INDEPENDENCE DAY celebrations will proceed as planned and $2 million has been approved for the event, according to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.Government moved yesterday to quell speculation surrounding this year’s Independence Day celebrations, confirming that Trinidad and Tobago’s annual ceremonial military parade and route march will go ahead after a Cabinet Minute circulating on social media appeared to suggest the proposal had been withdrawn.Cabinet Minute No 1434, arising out of the Cabinet meeting held on June 11, 2026, stated that Cabinet granted the Minister of Defence leave to withdraw a proposal for the hosting of a ceremonial military parade and route march to commemorate Trinidad and Tobago’s 64th anniversary of Independence.The wording of the minute fuelled speculation that the country’s Independence Day parade had once again been cancelled, prompting the Opposition to demand answers from the Government.The Government cancelled the 2025 Independence Day Parade and associated State-sponsored events, citing national security operations under the state of emergency (SoE).People’s National Movement’s (PNM) chairman Marvin Ganzales yesterday questioned if the annual military parade was at risk of not taking place for a second consecutive year.In a release, he accused the Government of failing to clarify its intentions and called for an explanation on whether the military parade would proceed this year.The Prime Minister later yesterday rejected those concerns, maintaining that people may have misunderstood the Cabinet Minute.“The proposal is not withdrawn. Two million dollars has already been approved. An earlier note was withdrawn and replaced by an updated note. The parade is not cancelled,” she told the Express.The Independence Day military parade remains one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most significant national ceremonies.Traditionally held on August 31, the event features members of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service, Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service, the Trinidad and Tobago Cadet Force, and other uniformed organisations taking part in ceremonial drills, inspections and a route march before thousands of spectators.The parade is regarded as a symbol of national pride, discipline and service, commemorating Trinidad and Tobago’s attainment of independence from Britain on August 31, 1962.Sturge: Statement false and misleadingAlso confirming that the parade would proceed as planned this year was Minister of Defence Wayne Sturge.“The Ministry of Defence is aware of information currently being circulated on social media alleging that Independence Day celebrations have been cancelled. These claims are false and misleading,” Sturge said in a release yesterday. “At a time when the nation should be focused on unity, patriotism, and national pride, it is regrettable that some individuals continue to promote incomplete information and unsubstantiated conclusions for public consumption, with the clear intention of causing disharmony and confusion.”He advised members of the public to rely on official information issued through authorised Government channels and to “exercise caution when engaging with unverified claims circulated on social media platforms, particularly those with clear agendas designed to mislead”.He added: “The Ministry of Defence remains committed to supporting national observances in keeping with established Government policy and will provide official updates through the appropriate channels. The Independence Day celebrations will proceed as planned.”