In a significant move to address land tenure issues, Minister of Legal Affairs and Agriculture Saddam Hosein accused the former PNM administration of politicizing the Land Settlement Agency (LSA), leading to delays in granting statutory leases to squatters. Hosein made these remarks during a ceremony at the Chaguanas Borough Corporation auditorium on November 13, where 103 eligible applicants received Certificates of Comfort (CoCs). These documents, issued under the State Land (Regularization of Tenure) Act, provide protection from eviction and recognize occupants as eligible for further steps toward legal land ownership. Hosein outlined a three-phase process, with the CoC being the first step, followed by a statutory lease, which allows a 30-year payment period for obtaining a deed of tenure. He emphasized that the current UNC government is committed to rectifying delays and ensuring the LSA serves society’s most vulnerable. Hosein also highlighted the creation of his ministry to expedite the issuance of statutory leases, aligning with the Prime Minister’s vision of inclusive care for all citizens.
分类： politics
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PNM to caucus on HDC issue
The Opposition has launched an investigation into whether Minister Anil Roberts violated the Integrity in Public Life Act and the Data Protection Act by disclosing personal information about St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves and his family. The revelation pertains to the purchase of three apartments at the upscale Victoria Keyes development in Diego Martin. Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles, speaking at a media conference on November 13, suggested that Roberts may have breached Section 28 of the Integrity in Public Life Act, which mandates confidentiality for sensitive information unless required by duty or justice. Beckles criticized Roberts for his ‘reckless’ behavior in publicly sharing financial and personal details of Prime Minister Gonsalves’ wife, Eloise, and their two younger children, Storm and Soleil. She emphasized that the purchase of the apartments was legal and available to anyone on the open market, dismissing any allegations of corruption. Beckles also condemned Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for supporting Roberts, accusing him of attempting to embarrass the SVG leader. Opposition Senators Amery Browne and Faris Al-Rawi echoed these sentiments, denouncing Roberts’ actions as a distraction from ongoing allegations surrounding the LifeSport Programme. Browne stressed that attacks on politicians’ families are unacceptable, while Al-Rawi highlighted the financial inaccessibility of the Diego Martin development for low and middle-income citizens due to changes made during the UNC’s tenure. The Vincentian PM’s wife has denied any preferential treatment in the acquisition of the apartments. An open house event for the Victoria Keyes development is scheduled for November 22, with apartments starting at $1 million.
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TPP to reveal THA election candidates next week
Farley Augustine, the Chief Secretary and leader of the Tobago People’s Party (TPP), has announced that the party will unveil its complete roster of candidates for the upcoming Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections by next week. Augustine dissolved the THA on November 12 during a legislative session in Scarborough, paving the way for elections scheduled between January 12 and February 12, 2026. Speaking at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex on November 13, Augustine expressed unwavering confidence in the TPP’s ability to retain its current 13 seats and potentially gain more. He emphasized the party’s focus on its achievements and a long-term development plan for Tobago, spanning from 2025 to 2040, aimed at fostering robust socio-economic growth. Augustine also highlighted the strategic use of an export license obtained by the THA on November 4, which will serve as collateral to upgrade equipment at Studley Park Ltd, thereby boosting production capacity. While Augustine refrained from specifying an exact election date, he assured that it would be announced in due course after consultations with the Prime Minister and the President. The TPP’s screening process for candidates is set to take place on November 16 at the Shaw Park Complex. Augustine dismissed the opposition PNM’s campaign slogan, recalling their previous electoral losses in 2013. The TPP’s campaign will focus on its vision for Tobago’s future, leveraging its track record and strategic initiatives to secure electoral success.
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PM Persad-Bissessar backs Rubio’s fake news claim on CNN report
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has issued a stern warning against the proliferation of fake news, particularly from international media outlets. Her remarks came in support of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who refuted a CNN report alleging that Britain had ceased sharing intelligence with the US on drug-trafficking vessels due to concerns over US military actions in the Caribbean. Rubio emphasized that no changes have occurred that would hinder Washington’s operational capabilities. Speaking after a Group of Seven foreign ministers’ meeting in Canada, Rubio clarified that Britain had not raised any concerns directly with him. Persad-Bissessar, via her official social media account, criticized the irresponsible dissemination of false reports by both international and local media, which she claimed undermine efforts to combat narco-trafficking and organized crime. She reaffirmed her government’s commitment to partnering with the US to address the flow of drugs, guns, and human trafficking into Trinidad and Tobago, stressing that the Caribbean cannot be considered a zone of peace as long as powerful cartels continue to wreak havoc. Additionally, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the commencement of Operation Southern Spear in the southern Caribbean Sea, aimed at defending the homeland and eliminating narco-terrorists from the hemisphere.
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Unnecessary bureaucracy
The People’s National Party (PNP), Jamaica’s main opposition party, has clarified its refusal to participate in a Joint Select Committee (JSC) overseeing hurricane recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa. The decision has sparked criticism from the government, which accused the PNP of inconsistency and a lack of principled leadership.
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UK halts Caribbean intel sharing over US strikes
The United Kingdom has ceased sharing intelligence with the United States regarding suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean, citing concerns over the legality of US military strikes. According to sources familiar with the matter, the UK believes these strikes violate international law and does not wish to be complicit in what it considers illegal actions. This decision marks a significant departure from the UK’s traditionally close intelligence-sharing relationship with the US and reflects growing skepticism about the US military’s campaign in Latin America. For years, the UK, which controls several Caribbean territories housing intelligence assets, has assisted the US in locating suspected drug vessels for interdiction by the US Coast Guard. However, after the US began launching lethal strikes against these vessels in September, the UK grew concerned that its intelligence might be used to select targets for these attacks. The intelligence pause began over a month ago, coinciding with the UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk’s condemnation of the strikes as “extrajudicial killings.” The UK aligns with this assessment, sources told CNN. The British Embassy in Washington and the White House declined to comment, while a Pentagon official stated that the department does not discuss intelligence matters. The Trump administration has defended the strikes, arguing that suspected traffickers pose an imminent threat to Americans and are “enemy combatants” in an “armed conflict” with the US. However, legal experts and senior US defense officials have questioned the legality of the campaign, with some expressing concerns that the strikes violate international law. Canada, another key US ally, has also distanced itself from the military strikes while continuing its partnership with the US Coast Guard under Operation Caribbean.
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Cuban ambassador extends warm wishes from President Díaz-Canel to the President of Dominica in celebration of Independence Day.
In a significant diplomatic engagement, President Sylvanie Burton of the Commonwealth of Dominica hosted Cuban Ambassador Miguel Fraga on November 11, 2025, to bolster the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the two nations. The meeting, held in a cordial atmosphere, underscored the shared commitment to mutual respect and solidarity. Ambassador Fraga delivered an official message from Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, congratulating Dominica on its 47th anniversary of independence. President Burton expressed her gratitude and lauded the robust bilateral relationship, particularly in healthcare and human resource development. The discussion also touched on Cuba’s recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa, with Ambassador Fraga noting the absence of fatalities due to effective preventative measures, despite significant material damage. Additionally, the Cuban diplomat thanked President Burton for her advocacy at the 80th United Nations General Assembly, where she called for an end to the U.S. economic blockade against Cuba. The meeting concluded with both leaders reaffirming their dedication to deepening their historic ties.
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PM’s brother-in-law gets contract for $40,000 monthly
A significant controversy has erupted in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) over a lucrative government contract awarded to Cecil Harris, the brother-in-law of Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves. Harris, a highly qualified civil engineer with extensive experience in law and project management, is reportedly earning EC$40,000 monthly as the project manager for the Taiwanese-funded US$125 million Strengthening Health Resilience Project. This project includes the construction of a 135-bed hospital in Arnos Vale, comprehensive health system reforms, and the management of consultants.
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Venezuela announces ‘massive mobilization’ of military forces as America’s largest warship sails into region
Venezuela has announced a large-scale military mobilization in response to the increasing presence of US warships and troops in the Caribbean Sea. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López stated that land, air, naval, and reserve forces will conduct exercises through Wednesday, framing the deployment as a defensive measure against what he termed the “imperialist threat” posed by the US. The exercises will also involve the Bolivarian Militia, a civilian reserve force established by the late President Hugo Chávez and named after Simon Bolivar, the revolutionary leader of Latin American independence. Padrino López emphasized that the operation, directly ordered by President Nicolas Maduro, aims to enhance command, control, and communications while safeguarding national sovereignty. This move comes amid escalating tensions between the two nations, as the US continues to bolster its military presence in the region. The US Navy recently announced the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford, America’s largest aircraft carrier, in the US Southern Command area of operations, which encompasses most of Latin America. The carrier strike group includes nine air squadrons, two guided missile destroyers, an integrated air and missile defense command ship, and over 4,000 sailors. The US has justified its military build-up as part of efforts to combat drug trafficking, conducting strikes on alleged drug boats in recent weeks. However, Venezuelan officials suspect the US is pursuing regime change, a strategy some Trump administration officials have privately acknowledged. Last month, President Trump authorized CIA operations in Venezuela and hinted at potential military strikes, though administration officials later clarified that no such actions are currently planned. Padrino López linked the Venezuelan military deployment to Maduro’s “Independence Plan 200,” a civic-military strategy aimed at mobilizing conventional forces alongside militias and police to defend the nation. Venezuela’s Bolivarian National Armed Forces comprise approximately 123,000 members, with Maduro claiming over 8 million reservists in the volunteer militias, though experts question the accuracy of these figures and the troops’ training quality. The US military presence in the region now includes around 15,000 personnel, with significant naval assets such as the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, and advanced aircraft like F-35 fighter jets and MQ-9 Reaper drones deployed to Puerto Rico. US bombers have also conducted training missions near the Venezuelan coast, including an “attack demonstration” in late October.
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Police deny UPP permission for Rural East Whistlestop; no reason given
Acting Police Commissioner Everton Jeffers has rejected the United Progressive Party’s (UPP) application to hold a Whistlestop event in the St. John’s Rural East constituency on November 12. The decision was made without any explanation provided to the Party. The Whistlestop was planned to rally public support for an independent investigation into the ongoing scandal involving the Ministry of Public Works, led by Maria Browne, the parliamentary representative for Rural East. The UPP had initially sought police permission for the event on November 6, following the denial of their request for an islandwide Motorcade on November 9. The police cited insufficient personnel due to the Remembrance Day ceremony at The Cenotaph as the reason for the Motorcade denial. On November 7, the UPP proposed delaying their event by an hour to accommodate the ceremony, but the Commissioner remained firm in his refusal. He did, however, suggest that a later date after November 9 could be considered. The UPP has since announced plans to proceed with a Motorcade on November 16, pending written confirmation from the police. Meanwhile, the Party is urging citizens to join their protest actions against the alleged $15 million fraud scandal, dubbed ‘Bronco-gate/Vehicle-gate/Chain-Gang Scandal,’ and to demand an independent inquiry into the Ministry of Works.