TTMA IN THE NEWS
Regional trade remains priority
Business groups yesterday acknowledged Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s stance on Trinidad and Tobago cutting funding to Caricom and her rejection of the reappointment of Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett but continued to recognise the significance of the regional bloc. Chief executive officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) Dr Ramesh Ramdeen said yesterday the Prime Minister’s decision was “separate and apart from the economic development of the private sector”. Read more here
NEWS
One dead, teen among three wounded after Belmont attack
A drive-by shooting in Belmont ended with the death of a 28-year-old man and the wounding of three others on Thursday night. Police said Kemar Miller also known as ‘Jamaikie’ was sitting on an empty beer case with three friends on Davis Street, around 9 pm, when a grey Nissan AD Wagon drove past them. The car stopped some distance away, as three masked gunmen got out and shot at the group. Miller died at the scene, while passers-by took the wounded trio to hospital. Read more here
Man killed in Friendship Village altercation
A man died after he was brutally beaten near his home in San Fernando on Thursday night. He was identified as Rajkumar Pope, of Friendship Village. Police said Pope was at a nearby shop when he was involved in an altercation with another man from the village. There was a fight and Pope was hit with an object in the head. Read more here
POLITICS
Farley: Majority of US troops gone from island
Chief Secretary Farley Augustine has said the majority of United States troops in Tobago have left the island. The US Marines arrived under a veil of secrecy in November, with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar initially hesitant to reveal their presence. She later revealed that they were here to build a road in Tobago and assist with surveillance using a military-grade radar system. On March 16, Guardian Media confirmed the dismantling of the radar at the ANR Robinson International Airport in Crown Point. It was flown out days later aboard a US military cargo aircraft. Read more here
"Fruit from a poison tree"
Opposition Chief Whip Marvin Gonzales has called for Minister of Defence Wayne Sturge to be removed from office and from the Government, citing allegations linking him and the ruling United National Congress (UNC) administration to slain businessman Danny Guerra. Gonzales drew on a series of law enforcement documents and media reports published in the months before Guerra was ambushed and killed at the front of his business place in Sangre Grande two weeks ago, which described him as being an imminent threat to public safety. He further alleged a link between Sturge and Guerra, as well as purported criminal financing of the UNC's 2025 general election campaign. Read more here
BUSINESS
Massy signs condiment distribution deal
Massy Distribution Trinidad has announced a strategic partnership with Umami Incorporated of Guyana to distribute its premium range of “Made in Guyana” sauces and condiments across T&T. In a news release yesterday, Massy said, “Through Massy’s extensive retail, grocery and food service network, Umami products will soon be available on supermarket shelves and in hospitality outlets islandwide. The agreement strengthens regional trade ties and expands consumer access to high-quality Guyanese agro-processed products. It also reflects growing demand across Caricom for authentic, value-added food products produced in the region.” Executive vice president of Massy’s Integrated Retail Portfolio, Ambikah Mongroo, said, “Massy Distribution is proud to introduce Umami’s distinctive flavours to the T&T market. Our distribution, reach and relationships with retailers and the food service sector make us the ideal partner to bring this authentic Guyanese brand to consumers across the country.” Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana invited to global business stage in Mexico
A HIGH-LEVEL visit by the Business Alliance of Ibero-America (CEAPI), which represents over 190 leaders from major Ibero-American and Spanish companies, aims to place Guyana firmly on the radar of global investors, with an invitation extended to Dr President Irfaan Ali to participate in a major international congress in Mexico in May. The engagement, which included direct talks with President Ali, not only highlighted Guyana’s economic transformation but signalled growing interest from European and Latin American businesses eager to tap into what visitors described as one of the world’s most promising emerging markets. Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, Nuria Vilanova, President of CEAPI, and José Rafael Gomez, Co-chairman of Excel Guyana Inc and Coordinator of the visit to Guyana, said that Guyana is a vibrant investment opportunity, with growth across sectors. CEAPI hopes to show Guyana, and its vast investment potential, to the rest of the world. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
'My daughter is under the rubble': Inside Tehran as civilian toll of strikes rises
A mother stands by the rubble, crying out for her daughter. For days she has been waiting for rescue workers to dig through the flattened remains of what was once her daughter's flat in Resalat, a residential district in eastern Tehran. "They don't have the manpower to get her out," the woman says. "My daughter is under the rubble... she's afraid of the dark." For a month, Iran has been at war with the United States and Israel, who have been carrying out strikes across the country at targets linked to the regime. But these attacks are also having a devastating impact on civilians living nearby. Read more here
27th March 2026