NEWS
Venezuelan ambassador: We are not narco-traffickers
Venezuela’s ambassador to TT Alvaro Sánchez Cordero has pushed back against claims by US authorities that the South American country is linked to narco-trafficking. On August 7, the US State Department labelled Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro as the leader of Cartel de los Soles, a drug cartel it claims provides material support to terrorist organizations and gangs including Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel. It announced a reward of up to $50 million for information leading to his arrest and/or conviction. Read more here
Over 1,000 arrests under SoE, citizens question impact
There have been 1,282 arrests by the police since the State of Emergency (SoE) was declared on July 18. Statistics from the TTPS yesterday also showed that officers carried out more than 3000 anti-crime operations. Among those detained so far are Prison Supervisor Garth Guada and a police corporal. Authorities also confirmed that Rajaee and Hamid Ali were moved to military detention facilities. Officers also seized 92 firearms, over 1,200 rounds of ammunition, 6,752 grams of cocaine, 216,625 grams of cannabis, more than 1,000 ecstasy pills, 15 grams of MDMA, as well as quantities of LSD, dried mushrooms, 80 cannabis plants, and 30 seedlings. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, speaking at the closing ceremony of the JAVA Community Cricket Programme in Penal yesterday, defended the emergency measures, including concerns about the arrest of security officials. Read more here
POLITICS
PM: Government to cut contract jobs from Public Service
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says she will eliminate contract employment from the public service, to result in workers have fairer job terms and savings to the state. She was speaking to reporters at an event in Penal on August 27. In light of reports of Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo moving money allocated for infrastructure to instead pay state sector salaries, a reporter asked if the PM was planning any job cuts in the public service. Persad-Bissessar said the public service had thousands of vacancies and she planned to fill them on a phased basis by allowing people to come in and apply. Read more here
PM: Only criminals should fear T&T’s entry into anti-cartel coalition
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says Trinidad and Tobago’s entry into a US-led alliance, as announced by United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will serve the country’s interests as the T&T government intensifies efforts against cartels. The US has deployed warships to the Caribbean to target drug cartels. On Tuesday, Rubio announced that T&T had joined the grouping—comprising several Caribbean and Latin American countries—working to stem the flow of drugs into the United States. These include EcuaPrimedor, Paraguay, Guyana, Argentina, and now Trinidad and Tobago. Speaking to Guardian Media at the closing of the JAVA cricket camp held in Penal yesterday, she said this was the best way to curb crime. “I think it’s a very beneficial thing for Trinidad and Tobago. I cannot give you details. Those are national security issues, and I would prefer not to pronounce the specific details at the time. But I think it’s a great opportunity for us,” Persad-Bissessar said. Read more here
BUSINESS
Scaling Champs Fleurs: From manufacturing to retail hub
Champs Fleurs, once a dedicated manufacturing zone, has sprung a shining new plaza promising a boom of activity in the area. While only partially opened and still under renovation, The Shops at Champs Fleurs houses restaurants like Wendy’s, Royal Castle and a brick and mortar branch of the popular, The Cutting Block, a food truck from the Eddie Hart Savannah. The plaza is an injection of business activity that cannot go unnoticed. Read more here
Police association, TTMB join forces
The Trinidad and Tobago Mortgage Bank Ltd (TTMB) and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Social and Welfare Association (TTPSSWA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand access to affordable housing, financial literacy, and investment opportunities for Police Service members. The signing ceremony, held at TTMB’s head office on August 21, “marks the beginning of a values-driven partnership rooted in service, inclusion, and national upliftment”, the TTMB said in a release yesterday. The MOU establishes a framework for TTMB to deliver customised mortgage financing, housing development support, and investment products tailored to the unique needs of TTPS officers. Read more here
REGIONAL
Connection complete!
President Dr. Irfaan Ali has praised the teamwork and determination behind Guyana’s new US$262 million bridge, calling its near-completion a “remarkable accomplishment by the people, for the people.” Speaking at the site Thursday morning as the final section was joined, President Ali highlighted the sacrifices made by engineers, contractors, and workers, many of whom spent long hours and time away from their families, to deliver the project on schedule. The President outlined the final steps before the bridge opens, including paving, installation of safety and lighting features, and a crucial loading test to ensure international engineering standards are met. He projected that commuters will be able to use the bridge by early September, following the completion of these works and modifications for improved traffic flow. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Blair joins White House meeting with Trump on post-war Gaza
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has joined a White House meeting with US President Donald Trump to discuss plans for post-war Gaza, the BBC has confirmed. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has said the US is putting together a "very comprehensive" plan on "the next day" after the war. However, little else has been disclosed about the meeting. Blair served as Middle East envoy for a few years after leaving office in 2007 - focusing on bringing economic development to Palestinian areas and creating conditions for a two-state solution. However, when Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar was asked by reporters what the plan was for a Palestinian state, he said there would not be any. Read more here
28th August 2025