Category: CANA News

The director of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) David West has confirmed hat an investigation has been launched into the fatal shooting death of Joshua Samaroo after a video circulated on social media showing that he had surrendered to the police with his hands up in the air.

The incident which occurred on January 20 in St. Augustine along the east west corridor, also resulted in Samaroo’s wife, Kala Sealy, being left paralysed.

‘As with all matters of this nature, the investigation will be conducted independently and in accordance with the provisions of the Police Complaints Authority Act. The PCA takes this opportunity to reiterate that incidents such as these underscore the importance of the use of body-worn cameras by police officers,’ West said in a statement.

‘The Authority has consistently and vigorously advocated for the implementation of body-worn cameras as a measure to enhance accountability, transparency, and public confidence in policing.

‘Members of the public who may have information relevant to this matter are encouraged to contact the Police Complaints Authority by email at info@pca.org.tt or by telephone at 226-4722. The PCA will provide further updates where appropriate and in accordance with the law,’ West added.

The CCTV video, which emerged last Friday, captures the moments police officers opened fire on a car following a crash in Valsayn on Tuesday, killing Samaroo, 31, and leaving his common-law wife Kaia Sealy, 31, critically injured and paralysed.

Sealy, who was seated in the front passenger seat, was shot multiple times during the incident.

The footage was taken from a surveillance camera mounted at a Hindu temple opposite the scene.

Last Tuesday, Police Commissioner, Allister Guevarro, in a voice recording, described the incident as an ‘exchange of gunfire’:

He said officers of the North Central Division Task Force were ‘engaged in a high-risk vehicle pursuit when the car ran off the roadway.’

However, the video footage does not show a search for, or discovery of, a firearm in Samaroo’s possession, despite the top cop describing the incident as an ‘exchange’ of gunfire.

‘The occupants, instead of choosing to surrender, instead chose to challenge my officers. And acting in accordance with the use of force policy, my officers responded likewise. After an exchange of gunfire, two individuals were found nursing gunshot injuries and were taken for medical treatment.

‘One male (Samaroo) was later pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, while a female (Sealy) remains in critical condition under police guard. A firearm and ammunition were recovered at the scene, and the incident is now under active investigation by the relevant investigative units,’ Guevaro added.

Last year, 68 people were killed in confrontations with members of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), 14 more than the number killed in 2024. In 2023, police killed 45 people.

Head of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Social and Welfare Association, Assistant Superintendent of Police Ishmael Pitt told the Express newspaper that there is need for restraint and due process as investigations continue into Samaroo’s death.

‘At this stage, the entire issue is very sensitive and is one that is gathering public attention, as is consistent with incidents of this nature,’ Pitt said, noting that police officers were often required to make ‘split decisions’ in real time.

‘We need to allow the investigative process to take its natural course in order to determine exactly what occurred and let the facts inform the decision-making process going forward,’ he said.

Attorney Fayola Sandy, who represents the interests of Kaia Sealy, said her family has chosen not to engage the media at this time as they focus on her recovery.

‘Her family is currently unwilling to engage the press as they are focused on providing a healing environment,’ Sandy said, adding that she has viewed the CCTV footage now circulating publicly and that it appears consistent with the account previously given to her by Sealy.

‘In my respectful view, the footage raises serious questions and appears inconsistent with aspects of statements being circulated publicly,’ she said, adding that despite repeated efforts by Sealy’s legal team, police have not provided clear information regarding the legal basis of the operation.

‘Notwithstanding repeated efforts by counsel to obtain lawful clarity, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service has not provided clear particulars identifying the specific offence or offences alleged, nor any confirmation of an investigating officer formally assigned, save that a named officer is ‘expected to be appointed’,’ Sandy said.

‘In those circumstances, public statements being made by the TTPS at this stage are, at best, premature and risk undermining public confidence in the transparency and accountability required in a matter of this gravity.’

Sandy said she would not comment further on the detailed evidence at this stage.

The Donald Trump administration says it is taking steps to impose visa restrictions and revoke the visas of two Haitian Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) members and their immediate family members including their children.

‘These actions are being taken due to the TPC member’s involvement in the operation of gangs and other criminal organizations in Haiti, including through interference with the Government of Haiti’s efforts to counter gangs designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) by the United States’, said US Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson Thomas ‘Tommy’ Pigott.

He did not name the TPC members, but said the action is being taken under the US Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) ‘which generally bars entrance to those whose entry or proposed activities have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for our nation.

‘The United States remains committed to supporting Haiti’s stability and to partnering with Haitian authorities to fight gang violence in Haiti. The Haitian people have had enough with gang violence, destruction, and political infighting.

‘The Trump administration will promote accountability for those who continue to destabilize Haiti and the region,’ Pigott added.

Pigott said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Haitian Prime Minister Alix Fils-Aimé last Friday in reaffirming the administration’s support f or the French-speaking Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM)stability and security.

He said Rubio ’emphasised the importance of his continued tenure as Haiti’s Prime Minister to combat terrorist gangs and stabilise’ the country.

‘The current violence caused by gangs can only be stopped with consistent, strong leadership, with the full support of the Haitian people,’ Pigott said, adding that Rubio added that the TPC ‘must be dissolved by February 7 without corrupt actors seeking to interfere in Haiti’s path to elected governance for their own gains.

‘Haiti’s leader must choose Haiti’s stability. The United States will ensure there is a steep cost for corrupt politicians who support vicious gangs and wreak terrorism on Haiti,’ Pigott said.

As powerful gangs continue to expand their control across the country, senior UN officials warned the Security Council last week that Haiti’s deepening crisis has reached a critical phase.

With the political transition set to expire on February 7, UN officials cautioned that escalating violence, entrenched criminal networks and mounting humanitarian needs risk pushing Haiti further into instability unless security and political efforts are urgently sustained.

The head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), Carlos Ruiz-Massieu, said the country had entered a ‘critical phase’ in efforts to restore democratic institutions, calling on Haitian actors to contain political fragmentation and prioritize elections.

‘Let us be clear: the country no longer has time to waste on prolonged internal struggles,’ he said, stressing the need for continuity of governance arrangements beyond the February deadline and sustained coordination to bring the transition to a close.

Ruiz-Massieu said recent steps toward elections were encouraging, citing the adoption of an electoral decree on December 1 and the publication of an calendar for going to the polls later that month.

He said new provisions on voter registration, overseas voter participation and women’s representation could boost inclusivity if effectively implemented.

But the UN said progress on the political front is unfolding against a deteriorating security landscape.

The UN said gangs continue to mount coordinated attacks, control key economic corridors and agricultural regions, and force mass displacement – stretching police and humanitarian capacity to the limit.

The murder rate in 2025 rose by nearly 20 per cent compared with 2024, Ruiz-Massieu said.

He said some security gains have been made, stating that police operations, supported by the Security Council-authorized Gang Suppression Force, have reopened roads in parts of Port-au-Prince and the Artibonite Department, while state presence around the capital’s Champ de Mars has been gradually restored.

However, Ruiz-Massieu cautioned that such gains remain fragile and risk reversal without sustained pressure and basic service delivery.

John Brandolino, acting executive director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), said the evolving violence reflects a deeper transformation of Haiti’s criminal landscape.

Both officials underscored the importance of the transition of the Multinational Security Support Mission into the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) and the establishment of the UN Support Office in Haiti, calling for predictable funding and continued international backing.

Beyond security, the UN said the humanitarian situation remains dire.

A new report by two United Nations organizations Monday noted that in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), violence continues to be a serious threat to the lives, health and well-being of millions of children, adolescents and young people.

In a joint publication, titled ‘Violence against children and adolescents in Latin America and the Caribbean: New data and solutions,’ the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), said the most serious consequence of violence is the death of thousands of children, adolescents and young people.

They said that between 2015 and 2022, an estimated 53,318 children and adolescents were victims of homicide in the region.

The most recent available data, focusing on adolescents aged 15 to 17 years, show contrasting trends by sex. Between 2021 and 2022, the homicide rate among adolescent boys decreased from 17.63 to 10.68 deaths per 100,000 in Latin America and the Caribbean, although it remains high.

During the same period, the rate among female adolescents doubled, from 2.13 to 5.1 deaths per 100,000.

The two UN agencies said homicides occur in a context of rising armed violence in some areas of the region, associated with organized crime, easy access to firearms, social inequalities and harmful gender norms, which increasingly expose adolescents to situations of lethal violence.

They said different forms of violence are interconnected and, in many cases, intensify over time.

The report highlights how violence is present from a very early age. In the region, six out of 10 children and adolescents under 14 years of age are subject to some type of violent discipline at home, while one in four adolescents aged 13 to 17 experiences bullying at school.

Nearly one in five women in Latin America and the Caribbean report having experienced sexual violence before the age of 18. Increasingly, violence manifests itself in digital environments, although available data remains limited.

‘Every day, millions of children in Latin America and the Caribbean are exposed to violence – at home, at school and in communities with a gang presence. Multiple places and situations in the region present real risks and dangers for children,’ said Roberto Benes, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

‘We know how to end the violence. In Latin America and the Caribbean, strong and sustained public policies are required to prevent and respond to violence in all its forms so that every child can grow up in a safe environment.’

PAHO director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa said violence has a profound and lasting impact on the physical and mental health of children and adolescents and violates their right to grow up in safe environments, at home, school and in the community.

‘Health services play a key role in prevention and response: when health workers identify people and groups at risk early and provide timely, quality support, they can make a real difference for survivors, their families and communities.’

In addition to describing the scale of the problem, the report highlights evidence-based solutions that can prevent violence and mitigate its costs.

To advance this agenda and end violence in all its forms, PAHO and UNICEF urge governments in the region to strengthen and enforce child protection laws, ensure effective control of firearms, train police officers, teachers, and health and social workers, support parents and caregivers in respectful parenting practices.

They also urge investment in safe learning environments, and scale up responsive services to ensure that all children and adolescents grow up protected, have access to justice, and live healthy, violence-free lives.

The report was validated during a regional ministerial consultation held on October 23-24 last year, which brought together more than 300 participants from across the region, including ministers and senior officials from the health, education, justice and child protection sectors, as well as civil society representatives, youth leaders and international partners, with the aim of agreeing on concrete actions to build safer environments for children and adolescents.

The first contingents of the United Nations Securuty approved Gang Suppression Force (GSF) for Haiti are expected to arrive on the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country in April, as part of international efforts to help restore security and stability.

GSF Special Representative Jack Christofides, made the disclosure following a meeting here with the Dominican Republic Foreign Minister, Roberto Álvarez.

Christofides thanked the Dominican Republic for its cooperation and announced plans to visit Santo Domingo once he formally assumes his post in Haiti in February.

Christofides, who currently holds a senior post in the UN’s peace operations, was named by the group of countries, Known as the Standing Group of Partners and include the United States, Canada, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, The Bahamas and Kenya, said the deployment is expected to be completed by October 2026.

According to Christofides, funding for the mission has been approved for a period of one year.

Álvarez also met with Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), emphasising the importance of renewing BINUH’s mandate, which expires on January 31, this year.

Álvarez reaffirmed his country’s commitment to continue collaborating on medical evacuations of GSF members and providing logistical support from Dominican territory.

The GSF’s mission is to restore state authority and public order, reduce gang territorial control, secure critical infrastructure, and support the Haitian people as they work toward a return to elected governance and long-term stability.

Last September, the UN Security Council authorised the deployment of the new international force to replace the struggling Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, to restore state authority and public order, reduce gang territorial control, secure critical infrastructure, and support the Haitian people as they work toward a return to elected governance and long-term stability.

Meanwhile, over the last weekend, embattled Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, accompanied by the President pro tempore and Coordinator of the Transitional Council (CPT),Laurent Saint Cyr, attended the graduation ceremony for Haitian National Police (PNH) comprising 877 new police officers, including 156 women.

In his address, Prime Ministers Fils-Aimé, who also heads the Superior Council of the National Police (CSPN), reiterated that Project P4000, which aims to train 4,000 new police officers between 2026 and early 2027, represents a strategic response to the national security emergency.

Fils-Aimé reaffirmed the determination of the CPT and the government to sustainably restore State authority, strengthen the operational capabilities of the PNH and regain control of territories occupied by criminal and terrorist gangs due to insecurity.

‘This programme is a national strategy for regaining, stabilizing, and consolidating State authority. The State is no longer backing down. It is fully assuming its mission,’ Fils-Aimé, expressing the Haitian government’s gratitude to its international partners, particularly the United States, Canada, and the European Union, for their unwavering support in restoring security, revitalizing the economy, and organizing general elections throughout the country.

President Saint Cyr urged the national security forces to remain fully focused on restoring security, despite attempts to undermine the national momentum of retaking the territory.

‘I pledge that decisions made at the highest levels of government will always be aligned with the fundamental aspiration of the people : the restoration of security. We stand with the interests of the majority. The majority is not two, three, or five people. The majority is the people. And the interests of the majority are security.’

He also urged the security forces to remain fully mobilised against any attempt at destabilisation, reiterating that security is essential for national stability, the organization of credible elections, and the return to normal life for the population.

Caribbean-American New York State Assembly member Brian Cunningham on Saturday denounced the latest fatal shooting by agents from the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Reports indicate that ICE agents fatally shot Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse Alex Pretti during an ICE protest in Minneapolis on Saturday.

‘This week, the country watched news out of Minneapolis that should stop every person in their tracks,’ Cunningham, the son of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the 43rd Assembly District in Brooklyn, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

‘This tragic death follows yet another fatal shooting tied to immigration enforcement, in the same city, involving Renee Good, amid rising tension around increasingly aggressive federal operations,’ he added. ‘Two ICE agents, two fatal shootings, in less than two weeks, it’s unacceptable.

‘No matter where you stand politically, federal force cannot become the default language of immigration policy,’ Cunningham continued. ‘When civilians are dying and communities feel occupied rather than protected, democracy is being tested in real time.’

The Assemblyman said the Caribbean community and New Yorkers are ‘not treating this as distant.

‘When federal immigration enforcement becomes increasingly unregulated and insulated from oversight, immigrant communities are hit first, but the consequences affect us all,’ he said.

‘Fear changes daily life. It discourages parents from sending kids to school, makes people avoid hospitals, and stops witnesses from reporting crime,’ added Cunningham, a co-sponsor of the New York for All Act (S2235A / A3506A), which would restrict and regulate how state and local entities discover or disclose immigration status, including limits on questioning and information-sharing that can funnel families into civil immigration enforcement.

‘That makes every neighborhood less safe, and it leaves room for abuse to grow in silence,’ Cunningham continued. ‘As a New York State legislator, my responsibility is not only to speak clearly in moments like this. It is to use the law to protect New Yorkers and set firm boundaries when federal enforcement is operating without sufficient oversight.

‘The Minneapolis shootings are not just Minnesota news; They are a warning about what happens when enforcement expands without clear limits, transparency, or accountability,’ he said.

US House of Representatives Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries also said on Saturday that ‘ [US President] Donald Trump and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are completely and totally out of control.

‘Today, lawless and masked thugs masquerading as law enforcement officers brutally killed another American citizen on the streets of Minneapolis without justification,’ said Jeffries, who represents the 8th Congressional District in New York, encompassing parts of Brooklyn and Queens.

‘The coldblooded slaying of VA (Veteran Affairs) nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti is a horrific, preventable tragedy,’ he added. ‘The American people deserve a thorough, independent investigation without interference or obstruction by DHS.

‘Every single federal agent responsible for the unjustified killing of another civilian must be held criminally accountable to the full extent of the law,’ Jeffries continued. ‘Taxpayer dollars are being misused by DHS to brutalize American citizens and law-abiding immigrants with impunity. The American people reject this affront to our values.’

He said House Democrats mourn the death of Pretti and ‘stand with the brave people of Minneapolis during this increasingly difficult and uncertain time.

‘The operations of ICE and CBP (Customs and Border Protection) in Minnesota must cease and desist,’ Jeffries urged.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley has pushed back against criticism from Democratic Labour Party (DLP) leader Ralph Thorne over the timing of the upcoming general election, saying the process followed the law and that claims to the contrary are based on a misunderstanding.

Thorne raised concerns at the DLP’s islandwide rally on Saturday, arguing that the election was announced before the Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC) completed the voters’ list, which he said was not due until January 31. According to Thorne, the early election call created confusion and undermined the process.

(Details in Politics section)

Manchester City took a potentially decisive step toward the WSL title on Sunday, grinding out a 2-1 victory over London City Lionesses that stretched their lead at the summit to nine points. After Chelsea’s loss to Arsenal a day earlier, City seized the opportunity with a late, gritty winner from Jamaican forward Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, who netted in the 86th minute.

‘Job done,’ Shaw told reporters post-match, summing up a performance that was more resilient than refined.

‘It was a difficult game today, but we’ve shown throughout the season that we never give up. We came out here knowing what we had to do, and we got the job done.’

For long stretches, City laboured against a stubborn London City side, but Shaw’s decisive intervention secured a win that may ultimately prove priceless.

With just nine games remaining and 27 points left to play for, City now sit firmly in the driver’s seat. Even a defeat in next Sunday’s headline clash with Chelsea would leave them six points clear, boasting a vastly superior goal difference.

The numbers tell a story of relentless dominance. City are riding a 12-game winning streak in the WSL, a run sparked after an opening-day loss to Chelsea.

They have scored in 27 consecutive league matches, a club record, and average 2.7 goals per game this season. Stopping City from scoring has become a task in itself; taking points off them has grown nearly unimaginable.

At the heart of this offensive juggernaut is Shaw, whose 13 league goals this campaign make her the overwhelming favourite to claim a third consecutive Golden Boot.

The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has officially sanctioned a comprehensive technological upgrade to the nation’s Immigration infrastructure, featuring the implementation of automated electronic gates (e-gates) at all air and sea ports. The move, marks a transition toward a fully digital border experience.

The new system is designed to allow travellers to process their own entry by swiping electronic passports, effectively replacing traditional manual checkpoints with high-speed, automated kiosks.

The Director General of Communications, Maurice Merchant, stated that the upgrade is a direct response to the need for increased efficiency and modernization at ports of entry. ‘

Key features of this upgraded system include enhanced passenger screening capabilities, automated processing of passenger information, and seamless integration across air and sea ports,’ Merchant confirmed. ‘We will introduce electronic gates, or e-gates, whereby you take your passport, you swipe, and you go.’

Beyond traveller convenience, the government is prioritizing national security through advanced biometric integration. The new system will include expanded fingerprint databases and watch list functionality that syncs in real-time with international aviation and law enforcement platforms.

‘This is about more than just speed; it is about the integrity of our borders,’ Merchant noted.

‘By utilizing real-time data and biometric matching, we are ensuring that Antigua and Barbuda remains a hostile environment for those who seek to circumvent our laws, while remaining a welcoming one for legitimate travellers,’ he said.

‘The system is designed to be fully integrated,’ Merchant added. ‘This means whether a traveller is arriving by air at V.C. Bird International or by sea at one of our heritage quays, the security protocols and the ease of entry remain exactly the same.

‘The new system will strengthen security through improved biometric and watch list functionality, expanded fingerprint databases, and upgraded reporting tools,’ Merchant explained.

‘It will also integrate with international law enforcement and aviation platforms, supporting compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, and future developments, such as next generation e-passports.’

Merchant emphasized that the technology is designed to be future-proof, ensuring that Antigua and Barbuda remains in step with global travel trends.

He noted that the system is fully automated and will extend coverage to maritime arrivals as well as aerial ports, ensuring that border security is uniform and robust across both islands.

The deployment of this technology is expected to begin shortly, with the government aiming for a seamless transition that minimises disruptions to current travel schedules.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley has pushed back against criticism from Democratic Labour Party (DLP) leader Ralph Thorne over the timing of the upcoming general election, saying the process followed the law and that claims to the contrary are based on a misunderstanding.

Thorne raised concerns at the DLP’s islandwide rally on Saturday, arguing that the election was announced before the Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC) completed the voters’ list, which he said was not due until January 31. According to Thorne, the early election call created confusion and undermined the process.

Responding later that evening while on the campaign trail in St John, Mottley rejected the assertion and pointed to the Representation of the People Act to support her position. She noted that the legislation requires the voters’ register to be published no later than January 31, not on that exact date.

Mottley said the register of electors was officially published on January 15, ahead of the election announcement, and therefore served as the valid register for the 2026 poll. She added that once an election is called, preliminary lists are also issued to allow for corrections and updates.

The prime minister also reminded the public that the window for adjustments to the voters’ list was rapidly closing, with less than 48 hours remaining for individuals to confirm their registration details or update their address.

Addressing claims of irregularities, Mottley said discrepancies in the voters’ list are not unusual and have occurred in every election cycle for decades. She rejected suggestions that the issues were politically motivated, noting that persons associated with both major political parties had been affected.

She again urged eligible voters to take personal responsibility for ensuring their information is accurate, encouraging them to review the list before the deadline.

Scoreboard of the 26th match of the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup between West Indies and Ireland here at the High Performance Oval on Sunday.

WEST INDIES U19S

Tanez Francis lbw Riley 19

Zachary Carter run out 8

+Jewel Andrew c Bates b Murray 66

*Joshua Dorne c Murray b Ford 17

Jonathan van Lange c Riley b Wilson 28

Shamar Apple c +Ogilby b Murray 15

Shaquan Belle c Riley b West 11

Aadian Racha c Murray b Wilson 28

Micah McKenzie c Wilson b West 4

Jakeem Pollard b Wilson 0

Vitel Lawes not out 18

Extras (b2, nb 1, w9) 12

TOTAL (all out; 46.5 overs) 226

Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-30, 3-67, 4-134, 5-162, 6-163, 7-180, 8-205, 9-206, 10-226.

Bowling: Wilson 8.5-1-50-3, Riley 8-1-36-1, Murray 10-0-37-2, Lecky 6-0-47-0, Ford 7-1-30-1, West 7-0-24-2.

Ireland U19s

James West b Lawes 45

+Freddy Ogilby c Apple b Racha 14

Adam Lecky b McKenzie 18

Rob O’Brien c Van Lange b McKenzie 26

Sebastian Diijkstra b McKenzie 7

Marko Bates c Van Lange b McKenzie 22

*Oliver Riley c Dorne b Lawes 7

Reuben Wilson not out 16

Bruce Whaley not out 1

Extras (b1, lb1, w6) 8

TOTAL (seven wkts; 40 overs) 164

Dis Not Bat: Luke Murray, Thomas Ford

Fall of wickets: 1-47, 2-82, 3-84, 4-98, 5-136, 6-143, 7-161

Bowling: Pollard 6-0-27-0, Belle 7-0-24-0, Racha 5-0-27-1, Van Lange 2-0-7-0, Lawes 10-0-41-2, McKenzie 10-0-36-4.

Toss: West Indies Under-19s elected to bat first.

Result: West Indies Under-19s won by 25 runs (DLS method)

Player-of-the-Match: Micah McKenzie

Umpires: Iknow Chabi, Shaun Haig

TV Umpire: Graham Lloyd

Reserve Umpire: Virender Sharma

Match Referee: Neeyamur Rashid