The country's security forces have been placed on high alert after a plot to assassinate Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and three of her Cabinet ministers was uncovered. Well placed government and military sources confirmed to the T&T Guardian late yesterday that there was a "high threat alert" on the Prime Minister, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, Housing and Environment Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal and Local Government Minister Chandresh Sharma. "It's a very serious matter," an informed source said.
Reports are that seven people have been detained in connection with the plot, including a Valsayn businessman and a person who had been detained, charged and released under the state of emergency. A religious group based in central Trinidad is also being investigated in connection with the assassination plot. There was no word yesterday on whether security around the PM and the ministers has been increased. However, there are reports that Persad-Bissessar's security adviser Captain Gary Griffith has set out heightened security measures for the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). Permanent secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Reynold Cooper met with staff yesterday to apprise them of new security measures which involve searching of all vehicles entering and exiting the OPM. Staff members have even been advised not to speak in a threatening manner.
The T&T Guardian also understands that because the threat, today's Cabinet meeting will not be held at the OPM. With the state of emergency still in force, security will be heightened in certain areas deemed "hot spots." Contacted yesterday evening, Foreign Affairs and Communications Minister Surujrattan Rambachan said he had "no information like that," but admitted he'd been out of office for most of the day. Transport Minister Devant Maharaj said he heard rumours during the course of the day but there had been no official word from government ministers on the matter.
Attempts to contact Persad-Bissessar, Griffith, National Security Minister John Sandy and Housing Minister and leader of government business Roodal Moonilal were futile. It is not the first threat that Persad-Bissessar has received. During her 2010 election campaign, she was provided with security after she reported a death threat to the police. Persad-Bissessar, head of the National Security Council, recently lifted the 11 pm-4 am curfew imposed as part of state of emergency measures last August. The state of emergency remains in effect.