Category: CANA News

MThe Office of the Chief Secretary (OCS) of the Tobago House of Assembly says it is seeking full clarification from the Central Government on the installation of a United States-supported radar system at the ANR Robinson International Airport.

The request follows public concerns sparked by comments made by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Wednesday.

In a media release, the OCS confirmed that U.S. personnel have been carrying out works at the airport, including the installation of a radar system designed to strengthen surveillance capabilities.

However, Chief Secretary Farley Augustine said he only learned of the Prime Minister’s confirmation after completing a live interview late Wednesday.

His public comments, the release noted, were based on the information available to him at the time.

Augustine reaffirmed Tobago’s neutral stance and emphasized that while foreign policy decisions fall under the purview of the Central Government, the THA’s priority is the island’s stability and security. He said he has since spoken with the Prime Minister and requested full details on the project.

According to the OCS, a formal meeting is being arranged with Cabinet Ministers and relevant state agencies to clarify the purpose, scope, and operational implications of the radar installation, along with any related issues.

The office said it will provide updates to the public once those details are available.

The release added that the THA remains committed to transparency, especially amid what it described as heightened regional sensitivities.

It said the OCS will continue engaging stakeholders, noting that diplomatic meetings with representatives from both Venezuela and the United States remain on the schedule.

The statement concluded by assuring Tobagonians that the Assembly will continue to monitor the situation and share developments as they arise.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has confirmed that the United States is installing a new radar system in Tobago to monitor activity within and beyond Trinidad and Tobago’s borders.

Speaking to reporters after a laptop distribution event on Thursday, Persad-Bissessar verified that US troops remain in the country and are assisting with surveillance upgrades in Tobago.

Her confirmation follows public reports of US Marines spotted at a popular Tobago hotel in recent days.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Friday congratulated newly-elected Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Godwin Friday.

On Thursday, Friday led his New Democratic Party to a 14-1 seat victory, removing Dr Ralph Gonsalves and his Unity Labour Party from office after 25 years in office.

‘On behalf of the Government and people of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, I extend warm congratulations to the Hon. Godwin Friday on his election as Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. I wish him and his party a successful tenure in office.’

Ali said he is looking forward to working closely with the Prime Minister-elect to deepen the bilateral cooperation between Guyana and St. Vincent and the Grenadines and to advancing regionalism.

‘ At a time when the Caribbean faces both new opportunities and shared challenges, I am confident that our partnership will continue to grow in ways that benefit our peoples and our region.’

‘I also take this opportunity to express Guyana’s sincere appreciation to outgoing Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. His long and dedicated service to the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and to Caribbean regionalism have earned him respect across our Community. His contributions to the advancement of CARICOM will be long remembered,’ Ali said.z

In a strategic move to secure a series victory against a resilient England outfit, the West Indies Under-19 selectors have injected fresh talent into their squad, calling up all-rounder Micah McKenzie of the Leeward Islands Hurricanes and wicket-keeper batsman Shamar Apple of the Guyana Harpy Eagles.

The duo has already joined the team in Grenada, where the ongoing seven-match Youth ODI series is reaching a thrilling climax.

With the young Windies holding a narrow 3-2 lead, the reinforcements are available for selection with the trophy in sight, starting with the crucial sixth match this Saturday, November 29.

The series has been a tightly contested affair, with both teams trading blows. After a strong start from the hosts, England fought back gallantly, setting the stage for a grandstand finish.

The addition of McKenzie and Apple provides Head Coach Rohan Nurse with more options and depth as they look to clinch the series with a game to spare.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has confirmed that the United States is installing a new radar system in Tobago to monitor activity within and beyond Trinidad and Tobago’s borders.

Speaking to reporters after a laptop distribution event on Thursday, Persad-Bissessar verified that US troops remain in the country and are assisting with surveillance upgrades in Tobago.

Her confirmation follows public reports of US Marines spotted at a popular Tobago hotel in recent days.

Flight-tracking platforms also recorded military aircraft landing at ANR Robinson International Airport, increasing questions about the presence and role of US personnel.

On Wednesday, Persad-Bissessar had said that no US Marines were in the country, noting that approximately 350 troops from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) had departed on November 21 after joint training exercises with the T and T Defence Force.

However, when pressed about the continued Marine presence in Tobago, she clarified: ‘On further inquiries, yes, in Tobago, there are some. US Marines are there, and they’re helping us with the airport.’

She said their work includes infrastructure, security, and radar installation.

The new system, she added, will strengthen surveillance and intelligence gathering to counter narcotics trafficking in T and T’s waters.

The Prime Minister did not address why her position shifted within 24 hours but maintained that the initiative is part of national security efforts aimed at curbing illicit drug activity.

The presence of US troops and military assets in Trinidad and Tobago has increased since October.

On October 26, the guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely docked at the Port of Port of Spain with members of the 22nd MEU for training and operational cooperation before departing on October 30. The Marines returned earlier this month for additional joint exercises.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth visited the region this week.

A day after meeting with the president of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, who authorised the US to use restricted areas to support anti-drug trafficking operation. Hegseth also addressed sailors aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford.

The Pentagon later released a video of him wishing the crew a happy Thanksgiving and offering prayers for two National Guard soldiers wounded in a Washington, DC shooting on Wednesday.

In a landmark moment for Caribbean sport, Trinidad and Tobago will be represented at a World Sailing Championship for the first time in the Para and Inclusive Sailing category.

The global governing body, World Sailing, has officially invited 23-year-old athlete Justin Bridgemohan and his coach, Kristof Stven, to the 2025 World Sailing Inclusion Championships in Oman.

The event, set for December 3-8 at the Barceló Mussanah Resort, will see Bridgemohan make history as the nation’s first-ever para sailor to compete on the world stage.

Bridgemohan’s journey to becoming a competitive sailor is as remarkable as his selection. His foray into parasport began only last year at a para badminton workshop in Mexico, where he first met Stven, who was training as a classifier.

It was there that the duo first dreamed of taking to the water. That dream became a reality earlier this year when the Andrew Lewis Sailing Foundation’s Academy hosted its first summer sailing programme.

Bridgemohan joined near the end of the initiative, which taught over 200 new sailors, and instantly took to the sport. He now trains at the academy two to three times weekly, rapidly progressing from a novice to racing his fully able-bodied colleagues under Stven’s coaching.

‘This is more than just a competition, it’s a movement,’ said Stven. We want to show that sailing is a sport for everyone, regardless of determinant factors like race, gender, or ability, and that Trinidad and Tobago has the talent, heart, and determination to make waves globally.’

Stven’s role at the championship is also pivotal. A World Sailing Level 1 Technical Coach and a national classifier with the Trinidad and Tobago Paralympic Committee (TTPC), he has been invited by World Sailing to shadow international classifiers, a rare opportunity that will position him as one of the region’s first experts in para sailing classification.

Bridgemohan is expected to compete in the Hansa 303 class, one of the world’s most recognised adaptive sailing boats. His participation and formal classification at the event will officially certify him as an internationally recognised para sailor.

This historic feat highlights the nation’s growing commitment to para sport development, championed by the TTPC and the Andrew Lewis Sailing Foundation, where Stven serves as Head Coach.

‘We are proud to see young leaders like Kristof Stven and athletes like Justin Bridgemohan carrying the torch for inclusive sport,’ said Sudhir Ramessar, President of the TTPC. ‘Their commitment to excellence and representation will inspire many more young athletes across the Caribbean to believe in their potential.’

Despite a brilliant maiden list A century from all-rounder Jeavor Royal, the Jamaica Scorpions went down by one wicket to the Windward Islands Volcanoes in their CG United Super50 Cup clash at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, here Thursday night.

Royal’s brilliant 124 rescued the Scorpions and helped them to a decent score of 231 in 44.4 overs; however, all-around contributions saw the Volcanoes inching over the line at 233 for nine in 49.1 overs, to seal the win.

The day/night contest saw the Scorpions win the toss and decide to have first use of the decent batting wicket.

That decision did not look all that great early, as early wickets were the order of the day for the Volcanoes bowlers, which virtually blew away the Jamaican top and middle order.

When the 22nd over of the innings was being bowled, the Scorpions were in tatters at 87 for seven, with captain Brad Barnes 21 and opener Carlos Brown 22, the only batters to reach double figures at that point.

Pacer McKenny Clarke and medium pacer Shadrack Descarte had combined to pick up four of the top six wickets; however, lower order batsman Jeavor Royal had other ideas, as he came in at number eight and played the innings of a lifetime.

With his team down and out, Royal decided to fight fire with fire, and he went about his business most destructively. Royals struck four fours and eleven sixes in a whirlwind 107-ball knock.

The right-hander first shared in a 58-run eight-wicket partnership with debutant Andre Bailey, who made 21 and then added a vital 76 runs for the final wicket with Tamarie Redwood who contributed just one run to the effort.

Royal was the last wicket to fall in the 45th over to Clarke, who ended with 3-41 while Descarte and Kenneth Dember picked up two wickets each.

With a more than decent total to defend, the Scorpions had to work hard for wickets, as the Volcanoes batters chipped away at the target with meticulous precision.

Five batters in the Windwards lineup got starts, with opener Johan Jeremiah 30, Sunil Ambris 34, Darron Nedd 35, Descarte 31 and Dillon Douglas 44, all contributing to the successful run chase.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Volcanoes, as the Scorpions picked up wickets at crucial times, to leave the game on a knifes edge towards the back end of the innings.

It would come down to the final pair in the final over, as Dember with a vital 19 not out and Darel Cyrus 5, seeing the Volcanoes over the line, which in the end, was not enough to get them into the final.

Marquino Mindley, Royal, Bailey and Barnes all picked up two wickets each.

The call that saved a dream came when Ojay Shields was fast asleep. Exhausted after a training session and a subsequent gym workout, the Jamaican fast bowler was jolted awake by his ringing phone.

On the other line was West Indies Head Coach Daren Sammy, offering a lifeline that instantly erased six months of doubt and reignited a childhood ambition.

For Shields, a 29-year-old pace bowler from the parish of Manchester, the journey to the cusp of a West Indies cap has been anything but conventional.

It’s a tale of resilience, born from early rejections and fueled by a relentless work ethic that saw him transform from a swing bowler nicknamed ‘Puss tail’ into a genuine quick.

The dream was first kindled in the small cricket district of Craighead, where West Indies victories sent ripples of joy through the community.

It was solidified during morning devotions at Holmwood Technical High School, where he saw local heroes like Jermaine Blackwood and John Campbell celebrated for their cricketing feats.

‘Seeing how the players who represented Jamaica carried themselves, they were role models,’ Shields recalled. ‘It gave me inspiration.’

That inspiration, however, met with early adversity. He failed to make the cut at the under-19 trials in 2013 and 2014, a setback that left him mentally challenged and ‘on the back foot’ without any youth cricket pedigree. Undeterred, he channelled his frustration into raw effort.

‘I didn’t have that much pace in high school,’ he admitted. ‘I was only swinging the ball. So I went to the gym, got stronger, and pushed myself to the limit to bowl faster.’

His perseverance earned him a scholarship to GC Foster College, which led to a degree and a crucial cricket opportunity: a trial for the Combined Campuses and Colleges team at Melbourne Oval, the home ground of his hero, Courtney Walsh. He impressed, making his List A debut in 2018.

Yet, the path remained slow. It took until 2023 for him to earn his first-class debut for Jamaica. As seasons passed, the dream began to fade. Just six months ago, with age becoming a factor, Shields seriously contemplated retirement.

‘I was actually thinking about giving up. ‘I didn’t think it was necessary to be fighting for a spot for the Jamaica Scorpions without any hopes of going any further.’

That’s when Coach Sammy’s life-changing call arrived. ‘He said, ‘Mr. Shields, I read a lot about you, and I’m looking forward to working with you,’ Shields recalled. ‘When he said, ‘We must ask if you accept,’ I immediately said, ‘Yeah!”

Now, with the prestigious maroon cap within touching distance, Shields is struck by the profound emotion of achieving his goal.

As a teacher at Enid Bennett High School, he understands the power of his story. He lives by the mantra, ‘The art of living lies in balancing the acts of life,’ and finds that the patience required for Test cricket directly translates to managing a classroom.

‘Sometimes there are bad-behaved students who can really irritate you,’ Shields stated. ‘But I’m quickly reminded that their journey is very much like Test cricket, requiring patience and persistence.’

Guyana has dispatched its second tranche of emergency relief supplies to Jamaica, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

The shipment, coordinated by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), departed on Thursday, from the AFS Shipping Wharf at Friendship aboard the MV Falk.

It is expected to arrive in Jamaica within six days.

This latest support follows President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s recent visit to Jamaica, with other Heads of CARICOM Heads of Government, and reflects strong collaboration between the government and the Private Sector.

The supplies include wood and zinc sheeting to rebuild 200 roofs, along with mattresses, water tanks, and rice.

Showcasing local manufacturing capacity, the mattresses and tanks were manufactured locally by A and F Foam Factory and Lion Tank.

According, CDC’s Director General, Colonel (Ret’d) Nazrul Hussain, the deployment reflects Guyana’s commitment to standing with its Caribbean neighbour in times of crisis.

‘This mission is about more than materials. It is about solidarity and ensuring that Jamaican families can rebuild their lives with dignity,’ he stated.

A team of engineers from the Guyana Defence Force will also be deployed to Jamaica to assist with roof reconstruction once the supplies arrive.

The MV Falk was originally chartered by Barakat Timbers and Trading Company Ltd to transport lumber to Jamaica.

To expedite relief efforts, the government utilised the available cargo space on the vessel.

According to the director general, a third shipment of food and building materials is scheduled to leave Guyana in two weeks, continuing the country’s support to regional disaster recovery efforts.

The Bermuda women’s national team announced their 2025/26 Concacaf W Qualifiers campaign spectacularly, delivering a commanding 4-0 victory over the Cayman Islands here on Thursday.

From the opening whistle at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex, Bermuda launched a relentless assault that left the home side reeling.

The tone was set almost immediately, as Eva Frazzoni broke the deadlock in just the 2nd minute, meeting a corner kick with a powerful, clinical finish from inside the box.

The early pressure never relented. Just eleven minutes later, Kenni Thompson pounced on a defensive miscue, coolly slotting home a left-footed strike to double Bermuda’s advantage and put the visitors firmly in control.

The first-half dominance was capped off five minutes before the break by Jaden Masters, who unleashed a precise right-footed shot from the right side of the area to make it 3-0.

The goal was facilitated by another moment of brilliance from Thompson, who notched her second assist of the match.

After the break, Bermuda managed the game effectively before putting the final exclamation point on the performance in the 68th minute.

Nia Christopher found her way past goalkeeper Ericia Burke to seal the comprehensive 4-nil victory and secure a crucial three points to start Group C play.

The win propels Bermuda to the top of the group as they look ahead to their next fixture against Guatemala on December 1. The Cayman Islands, meanwhile, will regroup and search for their first win when they face Guatemala in the March international window.

In other Concacaf W Qualifiers action on Thursday, the U.S. Virgin Islands defeated St. Lucia 3-1, while Nicaragua secured a comfortable 4-0 win over Antigua and Barbuda.