Chief of Defense Staff Brigadier General Kenrick Maharaj has confirmed that there was a plot to assassinate Prime Minister Kamla-Persad Bissessar. "It was earmarked for Thursday and we had operations across the landscape on Wednesday night. There were a lot of operations for different targets and things will unfold," Maharaj told the T&T Guardian in an interview. "There is a bigger picture here, not only a plot to assassinate the Prime Minister. We continue to get updates on how things are unfolding." Maharaj said close attention is being paid to persons with military capabilities who are suspected to have been part of the plot. "When you have threats with intentions and capability, you have to consider options such as sniper capabilities and explosives. We have to look for the critical capabilities that these elements have," he said.
Maharaj said security operations and other activities will continue until further notice. The nation has been on high alert since last Wednesday when the plot to take the lives of the Prime Minister, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, Housing and Environment Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal and Local Government Chandresh Sharma was made public. "The Defence Force is in an operational posture right now with different intensities, with land forces in the lead supported by the Coast Guard," he said. Meanwhile, as investigations continue into the plot, police officers said they are searching for the man believed to be the mastermind behind the planned operation, as well as several key players.
Sources told the T&T Guardian they are looking at an Arima businessman who is a member of a religious sect involved in the plot. A police sergeant, a corporal, two former members of the Defence Force and prominent members of a religious organisation were among 13 people held for questioning last week. At present there is tight security at the Diplomatic Centre at La Fantasie Road, St Ann's, as well the Normandie Hotel located directly behind the compound. Special Branch and Special Forces officers have been post at government offices at Kent House, South Quay and Parliament.