’s limitation defense, noting that acknowledgments and partial payments had effectively restarted any limitation period. Both parties agreed that appointing a receiver was unnecessary since the funds were already under court control.

    The court awarded costs to the judgment creditors at a discounted rate of 75 percent, citing missed settlement opportunities and the unfortunate familial nature of the dispute. Justice Mohammed expressed hope that this ruling would finally conclude the four-decade legal battle between the brothers.

    Legal representation included Deborah Peake, SC, Ravi Heffes-Doon and Samuel Harrison for Joseph and Robert Elias, while Douglas Mendes, SC, Jason Mootoo, SC and Adrian Byrne represented Emile Elias.

  • Bestial behaviour

    Bestial behaviour

    The recent killing of a protected ocelot in Grande Riviere has sparked outrage and concern among conservationists in Trinidad. This incident highlights critical gaps in wildlife protection and enforcement mechanisms despite substantial government investment in preservation strategies.

    Trinidad’s ocelot population represents a unique evolutionary case study. Unlike their mainland counterparts, these wild cats evolved without competition from larger carnivores like jaguars or pumas, having become isolated when rising sea levels separated Trinidad from the South American continent millennia ago. This distinctive biological heritage makes their conservation particularly significant.

    Disturbing evidence emerged when activists discovered a slain ocelot containing eight shotgun slugs upon examination by University of the West Indies veterinarians on December 17. Social media circulated images of the magnificent creature with its distinctive black, brown, and cream fur markings, drawing public attention to the incident.

    Environmental experts suggest hunters may be targeting ocelots to boost agouti populations, demonstrating a fundamental misunderstanding of ecological balance. While not universally classified as endangered, anecdotal evidence indicates declining ocelot numbers due to human activities, with this incident providing troubling confirmation.

    The situation raises serious questions about the implementation of the government’s $160,000 ocelot management plan developed by the Ministry of Planning and Development. Conservationists now question whether these protections exist merely on paper rather than being actively enforced.

    Commentator Paolo Kernahan observes that such incidents reflect broader educational deficiencies regarding environmental stewardship. This knowledge gap leads to destructive behaviors that ultimately undermine both biodiversity and economic potential.

    Paradoxically, the October budget emphasized tourism development through initiatives like the “Turtle Tourism Capital” project, promoting integration of “culture, conservation and community.” Wildlife protection represents not just an ecological imperative but also an economic opportunity that requires serious enforcement measures to prevent such counterproductive actions.

  • Illegal ganja trade more profitable?

    Illegal ganja trade more profitable?

    The longstanding controversy surrounding cannabis legislation in Trinidad and Tobago has resurfaced with renewed intensity, highlighting decades of regulatory ambiguity and its profound societal consequences. Historical records indicate that marijuana was legally sold throughout the Caribbean nation until the early 1940s, primarily within rural communities, before prohibition measures took effect—a move some analysts attribute to pressure from the rum industry.

    Despite widespread global liberalization trends—including 39 U.S. states legalizing medicinal or recreational cannabis—Trinidad and Tobago maintains strict prohibitions. This sustained illegality has fostered a substantial underground market, with significant quantities smuggled from Venezuela. The persistent black market trade has been linked to escalating violent crimes and substantial capital flight, draining valuable U.S. dollar reserves from the national economy.

    In a partial response to these challenges, the Keith Rowley administration enacted legislation permitting citizens to cultivate up to four cannabis plants. However, the policy lacked critical implementation details regarding sourcing approved seeds or designated cultivation areas, rendering the reform largely ineffective.

    The political landscape further complicated when Prime Minister Rowley transitioned power to Stuart Young, whose subsequent election call resulted in defeat. Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s United National Congress capitalized on the issue, promising full legalization through prominent newspaper advertisements during their campaign.

    Current discourse centers on whether maintaining prohibition inadvertently benefits criminal enterprises through sustained profitability of illegal trade, while society bears the costs of associated violence and economic damage.

  • When private sector becomes government client

    When private sector becomes government client

    In a stark assessment of Trinidad and Tobago’s economic landscape, Dr. Fuad Khan delivers a piercing critique of the nation’s private sector, revealing what he describes as a fundamental transformation from development partner to permanent state client.

    The analysis identifies a structural condition where private sector performance has become intrinsically tied to government spending patterns rather than market innovation. When state expenditure contracts, business confidence plummets; when government spending flows, temporary growth emerges. This dependency cycle signals a profound dysfunction within TT’s economic framework.

    A truly independent private sector typically drives progress through anticipating demand, investing ahead of policy developments, and competing internationally. However, Dr. Khan observes that TT’s business community increasingly organizes strategies around public procurement cycles, tax concessions, and regulatory protections. Lobbying has effectively replaced innovation as the primary business strategy, while compliance has superseded creativity.

    This dependency manifests across multiple sectors. Construction and infrastructure activities fluctuate directly with government capital expenditure. Energy services discussion about diversification rarely translates into action without state financing guarantees. Financial sector innovation remains superficial with minimal focus on funding productive enterprises. Retail and distribution sectors prioritize protected domestic markets over regional expansion.

    The consequences are measurable and severe: minimal research and development investment, weak export capacity, stagnant productivity growth, and lagging technology adoption. These indicators reflect a business culture that favors insulation over innovation, ultimately creating a self-reinforcing cycle where navigating institutional weaknesses becomes a competitive advantage.

    Young and innovative enterprises suffer most acutely in this environment, lacking the political access, legacy scale, or financial leverage to compete effectively. Many stagnate, relocate, or never launch, resulting in lost economic dynamism replaced by the illusion of stability.

    While government policy enabled this dependency, Dr. Khan emphasizes that the private sector actively embraced it. The choice to abandon export ambition, underinvest in technology, and accept protection represents a voluntary surrender of competitive spirit.

    True economic transformation requires a fundamental shift toward exports, technology investment, skills development, regional integration, and genuine competition. This transition will inevitably involve failure, consolidation, and discomfort—but remains essential for sustainable growth. Until TT’s private sector chooses independence over access, it will remain a client rather than a leader in national development.

  • Brilliantproposalby Irfaan

    Brilliantproposalby Irfaan

    A compelling endorsement has emerged from New York-based commentator Jay Rakhar, praising Guyanese President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s strategic decision to pursue enhanced cooperation with the United States amid escalating tensions with Venezuela. This development occurs against the backdrop of Venezuela’s renewed claims over the oil-rich Essequibo region, despite the 1899 Paris Arbitral Award that established Guyana’s legitimate sovereignty.

    The correspondence highlights Venezuela’s alleged role as a regional destabilizer, accusing the nation of being a primary exporter of illicit drugs and firearms not only to Trinidad and Tobago but also to the United States and neighboring Suriname. The author characterizes Venezuela under President Nicolás Maduro as ‘the bully of the Caribbean,’ referencing recent assertions that Trinidad and Tobago historically belonged to Venezuela—claims dismissed as baseless.

    A particularly provocative suggestion proposes the establishment of a US military base within the disputed Essequibo territory as a permanent solution to deter Venezuelan expansionism. The author argues that American military presence would serve as a protective frontier, ensuring Guyana’s security while providing psychological comfort to its citizens.

    The analysis further references Trinidad and Tobago’s existing security cooperation with the US, notably the installation of a radar system at Tobago airport that recently contributed to a significant drug bust worth $171 million in the Caroni Swamp. The author condemns any potential objections to such security measures as ‘outrageous and ludicrous,’ emphasizing their demonstrated effectiveness in combating narcotics trafficking.

    The overarching argument posits that strategic alignment with the United States represents a prudent geopolitical choice compared to enduring Venezuelan aggression, framing the proposed partnership as a necessary safeguard for regional stability.

  • Trump, the author of confusion

    Trump, the author of confusion

    In a scathing critique of U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration, political commentators have highlighted what appears to be a pattern of bewildering contradictions and strategic inconsistencies. The editorial analysis points to President Trump’s simultaneous declaration of a war on drugs while granting presidential clemency to convicted Honduran drug traffickers as emblematic of this paradoxical approach.

    The policy landscape appears to shift abruptly from focusing on narcotics interdiction to asserting control over foreign oil resources and territorial claims, creating what observers describe as a diplomatic strategy lacking coherent direction. The administration’s ‘America First’ doctrine, according to critics, manifests as a disjointed series of actions that prioritize short-term gains over long-term strategic consistency.

    This approach has drawn significant criticism for what analysts characterize as fundamental hypocrisy: combating cartels while potentially empowering their leadership, addressing resource theft while seizing foreign assets, and pursuing peace through confrontational threats. The resulting international perception, as documented in foreign policy assessments, suggests a departure from traditional diplomatic norms and a embrace of transactional relationships that undermine consistent policy application.

    The editorial commentary concludes that these apparent contradictions have created unprecedented challenges for international relations experts attempting to analyze American foreign policy objectives, with the current administration’s actions frequently contradicting its stated principles on the global stage.

  • Agriculture minister hosts children’s Xmas party

    Agriculture minister hosts children’s Xmas party

    In a heartwarming pre-Christmas celebration, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Ravi Ratiram organized a special children’s party on December 21st at the National Cycling Velodrome in Couva. The event brought together approximately 800 children from ministry staff families for an afternoon filled with festive merriment and joyful activities.

    The gathering served as more than just seasonal entertainment, representing Minister Ratiram’s dedicated approach to staff welfare and family engagement. During his address to attendees, the minister emphasized the fundamental importance of creating meaningful spaces for children and acknowledging the crucial role families play in supporting public servants.

    “The Christmas season reminds us of life’s essential values—family bonds, love, kindness, gratitude, and hope,” Minister Ratiram stated. “By investing in our children and creating environments where they feel genuinely valued and cherished, we are essentially planting seeds for Trinidad and Tobago’s stronger future.”

    The minister also took the opportunity to express his profound appreciation for the dedication and professionalism demonstrated by ministry staff throughout the year. He noted that their critical work supporting national food security, agricultural sustainability, and climate resilience is fundamentally strengthened by the values they exemplify both within professional settings and at home.

    The festive event featured an array of engaging activities including traditional games, lively music, sweet treats, and surprise appearances—with Santa Claus himself making a special visit to spread Christmas cheer. The celebration successfully fostered an atmosphere of joy and togetherness among children and their families, effectively reinforcing the spirit of unity, generosity, and goodwill that characterizes the Christmas season.

    Minister Ratiram concluded the event by extending his heartfelt best wishes to all ministry staff, their children, and families for a safe, joyful, and peaceful Christmas season followed by a prosperous New Year.

  • Chase: First-innings batting failures cost Windies Test series loss

    Chase: First-innings batting failures cost Windies Test series loss

    West Indies Test captain Roston Chase has pinpointed consistent first-innings batting failures as the decisive element behind his team’s 2-0 Test series defeat against New Zealand, concluding a grueling multi-format tour in 2025. This assessment came following a comprehensive loss in the final Test at Mount Maunganui on December 22, which sealed a dismal overseas campaign that saw the Caribbean side fail to secure a single victory across all formats.

    Chase emphasized that establishing a strong first-innings total, ideally around the 300-run mark, is fundamental to controlling a Test match and pursuing a favorable outcome. He confirmed that early batting inconsistencies have been a persistent issue for the squad, one that proved exceedingly costly throughout the tour. The team’s struggles were starkly evident in the final Test, where a monumental 323-run opening partnership from New Zealand’s Devon Conway (227) and captain Tom Latham (137) led to a commanding host declaration at 575/8. Although the West Indies mounted a stern reply with 420 runs, a subsequent second-innings collapse for 138 all out confirmed a heavy defeat.

    The skipper expressed visible disappointment, particularly as the defeat extended the West Indies’ winless streak in New Zealand since 1995. He admitted the pitch’s rapid deterioration, with developing cracks and unpredictable bounce, presented an unexpected challenge for his batsmen. While defending his bowling unit’s effort amidst injury concerns, Chase was unequivocal that batting remained the central weakness, despite being encouraged by three centuries scored in the series, including a brilliant unbeaten 202 from Justin Greaves and 140 from Shai Hope in Christchurch.

    On a personal note, Chase was self-critical, labeling his own performance with a highest score of 29 as ‘very below par’ and admitting he failed to lead from the front. Looking ahead, he stated that addressing these deficiencies is non-negotiable for both himself and the team to compete more consistently on the international stage. He also praised New Zealand’s standout performers, including Jacob Duffy’s bowling effectiveness and the dominance of Conway and Latham, while paying tribute to the exceptional career of Kane Williamson.