Category: CANA News

Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew has been advised that he be ‘transported abroad for specialised observation and precautionary monitoring’ after he was admitted to the Joseph N. France (JNF) General Hospital on Sunday night.

A government statement said ‘arrangements are currently underway to facilitate this transport’.

It said that Prime Minister Drew, 49, a medical practitioner, who has been in office since August 2022, was brought to the hospital on Sunday evening ‘following symptoms of mild discomfort, nausea and headache’

The statement said he was ‘immediately admitted for observation and thorough clinical evaluation.

‘The medical team and specialists at JNF General Hospital have attended to the Prime Minister continuously over the last 18 hours. Following comprehensive analysis and diagnostic reviews, his treating physicians are satisfied with his overall condition, confirming that he remains awake, alert, and in stable condition.’

The statement said that ‘out of an abundance of caution and based on the medical team’s observations since his admission, the full medical team has advised that Prime Minister Drew be transported abroad for specialised observation and precautionary monitoring’

The statement said that Cabinet and the government ‘request that the nation keep Prime Minister Drew in their prayers for a swift and full recovery,’ adding that ‘the public is reassured that the business of government continues seamlessly and without interruption.

‘A further update on the Prime Minister’s status will be issued to the nation at 7:00 pm (loccal time) today,’ the statement added.

Meanwhile, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Director General, Dr. Didacus Jules in a statement said he was ‘deeply concerned’ at the illness of Prime Minister Drew, saying that ‘ our thoughts and prayers are with him at this time.

‘We pray for God’s healing hand upon him and for wisdom and strength for the medical team caring for him. May Prime Minister Drew enjoy a swift and full recovery and return soon to good health and service.’

St. Kitts and Nevis is a member of the nine-member sub-regional OECS groupi

Opposition leader Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has described as ‘laughable’ an announcement by the ruling New Democratic Party (NDP) its support for the government’s decision to sell approximately 100 acres of land at Chatham Bay, Union Island, for approximately EC$54 million (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents).

The NDC in a statement over the weekend said that the sale is being done under an agreement designed to protect the area’s biodiversity while strengthening the country’s fiscal position.

‘The lands are to be held by a company for conservation purposes, with binding covenants included in the sale agreement to ensure that the natural environment and biodiversity of the area are protected,’ the ruling party said. But Gonsalves noted that 15 years ago when the land was evaluated as a result of approaches made by foreign investors, it was valued at approximately ‘US$42 million or thereabouts and that’s over EC$110 million.

‘That’s over 15 years ago and then that arrangement didn’t go through because some of the investors in respect of the resort went elsewhere,’ he said, noting that another person wanted to purchase the land in order to preserve it as a national park.

‘I told him simply that we will not sell that as a national park. We want it for investments. In fact, the initial inland holding licence which had been given to that property under the James Mitchell administration was for a small hotel development with a restaurant. Not a big investment of the type which we were envisaging with the French, Belgian and Indian (investors).

‘But this gentleman…he is a citizen of St. Vincent…and I told him, no, we couldn’t sell him the land to keep it as a park. I told him that it’s 100 acres of prime land, it’s our crown jewel and I just couldn’t do that.

‘We have to do it for the purpose of hotel development, resort development, so we can employ jobs, employ people and we can generate a lot of revenue and be a big boost for Union Island and the Southern Grenadines. I said we can have part of the land which we can use for conservation and environmental purposes, but the bulk of it would have to be involved in genuine resort development. He wasn’t interested in that,’ Gonsalves added.

In its statement supporting the Godwin Friday’s decision to sell the land, the NDP said that Chatham Bay is located near important forest reserves, including Water Rock Reserve, Large Forest Reserve, Colin Campbell Reserve and Jack O’Dan Reserve.

‘These areas are of significant ecological importance and are associated with the habitat of the endangered Union Island Gecko, a species found only in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and will receive strengthened protection in coming months. ‘

The ruling party said that it also understands that the decision to proceed with the sale forms part of the government’s wider effort to reduce the heavy debt burden left by the previous Gonsaves’led administration, ‘whose years of fiscal mismanagement contributed to the country’s debt reaching approximately 113 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP).

‘This level of indebtedness has placed serious pressure on the State’s ability to fund critical needs, including healthcare, national development programmes and public-sector reform,’ the party said, quoting Prime Minister Friday as stating that ‘proceeds from the sale will be directed towards clearly identified national priorities’.

It said this include contributing to the capitalisation of the National Development Bank, supporting the new Ministry of Fisheries, Land and Sea Conservation and Climate Resilience, and funding debt-reduction measures and initiatives aimed at improving Government efficiency.

The NDP said that in addition, ‘and most importantly the sale includes a significant safeguard for the public interest’ adding that ‘under the agreement, the Government retains the option to repurchase the lands within two years at the same price for which it was sold’.

It said Prime Minister Friday said the transaction reflects the government’s commitment to responsible fiscal management, environmental protection and transparency.

‘This transaction reflects responsible Government: protecting our natural heritage, reducing debt, and investing in the future of our people. The public interest is protected through conservation covenants,’ the Prime Minister said.

The NDP recalled that several years ago, the lands were reacquired by the Gonsalves government after a private investor failed to develop the property for a proposed tourism project.

‘The land was brought back into Government ownership at a compensation value of less than EC$700,000. The current transaction therefore represents a substantial capital gain to the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, while placing conservation at the centre of the land’s future use.

‘The NDP supports the Government’s commitment to transparency, responsible land management and the protection of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ natural heritage. ‘

But Gonsalves said the statement by the NDP is ‘laughable’ recalling that prior to his Unity Labour Party (ULP) coming into office in 2001, the then ruling NDP had given an American investors a landholding licence in relation to the land.

‘The purchase, imagine the purchase price at the time from the vendor, was under $200,000. It was obviously sold at a price way below market value…and as I said in the court case, for them to save on stamp duty, I don’t know how any government could have allowed that to have happened.’

But Gonsalves said that the investors breached the Alien Landholding licence because for 15 or so years, ‘they did absolutely nothing’.

Gonsalves said on coming into office he directed the the Attorney General’s office ‘to go for forfeiture under the 1922 legislation’ being successful at both the High Court and the Court of Appeal.

He said just before the matter went to the London-based Privy Council, which is the country’s highest and final court, ‘they threw in their towel as I expected.

‘But I told them all along that I will pay them the price, which they paid for it on the face of their deed, plus five per cent interest, which is what I did…. They wanted more,’ he said, after valuing the property at $20 million’.

But Gonsalves said that the government paid less than $700,000 ‘because…we had two judgments behind us and I said, ok, we’ll pay you what you paid out, plus five per cent interest, up to the date.’

He said the investors accepted the payment which is recounted in his book, recalling also how the United States government had sent an official here ‘to put pressure on me’

Gonsalves said that with regards to the government now indicating that after 20 years it had been able to sell the land for US$20 million is beyond belief.

‘Absolutely not, and not only would I not sell it for that,’ Gonsalves said, recalling where 30 something acres of land at Mount Wynn was sold for EC$40 million.

he Guyana Amazon Warriors crashed Trinidad and Tobago’s Independence Day celebrations at the Queen’s Park Oval, securing a thrilling 9-run victory over the Trinbago Knight Riders via the DLS method in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League on Monday night.

Shimron Hetmyer delivered a knock for the ages on his 100th CPL appearance, equalling the tournament’s record for the fastest ever century.

The explosive left-hander smashed an unbeaten 111 off just 43 deliveries, reaching his ton in a mere 40 balls after rain reduced the contest to 16 overs per side.

The contest was pitched as the ‘Curry Classic’ and it surely started spicy as the Knight Riders’ formidable PowerPlay attack immediately made their presence felt.

Akeal Hosein and debutant Lahiru Kumara dismissed Glenn Phillips (0) and Shai Hope (16) with only 19 runs on the board.

Before the PowerPlay could be completed, the heavens opened, forcing a lengthy delay with the Warriors languishing at 22 for 2.

Whatever was said during the rain break worked wonders for the Warriors’ batting unit. After a brief settling-in period, Hetmyer found his rhythm and quickly raced to a half-century off 27 balls.

While TKR’s spinners have been exceptional this season, their seamers continue to struggle, and the contrast was brutally exposed.

Poor debutant Kumara bore the brunt of Hetmyer’s fury, conceding 30 runs in the 13th over. Romario Shepherd joined the party, and the duo pillaged 85 runs in the final four overs to propel the Warriors to 185 for 5.

The DLS adjustment left TKR with a revised target of 182 and a vociferous home crowd behind them.

The hosts began positively, but Sunil Narine fell to a spectacular one-handed grab on the boundary from Glenn Phillips that even surprised the fielder himself.

Colin Munro helped himself to four fours, but he too followed shortly after, dismissed by Mohammad Nabi for 22.

Nicholas Pooran injected much-needed momentum with a blistering 43 from 16 balls, which included seven boundaries, four of which were maximums.

However, Nabi struck again when Pooran found Quentin Sampson’s hands at cover point, triggering a collapse.

Jyd Goolie (0), Justin Greaves (1), and Akeal Hosein (18) all fell, as the required run rate climbed steeply.

Alex Hales kept faint hopes alive with a magnificent 55 from 24 balls, smashing seven sixes before Shamar Joseph shattered his stumps.

With 24 runs needed from the final over, Shepherd held his nerve to guide the Warriors to victory, extending their unbeaten run in the tournament and full speed ahead towards the play-offs.

Police have charged another person in connection with the death of 16-year old Jerbiah Paul, whose decomposing body was found earlier this month in a village north of here by members of the Barbados-based Regional Security System (RSS) after she had been reported missing since July 24.

Police said that Jolie-Ana Naomi James of Lagoon Portsmouth, north of here, had been arrested and formally charged with the offense of ‘perverting the course of justice and possession of ammunition without being the holder of a valid ammunition’s license.’

When she appeared in the Magistrate’s Court on Monday, James elected to have a summary trial in the ammunition charge and pleaded not guilty. The matter has been adjourned to November 2, 2026.

On the indictable matter of perverting the course of justice by giving a false statement to the police about her alibi she was not required to enter a plea as this matter is to be tried by a Judge and jury. That matter was adjourned to November 10, 2026

Attorney Wayne Norde told the court that he intends to file a bail application hearing and needed witness statement, interviews and the investigating officers in both matters. The bail application has been set for Friday, September 4, 2026.

So far, the police have already charged police officers, Jean-Luc Langlais and Joshua Hamlet with murder, while another officer, Rennick Stevens, has been charged with perverting the course of justice.

Nyoka James, 21, was also slapped with a similar charge of perverting the course of justice.

They will all return to court on October 2, this year.

Trinidad and Tobago is celebrating its 64th anniversary of independence on Monday with Police Commissioner, Allister Guevarro, telling cittizens the threats to disrupt the celebrations are low and that they should not worry about the series of bomb threats made over the past few days.

Among the activities planned for the anniversary is the traditional military parade at the Queens Park Savannah on the outskirts of the capital.

‘To the unpatriotic, cowardice keyboard warrior who perpetrated this current set of hoaxes, all I will say to you is that time is longer than twine, and be mindful of the vengeance of Moko,’ Guevarro said in a broadcast on the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) website.

‘As Commissioner of Police, I call upon the national community to stand united against such reckless conduct. These hoax threats are not a joke. They are an attack on our courts, our institutions, and our people.

‘The TTPs will pursue all leads relentlessly, and those responsible will face justice,’ Guevarro said, adding ‘I assure citizens that celebrations will proceed safely and securely and uninterrupted.

‘The TTPs remain steadfast in its duty to protect and serve without fear or favour, and together we will not allow fear-mongering to overshadow our national pride. Happy Independence Day to each and every one of you,’ he said.

Guevarro said that over the past two weeks, Trinidad and Tobago has been subjected to a series of coordinated bomb threats, targeting the magistrates courts, government ministries, shopping plazas and hotels.

He said each report was thoroughly investigated by the Explosive Detection and Disposal Unit of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, supported by the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service ‘and in every instance, the threats were confirmed to be hoaxes.

‘No explosives or suspicious devices were ever uncovered,’ he said, noting that some of the bomb threats have now extended to even diplomatic missions.

‘Investigations confirmed that these threats were designed to disrupt the daily operations at the mentioned institutions, as well as the more cowardly act of spreading fear among the public. The TTPS condemns in the strongest possible terms the reckless and malicious actions of those responsible.

‘Such behaviour is not only criminal, but also deeply responsible, and seeks to sow fear, disrupt justice, and waste valuable public resources. These hoax threats undermine national security efforts and divert attention from genuine policing needs.

‘The public must recognise that those who engage in such acts are attacking the very stability of our democracy and the safety of our communities. Despite the volume of the threats, no intelligence has come to hand indicating that there was anything else but a hoax, and that no one was planning any attack against the state, the diplomatic missions, or even the Independence Day celebrations.’

The top cop said that ‘the threat level remains low’ and that the primary risk is public panic and disruption, reiterating that ‘not any single credible threat was found’.

He said that the TTPS has responded with heightened alert and instituted particular measures to ensure that there are no disruptions to any of the planned Independence Day activities.

‘Investigations are continuing, but in matters which fall within the realm of cybercrime, it takes a little longer to obtain the evidence,’ Guevarro said, recalling a similar case last year, when someone used cyber resources to terrorise a secondary school.

He said that that person ‘foolishly believed that the internet afforded them the luxury of being anonymous, and up until the time when their freedom and their independence were removed by my officers, they still felt that they were anonymous, and then the handcuffs clipped’.

Meanwhile, President Christine Kangaloo has lamented what she described as too many families in Trinidad and Tobago experiencing grief due to violence.

In her Independence Day message to the nation, she said that it was important to confront realities including sorrow affecting families and enable youths to secure a brighter and better future.

Kangaloo said it was the citizens’ rights to protect its democracy including certain fundamental freedoms, and demand law and order.

‘Independence gave us the authority to determine our own course. Republican status placed responsibility for our constitutional life fully into our own hands. Sovereignty has therefore become stewardship: the duty to care wisely for the nation entrusted to us and to pass it on stronger than we received it.

‘We should be candid with ourselves. All is not as we would wish it to be. Too many families have known the grief caused by violence. Too many citizens face uncertainty about their future, and too many young people struggle to see a secure place for themselves in the country of their birth. Independence does not require us to overlook these realities. It gives us the freedom, and imposes upon us the duty, to confront them.

‘The freedom we celebrate includes the freedom to live without fear. Every life lost to violence diminishes us, and every family left to mourn bears a sorrow that touches the nation as a whole. We are therefore right to insist upon safety and order,’ Kangaloo said, noting that there was the need for shared responsibility.

‘But our Independence also entrusts to us laws, institutions and liberties which generations before us struggled to secure. A mature society does not regard security, liberty and the sanctity of life as competing aspirations. It works, patiently and responsibly, to protect all three,’ she said.

‘That responsibility belongs to all of us. The deeper work of building a peaceful society begins wherever a child is taught the value of human life; wherever a family, teacher, coach, faith community or neighbour helps a young person to discover purpose; and wherever citizens choose responsibility over indifference and service over self-interest.’

In her message, the head of state said that there is a need for equity in the society.

‘It also requires us to recognise one another as equal citizens. Independence made us one people in law. Nationhood asks us to become one people in practice: not by surrendering the differences that enrich us, but by refusing to allow those differences to determine who belongs, whose contribution is valued, or whose dignity deserves protectio..

‘The Republic belongs wholly and equally to every citizen. Its institutions are not the possessions of the persons who occupy them, nor instruments of the moment. They are held in trust for all the people. Their strength depends upon the integrity of those who serve within them, the vigilance of those whom they serve, and our willingness to remember that, after political disagreements have passed, we must still live together and build one future.’

Kangaloo said that future ‘will be shaped by what we place in the hands of the next generation’.

Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre Monday confirmed that Housing, Local Government and Urban Renewal Minister, Richard Frederick, has been sent on ‘administrative leave’ with immediate effect as investigations continue into the St. Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF).

Pierre told the weekly news conference that the decision to send Fredrick on administrative leave would ensure ‘that any doubts that may exist about the Social Development Fund have been cleared, are cleared.

While he did not elaborate on the decision to send Frederick on administrative leave, on August 10, Pierre told reporters that Opposition Leader Allen Chastanet was intent on damaging ‘the good name of the country’ when he sent correspondence to several regional and international organisations questioning the transparency, governance, and financial management, including the audit independence of the SSDF.

Chastanet had in a July 28 letter to Prime Minister Pierre and copied extensively to several organisations including the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank,(CDB), foreign embassies and representatives of civil society organisations, warned of the future engagement of international benefactors, and their commitment to the development of St. Lucia.

‘These issues concern the stewardship of public funds, legal compliance, and the integrity of public institutions, and must be treated with the requisite urgency and importance. It is therefore essential that the process adopted be transparent, independent, and capable of restoring public confidence,’ Chastanet wrote.

But Pierre told reporters that Chastanet served as prime minister between 2016 and 2021 and that the last audit was done for the years 2017 and 2018 in March 2023.

‘These audits were done in March 2023 and the St. Lucia Labour Party, we were the party in power at that time,’ Pierre said, noting that upon his assuming office, the current board of directors initiated the process of auditing the financial statements of the SSDF, recognising the importance of ensuring that financial records are necessary.

‘The SSDF is now looking ahead and is pleased to advise that the auditors have committed to delivering unqualified audited statements for the financial years 2022, 2023, 2023, 2024, 2024, 2025 and 2025.The board is working closely with the auditors who have been appointed with the objective of having the statements finalised by the end of 2026.’

Pierre said that the only reason why statements have not been prepared is because the United Workers’ Party, under the present Leader of the Opposition, failed to present audited statements for these years.

He said then that he has been informed by the SDSF that reports have gone every year to the Caribbean Development Bank on the Basic Needs Trust Fund. That is why they give the money back. They refinance it every year,’ he said, adding also that any one who has contributed to the SSCF has received a report on how the money was used.

Pierre told Monday’s news conference that Frederick has been asked to ‘recluse himself’, adding ‘that doesn’t imply any guilt.

‘It emphasises our government’s position of having nothing to hide. The Minister will not be exercising any ministerial duties during that time to allow all questions that anyone wants to ask to be answered and to allow the process to continue. But the SSDF will continue.

‘The SSDF is an organisation of high priority for the government and its job and its functions to assist the underserved, the low-income, the differently abled and the young people will continue.

‘Let me emphasise, the Minister being on administrative leave does not imply any guilt. What it does, it ensures that there is full transparency in the process. The Minister will not be attending cabinet during this time, so the Minister will not be in a position to influence decisions taken in the cabinet.

‘This is the only reason why he’s been put on administrative leave until further notice. If and when there are any other announcements to be made, they will be made,’ Pierre told reporters.

Earlier this month, Frederick hinted at taking civil and criminal action against his accusers after the police had said that an allegation made against him on a different matter had not been sustained.

Police Commissioner Verne Garde told a news conference that following weeks of investigations into the allegation against Frederick, which he did not disclose ‘the allegation was not sustained.

Garde said that his own review of the investigative file led him to support the findings of the investigating officer, telling reporters ‘I have currently with me the file from the investigative officer. I have gone through the file and I agree with the recommendation of the investigating officer.

Frederick,60, who is also an attorney told viewers to a television programme that calls for his resignation rest on an unproven claim.

‘I sit in the serving cabinet at the behest of the prime minister and he at any time can tell me boy pack up and leave. But to ask me to resign on fabrications, it just means that tomorrow, two people can make a report against any minister, can concoct any story and then we will have to ask them to resign. Where does it end?’

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has acknowledged that the ongoing war between the United States and Iran is having an impact on energy prices on the global market as Antigua and Barbuda prepares to increase fuel prices this week.

Browne, speaking on his weekly radio programme, said also that his administration cannot continue to subsidize the price of the commodity as it had been doing for several months in the past. ‘We have not only been subsidizing the cost of fuel at the pump, but we have also been paying West Indies Oil Company rather than collecting tax revenues from the company,’ Browne told radio listeners.

‘I want the public to understand that we normally collect between three and four million dollars (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) monthly from WIOC on an average. So instead of collecting that three to four million dollars per month for the past six months, roughly EC$24 million, we now owe WIOC EC$15 million,’ he said.

Prime Minister said he had hoped the war in the Middle East involving Iran and the United States would have been over by this time, but that the conflict seems to be dragging on with no clear end n sight.

He told his radio listeners that this has led to much volatility on the international markets especially on petroleum prices and that officials in the Ministry of Finance are advising that expected increases in fuel prices could be in the vicinity of EC$$3.50 cents.

But that this would constitute too large an increase at the pump and that the government has agreed on a price of two dollars across the board.

‘That was too large an increase to be implemented in one fell swoop, so we settled on a smaller increase,’ Browne said, and as a result, the prices at the pump will move from the current EC$14.50 for gasoline to an estimated EC$16.50, diesel at EC$16.25 per gallon.

But Browne said that despite the increase, consumers here will be paying less than for fuel than their counterparts throughout the Caribbean region.

The St. Lucia government Monday announced that the first batch of persons being transferred to the island under the third country nationals programme established through its bilateral agreement with the United States will arrive here later this week.

Foreign Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation and Diaspora Affairs Minister, Alva Baptiste, told the weekly Cabinet news conference that the six individuals – five men and one woman will be permitted entry into St. Lucia under the programme.

‘Over the next two years, St. Lucia will receive up to 10 persons each quarter. The United States remains a strong and valued partner to St. Lucia. Our relationship is built on cooperation and a shared commitment to addressing regional and international challenges responsibly,’ he told reporters. Watch video

Baptiste said that at the request of the United States government, ‘we have been discussing how we can assist in implementing the third country nationals’ programme.

‘I know this matter has raised concerns, so let me address them directly. These individuals are not criminals. Their circumstances are administrative. They were unable to establish normalcy in their immigration status in the United States and were therefore identified for removal,’ he said.

He said Castries is working closely with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to provide two clear options.

‘One, voluntary repatriation to the countries of origin or those who choose to remain to follow the appropriate laws and receive support for the integration into St. Lucia society. Our government is very clear. Our agreement to this programme reflects the values we proudly uphold as a nation.

‘Values of compassion, human dignity and respect for fundamental rights as enshrined in the UN Charter. It is who we are as St. Lucians,’ Batiste said, adding that the government will keep the public informed throughout the process.

Baptiste made it clear that when the migrants from the United States arrive here ‘we cannot treat them as if they are prisoners.

‘We are going to receive them and treat them with respect. The same respect that we expect people from other countries to treat our people when our people go to them. We have substantial numbers of St. Lucia who reside in various countries around the world, and we would like our people to be received and treated with respect….’

He said in recent times countries have been putting up barriers and migration has become a ‘key aspect of political platforms and no doubt we have a duty under international law to treat people with respect’.

The Bermuda government says it will use National Recovery Month in September to educate Bermudians about substance use treatment and mental health services, which can enable them to live a healthy and rewarding life.

The Department for National Drug Control (DNDC) in collaboration with the Ministry for National Security and treatment agencies across the island, said that the 37th annual Recovery Month observance will be spearheaded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) in the United States.

‘The DNDC will use the month to educate Bermuda about substance use treatment and mental health services, which can enable those with a mental and/or substance use disorder to live a healthy and rewarding life,’ it said, adding that ‘the observance reinforces the positive message that behavioural health is essential to overall health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover’

According to the government there are hundreds of Bermudians whose lives have been positively transformed through recovery and that since these successes often go unnoticed by the broader population, Recovery Month 2026 will provide a vehicle for everyone to celebrate these accomplishments.

‘Each September, millions of prevention, treatment, and recovery programmes and facilities around the world celebrate National Recovery Month. They speak about the gains made by those in recovery and share their success stories with their neighbours, friends, and colleagues,’ according to a spokesperson for the DNDC, adding ‘in doing so, everyone helps to increase awareness and fosters a greater understanding of the diseases of mental and substance use disorders.’

The authorities here said that a range of activities will take place throughout September to mark Recovery Month and encourage public awareness and support for those in treatment and recovery.

They said Recovery Month will conclude on 30 September with the Candlelight Vigil of Hope and Remembrance and that it ‘will honour recovery pioneers who are no longer with us, remember those who have lost their lives to addiction and reinforce the message that recovery is possible’.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Monday had a message for members and supporters of the ruling United National Congress (UNC) as the Trinidad and Tobago celebrates 64 years of independence : ‘do not crawl on your belly for anyone. It’s either peace or total war, nothing in between’.

In her message, Persad-Bssessar, an attorney, who is serving her second term as head of a government here, said that she was sending a message specifically to the ‘UNC family.

‘I say thank you for the honour of leading our great party and country. I love each one of you, and I will love you all till the day I leave this life. Today we acknowledge our mothers and fathers, grandparents and great-grandparents, and the suffering they endured in the lagoons, cane fields, and oilfields to give us a fighting chance pre- and post-independence.’

Persad-Bissessar said that the party’s membership ‘was born of people mired in poverty who, at times, survived on salt and rice, while drinking water from ponds and springs. Sometimes eating one meal a day to make the sacrifices needed to educate us in cowsheds and church annexes.

‘They fetched water in box carts and bull carts, used flambeaus for light, had no healthcare, possessed one outfit of clothes for going out, and usually had to walk or ride a bicycle for miles in the sun or rain to reach any government service. They were objects of ridicule and hatred in this country for years under the PNM, post-1962 Independence.’

But she said that yet over 64 years, ‘they fought to educate their children to ensure that we owned our rightful place as equal citizens in this country.

‘We must keep working for our sons and daughters to qualify themselves to have better lives than ours. We must never stop learning, working and improving. You must strive to be owners and entrepreneurs, not simply satisfied with being workers or living on state welfare.

‘We must also have love in our communities. Greet the day with love, for it is the most valuable key to success. Never allow your heart to become small and bitter; rather, share it, and it will grow and warm everyone and everything around you. While I encourage you to live with love in your heart, I also say do not crawl on your belly for anyone. It’s either peace or total war, nothing in between.’

Persad-Bissessar, the first woman ever to lead the party and a government in Trinidad and Tobago, said that ‘more than just a party, the UNC is a belief system rooted in the spirit of resistance, freedom, equality, justice, unity, hope, and faith.

‘It is a spirit that lived in our poor, marginalised ancestors, yet who never allowed themselves to fall by the wayside.’

Persad-Bissessar, who has led the UNC since January 2010, said that this is why ‘the leadership of our party must never fall into the hands of weak men and women’ and that ‘finesse and diplomacy must be backed up with steeliness and savagery when required to defend the UNC membership.

‘A UNC leader must never allow our party to be hijacked by the local drug mafia and the fake eat-a-food elite as happened to the PNM (main opposition People’s National Movement),’ she wrote, adding that she is ‘committed to working tirelessly to ensure your voices are heard and our nation moves in the right direction’.

The UNC was formed on April 30, 1989 with its founder, Basdeo Panday, serving as the party’s first leader and later becoming the first Indo-Trinidadian prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago.