Yet again we take the opportunity to remind nationals visiting Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and the rest of the Caribbean about being vigilant while in the homelands. Such vigilance is required in the wake of Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office last week updating its travel advisory on Trinidad and Tobago.
It is worthwhile to note the British advisory moved up from “a general threat from terrorism” in Trinidad and Tobago to the more worrisome statement, “Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Trinidad and Tobago.”
According to the UK government, “Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Trinidad and Tobago. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. Although there have been no recent attacks in Trinidad and Tobago, more than 100 Trinidad and Tobago nationals have travelled to Syria and Iraq to fight along with Daesh (formerly referred to as ISIL) and are likely to pose a security threat on return.”
Additionally, “There's also a threat from individuals who may have been inspired by terrorist groups, including Daesh and al Qaeda, to carry out so-called ‘lone actor’ attacks targeting public events or places. On January 30, 2017, the Ministry of National Security of Trinidad and Tobago confirmed that it works closely with international partners – especially the United States, Britain and Canada – in strategic areas such as intelligence and information sharing on people who are found to be associated with any terrorist group, whether locally or internationally.”
The reported added: “There's a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals, from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. You should be vigilant at this time. Find out more about the global threat from terrorism, how to minimise your risk and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack.”
It is important we also pay heed to such advice, and not let down our guard, always remaining vigilant and attentive when visiting our homelands.

We pay tribute to one of the icons of track and field, triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt. The lightning fast superstar ended his flourishing career last week at the IAAF World Championships in London, England.
It was quite a career for this inspiring athlete. In 2002 at the World Junior Championships in Kingston, Jamaica, at 15 years, after finally getting his shoes on the correct foot, the nervous runner took the 200 metres gold medal in 20.61 seconds to become the youngest world junior gold medallist ever. In 2003 he swept the competition at the Carifta Games with four gold medals; later that year he set the yet to be broken World Youth 200 metres record at the Pan American Junior Championships.
Success does not come without a struggle, and this he did as a 19 year-old at the 2004 Athens Olympics. However, he soon left this behind, putting his mark on the sprint double at the next three Olympics, and also on the 2009, 2013, and 2015 IAAF World Championships.
Today, Bolt is one of three Olympic track and field athletes with eight gold medals. It is hard to forget his remarkable run in August, 2009 in Berlin, Germany at the IAAF Worlds when he lowered the world record for the 100 metres for the third time to 9.58. Then, four days later he wiped out his 200 metre time of 19:30, replacing it with 19:19.
His teamwork has also been remarkable, where along with his compatriots he set three world records for the 4x100 metres relay, including the current standing of 36:84 seconds at the 2012 London Olympics.
To add to such a successful career, we also have to thank him for his signature lightning bolt pose! Bolt will always remain a remarkable athlete after such an inspiring run. Well done!