The National Security helicopter overhead downtown Port-of-Spain around 12.30 pm yesterday, flew low at patrol speed.
Once a daily sight under the PP administration, aerial support–concerning yesterday's high profile court matters and Sea Lots raid–denoted Government's security step-up following Monday's social media "Isis attack" threat alerts.
Prime Minister Keith Rowley at Wednesday's media briefing, spoke less about Monday's meeting with Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro than security, following the alerts which circulated the day of the Venezuela caucus. As National Security Council chief, Rowley's stand-alone appearance at the briefing confirmed the seriousness with which the development was noted.
Whether attempt to upstage the TT/Venezuela play, destabilise T&T or test local responses, serious contingencies kicked in as a result of the "hot" climate: crimewave, warring criminal fringe, intel report of 105 nationals heading to Syria to link with Isis over 2013/2015.
Government in the figure of acting Attorney General and National Security Minister, Stuart Young (Prime Minister's office) telegraphed determination to be undeterred, with him doing the talking, alongside police after Thursday's swift handling of north and south bomb threats
Thursday's strong statement–which assisted the Strategic Services Agency's image–will hopefully deter repeats this weekend, a period the "alerts" cited. T&T was plagued by bombs planted in dustbins, during three months of 2005 which didn't halt with the first. It started July 11, 2005, downtown Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain. Others were August 10 (George Street, PoS ), September 11 (near KFC Independence Square), October 14 (Smokey and Bunty, St James.) Bomb threats had been made on July 11 prior to the incident, at a business house and Trincity Mall. Another occurred on July 12 in Chaguanas.
Not only was intelligence info–and systems management–clearly lacking to prevent recurrence after the first incident, local statements didn't pinpoint it as sympathiser action following the London bombings which occurred four days before the first incident. International patterns indicated it likely was. After the last bombing, then PM Patrick Manning said government "had a good idea "who was behind it and evidence was being collected to ensure justice regarding "Mr Big"–sole hint. In January 2014 Manning said "Big's" identity would soon be known. This followed a US$100m cocaine find in juice shipments. Nothing since.
Monday's threats would have triggered recollection of 2005 (especially as one message alluded to "bombs"). At Wednesday's briefing, rooting for the SSA bill, Rowley's repeated verbiage on security services' lack of capacity however reinforced soft-target perception, even while assuring there was no information Monday's threat was real. Hopefully, Thursday's swift action can boost confidence in the sectors' image.
Whether Rowley's remarks were meant to pave the way for the US Joint Task Force (Southern Command) intelligence sharing/crime fighting strategies forum (which Dillon has returned from) and what concessions/steps may be required of T&T, the meeting was timely. Former SouthCom general John Kelly in January expressed concern a small number of Isis fighters could commit acts of terror in Caribbean nations. He cited T&T, Jamaica and Suriname concerning limited law enforcement resources.
Venezuela's issues arose after fuel hikes and currency devaluation–matters T&T would note. Consequent load-shedding includes expected release of the five T&T nationals held there since 2014, part of the trade-off with T&T
Release may place the PNM administration in good standing with their Muslim families, represented by former PNM deputy leader, attorney Nafeesa Mohammed. Indeed some Muslim groups including some "new guard" components on the Muslim landscape–distanced themselves from Monday's alerts.
Favours, however, hold no sway with fragmented fringe elements.
Full effect of the trade-off remains to unfold. Whether the men will be home free, or depending on information triggering their detention, remain persons of interest to T&T authorities (as expected) until cleared, are ahead. Two are in intelligence annals suspected in a plot to kill the past Prime Minister.
T&T's recently experienced issues which have headlined in larger countries: a gunman opening fire in a church, refugee possibility, contraband in jails. To prevent more, if Venezuela's dilemma demands load-shedding, T&T must be able to cope with anything sent this way. Especially as T&T's being tested on every front.