Trinidad and Tobago News

Venezuela’s hope returns

Venezuela’s opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado returned home via Colombia after nearly a year in exile, prompting celebrations across the country. Her return comes as talks continue on political reform and a possible 2027 election, but her safety and the future of Venezuela’s transition remain uncertain.

By Guardian

Retrieved Nov 5, 2026

NUGFW takes SWRHA dispute to Industrial Court after failed labour meeting

The National Union of Government and Federated Workers will take the South-West Regional Health Authority’s dismissal of 42 daily-paid workers to the Industrial Court after a Ministry of Labour meeting failed to settle the dispute. Union president-general Christopher Streete says the terminations were unlawful and that the workers, many from San Fernando General Hospital, were not properly consulted as required.

By KEVON FELMINE

Retrieved Nov 5, 2026

Family awaits update on investigation into fatal police shooting

Relatives of 41-year-old Timmian Francois, who was fatally shot by police in Hindustan on Sunday, say they still have no update on the investigation or autopsy and will return to police oversight bodies today. They dispute the police account, saying he was not involved in a home invasion and that officers used excessive force. The family is seeking answers and planning a candlelight vigil.

By Guardian

Retrieved Nov 5, 2026

Three women injured in Studley Park head-on crash

Three women were injured yesterday in a head-on crash on the main road in Studley Park, Tobago, after a Mazda hatchback crossed into the westbound lane and hit a Mitsubishi Lancer. The Lancer’s driver suffered the most serious injuries, while the Mazda driver had a leg wound and her passenger was not seriously hurt.

By Guardian

Retrieved Nov 5, 2026

RC Archbishop: Priests can continue offering Communion wine to all ages

Port-of-Spain Archbishop Jason Gordon has told Catholic priests to keep offering consecrated wine to communicants of all ages, saying the practice is constitutionally protected and unaffected by proposed alcohol laws. His remarks came after concerns in Parliament that the bill raising the drinking age to 21 could affect Holy Communion, an issue also being reviewed by Anglican leaders.

By Guardian

Retrieved Nov 5, 2026

Police seize $19.8M in weed at Chatham Beach

Police seized 661.9 kilogrammes of cannabis, worth an estimated $19.8 million, during an anti-drug operation off Chatham Beach, Cedros, yesterday morning. Acting on intelligence, officers saw suspects unloading packages from a vessel, but they fled in a pirogue and escaped to sea as 17 bales were recovered and investigations continue.

By Guardian

Retrieved Nov 5, 2026

Griffith urges probe into Rowley, Weekes after CoP merit list win

Former police commissioner Gary Griffith is urging an investigation into former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley and former president Paula-Mae Weekes after a High Court ruling found former Police Service Commission chair Bliss Seepersad acted unlawfully in withdrawing the merit list for his reappointment in 2021. Justice Kevin Ramcharan awarded Griffith $250,000 and questioned Rowley’s delayed disclosure of a security report that triggered the dispute.

By Guardian

Retrieved Nov 5, 2026

Ebola screening rule takes effect for all US-bound air passengers

Caribbean Airlines is requiring passengers flying to the United States to complete a new Ebola-related health attestation form before check-in, under CDC rules meant to prevent the virus from entering the US. The form applies to all US-bound travellers, including citizens and residents, and anyone who has been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the past 21 days may be denied boarding.

By Guardian

Retrieved Nov 5, 2026

Tobago politicians urge Augustine to defend Robinson’s ICC legacy

Tobago opposition figures are criticising the Government for abstaining on a UN General Assembly vote on the International Criminal Court, saying it weakens the legacy of ANR Robinson, who helped champion the court. The resolution passed 93-13, with 36 abstentions, and critics say Trinidad and Tobago should explain why it did not support the ICC as the US pushes to dismantle it.

By Guardian

Retrieved Nov 5, 2026

Sobers takes to the seas during first day of CHOGM 2026

Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers appeared aboard a boat in Antigua and Barbuda during a video recap of Trinidad and Tobago’s engagements at CHOGM 2026, where he held bilateral talks with UK and Ghana officials and attended the opening ceremony. His appearance is likely to revive debate over earlier claims that he avoided a Caricom retreat because of seasickness.

By Jesse Ramdeo

Retrieved Nov 5, 2026

Teelucksingh cautions Caribbean to guard against AI misuse

UWI lecturer Jerome Teelucksingh warned at NCIC’s Divali Nagar in Chaguanas that AI could be used for crime, cyberattacks, misinformation and foreign interference, urging Caribbean governments and citizens to use greater judgment online. He also said AI cannot replace human relationships or lived culture, while NCIC reported strong turnout despite recent controversy.

By Guardian

Retrieved Nov 5, 2026

Guy: Rio Claro Fire Station expected to be rebuilt before end of fiscal year

A new Rio Claro Fire Station is expected to be built on the old site before the end of the fiscal year, after the facility was abandoned over safety concerns. Fire Service Association president Keone Guy said firefighters have been moved to a temporary building nearby, while the ministry also plans maintenance work for other stations and is considering medical access for retired officers.

By Shane Superville

Retrieved Nov 5, 2026

Cops bust sex trafficking ring in Point Fortin

A Venezuelan woman and a Trinidadian man were arrested in Point Fortin as police and partner agencies investigated the alleged trafficking and sexual exploitation of a 15-year-old Venezuelan girl. The operation, part of a wider probe into a child trafficking network in south and central Trinidad, follows earlier charges against Keon James and remains ongoing.

By Guardian

Retrieved Nov 5, 2026

Ex-UNC MPs warn T&T could face scrutiny as Democrats take Congress

With Democrats taking control of the US Congress after the midterms, former UNC MPs warned that Trinidad and Tobago could face closer scrutiny over its foreign policy and security ties with Washington. Vasant Bharath, Rodney Charles and others urged the Government to move away from “Trumpism” and rebuild relations with Democrats to protect trade, energy and diplomatic interests.

By Guardian

Retrieved Nov 5, 2026

PNM lauds Democrats’ blowout win over Trump administration

Former prime minister Keith Rowley said the Democrats’ midterm victory in the United States should make Trinidad and Tobago reflect on its own political direction and foreign policy, arguing the country should not compromise its principles to win favour in Washington. Opposition Leader Penelope Beckles welcomed the result, while former PNM minister Amery Browne criticised Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s approach to the US.

By Guardian

Retrieved Nov 5, 2026

Business leaders eye US midterm’s impact on trade

Democrats’ win in the US midterms, giving them control of both chambers of Congress, has Trinidad and Tobago business leaders watching for possible changes to tariffs, trade policy and energy exports. Chamber officials say higher US costs have already affected local firms, while the Caribbean Energy Chamber cautioned that many presidential policies can still move ahead by executive order.

By Andrea Perez-Sobers

Retrieved Nov 5, 2026

Rampersad: Midterms unlikely to shift T&T-US ties

Political analyst Dr Indira Rampersad said the US midterm results are unlikely to alter Trinidad and Tobago’s alignment with Washington, even with Democrats gaining seats in Congress. She said President Donald Trump may face more limits on domestic issues, but his foreign policy approach is unlikely to change, and she does not expect Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to shift T&T’s pro-US stance.

By Guardian

Retrieved Nov 5, 2026

Democrats usher in new era with resounding blowout of Trump’s Republicans

Democrats won majorities in both the House and Senate in a nationwide election sweep, giving them a chance to push an agenda focused on lowering living costs and challenging President Donald Trump. The shift ends two years of Republican control and could bring sharper oversight, though Trump is warning of possible veto-driven gridlock.

By Guardian

Retrieved Nov 5, 2026

TRUMP BLOWOUT EXPECTED

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said Trinidad and Tobago’s ties with Washington will continue despite Democrats taking control of the US House and Senate in the midterms. But former officials and analyst Andy Knight warned the shift could increase scrutiny of Trump-era Caribbean policies and expose T&T to risks after aligning closely with Trump.

By Jesse Ramdeo

Retrieved Nov 5, 2026

Government Explores Turning Sargassum Seaweed Into Fertiliser

Government is exploring ways to turn the growing sargassum problem into fertiliser, with talks continuing with Japan on equipment to process the seaweed. Minister Khadijah Ameen said the effort could ease pressure on coastal communities and fisherfolk while supporting farmers and Trinidad and Tobago’s food security.

By Melissa Wong

Retrieved Nov 4, 2026

TTPS Seizes $19.8 Million In Suspected Cannabis At Chatham Beach

Police and Coast Guard officers seized 661.9 kilogrammes of cannabis, worth about TT$19.8 million, during an early-morning operation at Chatham Beach, Cedros, on Wednesday. Officers say several people were unloading the drugs from a pirogue before fleeing by sea, highlighting ongoing trafficking through Trinidad and Tobago’s coastal waters.

By TTT News

Retrieved Nov 4, 2026

Democrats win full control of more state governments and the Texas House

Democrats won control of the Texas House and gained major power in several states, including Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Nevada, in a sweep that shifts state-level power before the 2027 sessions. The results put pressure on Democrats to deliver on costs, housing, health care and education, while limiting Republican veto-proof control in key legislatures.

By GUARDIAN MEDIA NEWSROOM

Retrieved Nov 4, 2026

TTPS Reports 27% Drop In Road Fatalities For 2026

Police say road fatalities have fallen 27% so far this year compared with the same period in 2025, with traffic enforcement helping to reduce speeding and DUI-related crashes. TTPS officials also reported fewer traffic tickets issued and plan to roll out digital breathalyser devices by year-end to strengthen evidence gathering and DUI enforcement.

By TTT News

Retrieved Nov 4, 2026

Family’s nightmare continues as tyre dealer is shot dead

Tyre dealer Shyam Balla, 23, was shot dead outside his Indian Walk, Princes Town business on Sunday, and his father was wounded. Balla had survived an earlier shooting in Cunupia, and his brother was later killed, leaving the family fearing a continuing feud as homicide detectives investigate.

By Susan Mohammed

Retrieved Nov 4, 2026

'She has nightmares, cannot sleep' – mother of assaulted teen

The mother of a 13-year-old Cedros Secondary student says she plans to press charges after her daughter was lured off school grounds and assaulted by other students, leaving her injured and traumatised. A video of the attack spread on social media, sparking concern about bullying in schools. The Education Ministry says it is investigating and has referred the students for support.

By Khamarie Rodriguez

Retrieved Nov 4, 2026

CCJ allows appeal in Guyana land dispute case

The Caribbean Court of Justice ruled that a 1990 receipt between Janet Hassan and Eric Sue amounted to a binding agreement to sell land in Guyana, not just permission to occupy it, and restored the trial judge’s dismissal of Romanie Gouveia’s possession claim. The CCJ said the Court of Appeal had ignored the wider context and also overturned a $300,000 costs award against Hassan.

By GUARDIAN MEDIA NEWSROOM

Retrieved Nov 4, 2026

Ministers Call For Unity And Harmony At Agriculture Ministry Divali Celebration

Agriculture Minister Ravi Ratiram used the Ministry’s Divali celebration at the Central Experiment Station in Centeno to call for more kindness, cooperation and support for vulnerable people. Rural Development Minister Khadijah Ameen said the festival’s message should unite Trinidad and Tobago against division and racial hatred, while Pundit Satesh Maharaj urged reflection and harmony at home.

By Melissa Wong

Retrieved Nov 4, 2026

State liable for car destroyed in 2023 Licensing Office fire

The State has admitted liability for the destruction of Rory Rampersad’s Honda Civic in the November 2023 fire that gutted 14 impounded vehicles at the Caroni Licensing Office. A High Court consent order recorded judgment in his favour on liability, and a Master will decide compensation and costs.

By Express

Retrieved Nov 4, 2026

Iranians celebrate setback for Trump in U.S. election

Iranian leaders welcomed Democrats’ win in the U.S. congressional elections as a rejection of war, with parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf saying Americans had “said NO TO WAR.” The result comes as talks continue to prevent renewed fighting between the U.S. and Iran, while a Tehran rally showed continued anti-U.S. and anti-Israel tensions.

By GUARDIAN MEDIA NEWSROOM

Retrieved Nov 4, 2026

Fab India Expo Highlights Growing Interest In Indian Fashion And Culture

The Fab India Expo in Chaguanas says interest in Indian fashion is growing across Trinidad and Tobago, with customers from Indian, African and Spanish backgrounds buying clothing and bridal wear during Divali. Organiser Baba Singh said the event has expanded since 2004 and is seeing stronger sales than last year.

By Faith Cheruiyot

Retrieved Nov 4, 2026

After Conquering Tobago Carnival, Tam Tam Sets His Sights On Soca Monarch

Brenardo “Tam Tam” Thompson won Tobago Carnival’s Road March and Soca Titans titles with his jab jab anthem “Follow Me,” which became a crowd favourite from J’ouvert to the Parade of the Bands. The Roxborough artiste says the win shows Tobago soca is growing its own identity and will send him to the International Soca Monarch stage.

By Kandace Jackson

Retrieved Nov 4, 2026

Divali Oorja 2026 Brings Faith And Culture To Debe

Divali Oorja 2026 in Debe brought together puja, traditional dance, songs and bhajans at MP Dr Roodal Moonilal’s office, as the community marked the festival’s spiritual meaning. Moonilal linked the lighting of deyas to Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya and said Divali’s message is to carry hope, faith and positivity into families and the wider community.

By Khary Roberts

Retrieved Nov 4, 2026

Caribbean Airlines Celebrates Divali For First Time In 20-Year History

Caribbean Airlines Limited marked Divali for the first time in its 20-year history with a special observance at its Piarco head office, highlighting Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural diversity. The event featured Indian wear, tassa drumming, bhajans and deyas, and board director Prof. Selwyn Cudjoe linked the celebration to themes of righteousness and perseverance.

By Terry-Ann Browne-Campbell

Retrieved Nov 4, 2026

Two executives exit state companies

Leadership changes hit two state-linked companies this week, with National Flour Mills CEO Terrence Kalloo abruptly terminated and Angostura Holdings group general counsel Kathryna Baptiste Assee resigning. Both moves come as the companies face scrutiny over performance, costs and restructuring, with Angostura also under pressure from falling profits, weak demand and worker concerns.

By Andrea Perez-Sobers

Retrieved Nov 4, 2026

Flow donates supplies to palliative care patients

Flow Trinidad donated hundreds of personal care and hygiene items to patients at the Caura Palliative Care Unit through its Pink Friday drive, with employees contributing supplies during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Trinidad and Tobago Palliative Care Society said the effort showed how organisations can support people facing serious illness, alongside education on breast cancer and screening.

By GUARDIAN MEDIA NEWSROOM

Retrieved Nov 4, 2026