Carib Scope

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  • Proman pauses melamine production in Pt Lisas

    Proman pauses melamine production in Pt Lisas

    In a significant development for Trinidad’s industrial sector, Proman Trinidad has announced a two-year suspension of operations at its melamine production facility in Point Lisas. The decision comes as a direct response to persistently unfavorable market conditions exacerbated by recent international trade measures.

    The company revealed that this strategic pause follows an extensive evaluation of global market dynamics, with the primary objective of safeguarding long-term operational sustainability. The move was largely precipitated by the United States International Trade Commission’s imposition of substantial anti-dumping and countervailing duties reaching 154.28% on melamine imports from Trinidad and Tobago and several other nations in January 2025.

    Executive Director Anand Ragbir emphasized the gravity of this decision, noting Proman’s 35-year legacy as a cornerstone of Trinidad’s energy sector. ‘We do not take these decisions lightly,’ Ragbir stated. ‘We remain committed to investing in our operations, our personnel, and local communities despite this challenging period.’

    The production halt specifically affects the melamine unit, which produces chemical compounds essential for manufacturing heat-resistant plastics and dinnerware products. Company officials confirmed that other Proman facilities in Trinidad will continue normal operations without interruption.

    Regarding workforce implications, Proman has developed a comprehensive transition plan for the 89 employees potentially affected. The majority will be reassigned to other plants, projects, and roles within the company’s operations, with access to appropriate training and resources. For those unable to be redeployed, the company promises full outplacement support, Employee Assistance Programme benefits, and statutory severance packages.

    The corporation maintains a vigilant stance toward market evolution, indicating willingness to reconsider production resumption should economic conditions improve. Current priorities include fortifying core operations and enhancing long-term competitive positioning in the global market.

  • Cops in Western Division seize guns, ammo

    Cops in Western Division seize guns, ammo

    In a significant blow to criminal networks, Trinidad and Tobago’s Western Division police have executed a major operation resulting in the seizure of an extensive arsenal of weapons, ammunition, and narcotics. The operation, conducted on January 11, demonstrates intensified law enforcement efforts against organized crime in the region.

    Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro personally commended the officers involved, highlighting the operation as “an excellent and timely response to criminal activity” that reflects the division’s “continued commitment to proactive policing, sustained enforcement, and the protection of communities.” The police chief specifically praised acting Senior Superintendent Williams and his team for maintaining operational focus amid challenging circumstances.

    The coordinated operations began around 2:53 PM when officers, acting on intelligence, searched an abandoned concrete structure at Faustin Trace, Maraval. Behind concealed galvanized material, they discovered a multi-colored backpack containing a Glock 19 pistol and 369 rounds of assorted ammunition, including 100 rounds of 9mm, 106 rounds of 7.62mm, and 163 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition.

    Further搜查 revealed additional critical findings: a white crocus bag containing six rifle magazines, two pistol drum magazines, various firearm components, 356.6 grams of cannabis, eight black ski masks, and several dark-colored clothing items – suggesting preparation for significant criminal activities.

    In a parallel operation in Belle-Vue, Long Circular Road, St James, officers located a black plastic bag near a garbage heap containing a Beretta firearm with magazine and five rounds of 9mm ammunition. The operation also led to the arrest of a 30-year-old priority offender from Jeffers Lane, St James, under the Emergency Powers Regulation 2025.

    Additionally, police identified and impounded a suspicious silver Nissan AD van with false registration plates and tampered ignition along Nicholas Street, Maraval, which has been transported to St James Police Station for further investigation.

    The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service has confirmed that investigations into all seized items and related criminal activities are ongoing.

  • Defamation claim against Energy Minister thrown out

    Defamation claim against Energy Minister thrown out

    A High Court judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit against Trinidad and Tobago’s Energy Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal, citing the claimants’ persistent failure to advance their case through proper legal channels. Justice Frank Seepersad ruled against investment entities Trillions Systems Ltd, Rose Capital Investments Ltd, and businessman James Kerron Rose, while simultaneously granting permission for their legal representatives to formally withdraw from the matter.

    The court expressed significant concern over the claimants’ disregard for judicial directives issued since July 2025, which mandated specific procedural actions including the filing of formal replies and document disclosures. Justice Seepersad noted that six months had elapsed without meaningful progress, stating: “The court must jealously guard its process. Delay will not be tolerated by this court.”

    Legal representatives for the claimants detailed extensive but unsuccessful efforts to contact their clients between July and September 2025, utilizing multiple communication channels including email, telephone calls, and WhatsApp messaging. The attorneys revealed that despite attending case management conferences in May 2023 and June 2025, they had received no instructions from Rose or the companies to comply with court requirements.

    Minister Moonilal’s defense team, led by Senior Counsel Anand Ramlogan and attorney Jared Jagroo, highlighted the unusual circumstance of supposedly substantial corporate entities being unreachable by their own legal counsel. Ramlogan emphasized the significant public interest dimensions of the case, noting that the minister’s controversial statements addressed allegations of illegal quarrying and financial improprieties affecting public investors.

    The defamation claim originated from Minister Moonilal’s September 2024 press briefing, streamed on the United National Congress’s Facebook platform and shared through his personal social media accounts. The claimants alleged the minister had falsely associated them with illicit quarry operations, questionable government contracts, and financial misconduct, resulting in substantial reputational damage and business losses.

    Following the dismissal, Minister Moonilal issued a statement characterizing the ruling as a complete vindication of his public interest advocacy. He referenced ongoing investigations by the Securities and Exchange Commission into the claimants’ operations and expressed concern for citizens who allegedly suffered financial losses through their dealings with Rose’s companies. The minister pledged to continue addressing matters of public concern regardless of potential legal challenges, while acknowledging his legal team for their steadfast representation throughout the proceedings.

  • WATCH: Hope Zoo curator highlights importance of owls amid leptospirosis outbreak

    WATCH: Hope Zoo curator highlights importance of owls amid leptospirosis outbreak

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — As Jamaica continues to combat its leptospirosis outbreak, wildlife experts are highlighting an unexpected ecological ally: the native Jamaican owl. Hope Zoo General Curator Joey Brown has brought attention to these remarkable birds and their crucial role in maintaining environmental balance during the public health crisis.

    Brown distinguishes between the globally recognized barn owls and Jamaica’s unique indigenous species, noting that both play vital ecological roles. “While people recognize the large white barn owls found throughout the Americas, our Jamaican owl possesses distinct characteristics and importance to our local ecosystem,” Brown explained during a demonstration with Observer Online.

    The connection between owls and disease prevention lies in their dietary habits. These nocturnal predators consume substantial quantities of rodents—primary carriers of leptospirosis. According to Brown’s research, a single owl can eliminate between four to six rats or mice nightly, translating to approximately 3,000 rodents annually per bird. This natural pest control intensifies during breeding seasons when owl families require increased sustenance for their young.

    Despite concerning cultural associations that portray owls as ominous creatures, Brown emphasizes their beneficial nature. “In Jamaican tradition, owls sometimes carry mystical or frightening connotations, whereas other cultures revere them as symbols of wisdom and maturity,” he noted. “In reality, they are peaceful animals that actively avoid human interaction.”

    Recent data from Jamaica’s health ministry indicates a declining trend in leptospirosis cases since the outbreak declaration in November 2025, which had resulted in several fatalities. Brown advocates for changing public perceptions, encouraging Jamaicans to view owls as natural pest controllers rather than objects of fear. “An owl presence in your yard or neighborhood signals beneficial ecological activity—they’re effectively keeping rodents away from homes and farms,” he affirmed.

  • Foreign ministry expresses condolences following death of Ambassador Curtis Ward

    Foreign ministry expresses condolences following death of Ambassador Curtis Ward

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s diplomatic community is in mourning following the passing of esteemed Ambassador Curtis Ward, who died Sunday at his residence in Maryland, United States. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade confirmed the news with profound sadness, highlighting the significant void left in Jamaica’s foreign service landscape.

    Ambassador Ward’s distinguished career reached its pinnacle during his service as Jamaica’s Alternate Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York from 2000 to 2001. During this critical period, he bore special responsibility for matters pertaining to Jamaica’s non-permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council, representing the nation’s interests during the two-year tenure from January 2000 through December 2001.

    Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith commemorated Ward’s exceptional contributions, emphasizing that his legacy would be defined by the instrumental role he played in shaping Jamaica’s active participation and engagement within the UN Security Council throughout those formative years. His diplomatic acumen and strategic insights significantly enhanced Jamaica’s international standing during complex global negotiations.

    Beyond his official duties, Ward was celebrated for his consistent willingness to share his extensive foreign policy expertise with both the Jamaican public and broader Caribbean community. His accessible approach to diplomatic discourse helped demystify international relations for countless citizens.

    The Ministry extended its deepest condolences to Ward’s family and friends, acknowledging the irreparable nature of their loss while expressing hope that they might find solace in remembering his profound impact on Jamaican diplomacy and regional affairs. The official statement concluded with a solemn tribute: ‘May his soul rest in eternal peace!’

  • Defensive driving key to reducing road fatalities, says Hill-Bryan

    Defensive driving key to reducing road fatalities, says Hill-Bryan

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica is confronting a severe road safety crisis through an innovative driver education program that combines advanced technology with scientific methodology. Montel Hill-Bryan, lead for the JN Foundation’s Driving Academy and the iDrive4Life Initiative, has declared an urgent need for decisive intervention to reduce escalating road fatalities.

    Recent statistics reveal the gravity of Jamaica’s transportation emergency. The island recorded 374 road deaths from 324 fatal collisions in the previous year, representing an eight-fatality increase over prior year figures. Current projections indicate Jamaica’s road traffic fatality rate will reach 13-14 deaths per 100,000 people in 2025, slightly below the global average of 15 per 100,000 but critically high for a nation of just 2.8 million inhabitants.

    The iDrive4Life program—a collaborative effort between the JN Foundation and Jamaica Automobile Association (JAA)—has developed a comprehensive training curriculum that addresses driving through multidisciplinary approaches. Unlike conventional programs, it integrates theoretical education, practical road training, advanced simulator technology, and vehicle safety insights to transform driver behavior systematically.

    Kamal McKen, driving instructor at JAA’s Driving Academy, identifies specific behavioral patterns contributing to the crisis: ‘A significant proportion of fatalities stem from driver errors including road rage, excessive speeding, distracted mobile phone use, and failure to use indicators—basic communication tools critical for road safety.’ These observations align with official data from the Island Traffic Authority indicating over 80% of 2024 crashes resulted from preventable driver errors.

    The initiative will soon implement advanced driving simulator technology across all student training modules. Hill-Bryan clarifies: ‘This isn’t gaming equipment—it’s an assessment tool generating detailed behavioral reports within 10-15 minutes, enabling instructors to design targeted corrective interventions.’ Several commercial organizations already report reduced crash rates and improved risk ratios among drivers completing the program.

    A particularly concerning cultural issue involves legislative gaps permitting virtually anyone to place an ‘L’ sign on vehicles and provide driving instruction. Hill-Bryan notes: ‘When instructors themselves demonstrate poor driving habits, these behaviors transfer to new drivers. Our program counters this through professional-grade simulators and certified instructors who scientifically identify and correct behavioral gaps.’

    The Foundation advocates for continuous driver education, emphasizing that evolving road networks, advancing vehicle technologies, and changing driving cultures necessitate ongoing learning. iDrive4Life’s mission centers on building driver confidence, correcting unsafe habits, and preparing motorists for future road challenges through its guiding mantra: ‘Drive Smart. Drive Safe. Drive for Life.’

    The program offers specialized training for individual drivers, corporate fleets, skill advancement seekers, educational institutions, and foreigners requiring orientation to Jamaica’s unique road culture.

  • US Supreme Court to weigh transgender athlete bans

    US Supreme Court to weigh transgender athlete bans

    The United States Supreme Court has plunged into the nationally divisive issue of transgender participation in athletics, hearing legal challenges on Tuesday to state laws in Idaho and West Virginia that prohibit transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports. The conservative-majority court’s deliberations mark a pivotal moment in the ongoing cultural and legal battle surrounding gender identity and competitive sports.

    The cases originate from Idaho’s 2020 “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act” and West Virginia’s 2021 “Save Women’s Sports Act,” both of which face constitutional challenges. In Idaho, the legislation was contested by a transgender university athlete, with lower courts determining the law violated the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Simultaneously, West Virginia’s statute was challenged by a middle school student barred from joining the girls’ track team, with an appeals court ruling the prohibition constituted sex-based discrimination in violation of Title IX protections.

    This judicial review occurs against a backdrop of similar legislation enacted in over two dozen states, all seeking to restrict athletes assigned male at birth from female athletic competitions. The legal landscape further complicated when former President Donald Trump issued an executive order during his administration directing federal agencies to withhold funding from educational institutions permitting transgender participation in women’s sports, declaring “women’s sports will be only for women.”

    The high-profile case of University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas has significantly influenced the national conversation. Thomas’s participation in women’s collegiate swimming events in 2022 sparked intense debate regarding physiological advantages, culminating in the university banning transgender athletes from women’s teams following a federal investigation that found Title IX violations.

    With a 6-3 conservative majority, the Supreme Court has recently demonstrated willingness to engage on transgender issues, having previously upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors and supported Trump’s military transgender ban. A ruling is anticipated by late June or early July, potentially establishing landmark precedent for gender identity rights in athletic competition.

  • Top cop: No reported incidents in Tobago for THA polls

    Top cop: No reported incidents in Tobago for THA polls

    Tobago’s House of Assembly elections concluded without incident on January 12, thanks to comprehensive security oversight led by Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro and Deputy Commissioner Suzette Martin. The top brass of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) personally supervised electoral operations across the island, implementing strategic measures to ensure public safety and electoral integrity.

    Commissioner Guevarro conducted inspections at multiple key stations including Scarborough, Charlotteville, and Roxborough, engaging directly with station commanders and frontline officers. His visits focused on assessing policing requirements specific to the electoral context and providing operational guidance. He was accompanied by Assistant Commissioners of Police Earl Elie and Collis Hazel during these critical assessments.

    The TTPS executed widespread officer deployments throughout Tobago with the dual objective of maintaining orderly electoral proceedings and safeguarding all citizens, stakeholders, and institutions involved. In a post-election statement via social media, the police service highlighted its commitment to facilitating a smooth and incident-free democratic process.

    Commissioner Guevarro publicly commended Tobagonians for their exemplary conduct throughout the voting exercise, noting the absence of any significant disturbances or security breaches. The successful security operation demonstrates the TTPS’s capacity to manage large-scale democratic events while maintaining public order.

  • TPP trounces PNM 15-0 in THA elections

    TPP trounces PNM 15-0 in THA elections

    In an unprecedented electoral triumph, the Tobago People’s Party (TPP) led by Chief Secretary Farley Augustine secured a comprehensive victory in the Tobago House Assembly elections on January 12, capturing all 15 contested seats. The decisive win marks a significant political shift in the island’s governance, completely eliminating opposition representation from the People’s National Movement (PNM).

    The TPP declared victory shortly after 9 pm, surpassing their previous 14-1 seat achievement in the 2021 elections. The outcome was particularly devastating for PNM’s Kelvon Morris, who lost his Darrel Spring/Whim constituency by a narrow margin of 17 votes after previously winning by just three votes in 2021.

    PNM Tobago leader Tracy Davidson-Celestine announced her resignation following the crushing defeat, stating her support for “transition to new leadership” while confirming the party would seek recounts in several marginal constituencies. The resignation came amidst a atmosphere of stunned disbelief within PNM ranks, which had maintained hope until late evening that Morris might retain his seat.

    This victory continues the TPP’s remarkable electoral trajectory. In the 2021 THA polls, the party’s predecessor organization (PDP) secured 58% of votes (16,932 votes) compared to PNM’s 41% (11,942 votes). The trend continued in the 2025 general election where TPP captured two parliamentary seats with 55% of votes cast (13,857 votes versus PNM’s 11,000 votes).

    The campaign featured intense debate around both local and national issues. Critical discussion points included the controversial placement of a US military radar at ANR Robinson Airport, substantial increases in traffic fines, and rising late fees for driver’s permits. The THA’s procurement of ambulances also emerged as a significant campaign topic, with the PNM criticizing the $18 million expenditure for 12 vehicles.

    Augustine had previously made headlines by vowing to personally “mash up” the US radar installation if evidence emerged it had assisted American operations against Venezuelan leadership. The PNM campaign attempted to raise concerns about potential Trinidad-style closures of Cepep and URP programs, allegations that Augustine dismissed as fearmongering tactics.

    Despite the overwhelming defeat, Davidson-Celestine praised PNM’s “excellent candidates” and acknowledged democratic processes while urging supporters not to “lose hope in the PNM and do not lose hope in Tobago.” She noted the party had detected significant voter dissatisfaction during campaigning that ultimately failed to translate into electoral support.

    The electoral process involved 42 candidates competing across 15 constituencies, with TPP and PNM contesting all seats while the Innovative Democratic Alliance fielded 11 candidates and Unity of the People presented one candidate. The Elections and Boundaries Commission reported no voting irregularities despite minor confusion among some voters regarding polling station locations.

    This electoral restructuring followed the EBC’s creation of three new seats in 2021 (Lambeau/Lowlands, Darrel Spring/Whim and Mt St George/Goodwood) to prevent recurrence of the previous 6-6 deadlock that had paralyzed the assembly. Boundary adjustments in Mason Hall North/Moriah and Mason Hall South/Bagatelle further refined the electoral landscape ahead of the January 12 poll.

  • Local Government ministry discusses sanitation for Carnival

    Local Government ministry discusses sanitation for Carnival

    Trinidad and Tobago’s Rural Development and Local Government Minister Khadijah Ameen has initiated a coordinated national sanitation framework for Carnival 2026, engaging multiple government agencies and municipal authorities to ensure comprehensive cleanliness measures throughout the festival season.

    The ministry announced on January 12 that Minister Ameen convened strategic meetings with National Carnival Commission CEO Keiba Mottley to establish a unified sanitation approach for all NCC-hosted Carnival events. The collaboration specifically targets major Carnival hubs including Port of Spain, San Fernando, Chaguanas, and Arima, while also encompassing community-based celebrations across Trinidad’s regions.

    Minister Ameen stressed the critical need for seamless coordination between municipal corporations and NCC regional coordinators to guarantee effective planning and implementation. The ministry has further partnered with the Solid Waste Management Company (SWMCOL) under Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath, leveraging the organization’s specialized equipment and technical expertise to enhance sanitation operations.

    Additional meetings are scheduled at both ministerial and municipal levels, involving mayors, chairpersons, and chief executives of all regional corporations. Minister Ameen confirmed that sanitation preparations will extend to events still undergoing finalization, including peripheral areas surrounding primary Carnival zones. She emphasized the extensive experience of regional corporation staff and public health inspectors, many of whom possess years of expertise in managing large-scale sanitation operations.

    The minister expressed confidence in achieving a successful sanitation initiative that will maintain hygienic standards throughout Carnival 2026 festivities.