By Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News |
— In today’s regional report, we examine the diplomatic tension surrounding Caribbean-Cuban medical ties, a landmark judicial ruling on police transparency in Trinidad, and a controversial procurement breach in Jamaica.
T&T Denies U.S. Pressure to End Cuba Medical Program
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has issued a firm assurance that it has received no directive from the United States to halt the training of its medical students in Cuba. This statement follows an explosive revelation by St. Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre, who disclosed that Washington had instructed his administration to discontinue the program.
Speaking at the 2nd World Congress on Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities in St. Lucia (Jan 27–31), PM Pierre described the U.S. mandate as a “major problem” for small island states that lack the resources to train doctors domestically.
- T&T Position: Tertiary Education Minister Dr. Prakash Persad clarified that while T&T declined new scholarships to Cuba this year, the decision was based on “local conditions” in Cuba (such as food shortages) rather than external political pressure.
- Regional Impact: The training program is a cornerstone of Caribbean healthcare; notably, Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis and current CARICOM Chairman, is himself a Cuban-trained physician.
Trinidad Judge Urges Citizens to Record Police Encounters
In a ruling that has sparked intense debate on national security and civil rights, Justice Frank Seepersad has called for the mandatory use of body cameras by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS). Until such infrastructure is fully implemented, the judge urged citizens to use cellphones and CCTV to document all law enforcement encounters.
The call came as Justice Seepersad ruled in favor of Elton King, a corporal in the T&T Regiment, who sued the State for wrongful arrest and malicious prosecution.
Judgment Summary:
- Plaintiff: Elton King (15 years of service)
- Damages Awarded: $75,000 (General) + $25,000 (Aggravated) = $100,000 Total
- Judicial Note: Justice Seepersad described the “near-total erosion” of public trust in the police as “disturbing and deplorable.”
Jamaica’s Starlink Purchase Breached Procurement Law
A compliance audit by Jamaica’s Auditor General’s Department (AuGD) has revealed that the $12.12 million purchase of 200 Starlink devices following Hurricane Melissa (October 2025) violated the Public Procurement Act.
The report, tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, found that the procurement was initiated by Minister Daryl Vaz (Energy, Transport, and Telecommunications) via ministerial instruction, rather than through the Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).
Key Audit Findings:
- Unused Inventory: As of January 2026, 80 out of 200 devices remained in storage at the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
- Technical Issues: Devices were delivered with European two-pin plugs, requiring additional expenditure for local adapters.
- Ministerial Response: Minister Vaz has hit back at the report, stating he makes “no apologies” for the purchase, arguing that the urgency of the hurricane necessitated immediate action to save lives and restore communication.
