‘Guerra’—UNC Toco/Grande problems; Sturge explains radar removal

2026-03-21 - 00:46

There was no Parliament sitting yesterday, but enough was said at last Friday’s debate on the State of Emergency extension—and with subsequent developments—for many “debates” after. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s statement on T&T’s Americas Counter Cartel Coalition involvement brought assurance of T&T’s sovereignty, but no specifics on immediate plans. Seeking external help to handle crime has added to perception that the United National Congress Government cannot deal with the problem; this, already simmering after T&T’s second SoE under the new Government. The US is, however, heavily enmeshed in its Iran war, whose global impact on T&T—including inflation—is confirmed by Finance officials. Also, on Thursday, the World Health Organisation began preparation for a potential nuclear catastrophe attack. Even US warship “Gerald Forde,” part of America’s regional armada over 2025/6, is on Middle East duty. Another sign that US focus is beyond Venezuela’s regime change. Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers’ inability to explain why the US radar was recently removed from Tobago boosted speculation that ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s January 3 capture by the US was the reason for the radar’s removal. It heightened concern about Government’s flip-flops on the radar since the PM’s in 2025. Sobers’ confidence in T&T’s security apparatus also triggered questions why the radar was needed for safety, as the PM and Defence Minister Wayne Sturge said in 2025 and February. During US military presence, the Federal Aviation Administration’s November 18, 2025, notice to Southern Caribbean operators alerted of increased state aircraft operations from then until February 16, 2026—an apparent timeline of US operations. Yesterday, Sturge maintained that the radar’s removal had nothing to do with Maduro. “America’s aircraft carrier had more advanced radar equipment. The radar was brought here at our request, as we’d been facing challenges in critical zones with our radar. We estimated that our issues would have been rectified by end of March. They were, by February’s end. So it’s no longer needed,” Sturge said. Issues were rectified by clearing “dead zones” in radar systems and accessing intel from new US systems obtained. In 2025, the PM said she’d requested from the US Embassy “months ago,” a US-supplied radar as a “temporary solution for T&T’s poor surveillance capabilities.” A system would also be installed at a Trinidad site “until a permanent replacement for T&T’s ineffective radar system” was installed. The Trinidad-based US radar is still here, it’s confirmed. But regarding safety, 10 days into the SoE, Friday 13th proved to be a Black Friday for businessman Danny Guerra, on preventative detention during the last SoE, for the alleged assassination plot regarding Sturge. His aunt Molly Guerra-Ramroop’s eulogy called for strength for family members “to endure what we’re hearing is coming.” Ramroop urged prayers for Guerra’s son Garvin, “who’s in danger.” Employee Marlon Grant noted Guerra’s name “...means ‘war’, but he was a man of love.” Guerra’s execution—evidencing a professional ‘hit’—has shaken the United National Congress’ Toco/Sangre Grande footing. Constituency executive officials, post-funeral, said: “Danny was the reason for UNC’s big general election victory here. He took on a sitting government and removed them. But right now, the ground is against UNC. People at the wake vowed, ‘that’s it for UNC’. We could hold certain Local Government seats ahead but harder work’s needed now...” Ex-PNM leader Dr Keith Rowley’s Tuesday discourse noted the murder among national and international issues supplementing Monday’s PNM meeting. A year after retirement, Rowley still attracted as much condemnation from the UNC as if he was prime minister after his double take – earning disrespect of Persad-Bissessar (minus Parliamentary privilege cover), after her disrespect of his party (under cover of Parliamentary privilege). It’s ahead what fallout arises from Rowley’s slamming of the House Speaker on issues affecting PNM MPs. But if ready to rumble with UNC, Rowley’s hints about speaking about other things ahead regarding the PNM – including transition—signal he’s also prepared for this with the PNM. Party leader Penny Beckles left the side issue of Rowley’s invitation to the 70th anniversary function to general secretary Foster Cummings—who’d signed the invitation—distancing herself from his handling. Members’ internal chats pelted backlash about mismanagement. “The PNM doesn’t belong to the executive, they’re simply caretakers – do your jobs!,” some stated.