NEWS
Experts warn of regional fallout from T&T’s US security pact
International relations experts are questioning the long-term benefits of Trinidad and Tobago joining the Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition through the Doral charter, raising concerns about its potential impact on Caricom relations and the longevity of the agreement under President Donald Trump. The charter outlines a United States-led regional effort to dismantle drug cartels and transnational criminal gangs operating across the Western Hemisphere. It also aims to strengthen relationships with Latin American countries and reduce the influence of China, a foreign policy approach called the “Donroe Doctrine.” The coalition is a partnership involving military leaders and representatives from 17 countries, including T&T and Guyana, who are committed to using coordinated security and military measures to combat organised crime. Under the proclamation, the US and its allies will work together to deny cartels control of territory, cut off their financing and resources, and strengthen partner nation militaries through training and mobilisation. Read more here
Tyrico horror
Homadath Sookdeo never missed Sunday lunch at his childhood home in Longdenville, and when he did not show up last weekend, his loved ones knew something was wrong. A search was carried out at the homes of relatives and friends. But that did not last long. Sookdeo’s body was found in bushes at Tyrico Bay at around 10 a.m. on Sunday. His hands and feet were bound and his mouth gagged. He was wearing only a pair of red three-quarter pants. Read more here
POLITICS
CPO: Govt maintaining cash, non-cash mix for PSA backpay
Chief Personnel Officer Dr Daryl Dindial says Government is maintaining its position that the settlement of backpay arrears owed to members of the Public Services Association (PSA) must involve a combination of cash and non-cash payments. Speaking with Guardian Media yesterday, Dindial confirmed that discussions on the issue are still ongoing. “I can confirm the Government is maintaining all settlement of arrears must be a mix of cash and non-cash. I won’t be able to say anything further, since parties are still discussing the matter,” the CPO said. The comments come amid a dispute that emerged in December between the PSA and the Office of the Chief Personnel Officer, despite both sides previously signing off on a 10 per cent wage increase for public servants. Read more here
Alexander backs SoE crackdown
Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander says the current state of emergency has produced results since its implementation, citing several firearm seizures and the detention of a number of individuals. Alexander, speaking during Phagwa celebrations in El Dorado on Sunday, said law enforcement operations done since the measure was introduced last Tuesday had led to the seizure of approximately ten firearms. “From the day it started to (Sunday) we have seized about nine or ten firearms; we also have detained a number of persons,” Alexander said. He addressed criticism regarding the number of individuals detained under the emergency measures who had not yet been charged. “But if you have something called a preventative detention order, is it not to prevent something from happening? And if you prevent it from happening, then it did not happen,” he said. Read more here
BUSINESS
Moonilal-Kissoon resigns as First Citizens deputy CEO
Neela Moonilal-Kissoon has resigned as Group deputy chief executive officer, Operations and Administration, at First Citizens. An advertisement in today’s newspaper stated that her resignation took effect on March 6. Moonilal-Kissoon was appointed to the position on December 27, 2023. According to First Citizens’ website, as Group deputy CEO, Operations and Administration, Moonilal-Kissoon had responsibility at the group level for several support units, including Information and Communications Technology, Marketing and Communications, Human Resources, Banking Operations, Shared Services and Corporate Strategy. Read more here
REGIONAL
Energy resources will power Guyana’s next wave of industrial growth –President Ali says
Guyana is preparing to usher in a new phase of development, as President Dr. Irfaan Ali recently emphasised plans to utilise the nation’s energy resources to expand non-oil industries and areas, ranging from bauxite, manufacturing to information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure. The President made those remarks in a video posted on his Facebook page, where he spoke about discussions to deepen co-operation with the United States (US), following a meeting with U.S Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright. President Ali, in the video, said: “Guyana has tremendous opportunities ahead of us in which we could utilise energy to add value in our natural resources, whether it’s bauxite, building out our capacity capability for fertiliser to support the rest of the region, data centres and other investments in manufacturing, industrial development, LNG plant and be that first mover in terms of the infrastructure that will be able to accommodate gas from other partners within the region.” Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Lebanon calls for talks with Israel on plan to end Hezbollah conflict
Lebanon's president has called for direct negotiations with Israel as part of a proposal to end the escalating conflict with Hezbollah, while sharply criticising the Iran-backed group for dragging the country into a wider regional war. A spokesperson for President Joseph Aoun told the BBC that Lebanon was ready to negotiate, but not while the country remained under Israeli fire. Speaking during a virtual meeting with senior European Union officials on Monday, Aoun outlined what he described as a path towards "permanent security and stability arrangements on our borders". Israeli officials have shown little sign of backing negotiations, and the government did not immediately comment. Read more here
10th March 2026