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The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI) is advising that Heritage Petroleum Company Limited (Heritage) detected an oil spill in the Main Field at 7:25 AM on 1st May, 2026, and immediately activated its oil spill response protocols. Trinidad and Tobago’s Government and Heritage, the State oil company that detected the spill, allegedly did not disclose it until after Venezuelan authorities complained to the international community. In a Media Release today (Sunday 10th May, 2026), the MEEI said Heritage “instantly informed relevant regulatory authorities,” including the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI), the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG), and the Environmental Management Authority (EMA). Approval was granted by MEEI to use chemical dispersants at 9:50 AM on the same day. According to the Ministry, “An oil spill trajectory modeling was immediately conducted, which indicated that if left untreated, the hydrocarbon material could cross the Trinidad/Venezue...

UPDATE (24/04/26): The Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago announced this morning (Friday 24th April, 2026) that the relocation of domestic operations, scheduled to begin from today, has been postponed until further notice. According to the Authority, “The planned redirection of domestic passengers through international checkpoints will not take effect at this time. We appreciate the continued co-operation of our stakeholders and the public as preparations continue.” All domestic passengers will therefore continue to be processed through the Domestic Departures area on the ground floor of the Piarco International Airport, with standard check-in and security procedures remaining in place. Authorities have not provided a new timeline for implementation but indicated that work toward the transition is ongoing. Stakeholders and the travelling public are being asked to maintain patience as adjustments continue. The planned overhaul forms part of a wider effort to modernize operations...

Prime Minister the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP, is turning up the pressure on CARICOM, once again blasting what she calls a secretive process behind the re-appointment of Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett. The Prime Minister is also warning that Trinidad and Tobago would not keep footing its portion of the bill unless there is transparency. Mrs. Persad-Bissessar issued the following statement on X on Monday afternoon (6th April, 2026): I AGAIN CALL ON CARICOM FOR TRANSPARENCY ON THE SURREPTITIOUS AND ODIOUS PROCESS USED TO REAPPOINT SG BARNETT. Trinidad and Tobago remains committed to CARICOM, but until this matter is transparently resolved, the organization and its secretariat should absolutely expect no quarter from my Government. This is not a simple matter of a run of the mill administrative appointment, it’s an appointment with long term ramifications for my citizens. It’s an appointment that directly affects the future over the coming five years of Trinidad and To...

The controversial United States radar which has been seen spinning for months at the ANR Robinson International Airport in Crown Point, Tobago, is no longer visible. Reports indicate that the U.S.-supplied military-grade ground/air task-oriented radar has been dismantled overnight and will be transported out of the country via cargo plane soon. A U.S. military aircraft is expected to arrive on the island to transport the US $3 million per day equipment. Guardian Media visited a vantage point this morning (Monday 16th March, 2026) where the towering radar could have previously been seen rotating 360 degrees, but the equipment was absent. The controversial U.S. radar is now down. The radar, which has been seen spinning for months, is no longer visible. Sources say the radar was taken down last night and is expected to be transported out of the country via cargo plane soon. Video by QUAMINA PAYNE and STEPHON… pic.twitter.com/KLO2EaQnKa — CNC3TV (@CNC3TV) March 16, 2026 Chief Secretary ...

Effective from Tuesday 17th March, 2026, all passengers landing in and departing from Piarco International and ANR International Airports, Trinidad and Tobago, are advised that the completion of an online immigration and customs form will be in effect. In a Notice issued today (Saturday 14th March, 2026), Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) advises that passengers arriving into and departing from Trinidad and Tobago from Tuesday 17th March, 2026 are required to complete their Arrival/Departure (AD) form using the website: https://travel.gov.tt . The form is now live, ahead of the full launch on Tuesday. Digital forms may be completed within seventy-two (72) hours of arrival or departure. CAL notes that Airport Customer Service Representatives will be on hand to provide support with completing the form and offer any additional guidance required. Please be guided accordingly.

Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) is advising that passengers travelling on Saturday (14th March, 2026) on specific flights , will be required to complete the T&T digital Arrival/Departure (AD) form via https://travel.gov.tt as authorities at the Airport are testing the online immigration and customs platform. In a Notice issued today (Thursday 12th March, 2026), CAL said the link will be accessible from Saturday (14th March, 2026) and passengers on these test flights are to complete their AD forms on the date of travel. The specific Caribbean Airlines flights are as follows: BW 527 and BW 431 arriving at POS. BW 240 departing POS. Caribbean Airlines notes that the digital process is being piloted; therefore, passengers will still be required to complete the paper immigration form until the digital process is fully on stream. Please be guided accordingly.

Prime Minister the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP, has returned home today (Wednesday 11th March, 2026) following her participation in the Shield of the Americas Summit in the United States . Upon arrival, the Prime Minister was warmly received by Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Infrastructure, the Honourable Jearlean John, along with members of the Cabinet, who gathered to welcome her back to Trinidad and Tobago. The Government said it “remains committed to advancing the interests of the people of Trinidad and Tobago both at home and on the international stage.”

UPDATE:  In a statement following the launch, Prime Minister the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP, said, “Trinidad and Tobago is moving forward and keeping pace with the digital age. An Online Arrival and Departure Card Platform will be implemented, making travel into and out of our country faster and more efficient. Additionally, the laws of Trinidad and Tobago will be available online, giving citizens, businesses and the wider public easier access to important legal information.” The Prime Minister added, “These initiatives mark another step in modernizing our systems, improving access to information and delivering more efficient public services.” EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been updated with additional details.   The Ministry of Homeland Security officially launched Trinidad and Tobago's Online Arrival/Departure Card (ADC) Platform at a media event held at 11:00 AM this morning (Wednesday 11th March, 2026) at its Headquarters at Tower C, International Water...

Prime Minister the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP, departs today (Friday 6th March, 2026) for the “Shield of the Americas” summit meeting in the United States, hosted by President Donald Trump. Trinidad and Tobago is one (1) of only two (2) CARICOM nations invited to participate in the high-level gathering. During the summit meeting, Mrs. Persad-Bissessar is expected to engage directly with the President of the United States, as well as other senior officials, including Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, United States Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, and Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright. The T&T delegation will include the Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, Sean Sobers, Minister of Public Utilities and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Barry Padarath, and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Nicholas Morris. In a Media Release this morning (Friday 6th March, 2026), the United National Congress (UNC) said, “During her absenc...

Prime Minister the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP, met on Wednesday (25th February, 2026) with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio for a one-on-one bilateral discussion during the CARICOM 50th Regular Meeting in Saint Kitts and Nevis. The Honourable Prime Minister was among a select group of regional leaders afforded the opportunity to engage in these high‑level talks. Mrs. Persad-Bissessar is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on 7th March, 2026, after receiving an invitation to attend what is being called the “Shields of the Americas” summit in Florida. The disclosure came following her closed-door talks with Secretary Rubio on Wednesday — a development that is already drawing regional attention. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is set to meet United States President Donald Trump next month, after receiving an invitation to attend what is being called the “Shields of the Americas” summit in Florida. The disclosure came following her closed-door talks wi...

Cuban officials announced this afternoon (Wednesday 25th February, 2026) that four (4) people aboard a Florida-registered speedboat were killed by Cuban border guard troops and six (6) wounded, when the vessel allegedly violated its territorial waters. A Commander of the Cuban border guard was also shot during the confrontation. Cuban officials allege that the Florida-registered vessel had initiated the firefight. U.S. President Donald Trump has not yet responded to the incident. The Cuban Embassy in the U.S. issued a note from Cuba’s Ministry of the Interior via X this afternoon, stating, “On the morning of February 25, 2026, a violating speedboat was detected within Cuban territorial waters. The vessel, registered in Florida, United States, with registration number FL7726SH, approached up to 1 nautical mile Northeast of the El Pino channel, in Cayo Falcones, Corralillo municipality, Villa Clara province. When a surface unit of the Border Guard Troops of the Ministry of the Interior, ...

Prime Minister the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP, and her delegation have arrived in Saint Kitts and Nevis for the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which takes place from today (Tuesday 24th February, 2026) to Friday (27th February, 2026).  Minister of Works and Infrastructure, Jearlean John, has been designated to act as Prime Minister until Mrs. Persad-Bissessar’s return to Trinidad and Tobago. The 50th Regular Meeting, under the theme, “Beyond Words: Action Today for a Thriving, Sustainable CARICOM,” will be chaired by the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, who assumed the Chairmanship of the Community on 1st January, 2026. Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar is scheduled to deliver an address at the Opening Ceremony today (Tuesday 24th February, 2026) at the Marriott Dome in Frigate Bay. She is joined by Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, Sean Sobers, Minister i...

At the direction of United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel earlier today (Monday 23rd February, 2026), operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations (DTOs), killing three (3) aboard. The latest action, announced by SOUTHCOM this afternoon, was conducted in the Caribbean. On Feb. 23, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known… pic.twitter.com/XUHImPAZik — U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) February 23, 2026 According to SOUTHCOM, “Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Three (3) male narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military force...

UPDATE: The families of a number of St. Lucian fishermen say they were killed in recent U.S. boat strikes in Caribbean waters. Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Philip J. Pierre, confirmed that “people had lost their lives” under circumstances, but clarified that he had received no official notification on these circumstances to date.  His statement followed reports that the burnt-out hulls of at least two (2) fishing vessels had surfaced off Canouan and Bequia in St. Lucia, following the deadly U.S. strikes on 13th February and 16th February, 2026. At the direction of United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted three (3) lethal kinetic strikes on three (3) vessels late last night (Monday 16th February, 2026), operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations (DTOs), killing a total of eleven (11) aboard. These actions, announced by SOUTHCOM this afternoon (Tuesday 17th February, 2026), were conducted in the East...

At the direction of United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel on Friday (13th February, 2026), operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations (DTOs), killing three (3) aboard. This was announced by SOUTHCOM on Friday night. On Feb. 13, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known… pic.twitter.com/y50Pbtexfi — U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) February 14, 2026 According to SOUTHCOM, “Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Three (3) narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military forces were harmed.” More on this as it becomes available....

Prime Minister of Barbados, 60-year-old Mia Amor Mottley, and the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) have secured a historic third consecutive term in office, following the island nation’s General Elections on Wednesday (11th February, 2026). Mottley's BLP swept all thirty (30) seats available in the House of Assembly, extending its dominance in Barbadian politics, and unseating Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP). Prime Minister Mottley, who has built one of the strongest global profiles of any Caribbean leader over the years, was supported by voters across the country on Wednesday. “Our mission first and foremost is to stop poor people from being poor and to remove injustice wherever it exists to create opportunities for people,” Mottley said in a resounding victory speech on election night. Surrounded by supporters dressed in red, she announced that Friday (13th February, 2026) would be a public bank holiday in Barbados. The Prime Minister also promised...

The United States military seized Motor Vessel Sagitta this morning (Tuesday 20th January, 2026) in the Caribbean — marking the seventh oil tanker apprehended in the last month. The announcement was made a short while ago tonight by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), which said the tanker was operating in defiance of President Trump’s established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean. Through #OpSouthernSpear , the @DeptofWar is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere in partnership with @USCG , @DHSgov and @TheJusticeDept . This morning, U.S. military forces, in support of the Department of Homeland Security, apprehended… pic.twitter.com/UPADtiw681 — U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) January 20, 2026 According to SOUTHCOM, “Through Operation Southern Spear, the Department of War is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of Homeland Securi...

The United States successfully captured another sanctioned oil tanker, Motor Tanker Veronica, early this morning (Thursday 15th January, 2026) in the Caribbean, which had previously passed through Venezuelan waters. Veronica — the sixth captured oil tanker by the U.S. — was said to be operating in defiance of President Donald Trump’s established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean. The boarding and seizure was announced by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) on X, which said, “Through Operation Southern Spear, the Department of War is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard through the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department. In another pre-dawn action, Marines and Sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear, in support of the Department of Homeland Security, launched from USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and apprehended Motor/Tanker Veronica without incident. The Veronica is the la...

The Trump administration will pause immigrant Visa processing from seventy-five (75) countries, including Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, Yemen and more, until the United States can ensure that incoming immigrants will not become a public charge or extract wealth from American taxpayers. In a memorandum first seen by Fox News Digital , the State Department has directed Consular Officers to refuse Visas under existing law, while the department reassesses screening and vetting procedures.  The guidance instructs Consular Officers to deny Visas to applicants deemed likely to rely on public benefits, weighing a wide range of factors, including health, age, English proficiency, finances and even potential need for long-term medical care. Older or overweight applicants could be denied, along with those who had any past use of Government cash assistance or institutionalization. The pause will begin on 21st January, 2026 and will continue indefin...

The United States has seized another oil tanker suspected of carrying embargoed oil, which had departed Venezuela and attempted to evade U.S. forces. Following several other similar seizures , this is said to be the fifth oil tanker captured by the U.S. The latest operation and seizure, which took place early this morning (Friday 9th January, 2026), was announced by Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem. In a statement on X, Secretary Noem said, “The world’s criminals are on notice.” She said early this morning, the U.S. Coast Guard “executed a boarding and seizure of the Motor Tanker Olina in international waters east of the Caribbean Sea. As another ‘ghost fleet’ tanker ship suspected of carrying embargoed oil, this vessel had departed Venezuela attempting to evade U.S. forces.” The world’s criminals are on notice. Early this morning, the @USCG executed a boarding and seizure of the Motor Tanker Olina in international waters east of the Caribbean Sea. A...