Carib Scope

分类： politics

  • Antigua and Barbuda Developing National Cybersecurity Team to Protect Banks, Telecoms and Utilities

    Antigua and Barbuda Developing National Cybersecurity Team to Protect Banks, Telecoms and Utilities

    Against a backdrop of growing global cyber risk, the government of Antigua and Barbuda is moving forward with plans to establish a dedicated national Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT) – a unified defense framework designed to protect the country’s most critical digital infrastructure from coordinated cyberattacks. The initiative was formally outlined by Information and Communication Technologies Minister Melford Nicholas during the National Cybersecurity and Fraud Prevention Forum, where officials emphasized that proactive preparation has become a non-negotiable priority for the small island nation.

    Currently, Antigua and Barbuda operates a smaller in-house government cybersecurity unit that conducts vulnerability testing on public sector systems, detects security gaps, and leads service recovery after digital incidents. The proposed national CIRT will expand this existing capacity to create a coordinated structure that brings all key critical institutions – from financial services to public utilities – under a unified protective umbrella. Nicholas explained that the cross-sector scope is intentional: a single cyber intrusion at any level can quickly cascade across multiple industries, impacting residents and businesses far beyond the initial target.

    A core focus of the new strategy is protecting the country’s essential utility infrastructure, which is increasingly reliant on connected digital systems. Antigua and Barbuda’s national electricity grid already runs on a centralised Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, and a similar digital management framework is scheduled to be rolled out for the country’s water distribution network before the end of the year. Nicholas warned that without robust defensive measures, this critical infrastructure could be left exposed to malicious cyber activity. While the Caribbean region has not yet recorded a major successful cyberattack on utility infrastructure, Nicholas stressed that waiting for an incident to occur would be a catastrophic mistake. “There’s always day one when something happens,” he noted. “We have to be prepared.”

    Beyond physical infrastructure protection, officials framed the national cybersecurity push as a foundational pillar of the country’s long-term economic development. Nicholas pointed out that international investors routinely evaluate jurisdictions based on global cybersecurity indexes, and nations with weak digital protections are often sidelined as too high-risk for business operations. “Cybersecurity is, in fact, national security,” he emphasized, adding that unaddressed vulnerabilities could deter foreign investment and undermine Antigua and Barbuda’s position as a competitive digital and business hub.

    Gordina Hector-Morrell, director of cybersecurity at the Ministry of ICT, added that technical capacity-building is being paired with updates to the country’s legal and regulatory framework to combat transnational cybercrime. The Antigua and Barbuda government is currently evaluating membership in three key international cyber agreements: the Budapest Convention, the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime, and the United Nations Global Mechanism on the use of information and communication technologies in cyberspace. Because cybercrime is inherently transnational – with perpetrators often operating from outside the country’s borders – these international partnerships would enable local law enforcement to access cross-border assistance, trace illicit activity, and recover stolen funds more effectively. Hector-Morrell noted that existing relationships with CIRT units across the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and North America already provide a strong foundation for this international collaboration.

    Looking ahead, the national CIRT is designed to be inclusive, with plans to eventually incorporate representatives from law enforcement agencies, commercial banks, telecommunications providers, local universities, and nongovernmental organisations to ensure coordinated response across all sectors. Hector-Morrell stressed that technical and legal reforms must be paired with widespread public education to build a resilient national cybersecurity culture. “Knowledge is power,” she said. “If persons are not aware, then they can’t act accordingly. Cybersecurity is everybody’s responsibility. All of us have a part to play.”

    According to Nicholas, work on the national CIRT will accelerate once the government concludes its current preparations for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, putting the initiative on track to move from planning to implementation in the near term.

  • The ONA continues to implement its strategic priorities

    The ONA continues to implement its strategic priorities

    Between July 20 and 25, 2026, Haiti’s National Old-Age Insurance Office (ONA) made measurable progress across multiple core strategic objectives, advancing institutional modernization, governance improvement, human resources optimization, service quality enhancement, collaborative social dialogue, and alignment with the Haitian government’s top national priorities. These targeted actions underscore the ONA General Directorate’s ongoing commitment to strengthening institutional performance and building a more agile, efficient, and user-centric institution that directly addresses the needs of insured contributors, pensioners, and working people across Haiti.

    One of the most significant milestones of the week was further progress on the ONA’s sweeping social security registration reform, including the ongoing rollout of the new national Social Security Card. Following a high-level strategic gathering of the institution’s top leadership, the body approved a series of updated technical frameworks designed to modernize the national insured person identification system and raise the standard of services available to Haitian workers.

    In a key leadership change to support human resources modernization, the ONA formally named Dr. Mackenson Saint-Cyr as its new Director of Human Resources. With nearly a quarter-century of institutional experience already under his belt, Saint-Cyr plans to continue the ONA’s HR transformation efforts, with a core focus on digitizing internal and external HR services, building up specialized internal expertise, and boosting overall institutional performance.

    As a core component of its broader institutional modernization agenda, the ONA also launched a targeted debt restructuring program for entities and individuals that hold debts to the institution. The program offers eligible debtors the chance to negotiate flexible repayment plans through September 30, 2026, in full compliance with Haitian regulatory frameworks.

    On July 24, the ONA took part in the closing ceremony of a national capacity-building initiative for public sector Study and Programming Units (SPUs), an event organized by Haiti’s Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation (MPCE) in partnership with the Prime Minister’s Office. The ONA’s participation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting broader public administration modernization and strengthening institutional capacity to deliver more effective governance across the country.

    Later that same day, the ONA marked the 10th anniversary of the ONA Workers’ Voice (Voix des Travailleurs de l’ONA, or VTO), the institution’s labor body. During the commemoration, the General Directorate reaffirmed its stance that open social dialogue is the foundation of modern, participatory governance. Represented by Special Advisor Dr. Jean Gardy Marius, the leadership committed to sustaining collaborative partnerships with labor unions to advance ongoing reforms, strengthen institutional governance, and improve service outcomes for insured contributors and pensioners.

    The following day, July 25, ONA Director General Lovely François publicly commended the VTO’s 10 years of service and commitment to the institution, and once again reiterated the ONA’s commitment to maintaining open, consistent, and constructive dialogue with all social partners. François emphasized that lasting institutional reform can only be built through inclusive consultation, and confirmed that the ONA will continue advancing its ongoing transformation agenda to build a more modern, transparent, efficient institution that meets the expectations of its members, pensioners, and staff.

    In addition to internal institutional reforms, François also represented the ONA at a high-level strategic meeting hosted at Haiti’s National Palace and chaired by Prime Minister Fils-Aimé. The gathering focused on mobilizing the entire public administration to implement the June 2, 2026 electoral decree. The meeting brought together cabinet members, senior public institution leadership, the President of Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), national security force representatives, and international partners. Through her participation, François reaffirmed the ONA’s commitment to supporting the state’s core national priorities, and confirmed the institution will contribute its public service expertise to ensure a successful national electoral process in line with its mandate.

  • UN visit to assess Haiti’s implementation of the sanctions regime

    UN visit to assess Haiti’s implementation of the sanctions regime

    In a step to monitor international commitments aimed at stabilizing Haiti’s security landscape, a delegation from the United Nations Secretariat’s Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs recently traveled to the Caribbean nation to conduct an official assessment of how Port-au-Prince is rolling out the UN Security Council’s sanctioned sanctions regime. The visiting team, which includes Melanie Ramjoue, Pedro Inchauste, and Jean A. Charar, was received last week by Haiti’s Minister of Defense Mario Andrésol during official talks.

    This on-the-ground visit forms one segment of a broader series of targeted consultations between the UN delegation and senior Haitian government officials. The core mandate of the mission is to measure the progress Haiti has made toward meeting three central priorities outlined by the UN Security Council when the sanctions framework was established. First, the assessment evaluates efforts to boost national institutional capacity in justice and rule of law sectors, a critical foundation for more effective countermeasures against violent armed gangs and transnational criminal networks operating across Haiti. Second, the mission reviews trends in violence linked to these groups, tracking whether levels of intentional homicide, kidnapping, and sexual violence have declined as targeted by the regime. Third, the delegation examines progress in curbing illicit arms trafficking, arms diversion, and the associated illegal financial flows that fuel gang activity, with a specific focus on increases in both the number of weapons seizures and the volume of illicit arms confiscated by Haitian authorities.

    The entire assessment process is mandated under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2794, adopted in 2025. That resolution explicitly tasks the UN Secretary-General, working in close coordination with the UN Panel of Experts focused on Haiti, to carry out regular, rigorous evaluations of progress toward the resolution’s core goals, ensuring transparency and accountability for both Haitian authorities and the international community. The findings from this visit will inform future UN policy and support efforts to adjust the sanctions implementation framework to better address evolving security challenges in Haiti.

  • ONI : Modernization of consular services for the benefit of the Haitian diaspora

    ONI : Modernization of consular services for the benefit of the Haitian diaspora

    Haiti’s government is advancing a targeted digital modernization push that aims to dramatically improve consular service access for hundreds of thousands of Haitians living abroad, led by a collaborative effort between the National Identification Office (ONI) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    The core of the initiative centers on interconnecting the centralized identity databases managed by ONI and the Haitian Institute of Statistics and Informatics (IHSI), a technical integration that will lay the groundwork for a new secure, cross-agency digital platform. Senior officials from ONI recently held in-depth technical working sessions with Foreign Minister Raina Forbin to align on project timelines, security protocols, and functional requirements for the platform, which is designed to streamline secure information sharing required for processing routine and critical administrative requests from overseas Haitians.

    For the Haitian diaspora, the reform addresses longstanding pain points that have complicated access to essential national identity documents. Prior to this integration, identity verification processes often required redundant checks, extended processing wait times, and complex cross-agency coordination that created unnecessary barriers for Haitians seeking key documents including the National Unique Identification Card (CINU), the National Unique Identification Number (NINU), and other official administrative records that rely on verified national identity data.

    Once fully implemented, the database interconnection is expected to cut through bureaucratic red tape, reduce processing lead times for consular requests, and significantly boost the overall reliability of services delivered to overseas residents. For ONI, the project marks a key milestone in the agency’s broader multi-year strategy to digitize national identification systems and modernize core public services across Haiti. Officials emphasized that the effort reflects the national government’s clear commitment to bringing critical government services closer to the Haitian diaspora, a community that plays an outsized role in Haiti’s economy and social fabric through remittances, cultural exchange, and investment.

  • Cubaanse president beschuldigt VS van genocide en poging tot overname

    Cubaanse president beschuldigt VS van genocide en poging tot overname

    HAVANA — Speaking at a national commemoration marking the 73th anniversary of the start of the Cuban Revolution on Sunday, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel issued a scathing rebuke of the United States, accusing Washington of orchestrating deliberate genocide against the Cuban people and pursuing overt plans to seize control of the island nation.

    The event, held in the western Cuban province of Pinar del Río, brought together government officials and revolutionary supporters to honor the 1953 uprising that would eventually oust the US-backed Fulgencio Batista regime six years later. Notably absent from the gathering was 92-year-old former President Raúl Castro, the iconic revolutionary leader who stepped down from power in 2018 and is the brother of late revolutionary icon Fidel Castro.

    Díaz-Canel’s harsh words come amid a deepening humanitarian and economic crisis on the island, fueled by a longstanding US trade embargo that was tightened in recent years, particularly a oil embargo imposed earlier this year that has triggered crippling nationwide power outages that can last more than 20 hours a day. According to on-the-ground reports, the embargo has pushed Cuba into one of the worst economic collapses in its modern history.

    The Cuban leader labeled the sweeping US sanctions “cold-blooded, calculated genocide” and framed the punitive measures as an act of “economic strangulation” designed to break the will of the Cuban people and force regime change on the island. “Today, Cuba is waging a historic struggle against the walls of genocidal policy, aimed at suffocating an entire people to take ownership of the country,” Díaz-Canel told the assembled crowd.

    The tangible impacts of the embargo are already widespread across Cuba: domestic manufacturing facilities have been forced to halt operations, employers have had to slash working hours amid energy shortages, and the country is facing acute shortages of clean water, pharmaceutical products, and other essential basic goods. Major international firms, including financial giants Visa and Mastercard, Spanish hospitality chain Meliá Hotels International, and leading airlines Air Canada and Air France, have already pulled their operations out of Cuba to avoid falling afoul of US sanctions and navigate the worsening domestic crisis.

    Bilateral relations between Washington and Havana have been strained for decades, but tensions have deteriorated sharply during the current administration of former US President Donald Trump. Trump has previously openly stated his intention to “take over” Cuba, a threat that gained traction after the controversial detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a key Cuban ally, earlier this year.

    In recent months, US accusations against Cuba have intensified: the US State Department recently claimed that Havana operates a sprawling network of espionage and political influence targeting Washington and Latin American neighboring countries. In May, the US leveled criminal charges including murder against retired leader Raúl Castro over his alleged involvement in the 1996 downing of two civilian aircraft operated by a Cuban exile group, an incident that killed four people.

    The Cuban government has vigorously rejected all of these accusations, condemning the escalatory rhetoric from the Trump administration. Bilateral talks between the two nations have been largely frozen since June, leaving no clear path to de-escalation in the near term. The 1959 Cuban Revolution, led by Fidel and Raúl Castro, ended five years of armed insurgency to overthrow the US-aligned Batista dictatorship and established the socialist state that has governed Cuba ever since.

  • China offers annual training for 1 000 Barbadians

    China offers annual training for 1 000 Barbadians

    As China and Barbados gear up to mark the 50th anniversary of their formal diplomatic relations in 2027, Beijing’s top envoy to the Caribbean nation has announced a landmark new initiative: starting this year, 1,000 Barbadians will travel to China annually for targeted professional training across multiple key industries.

    Chinese Ambassador to Barbados Zheng Bingkai revealed the programme during a weekend media symposium, emphasizing that the scheme is designed to deepen bilateral cooperation and nurture specialized local talent for Barbados’ long-term growth. “Starting this year, we have introduced a programme to send 1,000 Barbadians to China annually for professional training across various sectors,” Zheng stated. “Our core goal is to expand human capacity, facilitate cross-border knowledge transfer, and empower inclusive local development.”

    Zeng framed the decades-long China-Barbados partnership as a relationship rooted in equal mutual respect, aligned development objectives, and shared perspective as developing nations. “Geographic borders separate our two countries, but there is no barrier between our peoples, because we share a common development narrative,” he noted. “As we approach this five-decade milestone of diplomatic ties, it is critical that we reflect on the lessons of our past cooperation to build a stronger path forward for coming years.”

    During the event, the ambassador also paid tribute to the late Barbadian National Hero Sir Garfield Sobers, urging countries across the Caribbean to draw inspiration from his enduring legacy of cross-community unity. Looking back on 50 years of collaborative progress, Zheng highlighted a series of high-impact infrastructure and social projects delivered with Chinese support: these include critical road rehabilitation work in Barbados’ Scotland District, upgraded water treatment infrastructure along the island’s south coast, and the rollout of electric public buses that supports Barbados’ transition to carbon-neutral green energy. Additional ongoing cooperation spans agricultural partnerships designed to boost the island’s national food security, and community-focused medical outreach programmes that bring accessible healthcare services to communities across Barbados.

    Looking toward future collaboration, Zheng called for expanded joint work between the two nations to address the challenges of a rapidly shifting global landscape, especially the disruptive growth of artificial intelligence and digital transformation. “Humanity currently stands at another major historical crossroads,” he said. “Let us uphold the spirit of South-South solidarity to build a brighter, more prosperous future for all our peoples.”

    Also speaking at the symposium, Dr Delisle Worrell, president of the Association for Barbados-China Friendship (ABCF), shared his perspective on China’s decades of economic transformation and its far-reaching positive impact on Barbados and the broader Caribbean region. “China’s successful governance of its society and dynamic economy has delivered tangible benefits to the entire world, including Barbados,” Worrell affirmed.

    Worrell pointed out that Chinese manufactured goods and technological innovations have become integrated into daily life across Barbados, appearing everywhere from traditional Crop Over festival costumes and public hospital medical equipment to residential solar photovoltaic systems and electric passenger vehicles. He also outlined a series of ongoing civil society initiatives aimed at strengthening educational and cultural ties between the two countries, with a particular focus on youth engagement. Key programmes include free public Mandarin language tutoring, which prepares Barbadian students to meet the language requirements for Chinese government scholarships that support study at Chinese higher education institutions.

  • Simons bij terugkeer uit Engeland: ‘Internationale steun cruciaal voor nieuwe economische fase’

    Simons bij terugkeer uit Engeland: ‘Internationale steun cruciaal voor nieuwe economische fase’

    Suriname’s President Jennifer Simons has returned home from a four-day working mission to the United Kingdom, expressing clear optimism about the outcomes of her trip, which focused on building global economic ties and attracting critical investment for the South American nation’s upcoming development phase.

    Simons and her small delegation, which included Minister of Finance and Planning Adelien Wijnerman, touched down at Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport on Sunday, following the mission that launched last Wednesday. The president emphasized from the outset that this trip was not an official state visit to the UK government, but a targeted working visit centered on connecting with key leaders in global finance and the energy sector.

    During the mission, Simons held discussions with senior leadership from Bank of America, alongside representatives from other major international financial institutions and oil and gas companies. In remarks shared by Suriname’s Communication Service (CDS) after her arrival, she noted that the talks delivered high-value professional connections that will play a critical role in shaping Suriname’s economic future.

    Suriname is currently on the cusp of major economic transformation, driven by projected new revenue streams from its emerging oil and gas sector. Simons stressed that responsible management of these upcoming natural resource revenues requires international expertise and collaboration, particularly as the country works to establish key institutional frameworks including a sovereign wealth fund.

    “Suriname stands on the threshold of major development. Right now, it is more important than ever to build the right connections, gain critical knowledge, and organize international support for our growth,” Simons said. She added that any guidance and technical expertise from global partners to support the creation and management of the country’s sovereign wealth fund is indispensable, as Suriname prepares to handle new resource revenues responsibly.

    The president described all meetings held during the mission as constructive, and voiced satisfaction with the clear willingness expressed by international financial bodies to back Suriname’s development trajectory. “Global stakeholders have approached our plans with a positive attitude, and I share that positive outlook,” Simons stated. “Our ultimate goal is to secure support from the world’s major financial institutions as we enter this new development period for our country.”

    Simons also pointed out that international interest in Suriname extends far beyond the oil and gas sector. Talks during the mission also covered opportunities for partnership and investment in other strategic areas of national development, including the expansion of Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport and broader national infrastructure upgrades.

    “We have a great deal of work ahead of our country as we navigate this economic transition phase,” Simons said. “That is why maintaining strong international connections and forging collaborative agreements is so vital to our long-term success.”

  • Nieuw boek pleit voor mondiale Surinaamse natie en grotere rol diaspora

    Nieuw boek pleit voor mondiale Surinaamse natie en grotere rol diaspora

    On Saturday, a groundbreaking new book rethinking the role of Suriname’s globally dispersed diaspora was officially presented, putting forward a bold vision that redefines what it means to be the Surinamese nation beyond territorial borders. Authored by mr. dr. Lachman Soedamah, the publication *Diasporavisie 2050 – From territorial state to global Surinamese nation* argues that communities of Surinamese origin living abroad should no longer be treated as separate groups outside the country, but instead recognized as an integral core of the broader Surinamese national identity.

    Soedamah’s work outlines a long-term development roadmap that centers the diaspora as a key driver of Suriname’s economic growth, social progress and democratic deepening. Rejecting the traditional framing of Suriname’s national boundaries as ending between the Corantijn and Marowijne rivers, the author emphasizes that the true Surinamese community includes millions of people with Surinamese roots scattered across every region of the world.

    To back up his proposal, Soedamah draws on successful case studies from a range of countries including Cape Verde, India, Israel, Portugal, Italy and France. These examples illustrate how nations around the globe have actively integrated their diaspora populations into national development efforts, unlocking benefits ranging from foreign direct investment and cross-border knowledge sharing to increased political engagement.

    The book puts forward a series of concrete policy recommendations designed to strengthen ties between Suriname and its global diaspora. Key proposals include the formal adoption of a national Diaspora Vision 2050 framework, modernization of Suriname’s existing PSA (Personal Assistance for Disabled Persons) scheme that benefits diaspora families, the establishment of a dedicated National Diaspora Council, and reserved parliamentary representation for diaspora communities through a separate electoral district. The plan also calls for expanded collaboration across economic, cultural and social sectors between the home country and Surinamese living abroad.

    Soedamah stresses that a fundamental shift in perspective on the diaspora is long overdue for Suriname. “The Surinamese diaspora is not a loss for the country, it is strategic capital,” he explains. “When we can structurally connect the diaspora’s knowledge, experience, global networks and investment capital to Suriname, we will unlock a new developmental force that transcends national borders.”

    Beyond outlining policy, the book aims to contribute to the growing national and international debate on Suriname’s future and the diaspora’s rightful place in that future. It is targeted at policymakers, political leaders, academic researchers, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders invested in driving sustainable, inclusive development for the entire Surinamese nation.

  • Regering wil heel Suriname in 2030 voorzien van 24-uurs stroom

    Regering wil heel Suriname in 2030 voorzien van 24-uurs stroom

    Suriname’s government has laid out an ambitious national energy goal: by 2030, every resident across the country — including those living in the most remote inland villages — will have access to reliable 24-hour electricity, with a clear focus on sustainable energy solutions to power the expansion.

    Valerie Lalji, Director of Energy at Suriname’s Ministry of Natural Resources, outlined the strategy in official comments shared via the Suriname Communication Service, noting that solar power is currently the most cost-effective renewable option for bringing electricity to hard-to-reach inland communities. Over the past six years, working in partnership with international development partners, the government has already connected approximately 70 remote villages to round-the-clock power supply. Even with this progress, dozens of inland communities still remain without consistent access to electricity.

    “Our ministry’s core goal is to ensure that every person in Suriname, no matter where they reside, has access to electricity by 2030,” Lalji stated. Multiple new electrification projects have already been finalized and submitted for funding approval, and once financing is secured, work will begin to connect the remaining unpowered villages.

    To date, the solar energy systems installed in connected communities are currently sized only to meet the residential electricity demand of local households, leaving small local businesses without access to the grid. Lalji confirmed that the government notified local entrepreneurs of this limitation early in the rollout, and expanding system capacity to support commercial use will require additional targeted investment capital.

    A centerpiece of the government’s updated plan to address this gap and advance full electrification is the BioSweet initiative, an integrated development program designed exclusively for Suriname’s inland regions. Unlike earlier projects that focused solely on residential power, BioSweet will not only deliver continuous electricity access but also improve access to clean drinking water, expand telecommunications infrastructure, and strengthen local economic development. Critically, the program is engineered to accommodate connections for small local enterprises, a gap left by earlier electrification work. According to current planning, the BioSweet project is scheduled to officially launch in August.

    Lalji emphasized that meeting the 2030 full electrification target depends on coordinated collaboration across multiple stakeholders, including national oil company Staatsolie, utility provider Energie Bedrijven Suriname (EBS), the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Oil, Gas and Environment, and the domestic private sector. Additional investment will also be required to expand EBS’ overall power generation and distribution capacity across the country.

    “If all planned projects proceed according to our timeline, we will be able to deliver sustainable, affordable electricity to every person in Suriname by 2030,” Lalji said.

  • Leaked Sabga/Hadeed audio reveals angry attacks on PM

    Leaked Sabga/Hadeed audio reveals angry attacks on PM

    A politically explosive intercepted private phone conversation between prominent Trinidad and Tobago figure Star Sabga and her niece Genevieve Hadeed has been leaked to the public, igniting widespread debate across the Caribbean nation after its contents dominated social media conversations over the past 24 hours. The leak, which was first formally disclosed in a court affidavit filed last Friday by Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander as part of his defense for the preventive detention of Sabga, contains a series of vicious verbal attacks against sitting Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, with Sabga openly calling for her immediate removal from office.

    In the hours following the leak’s spread across social platforms, the most inflammatory portions of the recording quickly drew public attention. Throughout the conversation, Sabga repeatedly lashes out at the Persad-Bissessar administration, claiming that government officials have unfairly targeted and falsely accused innocent citizens with no connections to criminal activity. When Hadeed interjected to reference comments from Attorney General John Jeremie — who recently switched parties from the long-standing People’s National Movement (PNM) to the ruling United National Congress (UNC) — claiming U.S. intelligence services would track down individuals engaged in criminal activity, Sabga dismissed the claim outright as a “damn lie.”

    Sabga went on to make the extraordinary and unsubstantiated claim that former U.S. President Donald Trump personally disliked Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar, refusing to take her calls specifically because of her race. She further alleged that the Prime Minister alienated new political opponents on a weekly basis, and was allowing her policy and decision-making to be completely controlled by Attorney General Jeremie. The conversation soon shifted to a recent controversy surrounding Jeremie’s comments about members of Trinidad and Tobago’s elite “one percent” who had their U.S. travel visas revoked. As Hadeed expressed concern that the country was moving toward a “nasty road” and noted that she and Sabga’s circle had been targeted because of their past support for the PNM, Sabga doubled down on her claim that innocent people were being unfairly targeted.

    The recording captures Sabga launching even more scathing attacks, accusing Persad-Bissessar of destroying the country with false claims and making additional racist remarks directed at the Prime Minister. She singled out hardworking local business owners — who she noted employ large numbers of Black Trinidadians — and called for prominent community leaders to publicly and aggressively condemn the Prime Minister. Sabga warned repeatedly that Persad-Bissessar was leading the nation down a “deadly, deadly, dangerous route” and demanded that Jeremie be removed from his position immediately. She also raised unfounded security concerns about the construction of the new U.S. Embassy on the former Country Club site, claiming its proximity to the Chinese Embassy made it an inherently dangerous location.

    Touching on the ongoing national state of emergency, Sabga claimed the measure was being extended solely to strip ordinary citizens of their fundamental civil rights, repeating her baseless claim that Trump disliked Persad-Bissessar because of her race while contradictorily asserting that the Prime Minister was under the control of U.S. government interests. Going further, Sabga described the democratically elected Persad-Bissessar government as one that Trinidad and Tobago “never should have” elected, openly calling for mass riots to force the Prime Minister out of office. When Hadeed noted that around 20 individuals had lost their U.S. visas, and that only her husband had publicly come forward as a “brave soul” (with Arab members of the group choosing to stay private), Sabga repeated her claims that the Prime Minister was putting the entire nation “in a state of danger.”

    When Hadeed attempted to calm the conversation, labeling the ongoing political chaos “devil work” and predicting tensions would eventually cool, Sabga pushed back sharply. “This will never cool down, Genna. Something have to happen for this to cool down. And what have to happen for this to cool down is the death of one of a member of Parliament,” she is recorded saying. Later in the conversation, she doubled down on the extreme rhetoric, stating that political conflict would only end “if a bullet fly.” Sabga also added criticism of U.S. foreign policy globally, claiming that widespread anger at American military intervention around the world had pushed people to the point where they were ready to “blow up” U.S. interests, and repeated her criticism of Trump’s policy toward neighboring Venezuela.

    The disclosure of the intercepted conversation through court documents has already reshaped the local political landscape, raising urgent questions about the use of government surveillance powers, the preventive detention of political opponents, and the growing polarization of Trinidad and Tobago’s political sphere ahead of any potential upcoming elections.