Carib Scope

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  • SVG passes CARICOM law on more secure air travel

    SVG passes CARICOM law on more secure air travel

    On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) passed a landmark piece of national security legislation: the Advanced Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record Bill 2026. While Deputy Prime Minister and National Security Minister St. Clair Leacock, who also holds oversight for immigration, acknowledged the legislation is far from the most attention-grabbing policy passed by Parliament, he emphasized it is one of the most critical steps the country has taken to modernize border protection and improve cross-border travel for legitimate visitors.

    The new law replaces SVG’s outdated Advanced Passenger Information Act, building a far more comprehensive regulatory framework that governs the collection, cross-border transmission, secure sharing, encrypted storage, and official oversight of Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) data for all travelers entering, departing, or transiting through SVG’s ports and airports. It is not an isolated policy change; instead, it forms part of a harmonized model law adopted across the 15-nation CARICOM bloc, designed to align regional border control and security protocols into a single, coordinated system.

    Leacock told lawmakers that SVG, a small island developing state, faces outsized border management challenges amid growing travel volumes. Official travel data shows roughly 32,000 travelers arrived and departed from SVG in both February and March 2026, with more than 11,500 people entering via air travel alone and nearly 12,000 air departures recorded in the month. For a nation of SVG’s size, these volumes create immense responsibility for security officials, requiring modernized data-driven systems that mitigate transnational crime risks while keeping travel processes efficient and convenient for law-abiding passengers.

    Leacock noted that modern airline travelers consistently prioritize two core outcomes: fast, frictionless immigration processing, and robust safety protocols that do not compromise public security. The new API/PNR framework, he argued, directly addresses both priorities by enabling pre-arrival risk assessments that speed up processing for low-risk travelers while flagging potential threats before a plane or vessel ever departs for SVG.

    Multiple regional and international security and aviation bodies will play key roles in upholding the new framework. The Trinidad-based CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS) hosts the regional API/PNR database and manages core supporting security systems, while Barbados’ Joint Regional Communication Centre leads on-ground operational data management. International bodies including Interpol and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) will also participate as part of the global security and aviation network that underpins the system.

    Leacock stressed that air travel and border security are only as strong as the weakest link in the regional and global chain, requiring every participating state to take full ownership of its own segment of the system. He highlighted recent high-stakes security incidents across the Caribbean that underscore the urgent need for coordinated modern border controls: a fatal shooting of a police officer in Trinidad and Tobago that was followed by the disappearance of more than 60 firearms, which prompted Port of Spain to tighten port controls and alert neighboring countries including SVG to increase screening for inter-island travelers. In another incident, a police officer in Grenada was attacked and his weapon stolen, with the suspect later apprehended in SVG. Closer to home, SVG authorities recently intercepted 396 packages of cocaine worth an estimated $12 million from a vessel off the country’s Leeward Coast – a seizure that creates ongoing security risks as criminal groups seek to recover the lost contraband.

    “These are not artificial constructions,” Leacock told Parliament. “They are real-life situations. Border security is a very important matter for the peace, security, well being of Vincentians.”

    Under the new law, border security is formally defined as protecting national borders from the illegal movement of weapons, drugs, contraband, and people, while actively facilitating lawful trade and travel. The core function of the new framework is to ensure that by the time a passenger boards an aircraft or vessel bound for SVG, local authorities already know the traveler’s identity, purpose of travel, and any potential security risk they may pose.

    The legislation places clear mandatory obligations on captains of aircraft and vessels, or their designated agents, to submit complete API and PNR data in standardized formats via the CARICOM electronic manifest single window platform. Strict deadlines are set for pre-departure and pre-arrival data submissions, which allows security officials to complete risk assessments ahead of arrival, and to verify or correct inaccurate data before the traveler reaches SVG.

    To address privacy concerns, the law includes strict provisions requiring confidential handling of all traveler data, with access restricted exclusively to designated authorized security agencies, and only granted following a formal written request and approval from SVG’s competent national authority. It also enshrines individual rights: travelers can request access to their own API data to verify its accuracy, challenge incorrect information, request corrections, and seek legal redress in cases of errors such as mistaken identity.

    Leacock framed the passage of the bill as part of a broader global technological shift reshaping modern travel and border security. He referenced recent briefings from Caribbean Bank Note, the manufacturer of SVG’s passport booklets, on emerging biometric and electronic passport technologies, including chip-enabled documents designed for fast machine reading and extended durability. Looking ahead, the SVG government also plans to expand processing capacity at Argyle International Airport, adding self-service kiosks that allow travelers to scan digital documents and mobile credentials to complete immigration formalities far faster than traditional manual processing.

  • Africa’s biggest airport is being built in Ethiopia for $12.5 billion

    Africa’s biggest airport is being built in Ethiopia for $12.5 billion

    For decades, intercity air travel across Africa has forced passengers to complete inconvenient, time-consuming layovers in hubs outside the continent, from London Heathrow to Paris Charles de Gaulle to Dubai International. That long-standing dynamic could soon shift dramatically, thanks to a massive $12.5 billion airport development rising in Ethiopia that is poised to reshape the future of African aviation.

  • PM’S CALL

    PM’S CALL

    Each year, Earth Day arrives as a critical moment of reflection, pushing global communities to confront the gap between environmental awareness and meaningful action. This year’s designated theme, *Our Power, Our Planet*, serves as a clarion call to center collective responsibility, intentional decision-making, and tangible movement in the fight against planetary decline. In a public marking timed for the annual observatory, Prime Minister Mia Mottley delivered a targeted address, highlighting the urgent need to treat the escalating climate crisis with the gravity it warrants.

  • Nelson’s Dockyard Welcomes Global Contingent for Antigua Sailing Weeks Skipper’s Meeting and Official Opening

    Nelson’s Dockyard Welcomes Global Contingent for Antigua Sailing Weeks Skipper’s Meeting and Official Opening

    One of the Caribbean’s most anticipated sailing celebrations has officially gotten underway at the historic Nelson’s Dockyard, where sailors from every corner of the globe have gathered for the mandatory pre-race skipper’s meeting and the event’s grand opening ceremony.

    Antigua Sailing Week, a regatta that has cemented its reputation as a bucket-list destination for cruising and racing enthusiasts alike, draws a diverse contingent of skippers, crew members, and sailing fans each year. This edition is no exception: teams from Europe, North America, Asia, Oceania, and across the Caribbean have traveled to the UNESCO-listed Nelson’s Dockyard, a 18th-century British naval base turned iconic yachting hub, to take part in the week of high-stakes racing and coastal celebration.

    At the opening skipper’s meeting, event organizers delivered critical race briefings covering course layouts, updated weather projections, safety protocols, and rule changes for this year’s competition. Organizers also emphasized the event’s longstanding commitment to environmental sustainability, reminding all participants of new waste reduction measures designed to protect Antigua’s fragile coastal ecosystems and coral reefs. Following the briefing, the official opening ceremony featured remarks from Antigua’s Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation representatives, traditional cultural performances that highlighted the island’s Caribbean heritage, and a welcome reception that gave competing teams the chance to connect before racing kicks off.

    Local business owners and tourism stakeholders say the annual regatta delivers a major economic boost to Antigua’s coastal communities, drawing thousands of visitors who fill hotels, restaurants, and local shops for the duration of the event. For many sailors, Antigua Sailing Week combines world-class competitive racing with unmatched tropical scenery and Caribbean hospitality, making it a staple of the international sailing calendar. Racing is set to run through the end of the week, with multiple divisions catering to everything from small cruising yachts to high-performance racing catamarans, culminating in the prestigious awards ceremony that will crown this year’s class champions.

  • Jamaican Legendary Reggae –Gospel Artist George Nooks Is Coming to Antigua for “Grace for Grace”

    Jamaican Legendary Reggae –Gospel Artist George Nooks Is Coming to Antigua for “Grace for Grace”

    Antigua and Barbuda is gearing up to host a one-of-a-kind spiritual and musical experience next summer, as legendary Jamaican reggae-gospel trailblazer George Nooks is set to take the stage for the second annual Grace for Grace Gala. Scheduled for Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the John E. St. Luce venue and kicking off at 6:00 p.m., the invitation-only styled gathering is curated by Pastor Lisa Grace Harris, who has designed the evening as a immersive blend of worship, fine dining, community connection, and transformative ministry under the event banner of The Bridgeton Experience.

    The gala’s core theme, “Grace for Grace,” draws its inspiration directly from the scripture John 1:16, which reads “And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.” This biblical foundation frames the entire event around the concept of endless, abundant divine grace that meets people’s evolving needs across every season of life, rather than being a one-time blessing reserved for specific moments or breakthroughs. Attendees can expect an evening of intentional reflection, grateful celebration, and connection with fellow believers and music lovers alike.

    As the headlining guest and performer, Nooks brings a decades-long legacy of artistry that crosses between mainstream reggae and purpose-driven gospel music. A household name across the Caribbean and a beloved figure for global fans of Caribbean music, Nooks is far more than an entertainer: his discography is defined by songs that uplift hurting hearts, strengthen spiritual faith, and encourage persistence through life’s hardest trials. His iconic hit “Ride Out Your Storm” has become a enduring anthem of hope for individuals navigating grief, uncertainty, personal struggle, and spiritual challenge, with his ministry through music touching multiple generations of listeners.

    For attendees, the event offers a rare opportunity to experience Nooks’ powerful vocals and heartfelt ministry live. His appearance on the Antigua stage is already generating widespread excitement, drawing interest from long-time reggae fans, active worshippers, and community members who celebrate authentic Caribbean musical excellence. Beyond the performance, Pastor Harris frames the gala as a warm, sincere invitation to the entire nation of Antigua and Barbuda to gather in celebration of life, enduring legacy, spiritual ministry, and the goodness of God, creating a meaningful experience that extends far beyond a typical concert or gathering.

  • Senator presents motion urging support for dev’t bank

    Senator presents motion urging support for dev’t bank

    Following the New Democratic Party (NDP)’s landslide victory in St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ (SVG) November 27 general election, the new administration has moved forward on one of its core campaign pledges: establishing a dedicated national development bank to unlock broad-based economic growth.

    Government Senator Chelsea Alexander tabled the long-awaited motion before SVG’s Parliament this week, framing the institution as a critical policy tool to strengthen the backbone of the country’s economy — small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Unlike larger economies dominated by multinational conglomerates, SVG’s economic activity is driven by local micro and small businesses, from neighborhood beauty salons and family-owned restaurants to independent food vendors and creative ventures, Alexander noted, highlighting these local enterprises as living testaments to Vincentian resilience and entrepreneurial spirit.

    The push for a dedicated development bank is not a new concept for SVG, and the proposal draws on the country’s decades-long experience with development financing. Prior to 2000, these functions were handled by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Development Corporation (DEVCO), but its overly broad mandate diluted the focus on targeted development lending. In 2000, the then-NDP government established a standalone development bank by law, with a clear mission to support enterprises across agriculture, fishing, tourism, housing and industry. That changed in 2009, when the institution was merged with the former National Commercial Bank to form the current Bank of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, creating a hybrid commercial-development entity. While the merger strengthened the country’s commercial banking sector, Alexander explained, it sidelined the core development mandate: development financing became increasingly narrow over time, leaving early-stage entrepreneurs, high-risk projects and emerging sectors locked out of affordable capital.

    Alexander emphasized that this gap is not a failure of commercial banks, which by design are risk-averse and prioritize profit generation. Instead, it creates a clear need for a specialized public institution focused on bridging market gaps to advance national development. The motion tabled this week does not call for immediate creation of the bank. Instead, it asks Parliament to greenlight a full comprehensive review of SVG’s existing development finance system, after which the government will present a detailed policy paper or draft legislation outlining a modern, targeted development finance framework aligned with the NDP administration’s four core economic pillars: agriculture, the blue economy, tourism, and the new creative and digital economy.

    The proposed bank would fill critical unmet needs across every key sector of SVG’s economy, Alexander argued. For rural communities dependent on farming and fishing, where livelihoods are concentrated in the newly designated special development zones of North Leeward, North Windward and the Southern Grenadines, the bank would provide fair, flexible credit to help farmers purchase modern equipment, scale operations, and compete in regional markets, while enabling fishers to invest in new boats, refrigerated storage, vessel tracking systems and critical communications tools. For the tourism sector, the bank would offer more than just capital: it would also provide targeted technical assistance and training to help small tourism projects succeed. Most notably, the bank would address a growing barrier for young Vincentians entering emerging sectors such as podcasting, social media influencing, graphic design and co-working, where entrepreneurs often do not meet the strict collateral requirements of traditional commercial lenders. By offering flexible funding tailored to these new ventures, Alexander said the institution would invite young people to innovate, reimagine traditional industries, and drive long-term economic diversification.

    Beyond direct lending, the national development bank would serve a range of additional key functions: it would act as a conduit for international and regional development funding, run national outreach initiatives including entrepreneurship internships, and strengthen public-private partnerships to advance sustainable, inclusive growth. Alexander framed the bank as a deliberate departure from a laissez-faire approach to economic growth, noting that the institution would ensure progress is intentionally designed, strategically funded, and equitably shared across all communities, guaranteeing that no sector, region or citizen is left behind.

    When Parliament adjourned for the day Tuesday, debate on the motion had not concluded. By parliamentary rules, debate on private member’s motions must end by 5 p.m. local time. Following the adjournment, Prime Minister Godwin Friday, leader of the NDP, requested that debate be paused until a future date to be announced at a later time. Alexander called for bipartisan support for the measure, noting that a national development bank was a core campaign promise across both major political parties: the NDP made the proposal a central pledge to voters during the 2024 general election, which saw the incumbent Unity Labour Party (ULP) voted out of office in a historic 14-1 split of the 15-seat Parliament.

  • Voter ID Replacement Programme Passes 60% Completion in Antigua and Barbuda

    Voter ID Replacement Programme Passes 60% Completion in Antigua and Barbuda

    A national voter identification card replacement program in Antigua and Barbuda has crossed the 60% completion threshold, according to the latest official data published by the country’s Electoral Commission. The commission’s April 2026 performance report reveals that a total of 31,391 applications have been fully processed since the initiative launched, with 8,040 of those applications completed in the month of April alone. This brings the nationwide completion rate to roughly 61% of all registered voters.

    Progress across the country’s 17 parliamentary constituencies has been far from uniform, with some regions recording far higher uptake than others. The constituency of St Peter leads all regions with an impressive 91% completion rate, outpacing every other area by a significant margin. Behind St Peter, the island of Barbuda sits in second place with a 78% completion rate, followed closely by St Philip North at 76%. All Saints West and St Mary’s South also rank among the top-performing regions, with both hitting or surpassing the 67% completion mark.

    Despite the strong overall national figure and high performance in several constituencies, a handful of regions are still lagging behind the national average. Both St John’s Rural South and St Mary’s North have recorded completion rates just under the 60% threshold, while St John’s City West is sitting exactly at the national average of 61%. These disparities highlight uneven outreach and participation across different parts of the twin-island nation.

    A closer look at daily processing data from the third week of April, spanning 19 to 25 April, reveals a clear pattern in workflow. Over the seven-day period, electoral officials processed 1,088 replacement ID applications. Processing activity peaked during the first half of the week, with 393 applications logged on 20 April and 335 more processed the following day. However, activity slowed dramatically over the weekend, with no applications processed between 23 April and 25 April.

    In addition to slowing weekend activity, the data also shows that the rate of new applicants joining the replacement program has dropped off in recent weeks. During that same 19–25 April period, only 148 new applications were submitted by eligible voters. This trend indicates that while officials continue to process existing applications at a steady pace, the pool of voters who have not yet initiated the replacement process is shrinking.

    To date, the Electoral Commission has not announced a firm deadline for voters to complete their ID card replacements, but officials have repeatedly urged all eligible registered voters to complete the process as soon as possible. The new, updated voter identification cards are designed to serve as a core authentication tool for all future electoral events in Antigua and Barbuda, streamlining check-in processes and strengthening the integrity of the country’s democratic processes.

  • Reparatiebedrijf Sardha doet aangifte tegen ‘Newara’ om vermeende facturen Canawaima

    Reparatiebedrijf Sardha doet aangifte tegen ‘Newara’ om vermeende facturen Canawaima

    A Surinamese repair company has launched formal legal action against a local politician, accusing him of defamation, slander, and document forgery, in a case that has amplified existing tensions over mismanagement allegations at a state-owned enterprise. On Wednesday, M.J. Sardha, a family-owned repair business based in Nickerie, filed the police report against Newalsing Nankoesing, a prominent local politician widely known by his nickname Newara.

    The conflict stems from a live social media broadcast hosted by Nankoesing, where he presented what he claimed were three official invoices from M.J. Sardha totaling more than 500,000 Surinamese dollars for work completed for Canawaima Management Company, the state-run port and ferry management firm. During the stream, Nankoesing also made public claims that Richenel Vrieze, president commissioner of Canawaima, holds hidden financial interests in M.J. Sardha, and that the business is officially registered under Vrieze’s wife’s name.

    Shaijad Sharda, legal representative for M.J. Sardha and son of the company’s owner, has forcefully refuted all of these accusations. In an interview with local outlet Starnieuws, Sharda made clear that the company never created or submitted the invoices Nankoesing displayed to Canawaima’s leadership. The business had no prior knowledge of the documents until they were spread publicly on social media, he added.

    Sharda did confirm that M.J. Sardha has carried out legitimate, contracted work for Canawaima, including major repair work on a ferry engine that remained ongoing until the controversy broke. All of the firm’s work for the state company was completed following standard transparent procurement and contracting procedures, he emphasized, pushing back on the insinuations of nepotism and conflicts of interest.

    “There is no family connection whatsoever to Mr. Vrieze. His wife does not work for our company, nor is she any relation to our family,” Sharda stated in the interview. He added that Nankoesing’s unsubstantiated claims have caused severe, lasting damage to the company’s reputation and disrupted its day-to-day operations, leaving the business with no choice but to pursue legal action.

    The legal filing comes amid a growing crisis over governance at Canawaima, with multiple officials raising alarms about ongoing irregularities at the state-owned firm. Previously, Dayanand Dwarka, chair of the union representing Canawaima workers, publicly confirmed the existence of the disputed invoices and backed claims of widespread mismanagement at the company. Separately, Lesley Daniël, Canawaima’s terminal manager, submitted a formal written report to Raymond Landveld, Suriname’s Minister of Transport, Communication and Tourism, detailing a range of alleged irregularities – including instances where the Board of Commissioners carried out operational activities that fall outside its official mandate.

    In response to the growing allegations, Minister Landveld has already announced a full overhaul of Canawaima’s leadership, confirming that the entire existing Board of Commissioners will be replaced. The new board is scheduled to be officially appointed the day after the defamation report was filed, and the minister has also ordered a full independent investigation into potential corrupt activities within the state-owned enterprise.

  • An economic asset for T&T’

    An economic asset for T&T’

    A new milestone for economic development in South Trinidad was marked yesterday, as Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar led a ceremonial sod-turning for the long-awaited $220 million Hilton Garden Inn at South Park, San Fernando. Slated for completion in 2028, the hospitality project is framed by the country’s current United National Congress (UNC) administration as more than a accommodation facility — it is positioned as a transformative long-term economic asset for the nation.

    Speaking at the groundbreaking event, Persad-Bissessar announced that construction will get underway imminently, drawing a sharp contrast between the UNC’s track record of delivery and the unfulfilled promises of the previous People’s National Movement (PNM) government. She emphasized that the current administration has centered its policy agenda on tangible outcomes for citizens, moving away from the pattern of grand announcements with no follow-through that defined the prior tenure.

    The Prime Minister outlined the far-reaching economic benefits the new hotel is expected to deliver. During the construction phase alone, the project is projected to generate approximately 400 on-site jobs, with 150 permanent full-time positions set to be created once the facility opens its doors. Beyond direct employment, Persad-Bissessar noted that the hotel will expand professional training opportunities for workers entering the hospitality sector, and open new supply chain doors for local farmers and small business owners across the region.

    “This is exactly the kind of investment that supports my Government’s commitment to creating sustainable jobs for the population,” Persad-Bissessar told attendees.

    She added that the project’s strategic placement in South Trinidad places it at the heart of a growing national infrastructure corridor surrounded by major regional hubs. Nearby landmarks include the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, the National Aquatic Centre, National Cycling Velodrome, Couva Children’s Hospital, Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Point Lisas Industrial Estate, the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery, and the University of the West Indies Debe campus. This central positioning, she explained, allows the hotel to drive cross-sector economic activity spanning tourism, sports, healthcare, manufacturing, higher education, and general business activity. “This, therefore, is not simply a hotel. It is an economic asset,” she said.

    The Hilton Garden Inn project also serves as a flagship example of the administration’s national Revitalisation Blueprint, an economic development plan that has already drawn nearly 1,000 expressions of interest from investors, with particularly strong demand for waterfront and industrial development opportunities across the country. Persad-Bissessar framed this high level of investor interest as clear proof that the UNC government has pulled Trinidad and Tobago out of a decade of economic stagnation, and is successfully building a policy environment that enables large-scale investment to thrive. The project also fulfills a core manifesto commitment from the UNC, which ran on a platform of delivering economic transformation through job creation, increased investment, and inclusive growth.

    A key focus of the Prime Minister’s remarks was the longstanding underinvestment in South Trinidad, a region she says holds enormous untapped economic potential that the current administration is prioritizing unlocking. “She said her Government was changing that” pattern of neglect.

    Persad-Bissessar also used the event to critique what she called widespread mismanagement of the hospitality sector under the previous PNM administration, highlighting multiple examples of wasted public funds and uncompleted projects. She cited a pool renovation at the Port of Spain Hilton that exceeded $8.5 million in public spending, the non-operational Manta Lodge in Tobago that absorbed millions in investment without opening, public criticism of the Magdalena Grand Beach & Golf Resort in 2022, and the permanently unopened hotel component of the National Academy for the Performing Arts that never became operational.

    “That is why this Government approaches projects differently,” she said. “Every dollar must deliver value, and every project must produce real outcomes for the people.”

    To underscore the contrast in governance, Persad-Bissessar pointed to the UNC’s prior track record during its 2010 to 2015 administration, when it completed and opened the Magdalena Grand resort, and secured more than $334 million for the state through a successful arbitration process related to the Hyatt hotel project. She argued that the pattern of unfulfilled promises under the PNM eroded public and investor confidence, listing a half-dozen high-profile hospitality projects announced by the previous government that never moved past the announcement stage: a 2022-launched Four Points by Sheraton hotel in Piarco slated for 2024 completion that never materialized; a $70 million Maracas Bay hotel announced in 2023 that was never finished; a prior 2024 announcement for this very Hilton Garden Inn site that promised 2025 construction that never started; a $500 million Tobago Marriott project announced in 2021 that never came to fruition; and a 2017 San Fernando Hilton project announced that never broke ground.

    Under the current UNC government, Persad-Bissessar said, the process is shifting: projects move from official announcement to active construction to on-schedule completion. “There is a clear difference. Under my UNC Government, we deliver. Our record is proven and unprecedented. Promises made, promises kept,” she said.

  • Municipal cop charged with Eversley’s murder

    Municipal cop charged with Eversley’s murder

    In the wake of a high-profile, shocking killing that has roiled Trinidad and Tobago’s law enforcement community, Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard, SC, has formally authorized criminal charges against a serving municipal police officer connected to the death of acting corporal Anuska Eversley. Late Tuesday, Gaspard issued charging instructions for 28-year-old Jivon Cooper, a resident of Cedar Hill, Claxton Bay, who faces four separate counts: murder, robbery with violence, firearms trafficking, and illegal possession of ammunition. The charges stem from a violent incident that unfolded last Sunday at the San Fernando Municipal Police Station.

    The investigation, which has moved at a rapid pace, was launched after Eversley’s colleagues arrived for duty early Sunday morning and discovered blood seeping out of her on-site quarters. Just after 4:40 a.m., they found the 36-year-old’s lifeless body resting on a mattress inside the station, and her remains were later moved from the facility to King’s Wharf along Lady Hailes Avenue. Following the discovery of Eversley’s death, homicide investigators launched an immediate probe, with Gaspard formalizing charging instructions after closing consultations with senior leads from Homicide Region III, including Superintendent Persad and acting Assistant Superintendent Mahara.

    Beyond the murder of Eversley, the incident exposed a massive security breach at the municipal police facility: investigators confirmed that a large cache of weapons and ammunition was stolen from the station’s secure strongroom. Initial reports peg the stolen stock at more than 100 firearms and 4,000 rounds of ammunition, though law enforcement has already made significant recoveries: to date, officers have seized 43 illegally held firearms and 929 rounds of ammunition connected to the case. In addition to Cooper, nine other suspects remain in police custody pending further investigation, while two people who were detained earlier in the probe have since been released from custody. ACP Surrendra Sagramsingh, the head of the Trinidad and Tobago Municipal Police Service, has also been placed on administrative leave as the investigation into the security breach continues.

    Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro has publicly confirmed the pending charges against Cooper, issuing a strongly worded statement emphasizing that no member of law enforcement is exempt from the rule of law. Guevarro commended the investigative team for its swift, detail-oriented work, noting that the rapid progress reflects the professional standards the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) upholds across all ranks. “Their decisive action brings us closer to justice for the family and colleagues of Acting Corporal of Police Eversley and for a nation traumatised by this deeply troubling act of betrayal,” Guevarro said in the official TTPS release. “The lure of greed and quick money can never justify the betrayal of public trust.”

    Guevarro framed Eversley’s killing inside a police station as an unprecedented “shocking moment to the nation”, highlighting the breach of public trust that accompanied the crime. The commissioner confirmed that the ongoing investigation is being jointly coordinated by Deputy Commissioner of Police Natasha George, Assistant Commissioner of Police Richard Smith, and Senior Superintendent of Police Sean Dhillpaul of the Homicide Bureau of Investigations Region Three, with on-the-ground supervision handled by Supt Persad and the HBI Region Three team. Investigators expect Cooper to make his first court appearance as early as Friday, or early next week at the latest.

    In his statement, Guevarro also reiterated that all officers, regardless of their posting—whether municipal, transit, estate, special reserve, or regular police—are bound by their oath of office to uphold public safety and integrity. “For those who choose corruption and criminality, we will leave no stone unturned to remove you from among the officers who risk their lives daily to protect our citizens and place you instead among those who enjoy State-provided accommodation with reinforced burglar-proofing and 24-hour security,” he said, adding that the TTPS remains fully committed to preserving the integrity of the national police force.