The statue of Christopher Columbus, a controversial fixture in Trinidad and Tobago’s capital for over a century, was finally removed on Wednesday as the Caribbean nation continues to confront its colonial legacy.

Port of Spain

Trinidad and Tobago has taken down the statue of Christopher Columbus in Port of Spain, ending its more than century-long presence. The removal is seen as a significant move in the country's ongoing examination of its colonial past and efforts to address historical injustices.

The statue was taken down with its head covered, symbolizing the end of an era for many residents. The government is also updating other national symbols, such as the coat of arms, and replacing references to Columbus with local cultural icons like the steel pan. These actions reflect a wider global trend of reassessing colonial legacies.

Trinidad and Tobago removes Christopher Columbus statue

A controversial symbol of colonialism has finally fallen in Trinidad and Tobago. After standing for more than a century, the statue of Christopher Columbus was removed from Port of Spain on Wednesday, marking a major step in the nation's reckoning with its colonial past. The monument was taken down with its head mysteriously covered by a decorative bag. This monument made us the laughing stock of the world. People have a way of describing the natives as the children of the human family. And the fact that we couldn't for some time, we didn't seem to have the capacity to really understand our violent colonial past. And the courage to confront it, it really made us look ridiculous. Particularly from the point of view that we were seeking reparations from colonial powers while actively venerating the perpetrators of the crimes for which we were seeking those compensations. Trinidad and Tobago is replacing colonial symbols, remaking its coat of arms and swapping Columbus' ships for the steel pan. These moves mirror a global shift as nations rethink colonial legacies nearly 525 years after Columbus first arrived on these shores. www.globalonenessproject.org

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