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Amid heightened security concerns following a United States advisory to its citizens in Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar was notably absent from the final night of Divali Nagar on October 19, where she had been scheduled to deliver the feature address. The Prime Minister did not respond to calls or messages from Newsday seeking comment.

However, Surujdeo Mangaroo, president of the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC)—organisers of the nine-night event—stated around 1 pm on Sunday that there had been no security sweep of the Chaguanas venue, indicating the Prime Minister was unlikely to attend. Mangaroo said the NCIC had nevertheless implemented additional security measures in case she did appear. Later that evening, ushers and NCIC members assigned to escort Persad-Bissessar confirmed to members of the media that she would not be attending.

In a Divali message, Mangaroo urged citizens to reaffirm their commitment “to working together to strengthen the bonds that unite us as one people—diverse yet harmonious.”