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.
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AG: SoE extended to dismantle criminal gangs
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.
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In memory of Mariah – Family to mark birthday of murdered teen on All Saint’s Day
As thousands prepare to visit cemeteries on All Saints’ Day to honor their departed loved ones, the family of Mariah Seenath will gather at the site where her body was discovered over a month ago to commemorate what would have been her 14th birthday. On October 31, at her grandmother’s home in Friendship Village, Mariah’s uncles, Krishna and Shiv Seenath, were seen decorating a metal cross with vibrant flowers in red, white, silver, and yellow, chosen to contrast against the green backdrop of the location where she was found. Blue flowers were also added, symbolizing her favorite color, as part of a memorial shrine to honor her tragically short life. Krishna, seated on the front porch, expressed the family’s struggle to cope with the loss, stating, ‘It’s unbelievable. It’s hard to cope with, but they said don’t question God. It’s in the hands of God. It’s just to manage.’ He emphasized that Mariah’s memory would always remain with them. On the evening of November 1, relatives planned to visit the site to pay tribute, and if weather permitted, release lanterns into the night sky. Krishna recalled how Mariah’s birthdays were always a special occasion, marked by her favorite meals—barbecue and fries or roti and curry—followed by cake and ice cream. However, this year, the family chose not to cut a cake, as Krishna explained, ‘Knowing that she’s not here…it wouldn’t feel comfortable.’ He expressed hope that the perpetrator would soon be brought to justice, providing the family with closure. Senior homicide detectives confirmed to Newsday that no arrests have been made yet, as police await toxicology and blood reports to further the investigation. Mariah, a Form Three student at San Fernando East Secondary, went missing on September 19 after leaving her Friendship Village home. Her body was found the following day in bushes along a path she frequently used. An autopsy revealed she died from blunt force trauma to her head, leading investigators to conclude she was beaten to death.
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Citizens worried, schools, businesses close early
Trinidad and Tobago experienced heightened anxiety on October 31 as the nation’s Defense Force was placed on high alert, prompting schools to dismiss students early and businesses to close as a precaution. The alert followed escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela, with reports suggesting an imminent US military strike on Venezuelan installations suspected of involvement in drug trafficking. While US President Donald Trump denied these claims, the uncertainty fueled widespread concern among citizens. Schools across Trinidad, including La Horquetta South Government Primary and a denominational school in Curepe, urged parents to collect their children early. Businesses, including a prominent law firm and a software development company, also sent staff home by mid-afternoon. The Supermarket Association of Trinidad and Tobago reassured the public that supply chains remained intact, discouraging panic buying. Despite the unease, many residents maintained their daily routines, with some expressing skepticism about the likelihood of war. However, others, like Arlene Alexander of Vistabella, prepared for potential conflict by stocking up on essentials. Jeremy Deonarine of Retrench criticized Trinidad’s involvement in the US-Venezuela tensions, while Samantha of Princes Town condemned the spread of misinformation on social media. As the Defense Force mobilized, with soldiers reporting to bases like Camp La Romaine, the nation remained on edge, balancing fear with resilience.
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Appeal Court reserves ruling on ex-Cepep contractor’s challenge
The Court of Appeal has deferred its decision on an appeal lodged by Eastman Enterprises Ltd, a former contractor of the Cepep Company, challenging a High Court order to halt its lawsuit. The lawsuit pertains to the termination of over 300 contracts by Cepep shortly after the April 28 general election. Justices Peter Rajkumar, James Aboud, and Ricky Rahim heard arguments on October 31 before reserving their ruling. The central issue revolves around whether the High Court was correct in staying Eastman’s lawsuit due to an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) clause in the contract. Eastman’s legal team, led by Larry Lalla, SC, argued that the trial judge erred by treating the ADR clause as mandatory and failing to consider the contractor’s right to seek urgent injunctive relief. Lalla emphasized that a mediator could not grant such emergency relief and contended that the referral to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was premature. Representing Cepep, Anand Ramlogan, SC, defended the trial judge’s decision, asserting that the ADR process should precede court intervention and highlighting the alleged $1.4 billion in unauthorized contract extensions. The appeal stems from a High Court ruling by Justice Margaret Mohammed, who stayed Eastman’s lawsuit in August, directed case documents to the DPP, and ordered Eastman to pay Cepep’s legal costs. Eastman seeks to have its lawsuit and injunction application returned to the High Court, a declaration that the DPP referral was improper, and, if successful, for the Appeal Court’s decision to be forwarded to the DPP. The case underscores broader concerns over contract management and dispute resolution in public procurement.
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Treasure Beach Food, Rum & Reggae Festival postponed
TREASURE BEACH, St Elizabeth — In the aftermath of the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa, the organizers of the Treasure Beach Food, Rum & Reggae Festival have decided to postpone this year’s event. The decision reflects the urgent need to focus on relief and rebuilding efforts in Treasure Beach and surrounding areas, which have been severely impacted by the storm.
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Rodri return fuels Guardiola belief in Man City title challenge
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed confidence in his team’s ability to challenge for the Premier League title, contingent on Rodri regaining his peak form following his return from injury. The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, who missed a significant portion of last season due to knee surgery, has struggled with fitness issues this term. Despite losing three of their first nine league games, City have shown resilience, losing only once in their last 11 matches across all competitions, including a strong start in the Champions League and advancement to the League Cup quarter-finals. Rodri is expected to make his return when City face second-placed Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Guardiola stated, ‘I think he [Rodri] will be ready to help. I don’t know if he will be able to play from the beginning, but hopefully he can be with us.’ Erling Haaland is also fit despite a minor injury sustained in the 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa. Guardiola remains optimistic about City’s prospects, noting, ‘I have the feeling Rodri can become his best, we’ll be a team that’s difficult to beat.’ City currently trail Bournemouth by two points, with the latter on an eight-game unbeaten streak. Guardiola praised Bournemouth’s cohesion and philosophy, highlighting their strategic player sales and consistent performance.
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Wave of aid floods in
In the wake of the catastrophic Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, which wreaked havoc across southwestern and western Jamaica on Tuesday, the international community has swiftly mobilized to deliver emergency relief supplies to the island nation. The devastation, described as unprecedented, has prompted a global outpouring of support, with governments, NGOs, and charitable organizations rallying to assist the affected regions.
During a media briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kingston, Minister of Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Daryl Vaz expressed profound gratitude for the overwhelming aid. ‘The support is truly remarkable,’ Vaz stated, highlighting the resumption of commercial flights at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay and the influx of over 20 cargo flights expected at Norman Manley International Airport on Friday. He emphasized the critical need for efficient logistics to distribute aid swiftly, acknowledging the growing desperation among citizens.
To expedite relief efforts, the Jamaican government has deployed Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Desmond McKenzie, alongside teams from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, to Black River in St. Elizabeth. Helicopters, including eight to ten from the U.S. government, are en route to assist in transporting supplies and providing medical aid. Private helicopters from charitable organizations are also expected to bolster these efforts.
Information Minister Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon underscored the severity of the situation, noting that the Cabinet has established subcommittees, including the Relief and Recovery Oversight Committee, to streamline recovery operations. Despite these measures, challenges persist in the hardest-hit parishes, where entire communities have been obliterated. The National Works Agency is working tirelessly to restore access to critical areas, with hopes of reopening routes by Sunday.
Minister McKenzie painted a grim picture of the destruction in historic towns like Falmouth, where municipal buildings, markets, and essential infrastructure have been decimated. Communication remains a significant hurdle in the worst-affected parishes, prompting the government to deploy Starlink satellite internet services to restore connectivity.
As Jamaica begins the arduous task of rebuilding, the resilience of its people and the solidarity of the global community offer a glimmer of hope amidst the devastation.
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‘10 tigers never stronger than me’
When Hurricane Melissa unleashed its fury on Montego Bay, Shana-Lee Hull found herself in a life-or-death situation. As floodwaters surged into her Estuary home, she had mere seconds to act. Grabbing her four-year-old daughter, she forced open a door jammed by the weight of the rising water and fled through dense vegetation to higher ground. Hours later, she stood on a hill, watching helplessly as her home and vehicle were swallowed by the flood. ‘I lost everything,’ Hull told the Jamaica Observer on Thursday. ‘I’m standing here today, but I’m homeless.’ Hull is among over 100 residents displaced by the hurricane, which brought torrential rains and fierce winds to western Jamaica on Tuesday, rendering roads impassable and forcing families to abandon their homes. The nightmare began during the storm’s peak, as heavy rains battered Montego Bay. Hull recalled how, within minutes, her home was surrounded by water, and the pressure pinned her door shut. ‘I braced against the door, but it wouldn’t budge. It was only through sheer determination that I managed to open it,’ she said. Clutching her daughter, Hull fled as water rushed into her house. ‘Normally she doesn’t listen to me, but that day she did whatever I said,’ she recounted with a weary smile. Nineteen other residents escaped alongside her, helping each other navigate thorny bushes and climb to safety. However, when they turned back, the devastation was overwhelming. ‘I watched my entire house and vehicle disappear under the water,’ Hull said. Despite preparing for the storm with food and supplies, Hull was unprepared for the aftermath. She attributed the severity of the flooding to poor drainage and the overflow of a nearby pond. ‘The pond overflowed, and the water had nowhere to go but into our homes,’ she explained, appealing to the National Housing Trust (NHT) for urgent repairs. As Hull searches for shelter, her friend Kathy Campbell, a restaurant manager at Rainforest Seafood Market, has been leading relief efforts. ‘I’ve been cooking for displaced families since the storm,’ Campbell said. ‘We need food, water, and essential supplies.’ Both women are pleading for immediate assistance to help their community rebuild. For Hull, the memories of her escape remain vivid, and the thought of returning to her flooded home fills her with dread. ‘I would never want to sleep in that house again,’ she said.
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Efforts underway to reconnect families
In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Major General (Ret’d) Antony Anderson, has highlighted the critical role of Starlink satellite-based Internet systems in reconnecting families and alleviating concerns among the Jamaican diaspora. The hurricane, which struck on October 28, left 70% of the country without electricity and disrupted communication networks, prompting an influx of calls to the Jamaican Embassy in Washington, DC, from worried relatives seeking information about their loved ones.
Anderson announced that a team from Starlink’s headquarters is set to deploy Wi-Fi sites across Jamaica, enabling affected communities to access the internet and communicate with their families. While acknowledging the challenges faced by first responders, he urged patience and emphasized that the lack of communication does not necessarily indicate harm. He also praised the resilience of Jamaicans, noting that many have already found creative ways to inform the world of their safety.
The ambassador assured that the Jamaican government is prioritizing the restoration of communication and power infrastructure, with the Jamaica Public Service working to restore electricity in areas where the grid remains intact. Energy, Transport, and Telecommunications Minister Daryl Vaz confirmed that the Universal Service Fund (USF) is rolling out Starlink systems to provide immediate broadband coverage in key western communities while terrestrial infrastructure is repaired.
Anderson expressed gratitude for the international support Jamaica has received and cautioned against fraudulent donation schemes, urging individuals to use verified channels for contributions. He emphasized the importance of unity and resilience as the country transitions from rescue to recovery efforts, stating, ‘We are a strong people, and as supplies flow in and relief efforts intensify, we will see that resilience in action.’