Category: CANA News

The Court of Appeal Thursday dismissed an application for bail by former premier, Michael Misick and two other senior government ministers pending the hearing of their appeals against their convictions and sentences.

In May, Misick was sentenced to four years and 26 days in prison after he was found guilty on February 4, 2026, on three bribery counts connected to government land and development deals.

Michael Misick (File Photo)

Two other government ministers McAllister ‘Piper’ Hanchell was sentenced to three years while former attorney general, Thomas Chalmers Misick, the brother of the former premier, received a prison sentence of four years.

In a 21-page written judgment, Court of Appeal President Justice Alice Yorke-Soo Hon ruled that none of the three applicants had demonstrated the exceptional circumstances required by law to justify bail after conviction.

The Appeal Court held that the applicants had failed to establish that their appeals were likely to succeed or that there was a real risk they would serve all or a substantial part of their prison sentences before the appeals are heard.

‘The applicants have been unable to demonstrate exceptional circumstances, that their appeals are likely to succeed, or that there will be a real risk of injustice that they will serve their sentences, or a substantial portion of it, before the hearing and determination of their appeals,’ the Court of Appeal judge said.

The Court of Appeal in reaching its decision, noted that once a defendant has been convicted, there is no automatic right to bail. Rather, the discretion to grant bail pending appeal is exercised sparingly and only where exceptional circumstances exist.

Justice Yorke-Soo Hon reviewed authorities from across the Caribbean and the Commonwealth and concluded that the applicants must demonstrate either that their appeals have a strong likelihood of success or that justice would otherwise require their release pending appeal.

‘There must be sufficient material before the court to hold that there is or at least a strong chance of success before bail is granted,’ she said in the judgement.

In rejecting the former premier’s application, the Court of Appeal rejected arguments that the lengthy delay before trial amounted to an abuse of process requiring his release. It found that the issue had already been considered during earlier proceedings and noted that the trial judge had already reduced his sentence by three years to reflect the breach of his constitutional right to a trial within a reasonable time.

The Court of Appeal also rejected submissions that his sentence was manifestly excessive, finding that the trial judge had carefully considered the seriousness of the offending, the level of planning involved, the amount of money received and the abuse of public trust before imposing sentence.

It rejected the argument of Misick’s attorney, Willin Belliard, that his client’s sentence should have been treated similarly to those imposed on former ministers Floyd Hall and Clayton Greene.

But the Court of Appeal ruled that the cases were materially different, noting that Hall’s offending involved approximately US$775,000 on a single bribery count, while Misick’s convictions involved more than US$17 million and reflected a significantly greater level of culpability.

In the case of Hanchell, the Court ruled that the trial judge had properly considered his individual role in the offences, his personal mitigation, his health, his previous good character and the lengthy delay before trial. It concluded that no error had been demonstrated in the sentencing exercise that would justify granting bail pending appeal.

However, Justice Yorke-Soo Hon said that Hanchell’s lawyers, had failed at this stage to demonstrate precisely where the trial judge had erred or to provide sufficient material to establish that the appeal was likely to succeed.

‘The possibility that any of the grounds are likely to succeed will not do. It must be demonstrated where the trial judge went wrong,’ the judge wrote in her ruling.

In relation to the former attorney general, the Court noted that his nine grounds of appeal raised complex legal issues concerning money laundering, concealment of criminal property, the required mental element for conviction and the interpretation of the Proceeds of Crime legislation.

The applicants also relied heavily upon their compliance with strict bail conditions over the past 13 to 15 years, their deep family and community ties in Turks and Caicos Islands and their willingness to submit to even stricter bail conditions, including electronic monitoring.

But the Court of Appeal rejected those submissions, ruling that such considerations did not amount to exceptional circumstances.

Barbadian cricketer Shaqkere Parris, a member of the West Indies ‘A’ team, has been granted bail after being formally charged with battery in connection with an alleged altercation at a local hotel.

The 22-year-old batsman, who is currently in Antigua with the West Indies Academy squad following their recent tour of Sri Lanka, now faces a misdemeanour charge that is set to be heard before the Magistrate’s Court tomorrow morning. According to reports from the Antigua Observer, the complaint stems from an incident involving a taxi driver at the team’s accommodation.

Should he be convicted, Parris is expected to face a financial penalty rather than jail time, given the summary nature of the charge.

The West Indies Cricket Board (CWI) issued a brief statement on Wednesday evening acknowledging the situation. ‘CWI is aware of reports involving Shaqkere Parris in Antigua and Barbuda,’ the statement read.

However, the board declined to offer further details, noting that ‘the matter is now before the relevant authorities’ and that it would be inappropriate to comment while the legal process remains active.

Parris, a promising right-handed batter, has been a regular feature in West Indies development squads. His immediate cricketing commitments remain uncertain as the court proceedings take precedence.

Guyana Friday said it would use its seat on the International Board of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) for the next three years to represent the Caribbean.

A statement from the Ministry of National Resources said that the line minister, Vickram Bharrat, had been officially nominated as a Principal Member of the Implementing Country Constituency on the Board of the EITI.

Minister of National Resources, Vickram Bharrat.

It said in ‘this high-level international capacity’ Bharrat will represent the entire Latin America and the Caribbean region for the 2026-2029 term and that his appointment follows a rigorous four-month regional nomination and consensus-building process.

Bharrat said that his role on the international board will not only amplify the voice of Latin America and the Caribbean in global extractive governance ‘but will also reinforce Guyana’s unwavering domestic commitment to open data, beneficial ownership disclosure, and accountable revenue tracking across its rapidly expanding oil, gas, and mining sectors’.

The statement said that as Guyana’s national EITI champion, Bharrat’s elevation to the international governing body comes at a definitive moment for the country’s own resource management.

It said Guyana is currently undergoing its comprehensive 2026 EITI Validation process, which formally commenced on May 15, this year and that ‘this intensive global evaluation assesses the country’s progress in resource transparency, data disclosure, and tri-sector collaboration among government, industry, and civil society

‘By securing a seat on the international board, Guyana positions itself at the forefront of regional transparency policy, even as the Ministry of Natural Resources actively drives domestic structural and legal updates to align with the evolving EITI standard.

The following is the CANANews and SPORTS Schedule for Thursday, July 2, 2026.

ROSEAU – Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit Thursday he has been advised that that the issuance of voter identification cards is expected to begin by the end of this month as his administration remains fully committed to completing the implementation of the most comprehensive electoral reform programme in Dominica’s history.

GEORGETOWN -The Constitution Reform Commission will engage the public in a series of consultations over the next six months with Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, indicating that the process is of tremendous national importance.

BASSETERRE – The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) says it has recorded a profit of EC$121.6 million (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) for the financial year, which ended on March 31, according to its annual report released here.

ROSEAU – Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit Thursday said he hopes the United States would ‘at the soonest opportunity’ reconsider its visa restriction policy that has affected a number of nationals seeking medical as well as to further their education in the North American country.

BRIDGETOWN – The Barbados-based Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CariCOF) Thursday said that during the a portion of the three month Caribbean wet season, El Niño is strengthening and water around the Caribbean is steadily warming.

SPORTS:

ST. JOHN’S – Barbadian cricketer Shaqkere Parris, a member of the West Indies ‘A’ team, has been granted bail after being formally charged with battery in connection with an alleged altercation at a local hotel.

A survey of pregnant women in Bermuda has found that while maternal age has steadily increased, tobacco use has declined substantially and binge drinking in later trimesters remains a persistent concern.

In addition, the ‘Survey of Pregnant Women 2025’, the fifth survey of its kind conducted in Bermuda, has also found that e-cigarette use has emerged as a new behavioural pattern since 2020.

‘This survey gives us important evidence from 60 pregnant women who voluntarily participated, and it helps the DNDC and our health partners better understand the choices, risks and support needs that may exist during pregnancy,’ said National Security Minister Michael Weeks.

‘I encourage members of the public, health professionals and community partners to review the report and support continued efforts to improve the health and safety of mothers, babies and families in Bermuda,’ he added.

The Ministry of National Security, through the Department for National Drug Control (DNDC), published the survey which follows previous others in 2005, 2009, 2015 and 2020, and is intended to monitor the reported prevalence of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and vaping among survey respondents who were pregnant at the time of the survey.

A total of 60 pregnant women completed the anonymous and voluntary questionnaire. The questionnaire combined the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, known as AUDIT, with questions on tobacco and marijuana use and, for the second time, electronic vaping.

According to the key findings of the 2025 survey, just over half of the 60 respondents, 55 per cent, reported never drinking alcohol. However, 15 per cent reported consuming an alcoholic beverage since becoming pregnant, while 18.4 per cent reported having six or more drinks on one occasion, indicating a strong likelihood of hazardous or harmful consumption.

Two respondents, or 3.3 per cent, scored eight or more on the AUDIT, indicating hazardous or harmful alcohol use and possible alcohol dependence.

Ten per cent of respondents reported using tobacco in the past year, with no reported current or past 30-day cigarette use. Nearly one in five respondents or 18.3 per cent, said they quit smoking because they became pregnant, while 91.7 per cent said they were aware of the harmful effects of smoking during pregnancy.

Just under half, 46.7 per cent, said a doctor or health professional had discussed the harmful effects of smoking with them since becoming pregnant.

About one in four respondents, 23.3 percent, reported using marijuana in the past year, while 1.7 per cent reported current use.

The survey found that 16.7 per cent of respondents reported having used an e-cigarette or other electronic nicotine product. This represents a sharp rise from 3.1 per cent in the 2020 survey, making vaping an emerging area of concern.

The report also includes a 20-year trend analysis from 2005 to 2025, showing that maternal age has steadily increased, tobacco use has declined substantially, and binge drinking in later trimesters remains a persistent concern. It also notes that e-cigarette use has emerged as a new behavioural pattern since 2020.

The report also identifies several practical areas for continued prevention and intervention work.

These include public health education on the risks of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and vaping during pregnancy, targeted outreach to women of childbearing age, education through childbirth classes, referral pathways to support services for women who report substance use, and vaping education in prenatal and preconception health programmes.

The DNDC said it will continue to use the findings to support evidence-informed prevention and public education efforts, while continuing to gather data to help policymakers and health partners better understand substance use trends among pregnant women in Bermuda.

The Caribbean’s food systems challenge is fast evolving into a broader development challenge.

Despite decades of policy attention and investment, the region remains one of the most food import-dependent in the world, spending over six billion US dollars annually. At the same time, countries continue to grapple with food insecurity, high rates of diet-related non-communicable diseases, climate vulnerability, and exposure to external shocks that can disrupt supply chains and drive up food prices almost overnight. For Small Island Developing States (SIDS), food security has shifted from an agriculture focus alone, it’s about economic resilience, health, climate resilience and sustainable growth.

Recognising this reality, Caribbean governments have elevated food systems transformation as a regional priority through the CARICOM 25 x 25 Plus Five Agenda, which seeks to reduce food import dependence while strengthening domestic production, regional trade, and resilience. Across Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, governments have also developed National Food Systems Pathways that identify the investments, partnerships, and policy reforms needed to transform food systems and accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Yet one challenge has remained persistent: financing.

In the face of high levels of public debt and limited fiscal space, while public investment remains critical, Caribbean governments simply cannot shoulder the financing burden alone. Transforming food systems at scale requires mobilizing far greater private capital, alongside development finance and public resources.

This was the rationale behind the recent convened in Barbados.

The Forum brought together governments, investors, international financial institutions, private sector leaders, regional organizations, and the United Nations around a simple proposition: food systems should be viewed not only as a development priority, but also as an investable asset class.

A distinguishing feature of the innovative gathering was its focus on attracting private investment-particularly private equity, impact investment, and blended finance solutions capable of supporting businesses and infrastructure across food value chains. By helping enterprises access growth capital and connecting investors with scalable opportunities, the initiative sought to unlock financing that complements public investment rather than adding to already constrained public balance sheets.

A key outcome was the launch of a regional Deal Book comprising approximately US$320 million in investment opportunities across seven countries, spanning agriculture, fisheries, agro-processing, logistics, and strategic food systems infrastructure. The Deal Book created a practical bridge between capital seeking opportunities and opportunities seeking capital, while enabling direct engagement between governments, enterprises, and investors.

The results were encouraging.

Across four sector-focused deal rooms, participants explored investment-ready and near-investment-ready opportunities and discussed blended finance private equity, risk-sharing, and partnerships to advance projects toward implementation.

The Forum highlighted a shift in perspective: food systems are now seen as strategic drivers of economic diversification, resilience, competitiveness, and growth. Investments across production, processing, logistics, and distribution can strengthen regional supply chains, create new businesses, generate jobs, and reduce vulnerability to external shocks.

For the United Nations, this experience reinforced an important lesson.

Transforming food systems requires more than the technical expertise of individual agencies. It requires integrated solutions that connect agriculture, nutrition, health, climate resilience, trade, private sector development, and financing.

This is where the Resident Coordinator System plays a critical role.

Across Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, the Resident Coordinator Office has united UN system capabilities around a common food systems agenda. Working with FAO, WFP, the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, and other partners, the RCO has helped align policy support, technical expertise, partnerships, and financing with nationally identified priorities.

The Forum demonstrated this integrated approach by convening governments, investors, development finance institutions, private sector actors, and UN agencies around a common objective. It showcased the UN’s comparative advantage as a trusted broker capable of connecting development priorities with investment opportunities.

The Forum’s success will be measured not by dialogue generated, but by investments mobilized, businesses expanded, and progress made toward resilient, competitive Caribbean food systems across the Caribbean.

Its most important outcome may therefore be what comes next.

The work starts now.

*Kenroy Roach is head of the UN Resident Coordinator Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.

The Antigua and Barbuda government says it will publish a White Paper on proposals regarding third-country nationals being re-located here from the United States.

The Gaston Browne administration said that the White Paper sets out the background to the discussions, the issues engaged for Antigua and Barbuda, the government’s assessment of the proposals received, and the principles and conditions on which any cooperation could responsibly be considered.

‘The government has determined that the matter engages important questions of sovereignty, legal responsibility, public finance, national security, social stability, and Antigua and Barbuda’s international obligations. It has therefore concluded that the issue should be addressed in a clear, orderly, and transparent manner.’

The government said that the White Paper explains that Antigua and Barbuda ‘has approached the matter in a spirit of friendship and cooperation, while making clear that, as a small state with limited resources and limited absorptive capacity, it cannot responsibly accept open-ended obligations involving persons who are not its nationals and whose removal is sought by another country’.

The government further said that the White Paper will be laid before Parliament for debate at a Special Session to be convened for that purpose during the week of July 13, adding ‘this will afford Members of Parliament the opportunity to consider the matter fully and to express their views on an issue of national importance.

‘In taking this step, the government reaffirms its commitment to transparency, accountability, and informed national discussion. Parliamentary consideration will ensure that Antigua and Barbuda’s position is examined in the nation’s highest representative forum.’

Last month, the Antigua and Barbuda Cabinet endorsed the recommendations and negotiating position outlined by Prime Minister Browne regarding ongoing discussions with Washington on accepting a limited number of non-criminal third-country nationals and refugees.

In supporting the Prime Minister’s position, Cabinet noted the longstanding and mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries, adding that the United States remains one of the country’s ‘most important strategic partners, with cooperation spanning trade, investment, tourism, security, education, and development assistance.’

A statement issued after the Cabinet meeting said Browne had informed ministers that negotiations with United States officials have resumed following the submission of Antigua and Barbuda’s counterproposals and that ‘constructive dialogue continues between the two countries’.

The statement quoted Browne as emphasising that the government ‘must retain the sovereign right to determine who may enter and reside within the country’.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit Thursday he has been advised that the issuance of voter identification cards is expected to begin by the end of this month as his administration remains fully committed to completing the implementation of the most comprehensive electoral reform programme in Dominica’s history.

‘After years of consultation with political parties, civil society, regional and international experts and other stakeholders, Parliament unanimously enacted legislation to modernise our electoral system. We have now moved from legislation to implementation,’ Skerrit told a news conference, adding that the issuance of the voter identification card will will mark ‘another important milestone’.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit speaking at news conference on Thursday (CMC Photo)

He said that the ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP) has been actively encouraging its supporters to participate in the confirmation process because protecting democracy is a shared responsibility and that he was encouraging every political party, civic organisation and community group to do the same.

In June 2024, the former president of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Sir Dennis Byron, submitted a report on electoral reform to the Dominica government.

Sir Dennis had been the sole commissioner advancing the efforts towards electoral reform, a major issue here with the opposition parties, the United Workers Party (UWP) and the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) boycotting the last general election.

The boycott led to the DLP securing 19 of the 21 seats, with the remainder going to independent candidates. The opposition parties had been calling for electoral reform, including a clean voters list and identification cards.

The Dominica Parliament then passed landmark electoral reform legislation to modernise its voting process, approving key bills to roll out national voter identification cards and implement strict voter registration checks. Dominica is now executing the island-wide voter confirmation exercise to clean the electoral list.

Skerrit told the news conference that recently, questions have been raised suggesting that the voters’ list should closely match the estimated voting-age population. He said that this argument misunderstands the role of the Electoral Commission, whose ‘responsibility is to provide every eligible citizen with a lawful and accessible opportunity to register and confirm their registration. It cannot compel anyone to do so.

‘In every democracy, some eligible citizens choose not to register immediately, some delay registration for years, and others living overseas may decide not to participate. Those are personal choices. There is no constitutional or legal requirement that the final register must equal, or even closely approximate, the estimated number of eligible voters.

‘Similarly, suggestions that the Commission must achieve a particular level of registration before the electoral reform process can inspire public confidence are not supported by the law.’

Skerrit told reporters that the legislation establishes clear legal procedures for registration, confirmation, publication of the register, objections and appeals.

‘It does not establish numerical targets as a test of legitimacy. The integrity of the register should therefore be judged by whether those included are legally entitled to vote and not by whether every eligible citizen has exercised that right,’ Skerrit said.

He told reporters that he knew of a gentleman who got registered to vote for the first time at the age of 56 . saying ‘that was his democratic right and certainly not a failure of the Electoral Commission.

‘The right to vote also includes the freedom not to register or vote, provided the opportunity exists. I therefore encourage every eligible Dominican who has not yet completed the confirmation process to do so without delay.

‘These reforms were introduced to strengthen our democracy by ensuring that every eligible citizen is properly registered and able to exercise the constitutional right to vote,’ Skerrit said.

He said with regards to the upcoming by-election in the Roseau North constituency, the DLP will approach the event as as it does with every election ‘with humility, respect for the democratic process and confidence in the record we have presented to the people over the past two decades’.

The party has nominated economist and businesswoman, Ashma McDougall, as its candidate to contest the by-election, following the resignation last month of Labour, Public Service Reform, Social Partnership, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Minister, Miriam Blanchard, due to health reasons.

The UWP has already named former legislator and parliamentary representative for the constituency Danny Lugay as its candidate.

Skerrit told reporters that the DLP has ‘consistently invested in developing young leaders because we believe the future of Dominica must be shaped by those who will inherit it.

‘We also believe that meaningful development requires listening to communities, engaging citizens and ensuring that people have a genuine voice in shaping our country’s future,’ he said, adding that he is encouraging voters in the Roseau North constituency ‘to engage thoughtfully in this democratic process, consider the issues carefully and participate fully.

‘Elections are about choosing the future, and I remain confident that the people will choose continued progress, stability and opportunity,’ he added.

All roads lead to the brand-new Anna Regina Stadium Friday evening, as cricket legends and former West Indies captains Brian Lara and Shiv Chanderpaul gear up for a blockbuster T20 clash to officially inaugurate the state-of-the-art facility.

Nestled in the heart of the Essequibo Coast Town, the stadium promises a night of high-octane cricket, nostalgia, and national pride. The floodlit encounter is expected to be fiercely competitive, featuring a star-studded lineup of past and present Guyana cricketers.

The venue, once known as the ‘old’ Anna Regina Community Centre Ground, which hosted its first Inter-County match in 2007 between Demerara and Essequibo, has undergone a stunning transformation into the most modern sporting complex in Guyana’s largest county.

The official opening ceremony will be a spectacle of pomp and splendour.

Adding political star power, President Dr Irfaan Ali and former national first-class bowling all-rounder Minister Steven Jacobs will showcase their skills for Lara’s XI.

Meanwhile, Chanderpaul’s XI will feature former Everest left-arm spinner and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. President Ali, known for his passion for the game, is set to entertain the crowd with his batting prowess under the lights.

The match strikes a perfect balance between experience and youth. Current Guyana stars, including Gudakesh Motie, Veerasammy Permaul, Quentin Sampson, Kevlon Anderson, Jonathan Van Lange, Matthew Nandu, Kemol Savory, Richie Looknauth, Kevin Sinclair, and Thaddeus Lovell, will carry the torch for the present generation.

They will be joined by a host of seasoned campaigners eager to prove they still have plenty to offer. Former national players Chris Barnwell, Assad Fudadin, Anthony Bramble, Norwayne Fredericks, Kevon Boodie, Ricardo Adams, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Leon Johnson, Delon Heyliger, Jonathan Foo, Devendra Bishoo, and Royston Crandon are all raring to show there’s still ‘gas left in the tank.’

The stadium’s construction, fully funded by the government, is part of a sweeping G$10.9 billion sports budget. Work began in late November 2022, and the facility is now hailed as a transformative infrastructural investment in Guyana’s sporting landscape.

Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit Thursday said he hopes the United States would ‘at the soonest opportunity’ reconsider its visa restriction policy that has affected a number of nationals seeking medical as well as to further their education in the North American country.

Skerrit recalled that in February this year, the United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio had indicated that Washington would review by June of this year the visa arrangement. ‘It is for them to do that, and it’s not for us to do that. We believe from our standpoint in engaging officers of the US government that Dominica and I would also speak on behalf of Antigua and Barbuda would have taken all of the actions that we believe, though not officially by official note from them, but we believe that would have taken all of the actions that would cause the United States to reconsider its position on the visa restrictions of Dominican citizens and Antiguan and Barbudan citizens,’ Skerrit told a news conference.

In an executive order issued last December, President Donald Trump said that, apart from Dominica, nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and Haiti would also be affected by the immigration policy.

Trump had said that that during his first administration, he had restricted the entry of certain foreign nationals into the United States to prevent national security and public safety threats from reaching US borders.

He said that some of these countries have offered citizenship-by-investment (CBI) without residency requirements, which pose challenges for screening and vetting.

Under the CBI programme, several Caribbean countries, including Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, offer citizenship to foreign investors in return for making a substantial investment in the socio-economic development of these countries.

Trump said both Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica have ‘historically had CBI without residency’ and that the entry into the United States of nationals of these two countries as immigrants, and as non-immigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, is hereby suspended.

He said consular officers shall reduce the validity for any other non-immigrant visa issued to nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica ‘to the extent permitted by law’.

Skerrit told reporters that while Roseau has been holding discussions with Washington on the issue ‘it’s not a decision for the government of Dominica to make.

‘Now, one understands in the scheme of things in this world and with the issues occupying the minds of the United States government at this time, you would also appreciate where they would place such a matter.

‘And so we do hope and urge the United States of America that we have had longstanding cultural and family ties. We have spent millions of our money at American universities over an extended period of time, and certainly during this, the reign of this government, we spent a lot of money in America educating our children, our citizens.’

Skerrit said that he is hoping that to facilitate students to go to university, to facilitate people to go for medical care where they need to, and to visit family and friends, adding that Dominicans with valid visas have been ‘travelling with no real hassle at the ports of entry.

‘ So that continues. But it’s for those of us who do not have a visa that we would like to ensure that they can have the opportunity, if they so desire, to access a visa. But visa issues we all have to accept is purely a decision of the country.

‘Like we in Dominica, we have visa restrictions on many countries, and there are many countries in the world where you need a visa, whether you are an ordinary passport holder, an official passport holder, or a diplomatic passport holder, you need a visa to go to certain countries.

‘…and so that’s the reality, but we do hope that there can be a reconsideration on this matter at the soonest opportunity, and so we look forward to that, but we continue to engage the United States at all levels on this matter, individually and collectively,’ Skerrit told reporters.