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President Christine Kangaloo has introduced a significant amendment to the Emergency Powers Regulations, 2025, aimed at clarifying the scope of police authority during investigations under emergency conditions. The sixth amendment, officially gazetted on November 17, explicitly states that law enforcement officers are empowered to prosecute individuals for any offences uncovered while lawfully exercising emergency powers. This amendment, effective retroactively from July 18—the date the state of emergency was declared—ensures that evidence of crimes discovered during the enforcement of emergency regulations is subject to punishment under existing laws. The update, designated as Regulation 20A, does not provide immunity to offenders but reinforces the legal framework for police actions during emergencies. This development follows legal challenges from a murder suspect detained under the regulations, who threatened to seek judicial review, alleging unlawful detention. The suspect’s legal team argued that the extension of detention under Regulation 13(3) was unjustified, as the initial arrest was not explicitly made under emergency powers. In response, the police defended their actions, citing the discovery of prohibited ammunition during a search and asserting that the detention was lawful under the regulations. The police emphasized the necessity of continued detention for public safety, given the suspect’s alleged ties to criminal elements.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has launched a scathing critique against Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, accusing her government of undermining its sovereignty by hosting a US military force. Speaking on his weekly television program, *Con Maduro*, on November 18, Maduro claimed that Persad-Bissessar had ‘mortgaged’ the nation’s sea and territory to accommodate a foreign military presence just 15 kilometers from Venezuela’s coast. He argued that this decision threatens regional stability and disrupts the historical brotherhood between the two nations. Maduro specifically referenced the US Marine Corps 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, which has been conducting joint military exercises with the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force since late October. This marks the unit’s second deployment to the region in less than a month. Maduro warned that such actions represent a ‘false step against peace’ and violate the shared history of the Caribbean. He further asserted that the people of Trinidad and Tobago, including their military, oppose the militarization of their territory and the perceived threats against Venezuela. Meanwhile, Persad-Bissessar defended the US presence, stating on X (formerly Twitter) that it has contributed to reducing gun, drug, and human trafficking in the region. The US Southern Command has justified its military activities as part of efforts to combat narco-terrorism, with at least 21 strikes carried out in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since September. However, the Venezuelan government views this as a covert attempt to destabilize its regime. Amid escalating tensions, former US President Donald Trump expressed his intention to engage in discussions with Maduro following a request from Venezuela’s administration.

In Trinidad and Tobago, the unwavering allegiance to political parties and leaders often overshadows the principles of good governance, public welfare, and integrity. This phenomenon, as highlighted by commentator Trevor Sudama, is not new nor exclusive to any single party. Simon Wright, in a recent letter to the press, pointed out a growing and dangerous trend where political loyalty supersedes national interest. This sentiment is echoed among supporters of both the United National Congress (UNC) and the People’s National Movement (PNM), where dissent is often met with harsh criticism and ostracism. Sudama recounts his own experiences of being vilified by the UNC leadership and its base for raising concerns about corruption, governance, and the party’s direction. He, along with Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj and Ralph Maraj, faced dismissal from the government in 2001 after questioning the administration’s actions, including the handling of the Piarco terminal project and the collapse of Clico. Despite the backlash, Sudama remains steadfast in his commitment to integrity and independence of thought, emphasizing the importance of speaking truth to power. He reflects on the irony of politics, where former opponents of the UNC now lead the party, and past PNM sympathizers are at the forefront of a UNC government. Sudama’s narrative underscores the complexities and contradictions inherent in political life, where blind loyalty often trumps rational discourse and accountability.