Trinidad and Tobago removes colonial symbols
- Trinidad and Tobago is redrawing its coat of arms to eliminate references to European colonization.
- Public support is high for the removal of Columbus' three famous ships from the island's coat of arms.
- A public hearing will be held to decide on the fate of other monuments with colonial connections.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – In a significant move towards decolonization, Trinidad and Tobago officials announced plans to redesign the island's coat of arms for the first time since its inception in 1962. Prime Minister Keith Rowley revealed that the emblem will replace references to Christopher Columbus’ ships—the Pinta, Niña, and Santa María—with the steelpan, a traditional percussion instrument that originated in the Caribbean. The announcement was met with a standing ovation during a party convention on Sunday, with Rowley emphasizing the importance of this change in removing colonial vestiges from the nation’s constitution. The current coat of arms also features elements such as hummingbirds, a palm tree, and the scarlet ibis, which is Trinidad's national bird. This redesign is part of a broader initiative to reassess and potentially remove various statues, signs, and monuments linked to colonial history, with a public hearing scheduled soon to discuss these issues. The move aligns with a global trend of reevaluating colonial symbols, as seen in the recent removal of Columbus statues across the United States. Rowley’s announcement comes amid discussions about Trinidad and Tobago's legal ties to the UK, including the potential abandonment of the King’s Privy Council as the highest court of appeal. He expressed a desire for the nation to no longer be “squatters on the steps of the Privy Council,” echoing sentiments from other Caribbean nations that have sought reparations and legal independence from colonial legacies.