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a day ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Trinidad and Tobago imposes another state of emergency after uncovering plot to kill key officials
The country's coat of arms is displayed on the facade of a government building in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Aug. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ash Allen, File) PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad — Trinidad and Tobago declared a new state of emergency Friday after authorities accused a criminal network operating in prisons across the country of plotting to kill key government officials and attack public institutions. It's the second state of emergency to be declared in the twin-island republic in a matter of months. Last December, authorities took similar action citing concerns about gang violence. That state of emergency lasted until mid-April. Police said that smuggled cellphones enabled those involved in the plot to exchange encrypted messages. Months of intelligence gathering led investigators to believe the targets included senior police officers, members of the judiciary and employees at the state prosecution office, police said. There were no particular threats to any politicians, police said. 'They were planning, actively so, to carry out assassinations, robberies, and kidnappings.' Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro said at a news conference. Police described those involved as 'a co-ordinated and highly dangerous criminal network.' Guevarro said the intelligence report prompted him to recommend that newly elected Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar declare the emergency. Gang leaders who were housed in a maximum-security prison in east Trinidad — where illegal possession of cellphones and other communication devices has long been a problem — have been relocated to an unidentified facility, he said, without providing any details. 'We have seen recent acts of kidnapping and homicides being perpetrated against our citizenry that we have been able to trace back to this organized crime syndicate,' Guevarro said. Under the state of emergency, police can conduct searches and make arrests without a warrant. A curfew has not been put into effect. Last year, the country of more than 1.4 million people reported 624 killings, its deadliest on record, according to police data. As of July 17, police said the number of killings this year stood at 214, a decline compared to 325 killings in the same period last year. Anselm Gibbs, The Associated Press
Times of Oman
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
India actively working on creating comprehensive database of Girmitiya community: PM Modi
Port of Spain: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India is actively working on creating a comprehensive database of the Girmitiya community, documenting the villages and cities in India from which their ancestors migrated, identifying the places where they have settled, studying and preserving the legacy of the Girmitiya ancestors, and working to organise World Girmitiya Conferences regularly. While addressing Indian community members in Port of Spain on Thursday (local time), PM Modi noted that the move will also support India's "deep and historic ties" with people in Trinidad and Tobago. He recalled the participation of Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas. He said, "This year, when we hosted the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas in Bhubaneshwar, Her Excellency President Christine Carla Kangaloo ji was our Chief Guest. A few years ago, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar honoured us with her presence. At the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, I announced several initiatives to honour and connect with the Girmitiya community across the world. We are mapping the past and bringing people closer for a bright future." "We are actively working on creating a comprehensive database of the Girmitiya Community. Documenting the villages and cities in India from which their ancestors migrated, identifying the places where they have settled, studying and preserving the legacy of the Girmitiya ancestors, and working to organise World Girmitiya Conferences regularly. This will support the deep and historic ties with our brothers and sisters in Trinidad and Tobago as well," he added. PM Modi announced that citizens of Indian origin in Trinidad and Tobago, up to the sixth generation, will now be eligible for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards, allowing them to live and work in India without restrictions. "Today, I'm happy to announce that the OCI cards will be given to the sixth generation of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago. We aren't just connected by blood or surname. You are connected by belonging. India welcomes, and India embraces you," PM Modi said. He encouraged the Indian-origin community to visit their ancestral land and deepen their connection with India. "I encourage all of you to visit India more in person, and not just virtually via social media. Visit the villages of your ancestors. Walk the soil they walked on. Bring your children and neighbours. Bring anyone who enjoys 'Chai' and a good story. We will welcome all of you with open arms, warm hearts and Jalebi," he said. He also praised the Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago for keeping Indian culture alive. He said, "They left Ganga and Yamuna behind but carried Ramayana in their heart. They left their soil but not their soul. They were not just migrants, they were messengers of a timeless civilisation. Their contribution has benefited this country culturally, economically and spiritually." "The journey of the Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago is about courage. The circumstances your ancestors faced could have broken even the strongest of spirits. But they faced hardships with hope. They met problems with persistence," PM Modi added. PM Modi said that India is the third largest startup hub in the world, and women serve as directors in nearly half of these startups. He stated that India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has revolutionised digital payments. He congratulated Trinidad and Tobago for becoming the first country in the region to adopt India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system. "The World Bank has noted that India has lifted over 250 million people above extreme poverty in the last decade. India's growth is being powered by our innovative and energetic youth. Today, India is the third-largest startup hub in the world. Nearly half of these startups also have women as directors. Nearly 120 startups have achieved unicorn status. National missions for AI, Semiconductor and Quantum computing are becoming the new engines of growth. In a way, innovation is becoming a mass movement," he said. "India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has revolutionised digital payments. Nearly 50% of the world's real-time digital transactions take place in India. I congratulate Trinidad & Tobago for being the first country in the region to adopt UPI. Now sending money will be as easy as sending a 'good morning' text message! And I promise, it will be faster than West Indies bowling," he added. Trinidad and Tobago PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar also addressed the Indian community members. She praised PM Modi's leadership, calling him a "transformational force who has refined governance of India." She stated that PM Modi has modernised India's economy through his visionary and futuristic initiatives. PM Modi began his first official visit to Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday (local time) with a ceremonial Guard of Honour at Piarco International Airport, where he was received by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar along with 38 ministers and four Members of Parliament of the Caribbean nation. PM Modi has shared highlights from the special welcome in Port of Spain on the social media platform X. The video shows PM Modi being welcomed by his Trinidad and Tobago counterpart, Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Upon his arrival in Port of Spain, PM Modi was given a ceremonial welcome. The people of Trinidad and Tobago greeted PM Modi with enthusiasm, dancing to the beat of drums and showcasing traditional music and performances that reflected a blend of local and Indian culture. PM Modi also interacted with members of the Indian diaspora who had gathered at Piarco International Airport to welcome him. While sharing the video on X, PM Modi wrote, "May the friendship between India-Trinidad & Tobago flourish in the times to come! Highlights from a special welcome in Port of Spain."
The Independent
03-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
India's Modi arrives in Trinidad and Tobago to strengthen ties in first official visit
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday for a two-day trip expected to boost investments in energy, health, security and other sectors. It is Modi's first official visit to the diverse, twin-island Caribbean nation. More than 35% of its 1.4 million inhabitants are East Indian, descendants of indentured workers brought from India during the colonial era. Modi said on X prior to the trip that he was 'looking forward to deepening ties with a valued partner in the Caribbean, with whom we share very old cultural linkages.' Hours before Modi landed in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad's prime minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, closed schools and non-essential government offices as a security measure aimed at reducing traffic. Modi was scheduled to meet with officials on Thursday evening and address both Houses of Parliament on Friday, as well as sign several agreements. While many in Trinidad and Tobago's Hindu community were excited about Modi's visit, the nation's largest Muslim organization, the Anjuman Sunnat-ul-Jamaat Association, had its reservations. In a letter sent to a local newspaper, the association criticized Modi's government, saying it has 'emboldened religious intolerance and targeted the Muslim community' in India. 'We cannot ignore Mr. Modi's political legacy and its ramifications for Muslim communities globally,' the association said. About 18% of Trinidad and Tobago's population is Hindu, while 5% is Muslim. Modi is scheduled to travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina this weekend and meet with President Javier Milei.
