By Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News
PM Gonsalves Urges Restraint in Trinidad-Venezuela Tensions
Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, is calling for restraint and diplomacy amid rising tensions between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. Speaking over the weekend, he urged both nations to resolve their disputes peacefully and within the framework of international law.
“As far as practicable, we do not incline the situation with any excessive rhetoric… whatever the problem, we solve them maturely between two neighbors,” he said.
Tensions flared after Venezuela’s Justice Minister alleged that a Trinidadian national, identified as Kendall Jerome, was part of a group attempting to destabilize the Venezuelan government. Trinidadian authorities say no such individual appears in their criminal database.
Kamla Warns Venezuela: TT Is Off Limits
Trinidad’s Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, addressing the situation during a post-cabinet briefing, issued a stern warning to Caracas. She revealed that the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard has been placed on high alert and may use deadly force if Venezuelan vessels attempt to enter the country’s waters illegally.
Venezuelan officials responded, describing her remarks as “virulent and high-handed”, warning they may undermine bilateral relations.
United States: National Guard Deployed Amid Immigration Protests
In Los Angeles, the California National Guard was deployed Sunday following two days of large-scale protests against immigration raids ordered by former President Donald Trump. At least 44 people were arrested by ICE on Friday, with demonstrations swelling to over 1,000 demonstrators in downtown LA.
Video footage showed military-style vehicles and armed officers stationed outside a federal building. President Trump has pledged a sweeping immigration crackdown, targeting both undocumented migrants and, controversially, some legal residents, drawing widespread legal and civil rights challenges.
Colombia Rocked by Strong Earthquake
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake shook parts of Colombia, including the capital, Bogotá, on Sunday. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake struck approximately 170 kilometers east of Bogotá. However, Colombian geological authorities report the tremor was even stronger—registering 6.5 on the Richter scale.
So far, there have been no reports of fatalities; however, authorities are assessing the infrastructure damage in the affected regions.
