NEWS
CoP Guevarro under pressure
Anger and grief erupted yesterday as friends, family, and supporters demanded the resignations of Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro and Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander. The calls followed a brazen police-involved shooting in St Augustine that left Joshua Samaroo dead and his common-law wife, Kaia Sealy, critically injured and paralysed. Pressure on the commissioner intensified after Guevarro confirmed last Friday that he has no intention of stepping down, despite mounting public criticism over his handling of the incident. Yesterday, fewer than 100 protesters gathered outside Woodford Square, opposite Parliament, to call for justice for Samaroo and Sealy. Read more here
POLITICS
LATT condemns attacks on Independent Senators
The Law Association of TT (LATT) has expressed its concern over the accusations made by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar against the Independent Senators who voted against the Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Bill, 2026. The UNC-led government was seeking to introduce zones of special operations to replace the July 18, 2025 state of emergency (SoE) which ends on January 31. The bill was passed in the House of Representatives at 3.30 am on January 17 with a vote of 27 for and 11 against. On January 27, the bill was defeated in the Senate after eight Independent Senators and six Opposition Senators voted against it. Independent Senator Courtney Mc Nish abstained. Read more here
Mixed reactions to PM's SoE warning
Constitutional attorney Gregory Delzin has warned that “behaviour” cannot be used as the legal basis for declaring another State of Emergency (SoE), as debate intensifies over Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s threat to reimpose emergency powers if violence resumes. While Persad-Bissessar retains the constitutional authority to proclaim another SoE, Delzin said the law requires the existence of an emergency situation and does not permit declarations based solely on whether criminals “behave themselves.” Speaking to Guardian Media yesterday, Delzin said the Constitution does not prohibit successive States of Emergency but insisted that each must be justified by fresh circumstances that endanger public safety. Read more here
BUSINESS
How taxes impact air connectivity in the Caribbean
Last week, during a press briefing on the proposed air services by St Maarten-based Windward Islands Airways International NV (Winair) between TT and St Maarten, Winair’s CEO Hans van de Velde explained the airline’s cautious yet confident approach with regard to its TT operations. “We don’t want to make the mistake other airlines have made in the past, wanting to go too fast. So, we will do it steadily. And if success is there, and we think it will be there, we will grow,” said van de Velde. On February 1, the airline will begin nonstop twice-weekly scheduled service between Trinidad’s Piarco International Airport (POS) and Sint Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) using its 48-seater ATR 42-500s. Read more here
World Bank opens new office in C’bean
The World Bank Group has officially opened its new, energy-efficient offices here, which will serve as the hub for its Caribbean operations. The building brings the Bank’s Caribbean team together in one physical space, which will strengthen the institution’s presence and support in Jamaica and the wider region. In 2021, the World Bank moved its Caribbean operations from Washington DC to the island as part of a strategic shift to decentralise functions to the field offices. Read more here
REGIONAL
President Ali says fiscal discipline, diversification and lower taxes are future-proofing economy
President Dr Irfaan Ali has hailed Guyana’s low and stable inflation rate as “a success” in a volatile global environment, crediting prudent macro-economic management and targeted fiscal policies which have protected citizens’ purchasing power while sustaining rapid economic growth. Speaking during a recent examination of the government’s fiscal package for 2026 and the performance of the economy, President Ali said that despite the shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic and global price surges, Guyana now enjoys one of the lowest inflation rates in the region. Looking at the global scheme of things, he said this stability is a cornerstone of the government’s efforts to “shock-proof” and “future-proof” the economy. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
'Marry me' and £20,000 for rent - key Sarah Ferguson revelations in Epstein emails
For Sarah Ferguson and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, this latest drop of Epstein emails will only add to their embarrassment. Not only will they be reeling from the photo of the former Prince Andrew, appearing to kneel on all fours over a female lying on the ground. But Andrew's ex-wife and daughters are also repeatedly mentioned in the files themselves. The former Duchess of York - who has faced her own Epstein controversies - is seen praising the late convicted sex offender as the "brother I have always wished for". There is also more insight into her financial dealings with Epstein, and her requests for money from him. Read more here
2nd February 2026