分类： society

Trinidad and Tobago’s abrupt acceleration of its migrant registration initiative has generated waves of apprehension within immigrant communities, prompting urgent clarifications from human rights advocates. Venezuelan activist Yesenia Gonzalez has stepped forward to reframe the narrative, characterizing the program not as a governmental trap but as a crucial temporary regularization opportunity.

The Ministry of Homeland Security’s January 23 announcement advanced the registration timeline by four days, with proceedings now commencing January 26 at four major sporting venues: Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Larry Gomes Stadium in Arima, Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, and Dwight Yorke Stadium in Tobago. The expedited timeline triggered widespread confusion regarding eligibility criteria, nationality considerations, financial obligations, and potential legal consequences for irregular entry.

Gonzalez of the Themis Foundation of the Americas provided critical legal interpretation, explaining that while the measure avoids the formal terminology of ‘amnesty,’ it functionally operates as a temporary regularization program. The initiative temporarily suspends immigration penalties, allowing undocumented migrants to obtain official documentation and work legally until December 31 upon payment of a $700 registration fee. Crucially, she emphasized that eligibility extends beyond Venezuelans to include all foreign nationals without valid immigration status, provided they lack serious criminal convictions and don’t pose public safety risks.

Andreina Ventura-Brown of La Casita Hispanic Cultural Centre reinforced this perspective, characterizing the registration as a transformative legal pathway that enables migrants to transition from precarious legal situations into protected status. The program represents an unprecedented opportunity for meaningful inclusion in Trinidad and Tobago’s social and economic fabric, allowing registered migrants to access services, education, and employment without fear of deportation.

Trinidad and Tobago is grappling with mounting public outrage following the release of CCTV footage that directly contradicts official police accounts of a fatal shooting incident in St. Augustine on January 20. The video evidence shows 31-year-old Joshua Samaroo attempting to surrender with hands visibly raised from his crashed vehicle before officers opened fire, killing him and critically wounding his common-law wife Kaia Sealy.

The disturbing footage captures the immediate aftermath of a police pursuit that ended when Samaroo’s car crashed into a drain on Bassie Street Extension. Within seconds, three officers emerged from their SUV and discharged approximately 17 rounds into the vehicle despite clear surrender gestures. The recording shows Samaroo lowering his window and extending both hands skyward before being struck multiple times and slumping in his seat.

Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro initially stated that occupants “chose to challenge my officers” and that the response complied with use-of-force protocols. However, the visual evidence has prompted the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) to launch an independent investigation into what many are calling an excessive use of force.

Deputy Commissioner Suzette Martin acknowledged public concerns while emphasizing the TTPS’s commitment to transparency: “Any loss of life during a police operation is a matter we treat with the utmost seriousness.” The service has pledged full cooperation with the PCA investigation.

This incident marks the fourth police-involved fatality in 2026, continuing a troubling three-year trend that saw fatal police shootings jump 150% from 45 in 2023 to 68 in 2025. The spike coincides with extended states of emergency that granted expanded police powers throughout most of last year.

The PCA has reiterated its call for mandatory body-worn cameras, stating such technology “would help elucidate the true nature of what transpired in circumstances like these.” Meanwhile, legislative efforts to establish Zones of Special Operations continue progressing through Parliament, raising concerns among opposition members about potential power abuses.

As investigations proceed, the incident has sparked intense public debate about police accountability, with social media users expressing both outrage at the apparent surrender violation and some support for police facing dangerous situations.

The media landscape in Trinidad and Tobago has lost a pioneering voice with the closure of Newsday newspaper after 32 years of operation. Founded in 1993 by groundbreaking editor Therese Mills, who shattered glass ceilings as the first female editor-in-chief of a national daily, Newsday established itself as a fearless publication that challenged conventional wisdom.

Under Mills’ leadership alongside news editor John Babb, Newsday assembled a team of distinguished journalists who defied expectations that the paper would not survive its first year. The publication quickly evolved into the market leader within five years, earning the nickname ‘The People’s Paper’ for its daring coverage of crime, politics, and international affairs while maintaining deep connections within local communities.

Newsday’s success was built on the dedication of both visible and unsung heroes—from journalists and photographers to press-room operators, advertising clerks, distributors, and support staff who worked tirelessly through natural disasters, states of emergency, and the recent pandemic. The newspaper notably defended press freedom in 2012 when police searched its Port of Spain newsroom and a journalist’s home following a report on the Integrity Commission.

Unlike its competitors, Newsday maintained complete editorial independence without the financial safety net of regional media conglomerates. This autonomy ultimately proved challenging in the digital era, where changing reader habits and declining advertising revenue created insurmountable financial pressures. Despite adapting its operations, the newspaper could not overcome these market forces.

The closure represents a heartbreaking conclusion for staff members, particularly those who dedicated all 32 years to the publication. The final edition serves as both a tribute to the pioneers who built Newsday and a heartfelt thank you to the readers who welcomed the paper into their homes for over three decades.

In a landmark appointment signaling Tobago’s commitment to cultural preservation, Abby Taylor has been named the island’s inaugural Director of Antiquities. The announcement was made by Chief Secretary Farley Augustine during the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) inauguration on January 15 in Scarborough’s James Park, following the Tobago People’s Party’s sweeping victory in the January 12 elections that secured all 15 parliamentary seats.

Taylor’s connection to Tobagonian heritage runs deep, rooted in childhood experiences in Mary’s Hill where her grandmother’s storytelling immersed her in the island’s oral traditions and folklore. This early exposure shaped her academic journey, leading to degrees in History and Cultural Studies from the University of TT, and ultimately inspired her professional path toward cultural stewardship.

“Storytelling raised me,” Taylor reflected in a January 21 interview. “It taught me that history is not only written in books. It lives in people.”

The newly created position represents a significant evolution in Tobago’s approach to heritage conservation. Taylor emphasized that her role transcends mere artifact preservation, describing it as fundamentally about “stewardship and storytelling” that connects historical objects to living memory. Her responsibilities will encompass oversight of artifacts, archaeological sites, collections, archives, policy development, preservation standards, and public education initiatives.

Taylor brings relevant experience from her recent service as THA Presiding Officer, where she occasionally courted controversy through strict enforcement of parliamentary procedures. Her most debated decision involved ordering police to escort former assemblyman Watson Duke from the chamber for allegedly violating standing orders during a January 2025 plenary session. Despite criticism, her tenure saw increased youth engagement with legislative processes and the successful introduction of the assembly’s first Men’s Debate in November 2025.

The new director has outlined ambitious priorities including comprehensive documentation and digitization projects, enhanced conservation standards, improved public access, and strengthened partnerships with cultural practitioners and researchers. She envisions the Department of Antiquities becoming a dynamic institution where Tobagonians, particularly youth, can connect with their heritage in meaningful ways.

“When young people don’t understand where they come from, they struggle to understand where they belong,” Taylor noted. “Heritage gives them grounding and confidence, reminding them they come from strength, creativity, survival, and brilliance.”

Currently pursuing doctoral research in the creative and cultural economy, Taylor aims to inject “energy, vigour, and youthfulness” into antiquities management, making Tobago’s past feel “alive, not distant” while ensuring cultural heritage becomes integrated into the island’s broader development narrative.

The Trinidad and Tobago government’s abrupt acceleration of its migrant registration initiative has generated significant apprehension within immigrant communities, prompting leading human rights advocates to step forward with crucial clarifications. Originally scheduled to commence on January 30, the Ministry of Homeland Security unexpectedly announced on January 23 that the Migrant Registration Framework would instead launch on January 26, creating widespread uncertainty about eligibility requirements and procedural details.

The registration process will be conducted across four major sporting venues: Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Larry Gomes Stadium in Arima, Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, and Dwight Yorke Stadium in Tobago. Successful applicants will receive official migrant registration cards granting legal authorization to reside and seek employment in Trinidad and Tobago through December 31, 2025, upon payment of a $700 registration fee. The government has emphasized that unregistered migrants face potential deportation.

Venezuelan human rights activist Yesenia Gonzalez of the Themis Foundation of the Americas has emerged as a key interpreter of the policy, addressing the confusion that spread through migrant communities via WhatsApp networks and other channels. Gonzalez explained that while the government deliberately avoids using the term ‘amnesty,’ the program effectively functions as a temporary regularization measure. From a legal perspective, it does not constitute a full amnesty as it neither grants permanent residency status nor absolves all previous immigration violations. However, it establishes a temporary suspension of immigration penalties, enabling undocumented migrants to obtain official documentation without fear of immediate prosecution.

Eligibility criteria extend beyond Venezuelan nationals to include any foreign national residing in Trinidad and Tobago without valid immigration status, provided they have no serious criminal convictions and present no demonstrable threat to public safety. This encompasses migrants from Caribbean neighbors, Latin American countries, African nations, and beyond, including asylum seekers, recognized refugees, and individuals who have overstayed visas or otherwise lost their legal status.

Andreina Ventura-Brown of La Casita Hispanic Cultural Centre corroborated this assessment, characterizing the registration as a critical opportunity for migrants to transition from precarious legal situations into protected status. Her organization actively encourages participation in the program, framing it as a legitimate pathway toward legal recognition, economic participation, and social inclusion. Through regularization, migrants can reduce their vulnerability, gain access to essential services and education, and contribute openly to their adopted society while fulfilling responsibilities under national law.