Justice Minister Devesh Maharaj has provided updates on the ongoing investigations by the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) into two police-involved fatal shootings that occurred in Tobago earlier this year. The incidents, which took place on April 25 and May 30, involved the deaths of Ronell Marcelle, 34, and Frank Allen Sammy, 74, respectively. During a Senate session on October 29, Maharaj responded to inquiries from Opposition Senator Melanie Roberts-Radgman, detailing the progress of the investigations. In the case of Marcelle, the PCA has secured the police investigative file, which includes witness statements, video footage, and a post-mortem certificate, though some information remains pending. For Sammy’s case, the PCA has obtained extracts from police records and conducted interviews, including securing a witness statement, but additional details are still awaited. Maharaj emphasized the PCA’s commitment to thoroughness in these investigations, underscoring the importance of accountability and transparency in such sensitive matters.
标签： Trinidad and Tobago
特立尼达和多巴哥
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Caribbean Airlines resumes Jamaica flights after hurricane disruption
Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has officially resumed its operations between Trinidad and Tobago (TT) and Jamaica, starting October 30, following the reopening of Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston. The airport had been temporarily closed due to the impact of Hurricane Melissa, which swept through the northern Caribbean earlier this week. The airline announced the resumption in a statement on October 29, detailing that the initial non-stop return service would operate between Port of Spain and Kingston. Flight BW414 departed Trinidad at 12 pm on October 30, arriving in Jamaica at 2 pm, while the return flight, BW415, left Kingston at 3:15 pm and landed in Trinidad at 7:15 pm. Regular services are set to fully resume from October 31. Tickets for these flights are now available for purchase through the airline’s website, mobile app, and authorized travel agents. Additionally, CAL’s reservations teams are assisting passengers whose travel plans were disrupted between October 24 and 30 due to the suspension of operations caused by the hurricane. The airline emphasized that the decision to resume flights was made after receiving confirmation from PAC Kingston Airport that the facility was safe for commercial operations. Hurricane Melissa had forced the closure of several regional airports and led to widespread flight cancellations across the Caribbean.
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Trinidadian, 44, gunned down in Tobago
Tobago has witnessed its sixth homicide of 2025 following the fatal shooting of Ronald Alleyne, a 44-year-old Trinidadian man, in Calder Hall on October 28. Known by the alias ‘Butcher,’ Alleyne was reportedly socializing near the intersection of Calder Hall Main Road and Friendsfield Road in Scarborough when multiple gunshots were heard around 11:15 pm. A relative discovered Alleyne lying on the road, severely wounded, and rushed him to Scarborough General Hospital. Despite immediate medical attention, he was pronounced dead at 11:42 pm. His body has been transferred to the hospital’s mortuary for an autopsy. Javon Thompson, President of the Calder Hall village council, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, emphasizing the personal pain of losing someone he knew well. Thompson urged the perpetrator(s) to reconsider their actions, highlighting the irreversible consequences of gun violence. He advised against succumbing to the allure of a reckless lifestyle and encouraged striving for a better future. Authorities are actively investigating the case.
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Hillview, Mucurapo West start SSFL ‘Big 5’ on winning note
The 2025 First Citizens ‘Big 5’ championship division playoffs kicked off with a bang on October 29, as Hillview College and Mucurapo West Secondary School delivered commanding performances in their respective matches. Hillview College, the east zone champions, made a resounding statement with a 7-0 thrashing of central champions Presentation College (Chaguanas). Olando La Fleur emerged as the star of the match, securing a hat-trick and leading his team to a dominant victory. Hillview’s relentless attack saw them score three goals in the first half, followed by four more in the second, extending their unbeaten streak this season. Meanwhile, Mucurapo West Secondary School overcame an early deficit to defeat southern champions Palo Seco Secondary 3-1. After trailing in the opening minutes, Mucurapo rallied with goals from Caleb Jacob and Eli Williams, showcasing their resilience and tactical prowess. Both teams now look forward to their highly anticipated clash on November 1, which promises to be a thrilling encounter. The ‘Big 5’ playoffs determine the top three teams that will advance to the 2026 premier division season, adding high stakes to every match.
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Furness Group lends helping hand to hurricane-ravaged Jamaica
In the wake of the catastrophic Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica as a Category 5 storm on October 28, the Furness Trinidad Group has mobilized urgent relief efforts. Through its food distribution arm, Furness Shipping & Marketing Limited, the group has dispatched essential canned food items, including corn, peas, carrots, red beans, and chickpeas, to support the affected population. The hurricane, described as the ‘storm of the century,’ caused unprecedented devastation across Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, claiming at least 34 lives and leaving widespread destruction in its path. With sustained winds reaching 298 km/h (185 mph) at its peak, Hurricane Melissa surpassed the intensity of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans in 2005. William A Ferreira, Chairman and CEO of the Furness Group, expressed profound sorrow for the loss of life and destruction, while emphasizing solidarity with the people of Jamaica. He highlighted the resilience of the Jamaican people, stating that this disaster marks a new chapter rather than the end of their story. Ferreira also praised the dedicated efforts of his team, who worked tirelessly to ensure the timely delivery of aid despite the challenging circumstances. The Furness Group’s initiative underscores the importance of collective support in times of crisis, offering hope and essential resources to those affected by this historic natural disaster.
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Tension, fear among Venezuelans in Trinidad and Tobago
Venezuelan migrants in Trinidad and Tobago (TT) are grappling with heightened anxiety as recent government measures and escalating tensions between the two nations have sparked widespread concern. The Ministry of Homeland Security’s announcement of a deportation plan and the temporary suspension of supervision permits for asylum seekers has left many families fearing arbitrary detentions or forced repatriations. On October 27, the ministry confirmed the detention of over 200 irregular migrants, predominantly Venezuelans, who are slated for repatriation. The suspension of supervision orders, which previously allowed refugees and asylum seekers to remain in TT without detention, has further exacerbated the situation. Authorities justify these measures as necessary to enforce immigration laws. La Casita Hispanic Cultural Centre, an advocacy group for immigrants’ rights, has expressed deep concern over the potential human rights violations and psychological toll on migrant communities. The organization emphasized the need for migration policies to uphold principles of human dignity, non-discrimination, and international protection, citing treaties such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1951 Refugee Convention. La Casita also warned against the risks of violating the principle of non-refoulement and the potential rise in xenophobic acts. Migrants like Mariela Torres, a mother of two, and Luis Carlos Gómez, a cook in Port of Spain, shared their fears of sudden deportation and the disruption of their lives. Carolina Pérez, a small business owner, stressed that Venezuelan migrants seek stability and the opportunity to contribute to TT’s economy and culture. As tensions between Caracas and Port of Spain persist, social organizations urge governments to prioritize dialogue and humanitarian considerations in addressing migration challenges.
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Golf Association thanks sponsors for four-ball champs success
Trinidad and Tobago’s golf team showcased exceptional talent at the Caribbean Golf Association Four-Ball Championships, held at the Cinnamon Hill Golf Club in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The team secured an impressive haul of three gold and two bronze medals, marking a triumphant performance on the regional stage. The Trinidad and Tobago Golf Association (TTGA) expressed profound gratitude to its sponsors, whose support was instrumental in this achievement. In the women’s 25 and over division, Victoria Seenath and Tori De Freitas-Baptiste clinched gold, successfully defending their title against strong contenders from Jamaica and Bermuda. Gabriel Vanososte and Ryan Gomez, despite slipping to second place on the final day, claimed the overall gold in the mid-amateur men’s category, outperforming teams from Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Wayne Baptiste and Richard “Pecos” Camacho also secured gold in the super senior men’s division, despite relinquishing their lead on the final day. Ingrid Seeberan and Emilie Ramsahai earned bronze in the women’s 45 and over category, while Clint Alfred and John Rampersad tied for third with Barbados in the senior men’s division. However, the men’s 70 and over team faced stiff competition and finished at the bottom of their category. The TTGA acknowledged the vital role of sponsors, including the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, SportTT, TSTT, and others, in ensuring the team’s success. Their contributions enabled the athletes to compete with pride and precision, underscoring Trinidad and Tobago’s commitment to sporting excellence.
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The two faces of government’s NIS policy
In a bid to address the looming crisis facing Trinidad and Tobago’s National Insurance System (NIS), Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo has unveiled a dual strategy that balances immediate reforms with a broader call for financial independence. Speaking at the TT Stock Exchange Capital Markets Investor Conference in Port of Spain on October 24, Tancoo outlined a phased increase in NIS contributions over two years, followed by a gradual rise in the retirement age over a decade. These measures aim to stabilize the fund, which actuarial forecasts warn could collapse within years due to demographic shifts and financial strain. While the incremental approach seeks to mitigate the impact on workers and employers, concerns linger about potential effects on wages, employment, and inflation. Simultaneously, Tancoo issued a stark warning to citizens, urging them not to rely solely on the NIS for their financial security. ‘What we need is more participation, more people investing, more people saving, more people building wealth,’ he emphasized, signaling a shift away from traditional state-supported safety nets. This dual stance reflects the government’s nuanced approach to safeguarding the NIS while encouraging private financial engagement. However, critics argue that promoting private equity investments contradicts the NIS’s foundational principles of universality, risk-sharing, and income redistribution. With over 600,000 beneficiaries, the NIS remains a cornerstone of the nation’s social safety net. Tancoo’s next steps should focus on expanding coverage to the self-employed, enhancing compliance, and addressing dual coverage, as recommended in the ILO’s 2020 Actuarial Review, to ensure the system’s long-term viability.
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AI Minister: Committee will fight online scams
In a concerning development, a fabricated Newsday article, generated by artificial intelligence (AI), has been circulating on social media, falsely implicating Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo in promoting a fraudulent investment scheme. Newsday has confirmed that no such article was published. This incident is part of a broader trend of AI-driven misinformation targeting media outlets and public figures in Trinidad and Tobago (TT).
Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence, Dominic Smith, addressed the growing threat of online scams and deep-fake technology in the Senate on October 29. He highlighted the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee on September 11 by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to combat these issues. The committee aims to address the misuse of AI in creating deep-fake videos, which have been used to impersonate prominent figures such as former president Anthony Carmona and Republic Bank’s former chairman Ronald Ramkissoon.
Independent Senator Anthony Vieira, who raised the motion, emphasized the dangers of deep-fakes, which exploit images, voices, and likenesses to deceive the public. He warned that such technology poses significant risks to public trust, intellectual property, and the creative industries. Vieira called for legislative measures akin to the UK’s proposed protections for artists and the US’s Elvis Act, which criminalizes unauthorized AI-generated impersonations.
Vieira also urged TT to collaborate with international bodies like Caricom and the World Intellectual Property Organisation to adopt best practices in combating AI-driven fraud. He suggested public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on identifying and reporting deep-fakes.
Minister Smith reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing AI-related risks, noting that AI disinformation is now a top global concern. He highlighted the proactive steps taken by the government, including the establishment of the inter-ministerial committee, which will coordinate national cybersecurity policies and enhance law enforcement capabilities to tackle AI-driven scams.
Smith emphasized the importance of regional collaboration, citing his role as president of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), which has formed a task force on AI and risk. He assured that the government is focused on ensuring AI serves as a tool for development rather than exploitation, aligning with global efforts to safeguard digital infrastructure and public trust.
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Soroptimist International Esperance continues Period Positivity Project
Soroptimist International Esperance has made significant strides in addressing period poverty and menstrual stigma among adolescent girls in Trinidad. Initiated in 2021, the club’s research uncovered that many girls from impoverished backgrounds missed school during their menstrual cycles due to the inability to afford or access sanitary products. This revelation spurred the club into action, launching a comprehensive initiative to provide sanitary products, educate students, and advocate for policy changes to support menstrual health. The project, initially a three-year pilot, has been extended into its fourth year due to its critical need and remarkable success. The initiative targets schools such as ASJA Girls’ College Barrackpore, Debe Presbyterian Primary, and Picton Presbyterian Primary, with additional donations to Barrackpore West Secondary and Cedros Secondary. The club’s efforts align with several UN Sustainable Development Goals, including Good Health and Well-Being, Quality Education, Gender Equality, and Clean Water and Sanitation. Key achievements include a 12% improvement in school attendance among girls previously missing school due to menstruation, reduced stigma, and the establishment of Menstrual Pad Corners in schools. The club has also engaged in outreach drives, with members, including a 99-year-old volunteer, educating the public and soliciting donations. Corporate partners like Bryden Pi Ltd and Alston’s Marketing Company Ltd have contributed significantly, while individuals and organizations such as Digicel staff and local supermarkets have also supported the cause. Despite funding challenges, the club remains committed to advocating for government support and sustainable solutions, including the removal of import duties on sanitary products. Soroptimist International Esperance’s Period Positivity Project stands as a testament to the power of community-led efforts in promoting dignity, equality, and education for girls.