By Antonia Dey | HGP Nightly News
Trinidad & Tobago: “Shoot First, Explain After” – Minister Supports Stand Your Ground Law
Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of National Security, Wayne Sturge, has stirred national debate by endorsing a “shoot first, explain later” approach under the proposed Stand Your Ground legislation, modeled after Florida’s 2005 law.
Speaking at a consultation in Sangre Grande, Sturge said the draft law would allow citizens to use deadly force against intruders even before an attack occurs, provided they believe the threat is imminent.
“If someone enters your home and you believe an attack is imminent, you are within your rights to strike first—even to kill,” he stated.
The proposed law differs significantly from the current self-defense legislation in Trinidad and Tobago. It would allow residents to act on perceived threats, including in situations where intruders are armed or impersonating law enforcement. Sturge emphasized, “It’s better to be judged by 12 than carried by six.”
The proposal is being debated amid rising concerns about home invasions and crime, with critics warning it may lead to excessive violence and legal ambiguity.
Haiti: New Protocols for Deported Citizens and Police Reform
In Haiti, Frisnel Jean, president of the Transitional Presidential Council, announced stricter protocols for evaluating deported Haitian nationals from the U.S., especially those accused of financial crimes or gang affiliations.
“We cannot simply receive deportees and act as if nothing happened,” Jean said.
Amid worsening gang violence, over 150 Haitian police officers have been sent for training in Mexico, with 400 more to be trained in Colombia. Haiti has also contracted a foreign private security firm to support its under-resourced National Police Force.
Jean noted the need for better equipment, logistics, and international understanding, arguing that global partners had underestimated the organized nature of Haiti’s crime wave.
United States–Canada Trade Tensions Escalate
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 35% tariff on Canadian goods not covered by the USMCA trade agreement, after Canada publicly backed Palestinian statehood.
“Wow, Canada has just announced that it is backing statehood for Palestine. That would make it very hard for us to make a trade deal with them,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed that negotiations with Washington were ongoing but cast doubt on a resolution by the August 1 deadline.
The U.S. and Canada maintain one of the world’s most significant trading relationships, with $762 billion exchanged in goods last year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
