标签： Trinidad and Tobago

Customers of Trinbago Express, a shipping courier company, staged protests outside the Ministry of Trade, Investment, and Tourism in Port of Spain on November 12, urging Trade Minister Satyakama Maharaj to intervene in resolving their cargo delays. The shipments, which have been held at the Port of Port of Spain for several months, include personal items, business goods, and gifts. Demonstrations also took place in Tobago and at the New York Attorney General’s Office, with protesters chanting, ‘No cargo, no peace.’

Umar Abdullah, leader of the First Wave Movement, emphasized the anguish felt by customers both locally and in the diaspora. He called on the Ministry of Trade to act decisively, stating, ‘The Ministry cannot claim ignorance or impotence. It has the power to investigate, the authority to intervene, and the duty to act.’

Among the protesters was dual citizen Claude Beerom, who returned to Trinidad from the US with essential items, including medication. Beerom expressed frustration over the delay, noting that Trinbago Express Shipping Inc collected his items in June but has yet to deliver them. He highlighted the challenges faced by returning residents, particularly those with specific dietary and medical needs.

Trinbago Express T&T Ltd, the local arm of the company, has severed ties with its US counterpart and closed its Port of Spain office. Managing Director Lidmer Murray explained that the local company operates independently and has no control over the US operations. He cited the inability to access containers due to unpaid shipping fees as the primary reason for the closure. Murray urged Trinbago Express Shipping Inc to fulfill its financial obligations to customers.

Efforts by Newsday to contact Trade Minister Maharaj and Parliamentary Secretary Dr. Colin Neil Gosine for comment were unsuccessful.

In a move that has sent shockwaves through Trinidad and Tobago’s entertainment sector, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has imposed a ban on all fetes and Carnival-related events at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA) and other Udecott-controlled facilities. The decision, announced on November 12, has been met with fierce criticism from the TT Promoters Association (TTPA), which labeled the move as “destructive, short-sighted, and a death knell for the entertainment industry.” The TTPA has called for an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister to reconsider the ban, but Persad-Bissessar has firmly stated that the decision is final and irreversible. The ban, which took immediate effect, has left many promoters scrambling to find alternative venues just three months before Carnival. The BLCA, located on the outskirts of San Fernando, has long been a hub for major Carnival events, including Stink and Dutty, Xperience, and Naps Fete. While the Prime Minister cited noise pollution and its impact on nearby residents as the primary reason for the ban, the TTPA argued that the decision was made without proper consultation and could devastate the local economy. The association highlighted that Carnival events employ over 100,000 people across various sectors, including artists, musicians, and security personnel. Minister of Culture and Community Development Michelle Benjamin defended the decision, emphasizing the need to balance cultural celebrations with community well-being. Meanwhile, San Fernando mayor Robert Parris sees the ban as an opportunity to revitalize the city’s entertainment sector, with Skinner Park poised to become a new focal point for large-scale events.

On November 13, Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services, Vandana Mohit, visited the Sewa TT Clothing Recycle Project 2025 at the Divali Nagar site in Chaguanas. This annual initiative, which focuses on recycling and redistributing clothing, is set to benefit over 6,000 individuals, including 1,100 directly supported by the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services (MPSDFS).

The project, a collaboration between the ministry and Sewa TT, aims to identify NGOs, transitional facilities, and vulnerable clients to ensure the clothing reaches those in need. Minister Mohit praised Sewa TT for its dedication to social responsibility and volunteerism, emphasizing how the initiative promotes sustainability while restoring dignity and comfort to the less fortunate.

In a press release, the ministry highlighted the significance of such partnerships, stating, ‘This project reflects the power of collaboration and compassion. It is a shining example of how partnerships between government and civil society can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.’ The release also underscored the ministry’s broader mission to strengthen ties with NGOs and community organizations, fostering a more inclusive and caring society.

Accompanied by Cindy Heeralal, NGO unit coordinator at MPSDFS, and Sewa TT president Revan Teelucksingh, Minister Mohit toured the project site, witnessing firsthand the preparation and distribution of clothing. The event showcased the collective efforts of volunteers and officials, reinforcing the importance of community-driven initiatives in addressing social challenges.

In the midst of escalating tensions between the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela, Archbishop Jason Charles Gordon has called for the nation to prioritize faith over fear, which has been amplified by social media. Speaking during a Mass on November 9 to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain and the 174th anniversary of the dedication of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Gordon drew parallels between the challenges faced by the late Archbishop Anthony Pantin and the current geopolitical unrest. He emphasized that while the nation faces international conflict rather than internal political strife, faith in God remains the cornerstone of hope. Gordon’s remarks coincide with Venezuela’s large-scale military readiness exercise involving 200,000 soldiers, which coincided with the arrival of the USS Gerald R Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, in the Caribbean. Since September, the US has conducted military operations in the southern Caribbean Sea, targeting narco-terrorists with 17 strikes resulting in approximately 70 deaths. US President Trump has also declared that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s days are numbered, a stance supported by Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Archbishop Gordon urged the faithful to place their trust in God rather than being swayed by social media. He reflected on the Catholic Church’s 175-year history of enduring trials, including political upheaval, social unrest, and now potential military conflict. Gordon concluded with a call to focus on God, emphasizing that faith and hope lie in divine hands. The Mass ended with prayers for the government and a plea for peace in the Caribbean through dialogue and collaboration.