Good morning from Port of Spain, where the Prime Minister is fighting CARICOM, the crime statistics are fighting everyone, and the fuel situation is a global problem that is somehow arriving at our doorstep at the usual island speed.

PM KAMLA: CARICOM MEETING CONVENED, TRINIDAD DID NOT ATTEND

This is a sentence that requires careful reading: Trinidad demanded an emergency CARICOM meeting about CARICOM governance. CARICOM held the emergency meeting. Trinidad did not attend.

According to documents released by the regional bloc, all member states were formally notified. Attempts to reach the Prime Minister were unsuccessful. A WhatsApp to the Foreign Minister at 10:55 PM the night before apparently went the way of many WhatsApps sent at 10:55 PM. The Secretary-General was not present when Heads voted to reappoint her, as a courtesy. The reappointment went through.

The PM has demanded Secretary-General Carla Barnett’s removal, called the zone of peace “zone of peace fakery,” called the bloc’s operations a waste of Trinidad’s 22% budget contribution, and aligned publicly with US strikes that other members called illegal. CARICOM has noted that “unfortunate and erroneous statements” risk undermining regional integration. This is diplomat-speak for: you are being a lot right now.

CRIME: 45% UP ON SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR

As of today, Trinidad has recorded 1,470 crimes in 2026, including 117 murders, 322 robberies, and 188 shootings. Crime is tracking 45% higher than the same period in 2025. The week of April 2–10 saw 78 crimes including 14 murders. The National Security Minister has not yet issued a statement describing this as being managed. Perhaps that is coming.

THE HORMUZ PROBLEM IS ARRIVING IN PORT OF SPAIN TOO

The US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is not an abstract geopolitical event from here. T&T imports refined fuel. Oil prices have spiked since February. The global disruption that caused a tanker anchor to break in Guyana and line up Georgetown motorists is the same disruption reaching every island in the chain. Trinidad has a refinery. The refinery needs crude. Guyana’s President Ali says he wants to send Guyanese crude to that refinery. This would be a very useful arrangement if it can be arranged quickly enough to matter.

CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH: THE NUMBERS

As Trinidad observes Sexual Abuse Awareness Month, a report reveals that more than 11,000 children have accessed helpline services over the past five years. Advocates say it highlights an urgent need to expand support systems. The helpline exists. The need vastly exceeds it. These are the two relevant facts.

METAMORPHOSIS DANCE COMPANY: ILLUMINATION

If you are looking for something other than crime statistics and CARICOM drama this week, Metamorphosis Dance Company’s 2026 season — Illumination — runs at Queen’s Hall on April 18 and 19. Choreographer Yia-Loren Gomez is involved. Dance and art are two pillars of her life. This is a good week to go watch something beautiful happen on purpose.

Trini Dispatch is a satirical news column covering real Trinidad and Tobago events. We did not make up the WhatsApp.