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Twelve people have been arrested in connection with breaching the COVID-19 regulations.

They were among 17 people held during an Anti-Crime Exercise in the Couva district last Friday.

In a statement the TTPS says officers of the Central Division proceeded to a nightclub at Perseverance, where they arrested 12 people for breach of the COVID regulations.

It says the partygoers who live in the Couva and California districts, were also ticketed for failing to wear a facemask.

The officers then proceeded to an apartment building at Lisas Gardens, Couva, where they arrested a 30-year-old man for possession of a Smith and Wesson Revolver loaded with 3 rounds of ammunition.

The TTPS says at that same location, a 26-year-old man was held for possession of a quantity of cocaine.

It says as the exercise continued, officers arrested 3 other people relative to ongoing investigations into reports of robbery with violence and kidnapping.

The government is getting the backing of the Movement for Social Justice

Political leader of the MSJ, David Abdullah yesterday said the government has every right to be concerned about the number of migrants making the journey from Venezuela to Trinidad and Tobago.

Mr. Abdullah agrees with the Prime Minister when he last week made the distinction between a refugee and a migrant worker.

He said his MSJ is not supporting illegal entry into Trinidad and Tobago.

The MSJ leader also noted that there are some non-governmental organisations, which are adding to the migrant problems, by encouraging illegal entry.

And the Venezuelan authorities are saying a total of 31 bodies have been found from the Guiria shipwreck which was reportedly bringing Venezuelans to Trinidad and Tobago.

Protesters staged a demonstration outside the Trinidad and Tobago Embassy in Washington yesterday, condemning this country’s treatment of Venezuelans seeking refuge.

Protesters insisted the Venezuelans were turned back from Trinidad and Tobago and later drowned.

The government of Trinidad and Tobago and the Coast Guard has said that is false information.

And the United States Embassy in Port of Spain says don’t blame its sanctions on Venezuela for the suffering of the Venezuelan people.

In a statement yesterday the US Embassy said the blame for the problems in Venezuela is being incorrectly placed on the US.

The Embassy said Nicolas Maduro and his supporters are to be blamed for the dire economic, political and human rights conditions in Venezuela.

According to the statement millions of Venezuelans have fled their homes since Mr. Maduro assumed office.

At a news conference yesterday, government’s management of the migrant situation has been described as poor.

Former Ambassador to the United Nations, now Naparima MP, Rodney Charles yesterday said there are 4 things, which the government must do to save relations with Venezuela.

Among the 4, the creation of a humane migration policy and a review of the non-interference position.

At the news conference Mr. Charles said Trinidad and Tobago should become an honest broker and there must be a strong and studied lockdown of the borders, aimed at preventing the influx of Venezuelans.

Mr. Charles wants the Prime Minister to stop his “badjohnism” and get his Ministers of National Security and Foreign and CARICOM Affairs to work or remove them.

He feels the Prime Minister has shown he is no Diplomat and may need the help of other bodies such as CARICOM and the Commonwealth to assist with what he called a crisis.

The Trinidad and Tobago government led by Keith Rowley is being told there will be no Opposition support for any piece of legislation brought to the Parliament, until the Procurement Bill in its original form, returns.

The leader of the Opposition United National Congress in the Senate, Wade Mark yesterday said the government has been brutal with its treatment on the Bill, which was recently passed in both houses.

At a news conference yesterday Senator Mark said the amendments to the Public Procurement Act should be withdrawn.

Senator Mark said the government’s changes to the Bill would pave the way for thievery, banditry and naked corruption.

The UNC legislator said while in opposition the Peoples National Movement falsely championed the need to address corruption and bid rigging in the procurement of goods, works and services.

But Senator Mark said the promises were obviously empty and cheap.

Police are seeking the identity of a body found near Claxton Bay.

The man was found with a bullet wound to the head yesterday morning, by officers on mobile patrol along Connector Road.

The man was in a shallow drain at the side of the road.

Police have not yet been able to get a positive identification of the man.

The bullet wound was to the left side of the man’s head.

The murder victim was wearing a pair of denim jeans, grey tee shirt and a pair of white Adidas sneakers. The body was taken to the Forensic Science Centre in St. James.

Scores of Angostura workers walk off the job.

Reports say over 200 employees abandoned their duties yesterday in protest, after they were told they would not be receiving their annual bonus.

The representing Seamen and Waterfront Workers’ Trade Union describes the situation as unfortunate.

President Michael Annisette says his members were promised bonuses but were told they would be given turkey and ham instead.

Mr. Annisette says Angostura would have made profits and the workers feels they too should benefit.

He says they felt betrayed by management.

Mr. Annisette was speaking with Newscenter 5.

A Jamaican national Neil Johnson,  who lived in Trinidad and Tobago for over 14 years, has died at  hospital after he was shot along the Brian Lara Promanade in the capital.

The incident occurred last Sunday but 46-year-old Mr. Johnson died yesterday.

Police have since detained a man who is expected to be charged for murder.

Reports say Mr. Johnson, originally from the central Parish of Clarendon,  was at work at a food cart which serves jerk chicken, when a gunman walked up to him and opened fire.

The gunman ran off but persons on the Promenade alerted the police on duty nearby.

The gunman was quickly apprehended.

Mr.  Johnson was taken to the Port of Spain General Hospital where he was stabilized while the suspect was taken to the police station where he was questioned.

In an attempt to end a fight at a bar in Toco,  Darron Mcdavid is stabbed to death.

The incident occurred on Tuesday night.

Reports say Mr. Mcdavid was at a bar located at Toco Main Road, Matura when a fight broke out between 2 men he knew.

Mr. Mcdavid tried to intervene in what was said to be a very heated confrontation and was stabbed while trying to end it.

Mr. Macdavid is reported to have walked a short distance away from the bar, where he collapsed

He died at the scene.

Eastern Division Police are continuing enquiries.

A promise from the government of a better quality of life for the middle class with the new finance bill 2020, but the Opposition is not buying it. 

During debate in the Senate yesterday Finance Minister Colm Imbert told of hikes to tax allowances.

Minister Imbert said the working class would benefit greatly from additional money in their hands.

However, Opposition Senator Wade Mark was not convinced.

He believes mischief is afoot.

The Senator described it as a bill for the elite.

And earlier in the sitting of the Senate, an apology from Opposition Legislator, Jerlean John.

Last week she criticised Independent Senator Dr. Maria Dillon Remy for her vote in favour of the Procurement Amendment Bill.

Independent Senator Paul Richards took the matter to the House, suggesting that Ms. John be sent before the Privileges Committee of Parliament.

Senator John expressed her regret at the statements she made.

The President of the Senate, Christine Kangaloo, accepted her apology.

Ms. John was accused of tarnishing the integrity of Dr. Dillon Remy’s vote which gave the government the go-ahead to pass the Bill.