If US Democrats “flipped the script” on Republican challenger Donald Trump with new presidential nominee designate Kamala Harris, Prime Minister Keith Rowley produced his new player on Thursday. Owing to crime’s weight, more help regarding the problem—in the form of Government MP Keith Scotland—wasn’t surprising. What was surprising is it that it took as long as it did.
The move to support National Security (NS) Minister Fitzgerald Hinds’s efforts where police matters are concerned—with the new Police Commissioner and DCP team helming—manifests the Government’s latest contribution to the crime battle. But if Rowley’s tone was slightly subdued, the announcement also telegraphed the span of the problem, management gaps, issues in/out of TTPS, Hinds’ capability, and T&T’s flailing status on security. However, it messaged the Government’s reply to calls for enhanced security at a timely point—the eve of today’s 1990 coup attempt observances.
After two previous NS ministers, reinforced intervention with a Hinds/Scotland tag team—both representing hotspot constituencies—also arrives two weeks before the Government officially enters the general election year. This is from the August 10 fourth anniversary of the 2020 election; entering the final year when a third full Cabinet reshuffle would be unlikely. Hinds has grappled with wide NS ministerial responsibilities and T&T’s worsening crime since April 2024. Stoically enduring public whipping boy status.
Rebuking Opposition attack, though that’s expected to increase after Scotland’s appointment has heightened the perception of Hinds’ weakness and that he needed help. Scotland’s closer spotlight—monitoring, cooperation, collaboration between TTPS, Cabinet and National Security Council—and where TTPS needs “special care and guidance in some instances” came after the State conceded that TTPS acted illegally in firearm dealer Brent Thomas’s Barbados arrest.
Whatever questions over legal directions there, it’s ahead how Scotland’s expertise, including experience as PoS South MP, is used in the tight time frame and what cleansing arises. This is when TTPS, battling internal issues, is also investigating weighty matters from Firearms User’s Licences to the SSA audit.
Thursday’s energy announcements followed Wednesday’s word from other quarters that bidders for the Guaracara refinery now number more than nine. OWTU’s Patriotic Energies is understood to be among local/foreign offers. Caricom’s 47th conference, starting in Grenada tomorrow, also brings other external fronts into focus with Venezuela’s elections that day, as well as current US presidential campaigning.
Caricom’s agenda includes food security, climate change, and foreign policy; CARICOM Single Market and Economy includes Hurricane Beryl’s impact, where attendees will have a first-hand account of her wrath. Guests will be cued to Venezuela’s election, which pits jefe President Nicolas Maduro against opposition challenger Edmundo Gonzalez, who’s reportedly attracted significant support.
Also overhead Caricom’s conference, the US’ 100-day “war” towards the November 5 election following President Joe Biden’s selfless step away from contesting and Harris’ swift ascendency; a 21st-century woman of colour (rooted in Africa, India and the Caribbean) against Trump’s white establishment age-burdened push. Harris, part of Biden’s “legacy of accomplishments,” utilised the opportunity to broaden her independent image with statements to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for new directions on the Israel/Palestine issue.
Among T&T’s thoughts today on the Jamaat Al Muslimeen’s 1990 act, Fuad Abu Bakr, whose father led the attempt, was then four years old on vacation at his grandfather’s home. He said he saw his father on television. When the commission of enquiry into the issue arose, Bakr said he tried unsuccessfully to convince his father to appear. Bakr’s New National Vision is now the latest party planning to contest elections.
“I intend participating. The only way for T&T to go forward is if we have major political change ...” he added. The HOPE, NTA and COP at today’s 1990 anniversary event seek reinforcement from each other via projected alliance as UNC moves outward.
On UNC’s view of NTA Gary Griffith’s move to HOPE/COP (after Griffith received no word from UNC’s leader), UNC chairman Dave Tancoo said, “UNC’s position espoused by the leader remains unchanged: we’re willing to meet/engage with any and all entities in an environment of mutual respect and openness provided they’re supportive of our views and policies, including on this incompetent Government. Several organisations have interacted positively with us. I expect more will recognise national unity’s importance.”