Trini Brief on The Tradewinds Brief

Man Reaches Lime, Immediately Asks 'Where Everybody?'

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:00:00 -0500

SAN FERNANDO — Arriving at the pre-arranged liming spot at precisely the agreed-upon time, 34-year-old Kevon Ramsaran spent the next 12 minutes surveying the empty premises before asking whether anyone else had committed to the evening’s plans, sources at the venue confirmed Friday.

The situation continues to develop.

Government Announces Committee To Review Previous Committee Findings

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:53:00 -0500

PORT OF SPAIN — In a statement delivered Wednesday afternoon, officials unveiled a new seven-member review body whose primary mandate will be evaluating the findings of the previous review body, which had itself been established in 2023 to evaluate an earlier committee’s report.

The situation continues to develop.

Soca Artist Releases Same Song With Slightly More Whistle

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:46:00 -0500

ARIMA — Local soca veteran Machel ‘Lights’ Balkissoon released his Carnival 2026 entry this week, a production that industry observers have identified as functionally indistinguishable from his 2024 and 2025 releases, distinguished only by the addition of an extended whistle sequence in the second chorus.

The situation continues to develop.

Entire Group Chat Pretends They Still Coming Out Tonight

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 04:39:00 -0500

CHAGUANAS — All eleven members of the ‘Friday Crew 🔥🔥’ WhatsApp group confirmed via typing indicator that they remained committed to the evening’s plans, despite eight of them already being in pajamas and two having eaten a full dinner, sources close to the chat revealed.

The situation continues to develop.

Man Says He Knows DJ, Immediately Skips Entire Line

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 01:32:00 -0500

PORT OF SPAIN — Approaching the velvet rope at a sold-out fete Saturday night, 29-year-old Darion Charles announced that he ‘knew the DJ’ and proceeded past approximately 140 patrons who had been waiting since 9 p.m., with the bouncer reportedly offering no resistance to this widely accepted form of local credential.

The situation continues to develop.

Doubles Vendor Quietly Running Most Efficient Operation In Country

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 22:25:00 -0500

CUREPE — While government ministries continue to struggle with service delivery timelines, a doubles vendor operating from a folding table near the UWI campus has maintained a consistent 22-second transaction cycle for the past fourteen years, handling up to 400 customers per morning with no visible effort.

The situation continues to develop.

Carnival Planning Begins 11 Months Before Actual Responsibilities

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 19:18:00 -0500

NATIONWIDE — With eleven months remaining before the 2027 Carnival season, residents have reportedly begun coordinating costume selections, mas band registrations, and international flight bookings, while simultaneously leaving their electricity bills, vehicle inspections, and work deliverables entirely unaddressed.

The situation continues to develop.

Auntie Brings Extra Food 'Just In Case,' Feeds Entire Street

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:11:00 -0500

PENAL — Concerned that the family gathering might not have sufficient provisions, Auntie Indra arrived Sunday with what she described as ‘just a little extra,’ a quantity later determined to include enough pelau, stewed chicken, and macaroni pie to sustain the immediate neighbourhood for approximately 48 hours.

The situation continues to develop.

Taxi Driver Explains Politics Better Than Actual Politicians

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:04:00 -0500

PORT OF SPAIN — During a 14-minute ride from Woodbrook to St. Augustine Tuesday, a maxi taxi driver identified only as ‘Shorty’ delivered a comprehensive analysis of the nation’s fiscal position, energy policy, and regional alliances that economists have called ‘substantially more coherent’ than recent parliamentary addresses.

The situation continues to develop.

Man Says 'One Drink,' Leaves At Sunrise

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:57:00 -0500

ST. JAMES — Announcing at 8 p.m. Friday that he would be having ‘just one quick drink’ before heading home, 31-year-old Ravi Persad was last observed at 6:47 a.m. Saturday walking down Ariapita Avenue still holding the same glass, now containing only melted ice.

The situation continues to develop.

Family Lime Turns Into Debate About Who Moving Away Next

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 06:50:00 -0500

DIEGO MARTIN — A routine Sunday family gathering escalated into a three-hour discussion Sunday evening regarding which relative would be the next to emigrate, with participants citing reasons ranging from ’the crime situation’ to ‘a cousin in Toronto who said it have work.’

The situation continues to develop.

Government Promises Flooding Situation Will Be 'Closely Monitored Again'

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 03:43:00 -0500

PORT OF SPAIN — In response to the fourteenth major flooding event in eighteen months, officials reaffirmed Tuesday that the nation’s drainage systems would be ‘closely monitored,’ a commitment substantially similar to the one issued after the previous thirteen incidents.

The situation continues to develop.

Man Stuck In Traffic Creates Full Life Plan Before Reaching Home

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:36:00 -0500

UPRIVER CHURCHILL ROOSEVELT HIGHWAY — Over the course of a 2-hour, 40-minute commute covering roughly 11 kilometres, office worker Terrence Mahabir reportedly mapped out a career pivot, two business ventures, a relationship decision, and the renovation of his mother’s kitchen.

The situation continues to develop.

Entire Workplace Disappears Early On Friday Without Discussion

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:29:00 -0500

PORT OF SPAIN — By 2:15 p.m. Friday, all 47 employees of a downtown firm had silently and independently concluded that the week was effectively over, with no meeting, email, or verbal agreement preceding the coordinated exodus observed on the building’s CCTV.

The situation continues to develop.

Friend Says 'We Reaching Now,' Still Bathing

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 18:22:00 -0500

BARATARIA — Responding to a group chat message at 7:42 p.m. with the phrase ‘we reaching now,’ 28-year-old Kimisha Joseph was at that moment observed to be fully inside her bathroom with the shower running, sources familiar with her movements confirmed.

The situation continues to develop.

Soca Song About Work Ethic Played Loudest During Working Hours

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:15:00 -0500

SAN JUAN — A popular 2026 soca release titled ‘Grind Hard’ has reportedly achieved peak radio rotation between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., with workplace compliance officers unable to determine whether the track’s message has translated into any measurable productivity gains.

The situation continues to develop.

Neighbourhood Knows Your Business Before You Finish Living It

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:08:00 -0500

BELMONT — Residents of a single block in Belmont have developed what researchers are calling a ‘predictive social surveillance network,’ capable of disseminating news of a neighbour’s life events to surrounding streets within an average of 7 to 11 minutes of the event occurring.

The situation continues to develop.

Man Claims He Not Studying Nobody, Studies Everybody

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:01:00 -0500

MARAVAL — Despite repeatedly stating Sunday that he was ’not studying’ the situation between his cousin and a former co-worker, 36-year-old Anil Boodoo has reportedly assembled a comprehensive mental dossier including timeline, witnesses, and contributing factors, which he has already shared with four separate parties.

The situation continues to develop.

Auntie Cheryl - Monday, April 20, 2026

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 08:45:00 -0400

Auntie Cheryl from Chaguanas weighs in: the pension news is wonderful, the crime is down, the Prime Minister is standing up to CARICOM, and yes the police station thing was upsetting but Madam Prime Minister is handling it. Everything is going to be alright.

Trini Dispatch - Monday, April 20, 2026

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 08:30:00 -0400

Port of Spain view: a municipal police corporal was murdered inside the San Fernando station and over 4,000 rounds of ammunition walked out the door. The Prime Minister says no curfew is needed. The Prime Minister also says you are safer. Both statements were issued Saturday.

Lime Location Changes Three Times, Nobody Updated Properly

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 05:54:00 -0500

GREATER PORT OF SPAIN — An evening lime originally scheduled for a Woodbrook bar was moved to a St. Ann’s residence, then to a Maraval rooftop, then back to Woodbrook, with final attendance distributed across all three venues after the group chat update was only selectively received.

The situation continues to develop.

Security Guard Becomes Key Intelligence Source For Entire Community

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 02:47:00 -0500

ST. AUGUSTINE — A security guard stationed at the entrance of a mid-sized apartment complex has been identified by neighbourhood sources as the most reliable authority on tenant movements, visitor patterns, and vehicular anomalies, surpassing both the building’s management office and a local WhatsApp group.

The situation continues to develop.

Auntie Cheryl: The New Nurse Rules Coming! And a Lovely Day in Chaguanas!

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 11:30:00 -0400

Blessings and morning greetings to all my Chaguanas family and friends! Auntie Cheryl writing to you from my kitchen this Sunday morning, the breeze coming in through the louvre, the pot of sorrel on the stove, and the radio playing that new gospel from Pastor Winston that everybody have been sharing on the WhatsApp.

What a blessed Sunday! Let me tell you what is on my mind from the papers today.

Trini Dispatch: 56 Bodies in a Shallow Grave, the Fair Trading Commission Still Does Not Exist, and the Piarco Domestic Lounge Closes on the 24th

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Port of Spain morning. The papers this Sunday are carrying a story that I have been turning over in my head since Saturday afternoon, and I still do not have the vocabulary for it. Let me try.

Cumuto Cemetery. Fifty-six bodies. Shallow grave.

On Saturday, at the Cumuto Cemetery, two workers from a popular funeral home were discovered attempting to illegally dispose of 56 human remains in a shallow grave. The T&T Police Service is investigating. The funeral home has not, at time of writing, been publicly named across all outlets, but the story is in the Guardian and Newsday.

Auntie Cheryl: Saddam Hosein Open a GYM!! TTMB Have New Mortgage for We!! And Nurses Saying Dey Going to WALK!!

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0400

Allyuh!!! It me, Auntie Cheryl, and I wake up dis Saturday mornin’ with SO MUCH to tell yuh. De phone been ringin’ since 6AM, me sister in Diego Martin send me TEN voice notes, and me niece in Arima tell me to check de Guardian. Sit sit sit. Make tea. Let me unload.

SADDAM HOSEIN OPEN A GYM!!! 💪💪💪

Ohhhh darling this one had me LAUGHING.

Saddam Hosein — de MP for Barataria/San Juan — he cut de ribbon on a NEW GYM in Aranguez. Dey call it Raw Fitness. And dey TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS of him ON DE CHEST PRESS MACHINE.

Trini Dispatch: De Fair Trading Commission Still Not Working, New Mortgages From TTMB, and an MP Opens a Gym While Nurses Continue to Leave

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 09:30:00 -0400

Saturday morning, Port of Spain. Trini Dispatch here, trying to sort the week into something that looks like a pattern. It mostly does not form one. I shall present the items as they come.

The Fair Trading Commission, Still Absent

Dr. Ronald Ramkissoon, former chairman of the Fair Trading Commission and an economist of considerable standing, has issued a public warning that calls are now intensifying for the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism to urgently restore the Commission to operational status.

Auntie Cheryl: Pension Tax Gone! De Procurement Watchman Doing He Wuk! And Lord Forgive Me, But De SoE Working Too!

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:30:00 -0400

Oh Godddd it’s me Auntie Cheryl from Chaguanas coming to tell allyuh THE NEWS because I cannot hold it in another minute, my phone have 14 missed calls and 200 WhatsApp messages and people in de family is cryin’ happy cryin’ sad and cryin’ confused ALL AT DE SAME TIME and I will explain EVERYTHING.

Put on de kettle. Sit down. Let Auntie tell yuh.

DE PENSION TAX GONE!!!! 🙌🙌🙌

Darling. DARLING. Let me tell yuh what happen today.

Trini Dispatch: The Procurement Regulator Got Up, the HDC Got Halted, Thirteen More Detentions, and the Finance Bill Brings a Gift

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Good morning from Port of Spain. Trini Dispatch here, reporting from a country where, as of this week, we are forty-five days into a State of Emergency and the strangest part is that most people have forgotten.

Let’s see what’s in the tray.

The HDC Contracts: $3.4 Billion, Paused

The Office of the Procurement Regulator has halted the award of $3.4 billion in Housing Development Corporation contracts to eleven companies. The halt came hours after a Government minister appeared on television to explain that the process was thorough, appropriate, and beyond reproach.

Auntie Cheryl From Chaguanas — Thursday, April 16, 2026

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:30:00 -0400

Auntie Cheryl is fully supportive of Kamla's comments about CARICOM and has been saying this for years, if anyone had been listening.

Trini Dispatch — Thursday, April 16, 2026

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Kamla calls CARICOM dysfunctional. The US still doesn't want to visit. A $3.4 billion housing deal needs explaining.

Trini Brief – Auntie Cheryl: Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:30:00 -0400

Auntie Cheryl from Chaguanas is very proud of the PM, concerned about the murder rate, and has already bought tickets to Metamorphosis. Tuesday's dispatch.

Trini Brief – Trini Dispatch: Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Trinidad skipped the CARICOM emergency meeting it demanded, crime is 45% up, and the Prime Minister is still in a one-woman war with the entire Caribbean. Tuesday's dispatch.

Auntie Cheryl From Chaguanas — Sunday, April 12, 2026

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 08:15:00 -0400

Auntie Cheryl has strong feelings about McDonald Bailey's fate, cautious optimism about the Red Force, and a complicated reaction to Kamla's CARICOM situation.

Trini Dispatch — Sunday, April 12, 2026

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 08:10:00 -0400

Persad-Bissessar's CARICOM war goes global, the Ghany murder investigation tightens, McDonald Bailey was shot dead after spending 20 years wrongly imprisoned, and the jet ski suspect remains in custody.

Auntie Cheryl From Chaguanas — Saturday, April 11, 2026

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 08:15:00 -0400

Auntie Cheryl is thrilled about NGC's record profits, concerned about the Tobago vandals, and has a lot of feelings about the CARICOM situation that she would like to share.

Trini Dispatch — Saturday, April 11, 2026

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 08:10:00 -0400

The PM wants the CARICOM Secretary-General gone, Tobago's water infrastructure was vandalised, NGC had its best year in a decade, and a six-year-old is in critical condition after a pool incident.

Trini Brief — Auntie Cheryl, April 10, 2026

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Auntie Cheryl from Chaguanas reacts to Angelica Jogie, the Caracas delegation, the new fire tenders, and the ongoing jet ski debate with the full range of emotions the week demands.

Trini Brief — Trini Dispatch, April 10, 2026

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A seven-year-old is dead at Pigeon Point, the government is sending a delegation to Caracas, PM Persad-Bissessar distributed fire tenders in Penal, and the PNM Tobago council internal election has been rescheduled. Standard.

Auntie Cheryl's Trinidad Update – Thursday, April 9, 2026

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Auntie Cheryl in Chaguanas reads the news and is pleased about most of it.

The Trini Dispatch – Thursday, April 9, 2026

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Port of Spain dispatches — Kamla goes to Venezuela for gas, a businessman is dead, the SEA was easy, and CARICOM finds itself short one vote of confidence.

Auntie Cheryl Speaks — Trinidad, Monday April 6, 2026

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 06:30:00 -0400

Auntie Cheryl, calling from Chaguanas, is overjoyed about Kamla and has prepared cook-up to celebrate.

The Trini Dispatch — Trinidad & Tobago Brief, Monday April 6, 2026

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

T&T just elected Kamla. The dust is settling, the promises are flying, and a cyclist died at Easter Prix. The Trini Dispatch has the full picture.