Senior Reporter
sascha.wilson@guardian.co.tt
Residents of Point Fortin are expressing concern after noticing an unusual increase in low-flying aircraft over the past two days.
People living in communities such as Fanny Village, Cap-de-Ville, Erin, and Granville reported seeing several planes flying at low altitudes and hearing loud engine noises—an uncommon occurrence in the area.
The increase in aerial activity comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and Venezuela, prompting speculation among residents that the flights could be linked to military operations.
A resident of Sea View, Cap-de-Ville, who asked not to be identified, said he observed planes flying overhead repeatedly over the last two days.
“It became alarming to see these planes passing at that rate because it is not a usual thing,” he told Guardian Media. “I watched it and said, ‘What’s happening?’ These planes are not passenger planes—they sound heavier. I’m not saying they’re military, because I’m not sure, but they could be of a military background. These planes are passing on a consistent basis, and it is causing concern.”
The 65-year-old said he saw aircraft pass over the community on Tuesday evening, again later that night, and once more around 7 am yesterday.
He called on authorities to clarify the situation.
“If somebody is using our airspace, the authorities should give some kind of explanation to make people comfortable,” he said. “Everybody knows there is contention in the background, and now to have these airplanes passing and no one saying anything—it brings tension in your mind because you hope nobody let go an egg.”
He added that the planes were clearly visible and appeared to be flying lower than normal flight paths.
James Gabriel, who lives at Sunset Beach, said he noticed an aircraft hovering overhead for more than an hour sometime after 7 am yesterday.
“I saw some little object in the sky passing and making rounds,” Gabriel said. “I assumed it was a plane, but I saw it making rounds a few times, so I said maybe a pilot is in training, because it was just circulating.”
Another resident, Clinton Samuel, said a plane made several passes over the area yesterday morning.
With residents already on edge because of rising geopolitical tensions, Samuel said the situation left him uneasy.
“It had me thinking about the LNG—if it blow up, what will happen to Trinidad?” he said. “Because we have pipelines running all over the place.”
Meanwhile, Nathaniel Rodriguez, another resident, said he also saw an aircraft “flying low” on two occasions last week.
Guardian Media attempted to contact Defence Minister Wayne Sturge for comment but received no response up to press time.