Posts

Showing posts with the label Politics

Keith Rowley Calls For End of State of Emergency ‘NOW!’ In Blistering Attack On Prime Minister

Image
Former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Keith Rowley, has launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP, and her administration, accusing the Government of abusing its powers under the State of Emergency (SoE), while demanding the immediate dismissal of the Minister of Homeland Security, Roger Alexander, and the Attorney General, John Jeremie. In a scathing statement issued via Facebook this afternoon (Tuesday 28th July, 2026), Rowley accused the Government of pursuing what he described as political vendettas instead of acting within the law. His comments come days after the Privy Council ruled in a high-profile legal challenge involving individuals detained during the ongoing State of Emergency. Read Dr. Rowley’s full statement below: “Surprise! Surprise!  The Prime Minister thought that bigotry and racist remarks were reserved only for her use. When she called me an Oreo in the service of the 1%, what did she think that was...

Star Sabga Bombshell Audio Leaks Online — Gary Griffith RESPONDS

Image
UPDATE (28/07/26):  Businesswoman Star Sabga was released from prison late last night (Monday 27th July, 2026). This comes after the State failed to obtain an extension of a temporary stay that had delayed her release following a High Court ruling. Sabga is said to have walked out of the Golden Grove Prison shortly after 11:30 PM after the 6-hour stay expired without the Court of Appeal granting the State’s request for additional time. Immediately following her release, Sabga was escorted by Police Officers to her home in Regents Park, Westmoorings, where she will remain under strict house arrest conditions, while her constitutional claim against her Preventive Detention Order (PDO) is heard by the Court. Earlier on Monday, High Court Justice Vigel Paul ruled that Sabga should be granted interim relief, finding that her legal challenge raised serious constitutional issues that should be determined by the Court. The ruling ordered her release, pending the outcome of the case. UPDAT...

Tariffs Lowered From 15% To 10% On Exports From Trinidad And Tobago To United States

Image
The Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs said it has noted the “misleading and outright inaccurate reporting” in Friday’s Guardian Newspaper (25th July, 2026) with the headline “US Slaps T&T with 10% Tariff.” According to the Ministry, “This front-page story demonstrates the absence of diligent, intelligent and responsible journalism, which can mislead members of the business community and other commentators.” In a Media Release on Friday, the Ministry said it wishes to “categorically state that the United States of America has not applied any new tariffs on exports from Trinidad and Tobago . ” The Ministry states that, “Members of the public may recall that via Executive Order 14326 of 31 July 2025, United States President Donald Trump unveiled new reciprocal tariffs on more than seventy (70) countries globally, including Trinidad and Tobago. The decision was a follow-up to Executive Order 14257 dated 02 April 2025 (Regulating Imports with a Reciprocal Tariff to Rectify Trade ...

Hadeeds ‘In Good Spirits’ At Home After Homeland Security Minister Revokes Preventative Detention Orders

Image
UPDATE (27/07/26): Dominic Hadeed, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Waters Products Limited, received a warm and emotional welcome from employees today (Monday 27th July, 2026), as he returned to the company’s operations for the first time since his Preventive Detention Order (PDO) was revoked. A video circulating on social media showed employees applauding and celebrating his return, with many describing the moment as a significant one for the Blue Waters family. Hadeed, who had been away from the business during the period of his detention, was greeted by cheering staff members who expressed their happiness at seeing him back at the company. Minister of Homeland Security, Roger Alexander, has revoked the Preventative Detention Orders (PDOs) issued against businessman Dominic Hadeed and his wife, Genevieve Hadeed. In announcing the revocation of the PDOs via a Media Release this afternoon (Thursday 23rd July, 2026), he stated that their continued detention was no lo...

MV Barima Disaster In Guyana: P.M. Kamla Persad-Bissessar Issues Statement — Dozens Dead And Missing

Image
UPDATE (29/07/26):  The Government of Guyana has confirmed that a survivor of the MV Barima disaster has died, as an extensive search-and-recovery operation involving three (3) aircraft and fifteen (15) vessels continues across the country’s Northwestern waters — stretching West to Waini Point and East to Adventure. The latest update comes just hours after the vessel’s Captain and two (2) crew members appeared before a Guyanese Court, charged with the murders of the seventy-three (73) victims whose bodies have been recovered so far. The Government said seventy-seven (77) people were initially rescued, but one (1) survivor later died, reducing the number of survivors to seventy-six (76). Authorities also confirmed that out of the seventy-three (73) bodies that have been recovered, five (5) have yet to be positively identified — while an estimated thirty (30) people remain unaccounted for. UPDATE (22/07/26): President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali, revealed this morning (Wednesday 22n...

Ministry of Homeland Security Clarifies Passport Transition, Assures Continued Passport Services

Image
The Ministry of Homeland Security said it has noted recent media reports regarding the availability of Passports in Trinidad and Tobago. “While public scrutiny is important, several claims contained in those reports are inaccurate, incomplete and fail to present the full picture of the Ministry’s ongoing Passport modernization programme.” In a Media Release issued last week, on 7th July, 2026, the Ministry said it “wishes to make it absolutely clear that Trinidad and Tobago is not running out of machine-readable Passports, and citizens can continue to apply for and receive Passports as normal. Contrary to suggestions that no action was taken to replenish Passport stocks, the Ministry has been actively managing the country’s Passport inventory.” According to the Ministry, the Immigration Division, which falls under the Ministry of Homeland Security, “has continued to procure machine-readable Passport booklets to ensure uninterrupted Passport services while the country transitions to th...

New e-Passport System Should Be Online By 1st January, 2027

Image
According to Minister of Homeland Security, Roger Alexander, the new e-Passport system is expected to come online within a matter of months, as he put forward a tentative timeline of early 2027 for the system to be rolled out. Speaking with reporters at the launch of a barbering programme at his Tunapuna Constituency Office on El Dorado Road on Monday (13th July, 2026), Minister Alexander said while he could not commit to a specific timeline, he anticipated that the system should be ready for use by 1st January, 2027. He said the e-Passport system was important to enhance efficiencies within the Immigration Division, while ensuring a higher degree of security was observed. Minister Alexander also insisted that there were currently enough machine-readable Passport booklets for the public, despite not being able to quote the exact number in stock as of Monday. He said, however, that they would have enough until stock is replenished in September. Alexander urged the public not to panic,...

TTPS Confirms High Court ‘Preliminary Unexplained Wealth Order’ Against PNM

Image
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is confirming that the High Court has granted a Preliminary Unexplained Wealth Order under section 58(1) of the Civil Asset Recovery and Management and Unexplained Wealth Act , No. 8 of 2019, against the People’s National Movement (PNM) and its trustees. In a Media Release this evening (Saturday 11th July, 2026), the TTPS said this Order was “obtained following an application by the TTPS as part of an ongoing investigation.” According to the TTPS, “A Preliminary Unexplained Wealth Order is an interim measure granted by the Court and does not represent a final determination of liability or wrongdoing. The matter is before the Court, and due process will be observed at every stage.” The TTPS said it “reaffirms its commitment to investigating allegations of corruption, white collar and financial crime without fear or favour. All persons and entities are equal before the law and accountability will be pursued through the judicial process.” The ...

Former P.M. Keith Rowley Alleges Receiving Threats From State Officials

Image
Former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Keith Rowley, has revealed that he has received threats from “certain Officials of State” but insists he is not intimidated, warning that he believes the country is entering a dangerous period where State power is being used against perceived political opponents. Speaking exclusively with Guardian Media at his home in Goodwood Park, Diego Martin, on Thursday (9th July, 2026), Rowley claimed threats have been directed not only at him but the Balisier House headquarters of the People’s National Movement (PNM). “They could target me if they wish because I’ve been getting threats from certain Officials of State that I am next, and Balisier House is next,” Rowley said. “They could do that if they wish, but I only have one country and that country is Trinidad and Tobago. I fought for it and I will continue to fight for it.” When asked who made the threats against him, Rowley declined to provide names. Asked whether he was concerned, the form...

P.M. Kamla Persad-Bissessar To Attend CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting In St. Lucia

Image
UPDATE (7:00 PM): The Prime Minister has arrived in Saint Lucia to participate in the 51st Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM. I arrived in Saint Lucia to participate in the 51st Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM. I look forward to joining my fellow regional leaders as we discuss the issues that matter most to our people and continue working together to strengthen Caribbean… pic.twitter.com/hhM3zYUOsp — Kamla Persad-Bissessar (@PM_Kamla) July 5, 2026 In a social media post following her arrival, Mrs. Persad-Bissessar said, “I look forward to joining my fellow regional leaders as we discuss the issues that matter most to our people and continue working together to strengthen Caribbean co-operation, advance our shared priorities, and deepen the partnerships that unite our Community.” Prime Minister the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP, will depart Trinidad and Tobago today (Sunday 5th July, 2026) to attend the 51st Regular M...

Former P.M. Stuart Young Says Government Trying To Revoke His Diplomatic Passport

Image
UPDATE (05/07/26): The Government’s review of Diplomatic Passports is continuing to stir political debate, with Prime Minister the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP, confirming that former Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley will also be asked to surrender his Diplomatic Passport. Dr. Rowley, who is currently out of the country, said he would respond to the Government’s decision upon his return. Former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Stuart Young, SC, MP, has revealed that the Government is seeking to have his Diplomatic Passport returned, in what he describes as the latest attempt to strip him of benefits afforded to former Prime Ministers. Young, who is still said to be in possession of the Passport, has requested that the Government officially make their demand in writing. Young released a video statement via social media on Thursday (2nd July, 2026), in which he addressed several issues concerning T&T. During the video, Young said he received an unexpected call ins...

Hadeed Business Power Couple And Elderly Aunt Transferred To Prison Under Preventive Detention Orders

Image
UPDATE (17/07/26):  Businessman Dominic Hadeed and his wife, Genevieve Hadeed, are to remain at the Golden Grove Prison in Arouca, after the State secured a late-night Appeal Court ruling, which ordered a stay of an earlier judgment that ordered the couple be released from jail and be placed under house arrest. Following an emergency hearing last night (Thursday 16th July, 2026), Chief Justice (CJ) Ronnie Boodoosingh and Appellate Judges Mark Mohammed and Ricky Rahim granted an interim stay of the judgment delivered hours earlier by three (3) of their colleagues — Peter Rajkumar, Mira Dean-Armorer and Joan Charles. The panel also granted final leave for an appeal to the Privy Council by the State, as the move for the country’s highest Appellate Court to weigh in on the case was not opposed by the couple’s legal team. The last-minute development meant that the Hadeeds were not released from the Golden Grove Prison to return to their Westmoorings home as initially anticipated, and de...

69‑Year‑Old Businesswoman From Westmoorings In Police Custody

Image
Following the detention of a prominent businessman and his wife from Westmoorings on Wednesday (24th June, 2026), the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has provided an update on the ongoing investigation. Reports state that the couple currently in Police custody is businessman Dominic Hadeed, Executive Chairman of Blue Waters Products Limited, and his wife, Genevieve Hadeed. According to the TTPS, as enquiries progressed on Thursday (25th June, 2026), Officers took a 69‑year‑old businesswoman from Westmoorings into custody. She is currently assisting with the ongoing investigative process and no charges have been laid. The TTPS is reiterating that “being taken into custody for the purpose of assisting with enquiries is a standard investigative procedure and does not constitute a finding of wrongdoing or adverse inference. The TTPS remains committed to ensuring that all investigative steps are conducted professionally, impartially, and with full respect for the legal and reputa...