Carib Scope

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  • Simmons puts police discipline under the spotlight

    Simmons puts police discipline under the spotlight

    As the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) ramps up its aggressive, intelligence-led campaign to curb a rising tide of gun violence across the island nation, its acting Deputy Commissioner Junior Simmons is placing internal discipline at the forefront of the force’s broader public safety strategy, warning that the service cannot credibly fight crime while ignoring misconduct within its own ranks.

    Speaking at a public press conference held in Kingstown, Simmons dedicated a substantial portion of his address to the critical role of good order, professional integrity, and strict accountability within the RSVGPF, framing robust internal discipline as the foundational pillar of both public trust and effective, community-centered policing. He emphasized that the public not only expects police to uphold law and order for all citizens, but also deserves full confidence that the officers tasked with enforcing the law meet the same strict standards they are required to impose on the community.

    “An as organization, we cannot successfully combat widespread criminal activity if we turn a blind eye to unprofessional and illegal behavior among our own members,” Simmons told reporters. He went on to draw a direct causal link between public cooperation and consistent internal discipline, noting that for residents to come forward with sensitive information about illegal gun activity — a key tool for preventing and solving violent crime — they must first be certain that every officer upholds the ethical and legal rules the force is sworn to protect.

    Simmons openly acknowledged that high-profile incidents in recent years have eroded public confidence in the RSVGPF, and that force leadership fully recognizes how these events have damaged community-police relations. Against this backdrop, he announced a renewed, force-wide focus on upholding professional standards, outlining four core areas that will see stricter enforcement moving forward: consistent adherence to good order and discipline, unwavering commitment to integrity and accountability, full compliance with existing standing orders and service regulations, and strict observance of established operational protocols in all day-to-day policing activities.

    Rejecting the framing of internal discipline as a trivial administrative housekeeping task, Simmons positioned it as a non-negotiable prerequisite for effective crime fighting. “As police officers, we must lead by example. A stronger, more accountable police force is far better positioned to protect the public we are sworn to serve,” he stated.

    Simmons drew a clear distinction between officers who consistently uphold professional standards and those who abuse their positions of public trust, offering a clear guarantee that officers who carry out their duties ethically and effectively will receive full, unwavering support from the force’s senior leadership. At the same time, he issued a stark direct warning to officers who misuse their authority, compromise active investigations, mishandle sensitive confidential information, engage in corrupt practices, or otherwise damage the public reputation of the RSVGPF: there will be clear, tangible consequences for this type of misconduct.

    The acting deputy commissioner’s remarks on internal reform came during the same press conference where he and other RSVGPF leaders outlined a new, tougher, intelligence-centered strategy to counter rising gun violence across St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Simmons stressed that internal reform and external crime-fighting operations must go hand in hand to deliver sustainable results. He had previously noted that the force’s response to gun violence must be organized, intelligence-driven, and sustained, with officer deployments tied directly to mapped crime patterns and actionable intelligence, rather than relying on ineffective routine random patrols.

    Even as the force adopts more aggressive tactics to tackle violent crime, Simmons made clear that rigorous, proactive policing does not justify indiscriminate or abusive conduct by officers. He insisted that all police operations must remain guided by the rule of law and respect for constitutional rights of all citizens. “Our officers will operate fully within the bounds of the law, respect the rights of every citizen, and maintain the highest possible standards of professionalism,” he said. “We will be firm and uncompromising with criminals, but always fair to law-abiding members of the public.”

    Simmons directly tied the new push for stricter internal discipline to repairing and rebuilding the fractured relationship between the RSVGPF and the communities it serves, warning that without restored public trust, the force’s entire anti-crime strategy is at risk of failure. He reminded residents that the RSVGPF depends on community cooperation to reduce gun violence, as tips and information from the public are often the critical factor in preventing violent attacks or securing convictions for illegal gun offenses.

    Reaffirming leadership’s awareness of past missteps, Simmons noted that previous incidents involving police officers have reshaped public perception of the force for many residents. “We know that there have been several incidents in the past that have caused you to look at us a different way, but we understand your concerns, and we ask you not to lose confidence in us because everybody needs the police. The police are the public, and the public are the police,” he told attendees at the press conference.

    For Simmons, internal discipline is both a core internal obligation for every officer and a necessary response to legitimate public expectations. Internally, this requires all officers to strictly adhere to the RSVGPF’s existing standing orders, regulations, and operational procedures. Externally, it requires officers to act in ways that reinforce, rather than erode, public trust in the police as a law-abiding, impartial public institution.

    Simmons’ call for stricter internal accountability comes as the RSVGPF as a whole rolls out expanded anti-violence operations across Kingstown and its surrounding areas, responding to a recent spike in gun-related crime. At the same press conference, Acting Commissioner Trevor “Buju” Bailey outlined other key elements of the new strategy, including zoning the capital city, increasing the presence of armed patrols in high-crime areas, and rolling out new forensic investigative tools to solve gun crimes faster.

    Simmons’ new push for internal discipline fills a critical complementary role in the broader strategy: strengthening professional standards, boosting accountability, and rebuilding community engagement to ensure that the force’s new, tougher crime-fighting tactics do not come at the cost of public legitimacy. Repeating his core message, Simmons underlined that professional internal conduct is not a secondary side issue, but central to delivering sustained public safety for all residents of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. “It is when a police force is stronger that it is better positioned to protect the public that we serve,” he said.

  • FLASH State Exams : All results available, by department and by student

    FLASH State Exams : All results available, by department and by student

    On August 31, 2026, Haiti’s Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training (MENFP) officially announced that all results for the country’s 2025-2026 national state examinations are now fully available for public access, sorted by administrative department and individual student. The official data was released by Haiti’s National Bureau of State Examinations (BUNEXE), covering four key exam groups that serve as major academic milestones for students across the Caribbean nation.

    The first set of results covers the 9th Fundamental Year Examinations, a critical assessment marking the end of lower-level basic education. Across all 10 Haitian departments, 182,051 students registered and participated in the exam, with 162,086 successful candidates earning passing marks. This puts the national overall pass rate at 89.03% for the current academic year. Department-level results show dramatic variation from the 2024-2025 cycle: the Northwest department posted a remarkable jump in pass rates, rising from 54.19% last year to 99.22% this cycle, with 13,006 passes out of 13,108 total participants. By contrast, Grand’Anse saw a notable decline from 93.74% to 85.99%, while the North, West, Artibonite and Southeast departments recorded small single-digit drops in their pass rates. Northeast, South, Centre and Nippes all posted minor increases between 0.23% and 4.38% compared to last year’s results.

    For the new reformed NS-IV Baccalaureate, the secondary school leaving examination required for university admission, a total of 100,116 students participated across all departments, with 50,467 passing for an overall national pass rate of 50.41%. Here too, the Northwest department led in performance with a 78% pass rate, which also marks a dramatic 47 percentage point increase from its 30.99% pass rate in 2024-2025. The Centre department also saw a significant jump from 49.72% to 68.10% this year. However, West department posted a sharp decline from 95.16% to 45.73%, Nippes dropped from 75% to 40.36%, and Grand’Anse fell from 61.87% to 42.84% year-over-year. Most other departments recorded small to moderate increases in pass rates.

    In addition to the regular Baccalaureate cycle, BUNEXE also released results for the permanent Baccalaureate session for candidates who had failed previous attempts. For this 2025-2026 session, 14,175 retake candidates participated, with 7,207 passing for an overall pass rate of 50.84%. Departmental results for this group range from a high of 81.27% in the Centre department to a low of 20.39% in Nippes.

    Finally, results for the official entrance examination to the prestigious Normal School for Teachers and Kindergarteners (ENIJE), the country’s main teacher training institution, were also released. Out of 2,510 applicants for preschool and fundamental education training tracks, 1,759 gained admission, for a 70.08% overall pass rate.

    All results, broken down by school, examination subject, and test center, are hosted on the official MENFP website at www.menfp.gouv.ht, and individual student results can be accessed via a dedicated official link. BUNEXE has issued an important advisory for students and families checking results: due to the extremely high volume of concurrent users attempting to access the portal, the government server may experience temporary slowdowns or intermittent outages. Officials recommend that users who cannot connect avoid repeated attempts, as this adds to server congestion, and instead wait 10 to 30 minutes before trying again to access their results.

  • IT’S SO GRUESOME

    IT’S SO GRUESOME

    At 91 years old, Merle Bertrand, a trailblazing former Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Trinidad and Tobago, has witnessed the remarkable evolution of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS). From its early days as a heavily male-dominated institution where women had to fight hard to earn legitimacy, to a modern force where women now hold key senior leadership positions, Bertrand’s personal journey tracks every step of that change.

    Bertrand is one of the last surviving members of the pioneering group of women police recruits known as Batch 5,000. In 1955, she made history as one of the first 12 women formally recruited into what was then called the Trinidad and Tobago Police Force. That year marked the official introduction of women officers to the service, with the initial mandate of handling cases involving juveniles and female victims. Today, the TTPS Museum honors these barrier-breaking pioneers with a dedicated Women in Policing exhibition.

    In a recent telephone interview with local outlet *Express*, Bertrand opened up about the high stakes the first cohort of women faced back in 1955. Leadership made it clear that if the group failed to prove women could perform police work at the required standard, there would be no future recruitment of female officers. “The Executive Committee said that if we didn’t prove ourselves, that was it. So we had to fight, fight, fight. For two years we did, and they took the second batch,” Bertrand recalled.

    Though the first women were hired primarily to work on women and children-related cases, their scope of responsibility expanded far beyond those initial limits far faster than expected. The 12 recruits were split across four stations in the former North Western Division: Woodbrook, Belmont, Besson Street, and Central Police Stations. At Central Station, Bertrand took on patrol duties and charge room work, even pulling overnight and weekend shifts with the Anti-Vice Squad, where she monitored vice establishments, made arrests, and participated in raids. After a transfer to Belmont Police Station, she began leading general criminal investigations, and later joined the Flying Squad for high-profile raids.

    Slow but steady progress followed. Two fellow early female officers, Jessica St Rose and Merle Carter, traveled to the United Kingdom for advanced training; upon their return, they established the formal Women Police Branch and set official standing orders for female officers, creating a structured framework for women in the service. Bertrand added that the public quickly embraced female officers, saying “The public respected women police. People looked up to us, and we would get any information.”

    Bertrand retired from the TTPS in 1985, but she has continued to closely follow shifts in crime and policing across the nation. Today, she says the level of violent crime plaguing Trinidad and Tobago would have been unthinkable during her active career. “We had crime, of course we had crime. But not like now. The guns, the guns, the guns and the drugs. I mean, it was there, but it was not like it is now. There are now so many gruesome killings. Women are being killed a lot more now and children weren’t being murdered (back then),” she said.

    Beyond rising violence, Bertrand points to two other growing issues within the TTPS: a culture of impunity for corrupt officers, and a gap in practical on-the-job expertise left by retiring veteran investigators. “You have untouchables in Trinidad now, where you cannot touch the policemen. Whatever they are doing wrong they cannot be touched. If you don’t get rid of the head, you can’t get rid of the tail,” she argued. She also noted that when the generation of top veteran investigators retired, few new officers have been able to fill their roles. In her era, officers were not granted leave until high-priority cases – such as a string of repeat break-ins – were solved, a standard she says no longer holds. Today, she argues, many new recruits hold university degrees and high academic credentials, but lack the street smarts and hands-on investigative training that defined past cohorts: “Some of them never went and slept under houses and go in bush and wait for suspects to arrest them and stuff like that. They don’t know anything about that.”

    When asked what she would do to reform the service if she were back in uniform today, Bertrand pointed directly to the foundation of the force: recruitment and training. She called for a return to mandatory regular refresher training for serving officers, a requirement she says has been phased out. For recruitment, she argues that academic qualifications should not be the primary hiring metric, saying “You can’t just have anybody who come up with degrees and say, ‘Right, I want to be a police officer,’ and say, ‘Right, the more degrees you have, the more passes you have, we going to pick you.’ No. You can’t do so. Something has to be done about the recruiting because, you can’t have all these passes and you don’t have any street sense.”

    Bertrand’s legacy as a trailblazer and mentor endures among current and retired senior female officers. Retired Assistant Police Commissioner Joanne Archie, who also served as acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations and is also being honored by the TTPS Museum, called Bertrand a foundational influence for women in the service. “Women measured themselves against her. She stood tall, in bearing, in strength, and in the way she carried the responsibility of senior rank,” Archie said. “For many women in the Police Service, she was the mentor we needed. I was one of them. Her work ethic set the standard, and the way she conducted herself taught us what a senior officer should look like. Her voice was always her greatest strength — used to hold the line and to lift others up. I count it a privilege to have served alongside her.” Archie added that Bertrand remains active in police community WhatsApp groups, where she still shares insights on current policing issues, 69 years after first joining the force.

  • Kangaloo: Too many families grieving

    Kangaloo: Too many families grieving

    As Trinidad and Tobago marks its 64th year of national independence, President Christine Kangaloo has delivered a sober yet forward-looking national address that confronts the country’s most pressing challenges while calling on all citizens to embrace collective responsibility for the nation’s future.

    Opening her address, Kangaloo did not shy away from the harsh realities facing the Caribbean nation, highlighting the widespread grief that has torn through communities due to persistent violence. “Too many families across our country have known the pain of losing loved ones to senseless violence, and every grieving household carries a sorrow that resonates across the entire nation,” she said. She emphasized that achieving independence does not require citizens to ignore deep-seated problems; instead, self-governance grants the freedom and imposes a non-negotiable duty to confront these challenges head-on.

    Reflecting on the country’s constitutional journey, Kangaloo framed national sovereignty as a collective stewardship rather than a symbolic milestone. “Independence gave us the authority to chart our own national path, and transitioning to republican status placed full responsibility for our constitutional future in our own hands,” she explained. “Sovereignty, in the end, is stewardship: it is our shared duty to nurture the nation entrusted to us, and leave it stronger than we inherited it.”

    The President stressed that the fundamental freedoms the nation celebrates must include the right to live without fear of violence. Every life cut short by violent crime weakens the entire country, she argued, making the demand for public safety and the rule of law not just a policy goal, but a fundamental citizen right. She pushed back against the false framing that personal liberty, public security, and the sanctity of life are competing priorities, noting that a mature democracy works thoughtfully to protect all three values simultaneously.

    Building a peaceful, inclusive nation is a shared responsibility that extends far beyond government institutions, Kangaloo argued. Meaningful change begins at the community level: when adults teach children to value human life, when families, teachers, faith leaders and coaches help young people find a sense of purpose, and when every citizen chooses active engagement over indifference and collective service over personal gain.

    A core pillar of that inclusive nation-building, she added, is a commitment to genuine equity for all citizens. While independence made all Trinidadians and Tobagonians equal under the law, true nationhood requires putting that equality into practice. This means celebrating the cultural differences that enrich national life without letting those differences determine who belongs, whose contributions matter, or whose dignity deserves protection. “The Republic belongs equally to every single citizen,” Kangaloo said. “Our national institutions are held in trust for all people, not the property of those who hold office, and their strength depends on the integrity of public servants and the vigilance of the communities they serve.”

    Looking ahead to the future that will be led by the next generation, the President outlined key priorities to equip young people for success. The nation must leave behind institutions that earn young people’s trust, build an economy that rewards entrepreneurship, creativity and honest work, and expand opportunity so it is not limited by birth or background. She also highlighted the importance of passing down the nation’s rich cultural inheritance, noting that preserving the country’s faiths, traditions, music and shared stories is how generations have built unity from diversity.

    Kangaloo also positioned environmental stewardship as a core part of national independence. The islands’ land and coastal ecosystems are a central part of the national inheritance, she said, so protecting these natural resources, planning for climate change, and strengthening domestic food production are core acts of national stewardship. She added that national sovereignty does not mean isolation; instead, Trinidad and Tobago’s independence is strengthened when it contributes to the Caribbean community and the global order through a commitment to mutual respect, cooperation and peace.

    Noting the return of the traditional Independence Day parade after disruptions, Kangaloo said the event is not just a celebration of nationhood, but a reaffirmation of collective responsibility for the future. “The true measure of our independence is not simply that we have the freedom to make our own choices,” she said. “It is whether we choose wisely, whether we treat one another justly, and whether we leave the next generation a country that is more peaceful, more prosperous and more united than the one we received.”

    Closing her address, the President recalled that 64 years ago, the nation took control of its own destiny, and 50 years ago, it reaffirmed that responsibility as a republic. “Today, that responsibility belongs to every single one of us,” she said. “Let us meet it with honesty about where we have fallen short, confidence in what we can still achieve, and faith in one another.”

  • Relative: Senseless killing

    Relative: Senseless killing

    A quiet mother of four from St James, Trinidad, has become the latest victim of the country’s escalating gun violence crisis, gunned down in a seemingly random attack that has left her family shattered and pleading for urgent action to curb rampant violent crime.

    Forty-nine-year-old Mirissia Weekes, who lived with a hearing impairment, was shot in the head while walking home along Dundonald Hill on Friday afternoon, according to official police reports and family accounts. A nearby neighbor rushed the wounded woman to the local St James Medical Complex immediately after the shooting, but she was soon transferred to Port of Spain General Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries just before 6 p.m.

    In an emotional, candid interview with media, an unnamed close relative of Weekes described the killing as a pointless, senseless tragedy that has left the entire family reeling with shock. “She never interfered with anybody. She was such a quiet person,” the relative shared, describing the family’s ongoing disbelief at the loss. “I can’t even wrap my head around it because everybody here is in shock. Her four children still can’t process what happened.”

    The relative detailed what witnesses have told the family about the scene: Weekes was found face-down in a pool of blood on a small off-pathway near Fort Dundonald Villas, a position that indicates she was likely killed mid-journey as she returned to her home. “She did not deserve to die like that,” the relative said, issuing a desperate plea to both community members and authorities to address the worsening violence tearing through communities across the nation.

    “Too many families in this country are losing innocent relatives, and most of the time it is just senseless killing,” she said. “This gun violence needs to be stopped. They need to stop playing games with people’s lives. Crime is out of control, and it feels like nobody realizes how bad it has gotten.” She called on all stakeholders to come together to negotiate and implement concrete solutions to prevent more innocent people from being cut down by gun violence.

    Law enforcement officials confirmed that responding officers recovered six spent 9mm shell casings and five live rounds of ammunition from the crime scene after being called to reports of an active shooting shortly before Weekes’ death. Preliminary investigations into the attack indicate the shooter fired randomly toward ordinary passers-by walking along the route, authorities said. A suspect has already been taken into police custody for questioning in connection with the killing.

    For Weekes’ grieving family, the next step is an autopsy scheduled for this week, and they are holding out hope that the ongoing police investigation will deliver full accountability and justice for the slain mother.

  • CoP: All hoaxes

    CoP: All hoaxes

    In the wake of a widespread wave of fake bomb threats that targeted critical public and private facilities across Trinidad and Tobago between mid- and late-August, the country’s top law enforcement official has confirmed that all alerts were deliberate hoaxes crafted to sow public panic and disrupt regular operations of targeted organizations. Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro issued a public statement via voice note from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) on Monday, warning that the individuals behind the coordinated campaign cannot evade capture by hiding behind the anonymity of digital cyberspace.

    Guevarro detailed the scope of the threats, noting that the targets spanned a broad cross-section of national infrastructure, including magistrates’ courts, national government ministries, a popular commercial shopping mall, multiple hotels, state government offices, and foreign diplomatic missions. On just the first day of the campaign, August 19, 11 separate threats were delivered across a 40-minute window, hitting eight district magistrates’ courts along with three high-profile sites: Kent House, Valpark Shopping Plaza, and Tobago’s central judicial building. Additional coordinated threats were registered on August 22 and August 28, this time targeting government offices, hospitality properties, and diplomatic missions, according to official records.

    Every threat report was prioritized for full investigation by the TTPS’s specialized Explosive Detection and Disposal Unit, which received full operational support from the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service. Guevarro confirmed that after systematic searches of every targeted location, no explosive materials or suspicious devices were ever recovered at any site.

    “These hoax threats were intentionally designed to disrupt daily operations at these key institutions, and more than that, they represent a cowardly attempt to spread fear among ordinary members of the public,” Guevarro said in his statement. He classified the hoax campaign as a criminal act of profound irresponsibility, noting that the perpetrators sought to undermine public trust, disrupt the delivery of justice through the court system, and drain limited public resources that could be allocated to other pressing community needs. “These fake threats weaken our national security framework and divert law enforcement attention away from legitimate policing priorities. The public must understand that anyone who carries out these acts is attacking the core stability of our democracy and the safety of our local communities,” he added.

    Guevarro also moved to reassure the public that there is no credible intelligence to support claims of a planned violent attack tied to the country’s upcoming Independence Day celebrations, or any planned attack against state institutions or diplomatic missions. “The national threat level remains low. The primary risk stemming from this hoax campaign is public panic and operational disruption, and no single credible threat of a real attack has been uncovered,” he explained. Despite the lack of credible risk, Guevarro confirmed that TTPS has already elevated its operational alert status and rolled out enhanced security measures to guarantee that all scheduled Independence Day events can proceed without disruption or safety concerns.

    Investigations into the origin of the threats remain active, Guevarro confirmed, though he noted that complex cybercrime probes often require extended timelines as investigators work to gather admissible legal evidence. He referenced a parallel cyber threat case from the previous year to underscore that digital anonymity is not a barrier to prosecution. In that earlier incident, a perpetrator launched a cyber terror campaign against Rio Claro Secondary School, incorrectly believing that the internet would allow them to remain untraceable. “That person foolishly believed that the internet gave them the luxury of anonymity. Right up until the moment my officers removed their freedom, they still thought they could not be caught. And then the handcuffs clicked,” Guevarro recounted. That case concluded with the arrest of a 16-year-old boy in May of this year, who faces multiple harassment charges for cyber threats made against students and staff at the school between November 2025 and February 2026.

    Addressing the perpetrators directly, Guevarro called the group unpatriotic, cowardly “keyboard warriors” and emphasized that law enforcement will not back down from pursuing them. “Time is longer than twine. These hoax threats are no joke. They are an attack on our courts, our institutions, and our people, and the TTPS will follow every lead relentlessly. Those responsible will face full justice under the law,” he said. “I give my assurance to all citizens that Independence Day celebrations will proceed safely, securely, and without interruption.”

    Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander echoed Guevarro’s firm stance in a separate warning issued Saturday, after TTPS announced it was probing an unconfirmed new threat targeting embassies, diplomatic facilities, and government buildings over the Independence Day holiday weekend. Addressing anyone planning to carry out violent or disruptive acts over the holiday, Alexander said: “Don’t you dare! We will do anything we have to, by any means necessary, to put down and end any madness you attempt. And we will do it as easily as drinking water, and continue the day’s proceedings like nothing ever happened.”

  • ‘Don’t blame the past’

    ‘Don’t blame the past’

    As the twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago prepares to mark 64 years of self-governance, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has delivered a landmark Independence Day message urging the country to break free from decades of blaming colonial rule for its current struggles and embrace full accountability for its post-independence policy choices.

    Persad-Bissessar emphasized that after more than six decades as an independent nation, the habit of pointing to colonial legacies to excuse poor decision-making has become a barrier to progress. “It’s time we grow up and stop blaming our problems on our colonial past to escape accepting responsibility for bad decisions we made post-Independence that have resulted in negative consequences for ourselves and our nation,” she stated in the address, released a day ahead of the official anniversary celebrations.

    The Prime Minister drew on historical context to ground her argument, noting that when Trinidad and Tobago gained independence from Britain in 1962, it inherited a uniquely strong economic and institutional foundation compared to many peer nations emerging from colonial rule. At the time of independence, the country boasted a higher per capita income than a long list of global economies including Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Chile, Spain, Malaysia, China, Turkey and Brazil. Today, almost all of those countries have surpassed Trinidad and Tobago in economic output and development, she acknowledged.

    Beyond macroeconomic foundations, Persad-Bissessar highlighted the robust infrastructure and governance systems the nation inherited at independence: a well-structured legal and public administration framework, a leading regional oil exploration and refining industry, a large and productive agricultural sector, and an extensive operational railway network. She also recalled the country’s low crime rates and well-preserved natural environment in the early years of independence, reinforcing the point that “the British left us a very prosperous functioning country in 1962.”

    Acknowledging that all societies and leaders make missteps along their development journey, the Prime Minister noted that countries often prioritize quick, short-term gains over sustainable long-term growth, leading to regrettable outcomes that hold back progress. Despite past errors, differing ideological perspectives, and historical grievances, Persad-Bissessar reminded citizens that all Trinidadians and Tobagonians share a common national identity and collective responsibility to prioritize the nation’s interests above individual and partisan gains.

    Looking ahead, the Prime Minister said that building a stronger, safer, and more prosperous country to pass on to future generations requires moving forward with unwavering conviction and a radical new commitment to accountability. The message frames accountability as a critical first step toward national renewal, calling for an honest reckoning with post-independence history to unlock progress for the Caribbean nation.

  • St. Martin Delegation Visits Nevis to Explore Geothermal Energy Development

    St. Martin Delegation Visits Nevis to Explore Geothermal Energy Development

    In a landmark step toward cross-border renewable energy collaboration in the Caribbean, a delegation from St. Martin led by Territorial Council President Louis Mussington visited the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis on August 30, 2026 to examine Nevis’ fast-advancing geothermal energy development initiative. The visiting group was formally welcomed by Nevis Premier and Energy Minister Mark Brantley, who was joined by Nevis Minister of Works Spencer Brand for the day of site visits and bilateral discussions.

    The delegation’s itinerary centered on a guided tour of the Hamilton Geothermal Site, the primary hub of Nevis’ effort to unlock its massive underground geothermal reserves. Brantley walked the group through the project’s development journey to date, sharing details on completed exploration work and upcoming milestones for the initiative. He explained that initial exploration drilling has already confirmed that Nevis hosts one of the world’s most promising geothermal resources, ranked the seventh most viable globally. The island’s natural advantages—consistent high underground heat, easily accessible project sites, and completed geological mapping of all potential resource areas—position the project for efficient, steady development. Brantley noted that development will launch first at the N1 site, with other mapped areas reserved for future expansion as demand grows.

    Key progress is already accelerating on the ground: Brantley confirmed that a specialized drilling contractor has been secured, and the main drill rig has completed mandatory inspection in Iceland, with logistics already underway to transport the equipment to Nevis. According to the current project timeline, on-site construction activity is expected to commence within the next 60 to 90 days, a milestone that will mark the transition from pre-development planning to full production drilling. Brantley emphasized that this start of active drilling will be a major turning point for the years-long effort to bring geothermal energy online for the island.

    Following the site tour, the delegation reviewed a detailed informational exhibit about the project, where Mussington asked targeted questions about regulatory frameworks, production projections, and infrastructure plans. The St. Martin leader praised the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) for the steady, tangible progress it has made in advancing the clean energy project, and formally stated St. Martin’s interest in importing carbon-free geothermal energy from Nevis to meet its own clean energy targets.

    Beyond the core geothermal site visit, the delegation also toured the Nevis Electricity Company Ltd. (NEVLEC) Power Plant in Prospect, where Acting General Manager Hazel Chiverton and Generation Manager Jevon Eaton led a walkthrough of the facility, explaining the island’s current electricity generation operations and how geothermal energy will integrate into the existing grid. After the official business visits, the delegation was hosted for lunch at Drift Restaurant and enjoyed a tour of Nevis’ historic Bath Springs before traveling onward to St. Kitts.

    In a post-visit reflection, Brantley highlighted that the high-level visit from St. Martin reflects a growing wave of regional interest in Nevis’ untapped geothermal potential, opening new doors for integrated Caribbean energy cooperation. “It is heartening to see that our neighbouring islands are looking to us ultimately to provide them with clean power, and we are resolute in our commitment to harnessing this geothermal energy for the benefit of the people of Nevis, the people of St. Kitts, and the wider region,” Brantley said. The visit lays the groundwork for future collaborative agreements that could see Nevis become a regional clean energy hub, supporting surrounding islands in their transitions away from fossil fuels.

  • PM Drew headed overseas for medical treatment after falling ill

    PM Drew headed overseas for medical treatment after falling ill

    BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — In a sudden development that has drawn public attention across the Caribbean federation, St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew will receive specialized medical observation outside the country following an unexpected onset of illness Sunday evening, federal government officials confirmed this Monday.

    According to an official statement released by the Federal Cabinet, Drew checked into the Joseph N. France (JNF) General Hospital Sunday night after reporting mild physical discomfort paired with nausea and a headache. Upon his arrival, clinical staff immediately admitted the prime minister for continuous monitoring and a full round of diagnostic assessments.

    Over the roughly 18 hours following his admission, a team of in-house medical specialists and attending physicians provided round-the-clock care to Drew. After completing all comprehensive examinations and reviewing diagnostic results, the treating team noted that they found no immediate cause for critical alarm regarding Drew’s overall health status. Cabinet’s statement emphasized that Drew has remained awake, fully alert, and clinically stable throughout his time at the domestic hospital.

    Even with the stable initial outlook, the medical team recommended cross-border transfer for specialized precautionary monitoring out of an abundance of caution, based on observations collected during Drew’s admission. As of Monday afternoon, logistical arrangements to facilitate the transfer were already well underway.

    The official confirmation comes amid widespread unconfirmed speculation that circulated across social media platforms earlier Monday morning, which falsely claimed the prime minister had suffered a mild stroke. To counter misinformation and calm public uncertainty, the federal government also moved to reassure the nation that all core governmental operations continue to run seamlessly and without interruption amid the prime minister’s temporary medical leave.

    A public update providing additional details on Drew’s condition and current status is scheduled to be released to the entire nation by 7:00 p.m. local time Monday.

  • Column: De onzichtbare slachtoffers van klimaatverandering

    Column: De onzichtbare slachtoffers van klimaatverandering

    The devastating aftermath of a recent natural disaster in Nepal has left hundreds dead, countless more missing, and thousands of survivors stripped of every possession they owned. This catastrophe is not merely a tragedy of unprecedented scale for the small Himalayan nation; it is also a searing illustration of how climate change is unraveling lives in the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions. What makes this disaster even more agonizing is the stark climate injustice at its core: Nepal contributes barely a fraction of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet it is now forced to endure the catastrophic, immediate consequences of global warming first-hand. Across the Himalayas, Nepal’s iconic glaciers – the life-giving water sources that sustain entire communities across the region – are melting at an alarming rate. Rising global temperatures are shrinking these critical natural reserves, triggering cascading disasters that upend daily life for local populations. Catastrophic flash floods, destructive landslides, and widespread loss of access to safe drinking water are just a few of the cascading impacts the climate crisis has already unleashed on Nepal. This latest disaster lays bare the fundamental unfairness of climate change: nations that have contributed the least to planetary warming are too often the ones that suffer the worst consequences. Half a world away, Indonesia is grappling with its own climate-fueled emergency: raging, out-of-control wildfires that have destroyed millions of hectares of critical natural ecosystems, disrupted the lives of thousands of local residents, and released massive volumes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, further accelerating the climate crisis. Like Nepal, Indonesia is a nation with a relatively low per-capita greenhouse gas footprint, yet it is already bearing the brunt of accelerating climate change and its cascading impacts. The wildfires not longer worsen the global climate emergency, they also threaten the immediate health and safety of local communities, and push countless endangered native species to the brink of extinction. The climate catastrophes unfolding in Nepal and Indonesia are far from isolated incidents. They are two of thousands of similar stories playing out in vulnerable nations across every continent, as the impacts of a warming planet grow more severe by the year. Behind every official casualty count and damage statistic are millions of individual lives, fractured families, and displaced communities grappling with devastating loss, constant insecurity, and an uncertain future. No matter if the disaster strikes Nepal, Indonesia, or any other vulnerable corner of the globe, these events make clear that climate change does not impact abstract global temperature statistics alone – it alters and destroys human lives in deeply personal, irreversible ways. These repeated catastrophes are not random accidents. They are proof of a long-simmering global crisis, where low-income, low-emission nations are forced to pay the price for the overconsumption and excessive emissions of wealthy, high-emitting countries. Survivors of these climate disasters have lost not only their homes and livelihoods – they have lost their sense of security and their vision for a stable future. Their stories are not just accounts of suffering; they are an urgent call to action for global solidarity and climate justice. It is past time for the international community to recognize that climate change is not an abstract, distant problem for future generations to solve. It is a life-threatening reality that already endangers the lives of millions of people across the globe. The tragedies in Nepal and Indonesia serve as a clear warning: the global community bears a collective responsibility to act now to prevent further catastrophic harm, and to build a fairer future where no nation is forced to suffer unnecessarily for climate damage caused by others. As this moment makes clear: to ignore the melting glaciers of the Himalayas and the smoke-choked forests of Southeast Asia is to ignore the millions of people already paying the price for inaction.