00:00With just weeks to go before Independence Day, uncertainty surrounds whether Trinidad and Tobago will once again stage its traditional
00:09ceremonial military parade and route march.
00:13The government, however, says Trinidad and Tobago's annual parade is going ahead, despite questions raised over a cabinet minute indicating
00:22that a proposal for the event had been withdrawn.
00:25The issue surfaced after cabinet minute dated June 11, stated that cabinet had granted the Minister of Defense leave to
00:34withdraw a proposal for the hosting of a ceremonial military parade and route march to commemorate the country's 64th anniversary
00:43of independence.
00:45The document prompted speculation that this year's parade had been cancelled, with the opposition demanding answers from the government.
00:52The opposition seized the development, questioning whether the annual parade is again at risk of being cancelled.
01:00In a public statement, opposition chief whip and chairman of the PNM accused the government of failing to clarify its
01:06intentions and called for an explanation on whether this year's military parade will proceed.
01:13However, Prime Minister Kamala Pesant-Besasa, when contacted, says those concerns are unfounded.
01:18She tells TV6, quote, the proposal is not withdrawn.
01:23Two million dollars has already been approved.
01:26An earlier note was withdrawn and replaced by an updated note.
01:30The parade is not cancelled, end quote.
01:34According to the Prime Minister, the cabinet minute referred only to an earlier version of the proposal, which was replaced
01:40by an updated submission.
01:42Last year, the 2025 Independence Day military parade was cancelled due to the nationwide state of emergency and security concerns.
01:52Instead, the national observance was limited to a flag-raising ceremony and other commemorative events.
01:59Ravishita Wari, Rupnarein, TV6 News.
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