Carib Scope

标签： Trinidad and Tobago

特立尼达和多巴哥

  • Nicholas Romany dominates in Barbados with 10K, mile titles

    Nicholas Romany dominates in Barbados with 10K, mile titles

    Trinidad and Tobago’s distance running sensation Nicholas Romany achieved an extraordinary sporting milestone at the 2025 Run Barbados Marathon and Wellness Weekend, securing his third consecutive double victory in both the Casuahina 10K Run and PWC Fun Mile events. The spectacular performances unfolded on December 6th in Barbados, where Romany demonstrated world-class endurance and strategic brilliance.

    Romany’s 10K triumph came in a blistering 31 minutes and 20 seconds, narrowly defeating four-time Run Barbados marathon champion Alex Ekesa (31:22), the Kenyan runner based in Trinidad and Tobago. Colombian athlete Sergio Lopez completed the podium with a time of 32:27.

    In a post-race analysis, Romany revealed his winning strategy: ‘The competition unfolded exactly as anticipated—extremely challenging due to the caliber of athletes. While this year’s course was flatter, the headwinds presented significant difficulties. I maintained pace with Alex throughout the race and deployed my finishing speed in the final stretch to secure victory.’

    The champion emphasized the psychological aspect of his performance, noting: ‘Mental resilience and determination were crucial in pushing through to the finish. I’m particularly grateful for the tremendous support from my teammates and compatriots.’

    Romany praised the event organization, highlighting the exceptional international camaraderie and vibrant atmosphere that characterizes the Run Barbados experience.

    Looking forward, the champion plans brief recovery before resuming training with ambitions to achieve Commonwealth Games qualification standards in the 1500-meter event.

    Other notable performances included Colombian Palmenia Berrio’s gold medal in the women’s 10K (37:02), while Trinidad and Tobago’s Christopher Mitchell dominated the Sleeping Giant men’s 5K event with an impressive 15:28 finish. The Trinidadian contingent demonstrated remarkable depth with multiple podium finishes across various events, including April John’s bronze in the women’s 5K and a complete sweep of the top four positions in the PWC Fun Mile event.

    The 2025 edition solidified Run Barbados’s status as a premier international running festival, attracting elite athletes from across the Americas and showcasing the growing dominance of Caribbean distance runners.

  • Claxton Bay woman killed by ex-boyfriend who dies by suicide

    Claxton Bay woman killed by ex-boyfriend who dies by suicide

    A devastating case of domestic violence culminated in dual fatalities on December 8 in Claxton Bay, concluding a turbulent relationship between two residents of Pranz Gardens. The victims have been identified as 43-year-old Angel Lutchman, an entrepreneurial mother of two, and 29-year-old technician Shazard Mohammed.

    The tragic sequence unfolded when Lutchman’s 12-year-old son returned from an overnight stay with relatives to discover the horrifying scene. His mother had been brutally attacked in her bedroom, suffering fatal stab wounds and a slit throat. Mohammed’s body was found nearby in the same room, having taken his own life following the murder.

    This lethal conclusion came despite Lutchman’s proactive measures for protection. Just two weeks prior to the incident, she had secured a restraining order against Mohammed, who resided merely a few houses away. The court order proved insufficient protection against the escalating violence that characterized their relationship.

    Family accounts reveal contrasting perspectives on the couple’s dynamic. Lutchman’s relatives described Mohammed as persistently abusive, noting that conflicts between the pair occurred with disturbing regularity. Conversely, Mohammed’s family acknowledged the frequent verbal and physical altercations while simultaneously characterizing the couple as ‘inseparable’ in their complex relationship dynamic.

    Lutchman, who operated an online business, leaves behind two children from a previous relationship. Mohammed was also a parent to one child, compounding the tragedy’s impact on multiple families within the community.

  • Kamla slams ‘malicious’ PNM over Couva Hospital — $100m in equipmentnow useless

    Kamla slams ‘malicious’ PNM over Couva Hospital — $100m in equipmentnow useless

    Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has publicly condemned the former PNM administration for what she characterized as “malicious neglect” regarding the Couva Children’s Hospital. Speaking at a re-dedication ceremony on Sunday, the Prime Minister revealed that the previous government maintained the state-of-the-art facility shuttered for an entire decade while allowing approximately $100 million worth of medical equipment to deteriorate into obsolescence.

    According to an initial assessment conducted after her administration assumed office, the squandered resources included 217 unused medical devices valued at over $20.68 million still confined to their original packaging. Additionally, ten major radiology systems—featuring advanced 3T MRI and 64-slice CT scanning technology—worth more than $33.5 million had expired beyond functionality. The inventory of losses further encompassed 45 medical items valued at $14.2 million that became obsolete and 225 critical diagnostic and sterilization systems valued at $31.9 million rendered non-functional.

    “This represents not mere bureaucratic delay but deliberate malicious neglect,” Persad-Bissessar asserted. “These resources, funded by taxpayers, could have provided life-saving treatment to countless children throughout these lost years.”

    The legacy of this neglect continues to burden the nation financially. A recent Urban Development Corporation (Udecott) assessment estimates that taxpayers must now allocate $78.2 million to repair and replace the compromised medical equipment and address structural deficiencies identified in a September 17 report. The facility requires comprehensive mechanical, plumbing, electrical, architectural, and structural remediation.

    Despite these challenges, the government has initiated partial operations at the 230-bed hospital. Since November 28, surgical teams from all four regional health authorities have performed 86 same-day procedures, including fistula repairs, varicose vein ablations, breast mass removals, lump extractions, and complex hernia repairs. These initial interventions begin addressing waiting lists that exceed 11,300 cases, including more than 4,600 delayed ophthalmology procedures.

    The hospital has also launched Paediatric Specialist Clinics since December 1, providing care to 16 children who otherwise would have required overseas treatment in specialties including neurology, rheumatology, neonatal care, endocrinology, and cardiology.

    In a significant regional development, Persad-Bissessar announced a partnership with Guyana’s government during the ceremony attended by Keoma Griffith, Guyana’s Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning. This collaboration will facilitate the recruitment of approximately 50 Trinidadian doctors to address staffing needs in Guyana’s expanding healthcare system.

    The South West Regional Health Authority has commenced recruiting 40 additional nurses specifically for the Couva facility. The government plans to gradually introduce full MRI and CT imaging services, cataract and ophthalmology surgeries, and expanded endoscopies in coming months while continuing specialist staff recruitment.

    The re-dedication ceremony also featured acknowledgments of corporate and individual donors, including Trinclean Ltd’s contribution of 60 wheelchairs and Inovaar Marketing Consultancy Agency Limited’s donation of 58,000 medical-grade masks with an additional 8,000 pledged.

    This development occurs against the backdrop of recent revelations before a parliamentary committee that $80 million worth of pharmaceutical drugs expired at Nipdec’s central stores over the past decade, further highlighting systemic issues in the nation’s healthcare infrastructure management.

  • Court sides with judge’s son: Illegal PBR use conviction quashed

    Court sides with judge’s son: Illegal PBR use conviction quashed

    In a landmark ruling that clarifies regulatory interpretation of transit privileges, Trinidad and Tobago’s Court of Appeal has unanimously overturned the conviction of a 17-year-old youth—the son of a sitting judge—who had been penalized for unauthorized use of the Priority Bus Route (PBR).

    The appellate panel, comprising Justices Peter Rajkumar, Geoffrey Henderson, and Ricky Rahim, determined that Master Tricia Bhagwandeen-Sadho committed a legal error by imposing an evidentiary requirement not supported by existing legislation. The case originated from an August 2020 incident when the teenager was stopped while operating his father’s vehicle on the PBR and presented a valid permit issued for the vehicle.

    Justice Rajkumar, authoring the decisive judgment, emphasized that the Highways Act and Classification of Highways Order explicitly authorize vehicles—not individual drivers—to utilize the bus route. The court found that the youth satisfactorily met his legal obligation by producing the legitimate PBR permit and affirming he had permission to use the vehicle, thereby shifting the burden of proof to prosecutors to demonstrate otherwise—a burden the state failed to discharge.

    Critically, the court rejected the lower court’s reliance on unpublished conditions printed on the permit’s reverse side, noting these conditions were never formally entered into evidence. The judgment further repudiated the Master’s concern about ‘absurd outcomes’ resulting from literal statutory interpretation, highlighting that the legislation already empowers the minister to impose additional conditions if necessary.

    The ruling establishes significant precedent regarding statutory construction principles and reinforces that courts cannot infer restrictions absent from legislative text. The Appeal Court consequently vacated all penalties associated with the conviction.

  • Dr Kishore Shallow to step aside as Cricket West Indies president in 2028

    Dr Kishore Shallow to step aside as Cricket West Indies president in 2028

    In a significant development for Caribbean cricket governance, Dr. Kishore Shallow has officially declared his intention to maintain his presidency of Cricket West Indies (CWI) while simultaneously serving as Minister of Tourism and Maritime Affairs for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The 41-year-old administrator, who secured his parliamentary seat on November 27 and assumed ministerial duties on December 3, addressed mounting speculation regarding potential resignation from his cricket leadership role.

    Following extensive deliberation, Shallow communicated his definitive decision through radio station Isports95.5FM on December 4, later elaborating on December 7 that he had contemplated the matter thoroughly. “My conviction is that the work ahead requires steady leadership and a commitment to completing the reforms already set in motion,” Shallow stated, confirming he would complete his current three-year term but would not seek reelection.

    The CWI president acknowledged the unusual nature of holding both positions concurrently within the Caribbean context but emphasized precedent within international cricket governance. He revealed that several colleagues at the International Cricket Council (ICC) currently or previously held governmental or parliamentary positions, normalizing such dual responsibilities in sports administration.

    Addressing potential concerns, Shallow detailed that CWI conducted comprehensive due diligence to ensure full compliance with legal and ethical standards. While acknowledging no conflict of interest exists, he confronted the practical question of effective portfolio management. “Having consulted widely with our board and leadership, I can assure you that I can and will,” he asserted.

    Shallow positioned his unique situation as potentially beneficial for regional collaboration, noting: “Governments in our region have been calling for greater engagement with CWI. This very well may be an avenue for collaboration without being invasive.” He further clarified that his presidential role is strategic rather than administrative, emphasizing that operational control rests with CEO Chris Dehring and over 50 full-time staff based in Antigua.

    The unpaid nature of the CWI presidency distinguishes it from traditional employment, allowing Shallow to focus on chairing the board while ministerial duties occupy his professional focus. He stressed that decision-making at CWI remains collective, asserting: “West Indies Cricket has never been a one-man operation, and it should never be.”

    Looking forward, Shallow committed to completing his administration’s reform agenda and implementing the organization’s Strategic Plan through 2027. He issued a call for unity, warning against divisive voices during this critical period for regional cricket.

    Earlier in his address, Shallow congratulated the West Indies team for their fighting draw in the first Test against New Zealand, specifically praising Justin Greaves’ double century and Kemar Roach’s determination. While commending Shai Hope’s pivotal 140-run innings, he expressed overall dissatisfaction with team performance and reiterated the need for financial restructuring within CWI.

  • Airports Authority gives $200k to Children’s Life Fund

    Airports Authority gives $200k to Children’s Life Fund

    In a significant philanthropic gesture, the Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (AATT) has contributed $202,900 to the Children’s Life Fund, reinforcing national efforts to support pediatric healthcare. The donation was formally presented to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar during a ceremonial Christmas concert marking the rededication of Couva Children’s Hospital on December 7.

    The Children’s Life Fund, established in 2010, provides critical financial assistance to families unable to afford specialized medical treatment for children battling severe illnesses. During the ceremony, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar expressed profound gratitude for the substantial contribution, emphasizing the fund’s instrumental role in preserving the health and future of the nation’s youth.

    “Since its inception, the Fund has saved hundreds of young lives by facilitating vital medical interventions,” stated a release from the Prime Minister’s Office dated December 8. “It has granted children the precious opportunity to develop, flourish, and experience life to its fullest potential.”

    The event held special significance with the attendance of 48 children whose lives were directly impacted by the fund’s support. Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar reiterated her administration’s steadfast dedication to investing in child welfare, identifying youth care as a central pillar of governmental policy.

    “Our responsibility is to forge a better, brighter future for every child,” the Prime Minister declared. “This government maintains an unwavering commitment to endorsing programs and initiatives that protect and elevate our children, guaranteeing they receive the compassionate care they rightfully deserve.”

    The ceremony was attended by key government officials including Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Eli Zakour and Minister of Health Dr. Lackram Bodoe, demonstrating cross-ministerial support for children’s healthcare initiatives.

  • Heartbreak in Peru as Trinidad and Tobago cricketers take double silver

    Heartbreak in Peru as Trinidad and Tobago cricketers take double silver

    In a groundbreaking moment for continental sports, cricket made its historic debut at the Bolivarian Games in Peru, culminating in dramatic finals that saw both Trinidad and Tobago teams securing silver medals after hard-fought battles against Caribbean rivals.

    The men’s team endured a heartbreaking 11-run defeat against Barbados in a tension-filled championship match at Lima Polo Club. Barbados set a competitive target of 138 runs, anchored by Shian Brathwaite’s pivotal 55-run innings and supported by Tennyson Roach’s aggressive 42 off 33 deliveries. Despite early breakthroughs from TT skipper Vikash Mohan and Mikkel Govia, Barbados built momentum through a damaging 65-run partnership.

    TT’s chase began cautiously but soon stumbled to 47 for four within nine overs. A mid-innings resurgence emerged through Crystian Thurton’s promising 31 and Teshawn Castro’s explosive late cameo of 22 runs. The match reached its climax with TT requiring 50 runs from the final 4.4 overs. Castro’s two massive sixes and Damion Joachim’s boundary brought the equation down to 12 needed from two deliveries. However, Castro’s dismissal by Shaquille Cberbatch sealed Barbados’ victory, leaving TT with silver.

    The women’s final witnessed Jamaica’s clinical six-wicket triumph chasing TT’s modest total of 94 for eight. Veteran off-spinner Anisa Mohammed provided the most resistance with a gritty 24 off 22 balls, but TT’s batting lineup failed to convert starts into substantial contributions. Jamaica’s bowling attack, led by Kate Wilmott’s impressive three for 14 and Chedean Nation’s two for 21, effectively contained the TT batters.

    Defending their total, TT’s experienced bowling duo of Mohammed and Karishma Ramharack initially maintained pressure, but Jamaica’s Chadean Nation delivered a match-winning unbeaten 35 off 44 balls, guiding her team to victory with 18 overs completed. Nation’s composed innings earned Jamaica the historic gold in cricket’s Bolivarian Games debut.

    This tournament marked cricket’s inaugural appearance in the 87-year history of the Bolivarian Games, signaling the sport’s growing prominence in multisport events. The success in Peru sets the stage for cricket’s upcoming debut at the 2027 Pan American Games and its highly anticipated return to the Olympic program at Los Angeles 2028, marking its first Olympic appearance since 1900.

  • Salvation Army’s Kettle initiative: Ringing the bells of hope

    Salvation Army’s Kettle initiative: Ringing the bells of hope

    Across Trinidad and Tobago’s bustling shopping centers and public spaces, the familiar sight of bright red kettles and ringing bells heralds the arrival of the Christmas season—and a 124-year tradition of compassionate giving. The Salvation Army’s iconic fundraising campaign, launched locally in the early 1900s, continues to serve as a critical support system for vulnerable communities despite evolving challenges.

    Major Chris Matthias, divisional commander overseeing operations in TT, St. Vincent, and Grenada, reveals this year’s ambitious target: $600,000 TT through the Christmas Kettle Appeal. The campaign, running from November 7 to December 31, deploys 28 collection points nationwide (26 in Trinidad, 2 in Tobago), though volunteer availability remains a persistent constraint.

    The initiative’s origins trace back to 1891 San Francisco, where Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee adapted a Scottish maritime charity tradition. Recalling Fishermen’s Wharf’s donation pot for families of lost sailors, McFee employed an iron crab pot to fund hot meals for the impoverished. This grassroots effort rapidly expanded across the Bay Area, evolving into the recognizable red-kettle phenomenon that eventually inspired the classic Christmas ballad Silver Bells.

    In Trinidad and Tobago, where The Salvation Army formally incorporated in 1915, the kettle program serves multiple humanitarian functions. Funds enhance Christmas food hampers beyond regular distributions, support children’s holiday parties, and provide personal care packages during institutional visits to five major medical facilities—including the traditional Christmas morning visit to Port of Spain General Hospital.

    Matthias emphasizes the program’s transformative impact, recounting how one recipient eventually secured employment and housing before returning to express gratitude. This exemplifies the organization’s philosophy of providing ‘hand-ups’ rather than mere handouts.

    Despite maintaining robust transparency through independently audited reports mandated by the Street Collections (Control) Act, the organization faces growing challenges. Donor bases have contracted at both individual and corporate levels, while demand has surged—particularly among single-parent households affected by recent nationwide layoffs.

    Safety protocols ensure volunteers receive training in public interaction, donation handling, and site security, with donors encouraged to place contributions directly into kettles. The organization continues seeking business partnerships similar to international models where corporations staff kettle locations as part of CSR initiatives—though such collaborations remain elusive locally.

    Matthias concludes with a poignant reminder: Need knows no season. While kettle donations peak during holidays, public support through food contributions remains vital year-round. The ultimate gift, he reflects, extends beyond material assistance—offering hope, joy, and love through practical compassion that transforms lives during the festive season and beyond.

  • The Parang Lab brings story time to schools

    The Parang Lab brings story time to schools

    A groundbreaking educational initiative is revolutionizing how young generations experience traditional parang music in Trinidad and Tobago. Led by vocalist, composer, and cultural researcher Curtra Skeete of Arima, The Parang Lab employs an innovative methodology that merges musical performance with literary storytelling and interactive learning.

    Established earlier this year, the project takes a scientific approach to cultural preservation, with Skeete and fellow musicians presenting themselves as ‘parrangologists’ – doctors specializing in the art form. Through bilingual storytelling sessions that incorporate live musical accompaniment, children gain both educational and interactive exposure to traditional parang, experiencing what Skeete describes as ‘the organic side of the art form.’

    The initiative’s unique methodology includes the development of a children’s book series targeting ages five to eight. Three manuscripts are currently under review, including ‘Maria Primera Parranda’ (chronicling a child’s inaugural parang experience), ‘John Boy and the Golden Cuatro’ (about self-taught musical mastery), and a tribute to legendary parang queen Clarita Rivas. Skeete incorporates these narratives into live sessions, with plans to expand the series to six volumes incorporating magical realism and cultural iconography.

    Skeete’s childhood experiences in Santa Rosa Heights, accompanying relatives to traditional house-to-house parang performances, profoundly influenced her artistic path. She later competed as a vocalist in secondary school parang competitions and has co-composed songs with her brother, Curt Skeete of Soñadores the Band.

    The Parang Lab has already conducted sessions at numerous educational institutions including Ashley B’ Learning Academy, St Michael’s Anglican Primary, and Arima Presbyterian. Sessions typically feature traditional instruments like box bass, guitar, cuatro, toc-toc, and maracas, deliberately maintaining authentic musical roots despite the genre’s evolution toward concert-style performances.

    Participating musicians include Dr. David Subero, Sebastian Subero, Ryan Wiseman, and several other accomplished performers. The program operates on an invitation-only basis, offered free of charge to schools, typically scheduling visits on Fridays. Skeete, who holds a degree in Latin American Studies and Spanish from the University of the West Indies, also serves as a program facilitator with NGO Vision on Mission, bringing professional expertise to this cultural preservation effort.

  • Esperance Soroptimists launches Cedros Mural Activism Project

    Esperance Soroptimists launches Cedros Mural Activism Project

    In a vibrant display of activism, Soroptimist International Esperance has launched the Cedros Mural Activism Project, marking the commencement of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The initiative, situated near Beaulieu Recreation Grounds and Cedros Secondary School, directly aligns with this year’s UN Women theme combating digital violence against women and girls.

    The striking orange mural serves as both artistic statement and practical resource, featuring six bilingual messages that address various dimensions of gender-based violence. These messages highlight non-physical abuse patterns, confront human trafficking realities, warn about online predators, advocate for victim support, and provide essential contact information for assistance services. This project extends the club’s previous efforts, including the installation of awareness benches addressing human trafficking in July.

    The launch event garnered significant governmental support, with Minister of People Social Development and Family Services Vandana Mohit declaring the initiative “a national symbol of resistance against abuse, exploitation and digital violence.” Minister Mohit emphasized national responsibility in breaking digital gender-based violence walls through policy measures, counseling services, grant support, and community interventions.

    Notably, the Soroptimists’ ‘Think Before You Click’ initiative previously received the Delegates Choice Best Practice Award at the Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland Conference. The program, developed in partnership with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), educates secondary school girls about cybercrime protection and gender-based violence prevention.

    Director of The Counter Trafficking Unit Allan Meiguel endorsed the campaign while highlighting the urgent need for a dedicated service office in the vulnerable coastal community of Cedros. This sentiment was reinforced by Energy Minister and local MP Ernesto Kesar, who emphasized that gender-based violence constitutes a societal issue requiring collective condemnation and action.

    The event culminated in a powerful appeal urging legislative action against digital violence, increased investment in women’s organizations, and community commitment to challenging harmful online norms while supporting survivors.