标签： Trinidad and Tobago

A catastrophic fire has completely destroyed Product Central Trinidad, a major retail establishment on Cipero Street in San Fernando, despite valiant containment efforts by firefighters and local employees. The December 11 inferno, which began on the building’s upper level around 2 PM, rapidly escalated beyond control, culminating in the structural collapse of the second story and significant electrical hazards from arcing power lines.

Eyewitness accounts reveal the immediate response from neighboring businesses, with Ramasir’s Sales and Service owner Chan Ramasir providing fire extinguishers and evacuating her staff upon noticing the initial flames. While security personnel facilitated building evacuations, some employees reportedly remained inside attempting to salvage merchandise before the situation became untenable.

Firefighting operations faced substantial logistical challenges, including the temporary retreat of the initial response tender to replenish water supplies. The absence of a previously existing fire hydrant less than a block away on Sutton Street prompted concerns among observers, though municipal officials confirmed alternative water sources were available on Lawrence Street and at Cross Crossing.

Local councilor Ryaad Hosein praised the fire service’s “excellent job” under difficult circumstances, while acknowledging the TT Electricity Commission’s prompt response to disconnect power despite complications from extensively damaged wiring.

The economic impact is expected to be severe, with Greater San Fernando Area Chamber of Commerce president Kiran Singh emphasizing the immeasurable loss of Christmas inventory just two weeks before the holiday. The destruction of this vigorously operating business represents a significant blow to Cipero Street’s commercial district and its workforce, with numerous employees facing unemployment during the critical holiday season.

The store’s owner, present at the scene, declined commentary while witnessing the devastating loss. This incident marks the second major structural fire in San Fernando within the week, following a December 9 blaze in Moody Stuart Street that left six residents homeless.

Environmental advocacy organization Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS) has issued an urgent appeal to Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, demanding immediate action against destructive illegal trawling operations along the nation’s North Coast.

In a December 12 media release, FFOS corporate secretary Gary Aboud highlighted the ongoing environmental devastation caused by unauthorized shrimp trawlers that continue to operate despite clear regulations. The organization described the situation as ‘ecological violence and genocide,’ citing the systematic destruction of marine ecosystems through practices comparable to dynamite fishing in terms of sustainability impact.

According to FFOS research, these trawlers utilize massive tickler chains that scrape and devastate the seabed, resulting in catastrophic by-catch ratios where approximately 14.7 pounds of marine life are destroyed for every single pound of shrimp harvested. This indiscriminate destruction disproportionately affects juvenile species and severely impacts local fishing communities whose fish pots and nets are regularly damaged by the illegal operations.

Current regulations explicitly restrict shrimp trawling to specific parameters: only permitted west of Saut d’Eau Island from November 15 to January 15, operating solely between 6 am and 6 pm, and maintaining a minimum distance of two nautical miles offshore. However, FFOS reports consistent violations occurring with apparent impunity under the surveillance of authorized enforcement agencies.

The organization criticized the Coast Guard’s response methodology, noting that when reports of illegal trawling were recently made, officials initially failed to collect essential details and subsequently stated they needed to ‘catch them in the act.’ FFOS characterized this as an ineffective cat-and-mouse game where trawlers simply lift their nets when enforcement vessels approach or claim to be operating beyond the two-mile limit.

FFOS revealed that this issue has persisted since at least 2014 when the former UNC government committed to addressing the problem and conducted feasibility studies. The organization now questions why taxpayers continue funding repeated studies while environmental destruction continues unabated.

The advocacy group specifically called for enhanced enforcement capabilities including properly equipped Coast Guard vessels, fast interceptors, and potential utilization of US military-grade radar technology. Additionally, FFOS demanded parliamentary action on the long-pending Fisheries Bill to establish comprehensive legal frameworks preventing what they term ‘state-sanctioned lawlessness at sea.’

In a series of philanthropic gestures reinforcing international ties, the US Embassy in Port of Spain and the US Southern Command (SouthCom) have substantially contributed to the educational infrastructure of Trinidad and Tobago. The most recent beneficiary, Waterloo Secondary School, received a comprehensive donation valued at US$25,000 (approximately TT$175,000) on December 11. The contribution, presented by US Navy Captain Gedion Teklegiorgis during the school’s annual Christmas concert, encompasses critical technological and classroom resources, including ten desktop computer setups with desks and chairs, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), a printer, whiteboards, a refrigerator, a microwave, and assorted stationery. Principal Usha Dookhran-Cheeranjie expressed profound gratitude, noting the donation perfectly capped the institution’s 25th-anniversary celebrations themed ‘gratitude and growth.’ This initiative is a component of SouthCom’s broader humanitarian assistance programme, explicitly designed to fortify learning environments and advance digital literacy among students. US Chargé d’Affaires, Dr. Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz, emphasized that this act ‘tangibly demonstrates the depth and endurance’ of the US commitment to its partnership with Trinidad and Tobago, ensuring the equipment will see immediate use by students and faculty. This donation to Waterloo Secondary follows an identical contribution made just days prior, on December 5, to the Roxborough Anglican Primary School, underscoring a concentrated effort to support the nation’s educational sector. These efforts are part of a wider campaign of engagement throughout 2025, which has also included infrastructure upgrades by US Navy Seabees at the Lochmaben Roman Catholic School in Cedros and a hosted tour of the USS Gravely for its students, further exemplifying the multifaceted civilian-military partnership between the two nations.

A violent shooting incident in Sangre Grande has resulted in one fatality and left two victims with critical injuries, marking another episode of escalating urban violence in Trinidad and Tobago. The tragedy unfolded on December 12 around 3 pm near Sand Road in the Sangre Chiquito area, where three individuals became targets of a brazen armed assault.

Preliminary investigative reports indicate the victims were seated inside a stationary white vehicle when another car abruptly approached their location. Without warning, occupants of the second vehicle unleashed a barrage of gunfire, systematically riddling the target car’s front windshield with bullet holes in what appears to be a targeted attack.

Graphic footage rapidly circulated across social media platforms in the aftermath, capturing the horrific scene. The viral video depicted one male victim bleeding profusely while collapsed across the back seat, with the driver similarly unresponsive in the front compartment. The visual evidence provided stark testimony to the brutality of the assault.

Law enforcement agencies have launched a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. While no motive has been officially confirmed, the precision of the attack suggests possible gang-related or retaliatory violence. Police are examining forensic evidence from the crime scene and reviewing digital recordings to identify potential suspects.

This incident adds to growing concerns about public safety and gun violence in the region, prompting calls for enhanced security measures and community intervention programs to address the root causes of such criminal activities.

As Trinidad and Tobago’s school holidays commence, the Children’s Authority has issued crucial guidance to parents and guardians, emphasizing the continued importance of child safety protocols during the festive period. Executive Director Sheldon Cyrus delivered a stark reminder on December 11th that parental responsibilities must remain paramount despite seasonal distractions.

Statistical data from the Authority reveals neglect persists as the most frequently reported form of child maltreatment, with parental inattention creating dangerous vulnerabilities. Cyrus specifically warned against the provision of alcohol to minors, noting its capacity to impair judgment and increase susceptibility to predators.

The Authority’s comprehensive recommendations include ensuring children receive balanced periods of rest and recreation during holiday cleaning activities, establishing clear behavioral expectations before social gatherings, and educating youth about bodily autonomy and consent. Children should be empowered to decline unwanted physical contact, even from relatives.

Crucial safety protocols emphasize teaching children about appropriate versus inappropriate touching, monitoring digital activities, reinforcing road safety principles, and instructing children to refuse gifts from strangers. The Authority stressed that every citizen shares responsibility for child protection, urging immediate reporting of suspected abuse to emergency services (999) or their dedicated hotline (996).

Additional preparedness measures include ensuring children memorize their full names, ages, parental contact information, home addresses, and identifying trusted adults to approach if lost during holiday excursions.

Trinidad and Tobago is mourning the passing of Ferdinand ‘Ferdie’ Ferreira, a foundational figure in the nation’s political landscape and close confidant of first prime minister Dr. Eric Williams, who died on December 11 at the age of 93. Recognized across party lines as an unwavering patriot, Ferreira dedicated his life to national development and political scholarship.

Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles led tributes, honoring Ferreira as a man whose “life lived in service, integrity and devotion is honoured by God Himself.” Born in 1932 on Dundonald Street in Port of Spain, Ferreira became one of the few authorities capable of speaking comprehensively about Trinidad and Tobago’s political evolution from colonial times to the present.

As a founding member of the People’s National Movement (PNM), Ferreira served in multiple capacities including elections officer and labor relations officer while acting as trusted adviser to Williams and subsequent party leaders. His expertise became so renowned that the PNM described his home as “a museum of sorts” containing historical documents, laminated articles, photographs, and recordings preserved with his late wife Pearl.

Beyond political service, Ferreira was a prolific writer who authored two significant works: “Political Encounters 1946–2016” (2018) and the autobiography “Portrait of a Patriot” (2022), launched the day after his 90th birthday. His intellectual contributions earned him the honorary degree from the University of Trinidad and Tobago in 2021 and the D. Eric Williams Medal of Honour in 2019.

Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum. Former culture minister Joan Yuille-Williams remembered him as “the most dedicated servant of the people” who “didn’t look back for anything for himself.” NAR former deputy leader Winston Dookeran praised Ferreira as “a foundation stone for the building of the independent TT,” while former minister Vasant Bharath noted his commentary was “never about spectacle – it was about service.”

Ferreira’s legacy includes his recent work preserving the PNM’s history on film through interviews with founding members. He is survived by his children David, Donna, and Jaime, daughter-in-law Lavaughn, and numerous grandchildren.