A Coast Guard officer, who had been embroiled in a protracted legal battle over the delay in processing his firearm user’s licence (FUL), has finally received his provisional licence. The officer, whose identity remains undisclosed due to security concerns, was granted leave by Justice Karen Reid to pursue a judicial review against the Commissioner of Police (CoP), Allister Guevarro. The officer alleged that the CoP had failed to fulfil a statutory duty by not processing firearm licence applications for eligible, law-abiding citizens. The officer had initially applied for the FUL in 2015, with a police investigation completed in 2016. Despite providing all necessary documentation and being informed that the investigating officer raised no objections, the application remained unresolved for nearly a decade. The officer’s legal team, led by attorney Keron Ramkhalwhan, argued that the CoP’s inaction compromised public safety and infringed on citizens’ right to self-defence. The officer criticised the CoP’s restrictive interpretation of the Firearms Act and the failure to allocate resources to expedite applications. On October 29, the officer collected his provisional licence, and the TT Police Service’s legal unit confirmed the decision on November 17. Consequently, a hearing scheduled for November 18 is expected to be vacated. The officer emphasised that the decade-long delay was unreasonable and highlighted the escalating criminal activity as a grave public concern.
标签： Trinidad and Tobago
特立尼达和多巴哥
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Fun, food and fishing at Castara open day
The Castara Fisherfolk Association marked World Food Day with a vibrant Open Day and Bonfire event at the Castara Fishing Facility on November 13. The celebration showcased the rich cultural heritage and communal spirit of the fishing community in Tobago. Attendees enjoyed a variety of activities, including boat races, fishing competitions, children’s games, and traditional seine pulling. A highlight of the event was the preparation of a large pot of fish broth, symbolizing the communal sharing of food and resources. Clifton ‘Rackerman’ Alleyne demonstrated the art of seine repair, while Matika Alfred was awarded for catching the largest fish of the day. The festivities also featured a lime and spoon race for pre-schoolers and a conch shell blowing session, with Eldon Williams and British national Chris Runciman participating. The event, captured by Newsday photographer Alva Viarruel, underscored the importance of preserving local traditions and fostering community bonds.
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Dove’s workshop uplifts the youths
Hundreds of secondary school students from 14 institutions across Trinidad recently took part in a transformative week-long initiative under Dove’s Self-Esteem Project. The program, which ran from October 13 to 17, featured the brand’s signature Confident Me motivational workshops, aimed at fostering self-worth and resilience among young people. Organized in collaboration with Unilever Caribbean Limited, the workshops were designed to address the growing issue of low body confidence, which research shows can adversely affect friendships, health, and academic performance.
The sessions, grounded in scientific research from the Centre for Appearance Research, emphasized interactive activities, group discussions, and personal reflections. Students were encouraged to identify their strengths and embrace their individuality, moving beyond societal beauty standards. Wellness experts and mental health advocates Simone Da Costa and Chelsea Cree, alongside Unilever Caribbean staff, played pivotal roles in facilitating these meaningful conversations.
Alanna Ramjattan, Marketing Manager at Unilever Caribbean Ltd, addressed the students with a powerful message: “You are enough, just as you are. In a world dominated by filters and unrealistic ideals, it’s easy to forget your true worth. Your value lies in who you are, your talents, and the positive impact you make.” Ginelle Lambie, Managing Director at Unilever Caribbean Limited, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that Dove’s mission is to remind young people that beauty is diverse and that authenticity is their greatest strength.
The initiative, which included schools such as North Eastern College, Holy Faith Convent, and Naparima Girls’ High School, is set to become a long-term program across Trinidad and Tobago. Dove remains committed to empowering the next generation, equipping them with the tools to navigate societal pressures and build lasting confidence.
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Family Reading Circle Rolls comes to Port of Spain
The Bocas Lit Fest, in collaboration with Let’s Read, is set to host its renowned Family Reading Circle at the St Joseph Old Road Community Centre in Port of Spain on November 22. This interactive session, scheduled from 10 am to 12 pm, aims to inspire a love for reading among children aged seven and under, while providing parents and caregivers with a supportive environment to nurture early literacy skills. Featured author Mary Cuffy, celebrated for her Ladybug series and contributions to early childhood education, will lead the event by reading from her beloved works, including ‘Lola and the Dancing Ladybugs’ and ‘Lola and the Magic Sticks.’ Cuffy, a lecturer at the UWI Open Campus, specializes in literacy and music in early childhood development. The Family Reading Circle is part of Bocas Lit Fest’s ongoing commitment to fostering young readers and writers through community outreach and engaging activities. Over the past two and a half years, the festival has partnered with Let’s Read TT to host numerous reading circles, supported by a vast library of children’s books. These initiatives aim to cultivate lifelong reading habits, empathy, and imagination in children while strengthening family bonds through shared literary experiences. For more information, contact melvina@bocaslitfest.com.
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Rowley: Safety, power supply, energy security at risk
Former Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley has issued a stark warning about Trinidad and Tobago’s precarious position on the global stage, citing economic and security vulnerabilities stemming from what he termed reckless governance and poorly informed decisions. Speaking via Facebook Live on November 17, Rowley criticized Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s recent dismissal of Venezuela’s gas supply as a “throwaway comment” with severe implications for the nation’s energy security. Persad-Bissessar’s remarks came in response to Venezuela’s proposal to suspend gas agreements with Trinidad and Tobago on October 27. Rowley emphasized the country’s heavy reliance on natural gas, which powers homes, industries, and factories, and warned of a looming crisis if reserves are mismanaged. He highlighted a decline in gas production and consumption, with daily usage dropping from 4.3 billion cubic feet to 2.6 billion cubic feet, and possibly lower. Rowley stressed the need for additional gas reserves to sustain current levels, lamenting the disruption of efforts to secure future energy supplies through the La Brea-Manatee and Venezuelan-owned Dragon fields. Turning to foreign affairs, Rowley recalled the geopolitical challenges of 2015, when sanctions against Venezuela coincided with Trinidad and Tobago’s energy vulnerabilities. He underscored the importance of safeguarding national interests while maintaining neutrality, citing Caricom’s role in defending regional sovereignty. Rowley accused the current government of recklessness, inaction, and indifference to international law, particularly in its handling of US military operations in the region. He expressed concern over domestic security issues, including extrajudicial killings by police and inconsistent advisories for fishermen. Rowley also questioned the government’s alignment with US military objectives, warning that such actions could undermine decades of foreign policy and expose the nation to significant risk. He called for transparency and accountability, urging the government to clarify measures in place to protect the country in the event of conflict. Rowley concluded with a plea for careful and informed foreign policy, emphasizing the need for leadership and transparency to safeguard Trinidad and Tobago’s sovereignty and future.
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Battle to save nation needs a joint effort
The recent prison riots in Ecuador, which resulted in the deaths of 31 inmates, have drawn attention to the escalating issues of drug trafficking and gang violence in the region. The riots, involving notorious gangs Los Cheneros and Los Lobos, were marked by the discovery of firearms, knives, and explosives within the prison walls. Ecuador, situated between Peru and Colombia—both major drug-producing nations—has become a focal point in the global fight against narcotics. President Daniel Noboa, 37, has strengthened ties with the United States, notably with former President Donald Trump, and has plans to re-establish a US military base in Manta, a move that underscores the strategic importance of the region. The situation in Ecuador bears striking similarities to Trinidad and Tobago (TT), where drug exportation, gang turf wars, and political alliances with the US on drug interdiction are prevalent. TT’s prison system is also plagued by gang activity, with inmates reportedly using sophisticated cell phones to coordinate external operations. Hayden Forde, the newly appointed head of prisons, faces scrutiny over the allowance of internet connections in jails. The Prime Minister of TT remains steadfast in her commitment to curbing drug flow, emphasizing her partnership with the US. The crisis calls for a unified approach involving the homeland security minister, the police commissioner, and the acting prisons commissioner to safeguard the nation’s future.
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Trump open to talks with Venezuela’s Maduro
In a surprising development, US President Donald Trump hinted at possible discussions with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, despite the ongoing tensions between the two nations. Speaking to reporters on November 16, Trump stated, ‘Let’s see how that turns out. They would like to talk.’ This announcement came shortly after the US Department of State declared its intention to designate the Cartel de los Soles, allegedly led by Maduro and other high-ranking officials, as a terrorist organization. The US has also placed a $50 million bounty on Maduro’s arrest, accusing him of drug trafficking and other illicit activities. The aggressive US anti-narcotics campaign, including Operation Southern Spear led by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, has reportedly resulted in over 80 deaths, including two Trinidadians, and has further strained relations between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago. Venezuela has accused Trinidad and Tobago of collaborating with the US, a claim vehemently denied by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who emphasized the longstanding partnership between the two nations.
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US names Maduro headof Cartel de los Soles
The United States Department of State has announced its intention to designate Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), effective November 24. The announcement, made on November 16 by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, accuses the cartel of being based in Venezuela and led by President Nicolás Maduro. The statement further alleges that high-ranking officials within Maduro’s regime are involved in the cartel, which has allegedly corrupted Venezuela’s military, intelligence, legislature, and judiciary. The US government asserts that neither Maduro nor his associates represent Venezuela’s legitimate government. The release also claims that Cartel de los Soles, alongside other designated FTOs such as Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel, is responsible for terrorist violence across the hemisphere and drug trafficking into the United States and Europe. The US vows to utilize all available tools to safeguard national security interests and disrupt funding to narco-terrorists. The designation was made under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and will take effect upon publication in the Federal Register. This move follows recent debates among US politicians regarding the legality of President Trump’s military strikes on alleged narco-terrorist boats in the southern Caribbean Sea, which resulted in numerous casualties.
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Infant formula recall after botulism outbreak
The Ministry of Health (MoH) has issued a critical advisory to parents regarding an international recall of ByHeart Whole Nutrition baby formula, which has been linked to multiple cases of infant botulism. While the product is not officially listed for sale in Trinidad and Tobago, the ministry is urging caution as consumers may have purchased it online. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the contaminated formula has caused severe health issues in infants. Symptoms of infant botulism include poor feeding, loss of head control, difficulty swallowing, and decreased facial expression. Parents are advised to seek immediate medical attention if their child exhibits any of these symptoms after consuming the formula. The ministry emphasized that symptoms may take several weeks to manifest, urging continued vigilance. Additionally, the public is advised to discontinue use of the product, consult a physician if adverse effects are observed, and return the product to the point of purchase where possible. For further information, individuals can contact the Chemistry Food and Drug Division at (868) 217-4664 Ext. 13121.
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Operation Trident leads to arrests, ganja seized
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has hailed its recent Operation Trident as a resounding success, following a series of coordinated anti-crime efforts in the Southern Division over the weekend. The operation, which spanned Saturday and Sunday, led to multiple arrests, the seizure of illegal drugs, and the recovery of a firearm.