Tag: Defence Force

Army maintain slight TTPFL lead; Sam brace floors Rangers

TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) holders Defence Force (32 points) maintained their two-point lead atop the 2025/26 TTPFL table on January 17 when they eked out a 1-0 victory against last season’s runners-up MIC Central FC Reboot (17 points) at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, Tobago.

Meanwhile, at the Mahaica Sporting Complex in Point Fortin on January 18, the second-placed Club Sando (30 points) got a 1-0 victory of their own when a second-half goal from veteran defender Elton John just saw them edging the cellar-placed Point Fortin Civic (seven points).

In the second game of the Bacolet double-header, it took a moment of brilliance from Defence Force centre back Shirwin Noel who sealed all three points against Central with a wonder-strike in the eighth minute. In what was an otherwise scrappy affair which was starved of clear-cut chances or moments of quality in the attacking third, Noel brought the house down in Bacolet with a wicked right-footed volley into the far corner of goalkeeper Jabari Brice’s goal after a Kaihim Thomas cross was headed to the edge of the area. In the 16th minute, Thomas tried to add to his season-haul of seven goals, but saw his cheeky, low free kick just kept out.

The sixth-placed Central tried to muster a response before the end of the half, but forward Kadeem Corbin shot wildly over bar after playmaker Daniel David split the Defence Force backline with a perfect through pass.

The game’s physicality increased in the second half, but with Central failing to find top gear from an attacking standpoint, the league leaders rarely look threatened. Defence Force came close to finding the net again in the 73rd minute, but Thomas saw a left-footed shot well-saved from a tight angle after Christian Bailey and new signing Joevin Jones combined on a counter-attack.

In the first game in Bacolet, home team 1976 FC Phoenix (nine points) got a much-needed victory and moved from 12th to tenth when they blanked the eighth-placed Caledonia AIA 2-0.

In this file photo, Sheldon Bateau (F) of Defene Force FC and teammates celebrate their first goal against Cibao FC at the 2025 Concacaf Caribbean Cup at Hasley Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain on November 25, 2025. – Photo by Faith Ayoung

Though the first half was eventful, the teams went into the break goalless. Late in the first half, though, “Cale” were reduced to ten men when goalkeeper Thane Devenish was sent off in the 40th minute for retaliating to a tackle from Luis Anzola by shoving the latter player to the ground in the penalty area.

Phoenix did their business quickly in the second half, as goals from attackers Sherwin Lovell (48th minute) and Teejay Cadiz (50th minute) saw them opening up an unassailable lead as they notched their third win of the season. Cadiz’s clinical strike at the end of a flowing counter-attack took him to the top of the league’s scoring charts with nine goals.

In Point Fortin on January 18, 2023/24 champs AC Port of Spain (22 points) capitalised in the latter stages of their match against Terminix La Horquetta Rangers as they strolled away with a 4-0 win. Trinity College East standout Deisean Plaza got the scoring started for AC PoS in the 13th minute as they took a 1-0 lead to the half. In the dying stages of the match, a pair of substitutes put the game to bed for AC PoS as lanky forward Brent Sam scored a brace in the 87th and the second minute of stoppage-time, with flanker Sedale McLean putting the icing on the game with a goal in the third minute of stoppage-time.

AC PoS consolidated fifth spot with the result, with Rangers slipping to 11th. At the Phase 2 La Horquetta recreation ground on January 21, Defence Force will have the chance to stretch their lead to five points when they meet Central in a rescheduled round-one match from 8 pm. Phoenix will meet Cale in the other rescheduled fixture from 6 pm.

TTFPL tier one standings:

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts

Defence Force*12*10*2*0*28*10*18*32

Club Sando*13*10*0*3*33*7*26*30

Police FC*13*8*3*2*27*14*13*27

Prisons*13*8*2*3*22*12*10*26

AC Port of Spain*13*6*4*3*22*16*6*22

MIC Central FC*12*5*2*5*19*23*-4*17

Jabloteh*13*4*3*6*22*29*-7*15

Caledonia*12*4*1*7*23*24*-1*13

Eagles FC*13*3*1*9*20*28*-8*10

1976 FC Phoenix*12*3*0*9*14*30*-16*9

La Horquetta Rangers*13*2*3*8*11*30*-19*9

Point Fortin*13*2*1*10*10*28*-18*7

Army reclaim TTPFL lead with another win over Jabloteh

For their second straight meeting, defending champions Defence Force (29 points) got a 3-1 victory over the eighth-placed San Juan Jabloteh (12 points), with their former ace marksman Isaiah “Bongo” Leacock scoring as he ended up on the losing team.

In the second match of a double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva on January 11, second-half goals from Sheldon Bateau, Tyrese Bailey and skipper Kevin Molino assured Defence Force the win as they returned to the 12-team 2025/26 TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) summit with a game in hand on the nearest challengers. Club Sando (27 points), who got a thumping 6-0 win over the cellar-placed 1976 FC Phoenix (six points) on January 9, moved from third to second, with Miscellaneous Police FC (26 points) slipping to third after their entertaining 2-2 draw with the lowly Terminix La Horquetta Rangers (nine points).

After a goalless opening half with Defence Force and Jabloteh in Balmain, the Army/Coast Guard combination shot into the lead in the 47th minute as central defender Bateau notched his second goal of the season, with Bailey making it 2-0 in the 55th minute.

Shortly after Army’s two opening goals, Jabloteh pulled a goal back in the 58th minute through Leacock who had a stellar season with Defence Force in the previous campaign with a 16-goal league haul. In the previous meeting between the teams in Balmain on January 3, Defence Force got a similar 3-1 victory over Jabloteh and Leacock celebrated his team’s lone goal in front of his former coach Devorn Jorsling in the technical area.

Again, the Army had the last laugh and they sealed the three points on this occasion when Molino scored in the 77th minute to notch his second goal of the season.

In the first game of the Couva double-header, 2023/24 champs AC Port of Spain (19 points) moved from sixth to fifth when they defeated MIC Central FC Reboot (17 points) 3-1. Fatima College talisman and playmaker Seth Hadeed opened the scoring for AC PoS in the 18th minute, with flying winger Nathan Lewis making it 2-0 in the 25th minute.

Central showed life in the contest before the halftime interval with a goal from forward Kadeem Corbin in the 31st minute, but AC PoS grabbed all three points in second-half stoppage-time with a goal from Joshua Miguel.

At the Arima Velodrome on January 10, Police took an early lead in the ninth minute through Mickaeel Jem Gordon and took a 1-0 lead to the half. Veteran striker Kevon “Showtime” Woodley equalised for Rangers in the 66th minute, with Xavier Rajpaul then making it 2-1 for Police in the 76th minute before Kesean St Rose grabbed a last-gasp equaliser.

Also at the velodrome, the fourth-placed Prisons FC (25 points) defeated the 11th-placed Point Fortin Civic (seven points) on the back of a brace from Kyron Williams.

At Phase 2 La Horquetta recreation ground on January 9, Club Sando had momentarily moved to the top of the table with their six-goal demolition job against Phoenix. Sando ran out to a 3-0 lead after goals from Real Gill, Tarik Lee and Luke Phillips, with Shervohnez Hamilton, defender Jaheim Joseph and new signing Shackiel “Smeck” Henry rounding off the scoring in the second half.

Caledonia AIA (13 points) moved from eighth to seventh after being awarded a 3-0 default victory over the ninth-placed Eagles FC (ten points) who were penalised by the league for showing up for the match in La Horquetta with a kit similar to that of the designated home team Caledonia – thus breaching the league’s compliance regulations.

The TTPFL tier one action will continue on January 16 with a La Horquetta double-header. Eagles will play Jabloteh from 6 pm, with Police playing Prisons from 8 pm.

TTFPL tier one standings:

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts

Defence Force*11*9*2*0*27*10*17*29

Club Sando*12*9*0*3*32*7*25*27

Police FC*12*8*2*2*26*13*13*26

Prisons*12*8*1*3*21*11*10*25

AC Port of Spain*12*5*4*3*18*16*2*19

MIC Central FC*11*5*2*4*19*22*-3*17

Caledonia*11*4*1*6*23*22*1*13

Jabloteh*12*3*3*6*18*27*-9*12

Eagles FC*12*3*1*8*18*24*-6*10

La Horquetta Rangers*12*2*3*7*11*26*-15*9

Point Fortin*12*2*1*9*10*27*-17*7

1976 FC Phoenix*11*2*0*9*12*30*-18*6

Holders Army face 'Cale,' hunt TTPFL lead

TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) holders Defence Force (23 points) can move to the summit of the 2025/26 league standings on January 7 when they face the eighth-placed Caledonia AIA (ten points) in a rescheduled match at the St James Police Barracks. The match will be played from 8 pm, with a rejuvenated Eagles FC (ten points) team tackling the cellar-placed Terminix La Horquetta Rangers (five points) from 6 pm in the first match of the double-header.

The Devorn Jorsling-coached Defence Force team are the only team with an unbeaten record in the 12-team tier one, having won seven matches to go along with two draws. The Army/Coast Guard combination have two games in hand on leaders and rivals Miscellaneous Police FC (25 points) and the second-placed Club Sando (24 points) and will assume a one-point lead on the table with a victory over Caledonia.

On the last match day on January 3, Defence Force battled to a 3-1 victory over San Juan Jabloteh (12 points) at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, with goals from Kaihim Thomas, Isaiah Garcia and returning skipper Kevin Molino. The clash against Jabloteh saw Defence Force facing their former ace marksman in Isaiah “Bongo” Leacock, who scored on debut for the San Juan outfit before celebrating in front of Jorsling in the opposing dugout.

Defence Force eventually had the last laugh, though, and will be hoping to continue their unbeaten run as round one draws to a close. Meanwhile, “Cale” will aim to bounce back from their loss to Eagles in a seven-goal thriller at the Phase 2 La Horquetta recreation ground in their last match.

With consecutive wins over 1976 FC Phoenix, Jabloteh and Caledonia, the ninth-placed Eagles will try to continue their recent good form when they face a struggling Rangers team which has won just one game so far this season.

TTFPL tier one standings:

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts

Police FC*11*8*1*2*24*11*13*25

Club Sando*11*8*0*3*26*7*19*24

Defence Force*9*7*2*0*21*8*13*23

Prisons*11*7*1*3*18*10*8*22

MIC Central FC*10*5*2*3*18*19*-1*17

AC Port of Spain*11*4*4*3*15*15*0*16

Jabloteh*11*3*3*5*17*24*-7*12

Caledonia*9*3*1*5*19*19*0*10

Eagles FC*10*3*1*6*17*19*-2*10

Point Fortin*11*2*1*8*9*24*-15*7

1976 FC Phoenix*10*2*0*8*12*24*-12*6

La Horquetta Rangers*10*1*2*7*7*23*-16*5

Sando, Army keep chase as Police hold firm in TTPFL

VIDIA RAMPHAL

Miscellaneous Police FC hold a one-point lead at the halfway point of the 2025/26 Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL), after round 11 action on January 3.

While defending champion Defence Force and challenger Club Sando picked up crucial victories to keep the heat on, the Lawmen ended round 11 exactly where they started – at the top of the standings.

Facing a desperate Terminix La Horquetta Rangers side rooted to the bottom of the table, the league leader showed no mercy with three second-half goals.

Joevin Jones lashed in a 50th-minute penalty, before goals by Jabari Mitchell (54th) and Martieon Watson (77th) kept Police on top.

The win moves the Lawmen to 25 points, ensuring they retain a slim one-point lead at the summit.

For Rangers, Police FC piled more misery on a season that has seen the club concede 23 goals.

Club Sando reclaimed second place with a professional 2-0 win over struggling 1976 FC Phoenix.

Shackeil Henry broke the deadlock in the 85th minute, before Luke Phillips embellished the scoreline with a last-minute strike.

The result keeps the South Trinidad giants on 24 points, and breathing down the neck of Police FC, while maintaining the league’s best goal-difference (+19).

For Phoenix, the result keeps them near the bottom of the table on just six points.

At the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, Defence Force FC overcame a psychological and a tactical test against San Jabloteh to win 3-1.

The Army looked set for a comfortable evening when Kaihim Thomas converted a penalty in just the fourth minute after veteran Kevin Molino was brought down.

However, the San Juan Kings refused to buckle, answering just before halftime through former talisman Isaiah Leacock.

The Jabloteh forward equalised in the 43rd minute – punishing his former employers within minutes of his team hitting the woodwork twice.

Tied 1-1 at the break, with a first defeat of the season a real prospect, Defence Force rallied in the second half.

Showing the grit of champions, they scored twice unanswered in the second half to secure the three points.

In the 68th minute, Isaiah Garcia slotted in the go-ahead goal after Jabloteh goalkeeper Ja-ir Buckmire failed to reel in a corner.

Then, with five minutes to go, Thomas’ barnstorming run ended with him squaring to Molino to slot in for a 3-1 win.

The victory moves the Defence Force to 23 points, keeping them firmly in third place with two games in hand.

Prison Service FC also remained firmly in the dark horse conversation with a solid 3-1 win over Point Fortin Civic.

Kyron Williams’ seventh-minute goal set Prisons on their way, only for Akeem Redhead to equalise for Civic with a 34th-minute penalty.

However, an own goal two minutes later and Weslie John’s 76th-minute strike handed Prison Service the win.

They stay in fourth place with 22 points, while Civic continue to struggle on seven points from 11 games.

In the early game in Couva, Central FC Reboot and Athletic Club (AC) Port of Spain played out a gritty 1-1 draw that helped neither side’s title ambitions.

AC POS looked like shaking off their recent slump when Daneil Cyrus headed them in front in the 19th minute.

However, the lead was short-lived, with Central FC, playing their first match in more than two weeks, responding through Maurice Dick in the 24th.

Substitute Jaeden Bobb spurned a golden chance to win the match for AC POS, lobbing the ball to the keeper in a one-on-one situation.

The draw leaves Central FC in fifth (17 points) and AC POS sixth (16 points), effectively cutting both teams adrift from the top four.

Finally, FC Eagles won their second game in a row, edging Morvant Caledonia United 4-3 in a thriller.

Caledonia led 2-0 by the 18th minute, before Eagles pulled a goal back through Josiah Edwards in the 41st minute.

The Cunupia team then struck three unanswered goals in the second half through Dominic Douglas (57th), Edwards (66th), and veteran Ataullah Guerra (85th) to secure an insurmountable lead.

Malachai Celestine scored in stoppage time to give Morvant Caledonia hope at 4-3, but they could not complete the comeback.

Action resumes in the TTPFL on January 9 with the commencement of round 12.

Results:

Club Sando FC 2-0 1976 FC Phoenix

Caledonia 3-4 FC Eagles

La Horquetta Rangers 0-3 Police FC

Prison Service FC 3-1 Point Fortin Civic FC

Central FC 1-1 AC POS

San Juan Jabloteh 1-3 Defence Force

Jabloteh rope in Isaiah Leacock, Lindell Sween, face TTPFL holders Army

Reigning TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) champions Defence Force (20 points) could come up against one of the men who played an integral part to their unbeaten run to the 2024/25 league title when they meet San Juan Jabloteh (12 points) at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on January 3, as their former striker Isaiah “Bongo” Leacock has sealed a move to the “San Juan Kings.”

Jabloteh’s move for the 26-year-old Leacock was confirmed by Jabloteh coach Marvin Gordon, who also said 19-year-old playmaker Lindell Sween is set to rejoin the club after a brief stint in Croatia with NK Jarun. Gordon will be hoping both men are fit and ready for the 8 pm Couva clash which will see the seventh-placed Jabloteh team tackling the third-placed Defence Force squad which remains the only unbeaten team in the 2025/26 TTPFL season. The Army/Coast Guard combination also have two games in hand on leaders Miscellaneous Police FC (22 points) and the second-placed Club Sando (21 points) who have both played ten games.

Last season, Leacock scored a joint-team high of 16 league goals for Defence Force alongside Kevin Molino and copped the TTPFL tier one’s Forward of the Season award. This form led to a national call-up for Leacock who scored on his TT senior team debut against Jamaica at the Unity Cup in May 2025, before making a late substitute appearance against Haiti in the subsequent Concacaf Gold Cup. Due to injuries and a struggle to then regain top fitness and form, Leacock didn’t carry on the momentum from the last TTPFL campaign and only featured sparingly for Defence Force as they made a run to the semifinals of last year’s Concacaf Caribbean Cup.

In an appetising clash in the first game of the Couva double-header from 6 pm, last season’s runners-up MIC Central FC Reboot (16 points) will face 2023/24 league champs AC Port of Spain (15 points). There is precious little to choose between Central and AC PoS at present as they are fifth and sixth respectively on the 12-team table.

Also on January 3, Police will hope to rebound from a loss to Prisons FC on the last matchday when they meet the cellar-placed Terminix La Horquetta Rangers (five points) at Arima Velodrome from 5 pm. From 7 pm at the velodrome, the fourth-placed Prisons will take on a tenth-placed Point Fortin Civic (seven points) team.

Meanwhile, at the Phase 2 La Horquetta Recreation Ground from 5 pm, Club Sando will face the 11th-placed 1976 FC Phoenix (six points), with the eighth-placed Caledonia AIA (ten points) battling the ninth-placed Eagles FC (seven points) who have shown form in their last two matches with victories over Phoenix and Jabloteh.

TTFPL tier one standings:

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts

Police FC*10*7*1*2*21*11*10*22

Club Sando*10*7*0*3*24*7*17*21

Defence Force*8*6*2*0*18*7*11*20

Prisons*10*6*1*3*15*9*6*19

MIC Central FC*9*5*1*3*17*18*-1*16

AC Port of Spain*10*4*3*3*14*14*0*15

Jabloteh*10*3*3*4*16*21*-4*12

Caledonia*8*3*1*4*16*15*1*10

Eagles FC*9*2*1*6*13*16*-3*7

Point Fortin*10*2*1*7*8*21*-13*7

1976 FC Phoenix*9*2*0*7*12*22*-10*6

La Horquetta Rangers*9*1*2*6*7*20*-13*5

Ex-soldier loses lawsuit over discharge

A High Court judge has dismissed a constitutional claim brought by a former Defence Force soldier, ruling that her 2014 discharge on the grounds of “completion of engagement” was lawful, reasonable and did not breach her constitutional right to protection of the law.

In a written judgment delivered by Justice Joan Charles, the court found that the Defence Force acted within its statutory powers under the Defence Act when it discharged Jenna Jackson after her first term of service and declined to re-engage her, despite her claims of unfairness, illegality and a denial of natural justice.

Jackson, represented by attorney Ronald Simon, had challenged her discharge from the Defence Force on August 4, 2014, arguing that it was premature, irrational and unconstitutional. She sought declarations that the decision infringed her rights under Section 4(b) of the Constitution, reinstatement to the Defence Force, compensation for lost earnings and benefits, and damages.

The state, represented by attorneys Michelle Benjamin and Kristyn Lewis, instructed by Ronnelle Hinds and Victoria Armorer, opposed the claim.

In her judgment, Justice Charles held that re-engagement in the Defence Force is discretionary and not automatic. She said Jackson had no legitimate expectation of re-engagement and that the competent military authority was entitled to end her service upon completion of her engagement.

The judge reviewed evidence showing that Jackson, who enlisted in April 2006, had extended periods of sick leave and medical restrictions related to polycystic ovaries, a back injury and complications following childbirth. These restrictions, the court noted, prevented her from performing core military duties such as prolonged standing, physical training and night duty.

Justice Charles concluded that the Defence Force’s decision was neither irrational nor an improper exercise of discretion. “It is not for this court to substitute its own decision for that of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force,” she said, recognising the military’s responsibility to manage operational effectiveness and fitness standards.

“I bear in mind that the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force is a military organisation charged with the responsibility of managing its strength, troop assignments, and discipline in furtherance of its duty to protect the nation,” the judge said.

While acknowledging that the Defence Force did not issue a discharge certificate to Jackson at the time of her discharge, the judge found that she had access to alternative remedies, including a petition to the Defence Council and judicial review proceedings, and therefore failed to meet the high threshold required to establish a constitutional breach.

The court also rejected Jackson’s claim for damages, finding no infringement of her constitutional rights. Although Justice Charles observed that the Defence Force could have chosen to discharge Jackson on medical grounds, she held that its decision to rely on “completion of engagement” was lawful.

Jackson’s claim was dismissed, and in exercising her discretion on costs, Justice Charles ordered that each party bear its own legal costs.

Army cut Rangers' light in La Horquetta to take TTPFL lead

A late light outage at the Phase 2 La Horquetta recreation ground couldn’t stop holders Defence Force (20 points) from moving to the top of the 2025/26 TT Premier Football League standings on December 19 as they got a big 5-2 victory over the 11th-placed home team Terminix La Horquetta Rangers (four points).

Already leading 4-2 around the 86th minute, Defence Force had a nervy wait to claim all three points, as light towers at the venue went out – leaving the players to wait roughly 18 minutes before referee Andrew Samuel and his officiating team could return to the field to resume proceedings. Upon resumption, it didn’t take long for the Army/Coast Guard combination to secure the points as a shot from substitute Caden Trestrail in the 16th minute of stoppage time took a deflection off defender Isaiah Raymond before settling into the back of the net.

Earlier, it was a brace from winger Kaihim Thomas, and goals from forward Kathon St Hillaire and makeshift right back Phillip Tinto, which gave Defence Force the ascendancy in the contest. After a spell of early pressure towards Jaden Poon-Lewis’ goal, Defence Force took the lead in the 14th minute when Tinto headed in a right-side corner from Joshua Araujo-Wilson. Rangers got an equaliser in the 33rd minute through a clinical finish from striker Kesean St Rose, but the Devorn Jorsling-coached Defence Force team took a 3-1 lead to the half with goals in quick succession from St Hillaire and Thomas.

In the 37th minute, St Hillaire beat Poon-Lewis with a delightful looping header after Tinto floated in a cross from the right, with Thomas firing into the bottom corner eight minutes later after the midfield pair of Adriel George and Rivaldo Coryat tried to work a one-two on the edge of the Rangers area.

Defence Force seemed to be cruising, but the hosts renewed their interest in the contest when attacker Ricardo Williams scored via a wicked deflection in the 52nd minute to cut the visitors’ lead to 3-2. In the 73rd minute, though, Thomas sullied Rangers’ mood when he chested and volleyed a right-footer into the bottom corner after St Hillaire did some excellent work down the right before crossing.

Just before the end of regulation, darkness consumed the La Horquetta venue with the outage. But once regular power was resumed, Trestrail did his bit to see Defence Force ice the game with the help of the unlucky Raymond.

The win took the Army past both Miscellaneous Police (19 points) and Club Sando (18 points), who were scheduled to meet at the St James Police Barracks after press time on December 20.

In the first game of the La Horquetta double-header on December 19, last season’s runner-up MIC Central FC Reboot (16 points) missed the chance to go into the top three as they lost 4-3 to San Juan Jabloteh (12 points) in an insane goal-fest.

With the teams tied at 3-3, drifting towards second-half stoppage-time, Jabloteh got their winner through substitute Dwight Jordan, who fired past goalie Jabari Brice from close range after latching onto a clever Jaheim Faustin pass.

In first-half action, it was Brice who kept Central afloat in the contest as he made as many as four key saves to keep a relentless Jabloteh team at bay. Jabloteh opened the scoring via a Jamal Jack own goal in the 21st minute, with Central firing back against the run of play as a Daniel David penalty brought them level before defender Jaheim Joseph profited from a goalkeeping error from Justin Dos Santos to give the “Couva Sharks” a 2-1 lead at the half.

Malachi Webb got his first of two second-half goals in the 51st minute, before central midfielder Rhondel Gibson made it 3-2 for Central with a shot from the right side of the area. In the 78th minute, Webb made it 3-3 after Brice somehow mishandled a simple ball which was played over the last man Jack, with the lanky Jordan putting the finishing touches on the seven-goal feast ten minutes later with his potent strike in the area.

The dramatic win saw Jabloteh move from seventh to sixth on the 12-team standings, with Central remaining in fifth.

TTFPL tier one standings:

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts

Defence Force*8*6*2*0*18*7*11*20

Police FC*8*6*1*1*19*9*10*19

Club Sando*8*6*0*2*20*5*15*18

Prisons*8*5*1*2*13*7*6*16

MIC Central FC*9*5*1*3*17*18*-1*16

Jabloteh*9*3*3*3*15*19*-4*12

AC Port of Spain*8*3*2*3*11*12*-1*11

Caledonia*7*2*1*4*12*15*-3*7

Point Fortin*8*2*1*5*8*14*-6*7

1976 FC Phoenix*8*2*0*6*11*18*-7*6

La Horquetta Rangers*8*1*1*6*6*19*-13*4

Eagles FC*7*0*1*6*7*14*-7*1

Army go 3rd in TTPFL with midweek win, hunt top spot

TRINIDAD and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) holders Defence Force (17 points) moved up to third spot on the 2025/26 league standings on December 17 when they got a 3-0 victory over the ninth-placed Point Fortin Civic in the second game of a double-header at the St James Police Barracks.

The Army/Coast Guard combination, which romped to last season’s league title on the back of a spectacular season-long unbeaten run, are yet to be defeated this season and had the chance to move to the summit of the 12-team table after press time on December 19 as they were scheduled to face strugglers Terminix La Horquetta Rangers (four points) at Phase 2 La Horquetta Recreation Ground.

Against Civic in their rescheduled midweek clash, Defence Force had an early scare after roughly 54 seconds when goalie Isaiah Williams rushed to the edge of his area to save smartly from opposing flanker Mark Ramdeen. It was one of the rare moments Williams and the Defence Force rearguard were threatened, though, as first-half goals from Darius Ollivierra and Rivaldo Coryat, to go along with a second-half strike from substitute Kaihim Thomas, assured them all three points as they leapfrogged a Prisons FC team (16 points) which started the season with five straight victories.

Ollivierra opened the scoring in the 17th minute when he headed in a left-side cross from Thomas who came on for injured centre forward Elijah Seechan just three minutes earlier. The Army doubled their lead in the 29th minute when the hard-working Coryat calmly passed a left-footed volley past goalkeeper Jabari Codrington and into the far corner after connecting with a cross from Tobago playmaker Adriel George.

Flanker Kathon St Hillaire had a venomous right-footed shot tipped over bar by Codrington in the 54th minute, but the Civic goalie had no answer for Thomas in the 64th minute as the midfielder buried into the far corner after St Hillaire and Caden Trestrail linked up smartly near the halfline.

With at least three players being substituted because of injuries in the clash with Civic, Defence Force coach Devorn Jorsling will hope the injury-bug doesn’t stall his team’s climb up the league table.

In the first game in the St James midweek double-header, last season’s runners-up MIC Central FC Reboot (16 points) defeated Caledonia AIA (seven points) 3-1. The teams were tied at 1-1 at the half, as Isaiah Lee’s 13th-minute strike for Central was then matched by Jariel Arthur’s solo run and finish four minutes later. In the 60th minute, Central reclaimed the lead when midfielder Daniel David lobbed goalkeeper Isaiah Diaz with a shot from just outside the area. In the 73rd minute, Central then iced the game when centre half Jamal Jack, who turned 38 on the day, slapped in a left-footer from close range after Caledonia failed to deal with a long throw from Emmanuel Thomas.

The fifth-placed Central were scheduled to face the seventh-placed San Juan Jabloteh after press time on December 19.

TTFPL tier one standings:

Team*GP*W*D*L*GF*GA*GD*Pts

Police FC*8*6*1*1*19*9*10*19

Club Sando*8*6*0*2*20*5*15*18

Defence Force*7*5*2*0*13*5*8*17

Prisons*8*5*1*2*13*7*6*16

MIC Central FC*8*5*1*2*14*14*0*16

AC Port of Spain*8*3*2*3*11*12*-1*11

Jabloteh*8*2*3*3*11*16*-5*9

Caledonia*7*2*1*4*12*15*-3*7

Point Fortin*8*2*1*5*8*14*-6*7

1976 FC Phoenix*8*2*0*6*11*18*-7*6

La Horquetta Rangers*7*1*1*5*4*14*-10*4

Eagles FC*7*0*1*6*7*14*-7*1

Cops bring ‘Carols and Cans’ to Arima

THE Trinidad and Tobago Police Service on December 15 held its Carols and Cans Christmas outreach in Arima.

A news release from the TTPS on December 16 said, “Carols and Cans is aimed at fostering unity and goodwill within the community.”

It brought together churches, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), Police Youth Clubs, schools and the public for a festive evening filled with music, carolling and giving.

A young chac chac player takes the spotlight during a parang performance at Carols and Cans. – Photo courtesy TTPS

The release said, the performances highlighted the spirit of unity and community engagement, not only entertaining but also bringing people together in celebration of the season.

Among those present were Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro; Deputy Commissioner of Police – Operations Suzette Martin; Mayor of Arima Balliram Maharaj; the Assistant Chief Fire Officer, the chief executive officer of the Municipal Police, the head of Municipal Police, and a lieutenant from the 1st Engineer Battalion of the TTDF.

The event, held at the Arima Velodrome, kicked off with a vibrant parang performance by students from the Arima Boys’ RC School, “setting a joyful and festive tone for the evening.”

La Horquetta Police Youth Club then presented an skit, which provided the audience with practical tips on how to become “hard targets” and stay safe during the holiday season.

Deputy Commissioner of Police – Operations Suzette Martin with performers. – Photo courtesy TTPS

There were musical performances by the Malabar RC School, as well as renditions from the Pinto/Santa Rosa and Oropune Police Youth Clubs.

A key feature of the Carols and Cans, the release said, was its charitable component.

Officers from the Northern Division North organised a week-long food collection drive. The donations, form police officers and specially invited guests, will be distributed to those in need within the community.

“We are thrilled with the turnout and the level of community involvement in our first Carols and Cans outreach event,” said Snr Supt Northern Division North, Sherma Maynard Wilson. “This initiative highlights the importance of building strong relationships between the police and the community. We hope that this event will serve as a reminder of the power of unity, kindness, and the true spirit of the holiday season.”

Musicians perform at Carols and Cans on December 15 at the Arima Velodrome. – Photo courtesy TTPS

She added “Cans and Carols is a reminder of what this season truly represents. The carols remind us of hope, peace, and the reason we celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, and the cans reflect our compassion in action, allowing those in need to experience hope and love during this season as well as to demonstrate our collective commitment of compassion.”

“The TTPS is committed to continuing its outreach efforts and fostering positive relationships with the community through initiatives like Carols and Cans. Plans for future events are already in motion, with hopes of making this an annual tradition to further strengthen community ties,” the release said.

Defence Force, Jabloteh seal important TTPFL wins

DEFENCE Force continued their upward climb on the TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) standings after producing a 2-1 victory over second-placed Prisons FC at La Horquetta Recreation Grounds in Phase II on December 12.

A goal in each half from Adriel George and the match-winner from Sheldon Bateau in the final minutes affirmed the fourth-placed defending TTPFL champions’ three valuable points on their quest to retain the coveted crown.

After receiving a neat pass from Rivaldo Coryat outside the Prisons penalty box in the 37th minute, George created some space and rifled a right-footed shot into the left corner of the goal, beyond the outstretched arms of a diving Jabari Gray.

In the 75th, Prisons drew level when Ricardo John dove and connected with a low header to score past Defence Force goalie Isaiah Williams.

However, eight minutes later, Bateau scored a spectacular glancing header which glided towards the far post off a corner kick, to go 2-1 up. And despite Prisons searching for another equaliser in the final minutes, it never came.

The win kept Defence Force (14 points) in the hunt to break into the top three as they now sit in fourth spot, trailing third placed Club Sando (13 points) by one point.

In the earlier match at the same venue, seventh-place San Juan Jabloteh also snared three crucial points with a 2-1 triumph over struggling 11th-place La Horquetta Rangers.

Malachi Webb put Jabloteh up in the sixth minute after he received a long throw in the area, beat his man and fired home from close range. Jabloteh entered the half time break ahead, but Rangers levelled the playing field ten minutes into the second period.

From a corner, Rangers had two quick shots blocked out before Kesean St Rose pounced on a loose ball in the area to score with a right-footed shot.

Jabloteh, though, never gave up and were rewarded for their efforts in the third minute of extra time. A good run from Andell Fraser down the right resulted in a precise cross in front of the Rangers’ goal, which second-half substitute Eran McLeod made no mistake to tuck away and snare three points in the dying moments.

Up to press time on December 13, action was under way at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva as cellar-placed Eagles FC took on sixth-place Central FC while fifth-ranked AC Port of Spain were goal-bound on closing the gap on third-placed Club Sando.

On December 14 at the Mahaica Sports Complex, Point Fortin, home team Point Fortin Civic take on 1976 Phoenix FC from 5 pm while league leaders Police FC meet ninth-placed Caledonia AIA.

Army to face Philadelphia Union in Champions Cup on February 18

TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) holders Defence Force will begin their 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup campaign on February 18 when they meet Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit Philadelphia Union in their round-one, first-leg tie from 7 pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo.

Defence Force’s clash with Philadelphia will be one of 11 ties in round one of the Champions Cup, with the return leg between the teams scheduled to be played at Subaru Park, Pennsylvania, on February 26. The winner of the tie will meet the winner of the matchup between Mexico’s Club America and Honduras team Club Olimpia Deportivo in the round of 16. The matches in that round of 16 tie will be played on March 10 and 18, respectively.

The draw for the Champions Cup was held on December 9, with the schedule for the round-one and round of 16 matches being announced on December 12.

Defence Force qualified for the Champions Cup in dramatic fashion when they finished third in the Caribbean Cup on December 2 after edging Dominican Republic’s Cibao FC 4-2 on aggregate in their enthralling third-place playoff.

Mexico’s Cruz Azul are the current Champions Cup holders, while Vancouver Whitecaps finished as last season’s runners-up. The 2026 Champions Cup quarterfinals will be held in April, while the semifinals will be held across April and May. The final is scheduled for May 30.

The Champions Cup winner will qualify for the Fifa Club World Cup in 2029 as well as the 2026 Fifa Intercontinental Cup, which will be held next December.

Army to face Philadelphia Union in Concacaf Champions Cup

TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) champions Defence Force have been drawn against Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit Philadelphia Union for the first round of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup which will be contested in February. It will be the 61st edition of the competition.

The Army/Coast Guard combination qualified for the Champions Cup after registering a dramatic third-place finish in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup which concluded last week. At the December 9 Champions Cup draw which was held in Miami, Defence Force were rewarded with a matchup against a Philadelphia team which won the 2025 MLS Supporters’ Shield. Philadelphia lost in the MLS conference semifinals to New York City FC.

The Champions Cup first round will be contested on a home-and-away basis, with Defence Force among 22 clubs which will be vying for a spot in the round of 16. Deportivo Toluca FC (Mexico), LD Alajuelense (Costa Rica), Seattle Sounders (US), 2025 Caribbean Cup winners Mount Pleasant Football Academy (Jamaica) and MLS Cup winners Inter Miami CF received a bye through to the round of 16 of the Champions Cup.

Mexico’s Cruz Azul, the Champions Cup reigning champs, will begin their title-defence with a round-one tie against Canadian Championship runners-up Vancouver FC. Last season’s Champions Cup runners-up Vancouver Whitecaps will begin next year’s tournament with a first-round tie against Costa Rica’s CS Cartagines.

Defence Force, who have two Champions Cup titles under their belt from 1978 and 1985, will meet Honduras’ Club Olimpia Deportivo or Mexico’s Club America in the round of 16 phase if they get past the first-round challenge of Philadelphia.

The round of 16 will be contested in March, followed by the quarterfinals in April. The semifinal ties will be played across April and May, while the final will be played on May 30. A Concacaf release said the the schedules for the round one and round of 16 matches will be announced in the coming days.

Concacaf Champions Cup round 1:

Pumas UNAM vs San Diego FC

LA Galaxy vs Sporting San Miguelito

Cruz Azul vs Vancouver FC

CF Moneterrey vs CSD Xelaju MC

Los Angeles FC vs REal CD Espana

Nashville SV vs Atletico Ottawa

Club America vs Club Olimpia Deportivo

Philadelphia Union vs Defence Force

Tigres UANL vs Force FC

FC Cincinnati vs O&M FC

Vancouver Whitecaps vs CS Cartagines

Caribbean Kings, TTDF women earn Harvard Rugby 7s titles

Caribbean Kings and Defence Force emerged as the winners of the respective men’s and women’s categories at the Harvard International Rugby 7s tournament which was held at St Mary’s College grounds in St Clair from November 29-30.

The Caribbean Kings touring team won the men’s category as they held off Defence Force in their finale, while the Defence Force ladies had better fortunes in their category and edged Royalians to take top spot after round-robin action.

Whanau under-20 player Skyler Hope stretches his legs during action in the Harvard International Rugby 7s Tournament. – Photo by Ayanna Kinsale

The Caribbean Kings advanced to the final when they got a 19-12 win over the host team Harvard Rugby Club 19-12 in the semis. In the final, the Caribbean Kings were pushed hard by the Defence Force ruggermen but they stood firm to grind out a 19-14 win to seal the crown. Harvard finished in third place in the men’s category.

The women’s under-20 category was won by San Juan RFC, who beat SEPOS Ruggers into second position. Whanau Rugby Academy placed third in the women’s under-20 category.

A Royalians women’s player tries to maker her way through a swarm of Defence Force players. – Photo by Ayanna Kinsale

Whanau made up in the men’s under-20 category, though, as they defeated Silvos’ Youth Academy 12-5 in their final to top that division. Meanwhile, Silvo’s got a measure of revenge in the men’s under-16 division as they beat Whanau into second, with Harvard finishing third.

A Whanau player makes a catch against Harvard in rugby action recently. – Photo by Ayanna Kinsale

The next item on the calendar will be the Tobago Classic 7s which will be staged from January 9-10.

Jorsling: Army must find a way to Champions Cup

DEFENCE Force interim coach Devorn Jorsling said his team must be able to find a way to get a positive result in the first leg of their Concacaf Caribbean Cup third-place playoff against the Dominican Republic’s Cibao FC at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo on November 25.

Kickoff is at 5pm and there’s still a lot weighing on the tie for both camps, as a place in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup is up for grabs for the team finishing third in the tournament. Caribbean Cup finalists Mount Pleasant Football Academy and Universidad O&M FC have already booked their spots in the Concacaf Champions Cup and will play the first leg of their final in the Dominican Republic on November 25. The return legs for both the third-place playoff and the final will be played on December 2.

On October 22, the Army/Coast Guard combination received a rude awakening in the first leg of their Caribbean Cup semis against Mount Pleasant, as they were drubbed 5-1 by the Jamaican powerhouse team before offering an improved performance in the second leg, which they won 1-0.

Jorsling said his team’s approach for the first leg of the third-place playoff will not be passive. However, he said they cannot play in the same fashion they did against Mount Pleasant.

“In life, you live and learn. And I think in the first leg of the semifinals, we were way too open. In saying that, we’re not going to park the bus tomorrow, please God,” Jorsling said at the pre-match presser on November 24. “The approach will be different. It’s two legs and going over to Cibao, we have to have a positive result going over there.”

He reiterated the team’s main goal before the tournament was to get to the Concacaf Champions Cup and that’s still well and truly intact.

“Obviously, we would have loved to win the Caribbean Cup, but that hasn’t happened, so we’re going all out this time to try and qualify for the Concacaf Champions Cup.”

To close off group B play, the reigning TT Premier Football League champs got a 2-0 win away to Cibao to secure their place in the last four. However, both Jorsling and veteran defender Sheldon Bateau, 34, believe this upcoming tie will be a totally different ball game.

“Every game is different. I think what will make the match really difficult is what’s at stake,” Jorsling said.

“They are away from home. We don’t know how they will approach the game, but I know it will be different. In saying that, we have to find a way to win the game. It’s that simple. We have to win the game.”

Bateau, who joined Defence Force midway through the group phase in September, is up to the task.

“(We’re) definitely (expecting a different game). I think the circumstances are totally different. In the first game, they would have made some changes. Just like us, they had some league games as well, so we’re expecting a much tougher than previously. We’re up for it. As the coach said, we’re upbeat and we’re ready for the challenge.”

Bateau said making the readjustment locally after playing for over ten years in Europe has been difficult, but is keen to impart his knowledge to the younger players and help the Army achieve a major goal.

“The pressure is no different to deliver, to lead the troops and to share my experience. I think it’s about helping the country to stay at a high level. We have a crisis right now with the football. It’s no secret, but we’re a bit behind.”

The Defence Force 21-man squad includes players such as recently retired national team playmaker Kevin Molino, Kevon Goddard, Justin Sadoo and attackers Shaquille Bertrand and Elijah Seechan.

Defence Force squad for Concacaf Caribbean Cup third-place playoff:

Goalkeepers: Jabari St Hillaire, Isaiah Williams.

Defenders: Sheldon Bateau, Jelani Felix, Russel Francois, Isaiah Garcia, Shirwin Noel.

Midfielders: Joshua Araujo-Wilson, Christian Bailey, Tyrese Bailey, Rivaldo Coryat, Adriel George, Kevon Goddard, Kevin Molino, Darius Ollivierra, Justin Sadoo, Kaihim Thomas, Caden Trestrail.

Forwards: Shaquille Bertrand, Elijah Seechan, Kathon St Hillaire.

Defence Force pip QPCC to men’s indoor hockey title

DEFENCE Force pulled off a stunning shootout win over Queen’s Park Cricket Club in the final of the men’s open division of the TT Hockey Board’s (TTHB) National Indoor tournament, which came to a dramatic end at the Woodbrook Youth Facility on November 22.

The men’s open finale had a roller-coaster of emotions. Defence Force finally got their hands on the title after a lengthy shootout, which had as many as ten shots, as national player Mickel Pierre scored the decisive goal past goalkeeper Reiza Hosein to seal the win after the teams were tied at 5-5 at the end of regulation time.

In a battle between the teams which finished atop the standings at the end of the preliminary round, Defence Force bolted to an impressive 4-0 lead by the 18th minute on the back of goals by David Coker, Sheldon De Lisle, Tarrell Singh and imposing attacker Shaquille Daniel.

Facing a possible blowout, QPCC finally showed up to the party when quick strikes by Arriell Bowen and standout player Jordan Vieira saw Defence Force’s lead cut to 4-2 by the 22nd minute. The Army regained firm control of proceedings just moments later as Daniel scored his second goal to make it 5-2. There was high drama to conclude the contest, though, as Dominic Young pulled one back for the Parkites to make it 5-3 before Vieira added two more late goals to take his overall tally in the division to a whopping 29 goals – well clear of any of his competitors – and knot the game up at five apiece. Vieira was the first man to try his luck in the shootout, but he and the other outfield players soon realised it would be a tough ask to beat Defence Force’s Zeon Hamilton or teammate Hosein between the uprights. In his second attempt in the marathon shootout, Pierre had the special touch to seal the win for Defence Force as they exacted revenge for the loss they suffered to the Parkites in the men’s knockout final on November 16.

Third place in the men’s open division went to Police, who spanked Paragon 10-4 with both Justin Beharry and Nicholas Grant scoring hat-tricks.

In the mixed vets final, there was no stopping QPCC as they earned a 7-5 win over Police thanks to an impressive four-goal showing from Shawn Lee Quay, who netted a hat-trick by the 16th minute to give his team a 4-2 lead. Danielle Thompson made it 5-2 to QPCC with a strike in the 22nd minute, before Akim Toussaint registered two quick goals to cut QPCC’s lead to 5-4. Toussaint was the only scorer for Police with a special five-goal effort, but too much was placed on his shoulders as QPCC held firm to seize the result. In the men’s Trinity division final, the versatile Nicholas Whiteman had a rollicking time as he scored six goals to power Notre Dame to a 10-4 win over SHAPE. Meanwhile, in the women’s Trinity division final, Magnolia evaded Police’s capture as they ran away with a 5-1 victory with a brace from Natania Rowe.

US top-ranked military officer to meet PM

This story has been updated to include additional details. See updated post here.

CHAIRMAN of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine will visit Trinidad and Tobago on November 25 to meet with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

The visit was announced on November 24 in a media release by the US embassy.

It said the visit will focus on the two nations’ strong bilateral relationship, strengthening regional stability, and regional unity on the vital importance of countering illicit trafficking and transnational criminal organizations.

Caine’s arrival follows two recent visits by members of the US 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, from October 26-30 and November 16-21, for military drills alongside the TT Defence Force.

Caine is the 22nd chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the US highest-ranking military officer, and the principal military advisor to the US President, Secretary of War, and National Security Council.

He has also served in a wide range of operational, staff and joint assignments, primarily as an F-16 fighter pilot, weapons officer, member of the White House staff and special operations officer.

Moonilal, Morris: Government can handle concerns over US, Venezuela tensions

GOVERNMENT is prepared to handle any situation which could arise out of escalating US, Venezuela tensions in the Caribbean.

Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal and Foreign and Caricom Affairs Ministry parliamentary secretary Nicholas Morris gave these assurances at the post-cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s on November 20.

Moonilal slammed former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley for claiming TT’s offshore energy installations could be at risk if hostilities break out between the US and Venezuela. At a news conference at his home in Carenage, Rowley said this risk was real because of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s support of the US military deployment which began in the southern Caribbean in August and offering to allow US forces to use TT as a base of operations should Venezuela make any military incursion into Guyana.

Venezuela and Guyana have a decades long dispute regarding the Essequibo border region between both nations.

Moonilal repeated his view that Rowley’s statements were “alarmist and irresponsible.” Rowley claimed Venezuela could view TT as a combatant because of government’s support for the US military deployment and TT had no naval presence to defend its offshore energy platforms from any attack.

He said, “We have been having discussions with all of the upstream players and multinational corporations.”

Moonilal added some of these companies have operated in areas of the world which are described as conflict zones.

“They are not at all disturbed by this. They have their contingency plans and so on. So there is really no high risk.”

He said, “The installations have security and we continue to work along our law enforcement ministers and partners.”

Moonilal claimed Rowley was trying to become politically relevant and trying to undermine Opposition Leader and PNM political leader Pennelope Beckles.

In response to other questions from the media, Morris maintained government has been fully transparent and accountable to the population on all matters relating to TT’s position in the entire US-Venezuela situation.

He recalled last week, Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers spoke about members of the US 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) coming to TT this week to engage in training with the TT Defence Force (TTDF).

The US military deployment began in August with the deployment of the guided missile destroyers USS Gravely, Sampson and Jason Dunham. The Gravely and the 22nd MEU visited TT between October 26-30. The MEU were a key unit involved in the 1983 US military invasion of Grenada, code named Operation Urgent Fury.

Morris said, “The Prime Minister herself has been in the media addressing and allaying any fear and giving us, the reassurance that we must be calm.”

He dismissed a concern by a reporter about Defence Minister Wayne Sturge not attending the briefing to discuss ongoing US/Venezuela tensions and their potential impact on TT.

“The government today has chosen to discuss some very key issues, especially as Dr Moonilal has become the first energy minister in the last ten years to have growth in the energy sector.”

Caricom Affairs Ministry parliamentary secretary Nicholas Morris speaks at a post-cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s on November 20. – Photo by Faith Ayoung

Morris was asked to respond to questions about US Marine VM-22 Ospreys flying over their homes in different parts of Trinidad as part of the US/TT military exercises.

He was asked whether any drones which could be used as part of those exercises were used to destroy alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean. Persad-Bissessar has publicly supported those strikes.

Morris said, “The government has been accountable on that issue.”

He repeated his previous comment about Sobers announcing joint TT-US military exercises last week.

“Any type of aircraft over your head and so on is part of the training exercises that the joint training exercises that were announced to the population last Friday (November 14). It should not come as any surprise.”

Morris said Sobers indicated last week he did not think any of the equipment being used by the Marines “would have been involved in those strikes.” He was unable to say if the military exercises would end on November 21 as planned or be extended.

Morris added Sturge and Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander would update the public on those issues in due course.

He said, “We reflect on the Prime Minister’s very, very defining statements on Monday (November 17) that TT will not be the launching pad for any attack. That all of these are part of our relationship…very age old relationship to our US allies.”

Persad-Bissessar has supported the Trump administration’s description of the deployment as an anti-narcotics exercise.

On a report that quoted Alexander being unaware of the arrival of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford in the Caribbean, Morris said, “The government has always been committed to providing accountability in every aspect of our national governance.”

The Gerald Ford is accompanied by a strike group includes nine embarked squadrons of Carrier Air Wing Eight, Destroyer Squadron Two’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Bainbridge and USS Mahan, and the integrated air and missile defence command ship USS Winston S Churchill.

He repeated that Sobers has publicly spoken about significant decreases in crime relative to the US military deployment.

Morris said, “The government has always been committed to providing results and accounting for whatever measures we are part and parcel of.” He added, “In due course, that will be part of the national conversation.”

He said cabinet made many decisions earlier and the matters which Moonilal, Maharaj, Trade, Investment and Tourism Minister Satyakama Maharaj and Civil Aviation and Transport Minister Eli Zakour mentioned earlier in the briefing, “were the pressing issues at this point in time.”

Maharaj and Zakour dismissed reports which claimed tour operators were cancelling visits to TT because of ongoing US-Venezuela tensions

Zakour said he had no information on this and he was not the relevant minister with respect to that issue.

Maharaj said, “We have received no major reports on anything like that.”

High Court rules Regiment unfairly blocked officer’s promotion, orders damages

A High Court judge has ruled that the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) unlawfully denied Warrant Officer Class II (WOII) Marlon Pierre promotion to Warrant Officer Class I, declaring that the criteria used to block his advancement violated the Constitution.

Justice Westmin James found that senior officers applied an unpromulgated and unauthorised performance-rating system that unfairly ranked Pierre below junior colleagues, leading to his non-recommendation for promotion in February 2024. The court held that the process breached Section 4(b) of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to the protection of the law.

Pierre, who has served 29 years in the Regiment and has held the rank of Warrant Officer Class II since July 2019, argued that commanders used performance appraisals not recognised in the Regiment’s Standing Orders and failed to substantiate negative claims about his “mannerisms” and “tone.” He said those allegations, made by a junior officer, were never investigated or supported with evidence and resulted in lower annual ratings that disqualified him under the disputed system.

The court agreed, ruling that the Chief of Defence Staff and the Commanding Officer of the TT Regiment failed to annually appraise Pierre, verify complaints against him, or provide performance feedback before drafting his confidential reports. The judge declared that promoting junior officers ahead of Pierre was unlawful and that he had a legitimate expectation of being promoted as of February 5, 2024.

James ordered the defendants to pay $50,000 in compensatory damages and $50,000 in vindicatory damages and directed that legal costs be assessed if not agreed. The court also found that the Regiment’s alleged “mathematical equation” system, under which mixed biannual ratings were combined to produce a lower annual score, had no basis in standing orders or approval from the Defence Council.

Pierre said the denial of promotion cost him seniority, career prospects, and thousands of dollars in salary, allowances, and future pension benefits. He also claimed the process caused significant stress, forcing him to seek medical assistance for insomnia.

The judgment followed a series of Orders to Attend, at which Pierre challenged the accuracy of his appraisals and asserted that the officers who graded him did not supervise him during the relevant periods. The court declared those assessments irregular and unconstitutional.

In support of his claim, Pierre stated that he felt the goal post was being intentionally shifted to prevent him from being promoted.

Pierre was represented by attorneys Arden Williams and Mariah Ramrattan.

World’s largest military aircraft carrier now in Caribbean Sea

THE Gerald R Ford Carrier Strike Group (CSG) has arrived in the Caribbean Sea as the US military continues with the largest military build-up seen in the region in decades.

Washington has framed the build-up as combating narco-trafficking but has also been increasing the pressure on Venezuela’s president, Nicolas Maduro, whom it believes is an illegitimate leader and is facilitating the illicit trade.

A release from the USS Gerald R Ford on November 16 confirmed the arrival, saying the maritime forces’ operations in the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of responsibility came at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to support the President’s directive to dismantle Transnational Criminal Organisations and counter narco-terrorism in defence of the Homeland.

“Through unwavering commitment and the precise use of our forces, we stand ready to combat the transnational threats that seek to destabilise our region,” SOUTHCOM commander Admiral Alvin Holsey said.

“The USS Gerald R Ford Carrier Strike Group’s deployment represents a critical step in reinforcing our resolve to protect the security of the Western Hemisphere and the safety of the American Homeland.”

The CSG will join forces which have been gathering in the Caribbean Sea since August. These include the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and embarked Marine Expeditionary Unit, as part of Joint Task Force Southern Spear.

“Our nation’s leaders have called upon the Gerald R Ford Carrier Strike Group as the most capable, adaptable, and lethal platform in the world to be where it matters, when it matters,” commander of Carrier Strike Group 12 Rear Adm. Paul Lanzilotta said.

“Our force will augment existing capabilities to protect our nation’s security and prosperity against narco-terrorism in the Western Hemisphere.”

Accompanying the USS Gerald R Ford in the CSG are nine embarked squadrons of Carrier Air Wing Eight, Destroyer Squadron Two’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Bainbridge and USS Mahan, and the integrated air and missile defence command ship USS Winston S Churchill.

The fleet’s arrival comes as the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit is set to visit TT for the second time in just over two weeks for training with the TT Defence Force (TTDF) from November 16 to 21. Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Sean Sobers defended the move, saying it was needed to help build the TTDF’s capacity to combat illegal drugs and weapons. It’s a move that has raised many eyebrows, including in Caracas.

According to media reports, Maduro, who firmly believes the US military build-up is about overthrowing him, warned the drills could threaten regional peace. He called on citizens to take to the streets to protest the military exercises.

The 22nd MEU’s first visit on the USS Gravely between October 26 and 30 was similarly condemned by Caracas. Citizens took to the streets in protest while the Venezuelan government halted petrochemical deals with TT and labelled Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar persona non grata.

Army to face Cibao for Concacaf Champions Cup spot

TRINIDAD and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) holders Defence Force still have the chance to qualify for the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup and will get that opportunity to advance to the region’s marquee competition when they face Dominican Republic’s Cibao FC in the third-place playoff of this year’s Concacaf Caribbean Cup.

The third-place playoff will be contested over two legs, with the Army/Coast Guard combination hosting the first leg at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo on November 25. The second leg will be played in the Dominican Republic on December 2, with the winner of the tie advancing to the Champions Cup, where they will join this year’s Caribbean Cup finalists Mount Pleasant Football Academy and Universidad O&M FC.

Mount Pleasant advanced to the final with their 5-2 aggregate win over Defence Force, with Universidad O&M FC getting a narrow 2-1 win over their fellow Dominican Republic team Cibao in their two-legged semi. Cibao finished runner-up to Cavalier FC in the Caribbean Cup last season, but will have to settle for a third-place joust with the TTPFL holders this time around.

Cibao finished above the Army in group B play this year, although the latter team got a vital 2-0 win on the road on October 1 to ensure safe passage through to the semis.