In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions, Venezuela has issued a scathing statement condemning the joint military exercise between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago (TT) as a ‘hostile provocation’ and a ‘serious threat to Caribbean peace.’ The statement, released on October 26, came hours after the US naval warship USS Gravely docked at Port of Spain, sparking accusations of military aggression from Caracas. Venezuela claims the exercise, scheduled from October 26 to 30, is part of a broader US strategy to ignite conflict in the region. The Venezuelan government also alleged that the US is planning a ‘false flag attack’ to justify military intervention, drawing parallels to historical incidents like the Battleship Maine explosion in 1898 and the Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964. Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez accused the US of using disinformation and manipulation to pave the way for war, while also criticizing TT Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for allegedly surrendering TT’s sovereignty to US interests. The statement further referenced recent US military actions in the Caribbean, including the alleged killing of 49 drug traffickers and the deaths of TT citizens Chad Joseph and Rishi Samaroo in a missile strike. Despite Venezuela’s vehement opposition, TT’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs defended the USS Gravely’s visit, emphasizing its focus on combating transnational crime and enhancing regional security. Foreign Affairs Minister Sean Sobers welcomed the warship’s presence, highlighting the long-standing partnership between TT and the US. Meanwhile, opposition leader Dr. Amery Browne criticized the government for escalating tensions with Venezuela, calling the situation ‘completely unnecessary’ and urging a return to diplomatic prudence.
标签： Trinidad and Tobago
特立尼达和多巴哥
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Prime Minister announces SoE extension on TV show
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago has revealed plans to extend the ongoing state of emergency (SoE), citing recommendations from the Commissioner of Police. The announcement was made during an interview on the prime-time TV programme Crime Watch, hosted by Ian Alleyne, on October 27. The current SoE, initially declared on July 18 and extended on July 28, is set to expire on October 28. A motion to prolong the SoE has been tabled in Parliament for debate on October 31, requiring a three-fifths majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate for approval. The SoE was originally implemented in response to the alleged emergence of a dangerous criminal network targeting senior government officials and national institutions. Under the SoE, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and Defence Force have been granted enhanced powers, including the authority to arrest suspects, conduct searches, and detain individuals without bail. Additionally, several high-security prisoners have been relocated to military bases. The Prime Minister has not specified the duration of the proposed extension, but constitutional provisions limit further extensions to three-month increments, necessitating support from independent senators for a three-fifths majority.
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Foreign Minister, students disagree on Jamaica evacuation
As Hurricane Melissa approached Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers addressed concerns about the safety of TT nationals studying on the island. Speaking at a press conference on October 26, Sobers detailed the government’s efforts to assist students, though many students claimed the reality on the ground differed significantly from the minister’s assurances. The US National Hurricane Center began monitoring the storm on October 21, warning of potential impacts on Jamaica by October 23. Sobers stated that the ministry acted swiftly after receiving emails from concerned students and parents on October 22. A ‘blast email’ was sent to all 268 students in Jamaica on October 23, offering them the option to return home. However, only 72 students accepted the offer, 13 declined, and 183 did not respond. Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) was informed, and additional flights were arranged on October 24 to accommodate students. Despite these efforts, students reported issues with flight availability and increased ticket prices, with some paying over $700 for one-way tickets. Sobers acknowledged that some students might not afford the flights but defended the government’s decision not to fund the trips, citing the low response rate. He also announced plans for a free flight after the storm. Meanwhile, students criticized the lack of timely communication, with many claiming they were notified too late to book flights. The government provided supplies to students who remained in Jamaica, though social media posts suggested the provisions were insufficient. Sobers condemned the opposition for spreading misinformation and reaffirmed TT’s commitment to assisting Jamaica during the crisis.
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Angostura reports over $100m in profit
Angostura Holdings Ltd has unveiled impressive financial results for the nine-month period ending September 30, 2025, showcasing robust growth across key metrics. The company reported $757 million in revenue and a $145 million profit before tax, with profit after tax climbing 10 per cent to $104 million. Total assets expanded by six per cent year-over-year to $1.9 billion, supported by a low debt ratio of 0.16. Earnings per share also rose from $0.46 to $0.51, reflecting the company’s strong performance. The international segment experienced significant growth, with Branded Rum sales surging 182 per cent and Angostura Chill sales increasing by eight per cent. Exports now account for 45 per cent of total group revenue, while domestic growth rose by three per cent, driven by the launch of new ready-to-drink products. Operating activities generated $124 million, up from $113 million, and finance income grew by 42 per cent due to strong returns from US dollar investments. Recently appointed chairman Gary Hunt expressed optimism about sustaining long-term growth and maximizing shareholder value through innovation and operational excellence. The company’s board underwent significant changes in 2025, with six former directors resigning in June and five new members appointed in August. These changes delayed the approval of a final dividend of $0.28 per share, originally scheduled for July 31, 2025. Angostura’s financial momentum continues, having achieved $33 million in profit before tax in the first quarter of 2025 and surpassing $1 billion in revenue for the financial year ended December 31, 2024.
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Kamla: Caricom chose Venezuela over Trinidad and Tobago, not a reliable partner
In a recent appearance on the Crime Watch television show hosted by Ian Alleyne on October 27, Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar expressed her dissatisfaction with Caricom, labeling it as an unreliable partner. She accused the regional organization of siding with Venezuela over its own member state, Trinidad and Tobago. Her remarks came shortly after Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez announced that Venezuela would not collaborate with Trinidad and Tobago on any energy projects. Rodriguez had previously criticized Trinidad and Tobago for what she described as an act of aggression—the docking of the US destroyer USS Gravely at the Port of Spain. The vessel is part of a US anti-narcotics fleet currently stationed in the Southern Caribbean, which some analysts speculate could be aimed at influencing regime change in Venezuela. Persad-Bissessar countered by asserting that Trinidad and Tobago does not depend on Venezuelan gas, highlighting alternative projects in both energy and non-energy sectors. Additionally, she announced that the House of Representatives would convene on October 31 to vote on extending the current state of emergency (SoE), initially declared on July 18 and extended on July 28 for three months. The SoE was prompted by allegations of criminal gangs plotting to overthrow the government. Meanwhile, former Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Amery Browne criticized Persad-Bissessar, accusing her of isolating Trinidad and Tobago from Caricom and rejecting the concept of a zone of peace. Browne emphasized the importance of unity within Caricom, stating, ‘The truth about TT and Caricom is that we are always stronger together.’
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Mottley: US military threatening regional peace
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has strongly criticized recent US military airstrikes in the southern Caribbean, labeling them as a threat to regional peace. Speaking at the Barbados Labour Party’s annual conference on October 25, Mottley emphasized that disputes should be resolved through the United Nations rather than unilateral military actions. Her remarks were later shared by former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley on his Facebook page on October 26. Mottley argued that extra-judicial killings, even of suspected criminals, violate the rule of law and undermine regional stability. She urged the US to share intelligence with Caribbean nations if there is an immediate threat, stressing that dialogue and negotiation are essential to prevent conflicts. Mottley’s comments came shortly after an Al Jazeera report where Trinidad and Tobago’s Defence Minister Wayne Sturge defended the US actions, stating that the US has the prerogative to interpret and act against perceived terrorist threats in international waters. Mottley countered that almost all wars in history have been resolved through dialogue, advocating for preemptive discussions to avoid violence.
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West Indies grab 1-0 T20 series lead against Bangladesh
The West Indies cricket team secured a commanding 1-0 lead in their three-match T20 series against Bangladesh with a hard-fought 16-run victory in the opening game on October 27 in Chattogram. Opting to bat first, the West Indies openers, Alick Athanaze and Brandon King, laid a solid foundation with a 59-run partnership. However, their progress was cautious, with boundaries proving elusive. Athanaze departed for 34 off 27 balls, followed by King for 33 off 36 deliveries, leaving the team at 82/3 by the 13th over. Captain Shai Hope and former skipper Rovman Powell then took charge, accelerating the innings with a flurry of boundaries. Their unbeaten partnership of 83 runs propelled the West Indies to a competitive total of 165/3 in their allotted 20 overs. Hope finished with 46 not out, while Powell remained unbeaten on 44. Taskin Ahmed was the standout bowler for Bangladesh, claiming 2/36. In reply, Bangladesh started aggressively but lost early wickets, including Tanzid Hasan and captain Litton Das. Despite a valiant effort from Tanzim Hasan Sakib, who scored 33 off 27 balls, Bangladesh faltered, bowled out for 149 in 19.4 overs. The West Indies’ bowling attack, led by Jason Holder (3/31) and Jayden Seales (3/32), proved decisive. Akeal Hosein also contributed with 2/22. The second match of the series is scheduled for October 29.
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‘Warship not just here for training’ – public worried about possible Gravely fallout
The US naval vessel USS Gravely arrived at the Port of Spain on October 26, drawing curious onlookers to the waterfront. The warship, escorted by tugboats and Coast Guard vessels, docked at approximately 9:30 am as part of a joint training exercise with the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force. The exercise, scheduled to conclude on October 30, involves approximately 60 members of the TT Defence Force, including infantry officers, medics, engineers, and Special Forces troops, alongside members of the 22nd US Marine Expeditionary Unit.
Security was heightened at the port, with marked and unmarked police vehicles and officers in both uniform and plain clothes patrolling the area. While onlookers at ground level struggled to view the vessel due to obstructing fences and a moored tug, guests at the Hyatt hotel enjoyed an unobstructed vantage point.
The arrival of the USS Gravely comes amid escalating tensions between the US and Venezuela. The US has recently claimed to have destroyed 11 vessels in regional waters, killing 49 alleged drug traffickers. President Donald Trump has labeled regional drug traffickers as ‘narco terrorists’ and approved covert military operations in Venezuela, with considerations for targeting land-based drug trafficking hubs.
TT Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has welcomed the US Navy’s presence, praising their efforts against drug traffickers and asserting that the region is ‘not a zone of peace.’ However, some citizens expressed concerns over the potential fallout if the US and Venezuela engage in conflict. One onlooker warned that TT’s alignment with the US could make the country a target for Venezuela, emphasizing the need for transparency from the government.
Despite differing opinions on the warship’s presence, all onlookers shared a common sentiment: they have no plans to leave Trinidad and Tobago, regardless of the potential consequences. ‘This is my country,’ one man stated, ‘Why should I leave?’
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What are prisons for?
The purpose and efficacy of prisons in Trinidad and Tobago have come under intense scrutiny, particularly in light of the country’s chronic delays in the justice system. Debbie Jacob, a long-time advocate and educator within the prison system, has highlighted these issues, drawing parallels to the systemic racial injustices in the United States as described in Michelle Alexander’s seminal work, *The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness*. Alexander’s book, which has influenced legal education and advocacy in the U.S., argues that prisons serve as a modern form of racialized social control—a perspective that resonates with Jacob’s observations in Trinidad and Tobago.
Jacob began teaching at the Youth Training Centre (YTC) in 2010, where she encountered young men aged 24-26 still awaiting trial in a facility designed for 16-18-year-olds. The delays in the justice system have only worsened, with many individuals losing over a decade of their lives waiting for their day in court. This prolonged uncertainty often forces the accused to plead guilty, undermining the very essence of justice. In 2010, 67% of the prison population was on remand, a figure Jacob fears has since increased, placing a significant financial burden on taxpayers for housing, feeding, and transporting these individuals.
Despite some progress, such as the introduction of electronic filing and virtual courtrooms under former Chief Justice Ivor Archie, systemic delays remain a defining feature of the judiciary. Jacob questions the integrity of investigations and the ease with which individuals are incarcerated, often without solid evidence. Her concerns are compounded by the low murder detection rate and the police’s decision to create their own prison system, further eroding public trust.
Jacob’s work underscores a pressing need for reform. She challenges the judiciary to address these delays and ensure that prisons serve their intended purpose—rehabilitation and justice—rather than perpetuating a cycle of injustice and inefficiency.
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NLCL Nation’s Cup to kick-off Xmas holidays
Trinidad and Tobago’s premier youth football academies and clubs are preparing to showcase their talent against Caribbean rivals at the NLCL Nation’s Cup – International Holiday Fun Festival. Scheduled to take place from December 19 to 21 at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella, this event promises to be a thrilling showcase of young footballing talent. The tournament will feature competitions in four age categories: Under 9, Under 11, Under 13, and Under 15, with participants vying for cash prizes, trophies, and medals. Organized by the Next Level Foundation, the event builds on the success of previous NLCL Community Cup tournaments. Bermudez Biscuit Company’s Dixiee returns as an official sponsor, alongside key supporters such as Next Level Consulting Ltd, Agostini Ltd, Point Lisas Nitrogen Ltd, and First Citizens. Notable youth clubs like City FC, Cox Coaching School, Creek Sports & Cultural Club, Dunstan Williams Soccer Academy, and Union Hall United have already confirmed their participation. Beyond the matches, attendees can enjoy live performances, DJs, a Family Fun Zone, and complimentary samples from vendors. Brian K Jordan, foundation chairman, emphasized the event’s focus on community engagement and youth development. Germaine Jordan, tournament chairperson, encouraged additional sponsors and teams to join, highlighting the importance of investing in young footballers. For further details, interested parties can visit NLCL Community Cup’s social media pages or contact the organizers directly.