标签： Trinidad and Tobago

In the wake of a controversial US missile strike targeting a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in international waters, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Homeland Security, Roger Alexander, has called on the families of two Trinidadian nationals allegedly killed in the incident to file missing-persons reports immediately. The strike, which occurred on October 14, resulted in the deaths of six individuals, including a Las Cuevas man and another Trinidadian referred to as ‘Samaroo.’ This marks the fifth such operation by the US in its ongoing campaign against narco-trafficking in the southern Caribbean, which has claimed over 20 lives. Despite the severity of the actions, no concrete evidence of illegal drugs aboard the vessels has been publicly disclosed. US President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth have defended the strikes, asserting the reliability of their intelligence. During an interview with i95.5FM on October 17, Alexander revealed that his ministry had not received official information about the incident and was relying solely on media reports. He emphasized the importance of families reporting their missing relatives to the police to initiate an investigation. ‘That is the first thing they should have done,’ Alexander stated. ‘Tell the police that their family member was in a specific location and has not been in contact. As it stands, there is nothing to work with—absolutely nothing.’ Alexander also questioned the nature of the ‘runs’ the men were reportedly making to Venezuela, expressing confusion over the media’s lack of inquiry into the specifics. He urged those with knowledge of the individuals’ activities to come forward and assist in the investigation. Additionally, Alexander referenced a 2018 incident involving one of the alleged victims, noting his familiarity with the individual’s past behavior and actions.

In a recent development that has raised significant concerns about governance and accountability, the audited financial statements of Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) for the year 2016 were tabled in the House of Representatives—nine years after their due date. This delay, highlighted in a letter to the editor by Motilal Ramsingh, underscores a broader issue of systemic negligence within public sector institutions.

The financial documents were referred to the Public Accounts (Enterprises) Committee, chaired by Senator Vishnu Dhanpaul, with MP Colm Imbert serving as vice-chair. Notably, both individuals have previously held the position of Minister of Finance and are well-versed in financial stewardship. Dhanpaul, who also served as a permanent secretary and a member of CAL’s board, is no stranger to the intricacies of corporate governance.

The nearly decade-long delay in presenting these accounts is not an isolated incident but rather indicative of a pervasive culture of weak accountability and a blatant disregard for statutory reporting obligations. Such lapses erode public confidence, impede effective parliamentary oversight, and undermine the credibility of financial governance across the public sector.

The situation is further exacerbated by the recent change in CAL’s board and the departure of key executives, which has laid bare the farcical nature of accountability within the organization. This episode serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic reforms to restore public trust in institutions.

As Ramsingh aptly notes, this incident should not be met with wry amusement among those once responsible for oversight but should instead prompt serious reflection and corrective action. The restoration of public trust in governance mechanisms is imperative to ensure transparency and accountability in the future.

Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has accused the United States of causing collateral damage in its aggressive campaign against drug trafficking, claiming that US bombs intended for Venezuelans have tragically impacted innocent citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. In a Telegram post on October 16, Rodríguez described the killing of six individuals—reportedly including two Trinidadians—on a suspected drug vessel from Venezuela on October 14 as a “self-fulfilling prophecy.” She criticized Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for endorsing US military actions, quoting her earlier statement: “The US Army should kill them all.” Rodríguez highlighted newspaper headlines from Trinidad and Tobago, emphasizing that the US military’s actions have resulted in the extrajudicial deaths of “humble citizens” of the country. The US has conducted missile strikes on four suspected drug boats departing Venezuela, resulting in over 20 fatalities. Two unidentified bodies washed ashore in Trinidad and Tobago following the first strike. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has accused the US of using the drug war as a pretext for regime change. Rodríguez warned that the US military deployment in the southern Caribbean, which includes seven warships, a nuclear submarine, and nearly 5,000 personnel, threatens regional peace. She called for unity among Caribbean and Latin American nations to safeguard peace.