By: Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News |
Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago
The Venezuelan government has issued a strongly worded statement accusing the Government of Trinidad and Tobago of colluding with the United States in what it described as an “act of piracy” resulting in the theft of Venezuelan oil.
In a statement issued by Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, the Maduro administration said that, in response to what it called an escalation of hostilities and serious acts of aggression, President Nicolás Maduro has ordered the immediate termination of all existing contracts, agreements, and negotiations related to the supply of natural gas to Trinidad and Tobago.
According to the statement, Venezuela claims it has full knowledge of Trinidad and Tobago’s alleged involvement in the December 10 seizure of a tanker carrying Venezuelan oil, which was intercepted by the United States under its sanctions regime.
The Venezuelan government described the incident as a serious violation of international law and a clear breach of the principles governing freedom of navigation and international trade.
The statement also directly accused Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, of maintaining what it called a hostile agenda toward Venezuela since assuming office. Among the actions cited was the installation of U.S. military radar systems in Trinidad and Tobago, which Venezuela claims are being used to monitor Venezuelan vessels.
Jamaica.
A Kingston teacher who strangled businessman Gene Pierre Ran to death in 2018 has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Justice Carolyn Tie-Powell, delivering the sentence in the Home Circuit Court, described the killing as “truly horrendous,” noting its devastating impact on the victim’s family. She said the victim was a young, tertiary-educated man with a promising future, working in his family’s business.
The convicted man, 26-year-old Shamar Clark, a former employee of the Ran family’s business, lured the businessman to his home, strangled him, and later buried his body in bushes in Port Royal, Kingston. Clark wrapped the body in a sheet and covered it with sand.
Following the killing, Clark fled with the victim’s vehicle, attempted to sell it, and used the victim’s bank cards. Ran was reported missing before his body was discovered.
Clark was sentenced to 30 years for murder, four years and eleven months for larceny, and two years for preventing a lawful burial, with all sentences to run concurrently. The court also deducted six months already served. Justice Tie-Powell stated that while a life sentence was an option, a determinate sentence was more appropriate in this case.
Trinidad and Tobago.
Two United States military transport aircraft arrived in Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday, marking the first confirmed movements since the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs announced it had granted formal transit permission for U.S. military assets.
The arrivals coincided with an announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump, who confirmed he had ordered a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, further increasing pressure on the Maduro administration.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said earlier this week that the authorization of U.S. military aircraft was a routine logistical arrangement.
The first aircraft, a Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules, landed at the A.N.R. Robinson International Airport in Crown Point, Tobago, shortly after 5:00 p.m. It remained on the tarmac for just over an hour before departing.
Less than an hour later, a second C-130J aircraft, originating from Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport in Florida, landed at Piarco International Airport in Trinidad at approximately 7:02 p.m., departing just over an hour later.
