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  • Monorath: Dalende cijfers maar verkeer, suïcide en huiselijk geweld blijven zorgen baren

    Monorath: Dalende cijfers maar verkeer, suïcide en huiselijk geweld blijven zorgen baren

    New data from the Suriname Police Corps (KPS) shows a significant long-term decline in most categories of property crime across the past decade, but Minister of Justice and Security Harish Monorath says the country’s overall public safety landscape still falls short of expectations, with rising traffic fatalities, stagnant suicide rates, unaddressed domestic violence and police integrity gaps remaining critical priorities to tackle.

    The latest KPS crime trends report, compiled by the Criminal Intelligence Service and covering the period from 2015 through 30 August 2026, documents steady drops in robbery, break-ins, and aggravated theft compared to peak levels recorded roughly 10 years ago. For street robberies, the highest annual volume was logged in 2017 at 1,220 cases, followed by a consistent downward trend: 632 cases in 2023, 554 in 2024, 436 in 2025, and 244 cases recorded in the first eight months of 2026. A similar pattern holds for commercial robberies, which fell from a 2016 peak of 392 cases to 180 full-year cases in 2025 and 118 cases by the end of August 2026.

    Residential break-ins have also dropped sharply, from 4,205 cases in 2016 to 1,982 in 2025, with 1,269 cases reported by late August this year. Aggravated theft peaked at 4,317 cases in 2017, falling to 2,420 full-year cases in 2025 and 1,377 cases through 30 August 2026.

    Homicide trends have been more volatile over the measurement period. The highest annual homicide count was recorded in 2020, when 53 people were killed by violent means. Annual counts then shifted to 32 in 2021, 43 in 2022, 41 in 2023, 30 in 2024, and 32 in 2025, with 12 homicides registered through the end of August 2026. KPS has explicitly noted that the missing person case of Rodney Leysner is not classified as a homicide at this stage, as no definitive conclusion has been reached in the investigation.

    The most alarming outlier in the overall crime and safety data is road safety, which has moved sharply in the opposite direction of falling property crime. As of 30 August 2026, 72 traffic-related fatalities have already been recorded – 11 more deaths than the entire 2025 full-year total of 61. Two additional fatal crashes occurred on the Monday following the data cutoff, bringing the 2026 death toll to 74.

    Minister Monorath acknowledged that road safety progress has not met his expectations, telling local outlet Starnieuws that ‘road safety is still not developing the way I want it to’. To address the growing crisis, he is pushing for a cross-government whole-chain approach that brings multiple stakeholders beyond the Ministry of Justice and Security to the table. The ministries of Public Works and Spatial Planning, Transport, Communication & Tourism, and the education sector all have key roles to play, a framework aligned with the recently launched Strategic Road Safety Plan 2026-2030 that prioritizes inter-agency collaboration, behavioral change, and consistent enforcement.

    Recent road safety data underscores the urgency of action: the Suriname Road Safety Institute reported that by 23 August, 70 traffic fatalities had already occurred, with moped riders accounting for the largest single share of deaths at 24 fatalities.

    Domestic violence is another priority area where Monorath says more aggressive action is needed. Long-term trend analysis is not currently possible due to incomplete domestic violence data: KPS warns that records from 2017 onward are incomplete, as not all police precincts have consistently submitted incident reports to the central database.

    Monorath has already held discussions with the National Council on Domestic Violence focused on improving complaint registration, building more accurate national statistics, expanding victim support, and resolving bottlenecks in police response. Beyond these public safety challenges, the minister also highlighted police organizational strengthening, increased resourcing, and improving internal integrity as core ongoing priorities. He noted that the police service needs structural strengthening to operate effectively, which requires additional public funding.

    Police integrity has emerged as a high-profile issue in Suriname in recent months, after multiple high-profile scandals involving sitting officers eroded public trust in the force. Monorath has previously acknowledged that these incidents damage public confidence, and has announced a package of reforms focused on enhanced training, mentorship programs, stronger leadership, and expanded integrity monitoring across the service.

  • Kamla calls for ‘savagery’

    Kamla calls for ‘savagery’

    On the occasion of Trinidad and Tobago’s 64th anniversary of national independence, incumbent Prime Minister and United National Congress (UNC) political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar delivered a stark, impassioned address to party members via social media, laying out uncompromising standards for the movement’s future leadership and reflecting on the party’s working-class origins.

    Persad-Bissessar opened her message by emphasizing that UNC’s top leadership must never be held by individuals lacking resolve. She argued that while diplomatic tact and nuanced negotiation are core political skills, these approaches must be reinforced by unyielding toughness when it comes to protecting the party’s identity and regulating its membership. She warned explicitly against the threat of institutional takeover, claiming the rival People’s National Movement (PNM) had already fallen victim to infiltration by local drug trafficking networks and corrupt, self-serving political elites – a fate she said the UNC must avoid at all costs.

    Beyond a political organization, Persad-Bissessar framed the UNC as a foundational belief system rooted in the values of resistance, equal rights, social justice, collective unity, and persistent hope. These ideals, she noted, draw their strength from the experiences of the party’s earliest working-class and marginalized ancestors, who never abandoned their struggle for dignity despite systemic disadvantage.

    Looking beyond political strategy, the Prime Minister urged UNC members to center communal love as the foundation of collective success, urging supporters to avoid resentment and instead open their hearts to lift up communities around them. But she paired this call for empathy with a hardline stance on self-respect, stating that members should never beg or compromise their core values for political favor: “It’s either peace or total war, nothing in between,” she asserted.

    Persad-Bissessar used her address to honor the generations of working Trinbagonians that built the UNC from its earliest days. She recounted the harsh struggles of the party’s founding base: many lived in deep poverty, surviving on simple meals of salt and rice, drawing drinking water from natural ponds and springs, and often skipping meals to put their children through informal classes held in cowsheds and church annexes. Before widespread public services were available, these early supporters walked or cycled miles for any government access, used hand-made flambeaus for light, and lacked access to basic healthcare. Persad-Bissessar claimed that for decades after 1962 independence under PNM rule, these marginalized community members faced widespread ridicule and discrimination across the country.

    Despite these systemic barriers, she noted, generations of UNC-aligned families fought to educate their children, carving out a space for equal citizenship in Trinidad and Tobago. Looking forward, she called on current party members to continue this legacy of progress, urging continuous learning, economic ambition, and upward mobility. She pushed young Trinbagonians to pursue entrepreneurship and asset ownership rather than settling for wage labor or reliance on state social support.

    Closing her address, Persad-Bissessar reaffirmed her gratitude for the opportunity to lead both the party and the nation, pledging to work tirelessly to amplify the voices of UNC supporters and keep the country on a path toward equitable progress, ending with a public declaration of lifelong affection for the UNC membership.

  • A great road show

    A great road show

    Trinidad and Tobago marked its 64th anniversary of independence on Wednesday with the return of the iconic national parade at Port of Spain’s Queen’s Park Savannah, marking the first full public celebration after a 2023 cancellation over security concerns. But the event split spectator opinion, with praise for the restored national tradition clashing with sharp criticism of poor viewing logistics and a relocated parade route.

    Kicking off promptly at 8 a.m. as scheduled, the 2024 parade shifted from its longstanding location near the Queen’s Park Savannah Grand Stand to a new site adjacent to President’s House. Thousands of attendees gathered to watch coordinated marching contingents from uniformed services across the country, including the Police Service, Fire Service, Prison Service, Coast Guard, Air Guard, Traffic Wardens, Red Cross and national Cadet Force. One notable absence was the Military-Led Academic Training Programme (MiLAT) contingent, whose participation was cancelled after the government suspended the initiative in July for a full restructuring.

    Logistical challenges emerged long before the first marchers stepped onto the parade square. Organisers barred private vehicles from entering the Savannah, forcing attendees to be dropped off near the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) or park several blocks away from the route. Compared to the easily accessible public viewing areas of previous years, the 2024 layout required spectators to walk much longer distances to reach designated viewing zones, and many arrived to find all grand stand seats already filled. Those who claimed spots in the open foreground area in front of the stands reported consistent visibility issues, with the main parade action positioned directly in front of VIP stands rather than the general public viewing area.

    Many attendees attempting to reach closer vantage points cut directly across the Savannah, only to encounter an unmarked nearly three-foot-wide drain blocking their path. Local law enforcement officers were on hand to assist elderly attendees across the gap, but the obstacle added to widespread frustration with the event planning. Even with the hurdles, most attendees still caught glimpses of arriving dignitaries: Defence Minister Wayne Sturge and Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh arrived first, followed shortly after by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who received a muted reception from the crowd. The biggest cheers erupted for President Christine Kangaloo, who arrived just before the 8 a.m. start time, with many attendees shouting her first name in greeting. Riding atop a Land Rover Defender decorated in the nation’s red, white and black colours, Kangaloo was clearly visible to most crowds as she inspected the assembled troops standing at attention. Sound issues also plagued the event, with the national anthem performed by parade bands barely audible in many public viewing sections, but crowds still cheered loudly as their family members and friends in uniform passed by.

    Among the high-profile attendees was legendary retired Trinidadian cricketer Brian Lara, who has a home overlooking the Queen’s Park Savannah and walked to the event with visiting friends from overseas. Lara was effusive in his praise for the return of the parade, which he called a vital national tradition after last year’s cancellation. “I think it’s amazing and it’s one of the first times I have been in the country to witness it, and the fact that it’s back with us is important,” Lara told reporters. “Look at how everyone is around. Of course, the parade itself is magnificent, but also to see the public attendance is awesome.” Other attendees echoed his optimism, noting that the national celebration provided a much-needed moment of unity amid ongoing domestic challenges. One family attendee described the event as “amazing”, adding that he hoped it would shift public focus toward collective progress rather than current struggles, saying “it highlights that we are moving upwards and not spiralling downwards.”

    Critics of the new venue and layout were far less forgiving of the event’s organisation. Longtime attendee Timothy Wyse, who has watched every Independence Day parade since the 1960s and dressed in national colours for the 2024 event, said the public accommodation was a major step backward. “I find the accommodation for the people could have been better because, generally speaking, a lot of people were not able to see the parade,” Wyse said. He also criticised last year’s cancellation, arguing that “regardless of whatever threat, we have to show them we have more guts than that and we are independent.” Another attendee, Kerron M, called the new location “not good for the spectator at all”, noting that “it seemed to be a show for the VIPs and like the spectators were the backdrop.” He explained that most general admission attendees only saw the backs of marching contingents, and spectators without smartphones capable of optical zoom were left with almost no clear view of the parade, even missing the pass of the event’s mechanised units. Kerron argued that the public viewing section should have been positioned opposite the VIP stands to ensure equal visibility, and that the original Grand Stand location would have been a far better choice.

    The aerial segment of the celebration also underwhelmed some attendees: a low fly-by by a fixed-wing aircraft from the Trinidad and Tobago Air Guard got the segment off to a strong start, but the scheduled helicopter display included only a brief pass with no aerial manoeuvres. A popular annual tradition was also missing: the Fire Service airport tender that traditionally sprayed cooling water over the crowd did not take part in this year’s event.

    Momentum shifted when the parade moved off the Savannah parade square and onto Queen’s Park East, where thousands of spectators of all ages lined the streets to watch the procession. Marching bands mixed modern groovy soca hits including Yung Bredda’s *Inch by Inch* and Christo’s *Doux Doux Darlin* into their setlists, drawing cheers and spontaneous dancing from gathered crowds. The most popular addition to this year’s procession was the inclusion of cultural musical acts, headlined by the award-winning BP Renegades Steel Orchestra. Accompanied by a tassa group, rhythm section, and professional dancers, the steel orchestra drew a moving crowd of spectators following behind it, evoking the festive energy of Trinidad and Tobago’s annual Carnival. Bringing up the rear of the parade was a large, well-equipped music truck spinning classic nation-building soca hits from the 1980s and 1990s, including Brother Marvin’s *Jahaji Bhai* and Chris “Tambu” Herbert’s *The Journey Now Start*. The music truck proved to be a crowd favourite, though some attendees expressed disappointment when the procession turned onto Park Street toward Tragarete Road instead of continuing into downtown Port of Spain.

    Many attendees praised the new cultural additions as a promising step forward for future Independence Day celebrations. A retired military member who attended the event called the updated procession “very good, an improvement over years”, though he added that he would have liked more interludes between marching contingents. Another attendye noted that the new musical elements gave organisers a strong foundation to build on for future events, saying “Give we the people something creative so we would want to come back… But the music truck and the pan and the rhythm section… well, it’s a good start.”

  • 400 lives saved

    400 lives saved

    On the eve of Trinidad and Tobago’s 64th Independence anniversary, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar delivered a stirring tribute to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) and all national law enforcement agencies, celebrating their landmark success in reversing a years-long surge in violent crime and saving hundreds of civilian lives. The address came during a special reception hosted by Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro at Port of Spain’s Police Administration Building, a venue that brought together senior law enforcement officials and political leaders to mark the national holiday.

    Persad-Bissessar opened her remarks by emphasizing that coordinated law enforcement action has pulled the nation out of the crippling grip of unprecedented violent crime that reached a peak with a historic high of 629 murders in a single year. Citing newly compiled crime statistics, she confirmed that national homicide rates have dropped to their lowest level since 2011, with all major categories of violent and property crime including murders, shootings, non-fatal woundings and robberies showing sharp downward trends in 2025. Most notably, official data shows a 42% overall reduction in murders compared to 2024. Between January 2025 and the date of the address, the country has recorded 400 fewer homicides than pre-existing projections predicted – a difference that translates directly to more than 400 citizens alive today because of targeted police intervention.

    Quoting the well-known observation that “People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf,” Persad-Bissessar noted that when Guevarro was appointed to lead the TTPS, the government and public gave him and his force a clear mandate to reverse the country’s crime crisis. The now-visible results, she said, prove that the TTPS’s current crime-fighting strategies are working, and that the service is steadily regaining full control of public safety across the country. Beyond violent crime, she added, road traffic safety has also seen dramatic improvement: fatal road accidents have dropped by 31%, serious injuries by 35%, minor injuries by 33%, and total accidents are running roughly 42% lower than previous years.

    Beyond the positive statistical progress, the Prime Minister stressed that numbers alone cannot capture the profound personal sacrifices made by frontline police officers and their families. Unlike civilians who naturally flee from danger, Persad-Bissessar pointed out, police officers run toward threats to protect people who will often never even know the name of the person who saved their life. Officers routinely put their own lives at risk, and some make the ultimate sacrifice while on duty. Behind every serving officer, she added, is a family that lives with constant uncertainty, carrying the emotional weight of waiting to see if their loved one will return home safely after a shift. Officers regularly give up family time, holidays, weekends, birthdays, and anniversaries so that ordinary citizens can celebrate those moments without fear. They also carry the lasting psychological and physical toll of repeatedly witnessing violence, trauma, and human suffering.

    Persad-Bissessar also acknowledged that recent challenges including a national State of Emergency, a wave of unsolved bomb threats, and ongoing staffing shortages have placed extraordinary additional strain on the TTPS, forcing widespread cancellation of days off and requiring officers to work long, exhausting shifts. She then came out strongly in defense of the service against critics, urging officers not to be demoralized by unfair attacks from people who have never faced the dangers of frontline law enforcement. She noted that critics who spread unwarranted criticism, misinformation, and abuse are often the same people who flee from danger at the first sign of risk, and expect others to uphold moral standards they themselves refuse to follow. “Ignore them; they can never step in your shoes to fulfil your roles,” she told officers. “When faced with abuse and denigration from those who don’t appreciate you, always remember I respect you, I appreciate you, and I love you.”

    She closed her formal remarks by confirming that her administration offers unwavering, unequivocal support to Guevarro and the entire TTPS as they continue their work to reduce crime. Speaking to reporters after the reception, Persad-Bissessar outlined next steps for strengthening law enforcement across the country. She confirmed that Parliament will soon reopen, and new anti-crime legislation is already in the pipeline. Ongoing recruitment drives across all protective services have already increased the number of frontline officers deployed across the country, and new community police posts will be opened and operationalized in the near future. The Prime Minister explained that the government is taking time to ensure all infrastructure at the new posts is fully functional before opening, so that residents will not face basic service issues like interrupted water or power once the facilities launch.

  • Gas Station Operators Threaten Tuesday Strike Over Profit Margins; Browne Calls Timing Poor

    Gas Station Operators Threaten Tuesday Strike Over Profit Margins; Browne Calls Timing Poor

    In ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, a looming labor action has cast uncertainty over the nation’s fuel supply, as private gas station operators are reportedly planning a nationwide walkout Tuesday to push for widened profit margins. The threatened industrial action comes as Prime Minister Gaston Browne has criticized the timing of the demand, noting it coincides with a sharp upward climb of global fuel prices that the local government has worked aggressively to offset for consumers.

    Browne confirmed he received informal notification late Monday that fuel dealers were coordinating the closure of their service stations, a pressure tactic designed to force the government to sign off on higher profit margins for operators. In sharp remarks, the prime minister emphasized that the government itself has already scrapped its own margin on fuel sales entirely to cap consumer costs as international market rates rise. He called the timing of the strike threat deeply inappropriate, arguing it comes at a moment when household and business budgets are already stretched by accelerating fuel inflation.

    To limit financial strain for local residents, Browne explained that the government has absorbed much of the increased global fuel costs rather than passing the full burden onto consumers. Only a fraction of the extra market costs have been transferred to end users, keeping prices lower than they would otherwise be while allowing the government to contain its own financial losses. The government has not raised its own margin on fuel amid the price surge, he reiterated.

    As of Monday evening, Browne noted that no formal notice of the industrial action had been submitted to the government by the gas station operators, labeling the planned strike as a clandestine, unannounced action. Despite the expected participation from many private outlets, Browne confirmed that the West Indies Oil Company-run service station on Friars Hill Road will remain open Tuesday, along with a small number of other stations across the country.

    Key details of the threatened strike remain undisclosed as of early Tuesday: it is unclear how many privately owned gas outlets intend to join the action, whether any last-minute negotiations will be held between operators and the government to avert the shutdown, what specific margin increase operators are targeting, or how long any work stoppage would last if it goes forward.

    If the strike proceeds as planned, analysts and government officials warn that simultaneous closure of multiple service stations could trigger significant disruptions across Antigua and Barbuda, leaving motorists struggling to refuel and interrupting supply chains for local businesses that rely on fuel for daily operations.

  • Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre Celebrates 2026 Medical Intern Graduates

    Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre Celebrates 2026 Medical Intern Graduates

    Antigua and Barbuda’s leading public medical facility, Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre (SLBMC), marked a key milestone in local medical education on Wednesday as it hosted a formal graduation ceremony to wrap up its 2025–2026 Medical Internship Programme, celebrating the achievements of the 2026 cohort of trainee doctors.

    Widely regarded as a non-negotiable stepping stone for new medical graduates seeking full professional registration in the country, this intensive 12-month clinical residency is designed to bridge the gap between academic classroom learning and independent patient care. Over the course of the program, all interns completed mandatory core rotations across four high-priority clinical specialties: internal medicine, general surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, and paediatrics. Each rotation provides immersive, hands-on clinical experience that allows trainee doctors to build the technical competence, diagnostic reasoning, and bedside manner required to deliver safe, effective care to local communities. Successful completion of the program is a legal requirement to obtain full medical licensure and practice independently across Antigua and Barbuda, making the internship a critical transition point for early-career physicians.

    Beyond the collective achievement of the graduating class, the ceremony featured a special awards segment to recognize individual and institutional excellence across the program. Dr. Georgian Ajilloh emerged as the standout performer of the cohort, taking home three of the night’s top honors: Intern of the Year, the Patient Care & Compassion Award, and the Leadership & Team Spirit Award. The Intern of the Year title recognized Ajilloh’s consistent strong performance across all program requirements, as well as her embodiment of core medical values of competence, empathy, and professional ethics. Dr. David Odulaja also earned two awards: the Clinical Excellence Award for his outstanding diagnostic acumen and clinical decision-making, and the Spirit of Service Award for his extraordinary commitment to supporting patients, fellow interns, and the broader medical community. Rounding out the individual intern awards, Dr. Brianna Benjamin took home the Most Improved Intern title in recognition of her dramatic growth in clinical skill, professional confidence, and maturity over the 12-month program.

    The ceremony also celebrated outstanding contributions from SLBMC’s teaching faculty and departments, highlighted by historic back-to-back wins for two recipients. For the second consecutive year, Dr. Vonetta George, Chair of SLBMC’s Department of Surgery, claimed the Mentorship Award for her sustained commitment to guiding and developing the next generation of doctors. The Department of Paediatrics also repeated as winner of the Outstanding Department Support award for its robust infrastructure and training support for interns. Additionally, Dr. Gaden Osborne, SLBMC’s lead neurologist and Chair of Subspecialties, was honored with the Best Teaching Consultant Award for his exceptional dedication to advancing medical education at the facility.

    In her keynote address at the ceremony, SLBMC Medical Director Dr. Shivon Belle-Jarvis emphasized that graduation from the internship represents far more than the completion of a training requirement — it marks the start of a lifelong commitment to patient-centered care. “Today is about more than celebrating the completion of a training program. It is about recognizing the doctors these young professionals have become and the responsibility they now carry,” she said. “Over the past year, they have learned that medicine is not simply about diagnosing and treating illness; it is about listening, showing compassion and earning the trust that patients place in us at some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. We are proud of what they have accomplished, and we hope they carry that sense of responsibility, humility and service with them throughout their careers. The patients and communities they will serve deserve nothing less.”

    For the 2026 intern class, the ceremony closes out a year of rigorous training, personal growth, and professional development, opening the door for the new graduates to begin their independent careers serving the people of Antigua and Barbuda.

  • King, Rubio hail T&T

    King, Rubio hail T&T

    Trinidad and Tobago’s 64th anniversary of national independence has drawn messages of warm congratulations from heads of state and senior diplomatic leaders across three major nations, highlighting longstanding cross-global partnerships rooted in shared values and common goals.

    In a public message released Wednesday by the British High Commission in Port of Spain, United Kingdom King Charles III extended his and Queen Camilla’s warm wishes to President Christine Kangaloo and all citizens of the Caribbean republic. The monarch reflected on the decades-long collaborative bond between the UK and Trinidad and Tobago, noting that the relationship is anchored in the shared principles and mutual respect that form the foundation of the Commonwealth of Nations. He also highlighted the profound cultural and social contribution of the 25,000-strong Trinbagonian community currently residing in the UK, which has enriched British society immeasurably.

    “I remain deeply proud of the role our family of nations plays in fostering understanding, cooperation and opportunity across the globe,” King Charles wrote in the message. He pointed to the extraordinary diversity of the Commonwealth bloc and the dynamic drive of its younger generations as enduring sources of global hope and progressive change. Amid the widespread economic, geopolitical, and environmental uncertainty that defines the current global landscape, the King emphasized that collective strength and cross-national unity are more critical than ever. He closed this section of the message by noting he looks forward to bringing Commonwealth nations together at the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting scheduled for this November, where member states will reaffirm their shared commitments and map out a collaborative path forward for the bloc.

    The King also fondly recalled his 2008 official visit to Trinidad and Tobago, specifically highlighting his encounters with the country’s extraordinary range of native ecosystems and unique biodiversity. He praised the Caribbean nation’s ongoing work to boost climate resilience and advance responsible global environmental stewardship, and expressed his enthusiasm for deepening bilateral cooperation between the UK and Trinidad and Tobago to tackle these pressing shared challenges.

    Shortly after King Charles’ message was released, United States Acting Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued an official statement extending Washington’s congratulations to the people of Trinidad and Tobago on their national milestone. “On behalf of the United States, I congratulate the people of Trinidad and Tobago as they celebrate 64 years of independence,” Rubio said. He outlined that the bilateral partnership between the US and Trinidad and Tobago has been built over decades around a mutual dedication to expanding shared prosperity across the Caribbean region.

    Today, that partnership is stronger than at any point in history, Rubio added, with the two nations collaborating closely on a range of priority areas: countering transnational criminal networks that threaten regional stability, bolstering collective security across the Caribbean, and advancing energy resilience initiatives that deliver economic and social benefits to both countries. As Trinidad and Tobago marks this important national milestone, Rubio said both peoples celebrate their enduring friendship, and look forward to continued collaboration to advance shared priorities and build an even closer bilateral partnership in the coming years.

    India’s Minister of External Affairs Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar also joined the global community in extending greetings, sharing his message via a public social media post. “Warm greetings to FM Sean Sobers, the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago on their Independence Day,” Jaishankar wrote. “Our deep bonds continue to find new expressions.”

  • Moody’s reaffirms factors supporting stable outlook

    Moody’s reaffirms factors supporting stable outlook

    International credit rating agency Moody’s Investors Service has released a new in-depth issuer credit analysis that reaffirms and reinforces its positive assessment of Trinidad and Tobago’s economic and fiscal standing, according to an official statement from the country’s Ministry of Finance shared via social media.

    This latest report expands on the conclusions Moody’s first reached in June 2026, when the rating agency adjusted Trinidad and Tobago’s credit outlook from Negative to Stable while maintaining the country’s Ba2 issuer rating. The analysis evaluates a full spectrum of factors shaping the nation’s credit profile, from economic performance and institutional governance to fiscal health, liquidity, and vulnerability to domestic and global shocks.

    One of the key strengths Moody’s highlights is the substantial fiscal buffers Trinidad and Tobago has built up to weather economic instability. These buffers include the country’s Heritage and Stabilisation Fund, which holds assets equal to roughly 25% of national gross domestic product (GDP), plus an additional 7% of GDP held in Treasury cash and cash-equivalent deposits. Combined, these reserves give the government significant capacity to absorb unexpected economic shocks, cover budget financing gaps, and meet debt service obligations during periods of market or commodity volatility.

    The report also notes other core strengths underpinning the country’s credit standing: its relatively high per capita income, which hit US$35,956 on a purchasing power parity basis in 2025 and supports ongoing economic resilience. Moody’s projects a notable rebound in domestic natural gas production by the end of 2027, driven by new output from the Manatee, Ginger, and Aphrodite energy fields. The agency forecasts that total gas output will rise from the current 2.5 billion cubic feet per day to between 3.0 and 3.5 billion cubic feet per day by 2028–2029, a gain that will boost medium-term economic growth, lift export volumes, and increase foreign exchange generation for the country.

    Moody’s also explicitly recognized the strength of Trinidad and Tobago’s national institutions, pointing to the country’s constitutional system of checks and balances, consistent history of peaceful, clean political transitions, and strong governance scores for voice and accountability that outperform many peer economies with similar credit ratings. The report further acknowledges the Trinidad and Tobago government’s ongoing reform agenda, including improvements to public data transparency, initiatives to expand non-oil government revenue, and efforts to cut excessive government transfer and subsidy spending.

    On external liquidity, Moody’s projects liquid foreign exchange reserves will hold between US$3.5 billion and US$4.0 billion, enough to fully cover all external debt service obligations and provide roughly four months of import cover. The Ministry of Finance noted that gross total reserves actually stood at US$5.7 billion as of July 2026, equal to 6.7 months of import cover, with the difference stemming from Moody’s narrower definition of liquid reserves that excludes gold holdings and special drawing rights (SDRs).

    The analysis also points to Trinidad and Tobago’s favorable external debt amortization schedule, which extends out to 2034, with debt affordability remaining on par with other Ba2-rated peers. In 2025, interest payments on government debt accounted for 12.7% of total government revenue, slightly below the regional median of 13.1%. Access to the country’s relatively deep domestic financial market helps keep refinancing risks and interest costs low, while foreign currency-denominated debt makes up only a small share of total government debt, limiting the country’s exposure to sudden exchange rate fluctuations.

    Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo emphasized that the new Moody’s assessment serves as independent validation of the current government’s policy direction implemented since it took office. “Our sizeable fiscal buffers, our renewed and continued access to international capital markets on favourable terms, and the encouraging outlook for our energy sector all point to a more stable and confident Trinidad and Tobago,” Tancoo said. “We remain fully committed to deepening fiscal consolidation, strengthening our institutions, and building a stronger, more diversified economy for the benefit of all our citizens.”

  • Government confirms portfolio changes as PM Drew seeks overseas treatment

    Government confirms portfolio changes as PM Drew seeks overseas treatment

    BASSETERRE, St Kitts — In a formal announcement released Tuesday 1 September 2026, the Cabinet Secretariat of Saint Kitts and Nevis confirmed a series of temporary adjustments to ministerial portfolios after Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew departed the country to seek specialized medical care overseas for an undisclosed health condition.

    The reshuffle comes after local medical teams recommended the prime minister pursue advanced treatment outside the country. According to official accounts, Dr. Drew first became unwell and received 18 hours of initial treatment and observation at home before his care team advised international specialist care. The decision to travel was framed as a precautionary step, made fully in line with the explicit guidance of his attending physicians.

    To date, the government has not released any details on the specific nature of Dr. Drew’s ailment, but officials confirmed that the prime minister remains in stable condition. “He remains in stable condition, and the Government is heartened by the continued messages of support and prayer from citizens, residents, and regional and international partners,” the Secretariat’s statement read.

    Acting on Dr. Drew’s own request, the temporary portfolio reassignments have been implemented to guarantee unbroken governance, uphold constitutional succession protocols, and prevent any interruption to the day-to-day administration of national affairs. Deputy Prime Minister Geoffrey Hanley will step into the role of Acting Prime Minister for the duration of Dr. Drew’s absence. In addition to his existing ministerial duties, Hanley will also take over oversight of the Ministries of Finance, Health, and Human Resource Management and Social Security.

    Attorney-General Garth Wilkin will assume temporary responsibility for the portfolios of National Security, Citizenship and Immigration, filling the gaps left by the prime minister’s departure.

    The Cabinet Secretariat emphasized that these temporary changes were specifically structured to eliminate any risk of disruption to government operations. “These measures are designed to ensure that every arm of Government continues to function without disruption, and that the essential services on which the people of Saint Kitts and Nevis rely remain fully operational,” the statement explained.

    As news of the prime minister’s medical leave spread, messages of concern and well-wishes have poured in from across Saint Kitts and Nevis’ political spectrum, as well as from governments and public figures across the wider Caribbean region. The Federal Cabinet has reaffirmed its unified support for Dr. Drew and his family throughout this period, issuing a formal statement of hope for a full and rapid recovery.

  • Antigua and Barbuda to Observe National Day of Prayer on Sept. 10

    Antigua and Barbuda to Observe National Day of Prayer on Sept. 10

    Residents and citizens of Antigua and Barbuda have been formally invited to take part in the 2026 National Day of Prayer, an event organized jointly by the Ecclesiastical Commission and the island nation’s Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation. Scheduled for Thursday, September 10, this annual national observance centers on the 2026 theme “From Repentance to Restoration: Rebuilding Trust in the God of Our Nation.”

    The full day of activities will stretch from 6 a.m. through 6 p.m., kicking off with open-door prayer sessions at churches spread across both islands. Morning and early afternoon hours will be reserved for these community-focused gatherings, giving people of all backgrounds space to join in collective and personal prayer.

    Throughout the day, religious leaders representing a wide range of Christian denominations will engage with local media outlets. These discussions are designed to highlight the core values of the observance: the role of prayer in community life, the power of hope amid uncertainty, and the practice of collective gratitude for the nation’s blessings.

    The event will draw to a close with a large-scale national gathering hosted at the iconic Antigua Recreation Ground, running from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Organizers are encouraging the general public to center their prayers this year around pleas for divine mercy, renewed hope, and offerings of thanksgiving.

    In a statement announcing the event, Ecclesiastical Commission Chairman Dr. Emmanuel Elizèe explained the rationale for setting aside an annual dedicated day of prayer. “Once per year, the Commission felt it was necessary to have a day where we can focus and look inward so that we can call out to God for His protection and direction,” he said.

    Dr. Elizèe emphasized that even amid the challenges the nation has faced in recent years, Antigua and Barbuda retains no shortage of blessings to celebrate. “Even in difficult times, this nation still has much to be grateful for,” he added. He also noted that the practice of a nation setting aside time to acknowledge God as its protector and primary provider draws on long-held biblical precedent.

    Organizers from both partnering institutions have issued a widespread call for broad public participation across all of the day’s activities, with a special invitation for community members to attend the closing national gathering at the Antigua Recreation Ground for a shared afternoon of prayer, personal reflection, and collective thanksgiving.