NEWS
Cops say manpower lacking as parents want better presence at Holy Faith
Concerned for their children's safety, parents of students at Holy Faith Convent in Couva are calling for a consistent police presence during school dismissal. However, community police in the district say a lack of manpower is their biggest challenge. The concern follows an incident where a 15-year-old form-four student of the school was attacked just outside the school's compound on June 10. Newsday spoke to Assistant Commissioner of Police (CoP) Wayne Mystar on June 11 who said no arrests had been made, but the police were working to find those responsible. Read more here
Ag Snr Supt Guevarro for top cop; Mystar also nominated as DCP
While he remains largely unknown to the public and even within some T&T Police Service (TTPS) circles, acting Snr Supt Allister Guevarro has been put forward by the Police Service Commission (PolSC) as the top candidate to be this country’s next police commissioner. Guevarro, a veteran policeman who spent most of his career assigned to the Special Branch, surpassed candidates on the merit list of officers vying for the post, including his current boss, acting CoP Junior Benjamin. Guevarro, together with ACP Wayne Mystar, were submitted to President Christine Kangaloo for consideration for the ranks of CoP and acting Deputy Commissioner of Police respectively. The PolSC did not provide a merit listing. However, Guardian Media understands it included current acting CoP Junior Benjamin; Guevarro, ACP Mystar; acting DCP Curt Simon; DCP Suzette Martin; ACP Anand Ramesar; Snr Supt Clint Arthur; Snr Supt Subhas Ramkhelawan; former ACP Joseph Chandool; ACP Terrence Pierre; and Lt Colonel Sheldon Ramanan. Read more here
POLITICS
NACTA: Population backs government on Venezuela stance
Citizens regardless of political affiliation are supporting government’s response to claims from the Venezuelan government that a group of terrorists attempted to enter Venezuela via TT. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) Barry Padarath’s comments as part of that response, are being praised by the population. These were some of the findings of a random North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) poll which was conducted over the last few days. Read more here
Govt recalls 10 foreign ambassadors
Ten ambassadors appointed by the previous People’s National Movement (PNM) administration have received letters from the new Government revoking their appointments, with six already returning home and another expected last evening. The Foreign and Caricom Affairs Ministry confirmed the recalls yesterday and defended its handling of the process amid criticism from at least one diplomat who expressed concerns over the transition. In an email response, the ministry said existing protocols require all mission heads to offer their resignations following a change in administration. It said in accordance with Section 135 of the Constitution, the Prime Minister advised the President of the revocation of mission head appointments following the April 28 General Election, which resulted in a new Cabinet appointed on May 3. Read more here
BUSINESS
Significant benefits from future relations with Venezuela
Former Planning Minister during the People’s Partnership Government, Dr Bhoe Tewarie, is hoping T&T can manage its relationship with Venezuela, given the potential for trade and business ties in the future. In an interview with the Business Guardian, Tewarie reminded the country that in 2022, he along with economists Dr Roger Hosein and Dr Anthony Gonzales authored a book on Venezuela, “Economic Development Implications of the Venezuelan Migrant Crisis: Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean Community.” Last week, tensions boiled over with Venezuela when Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar threatened to use “lethal force” after Venezuelan officials alleged that at least one T&T national was captured trying to destabilise Venezuela along with other Colombian paramilitaries. Read more here
IMF: HSF well designed, transparent
This country’s Heritage and Stabilisation Fund (HSF) has been cited by deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Dr Nigel Clarke as an example of a “well-designed and transparent sovereign wealth fund”. Clarke made the comment while delivering the 25th William G Demas Memorial Lecture in Brazil on Tuesday night, during the 55th annual meeting of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). Read more here
REGIONAL
‘We are coming after every opportunity’
Guyana is positioning itself as a major oil and gas hub with the launch of Orinduik Marine Services (OMS), providing remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and expert diving capabilities. Speaking at the Wednesday launch event held at OMS’s Lusignan facility, President Dr. Irfaan Ali noted that these investments will not just take Guyana on a plateau of development, but will also see the nation in “a steep rise long into the future”. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
A frail cry and relief: Malnourished baby Siwar evacuated from Gaza
The cry was frail but I could hear Siwar Ashour even before she was carried out of the coach. It was the cry of a voice that won't give up, of a child born in this war and who has now, for a while at least, managed to escape it. In person six-month-old Siwar is tinier than any visual image can convey. She weighs 3kg (6.6lb) but should be twice that. Her mother, Najwa, 23, smiled as she described her feelings on crossing into Jordan on Wednesday, when her daughter was evacuated from Gaza with other Palestinian children. The first thing she noticed was the quiet. "It feels like there is a truce," she told me. "We will spend our night without rockets and bombing with God's will." Read more here
12th June 2025