A recent US military strike targeting an alleged Venezuelan drug boat has left two Trinidad and Tobago (TT) citizens dead, including Chad Joseph, a resident of Las Cuevas. The incident, which occurred on October 14 in international waters off Venezuela’s coast, has sparked controversy as Joseph’s family questions the relevance of his familial ties to the deceased drug lord Vaughn “Sandman” Mieres. Joseph, believed to be among the six men killed in the strike, was Mieres’ nephew. Mieres, a notorious figure, was charged during the 2011 state of emergency as a gang leader but was released due to insufficient evidence. He was later killed in a 2019 attack on his fortified home. Joseph’s aunt, Lynette Burnley, emphasized that Joseph had distanced himself from his past and was leading a normal life, urging the public not to tarnish his character. Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Homeland Security, Roger Alexander, has advised Joseph’s family to file a missing person’s report, referencing a 2018 incident where Joseph was arrested on a drug-carrying vessel. This strike marks the fifth such operation by the US in its campaign against alleged narco-traffickers in the southern Caribbean, with the death toll now exceeding 30. Survivors from the latest strike, two men from Colombia and Ecuador, have been repatriated to their respective countries.
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Four Guyanese nationals feared dead after fishing boat sinks in Suriname
In a tragic maritime incident, rescue teams in Suriname are tirelessly searching for four Guyanese nationals feared dead after their fishing vessel sank in the Saramacca River near Lareco on Saturday evening. The Saramacca River, a vital waterway for the Maroon communities residing along its banks, serves as a lifeline for transportation and trade.
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West Indies beat Bangladesh in super over after setting ODI spin record
In a groundbreaking moment for one-day international (ODI) cricket, the West Indies achieved a historic milestone by bowling a full 50 overs of spin in their second ODI against Bangladesh on Tuesday. This unprecedented strategy, combined with a thrilling super over, secured a narrow victory for the visitors, leveling the three-match series at 1-1. The match, held in Mirpur, saw a total of 92 overs of spin, setting a new record for the highest number of spin overs in an ODI, surpassing the previous record of 78 overs. The West Indies’ decision to field five spinners—Gudakesh Motie, Alick Athanaze, Akeal Hosein, Roston Chase, and Khary Pierre—paid off as they restricted Bangladesh to 213 for seven wickets. The West Indies mirrored this total, finishing at 213-9, before clinching the win with 10 runs in the super over. This marked the first time in ODI history that a team bowled exclusively with spin for the entire innings, eclipsing Sri Lanka’s 1996 record of 44 overs of slow bowling. The tactic was particularly striking for a team historically renowned for its fast-bowling prowess. Bangladesh, opting to bat first, relied heavily on their spinners, with Mustafizur Rahman being the only pace bowler used. The match’s outcome underscores the evolving dynamics of cricket strategies and the West Indies’ adaptability in modern-day cricket.
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Canadian company to shutdown operations in Trinidad
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Nutrien, the world’s leading potash producer, has announced the commencement of a controlled shutdown of its nitrogen operations at the Point Lisas facility in Trinidad. The shutdown, effective from Thursday this week, is attributed to port access restrictions imposed by Trinidad and Tobago’s National Energy Corporation (NEC) and an unreliable, uneconomical natural gas supply, which has significantly impacted the facility’s free cash flow over time. Nutrien emphasized that it will continue engaging with stakeholders and evaluating options for its remaining operations in Trinidad. The company produces approximately 85,000 tonnes of ammonia and 55,000 tonnes of urea monthly in Trinidad and Tobago. Despite the shutdown, Nutrien remains confident in achieving its 2025 annual nitrogen sales target of 10.7 to 11.2 million tonnes, bolstered by robust performance in its North American operations. Nutrien Ltd, a global leader in crop inputs and services, continues to navigate operational challenges while maintaining its strategic outlook.
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Trinidad and Tobago grouped with Mexico for 2026 Concacaf U-17 Men’s qualifiers
Trinidad and Tobago’s under-17 men’s football team has been placed in a challenging group for the 2026 Concacaf Under-17 Men’s Qualifiers, which will determine the participants for the FIFA Under-17 Men’s World Cup. The draw, held on October 21, placed TT in Group A alongside regional powerhouse Mexico, as well as Barbados, Saint Martin, and Sint Maarten. The qualifiers are scheduled to take place from February 3 to 12, with TT serving as one of the six host nations, alongside Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. A total of eight groups have been formed, with each team playing against every other team in their group once. The top team from each group will secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA Under-17 World Cup. Trinidad and Tobago, ranked 15th in Concacaf’s Men’s Under-17 rankings as of April 2025, were placed in Pot 2 prior to the draw. This marks a critical opportunity for the Shawn Cooper-coached team, which narrowly missed qualification for the 2025 World Cup after finishing as runners-up to Costa Rica in their group earlier this year. Mexico, a dominant force in the region, has already secured its place in the 2025 World Cup, set to be held in Qatar from November 3 to 27. The upcoming qualifiers will test TT’s resilience and determination as they aim to make their mark on the international stage.
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Agostini extends Prestige closing date for a fourth time
Agostini Ltd has once again postponed the closing date for its acquisition bid of Prestige Holdings Ltd, the local operator of prominent franchises including KFC, TGI Fridays, Subway, and Starbucks. This marks the fourth extension, with the new deadline now set for November 18. The announcement was made public on October 21 through a notice in local newspapers and on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange website. According to the notice, the delay is intended to allow for the completion of all necessary regulatory approvals, particularly the merger application submitted to the TT Fair Trade Commission. The initial share-swap proposal, introduced in June, offered one Agostini share for every 4.8 Prestige Holdings shares. Agostini has committed to purchasing all deposited shares within the timeframe mandated by securities law. The original closing date was July 20, with subsequent extensions pushing the deadline to August 5, September 5, and October 21. Agostini CEO Barry Davis previously cited delays in the share-swap process, attributing them to issues such as misplaced share certificates and the passing of some shareholders. Despite these challenges, Agostini confirmed on September 10 that it had secured the minimum shareholding required to proceed with the takeover.
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Ato Boldon Stadium confirmed for Trinidad and Tobago’s women’s friendly vs Jamaica
The Trinidad and Tobago (TT) women’s football team is set to face Jamaica in a high-stakes friendly match on October 28 at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva. This encounter marks TT’s first significant test after an extended hiatus, serving as a vital preparation for the upcoming 2025/26 Concacaf W Qualifiers. The TT Football Association officially announced the venue and kickoff time via a social media post on October 20. Jamaica’s head coach, Hubert Busby, unveiled a 20-member squad on October 16, featuring key foreign-based players such as goalkeepers Sydney Schneider (Tampa Bay Sun FC) and Rebecca Spencer (Chelsea WFC), defenders Tiffany Cameron (Halifax Tides) and Tianna Harris (Damaiense FC), midfielder Vyan Sampson (INAC Kobe Leonessa), and striker Shania Hayles (Newcastle United WFC). On the TT side, former men’s team coach Angus Eve has been preparing a 35-member training squad, including seasoned players like goalkeeper Kimika Forbes, defender Victoria Swift, midfielder Asha James, and attackers Kennya Cordner and Nikita Gosine. However, James is rumored to miss the final squad selection following a controversial social media post on October 20. The friendly is a strategic move for both teams as they gear up for the Concacaf W Qualifiers, which kick off next month. TT is placed in Group F alongside Barbados, El Salvador, and Honduras, while Jamaica is in Group B with Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Guyana, and Nicaragua. TT’s campaign begins on November 30 against Barbados at the BFA Technical Centre in Bridgetown, while Jamaica starts their journey on November 29 against Dominica at the Daren Sammy Cricket Stadium in St. Lucia. The top six group winners from the qualifiers will advance to the 2026 Concacaf Women’s Championship, joining powerhouses Canada and the United States.
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Eve resigns from Trinidad and Tobago women’s football team
In a surprising turn of events, Angus Eve, the newly appointed head coach of Trinidad and Tobago’s women’s football team, has resigned before overseeing his first match. The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) confirmed Eve’s resignation on October 21, following social media reports that he had submitted a resignation letter to Jinelle James, the TTFA’s director of women’s football. Eve, a former national standout, was officially appointed on September 30, with Densill Theobald named as his assistant coach. His departure leaves the team without a permanent head coach once again, just as they prepare for the Concacaf Women’s qualifiers next month. The team is scheduled to play a friendly against Jamaica on October 28 at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva. Efforts to reach TTFA officials for further comments were unsuccessful. In his resignation letter dated October 19, Eve expressed gratitude for the opportunity and offered to assist in the transition process. The team recently played a practice game against Naparima College’s under-14 team and is finalizing its squad for the upcoming friendly. Key players in the training squad include veterans Karyn Forbes, Naomie Guerra, Victoria Swift, and strikers Kennya Cordner and Nikita Gosine. Trinidad and Tobago will face Barbados in their first Concacaf qualifier on November 30.
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Witco announces change in directors
The West Indian Tobacco Company Ltd (Witco) has witnessed a significant change in its leadership as Luis Verenzuela resigned from his position as a director, effective October 10. Verenzuela, who joined the board in July 2023, is set to transition into a new role within the British American Tobacco (BAT) group. His departure was officially announced on the TT Stock Exchange website on October 21. Taking over Verenzuela’s responsibilities is Gustavo Gonzalez, who assumed the role of director on October 16. Gonzalez boasts an impressive track record, having spent over two decades with the BAT group, most recently serving as the operations director for Latin America North and Caribbean. The board of directors expressed gratitude for Verenzuela’s contributions and extended a warm welcome to Gonzalez, highlighting his extensive experience and expertise.
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Supreme Court to hear Buchanan’s application for judicial review
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Supreme Court has set Tuesday, November 18, as the date to hear an application for Judicial Review concerning a contentious decision made by the Constituted Authority in the St Andrew West Central election dispute. The application was initiated by Paul Buchanan, the People’s National Party’s candidate, who contested the September 3 general election and later sought to nullify the results. His request was previously denied by the Constituted Authority, leading to this legal challenge. During a recent case management hearing, the court characterized the matter as both serious and unprecedented, particularly due to its direct implications for the actions of the Constituted Authority. The presiding judge has mandated that legal documents be served to Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness, the Jamaica Labour Party’s candidate for the constituency, as well as the Attorney General, who will represent the Constituted Authority in the proceedings.