| Though a Spanish possession for three centuries, Trinidad was ceded to the British in 1797. Tobago came under British control five years later. British rule came to an end in 1962 and the country has largely achieved political stability with the exception of an Islamic militant-run seizure of Parliament in 1990. Reforms were promised and the hostages -- including the prime minister -- were released. In the cause of stability and peace, amnesty was granted to the Muslim militants in 1992. |
