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In response to escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela, military commanders have developed three specific contingency plans to address potential land strikes involving US forces. This strategic preparation follows the mandatory recall of thousands of active-duty soldiers, sailors, and personnel on October 31, who were instructed to report for duty by 6 pm, leading to a lockdown of all military installations. Although the heightened alert was deactivated later that night, three Quick Reaction Force (QRF) teams remain deployed to strategic locations as part of an ongoing operation to monitor the situation. A senior military officer confirmed that these measures are in place to respond to any emergency arising from military actions in Venezuela. The call to duty was reportedly prompted by international media reports suggesting the US was preparing to strike Venezuela, a claim later refuted by US President Donald Trump and the White House. Trump has previously authorized CIA covert operations in Venezuela and recently announced plans to target drug-related activities within the country. The combination of these developments, along with parliamentary debates on extending the state of emergency, has caused widespread anxiety, leading to early school closures and business shutdowns. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has urged calm, pledging to keep the public informed of significant developments. She has supported US military strikes against narco-traffickers, which have resulted in 61 deaths over the past eight weeks. Military personnel responded promptly to the call, filling camps across the country, while senior commanders convened to assess operational intelligence and devise strategies to handle potential threats, including the migration of Venezuelan nationals fleeing conflict zones. ‘We have a responsibility to care for them while ensuring the safety of our own population,’ an officer stated.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic impact across the Caribbean, disaster management experts are emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced preparedness and infrastructure improvements in vulnerable regions. Jerry David, a senior disaster management coordinator at Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government, highlighted the critical vulnerabilities in the country’s flood-prone areas, particularly the Caroni plains and the Oropouche river basins. He stressed that while natural hazards are inevitable, human actions and inadequate planning often escalate them into full-blown disasters. David pointed out that improper construction practices, such as building settlements on hillsides and using substandard roofing materials, exacerbate the risks during hurricanes. He also lamented the lack of designated shelters in Trinidad and Tobago, urging for better-equipped community centers and schools to serve as safe havens during emergencies. The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica as a Category 5 storm and later hit Cuba as a Category 3, has left a trail of destruction, with at least 19 fatalities in Jamaica, widespread power outages, and thousands displaced. International aid agencies, including the Red Cross and the UN, have mobilized extensive relief efforts, delivering essential supplies and support to affected regions. David emphasized the importance of studying Melissa’s impact to refine disaster response strategies and improve future preparedness. The hurricane’s devastation has also sparked a broader conversation about the need for proactive measures, such as proper tree pruning, reinforced infrastructure, and community education, to mitigate the effects of future natural disasters.

Amid escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela, Archbishop Jason Charles Gordon has issued a heartfelt appeal for peace in the region. In a letter dated November 1, the Archbishop urged Catholics and the broader population to pray for tranquility during these uncertain times. The call comes as the US increases its military presence in the southern Caribbean, with reports of Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force personnel being recalled to base. Gordon emphasized the need for faith and vigilance, warning against misinformation that could sow division and hatred. He also highlighted the importance of reconciliation over aggression, urging communities to cultivate peace. The Archbishop extended his prayers to those affected by Hurricane Melissa in Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Guyana, and Jamaica, and reaffirmed the church’s commitment to supporting migrant families. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has denied reports of an imminent military strike on Venezuela, while Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has called for calm, despite her support for the US military deployment. Venezuela’s National Assembly has declared Persad-Bissessar persona non-grata, sparking public protests against her stance.

The family of Chad Joseph, a 26-year-old fisherman from Las Cuevas, Trinidad, has reported him missing to the police, suspecting he may have been one of two Trinidadians killed in a US military strike in the Caribbean in October. Joseph, a resident of Salvary Lane, St. Michael’s Village, has been missing since April 25. His relative filed the missing person report on November 1 at the Maracas Bay police station, stating that she last spoke to him on the morning of his disappearance when he mentioned going fishing. Joseph and Rishi Samaroo are believed to have been casualties of the October 14 strike, part of a US-led operation targeting narcotics trafficking. Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers, during a post-Cabinet media briefing on October 30, emphasized that there is no evidence linking the men’s deaths to the military strike. He clarified that the operation occurred in international waters, beyond Trinidad and Tobago’s national jurisdiction and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Sobers also pledged to assist Samaroo’s relatives, who faced challenges filing a missing person report at the Barataria Police Station, by contacting the Minister of Homeland Security and the Commissioner of Police. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

The Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) has allocated USD $670,000 in emergency grant funding to assist Jamaica in its recovery efforts following the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa. The Category 5 storm, which struck on October 29, caused significant loss of life and widespread destruction to infrastructure, services, and communities across the island nation. This financial aid aims to bolster the humanitarian and recovery initiatives already underway, complementing support from other regional and international partners. In a letter to Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, CAF’s executive president, Sergio Díaz-Granados, expressed solidarity with the government and people of Jamaica, emphasizing the institution’s commitment to addressing the immediate and long-term needs arising from the disaster. Díaz-Granados highlighted the immense humanitarian challenges faced by Jamaica and reaffirmed CAF’s readiness to channel resources effectively. Additionally, CAF facilitated bilateral assistance from El Salvador, including the airlift of 37 tonnes of humanitarian supplies and the deployment of over 300 emergency personnel to aid in response and recovery operations. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo, chairman of CAF’s Board of Directors, praised the institution’s swift action and reiterated the Board’s full support for Jamaica’s recovery. CAF also commended the Jamaican government’s leadership in coordinating national response efforts and pledged to remain a steadfast partner throughout the nation’s reconstruction journey.