分类： politics

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Defence Minister Wayne Sturge officiated a significant military promotion ceremony at the Red House in Port of Spain on October 31. The event marked the elevation of former naval captain Don Polo to the rank of commodore and former Lt Col Dwayne Edwards to colonel. Polo assumed the role of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) on October 7, succeeding Air Vice Marshal Darryl Daniel, whose contract was terminated by President Christine Kangaloo following consultations with the Prime Minister and Defence Minister. Daniel had served as CDS for six years, with two extensions granted by the previous administration. Edwards, now a colonel, took command of the regiment on October 14, replacing Col Keston Charles, who was placed on leave. The ceremony also saw the wives of the promoted officers pinning their new rank insignia. Additionally, naval officer Akenathon Isaac was promoted to captain and appointed commanding officer of the Coast Guard, succeeding Polo. Isaac’s promotion, along with Edwards’, was effective from October 10, though Isaac was absent from the ceremony. The Ministry of Defence emphasized that the decision to terminate Daniel’s service was made after thorough deliberation and would not impact the operational effectiveness of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force.

Attorney General John Jeremie announced the extension of Trinidad and Tobago’s State of Emergency (SoE) for an additional three months, emphasizing its necessity to dismantle criminal networks and ensure national security. The decision, approved by the House of Representatives on October 31, follows intelligence reports revealing advanced plots orchestrated from within the country’s correctional facilities targeting political and justice systems. Jeremie highlighted that the SoE, initially declared on July 18 and extended in July, has already yielded significant results, including the disruption of gang leadership and a notable reduction in serious crimes. Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro described the criminal syndicate as operating from within prisons, necessitating enhanced security measures. Since July, security forces have conducted over 7,300 operations, resulting in 3,409 arrests and the seizure of 192 firearms and 2,424 rounds of ammunition. Murders have decreased by 45% compared to the same period last year, with August recording the lowest monthly total in a decade. Jeremie stressed that the SoE is not a crime plan but a preventive measure against unprecedented chaos. While the current extension requires only a simple majority, extending the SoE beyond six months would necessitate a three-fifths majority in both the House and Senate, posing a potential challenge for the government.

The Trinidad and Tobago Parliament witnessed a heated debate on October 31 as lawmakers deliberated on extending the state of emergency (SoE) for an additional six months. The motion, proposed by the government, was ultimately passed with 27 votes in favor and 12 against. The SoE, initially implemented on July 18-28, had already been extended once until late October. Minister of Land and Legal Affairs Saddam Hosein highlighted significant reductions in crime, citing a 29% drop in serious crimes, a 40% decrease in shootings and woundings, and a 39% reduction in break-ins compared to the previous year. He emphasized that these statistics justified the extension of the SoE. However, Port of Spain North/St Ann’s East MP Stuart Young criticized Hosein for omitting crucial data, such as the number of charges laid against suspects arrested during the SoE. Young argued that the SoE, which suspends constitutional rights, should be a measure of last resort and questioned the urgency of its extension. He also raised concerns about the potential desensitization of citizens to the effects of prolonged emergency measures. The debate underscored the tension between crime reduction and the preservation of civil liberties.

In a tense parliamentary session on October 31, Port of Spain South MP Keith Scotland raised a chilling question: Is Trinidad and Tobago on the verge of war? The query came during a heated debate over the extension of the state of emergency (SoE), initially declared on July 18 and extended on July 28 for three months. Scotland’s concerns were amplified by the backdrop of escalating US-Venezuela tensions and increased US military presence in the Caribbean, including the recent visit of the guided missile destroyer USS Gravely to Port of Spain and joint exercises with US Marines. The USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier strike group is also en route to the region, further heightening tensions. Scotland criticized the government’s handling of the SoE, accusing it of using the measure as a political shield to mask inefficiencies and silence scrutiny. He drew parallels to India’s 1970s SoE under Indira Gandhi, warning of the risks of authoritarianism. Opposition MPs supported Scotland’s stance, while Defence Minister Wayne Sturge declined to address concerns about TT Defence Force personnel being recalled to base. Scotland’s remarks underscored a nation on edge, grappling with both domestic and international uncertainties.