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Irish fashion designer Paul Costelloe dies aged 80

Nationnews Desk
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Irish fashion designer Paul Costelloe dies aged 80

Irish fashion designer Paul Costelloe has died in London aged 80.

Costelloe became one of the best-known names in British and Irish fashion and was personal designer to the late Diana, the Princess of Wales.

His family issued a statement on Saturday saying they were “deeply saddened to announce the passing of Paul Costelloe following a short illness”.

They added: “He was surrounded by his wife and seven children and passed peacefully in London.”

He was born in Dublin where his father ran a successful company making raincoats.

After studying at the Grafton Academy of Fashion Design he moved to Paris where he took a course at the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris.

He set up his own label in 1979, Paul Costelloe Collections, and presented collections at London Fashion Week, as well as in Paris, Milan and New York.

In 1983 he was appointed personal designer to Diana, Princess of Wales, a collaboration which continued until her death in 1997.

Costelloe often used traditional Irish fabrics and textiles in his designs, including Irish linen and tweed.

He collaborated with Dunnes Stores and was the closing designer for the inaugural Ireland Fashion Week in October this year.

He was criticised in 1998 when he said that Irish women lacked style.

“Irish women have difficulty with style because it’s not in their inner nature… like the Italians,” he said at the time

However, during an interview with Irish broadcaster RTÉ this year, he said he felt that Ireland was more European than years ago.

Taoiseach (Irish PM) Micheál Martin said he was “very saddened to learn of the passing of Paul Costelloe”.

“An icon of design, Paul elevated Irish fashion to the global stage,” he said.

Tánaiste (deputy PM) Simon Harris said Costelloe had “led a remarkable life”.

Harris added: “He built a hugely successful business through incredible talent, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to quality.

“He leaves behind a body of work that shaped modern Irish fashion and will continue to shape it in the years to come. He will be greatly missed and warmly remembered.” (BBC News)

Boyce: Confronting masked riders on illegal bikes

Colville Mounsey
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Boyce: Confronting masked riders on illegal bikes

Commissioner of Police Richard Boyce says Barbados must confront the growing trend of masked riders on unregistered motorcycles – a combination he described as “a deliberate disguise for criminals who want to move unseen, strike quickly, and vanish before the public can identify them”.

At Police Headquarters yesterday, Boyce pointed to Wednesday’s murder at President Kennedy Drive and the subsequent shootout in Goodland as an example of how the disguises are being used.

“Those two gunmen were not only armed – they were concealed from head to toe, riding a motorcycle with speed and agility. The public saw it. Our officers experienced it first-hand. This is a method now being adopted by people who want to terrorise neighbourhoods.”

Residents of both districts reported seeing the pillion rider firing while looking backwards, hoodie flapping and face covered.

Boyce said these were not random fashion choices.

“People want to say it is style but too often we are seeing balaclavas, masks and oversized hoodies being used to hide identities. When combined with an illegal motorcycle, that is a very dangerous pairing and we are dismantling it.”

The Commissioner reminded the public that the law already prohibits the wearing of facecovering items in public when circumstances suggest criminal intent.

“Under the Highways Act, Section 37, we have the power to intervene. If your face is covered in a way that prevents identification, and the situation raises suspicion, that is an offence. We cannot pretend this is harmless.”

Ski masks

He added that no new legislation was required to address the sale or importation of ski masks at this time.

“We have discussed it. Nothing is off the table. But right now, the issue is enforcement and we

are enforcing the law.”

Boyce said unregistered scramblertype motorcycles have become a feature in recent violent crimes.

“The ability to weave between vehicles, escape through narrow passageways, and accelerate rapidly gives offenders a tactical advantage but we are closing that gap,” he noted.

The Commissioner said specialised teams would now be intercepting illegal bikes aggressively.

“If your motorcycle has no plates, no registration, no insurance, and you are dressed in a way that mimics these offenders, you should prepare to be stopped. We cannot – and will not – leave these machines unchecked,” he warned.

Boyce acknowledged that the imagery of masked riders speeding through districts has unsettled many.

“When you see individuals fully covered in black clothing, racing past you, it creates an atmosphere of anxiety,” he said.

“This is why we must confront it head-on. This is why Barbadians must understand that we are not sitting still.”

He urged citizens to report the presence of motorcycles parked suspiciously in neighbourhoods.

“Vehicles used in robberies and shootings are sometimes left abandoned for days. Let us know the moment you notice something out of place.”

The Commissioner stressed that officers would be applying a fresh level of scrutiny in public spaces.

“We have entered a new policing posture.

These garments and motorcycles, when used for concealment and criminal mobility, are not welcome in Barbados. We are shutting down that pattern, and we are doing so immediately.” ( CLM)

Rise stars bring the heat

Nationnews Desk
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Rise stars bring the heat

Saturday night Rise Reggae put on it’s third edition of the widely anticipated event with thousands filling Kensington Oval for a night of sweet reggae music and riddims.

This year’s line-up of reggae royalty included headliners Sizzla Kalonji, Romain Virgo, Junior Kelly and Rhesa Garnes. DJ RAS was the MC for the event.

Doors opened from 8 p.m. and as the crowd built up they were treated to DJ sets from the impressive lineup of Freedom Sounds’ Jerry Dan powered by Rude Boy Barbados, the Energy Squad with Mikey Dread & Shaddy, Legacy Team, T&Z entertainment, Jesse T and DJ RAS.

Each set delivered an infectious blend of modern and vintage reggae music. By the time the live performance started two hours later, the audience was in a grove, dancing and singing along to the positive reggae vibes permeating the air.

Barbados’ own reggae songstress, Garnes, led off the live performances with her soulful voice, the perfect opener to was what an unforgettable evening.

Junior Kelly received a rousing welcome from the Bajan crowd. He gave a captivating performance as he delivered hit after hit including crowd favourite If Love So Nice and closed off his set with Take this Up next, Romain Virgo, the “Gentleman of Reggae” graced the stage sending the women wild. He delivered hits such as Who Feels It Knows It and Fade Away.

He took a moment to talk about the devastation Hurricane Melissa brought to his beloved island of Jamaica and thanked the Barbadian public for their unwavering support.

He then gave a moving rendition of the Jamaican anthem which touched the hearts of all in attendance, especially the Jamaicans in the crowd who sang in unison. He continued his performance with Soul Provider, a medley of reggae hits on the Joy Ride Riddim, and closed out with Good Woman, heading into the crowd and handing out roses, much to the delight of the female fans.

Up next, DJ Indian & Chris Gayle kept the vibes going with a blazing DJ set of old and new reggae tunes which heightened the energy of the crowd as they anticipated the headline act of the night.

When Sizzla hit the stage, the crowd erupted.

The energy in the Oval was infectious and the audience turned into a choir as the man, the legend, delivered hit after hit from his more than 30 years in entertainment and 80 albums.

Each tune was recited word for word, beginning to end as the Bajan crowd showed their pure love and admiration in song. (LR)

Doc wants urgent shared solution to AMR emergency

Nationnews Desk
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Doc wants urgent shared solution to AMR emergency

There are no alarms when bacteria begins to resist medicines, and no visible warnings when a once simple infection becomes harder to treat.

Yet across Barbados, professionals in medicine, agriculture, environmental health and marine science are seeing signs that call for urgent cooperation.

Antimicrobial resistance, known as AMR, is often described as a quiet emergency and the shared solution is the One Health approach, a framework that recognises that human health, animal health and environmental health are deeply connected.

Senior lecturer in microbiology, Dr Marquita Gittens St Hilaire, described One Health as “the only lens that makes sense for small island states like Barbados”.

Interconnected

She explained that “humans, animals, plants and the environment are interconnected, and what happens in one area ultimately affects the others”.

In her view, AMR is a national issue that cannot be addressed one sector at a time.

“We have to act as one country, not separate systems,” she said.

Medical officer, Dr Leslie Rollock, has witnessed the changing landscape of AMR first-hand. She points to gonorrhoea as a clear example of the growing challenge.

“We are seeing resistance of some sexually-transmitted infections such as gonococcal infection to penicillinbased antibiotics and decreasing sensitivity to the newer treatments,” she explained.

What once responded to straightforward treatment now requires more careful management.

Rollock said the misuse of antibiotics continues to worsen the situation.

“People still believe antibiotics cure everything, and they do not. Antibiotics do not work for colds, and they do not work for the flu,” she said.

She emphasised that Barbadians must avoid pressuring doctors for antibiotics and use prescriptions exactly as directed.

“Responsible use protects the entire community,” she explained.

Senior environmental protection officer, Carlon Worrell, described the environment as the “silent driver” of resistance. He warned that AMR spreads easily through what people release into soil, drains and water systems.

“Waste streams carry antibiotic residues, resistant organisms and resistant genes into soil and water,” he explained.

“These become reservoirs of resistance.”

He added that antibiotics flushed into wastewater do not disappear.

“Low levels of antibiotics in wastewater are not strong enough to kill bacteria. They actually encourage bacteria to adapt,” he said.

Worrell believes households have a crucial role to play.

“Proper disposal of medications, good septic maintenance and support for responsible waste management all help reduce contamination,” he said.

“These small actions protect our national water supply.” ( BGIS)

Get moving in Funathlon

Nationnews Desk
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Get moving in Funathlon

The Nation Publishing Co. Limited is inviting Barbadians to lace up their sneakers and strap on their skates on Sunday for the annual Nation Funathlon, a fitness and fundraising event that has been bringing the island together for more than three decades.

The Funathlon will start at 4 p.m. from the Harold Hoyte and Fred Gollop Media Complex

in Fontabelle, St Michael, with pre-activities starting at 3:30 p.m.

This year’s event marks more than half a century of the company’s commitment to community engagement and social responsibility.

Under the theme Educate & Empower Healthy Living, the Funathlon will raise funds and diabetes awareness.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Diabetes and Hypertension Association of Barbados and the Barbados Diabetes Foundation. This year’s Funathlon is sponsored by the Chukka Foundation, with additional support from several local businesses.

The about five-kilometre route starts in Fontabelle. Participants will head towards Kensington Oval, turn onto President Kennedy Drive, and continue through Westbury Road and Goodland Road in St Michael. The route then winds through Deacons Road and Farm Road, where Michael Mikey Mercer will join the crowd, before participants make their way back to the Nation via Brighton Road and the Mighty Grynner Highway.

DJ Daddy Biggz will keep energy levels high throughout the event, while Indian and Chris Gayle provide entertainment from the music truck.

Registration remains open through the day of the event. Online registration is also available by scanning the QR code in Funathlon ads in the Nation newspapers or on social media at @nation246 on Instagram and The Nation Barbados on Facebook. (PR)

Public has ‘right of way’

Maria Bradshaw
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Public has ‘right of way’

High Court Judge, Patrick Wells has issued an order permanently restraining multimillionaire Richard Haines, the developer of Joe’s River, from erecting “any obstruction of whatsoever kind” at the public right of way of the historic Joe’s River Bridge.

A 48-page judgment delivered early yesterday morning – a week after conclusion of the case – was entered for claimants Victor Lewis and Christopher Oliver, who brought the case against Haines, the landowner, in 2023 when he attempted to construct two guardwalls at the entrance of the Joe’s River Bridge.

Tenby Foot Bridge

“Effective immediately and in perpetuity, the court declares that there is an absolute and indefeasible prescriptive public right of way at the southern end of the Tenby Foot Bridge at Tenby, Joe’s River, St Joseph [facing the direction of Bathsheba], which goes both east and west [left and right] into the Joe’s River basin and includes the Joe’s River basin in the immediate environs of the Tenby Foot Bridge; the path leading up to the teacup and saucer concrete monument; and the area immediately surrounding the monument.”

Wells ordered the walls removed and awarded cost to the claimants.

“The defendant is permanently restrained from causing or permitting, whether by itself or its agents and or its servants the erecting of any obstruction of whatsoever kind, including but not limited to concrete walls, anywhere in the declared prescriptive public right of way identified at paragraph 2. Any structure of whatsoever kind, which has been erected in the path of the prescriptive public right of way described and declared in paragraph 2 above, by the defendant, its agents and or servants, shall be dismantled and be removed immediately by the defendant.”

Wells said he had accepted the evidence of Oliver and Haynes that Barbadians daily traversed the Joe’s River site over the years and that visitors used the teacup and saucer to relax and to admire the Bathsheba vista and that the right of way had always been at the southern end of Tenby Bridge where the defendant had started to erect the wall.

Pointing out that the court had also visited the site, the judge stated: “I believe this evidence in its entirety and therefore find that it establishes decades of continuous use by not only Mr Oliver himself, but by the community, as well as visitors to the area who saw the river basin and the teacup and saucer monument as recreation.

Continuity

“Even if the use was intermittent the law makes clear that the degree of continuity is based on the type of right of way. In this case, the right of way was to access the river basin and the teacup and saucer monument for recreational purposes. In that regard, the access would not have been expected to be on a 24-hour or daily basis, but sufficiently regular to demonstrate continuous use.

“All the evidence that the court has adverted to thus far, leaves the court in no doubt that such continuous use for over 70 years was the true state of affairs and it is that access and right of way that the defendant has now sought to obstruct, with the construction of the concrete wall on either side of the railway trace, at the exit of the southern edge of the

bridge. The court, having visited and toured the area with the parties, was able to see for itself that on the northwestern edge of the Tenby Bridge, overlooking the river basin, there was in fact a very high precipice and a cliff face, that was simply unusable.

Treacherous

“The court was also able to see the northeastern end of the Tenby Bridge on the Cattlewash side, and it was obvious to the court as well that it would have been fairly treacherous to have entered the river basin from that end of the bridge. That section was heavily overgrown with a mass of trees and had a number of somewhat jagged rocks and small boulders at the base.”

The court, however, rejected Haines’ testimony that it was not his intention to block or impede the Government railway trace and that the wall which he was erecting was solely for the purpose of providing a measure of security and privacy to occupiers of his villa. Wells further found his testimony that the wall on the southeastern end of the bridge, which blocked the right of way, was to provide reinforcement of the banking, to be “wholly illogical and confounding”.

Wells stated: “In the first, that the wall was meant to be a ‘garden wall’, was untruthful and incredulous. There was no garden at that location of the property on either the western or eastern side of the southern end of the Tenby Bridge . . . Secondly, if it was not intended to block access to the river by the persons who traversed the area, there would have at least been a proper entry and egress . . . , instead of a concrete wall which would necessitate scaling it . . . in order to get into the river basin.”

He found that the real intention of the construction of the walls was to block the right of way enjoyed by the claimants which they were using for over 70 years as he explained that the Limitation and Prescription Act, states that where a lawful claim to the right of enjoyment of any way or easement over land, which is the property of another person or body corporate is made, and that enjoyment by the person claiming the right has occurred without interruption, for the full period of forty (40) years, that right shall be deemed to be absolute and indefeasible, unless it appears that the land was enjoyed by some consent or agreement, expressly given or made for that purpose by deed or writing.

“On the basis of all the factual findings discussed and made in this decision, and the determinations made in law, the claimants in this case have established to the full satisfaction of this court, on a balance of probabilities, that they, and the community surrounding the location of the right of way at the Tenby Bridge, St Joseph, as well as other members of the general public, have exercised a prescriptive right of way over the land now owned by the defendant for at least – over 70 years, and that the enjoyment of this right has been without interruption, and without consent or agreement expressly given or made for that purpose by deed or writing.” (MB)

BLP presence in St Vincent causes stir, but political scientists’ views differ

Shawn Greene
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BLP presence in St Vincent causes stir, but political scientists’ views differ

The presence of several members of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) in St Vincent and the Grenadines a week ahead of elections in that country has stirred some Vincentians who have been posting under a story and pictures that captured the arrival of the group.

The information came to light when iWitness News reported that a group had arrived in St Vincent and the Grenadines on Thursday, a week ahead of the November 27 general election, to assist Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves’ ruling Unity Labour Party’s election machinery as the contents of an unreleased poll was suggesting ULP was trailing the Opposition New Democratic Party.

Political scientist Professor Don Marshall, who specialises in political economy of development, said it was not a welcoming development.

“As someone who has been tracking and following elections and understanding how democracy works, I do believe that this is not necessarily a welcoming development because we are dealing with sovereign governments and general elections ought to be fought domestically involving the various competing parties.

“When political parties across the region, particularly when you have sitting heads and/ or representatives of the ruling parties or even the opposition parties intervening or politicking in another, I think it takes us beyond the realm of what should obtain, because ultimately CARICOM works on the basis of regional cooperation among sitting regimes.

“It could be quite uncomfortable and unfortunate if you have a change in government, for example, in St Vincent and the Grenadines, and that new NDP government has to contend with engagements on a variety of matters that relate to CARICOM with the Barbados Government after its head of government or operatives of the ruling party would have participated in trying to encourage Vincentians to vote the other way,” he said.

The director and senior research fellow of the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES) said it did not bode well for cementing and securing the integrity of the regional integration movement, given the temperature in the region in not holding together on United States ship strikes within the region.

“We can least afford this kind of tension that could attend to regimes that believe that another regime sitting in another capital is not supportive or was not supportive in its march to victory at the polls, so I don’t

see the system being positive. And you also have situations where the prosecution of a political party in office should take place featuring the people making a decision on how to assess the last term of office.

Marshall questioned how at a time when it was “desperately” needed for the region to engage in campaign finance reform, how much more complicated would it cost governments to be sending delegations or themselves be participating in the hustings in another country.

“It raises questions about the funding. Who is financing this? Are taxpayers’ dollars financing this? And if indeed taxpayers’ dollars are not financing this, how do we get transparency in relation to the support of political operatives within the ruling government, travelling and looking to lend support. How is that monetised and supported? This is an unnecessary set of interventions and activities that does not in anyway uplift or augment our understanding of how democracy can or should work,” Marshall stated.

Meantime, political analyst Peter Wickham said the situation was neither unusual or alarming, as labour parties across the region were a brotherhood/ sisterhood and generally helped each other.

He said in the past Kenny Anthony and Gonsalves campaigned together.

“The ULP generally supports labour party efforts across the region in pursuit of their fraternal bonds . . . and as you know, they [labour parties] also share political consultants, so this type of thing is to be expected. I think it speaks to the evolution of a regional politics which I do like,” he said. ( SG)

Easy win for Pride

Haydn Gill
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Easy win for Pride

PORT OF SPAIN – A sensational spell of fast bowling from Akeem Jordan helped to spearhead the Barbados Pride to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Leeward Islands Hurricanes in their CG United Super50 Cup

encounter at the Queen’s Park Oval yesterday.

The right-arm seamer bagged five wickets to first restrict the Hurricanes to 138 in 25.1 overs, after which Zachary Mccaskie and captain Kyle Mayers helped themselves to half-centuries to see the Pride home with relative ease at 139 for three.

Jordan, who finished with five for 39 to record his second five-wicket haul at this level, was elated by his performace.

“It actually feels pretty good. We put in a lot of hard work before coming to Trinidad. We only had like one practice session since we got here because of the weather. And to go there and bowl like that, it makes me feel very good because the hard work that we put in at home still shows,” he said during the mid-innings break.

The 31-year-old admitted that the pitch looked like it would favour bowlers.

Bearing immediate fruit

“When I saw it, I saw there was a bit of moisture in it, you know, a bit of grass, something in it for the bowlers if we happen to bowl first. My mindset was if we do bowl first, just look to get my straps running.”

After winning the toss, Mayers sent in the Hurricanes, with the decision bearing immediate fruit. In just the second over of the day, with just three runs on the board, Jordan shattered the stumps of opener Kofi James for a first-ball duck.

Four runs later, Jordan was in business once again as Carlon Bowen-Tuckett was caught by Mayers for four, to leave the Hurricanes losing their storm force winds early.

The Hurricanes limped to 12 runs, but the disastrous start just got worse, as they lost their next four wickets for a mere two runs.

Left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop got in on the act, as he picked up the scalp of captain Karima Gore, who was caught for two.

Jordan then bowled Tyrone Williams for a duck, before Bishop picked up two more wickets in the fifth over when he had opener Mykyle Louis caught for four and had Jewel Andrew caught for a duck.

At 14 for six, a paltry score was always going to be on the cards; but, some brisk late order hitting from Jahmar Hamilton and Nathan Edwards helped to get the Hurricanes over the 100-run mark.

Edward got to 49 after facing 39 balls with ten fours, but he went for one shot too many and was bowled by Javed Leacock. Hamilton used up 51 balls in getting to 45, but he was the last wicket to fall with the score on 138.

That score was never going to be enough on what was still a good batting surface, even as the Hurricanes got the early wicket of opener Leniko Boucher for nine at 19 for one.

Skipper Mayers ensured that his team kept the run chase intact, as he and McCaskie put on a 111-run second-wicket partnership. Mayers got to 55, with three fours and four sixes, before he was caught off Edward.

Five runs later, Edward struck again, as McCaskie followed his captain back into the pavilion after scoring a well-played 60 from 59 balls with five fours and two sixes.

Kraigg Brathwaite, batting down the order, along with Kevin Wickham, scored three and four respectively to see the Pride over the line without further loss, at 138 for three in 23.3 overs.

In the other early secondround encounter, the match between the Windward Islands Volcanoes and the Guyana Harpy Eagles at the Frank Worrell Memorial Ground at the University of the West Indies was abandoned without a ball being bowled. (CMC/HG)

US revokes visa of NGO official critical of US presence in the Caribbean waters

Nationnews Desk
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US revokes visa of NGO official critical of US presence in the Caribbean waters

The Trinidad and Tobago government has sought to distance itself from a decision taken by the United States to revoke the visa of the corporate secretary of the non-governmental organisation, Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS), Gary Aboud.

Aboud said he had received the information from the United States Embassy here, that his B1/B2 Visa for travel to the United States had been prudentially revoked.

“This email is considered official notification of that revocation,” it stated, adding that the action is “based on the fact” that additional information became available after the visa was issued indicating that Aboud may be “inadmissible” to the United States and there ineligible to receive a visa.

Aboud, who has been critical of the US naval presence near Venezuela in recent weeks, said for 28 years, FFOS has championed equity, justice, sustainable development, and the protection of vulnerable grassroots and coastal communities.

“Today, however, we face an alarming reality: NGOs are being silenced. NGOs are not enemies of the State; we are a critical pillar of any functioning democracy. Without an independent civil society holding power to account, there can be no transparency, no oversight, and no protection against abuses of authority.

“FFOS will always support our Prime Minister in a strong, lawful, and effective fight against the drug and arms trade. We will never condone unlawful killings or abandon the principles of justice and due process that protect us all,” the FFOS said in a statement.

In a statement posted on X, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar distanced her government from the US decision saying that Aboud in announcing that his visa had been revoked “raised several questions and made a number of incendiary statements that must be responsibly and firmly addressed.

“First and foremost, the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has absolutely no involvement in the decisions or actions taken by the Government of the United States or the U.S. Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago regarding their visa or immigration policies. These matters fall solely within the jurisdiction of the United States Government. Any concerns or requests for clarification or redress must be directed to the appropriate U.S. authorities.”

She said |we are blessed to live in a strong and vibrant democracy where freedom of speech and the right to expression are fully protected and have never been interfered with.

“Contrary to Mr. Aboud’s assertions, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are not being silenced. Such an inflammatory allegation is reckless, misleading, and risks causing unnecessary fear.

“I categorically state that there has never been – and will never be – any attempt by my Government to intimidate, punish, or suppress the voices of civil society. In fact, when a former Prime Minister recently called a press conference at his “office” and made a host of unfounded claims, I made it clear that he is free to speak. That is how democracy works, and my Government will always uphold that principle.

“Let me be clear: the true enemies of Trinidad and Tobago and the wider region are the narco-traffickers, human traffickers, gun runners, and the transnational criminal cartels responsible for unprecedented levels of bloodshed, violence, and suffering in our country.”

Persad-Bissessar, who is on record as saying that those involved in the illegal drugs trade should be killed “violently” said “I stand by my position that these dangerous criminals must be confronted decisively.

“My Government firmly supports the United States and our international partners in their mission to combat transnational trafficking and dismantle criminal networks that prey on our citizens.”

She accused the former administration of leaving “our borders dangerously exposed – allowing unchecked entry of illegal immigrants, members of violent gangs such as Tren de Aragua, and an influx of guns, drugs, and trafficked persons.

“For the first time in many years, the presence of the U.S. Marines and military assets in our region has contributed significantly to reducing the flow of illicit weapons and drugs into Trinidad and Tobago. Their partnership is welcomed, and their results are evident.

“My Government remains committed to strengthening regional security, protecting our citizens, and working alongside international partners – including the United States -to ensure that peace, safety, and the rule of law prevail in Trinidad and Tobago.

President Donald Trump has ramped up US military presence in the Caribbean Sea ordering an amphibious squadron to the southern Caribbean as part of his effort to address threats from Latin American drug cartels.

A nuclear-powered attack submarine, additional P8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft, several destroyers and a guided-missile cruiser  have also being allocated to US Southern Command as part of the mission. In addition, the US largest carrier, the Gerald Forde has joined the build-up

But the United States military has been bombing vessels in the international waters claiming that the occupants were drug traffickers without offering any evidence of such activity.

The United Nations UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also strongly condemned the airstrikes carried out by the United States against alleged drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean and Pacific.

Volker Türk said in a statement that the strikes “violate international human rights law”, demanding that they be stopped immediately.

Last month, the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat said that regional leaders had discussed several issues on the regional agenda, including the security build-up in parts of the Caribbean and its potential impact on member states.

It said that the position at that meeting was not endorsed by the government of Trinidad and Tobago.

Aboud said that the FFOS cannot condone extra-judicial killings.

“The end does not justify these unlawful and violent murders. The fight against narcotics must be rooted in the rule of law, due process, and respect for human rights,” he said, criticising the US attacks on Venezuelan vessels, describing them as lethal attacks carried out under the claim of counter-narcotics operations but in violation of international law.

Aboud highlighted that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called the strikes “unacceptable” and demanded an independent investigation, while Human Rights Watch deemed them “extrajudicial killings”.

He also questioned why the Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar has publicly endorsed violent action while failing to condemn the deaths of two Trinidadians in the strikes. (CMC)

Theft ‘after broken promise’

Heather-Lynn Evanson
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Theft ‘after broken promise’

Tyrone St Elmo Holford was upset that parliamentarian Santia Bradshaw had not followed through on a promise to give him a job, so he re-embarked on a life of crime.

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