Carib Scope

标签： Trinidad and Tobago

特立尼达和多巴哥

  • Passports, visas, and access to the world

    Passports, visas, and access to the world

    In an era of rapidly shifting global dynamics, Caribbean nations are confronting a fundamental transformation in how they perceive travel documentation. What was once considered mere paperwork for occasional journeys has evolved into critical instruments of global access and economic resilience.

    The geopolitical landscape has undergone profound changes, with borders tightening, immigration policies becoming increasingly selective, and international relations growing more complex. Small island developing states like Trinidad and Tobago find themselves particularly vulnerable to these shifts, often experiencing the downstream effects of decisions made thousands of miles away.

    Recent developments underscore this new reality. Throughout 2025, significant policy changes emerged: the United States increased visa application fees, suspended immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, and most notably for Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom implemented new visa restrictions. These moves represent more than bureaucratic adjustments—they signal a fundamental restructuring of global mobility access.

    Modern passports and visas now function as keys to multiple dimensions of international participation:

    Financial System Access: Certain visas unlock banking relationships and financial infrastructure. The US B1/B2 visa, for instance, enables professionals to establish non-resident bank accounts requiring physical presence verification. Estonia’s innovative e-Residency program allows entrepreneurs to register EU-based companies and access fintech platforms remotely.

    Global Connectivity: Transit and multi-entry visas maintain crucial connections through major international hubs. These documents facilitate movement to educational opportunities, medical care, business conferences, and cultural exchanges that would otherwise become prohibitively expensive or inaccessible.

    Talent Mobility: Nations worldwide are actively competing for skilled professionals through specialized visa programs. Technology experts, healthcare workers, engineers, and creative professionals now have pathways to global engagement that don’t necessarily require permanent relocation.

    Lifestyle Flexibility: Long-term residency options are emerging across Asia, Europe, and Latin America, offering individuals and families alternatives beyond traditional employment-based migration.

    This paradigm shift demands a strategic reevaluation from Caribbean citizens and policymakers alike. Rather than viewing travel documents as symbols of migration, they should be understood as tools for risk diversification and opportunity access. In an increasingly volatile global environment, multiple access points create resilience against economic shocks, political instability, and sudden policy changes.

    The contemporary approach to international documentation isn’t about abandonment of home countries, but about building adaptive capacity for individuals, families, and businesses operating in an interconnected world.

  • Long, winding road to self-government

    Long, winding road to self-government

    The recent electoral triumph of a Tobago-based political party in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections has created a pivotal moment for advancing the island’s long-standing pursuit of genuine internal self-government. This development comes after decades of unfulfilled promises and political maneuvering that have repeatedly raised and dashed the hopes of Tobagonians.

    Audley Graham, in a compelling editorial submission, argues that any legitimate legislative arrangement must fundamentally treat the Tobagonian people with fairness, dignity, and respect. This necessitates establishing frameworks that enable Tobago to generate its own revenue, develop critical infrastructure, and exercise substantial control over local resources.

    Rather than initiating new legislative drafts, Graham recommends that Chief Secretary Farley Augustine appoint a dedicated secretary for devolution and governance matters. This official should synthesize existing proposals dating back to the Seemungal draft of the 1970s through the most recent bill from the Rowley administration, creating a robust legislative document that reflects Tobago’s aspirations.

    The editorial highlights how successive central governments—both PNM and UNC administrations—have consistently demonstrated insufficient political will to facilitate authentic self-government for Tobago. These administrations have typically employed token approaches that disregard the unique intersectional identity of Tobagonians within the unitary state of Trinidad and Tobago.

    Graham points to Tobago’s proven governance capabilities, noting that key architects of the nation’s early independence era—including Doddridge Alleyne, Eugenio Moore, Victor Bruce, and ANR Robinson—hailed from Tobago. The current practice of delaying tactics, such as appointing joint select committees under the guise of bipartisan cooperation, only serves the self-interest and neo-colonial ambitions of Trinidad-based parties.

    The prolonged denial of Tobago’s self-determination aspirations not only harms Tobagonians economically and psychologically but also weakens the nation’s overall economic potential. Graham warns that continued delays risk hardening the resolve of minority elements who might advocate for secession—an outcome beneficial to no party, least of all Tobago itself.

    With the people of Tobago having clearly expressed their political will through the ballot box, the editorial concludes that their democratic voice must now be respected through concrete action toward meaningful self-governance.

  • Enhancing traveller experience at Trinidad and Tobago airports

    Enhancing traveller experience at Trinidad and Tobago airports

    A technological transformation is sweeping global border security systems with over 178 nations, including most Caribbean Community (CARICOM) states, now implementing electronic passport systems. This shift toward automated border control represents a fundamental reimagining of international travel security, combining advanced technology with operational strategies to streamline legitimate travel while maintaining rigorous security protocols.

    The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has established comprehensive standards through Annex 9 of the Chicago Convention, mandating global interoperability for travel documents. Since January 1, countries issuing e-passports must implement Password Authenticated Connection Establishment (PACE) security protocols. This advanced encryption technology creates secure communication channels between passport chips and border control systems, replacing older Basic Access Control methods and providing robust protection against data skimming and eavesdropping.

    Modern e-passport systems extend beyond physical documents, with capabilities to integrate with passengers’ mobile devices enabling seamless travel experiences with minimal physical touchpoints. The implementation of electronic gates and kiosks that authenticate documents and verify biometric data has significantly reduced processing times at border control checkpoints worldwide.

    While this global transformation advances, Trinidad and Tobago’s implementation has encountered significant obstacles. The Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (AATT), an active member of Airports Council International, initially awarded a contract to NOVO Technology Incorporation Limited in December 2017 for automated border control systems at both Piarco and ANR Robinson International Airports. The system was partially commissioned in July 2018 with 12 automated kiosks at Piarco International Airport.

    However, in May 2019, the newly appointed National Security Minister Stuart Young raised concerns about “red flags” in the contracting process, leading to an investigation headed by retired judge Rolston Nelson. Despite the investigation finding no breaches of AATT’s Act or tender rules, the Cabinet suspended the contract, creating questions about executive overreach.

    Contrasting with Trinidad’s stalled progress, NOVO Technology has successfully implemented a comprehensive nationwide border control management system in Guyana. The system allows passengers to complete immigration forms online before departure and clear biometric e-gates at Cheddi Jagan International Airport in under 20 seconds. Guyana’s participation in ICAO’s Public Key Directory further enables its citizens to access e-gates worldwide, dramatically reducing processing times.

    As a signatory to the Chicago Convention, Trinidad and Tobago maintains international treaty obligations to comply with Annex 9 standards, yet the nation continues to lag in implementing automated border control systems that would enhance security while improving passenger experiences at ports of entry.

  • A day in the Trinidad wild

    A day in the Trinidad wild

    In a landmark achievement for environmental journalism, the Wild Tobago column has reached its 500th installment with a special expedition to Trinidad’s Icacos wetlands. This ongoing series, initiated in July 2016 by coral reef ecologist Dr. Anjani Ganase during her PhD studies in Australia, has evolved into a platform for scientific communication and environmental advocacy across Trinidad and Tobago.

    The commemorative feature brought together Dr. Ganase and acclaimed birder Faraaz Abdool for a pre-dawn journey to the southwestern tip of Trinidad. Their mission: to document the spectacular biodiversity of the Icacos wetlands at sunrise. The team witnessed an extraordinary natural performance as the sky transformed through shades of yellow, salmon, pink, and blue, while the wetland came alive with avian activity.

    Abdool described the sensory experience: ‘As the first light touched the horizon, the dawn chorus began. Carib Grackles jostled for position in swamp ferns, yellow-hooded blackbirds gathered in smaller groups, and yellow-chinned spinetails created a rattling soundtrack.’ The experience turned dramatic when a large spectacled caiman emerged with deep bellows and rhythmic grunts, performing mating displays accompanied by ‘dancing water’ phenomena known as Faraday waves.

    The team observed over 50 scarlet ibis whirling overhead, ospreys patiently waiting for prey, wattled jacanas foraging at water’s edge, and common gallinules taking clumsy flight. Despite signage declaring the area protected, the birds’ furtive behavior suggested ongoing human disturbance.

    The expedition continued to Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust, where conservation efforts have successfully reintroduced Muscovy ducks hunted to extinction on the islands. The trust represents a beacon of conservation education, complemented by the Freebird Restaurant offering world-class meals with local ingredients.

    Dr. Ganase reflected on the column’s advocacy role, particularly in challenging government plans to develop the country’s only marine protected area for resort construction. She expressed concern about current threats to Mt Irvine Reef from hotel and housing development, noting that marine ecosystems already face climate change impacts while basic management measures remain unimplemented.

    The feature concludes with an invitation to all citizens to undertake their own Wild Tobago journeys, emphasizing that appreciation and respect for natural spaces can foster greater community consciousness and care for both environment and fellow inhabitants.

  • Congrats on icons support

    Congrats on icons support

    In a significant move to honor national cultural contributors, Culture and Community Development Minister Michelle Benjamin has unveiled a new initiative targeting support for the country’s cultural veterans. The program announcement, which has garnered public endorsement through an open letter published in Newsday, specifically addresses the need for sustained meaningful assistance to these influential figures.

    The initiative emerges as a recognition mechanism for cultural practitioners who have fundamentally shaped the nation’s identity through their artistic contributions. The program promises to deliver ongoing support structures aimed at safeguarding the welfare of aging artists, ensuring their legacies are preserved for future generations, and providing financial and social assistance during challenging periods.

    Cultural commentator Gerald Agostini expressed strong approval of the ministerial decision in his published letter to the editor, describing the initiative as “long overdue” while urging continued governmental commitment to the program in coming years. The announcement was accompanied by photographic documentation showing Minister Benjamin alongside renowned calypso legend Timothy “Baron” Watkins, symbolizing the ministry’s engagement with prominent cultural figures.

    The development represents a formalized approach to cultural preservation that acknowledges both the historical contributions and contemporary needs of artists who have dedicated their lives to enriching the nation’s cultural landscape.

  • Inmate recaptured in Port of Spain

    Inmate recaptured in Port of Spain

    A dramatic prison escape attempt at Port of Spain Prison ended in failure on January 21 when inmate Travis Curtis was apprehended just minutes after his bold dash for freedom. According to an official statement released by the Prison Service at 3:20 PM, the incident unfolded at approximately 10:00 AM when Curtis scaled the western perimeter wall along Pembroke Street.

    The escape proved short-lived as coordinated efforts between Port of Spain Prison officers and the specialized Emergency Response Unit resulted in Curtis’s recapture at approximately 10:18 AM near Abercromby Street in the capital. The rapid response demonstrated exceptional operational coordination between prison authorities and security forces.

    Authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the escape incident, examining whether additional charges will be filed against Curtis for escaping lawful custody. The Prison Service publicly commended the responding officers for their vigilance and professional conduct during the operation, while also acknowledging the cooperation received from members of the public.

    The Prison Service indicated that further updates regarding the incident would be provided as the investigation progresses and more information becomes available.

  • ‘Pres’ beat ‘Naps’ in South battle

    ‘Pres’ beat ‘Naps’ in South battle

    In an impressive display of cricketing prowess, Presentation College San Fernando commenced their PowerGen Secondary Schools Cricket League premier I division campaign with a decisive 38-run triumph over Naparima College on January 20. The southern derby, contested at Naparima’s home ground in San Fernando, showcased exceptional performances from both teams despite the clear margin of victory.

    Presentation established a formidable foundation by posting 271 all out in 47.5 overs. The innings was anchored by captain Brendan Boodoo, who demonstrated why he was selected as a reserve for the ongoing West Indies Under-19 World Cup squad. Boodoo’s commanding 80 runs from 82 deliveries featured six boundaries and one maximum, providing crucial momentum to his team’s total.

    The opening partnership proved equally instrumental as Riyaad Mohammed (73 from 75 balls) and Levi Ghanny (60 from 46 deliveries) constructed a substantial 118-run stand. Their aggressive approach set the tempo for Presentation’s innings, though Naparima’s bowling duo of Amrit Pittiman (5/47) and Arnaldo Premchand (4/41) eventually curtailed the scoring through disciplined bowling spells.

    Boodoo’s contributions extended beyond his batting excellence as the skipper returned with ball in hand to claim 3/31 from his ten overs of spin. Supported by Aaden Owen’s 3/48, Presentation effectively restricted Naparima to 233/9 despite resilient batting from captain Aadi Ramsaran (62 from 73 balls), Jordan Julien (43), and Veer Arjoon (36).

    In other opening round fixtures, Shiva Boys’ Hindu College dominated Queen’s Royal College by 70 runs at QRC’s home ground, while Vishnu Boys’ Hindu College launched their season with a seven-wicket victory against Hillview College. Defending champions Presentation College Chaguanas began their title defense strongly with a 73-run win over St Mary’s College.

    The competition continues with round two matches scheduled for January 27.

  • Trinidad and Tobago to slide at 2026 Winter Olympics

    Trinidad and Tobago to slide at 2026 Winter Olympics

    In a remarkable athletic achievement, Trinidad and Tobago’s national bobsleigh team has officially qualified for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. The prestigious event, scheduled from February 6-22, 2026, will feature the Caribbean nation competing against the world’s top bobsleigh programs.

    The Trinidadian contingent, currently ranked among the global top 17 bobsleigh nations, will contest both the two-man and four-man bobsleigh events. The team roster includes athletes Axel Brown, Shakeel John, De Aundre John, Xaverri Williams, and Micah Moore, under the guidance of coach Lee Johnston.

    This Olympic qualification follows months of impressive international performances that demonstrated the team’s competitive capabilities. Particularly noteworthy was their strong showing at the Park City Leg of the North American Cup during November-December 2023, where the team consistently finished multiple races within the top ten positions.

    The Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago officially confirmed the achievement through their social media channels, stating: “Congratulations to team Trinidad and Tobago on qualifying for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games!”

    Notably, Jamaica’s bobsleigh program has also secured qualification in both men’s and women’s categories, marking a significant moment for Caribbean representation at winter sports’ premier international competition.

  • Trinidad and Tobago Newsday – Wednesday January 21st 2026

    Trinidad and Tobago Newsday – Wednesday January 21st 2026

    The global dietary supplement sector is confronting intensified examination as regulatory bodies and consumer advocacy groups raise pressing questions about product effectiveness and safety oversight. This multi-billion dollar industry, which has experienced exponential growth over the past decade, now stands at a critical juncture regarding standardization and transparency practices.

    Recent developments indicate regulatory agencies are considering strengthened monitoring protocols for supplement manufacturers following numerous consumer reports of inconsistent ingredient quality and misleading marketing claims. The industry’s current regulatory framework, which differs significantly from pharmaceutical oversight, permits products to reach market without mandatory pre-approval regarding efficacy or purity verification.

    Medical professionals have expressed particular concern about potential interactions between supplements and prescription medications, noting that many consumers operate under the mistaken assumption that “natural” automatically equates to safety. Research institutions have initiated several longitudinal studies to better understand both the benefits and risks associated with common supplement ingredients.

    Industry representatives emphasize their commitment to quality control while maintaining that dietary supplements play a valuable role in supporting overall wellness when used appropriately. Many companies have voluntarily implemented third-party testing and quality certification programs to address consumer safety concerns.

    The ongoing debate highlights the complex balance between preserving consumer access to wellness products while ensuring adequate protection against potentially harmful or ineffective substances. This conversation has gained renewed urgency as supplement usage continues to expand across diverse demographic groups.

  • TTPS promotes 9 senior officers

    TTPS promotes 9 senior officers

    In a significant organizational development, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has elevated nine officers to higher leadership positions through a formal promotion ceremony held on January 19 at the Solomon McLeod Theatre in Port of Spain. The event marked the advancement of five officers to superintendent and four to senior superintendent ranks, signaling a strategic strengthening of the police service’s command structure.

    The ceremony witnessed the presence of key dignitaries including Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander—a former senior superintendent himself—Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro, several Deputy Commissioners, and Ishmael Pitt, president of the TTPS Social Welfare Association. Minister Alexander personally presented the letters of appointment to the promoted officers during the proceedings.

    Commissioner Guevarro addressed attendees, emphasizing the critical importance of leadership in the TTPS’s ongoing transformational journey. He revealed that 2025 had become a pivotal year for the service, with documented substantial reductions in major crime categories—including a remarkable 42% decrease in homicides alongside significant declines in shootings, larcenies, and burglaries. The commissioner attributed these improvements to the dedication and sacrifices of officers who have committed extensive time to public safety, often at the expense of personal commitments.

    Pitt acknowledged the commissioner’s efforts in creating enhanced advancement opportunities within the organization, characterizing the developments as ‘changing the gear’ of the TTPS. He further encouraged the newly promoted officers to maintain attentiveness to colleague welfare as they assume greater leadership responsibilities.

    The newly promoted senior superintendents are Alva Gordon, Geoffrey Hospedales, Karen Lancaster-Ellis, and Sean Dhillpaul. Those elevated to superintendent include Mulchan Nanan, Heeraman Singh, Edgar Baird, Mark Joseph, and Mario Robain.

    The TTPS maintains a structured ranking system comprising ten positions, ranging from police constable to commissioner, with promoted officers now occupying critical middle-management roles that bridge strategic planning and operational execution.