标签： Trinidad and Tobago

In a harrowing incident that unfolded in the early hours of November 4, a family of seven in south Trinidad was violently awakened by a group of masked gunmen posing as police officers. The ordeal took place around 3 am along the SS Erin Road in Phillipine, a community that is also home to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC. The family, which included five children, was jolted awake by shouts of “Police! Police!” outside their residence. Six armed intruders forcefully kicked open the front door and stormed the house. The attackers demanded money from Vijay Ragoonanan, the homeowner and a gardener by profession. When Ragoonanan informed them he had no money, the assailants struck him multiple times in the face with their firearms. At the time of the attack, Ragoonanan was in a bedroom with his wife and two of their children, including a seven-year-old. The gunmen proceeded to tie the hands of all family members with tie straps and bound their feet with duct tape. They then ransacked the house, making off with an undisclosed amount of cash, cellphones, and other valuables before fleeing the scene. Police from the Southern Division swiftly responded to the incident but were unable to locate the suspects. Investigations into the brazen home invasion are currently ongoing.

The National Drama Association of TT (NDATT) has officially announced its upcoming Biennial General Meeting (BGM), scheduled for November 22 at 10 am in the Helen May Johnstone Room, Queen’s Hall. This pivotal event will allow members to review the progress of the current executive committee and elect a new leadership team for the next two years. Key positions up for election include president, vice president, secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, public relations officer, education officer, and resource development officer.

In a move to ensure a fair and transparent election process, NDATT has introduced a new Expression of Interest (EOI) system. This initiative, spearheaded by trustees Peter Craig and Triston Wallace, aims to provide members with ample time and information to evaluate potential candidates before formal nominations and voting. Wallace emphasized that leadership within NDATT is rooted in service, humility, and collaboration, urging all members to actively participate in this critical moment for the association.

The EOI period is now open and will close on November 12, ten days before the BGM. All submissions will be reviewed exclusively by the trustees to maintain transparency. A catalog of interested candidates will be shared with members and the public at least seven days prior to the meeting. Nominees must be present at the BGM to accept their nominations, and if no EOI is received for a particular position, nominations will be accepted on the day of the meeting.

Only members with up-to-date financial status for 2025/2026 are eligible to nominate, be nominated, vote, or serve on the executive committee. NDATT encourages all members to ensure their memberships are current ahead of the BGM. For further details, members can contact NDATT via email at nationaldramatnt@gmail.com, call 798-6676, or visit their social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram, and X @iamndatt.

Commissioner of Police (CoP) Allister Guevarro has expressed strong support for the ongoing detention of 98 individuals under preventative detention orders (PDOs) during Trinidad and Tobago’s State of Emergency (SoE). The SoE, declared on July 18 and extended twice, has led to a notable decline in crime rates, with homicides dropping by 42%, violent crimes by 19%, and other serious offenses by 11%. Guevarro emphasized that the detainees, including a police officer and a prison officer, will remain in custody as long as the SoE persists, though he acknowledged their eventual release is inevitable. The CoP highlighted the effectiveness of the SoE in curbing crime but clarified that PDOs are preventive measures, not indictments of criminal activity. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar assured that detainees retain access to justice, including the right to appeal to a tribunal or court. Deputy Commissioner of Police Suzette Martin reported over 2,000 charges filed since the SoE began, underscoring the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies. Guevarro urged public cooperation, warning that silence perpetuates crime, and emphasized the need for sustained vigilance to maintain the progress achieved.

The Ministry of People and Social Development in Trinidad and Tobago has clarified that it currently has no active financial relationship with the Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society (TTRCS). This decision stems from the TTRCS’s failure to meet compliance requirements, particularly the timely submission of audited financial statements. In a media release dated November 4, the ministry acknowledged that the TTRCS is in the process of updating its records and has recently submitted audited statements for the years 2019 to 2022. The ministry’s statement was issued in response to recent media reports concerning the TTRCS’s financial challenges. The ministry emphasized that once full compliance is achieved, it will assess the organization using established monitoring and evaluation procedures to determine future funding considerations. Both entities remain committed to their shared mission of supporting the most vulnerable members of society, a commitment reaffirmed during meetings earlier this year. On November 1, newly elected TTRCS vice president Edward Moodie revealed that the organization currently has no funds during the reopening of the Red Cross South Branch on Ruth Avenue, San Fernando. Moodie stated that the TTRCS is owed over a million dollars and may need to explore legal options to recover these funds. He also highlighted operational issues, including a breakdown in ambulance services and the need to renegotiate several contracts, particularly the Tobago contract, which he deemed financially unsustainable. The ministry’s stance echoes a June 4 media release, which addressed governance and management issues within the TTRCS. At that time, the ministry described the TTRCS as a key civil society actor but noted the absence of a financial relationship due to compliance issues. Both agencies remain committed to serving the most vulnerable in society, and the ministry anticipates that the TTRCS will continue to uphold principles of good governance, accountability, fairness, equity, and equality.