Carib Scope

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  • Bertrand, Walcott stay winning, sweep NAAA awards

    Bertrand, Walcott stay winning, sweep NAAA awards

    Tacarigua witnessed a celebration of track and field prowess on January 3 as the National Association of Athletics Administration (NAAATT) honored Trinidad and Tobago’s top performers at its annual awards ceremony. The event, held at the National Racquet Centre, crowned javelin specialist Keshorn Walcott and sprint sensation Leah Bertrand as Senior Male and Female Athletes of the Year respectively.

    This recognition comes merely days after both athletes secured the highest honors at the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee’s 31st awards ceremony on December 29, completing a remarkable double achievement. Walcott’s golden moment arrived at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Japan, where he launched his javelin to a championship-winning 88.16 meters. Bertrand simultaneously achieved personal milestones, setting new benchmarks of 10.92 seconds in the 100 meters and 22.54 seconds in the 200 meters.

    The awards ceremony comprehensively recognized excellence across disciplines and age groups. Jereem Richards, the world championship silver medalist in the 400 meters, received the Most Outstanding Male Track Athlete award, while Tyra Gittens-Spotsville claimed the female field equivalent.

    Youth athletics received prominent recognition with Christopher Sammy earning Youth Male Athlete of the Year for his double-gold performance in the 1,500m and 3,000m at the Carifta Games. Oshea Cummings mirrored this achievement by securing the female youth honor following her gold and bronze medals in middle-distance events.

    The junior categories saw defending champion Janae De Gannes retain her Junior Female Athlete of the Year title, with Jaden Marchan taking the male equivalent. Both athletes medaled at the Junior Pan American Games in Paraguay.

    Specialized discipline awards went to Tafari Waldron and Alexia John (Cross Country Athletes of the Year), Nicholas Romany and Aniqah Bailey (Road Running Athletes of the Year), and the multi-talented Vincent twins—Tenique and Tyrique—who dominated the combined events categories.

    Club accolades were claimed by RSS Phoenix (Juvenile and Junior Club of the Year) and Abilene Wildcats (Senior Club of the Year), while Daeshaun Cole received the prestigious President’s Rising Star award.

    The ceremony also paid tribute to long-serving contributors, including posthumous recognition for coaches Eldwin Noel and Verna Edwards, highlighting the community’s enduring commitment to athletic development.

  • PM: TT relations with Venezuela will be strengthened

    PM: TT relations with Venezuela will be strengthened

    Caribbean nations are exhibiting starkly divergent responses to the unprecedented US military intervention in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago expressed optimism about the development, characterizing it as a transition from “oppression and dictatorship” toward democracy. In her official statement, she anticipated strengthened bilateral relations with Venezuela under US-led governance.

    The military operation, confirmed by US President Donald Trump on January 3rd, involved strikes on Caracas and the extraction of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. Trump announced that the United States would assume administrative control of Venezuela following these actions.

    In contrast, Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles condemned the intervention as “deeply troubling,” emphasizing Trinidad and Tobago’s traditional commitment to non-interference principles and peaceful dispute resolution. Beckles criticized the Prime Minister for failing to address the safety of Trinidadian embassy staff in Caracas during initial statements.

    Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Barry Padarath subsequently confirmed that all Trinidad and Tobago personnel at the Caracas embassy remained safe and were continuing normal operations despite the military action.

    The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) convened an emergency session to address the crisis, with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley acknowledging the complexity of balancing relationships with both Venezuela and the United States. CARICOM stated it would continue monitoring the situation before taking a collective position, recognizing the potential implications for regional stability.

    Historian Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh contextualized the intervention within historical US foreign policy patterns, noting similarities to operations in Iraq and Libya. He warned of potential refugee crises affecting Trinidad and Tobago and criticized Caribbean dependence on external powers for regional security matters, calling for stronger regional governance mechanisms.

  • PM: Venezuela’s people free at last

    PM: Venezuela’s people free at last

    In a dramatic predawn operation on January 3, 2026, US special forces successfully captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores from a heavily fortified compound in Caracas. The operation, reportedly involving the elite Delta Force unit, marks an unprecedented military intervention in South American politics.

    Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar immediately celebrated the capture as a “moment of liberation” for the Venezuelan people. In an official statement on social media platform X, she expressed hope that Venezuela would now “transition away from years of oppression and dictatorship toward democracy, justice, and prosperity.”

    The PM’s endorsement came shortly after former US President Donald Trump detailed the operation in a press conference, announcing that the United States would assume control of Venezuela’s governance temporarily. Trump revealed plans for American oil companies to rehabilitate Venezuela’s energy infrastructure while casting doubt on whether exiled opposition leader María Corina Machado or current Vice President Delcy Rodríguez would participate in any interim government.

    The geopolitical shift has significant implications for Trinidad and Tobago’s energy interests. Following bilateral discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trinidad secured a six-month OFAC license for the cross-border Dragon gas project—a reversal from Persad-Bissessar’s earlier declaration that the deal was “dead” after taking office.

    Despite maintaining formal neutrality, the Trinidadian government has supported broader US military activities in the region, including radar system installations in Tobago and granting indefinite transit rights for US military flights. This stance has created divergence with other CARICOM members concerned about regional militarization.

  • Hundreds of flights cancelled across the Caribbean amid US attack on Venezuela

    Hundreds of flights cancelled across the Caribbean amid US attack on Venezuela

    NEW YORK, United States — A significant aviation crisis is unfolding across the Caribbean region, with travel disruptions projected to persist for several days. This follows a decisive US military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, prompting immediate airspace closures and mass flight cancellations by major US carriers.

    Aviation tracking data from FlightRadar24.com, as reported by ABC7 New York, revealed a complete absence of commercial air traffic over Venezuelan airspace on Saturday. The disruption originated from an official Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directive advising all commercial airlines to avoid a substantial portion of Caribbean airspace. The agency cited an ongoing ‘potentially hazardous situation’ and specifically identified ‘safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activity’ as the primary reason for the unprecedented closure.

    The cascading effects have severely impacted connectivity to numerous island nations in proximity to Venezuela. Key destinations such as Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Aruba are experiencing widespread cancellations. In response to the chaos, airlines have proactively implemented flexible travel policies, universally waiving change fees for passengers needing to reschedule their itineraries throughout the weekend and into the coming week.

    Puerto Rico’s primary international airport faced specific temporary airspace restrictions, compounding the logistical challenges. Among the carriers, JetBlue announced the most significant cuts, canceling 215 flights within its extensive Caribbean network, though it noted services to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic continued unimpeded.

    Other major airlines, including United and Southwest, executed substantial schedule adjustments. Southwest Airlines cancelled all flights to Aruba on Saturday and suspended all operations to Puerto Rico until late afternoon, while maintaining its schedule to the Dominican Republic. American Airlines published a comprehensive waiver policy covering travel to and from approximately twenty island destinations, such as Anguilla, Antigua, Curaçao, and Saint Lucia. Similarly, Delta Air Lines issued a travel waiver for customers traveling through 13 affected airports, with provisions valid through Tuesday.

  • Starmer says UK will ‘shed no tears’ over US seizing Maduro

    Starmer says UK will ‘shed no tears’ over US seizing Maduro

    LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared the United Kingdom’s firm alignment with United States policy toward Venezuela, stating that Britain “sheds no tears” over the downfall of Nicolás Maduro’s administration. The announcement came during a press briefing on Saturday where Starmer outlined his government’s position on the evolving political situation in the South American nation.

    Starmer confirmed that high-level discussions between UK and US counterparts regarding Venezuela’s political future are scheduled to occur in the coming days. These diplomatic exchanges will focus on coordinating international efforts to ensure a stable transition of power in Caracas.

    “The United Kingdom has consistently advocated for democratic transition in Venezuela,” Starmer stated. “We have never recognized Maduro as the legitimate president and therefore view the conclusion of his regime without regret.”

    Emphasizing Britain’s commitment to international legal frameworks, the Prime Minister added: “This morning I reaffirmed my government’s dedication to upholding international law. Our objective remains a secure and peaceful transfer of power to a legitimate administration that truly represents the will of the Venezuelan people.”

    The British position signals a continuation of the previous UK government’s stance toward Venezuela, maintaining pressure on the Maduro government while supporting opposition movements seeking democratic reform. This development occurs amid increasing international scrutiny of Venezuela’s political trajectory and human rights record.

  • Retired soldier dedicated to a life of service

    Retired soldier dedicated to a life of service

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Ninety-two-year-old Peter Xavier Williams, affectionately known as “Poppy Man,” stands as a living monument to Jamaica’s military history and unwavering national service. His remarkable journey, which began in 1933 in St. Mary, spans nearly a century of profound social transformation and personal dedication.

    Williams’ early life was marked by the hardships of World War II, where he experienced food rationing, blackouts, and the constant fear of aerial attacks after losing his father at age seven. At 13, he came under the guardianship of national hero Sir Alexander Bustamante, whose influence would shape his future. Williams still preserves letters and photographs from this formative period, including images he captured at Bustamante’s funeral.

    His military fascination ignited during public parades on Queen Victoria’s birthday, where he observed boy scouts and cadets marching in precision. “I saw these boys dressed in sharp uniforms and began emulating their march,” Williams recalled. This childhood admiration led to his enlistment in the Jamaica Local Force in 1952 under British command, where he endured rigorous training he describes as “between life and death.”

    Williams’ distinguished 28-year career witnessed Jamaica’s transition from federation to independence and the establishment of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF). His versatile service included roles as medical orderly, drummer, bugler, and postmaster handling sensitive correspondence across the British Caribbean. He notably trained the JDF’s first female soldiers in communications in 1965 and served as chief photographer, with his extensive documentation now archived at the National Library.

    During the state of emergency, Williams managed correspondence for detained political figures at Up Park Camp, emphasizing the distinction between detention and imprisonment. After retiring from the JDF in 1976, he seamlessly transitioned to civilian life as security manager for the Telephone Company of Jamaica.

    His exceptional service earned numerous honors, including the Independence Medal (1962), the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service (2008), and features in the JDF’s 60th-anniversary publication. Today, as the JDF’s oldest living soldier, Williams appoints himself its “ambassador” and remains active as chairman of the Jamaica Legion’s Northeast District.

    Remarkably, Williams retains permission to wear his original 1952 uniform and continues to deliver exhortations at Remembrance Day ceremonies nationwide. He attributes his longevity to discipline and faith, recalling a transformative moment during a violent storm near Palisadoes when he dedicated his life to higher power.

    Despite his age, Williams maintains independence without walking aids, carrying only an umbrella for practicality. His philosophy encapsulates his approach to life: “Yesterday is dead, tomorrow does not exist. Today is here, use it.” Peter Xavier Williams endures not merely as a historical figure but as an active embodiment of service, sacrifice, and national pride.

  • Joshua Johnson rules at Promenade Chess Club’s Grand Tour

    Joshua Johnson rules at Promenade Chess Club’s Grand Tour

    Fide Master Joshua Johnson emerged triumphant at the Promenade Chess Club’s Blitz Grand Tour, held at Valpark Plaza in Valsayn on December 28, 2025. The accomplished chess prodigy, who previously secured a silver medal at the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games, demonstrated exceptional strategic prowess to claim the open category championship against a competitive field of 25 participants.

    Johnson dominated the tournament with an impressive 8.5 points, securing the $1,200 top prize ahead of runners-up Reaz Ali (7 points, $700 prize) and Enen-Sa-Tefa Ab Khafra (6.5 points, $500 prize). The event showcased multiple competitive categories, with Sandhya Ramsaroop earning recognition as the best female player and receiving a $400 award.

    Youth categories produced equally compelling results. Ilyas Hosein, who recently placed third in the Under-8 Absolute category at the CAC Youth Chess Festival, claimed victory in the under-8 division. The under-12 category was won by Zidan Khan, who outperformed competitors Yuri Hosein and Ejaz Maharaj. The juniors (under-20) category concluded with an extraordinary four-way tie between Caleb Campo, Nahum Garcia, Zachary Murray, and Andre Rupert, all finishing with five points after nine rounds of intense competition.

    The tournament received support from several sponsors including Basic Transport, KFC, Galactica, Marios, Radica Trading, Valpark Plaza, and TYCO Farms. The Promenade Chess Club announced plans to maintain this competitive momentum throughout 2026 with additional events, including a major tournament scheduled at the Brian Lara Promenade in Port of Spain.

  • Macron says Venezuela’s Gonzalez Urrutia should lead post-Maduro transition

    Macron says Venezuela’s Gonzalez Urrutia should lead post-Maduro transition

    PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly endorsed the prospect of a new political era for Venezuela, following the capture of President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces. In a statement released on the social media platform X, Macron declared that the Venezuelan people are now “rid of the dictatorship” and expressed strong support for the 2024 presidential candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, to spearhead a peaceful transition of power.

    Macron’s remarks position France as a key Western ally in recognizing the dramatic shift in Venezuela’s political landscape. The French leader stated that the international community “could only rejoice” at the United States’ decision to remove Maduro from power, framing it as a liberation for the Venezuelan populace.

    The backdrop to this development stems from the highly contested 2024 Venezuelan presidential election. While Gonzalez Urrutia was widely acknowledged by international observers as the legitimate winner, Maduro’s regime had proclaimed itself victorious. This disputed result triggered widespread civil unrest, which was met with a violent and deadly crackdown by state security forces under Maduro’s command.

    Macron’s call for Gonzalez Urrutia to “ensure this transition as quickly as possible” adds significant European diplomatic weight to the ongoing crisis. This intervention is likely to influence other nations within the European Union to solidify their stance on recognizing a new government in Caracas, marking a pivotal moment in international relations concerning the Latin American nation.

  • Trump: US will run Venezuela

    Trump: US will run Venezuela

    In a dramatic escalation of international tensions, United States military forces have executed a precision operation in Caracas, resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. The operation, conducted approximately at 2 AM local time, involved elite units including the Army’s Delta Force targeting a heavily fortified compound.

    President Donald Trump confirmed the development during a Florida press conference, announcing that both detainees are currently aboard the USS Iwo Jima amphibious assault vessel in the Caribbean Sea. They are scheduled for transport to New York to face narcotics trafficking charges in federal court.

    The US administration has declared its intention to administer Venezuela during a transitional period. Trump stated, “The US is going to run Venezuela until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition,” though specific details regarding the transitional governance structure remain undefined.

    Following Maduro’s capture, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was reportedly sworn in as president and has engaged in discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. However, Trump expressed skepticism about long-term roles for any members of the current administration, including Rodriguez.

    The administration also cast doubt on opposition leader Maria Corina Machado’s potential leadership, citing insufficient domestic support. Trump indicated that interim governance would be directed by officials including Rubio and other advisors.

    General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed that US forces remain on high alert throughout the Caribbean region. The operation reportedly involved months of coordination between military intelligence and agencies including the CIA.

    The geopolitical implications extend throughout the region, with recent military cooperation between US forces and Trinidad and Tobago including joint exercises, radar installations at ANR Robinson International Airport, and transit flight agreements—all previously characterized as counter-narcotics measures.

  • Hurricane recovery a catalyst to address long-standing development constraints

    Hurricane recovery a catalyst to address long-standing development constraints

    Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared that Jamaica’s rehabilitation efforts in the wake of Hurricane Melissa should serve as a springboard for tackling persistent developmental obstacles while simultaneously accelerating national objectives. During a media engagement in Black River after the inaugural Fireworks Festival on New Year’s Eve, Holness emphasized that the catastrophic event unveils a unique chance for nationwide transformative progress.

    Holness articulated that the disaster necessitates reconstruction that transcends mere restoration of pre-existing conditions, which he identified as inherent impediments to development. The hurricane laid bare structural deficiencies, particularly in infrastructure design and urban planning, that have historically stifled growth. He highlighted severe congestion as a principal developmental barrier, citing inadequate road dimensions and traffic overcrowding as critical constraints.

    The Prime Minister outlined a vision for constructing contemporary, functional towns equipped with modern amenities such as expansive sidewalks and sufficient parking to enhance mobility and livability. He affirmed that public safety continues to be a paramount concern, noting Jamaica’s achievement in reducing homicide rates to a 31-year low of approximately 700 cases.

    Economic resilience remains crucial to recovery, with Holness referencing a recent quarterly growth peak of five percent—the highest recorded in years. However, he cautioned that economic advancement must be paralleled by social cohesion and disciplined public behavior. Addressing broader societal violence and dysregulated conduct is essential alongside crime reduction, he stated.

    Holness concluded that societal peace, coupled with strategic investments in infrastructure, will catalyze visible transformations in both communities and individual lives across Jamaica.