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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...

The United States announced the seizure of two (2) sanctioned oil tankers linked to Venezuela early this morning (Wednesday 7th January, 2026), in back-to-back military actions in the North Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea. Both vessels were either last docked in Venezuela or en route to it. These ships are part of a large “ghost fleet” of sanctioned vessels that are said to transport oil from Russia, Iran and Venezuela, in defiance of Western sanctions, mostly to customers in Asia. In a statement released on X, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, said, “In two (2) pre-dawn operations today, the Coast Guard conducted back-to-back meticulously coordinated boarding of two ‘ghost fleet’  tanker ships — one in the North Atlantic Sea and one in international waters near the Caribbean. Both vessels — the Motor Tanker Bella I and the Motor Tanker Sophia — were either last docked in Venezuela or en route to it. Under President Trump’s bold and visionary leader...

United States President Donald Trump announced last night (Wednesday 7th January, 2026) that Venezuela will be providing between 30 million and 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to the U.S. According to the President, this oil will be “sold at its market price” and he would take control of the money in order to ensure it benefits both the people of Venezuela and the U.S. He added that this oil will be “taken by storage ships, and brought directly to unloading docks in the United States.” The planned action comes days after Nicolás Maduro was  dramatically captured in Caracas by American special forces . The announcement was made via Truth Social, in which President Trump stated:  “I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 MILLION Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America. This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United...

Venezuela’s former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was officially sworn in earlier today (Monday 5th January, 2026) as the country’s new interim President, while her predecessor Nicolás Maduro awaited arraignment in a federal U.S. Court on drug smuggling charges . This comes two (2) days after Maduro was dramatically captured in Caracas by American special forces . Watch as Delcy Rodriguez, former vice president, is sworn in as Venezuela's new leader https://t.co/QqZybFuKDe 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/W9TIr2ZpQU — Sky News (@SkyNews) January 5, 2026 Rodríguez, 56, is said to be a powerful figure and longtime confidant of Maduro, and she has been backed thus far as the nation's new leader by Venezuela's military. She served as Venezuela's Vice President from 2018 until Sunday (4th January, 2026). Her brother also holds a senior role in the Venezuelan Government as President of the National Assembly, Venezuela's legislature, which...

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were captured during a dramatic United States military operation early Saturday morning (2nd January, 2026), made their first U.S. Court appearance today (Monday 5th January, 2026) in Manhattan, to face charges related to cocaine trafficking.  The couple were transferred from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn via helicopter and arrived in Manhattan shortly after 7:30 AM ET.⁠ Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were transferred from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn via helicopter and arrived in Manhattan shortly after 7:30 a.m. ET.⁠ Follow live coverage: https://t.co/q9hNks5HIg pic.twitter.com/HWZ3p2PYa4 — The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) January 5, 2026 According to reports, Maduro declared his innocence through a translator in Court and said he is still the President of Venezuela. Flores also pleaded not guilty. The next hearing is set for 17th March, 2026....

“There is no crisis in Trinidad and Tobago.” This from Prime Minister the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP, following Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s  capture and extraction from Venezuela in a daring U.S. military operation  early Saturday morning (3rd January, 2026). In a statement on her X account a short while ago tonight (Sunday 4th January, 2026), the Prime Minister said, “Today, just like yesterday, was a normal day in Trinidad and Tobago. What happened in Venezuela has nothing to do with Trinidad and Tobago. Citizens, just like myself, went about our normal business. We are not involved, so citizens have no need to be bothered.” She added, “Some persons may be desperate to manufacture a crisis where there is none, but to each his own. As indicated previously, Trinidad and Tobago looks forward to renewed cooperation and the strengthening of our longstanding friendship with the people of Venezuela in the coming years and I wish them God's guidance on their...

UPDATE (05/01/26): A defiant Nicolás Maduro declared his innocence through a translator in a U.S. Court today (Monday 5th January, 2026) and said he is still the President of Venezuela. His wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty. United States authorities have announced that Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro will be arraigned in Federal Court in New York City at 12:00 PM ET on Monday (5th January, 2026). He is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York. Maduro is facing multiple charges following his capture and extraction from Venezuela in a daring U.S. military operation early Saturday morning (3rd January, 2026). According to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Maduro has been “charged with Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices against the United States. She added that Maduro and his wife will soon “face th...

Pictured Above: An airplane carrying Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores landing at Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, New York. Photo Credit: Mike Segar/Reuters. UPDATE:  Upon arrival at the DEA Building in New York City, Maduro politely greeted people while handcuffed and flanked by several heavily-armed DEA Agents, saying, “Good night. Happy new year.”  He is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Perp walked. pic.twitter.com/34iIsFUDdG — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 4, 2026   Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife Celia Flores arrived in New York a short while ago this evening (Saturday 3rd January, 2026) to face multiple charges, after their dramatic capture and extraction from Venezuela early this morning . They disembarked a Department of Justice aircraft that transported them from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to Stewart International Airport, North of New York City.  WATCH LIVE: Nico...

In a strategic move to promote equity and bolster national security, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago said it is expanding the Migrant Registration Framework (MRF) to include all eligible illegal immigrants currently residing within our borders, moving beyond the previous exclusive focus on Venezuelan nationals. Under the newly-issued Legal Notice No. 470, the Immigration (Exemption from Work Permit) (Immigrants) Order, 2025, has been established to allow all registered illegal immigrants to live and work legally in Trinidad and Tobago, from 1st January, 2026 to 30th September, 2026. In a Media Release on Monday (29th December, 2025), the Ministry of Homeland Security said, “To facilitate this, the Minister of Homeland Security will oversee the issuance of ‘registrant cards,’ which will display the individual's name, date of birth, photograph, and expiration date. Furthermore, through Legal Notice No. 469, the Immigration Regulations have been amended to specifically include ...

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is advising the national community that it has been closely monitoring recent regional developments and has already implemented a series of precautionary operational measures to ensure the continued safety and security of the nation. This follows the  well-coordinated capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, First Lady Cilia Flores , in a United States military operation early this morning (Saturday 3rd January, 2026).  Several streets in Port-of-Spain have since been blocked, with Police Officials emphasizing that the measures are precautionary and form part of the TTPS’ ongoing commitment to national security. In a Media Release, the TTPS said, “It is the responsibility of the TTPS to anticipate risks, maintain public confidence, and ensure that Trinidad and Tobago remains safe and secure during periods of uncertainty. In keeping with this mandate, strategic operations have been activated.” The TTPS is emphas...