Carib Scope

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  • China ‘strongly condemns’ US strikes on Venezuela

    China ‘strongly condemns’ US strikes on Venezuela

    BEIJING — The Chinese government issued a forceful condemnation on Saturday against United States military operations in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. In an official statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China characterized the American actions as a flagrant violation of international legal standards and an infringement upon Venezuela’s national sovereignty.

    The statement expressed profound shock at what it termed ‘hegemonic behavior’ by the United States, warning that such military aggression threatens regional stability throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Chinese officials emphasized their firm opposition to unilateral military interventions against sovereign states, regardless of the circumstances.

    The development comes amid dramatic scenes in both Venezuela and abroad. In Caracas, supporters of President Maduro gathered in the streets following news of his capture by US forces. Simultaneously, Venezuelan expatriates in Madrid celebrated the military operation that targeted Maduro’s government.

    President Donald Trump confirmed on January 3, 2026, that American forces had successfully captured Maduro following extensive airstrikes on Caracas and other Venezuelan cities. This military action represents the culmination of a prolonged geopolitical confrontation between the Trump administration and the Venezuelan leadership.

    China’s statement reflects growing international concern over the precedent set by military intervention in sovereign nations and highlights the deepening diplomatic divisions between global powers regarding appropriate responses to political crises.

  • US strikes Venezuela, captures Maduro and his wife

    US strikes Venezuela, captures Maduro and his wife

    In an unprecedented military operation early Saturday, the United States executed a large-scale strike in Venezuela resulting in the capture and extraction of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. President Donald Trump announced the mission via social media, confirming that the Venezuelan leader was apprehended at his residence within the Fort Tiuna military compound and transported via the U.S.S. Iwo Jima to face criminal prosecution in New York.

    The Justice Department unsealed a comprehensive indictment accusing Maduro of orchestrating a corrupt regime that systematically leveraged state power to facilitate international drug trafficking. The document alleges direct collaboration between Maduro’s government and violent narco-terrorist organizations to flood American markets with cocaine, enriching Venezuela’s political and military elite through criminal enterprise.

    International reaction was swift and critical. The United Nations expressed profound alarm, characterizing the intervention as a dangerous violation of international law that establishes a concerning precedent for sovereign nations. China’s Foreign Ministry issued a forceful condemnation, denouncing the operation as hegemonic aggression that violates Venezuela’s sovereignty and threatens regional stability.

    President Trump defended the operation during television appearances, acknowledging minor U.S. casualties and helicopter damage while celebrating the mission’s success. He dismissed congressional criticism about constitutional authorization, labeling Democratic opponents as ‘weak, stupid people’ while asserting the operation’s necessity. The administration simultaneously imposed temporary airspace restrictions over Puerto Rico due to security concerns stemming from the Venezuelan military activity.

    In subsequent remarks, Trump revealed previously undisclosed proposals to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum regarding U.S. military action against cartels, suggesting continued regional security interventions might be forthcoming. The White House has commenced planning for Venezuela’s political future, with Trump emphasizing significant U.S. involvement in determining the country’s post-Maduro governance structure.

  • Rubio ‘anticipates no further action in Venezuela’ with Maduro’s capture

    Rubio ‘anticipates no further action in Venezuela’ with Maduro’s capture

    WASHINGTON, United States — A significant development in U.S.-Venezuela relations has unfolded with the reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. military personnel. According to Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the operation, indicating Maduro will face trial in the United States on criminal charges.

    Senator Lee disclosed on social media platform X that he received direct confirmation from Rubio, who characterized the military action as necessary to protect personnel executing an arrest warrant. Lee suggested the operation might fall under the president’s constitutional authority under Article II to respond to actual or imminent threats against U.S. personnel.

    The operation received presidential endorsement from Donald Trump, who described it as “brilliant” in a post on his Truth Social network. Trump confirmed that Maduro and his wife had been “captured and flown out of the country” in a joint operation conducted “in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement.”

    However, the military action has drawn sharp criticism from both sides of the political aisle. Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego, a Marine Corps veteran, condemned the operation as “illegal” and “the second unjustified war in my lifetime,” expressing concerns about its constitutional basis.

    The controversy emerges amid broader apprehension among legislators regarding Trump’s escalating military presence in the Caribbean Sea, ostensibly to combat narco-trafficking. Administration officials report over 125 casualties in maritime operations targeting alleged drug-trafficking vessels since early September.

    Vermont Senator Peter Welch has emphasized congressional concerns about these deployments, urging greater transparency and accountability under the War Powers Act. Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers have called for more congressional oversight before any further military actions are authorized.

  • Opposition Leader: US attack in Venezuela ‘deeply troubling’

    Opposition Leader: US attack in Venezuela ‘deeply troubling’

    Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles has issued a sharp rebuke of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s response to the recent US military operation in Caracas, condemning her failure to address the safety concerns of Trinidad and Tobago embassy personnel stationed in the Venezuelan capital.

    The criticism follows early morning operations on January 3rd when US Delta Force special operations units conducted a large-scale strike in Caracas, reportedly resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. The operation occurred amid significant US military mobilization in the Caribbean region, including the positioning of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and multiple warships.

    Beckles characterized the Prime Minister’s three-line statement acknowledging the events as insufficient, noting it completely omitted reference to Trinidad’s diplomatic presence in Venezuela. “We place on record our concern for the safety and welfare of the staff and all TT nationals in Venezuela,” Beckles stated, describing the military intervention as “deeply troubling.”

    The Opposition Leader emphasized that while some operational details remain unconfirmed, any military development within Trinidad’s immediate geographic sphere represents a matter of serious concern for the nation, CARICOM, and the broader Caribbean community. Beckles reiterated her party’s commitment to maintaining the Caribbean as a zone of peace, upholding principles of sovereignty, non-interference, and peaceful dispute resolution.

    Citing recent US military actions including the seizure of two Venezuelan oil tankers and deadly strikes on alleged drug trafficking vessels that killed over 100 people, Beckles called for restraint from all involved parties. She urged adherence to international law and emphasized that “the protection and preservation of human life must remain paramount.”

    Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar, in her social media response, acknowledged the attacks but explicitly stated that “Trinidad and Tobago is not a participant in any of these ongoing military operations.”

  • Warner: Are state vehicles held to same standards?

    Warner: Are state vehicles held to same standards?

    In a striking development within Trinidad and Tobago’s transportation sector, former Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner has issued a compelling challenge to current minister Eli Zakour regarding the implementation of newly doubled traffic fines effective January 1. While expressing support for the punitive measures designed to combat roadway lawlessness, Warner has raised critical questions about whether government fleets will be subjected to the same rigorous standards now imposed on citizens.

    Warner’s open letter, composed during his tenure in the People’s Partnership administration (2011-2012), acknowledges the necessity of strengthened penalties to address the escalating disregard for traffic regulations. However, he pivots to two fundamental concerns: the alarming prevalence of jaywalking behavior and the roadworthiness of state-owned vehicles.

    The former minister describes an emerging ‘bounce me nah’ culture where pedestrians immersed in mobile devices step into traffic with dangerous confidence, ignoring signals and crossings. This behavior, he notes, endangers both pedestrians and motorists alike, particularly elderly drivers navigating congested thoroughfares.

    More significantly, Warner scrutinizes the maintenance standards of government vehicles spanning multiple agencies—including ministerial SUVs, NP tankers, T&TEC, WASA, TSTT vehicles, emergency response units, and PTSC buses. He questions whether these vehicles undergo regular inspections matching the newly intensified standards applied to private citizens. Warner emphasizes that public confidence in enforcement hinges on the perception of equal application to both citizens and government entities.

    Calling for full transparency, Warner requested disclosure of inspection protocols, associated taxpayer costs, and implementation timelines if such measures exist. If not, he demands explanation for the exemption. The former minister concludes by commending Zakour’s courage while urging comprehensive, fair, and credible enforcement supported by functioning systems and visible accountability.

  • PNM: Paying more to register births, deaths ‘insulting’

    PNM: Paying more to register births, deaths ‘insulting’

    In a scathing critique of the current administration, Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles has vehemently condemned the government’s sweeping increases to civil registry fees and customs charges that took effect January 1st. Beckles characterized the measures as “reckless, desperate, and insulting” to the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, marking a significant escalation in political tensions.

    The revised fee structure, gazetted on Christmas Day, introduces substantially higher costs for essential services. Late birth registration (between three months and one year) now costs $40, while registrations for children over one year require written authority and carry fees of $100-$150. Corrections to birth registers now incur a $30 charge, while certified copies of birth or death certificates range from $25 to $50.

    Beckles specifically highlighted the irony of taxing citizens at moments of birth and death while questioning the government’s failure to deliver on campaign promises, particularly the previously pledged “baby grant.” She asserted that “this is a government that has chosen to attack citizens” rather than implement sustainable economic policies.

    The opposition leader’s criticism extends beyond civil registry fees to encompass doubled customs declaration fees (from $40 to $80 per package) and significantly increased container examination charges. Traffic penalties have also seen dramatic increases, with fines for speeding, seatbelt violations, and uninsured driving all doubling.

    Beckles warned that these measures represent poor fiscal management and government overreach that will disproportionately affect small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and households already facing financial strain. She argued that increased customs charges would drive up business costs, slow commercial activity, and ultimately force consumers to bear higher prices for everyday goods.

    The opposition leader challenged Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Finance Minister Dave Tancoo to publicly address what she termed “draconian and harsh measures,” suggesting the fee hikes indicate the administration’s failure to meet revenue projections from the 2025/26 budget.

  • Residents told mud volcano still active

    Residents told mud volcano still active

    The Piparo mud volcano in Trinidad continues demonstrating significant geological instability, with researchers from the University of the West Indies (UWI) documenting multiple new fractures emerging around the site in recent days. According to the team’s third official update issued on January 1st, sophisticated monitoring systems have captured the underground structure essentially ‘breathing’ through cycles of pressure accumulation and subsequent release via both existing and newly formed surface cracks.

    At monitoring well #3, positioned adjacent to the primary vent, instrumentation recorded pressure fluctuations displaying a general downward trajectory. While this pattern indicates temporary pressure alleviation, the persistent variability confirms the system remains actively unstable rather than achieving equilibrium. Simultaneously, at northwest monitoring well #6, scientists observed another zone of oscillating pressure, where fractures developing between December 29th and 30th precipitated a sharp pressure decline from approximately 61 to 59 pounds per square inch (PSI). Following this abrupt release, pressures resumed their cyclical rise and fall, confirming the volcano’s ongoing activity.

    The report emphasized that despite these temporary pressure releases through surface fractures, substantial risks persist for adjacent communities. Current advisories consequently maintain warnings for residents to remain vigilant, avoid the main crater and fractured zones, report emergent cracks or gas emissions, and adhere to guidance from emergency authorities.

    This heightened activity follows a significant event on December 24th that induced substantial ground movement, partially destroying at least two residences, collapsing roadways—rendering one completely impassable—and disrupting utility services. UWI’s assessment suggests this activation potentially stemmed from tectonic compression or human-induced environmental alterations, notably absent typical triggers like seismic activity or prolonged rainfall.

    Researchers also identified that mud and pressure flows are migrating northwestward away from the principal vent. In response to these developments, the UWI team has issued an urgent appeal for enhanced funding to bolster monitoring capabilities, improve eruption prediction models, and develop more effective risk mitigation strategies. This data would subsequently inform comprehensive risk assessments and detailed hazard zoning maps for vulnerable communities.

    The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management recently coordinated a meeting at the Piparo Community Center, convening first responders including the Fire Service, Police Service, Electricity Commission, and regional disaster management units. During this session, UWI researchers presented their scientific findings to inform and refine emergency response planning.

  • Unease in Caracas after US strike

    Unease in Caracas after US strike

    In an unprecedented military operation, United States forces have captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife following a large-scale assault on the South American nation. The dramatic events unfolded in the early hours of January 3rd, when explosions rocked Venezuela’s capital city of Caracas at approximately 1:50 AM local time.

    President Donald Trump confirmed the operation through social media, characterizing the action as a decisive strike against the Venezuelan leadership. According to international media reports, the military intervention resulted in multiple casualties among government officials, military personnel, and civilians caught in the crossfire.

    The operation marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between the United States and Venezuela, following months of missile strikes targeting suspected narcotics trafficking operations in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific regions. These previous engagements had already claimed over 100 lives before culminating in the ground assault that resulted in Maduro’s capture.

    Eyewitness accounts and photographic evidence depict a city in chaos, with pedestrians fleeing through streets as low-flying aircraft buzzed overhead. The port of La Guaira showed significant damage with destroyed containers littering the area, while smoke billowed from La Carlota airport and various locations throughout the capital.

    National Guard armored vehicles swiftly deployed to secure key areas, particularly around the Miraflores presidential palace, as residents evacuated buildings in the vicinity. The successful extraction of Maduro and his wife from Venezuelan territory represents one of the most significant geopolitical developments in recent Latin American history, with potentially far-reaching implications for regional stability and international relations.

  • NGC on shutdown: ‘Nutrien held TT to ransom’

    NGC on shutdown: ‘Nutrien held TT to ransom’

    In a sharply worded statement issued January 2, Trinidad and Tobago’s National Gas Company (NGC) has accused Canadian fertilizer giant Nutrien of holding the nation “to ransom” by deliberately shutting down operations despite government efforts to maintain its presence. The NGC asserts that Nutrien’s closure decision stemmed exclusively from profit-maximization motives rather than legitimate operational constraints.

    The controversy emerged following criticism from former Energy Minister Stuart Young, who blamed the current administration for the plant shutdown that will eliminate hundreds of jobs. The NGC responded by detailing how Nutrien had rejected multiple compromise proposals while attempting to secure favorable long-term gas contracts and maintain legacy port rates.

    According to the state company, the dispute originated from Nutrien’s resistance to updated pier user charges at Savonetta and concerns about natural gas supply reliability. The Canadian company, which produced approximately 85,000 tonnes of ammonia and 55,000 tonnes of urea monthly from its Trinidad facility, ceased operations in October after negotiations stalled.

    The NGC revealed that during five separate negotiation sessions, Nutrien representatives threatened to launch a public relations campaign portraying the company as a victim of government pressure. In one particularly contentious incident, National Energy officials were served with an injunction application while en route to what was supposed to be a good-faith negotiation meeting.

    Countering Young’s allegations, the NGC statement highlighted that the previous administration had allowed pier user contracts to expire without renewal since 2018, resulting in over $500 million in lost revenue. The former administration also waived $14.35 million in “take or pay” liabilities owed by Nutrien in August 2024 and permitted downstream companies to manipulate payment terms, creating a de facto $160 million overdraft facility.

    The gas company emphasized that most petrochemical producers in Point Lisas Estate do not repatriate US dollar revenues to Trinidad, instead maintaining foreign accounts in financial hubs including New York, London, Zurich, and Brussels. Despite Nutrien’s departure, NGC has successfully reallocated the gas supply to other downstream customers and fulfilled its Atlantic LNG commitments, generating significant financial benefits for the nation.

  • JTA to conduct assessment of schools over the weekend

    JTA to conduct assessment of schools over the weekend

    Jamaica’s educational system faces a pivotal moment as the new academic term approaches, prompting the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) to initiate comprehensive facility assessments across the island nation. The unprecedented evaluation comes in response to the devastating aftermath of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa that struck in October, particularly affecting western and southwestern regions.

    JTA President Mark Malabver, speaking at the reopening of the association’s western Jamaica office, revealed the organization’s plan to conduct ground-level verification of school preparedness throughout the weekend. The initiative aims to determine actual operational capabilities rather than theoretical readiness, acknowledging that many educational institutions sustained substantial damage during the catastrophic weather event.

    Malabver articulated profound concerns regarding the practical realities of resuming classes, emphasizing that reopening decisions must consider both infrastructure limitations and human factors. The teachers’ union maintains that each institution requires individualized assessment based on localized conditions rather than blanket policies.

    Beyond structural considerations, the JTA president highlighted concerning student welfare issues, noting parallels to pandemic-era attendance challenges. He called for systematic tracking of missing students through mandated guidance counselor interventions, recognizing that many children face hurricane-related trauma and displacement.

    The human impact extends beyond students, as Malabver acknowledged widespread psychological distress among educators. Many teachers continue experiencing personal hardships that affect their professional capacity, necessitating compassionate, case-by-case consideration from school administrators and boards.

    This multifaceted approach reflects the complex intersection of infrastructure recovery, mental health considerations, and educational continuity in post-disaster scenarios, positioning the teachers’ association as both advocate and practical partner in Jamaica’s educational rehabilitation.