19 hours ago
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JENSEN LA VENDE
Senior Reporter
The Prime Minister has broken her silence on the high alert adopted by law enforcement officials in the country after a security advisory from the US Embassy to its citizens, assuring the population that she and her Government are “working quietly and decisively to keep you safe.”
The assurance came in the Prime Minister’s Divali message to Trinidad and Tobago early yesterday morning.
In her message, she began by saying that “Divali teaches us that light will always triumph over darkness and that good will forever conquer evil.”
She added, “As a nation, we must keep that light burning—standing together against crime, fear and injustice.”
Turning her attention specifically to the heightened alert around the country after the United States Embassy issued its advisory to its citizens, warning them to avoid all government facilities in Trinidad and Tobago over the Divali weekend as a result of unspecified threats, the Prime Minister assured nationals of T&T that she and the Government were doing all in their power to protect them and ensure their safety.
“I understand that there may be feelings of anxiety at this time, and I wish to assure the nation that my Government and I have been working quietly, steadily, and decisively through every available channel to keep you safe.”
Persad-Bissessar continued, “We all recognize that the unacceptable rise in violence has touched every corner of our society. Trinidad and Tobago faces real threats from gangs, guns, and human trafficking… Our goal is clear—to reduce the number of victims and ease the heartbreak that too many families and communities endure each day.”
The Prime Minister, in her message, also went on to speak about the opportunities for employment her Government was creating for locals, saying, “By empowering our people with work and dignity, we attack the root causes of crime and strengthen the very foundation of our nation’s security and prosperity.”
She also thanked citizens for their “strength, patience and calm.”
Her statement came after both her Ministers of Homeland Security, Roger Alexander, and Defence, Wayne Sturge, called on the population not to panic, assuring that measures were put in place to keep the country safe and out of harm’s way.
The advisory from the US Embassy also prompted the acting Commissioner of Police to assure that all police officers were on high alert and prepared to deal with any untoward event.
Officers of the Guard and Emergency Branch (GEB) maintained a visible presence outside the US Embassy.
Yesterday, the Embassy said it will re-open today, allowing for visa appointments and US citizen services.
Benjamin, again yesterday, said he gave the instruction for a heightened presence, not just with the tactical unit, but as a sense of precaution.
“I had a meeting with all my divisional commanders as well as with my executive, and I have given them that instruction to ensure that even our stations are properly manned with sentries as well. Again, the aim of which is just to continue that level of vigilance and diligence as we continue over this long holiday period. This is nothing inconsistent with the fact that the State of Emergency is in effect. We recognise that quite a number of information is coming in, but we are always on guard.”
He said, thus far, there was no reason for alarm or panic. “There’s nothing that we see that is alarming in Trinidad and Tobago. I’m constantly in contact with the Chief of Defence Staff and all the different agencies and also with my officers. And generally, there is a great sense of calm in terms of us being able to observe what is happening. There’s nothing untoward, and therefore, I think all of that augurs well, and we can even speak with a great sense of comfort and confidence that there is absolutely nothing for us to worry about, even at this time.”
The advisory from the US Embassy came as the US continues its attack on alleged drug vessels in the region, which so far has led to 32 people being killed in seven strikes. Two of those killed have been identified as T&T citizens, Chad Joseph and Richie Samaroo.
The US has said it is also planning to release two men who survived one of its strikes.
The strikes are being condemned by world leaders, including Caribbean Community members. However, this country’s Prime Minister and Government have remained resolute in their support for the strikes, which was reiterated in a media statement on Sunday.
In that statement, the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs affirmed that the operations carried out by the US are not meant to target law-abiding people.
It further referred to a recent release from the Caribbean Community (Caricom) saying the US operations, supposedly aimed at combating narco- and human trafficking and other forms of transnational crime, are ultimately intended to allow the Region to become a true “Zone of Peace.”
English (US) ·