标签： Trinidad and Tobago

The Fathers Association of Trinidad and Tobago (TFATT) has sparked a contentious debate by proposing mandatory paternity tests before the issuance of child maintenance orders. This call comes in the wake of a survey conducted by a judiciary-approved laboratory, which revealed that 33% of 440 paternity tests conducted between 2020 and 2025 indicated a different biological father than assumed. TFATT President Rhondall Feeles emphasized the potential prevalence of such cases, questioning the societal impact of this statistic. Between 2016 and 2021, the Family Court received 6,838 child maintenance applications, with 1,766 filings in the 2022/2023 term alone. Early identification of non-paternity cases could alleviate the court’s workload. However, critics argue that the survey’s findings may not be representative, as individuals with existing doubts are more likely to seek testing. The proposal raises concerns about the child’s best interests, with experts cautioning against imposing tests in uncontested cases. Behavioral therapist Wendell De Leon highlighted the emotional toll on men who discover, after years of parenting, that they are not the biological father. While TFATT’s suggestion of criminalizing ‘paternity fraud’ aims to deter deceit, it faces criticism for being overly punitive. Legal experts stress that DNA testing should remain discretionary, allowing courts to consider the emotional and social bonds between a child and their guardian, regardless of biological ties.

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has introduced a groundbreaking digital Firearm User’s Licence (FUL) application system, marking a significant leap in modernizing its services. Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro announced the initiative during a media briefing at the Police Administration Building in Port of Spain on November 4. The system, currently in its testing phase with 1,000 applicants, aims to streamline the firearm licensing process, making it more efficient and accessible to the public. Guevarro emphasized that the testing phase will allow the TTPS to refine the system before its full rollout, ensuring a seamless experience for both law enforcement and citizens.

In addition to the digital FUL system, the TTPS is intensifying efforts to ensure public safety during the upcoming festive season. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Suzette Martin, who is spearheading the operations, outlined a comprehensive strategy to tackle crime and maintain order during Christmas and Carnival 2026. Martin highlighted the heightened risks associated with large crowds and public gatherings, stressing the importance of a coordinated, intelligence-driven approach. The strategy is built on three pillars: high visibility policing, intelligence-led operations, and strong community partnerships.

To bolster security, the TTPS will increase foot and mobile patrols in key areas, including commercial districts, entertainment zones, transportation hubs, and residential neighborhoods. Tactical units, highway patrols, and divisional teams will collaborate on joint exercises focused on crime prevention, traffic management, and overall public safety. Real-time monitoring and crime pattern analysis will also play a crucial role in enabling swift responses and dynamic deployment adjustments.

Martin revealed that the TTPS has partnered with the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, municipal police, and other national security agencies to ensure comprehensive coverage across the country. Planning for Carnival 2026 is already underway, with the TTPS working closely with the National Carnival Commission (NCC), event organizers, and bandleaders to ensure the safety of attendees and the smooth execution of events.

While the TTPS is fully mobilized to ensure public safety, Martin urged citizens to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to prevent crime. She advised safeguarding personal belongings, avoiding large cash transactions, and cooperating with law enforcement officers. Business owners and event promoters were also encouraged to collaborate with local police stations to assist with crowd control and traffic management. Martin reassured the public that the TTPS is committed to making the festive season and Carnival 2026 peaceful and safe for everyone.

The Embassy of Mexico in Trinidad and Tobago transformed into a lively hub of culture and tradition on November 1, 2025, as it hosted the annual Day of the Dead celebration at its Hayes Street headquarters in St Clair. The event, rich in symbolism and heritage, featured marigold flowers, candles, and skulls, turning the memory of the departed into a joyous celebration of life and culture. Participants dressed as traditional Catrinas and Catrins added to the festive atmosphere, while dancer Nalini Akal, director of the N9 Dance Company, captivated the audience with a performance inspired by the spiritual essence of the occasion. The Day of the Dead, rooted in pre-Hispanic civilizations like the Mexica, Maya, and Purépecha, merged with Catholic traditions during the Spanish colonization, evolving into a unique cultural expression celebrated on November 1 and 2. Ambassador Víctor Hugo Morales emphasized the event’s significance as a symbol of identity, memory, and hope, dedicating the main altar to flood victims in Mexico and extending solidarity to neighboring Caribbean nations affected by natural disasters. The altar also honored cultural icons like poet Guadalupe ‘Pita’ Amor and wrestler Blue Demon. The celebration included a Calaveritas literary competition, a Mexican wrestling exhibition, and traditional dishes such as tacos de canasta and pan de muerto. Special guests included Senator Darrell Allahar and ambassadors from various countries, making the event a testament to the enduring vibrancy of Mexican culture, even far from home.

In a reflective commentary, Imran S Khan, a seasoned attorney with over 27 years of litigation experience in Trinidad and Tobago, offers a profound analysis of the qualities essential for an effective judicial officer. Khan, who has witnessed the evolution of the legal system amidst societal changes, emphasizes that a judge must embody the highest standards of integrity, humility, and practical legal expertise. He argues that a judge is not merely a role but a sacred duty to uphold justice without bias, impacting lives profoundly with every decision. Khan highlights the necessity for judges to possess real-life legal experience and a deep understanding of societal complexities. He commends Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh for exemplifying these traits, noting his dignified and efficient approach to advancing justice. Khan extends his heartfelt congratulations to Boodoosingh on his appointment, expressing hope that his leadership will benefit the nation. The commentary concludes with the Latin maxim ‘Fiat justitia ruat caelum,’ underscoring the paramount importance of justice.

In a recent letter to the editor published in Newsday, Kevin Baldeosingh critiques arts activist Dara E Healy’s column, ‘Time to meddle in fowl party,’ which praised writers and activists who supported Maurice Bishop’s New Jewel Movement (NJM) in Grenada. Healy highlighted figures like Merle Hodge, George Lamming, Nancy Morejon, Earl Lovelace, and Eintou Springer for their advocacy of Bishop’s vision of a people-centred ideology. However, Baldeosingh counters this narrative by pointing out the NJM’s authoritarian practices post the 1979 coup, including the suspension of Grenada’s constitution, suppression of media, and imprisonment without trial—actions he argues were never condemned by the intellectuals Healy lauded. Baldeosingh also scrutinizes Healy’s reference to calypsonian Atilla’s protest song ‘No Nationality,’ which criticized land leasing agreements between the British and Americans during World War Two. Notably, Healy omitted Atilla’s full sobriquet, ‘Atilla the Hun,’ a historical figure known for his invasions and destabilization of Roman frontiers. Baldeosingh’s critique underscores the need for a more critical evaluation of intellectual arguments regarding US influence in the Caribbean, questioning the validity of their historical and political perspectives.

After nearly two decades in legal limbo, Trevor Huggins, a resident of Point Fortin, has been acquitted of the 2007 murder of his stepfather, Brian O’Shaughnessy. The verdict was delivered by a jury at the High Court in Port of Spain on November 3, marking the end of a prolonged and emotionally charged case. Huggins had been accused of fatally stabbing O’Shaughnessy at their family home in January 2007. During the trial, which commenced on October 1 before Justice Maria Busby Earle-Caddle, jurors heard compelling testimony from Huggins’ sister, who recounted discovering her stepfather bleeding from the neck after hearing his cries from the kitchen. She described her brother as mentally unstable and recalled witnessing him flee the scene. When apprehended by authorities, Huggins reportedly claimed, ‘God told me to do it.’ A knife was later found near the victim’s body. A post-mortem examination confirmed that O’Shaughnessy died from stab wounds to the neck and chest. Further complicating the case, a psychiatrist testified that Huggins had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was experiencing a relapse at the time of the incident. Justice Busby Earle-Caddle instructed the jury to consider a manslaughter verdict if they believed Huggins acted under the influence of his mental disorder. However, the jury ultimately found him not guilty of both murder and manslaughter. Huggins was represented by attorneys Michelle Ali and Shuzvon Ramdass from the Public Defenders’ Department, while the prosecution was led by Veonna Neale-Monroe and Shanelle Kissoon from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.