PM: US$2.5M Ransom Demand for Monos Couple ‘Fishy’

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has raised eyebrows over the hefty ransom demand made for a Monos Island couple abducted over the weekend, calling aspects of the incident “fishy.”

Derek Tardieu, 70, and his wife, 47-year-old Claribel Tardieu, were kidnapped from their home on Monos Island off Trinidad’s north-west coast late Saturday night. Their abductors have reportedly demanded US$2.5 million (TT$16.7 million) for their safe release — a figure the Prime Minister suggested was unusually high for “ordinary citizens.”

Speaking to reporters as she arrived at yesterday’s parliamentary sitting at the Red House, Port of Spain, Persad-Bissessar said the situation warrants closer scrutiny.
“The one on Monos Island appears to be very… I don’t want to pronounce because the matter will be before the police and the courts,” she said. “But it’s a bit fishy for someone to ask for US$2.5 million. So I guess more investigations will give us more answers.”

Her comments came in response to questions about whether Trinidad and Tobago is facing a resurgence in kidnappings for ransom, a crime that has historically triggered national concern.

Police continue to investigate the abduction as security forces monitor the area and work alongside specialized units. No further updates on the couple’s condition or negotiations have been released.

Authorities are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward as the probe into the high-profile kidnapping continues.