Carib Scope

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  • Independent Senator: Don’t assume we’re PNM

    Independent Senator: Don’t assume we’re PNM

    In a significant parliamentary development, Independent Senator Michael Simon de la Bastide has called upon the Trinidad and Tobago government to employ persuasive dialogue rather than derogatory language to secure support for the Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) Bill, 2026. The proposed legislation, which passed the House of Representatives on January 16, is currently under detailed scrutiny in the Senate, where deliberations began on January 20 and are set to continue.

    The bill grants Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, in her capacity as National Security Council chair, the authority—following consultations with police and military leadership—to designate specific high-crime regions as Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs) for periods up to 180 days. The bill requires a three-fifths majority in the Senate, translating to 19 votes. With the government holding 15 seats, the opposition 6, and independent senators 9, the support of the latter group is crucial.

    Senator de la Bastide, along with fellow Independent Senator Anthony Vieira, expressed a conditional willingness to back the bill but voiced strong objections to the hostile rhetoric directed at non-aligned senators. De la Bastide emphasized that independent senators are open to constructive pre-debate discussions, potential amendments, and compromises. He criticized the government’s approach of hurling insults and making partisan assumptions, stating that such tactics could deter qualified individuals from accepting future appointments as independent senators.

    Both senators acknowledged the necessity of innovative measures to address Trinidad and Tobago’s persistent crime challenges. However, they highlighted concerns about the potential stigmatization of communities labeled as ZOSOs, the risk of normalizing military involvement in civilian policing, and the importance of ensuring that expanded security powers align with constitutional principles and human rights protections.

    Vieira underscored that independent senators are constitutionally mandated to ask difficult questions, particularly when legislation involves expanding state authority. He rejected characterizations of their critiques as ‘shallow’ or ‘vapid,’ framing them instead as essential exercises of independent judgment in a healthy democracy.

    The ongoing debate reflects deeper tensions regarding governance, legislative process, and the balance between security needs and democratic safeguards in Trinidad and Tobago.

  • Windies into World Cup Super Sixes

    Windies into World Cup Super Sixes

    In a remarkable display of cricketing prowess, the West Indies Under-19 team secured their place in the Super Six stage of the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup with a decisive 55-run victory against South Africa on Thursday in Windhoek, Namibia. The match, held at the High Performance Oval, was defined by two extraordinary individual performances that ultimately shaped the outcome.

    Opening batsman Zachary Carter emerged from a run-scoring slump to deliver a spectacular century, crafting 114 runs from just 104 deliveries. His explosive innings featured eight powerful sixes and eight boundaries, providing the foundation for West Indies’ total of 234 all out in 47.5 overs. Carter’s dominance at the crease earned him the well-deserved Player-of-the-Match recognition.

    The Caribbean team’s bowling attack was equally impressive, led by pace bowler Shaquan Belle who achieved career-best figures of 6-40 from his 10 overs. Belle’s devastating spell virtually dismantled South Africa’s batting lineup, restricting them to 179 runs in 37.4 overs despite a fighting 46 from Jason Rowles.

    The victory marked West Indies’ second win in the tournament, securing them second position in Group D behind undefeated Afghanistan. South Africa, finishing third in the group, also advanced to the next phase of the competition alongside the top three teams from the group.

    The match witnessed several momentum shifts, particularly when South African left-arm pacer JJ Basson (5-23) threatened to derail West Indies’ innings with three wickets in four deliveries. However, Carter’s crucial 78-run partnership with Jonathan van Lange stabilized the innings before Belle’s bowling heroics sealed the comprehensive victory.

  • San Juan/Laventille corporation transport yard plagued by faeces, mosquitoes

    San Juan/Laventille corporation transport yard plagued by faeces, mosquitoes

    San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation transport yard employees are raising alarms over dangerously unsanitary working conditions and systemic operational failures that threaten both worker health and public service delivery. Workers interviewed on January 22nd detailed multiple health hazards including a chronically overflowing cesspit, mosquito infestations from stagnant water, and inadequate sanitation facilities.

    The situation has created a perfect storm of health risks, with one employee confirming he contracted dengue fever on the compound in early 2025. ‘We control mosquitoes at home, but here we’re bitten from morning to afternoon,’ he described. ‘You leave itchy, lumpy, and in discomfort.’

    Beyond health concerns, workers highlighted critical operational deficiencies. The yard faces severe vehicle maintenance issues, with many government vehicles operating without proper inspection, logbooks, or safety certifications. Employees reported being penalized for refusing to operate faulty equipment, while simultaneously having their allowances withheld and hours cut for not remaining on the hazardous premises.

    Workers identified these problems as symptomatic of broader institutional failure, criticizing both management and successive administrations for neglecting what they call ‘the backbone of every corporation.’ The transport yard handles essential services including emergency response, garbage collection, and construction material delivery across some of the region’s most challenging terrain.

    Despite previous complaints to management, union representatives, and councilors, no corrective action had been taken. When contacted by Newsday, Corporation Chairman Richard Walcott and the CEO both claimed unawareness of the issues, promising immediate resolution while acknowledging the corporation’s cesspool truck was currently non-operational.

  • Sisters gunned down 7 months apart

    Sisters gunned down 7 months apart

    In a devastating recurrence of violence, 37-year-old Kellyann Lemessy was fatally shot on January 22 in Lazzari Village, Rio Claro, marking the second homicide within her family in under eight months. The incident occurred as Lemessy sat inside a parked vehicle within a residential yard along Naparima Mayaro Road, where responding officers discovered the car still idling with multiple bullet impacts visible through the windshield.

    Law enforcement authorities later located a suspected getaway vehicle abandoned on San Pedro Road in nearby Poole Village, though no arrests have been made in connection with the killing. This tragedy echoes the murder of Lemessy’s sister, 41-year-old Cassie-Ann ‘Candice’ Lemessy, who was shot dead while in her van on June 17, 2025, near her Mayaro residence. The elder Lemessy, a contractor and mother of two, had been memorialized just three days before police apprehended 35-year-old Samuel Paul of Mayaro for her homicide. That case remains active within the judicial system.

    Complicating the familial narrative, court records indicate that Kellyann Lemessy and another female relative faced criminal charges following an alleged May 2025 assault against a male family member in Mayaro that resulted in severe burn injuries. Both women were granted bail after being charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm, with those proceedings also ongoing.

    Investigators from both the Eastern Division and Region Three’s Homicide Bureau are actively working to determine potential connections between these incidents, though the precise motive behind Kellyann Lemessy’s murder remains undetermined at this time.

  • Freelance journalist shot and killed in Trinidad

    Freelance journalist shot and killed in Trinidad

    TRINIDAD — A brutal assassination has shocked the community of Rio Claro, southeastern Trinidad, after freelance journalist Kellyann Lemessy was murdered in a targeted attack outside her home on Thursday. The 38-year-old mother of three was ambushed by two masked assailants as she arrived at her residence with her two young daughters in the vehicle.

    According to police reports, Lemessy was shot multiple times in the head and body while seated in her car. Investigators believe she heroically shielded her nearly two-year-old child, who was on her lap at the time of the attack. Remarkably, both her toddler and nine-year-old daughter emerged physically unharmed from the horrific incident.

    Lemessy had worked as a correspondent for CNC3 television, building a career in freelance journalism. The killing has raised serious concerns about journalist safety and organized violence in the region.

    This tragedy marks the second violent death in Lemessy’s family within a year. In June 2023, her sister Cassieann was similarly shot and killed in her vehicle near their Mayaro home, with one suspect currently facing charges for that murder.

    Adding to the family’s complex history, Lemessy and another sister were previously charged with causing grievous bodily harm to their brother after an alleged boiling water attack. They had been released on bail of TT$200,000 (approximately US$32,000) pending trial.

    Authorities are actively investigating possible motives behind the killing, including potential connections to her journalistic work, the previous family violence case, or her sister’s unsolved murder. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service has vowed to prioritize the investigation amid growing public concern about violence against women and media professionals.

  • T&T gov’t to undertake registration of migrants

    T&T gov’t to undertake registration of migrants

    The Trinidad and Tobago government has announced a sweeping immigration regularization initiative requiring all undocumented migrants to register through a newly established digital framework starting next week. Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander unveiled the Migration Registration Framework during Thursday’s post-Cabinet news conference, marking a significant policy shift in the nation’s approach to irregular migration.

    The comprehensive program mandates that all undocumented individuals regardless of nationality must complete online registration through the dedicated portal migrantregistration.gov.tt, followed by in-person interviews to obtain official Migration Registration Framework cards. The administration has set a registration fee of TT$700 (approximately US$110), while exempting children from the financial requirement.

    Minister Alexander emphasized the inclusive nature of the current framework, contrasting it with the 2019 program implemented by the previous administration that exclusively targeted Venezuelan nationals. “This Government intends to do things differently,” Alexander stated, highlighting the digital-first approach that leverages government facilities nationwide.

    Registration necessitates presentation of valid identification, proof of address, and employment details when applicable. However, the minister clarified that individuals with criminal records may face registration challenges, emphasizing the government’s stance against admitting those who might “add to the nation’s problems.”

    Despite the warning, authorities encourage all undocumented migrants—including those who entered illegally—to participate without fear of immediate reprisal. The program aims to create a structured immigration system while identifying productive contributors to Trinidad and Tobago’s development. Those failing to register risk potential deportation proceedings as the government seeks to balance humanitarian concerns with national security priorities.

  • Grenada’s former PM bows out of politics

    Grenada’s former PM bows out of politics

    ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada — In a historic transition marking the end of a political era, former Grenadian Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell formally announced his retirement from public service during a Thursday evening ceremony. The 79-year-old statesman, who has dominated the nation’s political landscape for generations, revealed Dr. Adrian Joseph as his designated successor for the St. George North West constituency—a seat Mitchell has held continuously since 1984.

    Mitchell, the founding leader of the New National Party (NNP) and the longest-serving prime minister in Grenada’s history, delivered an emotional farewell address reflecting on his remarkable tenure. “To the people of St. George North West, you trusted me with the privilege of representing you in the Parliament of this country for over 40 years,” he stated, expressing profound gratitude for the 23 years during which he governed Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique as prime minister.

    The veteran politician explained his decision to step down, noting his conscious choice to avoid overstaying his welcome. “I have seen leadership in this country go on for so long to the point that they are not even able to physically walk,” Mitchell observed, emphasizing his commitment to departing while still physically capable. His reference to seeking “one for the road” in the previous election underscored his long-planned exit strategy from the political arena.

    Mitchell’s legacy includes an unprecedented achievement in Caribbean politics: leading the NNP to complete parliamentary dominance with clean sweeps of all 15 seats in both the 2013 and 2018 elections. However, his final electoral contest resulted in a defeat to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in June 2022, with the NNP securing six seats against the NDC’s nine.

    Dr. Adrian Joseph, the incoming caretaker for the constituency, brings considerable credentials as an experienced diplomat and senior public administrator. Party officials characterize his nomination as representing both continuity with established political traditions and meaningful change, positioning him as a bridge between generations of leadership ready to assume the national spotlight.

  • Let’s be clear hair

    Let’s be clear hair

    A renewed controversy over hairstyle regulations at Fyzabad Secondary School in Trinidad has sparked national discourse about cultural discrimination in educational institutions. The school’s administration issued strict grooming guidelines that specifically target traditional Black hairstyles including afros, braids, cornrows, and pineapple buns, deeming them violations of discipline standards.

    The policy mandates three-day suspensions for non-compliance, requiring both students and parents to contemplate the punishment at home. This approach has drawn sharp criticism from education advocates who argue such rules perpetuate post-colonial ideologies and racial bias against the natural hair textures of more than half the country’s population.

    Education Minister Dr. Michael Dowlath has intervened, emphasizing that while schools may establish grooming guidelines, they must never deny children their right to education. The ministry recently stated that all hair policies should be “reasonable, non-discriminatory, respectful of students’ dignity, and consistent with the best interest of the child,” while respecting “cultural identity and personal expression.

    However, confusion persists within the education system. A July 2023 national school code prohibited hairstyles that obstruct views or feature intricate designs, while an October 2023 recommendation suggested schools establish hair policy committees for ministry review.

    The Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) and the National Council of Parent Teacher Associations have joined activists in condemning discriminatory regulations. Many reference American R&B singer India Arie’s 2006 anthem “I Am Not My Hair,” which highlighted the damaging psychological effects of hair-based cultural conflicts on Black youth.

    Educators now face increasing pressure to ensure school policies promote inclusion rather than reinforce harmful stereotypes about natural Black hairstyles being associated with indiscipline or lack of professionalism.

  • Barbados AG urges more regional cooperation to deal with crime in the Caribbean

    Barbados AG urges more regional cooperation to deal with crime in the Caribbean

    BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – At the ongoing Pace Justice Second Attorneys-General Roundtable, Barbados Attorney General Dale Marshall issued a compelling appeal for enhanced regional collaboration to fortify criminal justice systems across the Caribbean. Emphasizing shared challenges, Marshall advocated for a collective approach rather than isolated national efforts, particularly in critical areas like witness protection and anti-gang legislation.

    Marshall highlighted the practical benefits of this cooperative model, revealing that Barbados had successfully drawn upon existing frameworks from neighboring nations. “When developing our witness protection legislation, passed just last year, we found immense value in examining the Jamaican and St. Vincent models,” he stated. Similarly, Jamaica’s anti-gang legislation served as a template for Barbados, while other initiatives were informed by Trinidad’s legal framework.

    The Attorney General pointed to the Needham’s Point Declaration as a pivotal regional roadmap. This 2023 agreement, comprising 39 comprehensive recommendations adopted by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Academy for Law, aims to modernize criminal justice through legislative, police, and judicial reforms focused on efficiency, reducing delays, and victim-centered approaches.

    Marshall cited tangible progress resulting from previous collaborations, including Barbados’ recent adoption of plea-bargaining legislation and judge-alone trial provisions. While the latter remains optional for defendants, Marshall noted its successful implementation in several significant cases.

    The high-level discussions, concluding Friday, are addressing several pressing issues: harmonized justice approaches including judge-alone trials and plea bargaining; witness protection programs identifying best practices and gaps; digital justice interoperability; and strengthening legal aid and public defender systems throughout the Caribbean region.

  • Venezuelan embassy launches campaign demanding return of ousted president and his wife

    Venezuelan embassy launches campaign demanding return of ousted president and his wife

    ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The Venezuelan government has initiated an international pressure campaign seeking the repatriation of President Nicholas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, who remain in United States custody following their controversial detention during a military intervention on January 3rd. The diplomatic effort, branded with the hashtag #BringThemBack, was formally launched at an emotionally charged gathering hosted by Venezuela’s embassy in Antigua.

    Ambassador Carmen Velasquez characterized the U.S. military action as a catastrophic event in Venezuela’s historical narrative, addressing an audience that included diplomatic representatives from Cuba and China, alongside local supporters. Both Maduro and Flores have entered not guilty pleas against charges related to narcotics and weapons trafficking, with their next court appearance scheduled for March 17 in a New York federal court.

    President Maduro maintains that his capture constituted an unlawful kidnapping, while U.S. leadership has indicated intentions to maintain administrative control over Venezuela for the foreseeable future. Ambassador Velasquez, who was present in Caracas during the military operation, provided a firsthand account of hearing explosions and helicopter activity initially mistaken for celebratory fireworks, followed by observations of drone-launched rocket attacks.

    The event evolved into a vigil with attendees participating in candlelight ceremonies led by Pastor James Warner of the All Saints Fellowship of Believers, who offered prayers for national peace and the safe return of Venezuela’s leadership. Cuban Ambassador Sergio Martinez applauded the gathering as a tribute to those who perished defending Venezuelan sovereignty, condemning the American intervention as a brutal assault that would not be forgotten historically.

    The Venezuelan embassy has established a condolence registry for public signatures to demonstrate global solidarity with the Venezuelan populace amidst ongoing political tensions.