Category: CANA News

Saint Lucia on Wednesday officially assumed the Chairmanship of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), with Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre beginning a six-month tenure that will focus on delivering meaningful results for the people of the Caribbean.

Under CARICOM’s system of rotating leadership, Saint Lucia will serve as Chair of the Community from July 1 to December 31, 2026. During this period, Prime Minister Pierre will preside over meetings of the Conference of Heads of Government and help shape the regional response to issues affecting the Community. Assuming the chairmanship at a time of global uncertainty, the Prime Minister said Caribbean leadership must remain rooted in service to the people: ‘Leadership in this community is not about ceremony; it is about service to the people of our region.’

Caribbean countries continue to face rising living costs, economic uncertainty, food and nutrition security challenges, citizen security concerns and the growing effects of climate change. Saint Lucia’s chairmanship will focus on practical regional action that delivers real benefits to the people of the Community.

Five priorities will guide Saint Lucia’s tenure: strengthening regional unity, advancing climate justice, championing reparatory justice, promoting economic renewal and ensuring that regional development creates opportunities for everyone.

The Prime Minister said Saint Lucia’s approach to the chairmanship will reflect the same philosophy that guides his administration, that the true measure of leadership is the positive difference it makes in people’s everyday lives.

‘The success of CARICOM must ultimately be measured by whether the people of this region feel the benefits of our integration in their daily lives,’ he said. ‘Integration that our people cannot feel will not last.’

Climate justice will remain high on the regional agenda as Caribbean countries continue to advocate for fair access to climate financing, support for loss and damage, and stronger international action that recognises the unique vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States.

Saint Lucia will also use its chairmanship to champion reparatory justice, recognising that the enduring effects of slavery, colonialism and the displacement of indigenous peoples continue to shape the region’s development. During its tenure, the country will support the work of the CARICOM Reparations Commission while continuing the region’s call for acknowledgement, dialogue and meaningful action.

Economic renewal will also feature prominently, with a focus on expanding opportunities through the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), strengthening the digital economy, increasing regional food production, encouraging greater intra-regional trade and investment, and creating more opportunities through the free movement of Caribbean people.

Regional development, the Prime Minister said, must also create opportunities for young people, women, persons living with disabilities, Indigenous peoples and communities that have historically been left behind.

Saint Lucia’s Chairmanship begins just days before the island hosts the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM from July 5-8, 2026. Regional leaders will gather in Saint Lucia to discuss the Community’s most pressing priorities and agree on collective responses to shared challenges.

As Chair, Prime Minister Pierre will work closely with fellow Heads of Government to strengthen regional cooperation, build consensus on shared priorities and ensure that CARICOM continues to improve the lives of the people it serves.

The High Court has ordered One Caribbean Media Limited (OCM) to pay more than TT$350,000 (US$51,558) in compensation to a customs officer who sued over a television report by investigative journalist Mark Bassant that alleged he had links to the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group.

According to the Trinidad Guardian newspaper, Justice Avason Quinlan-Williams awarded damages this week after upholding Clint Rivers’ defamation claim arising from an investigative report aired on OCM’s CCN TV6 on April 15, 2015.

Rivers argued that the report falsely suggested he had travelled from Trinidad and Tobago to the Middle East in 2014 to become a foreign fighter for ISIS.

In his claim, Rivers said the allegations were completely false and damaged his reputation, family life and livelihood.

His legal team argued that while he is a follower of Islam, he had no involvement with ISIS or any other terrorist organisation, whether locally or internationally.

They said that if proper checks had been conducted with immigration authorities, it would have been established that Rivers left Trinidad and Tobago in 2014 to perform Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

Rivers claimed the broadcast had serious consequences for him and his family, including an incident in February 2018 when police arrested him at his home while he was with his seven children.

He said he was detained for several days and questioned about alleged links to ISIS and a purported plot to destabilise Carnival celebrations.

His lawyers said Rivers and his family suffered ‘considerable hurt, distress, and embarrassment’, and claimed his children were bullied at school because of the allegations. They also said he lost customers for a private transportation service he operated.

In her ruling, Justice Quinlan-Williams found that the statements made in the report were defamatory to Rivers.

The judge rejected OCM’s defence that the report was the product of responsible journalism.

However, in determining the compensation awarded, Justice Quinlan-Williams did not consider Rivers’ arrest and detention, which occurred almost three years after the broadcast.

OCM was also ordered to pay Rivers’ legal costs for pursuing the case.

Jamaica is moving to develop a new national cybersecurity law aimed at strengthening the country’s cybersecurity framework and protecting critical information infrastructure.

Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Science, Technology and Special Projects, Dr. Andrew Wheatley, announced the initiative during his contribution to the 2026/27 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. Wheatley said the groundwork for the legislation has already been established, with a comprehensive legislative drafting instructions matrix for Jamaica’s Cybersecurity Act completed in July 2024.

He said the matrix was among six documents produced to strengthen Jamaica’s national cybersecurity ecosystem as part of preparations for an investment programme involving the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

‘That matrix provides a near-complete blueprint for what this law will contain and how it should be structured,’ Wheatley said.

He outlined a proposed timeline for advancing the legislative process, saying a cybersecurity policy and legislative gap assessment would be completed within the first four months of the new national governance framework, drafting instructions finalised by month six, and Cabinet submissions on the full legislative package targeted within months nine to 12.

Wheatley said the legislation would provide a formal framework for designating and protecting critical information infrastructure and would establish the National Cybersecurity Directorate in law.

He said placing the directorate on a statutory footing would provide a permanent legal foundation for Jamaica’s cybersecurity authority.

The minister said the proposed law would also introduce minimum cybersecurity standards across regulated sectors, with enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance.

It would establish obligations for incident reporting, responsible disclosure of vulnerabilities and regulation of cybersecurity service providers operating in Jamaica, he added.

Wheatley said the legislation would position Jamaica as a regional leader in cybersecurity law and policy.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley says her administration will prioritise measures to cushion Barbadians from global economic pressures, even as it advances constitutional reform and other key policy initiatives.

Speaking at the Ideas Forum town hall meeting on Monday night, Mottley said the government has decided to shorten planned celebrations marking the country’s 60th anniversary of Independence and the fifth anniversary of becoming a republic so that greater resources can be directed towards easing the impact of rising international costs on households.

She said the commemorative activities would now be held over a three-month period rather than through separate, extended observances. ‘What I’m not going to do as prime minister of this country is to misallocate funds or misprioritise funds when circumstances clearly show you are dealing with a war,’ Mottley said, referring to global conflicts and their impact on small economies.

The prime minister said Barbados must continue making prudent financial decisions in light of international developments beyond its control.

She also announced progress on the government’s constitutional reform agenda, disclosing that the advisory report on a new Constitution has been submitted to the President.

According to Mottley, the report is expected to be reviewed by Cabinet ministers within the next two to three weeks before being released for nationwide public consultation.

She said while the government had hoped to complete the process by November, it would not sacrifice meaningful public participation to meet a specific deadline.

‘The hope is that if we can’t make it for November, we make it soon thereafter, because we don’t want to deny the country the right for full participation,’ she said.

On the economy, Mottley defended the government’s decision to absorb part of the recent increase in global fuel prices rather than pass the full cost on to consumers.

She said officials had recommended increasing the retail fuel price from BDS$3.72 (US$1.86) to BDS$4.20 (US$2.10) per litre, but the administration instead capped the price at BDS$4.01 (US$2.00), with the government covering the difference.

‘The government will carry the weight of that accounting difference for the people of Barbados rather than passing it on,’ she said.

Mottley also outlined several other initiatives, including plans to introduce legislation aimed at tackling diabetes and kidney disease. She said the bill would be piloted by Health Minister Senator Lisa Cummins under constitutional provisions allowing ministers to participate in proceedings in both Houses of Parliament.

She said the legislation forms part of a broader strategy to position Barbados as a regional centre for medical tourism and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Addressing energy policy, Mottley reiterated the government’s support for natural gas as a transitional energy source while the country expands its renewable energy capacity.

She said Barbados would only partner with companies able to demonstrate compliance with strict methane emissions standards, adding that natural gas would also provide a reliable source of electricity following hurricanes or other natural disasters that could damage renewable energy infrastructure.

The prime minister also highlighted the establishment of a Department of Citizen Engagement and Media Relations to strengthen communication between government and the public.

She concluded by encouraging Barbadians to volunteer with youth organisations and community groups during the summer, saying the country’s future depended not only on financial investment but also on citizens giving their time to help develop the next generation.

West Indies Women’s captain Hayley Matthews has admitted that the team’s star players did not perform to their full potential after they were dumped out of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup by Australia Women at the semifinal stage on Tuesday.

Speaking in a post-match press conference after their eight-wicket defeat at Kennington Oval, Matthews said herself, Deandra Dottin and Stafanie Taylor – the team’s three best batters – did not have a good tournament.

Shemaine Campbelle’s 176 runs at an average of 35.20 were the most by a West Indian batter. In six innings Matthews scored 146 runs at an average of 24.16, Dottin scored 98 runs at an average of 19.60, while Taylor scored just 90 runs in four innings. Matthews said those lack of performances eventually led to the team’s demise.

‘For the entire tournament I just feel like we haven’t had too many individual standout performances. I think we had Shemaine [Campbelle] in that first game alongside Aaliyah [Alleyne] and we had Chinelle [Henry] score a 50 in that match against England.

‘But I think that when we look overall as a group, we haven’t had enough players really put their hands up and take control of a game and in T20 cricket you always need someone stepping up and putting down good performances and I think that’s what we lacked not only today, but the entire tournament,’ Matthews said.

Despite being eliminated at the semifinal stage for the second straight Women’s T20 World Cup, Matthews said she was heartened by the performances of some of the younger players.

She said their contributions were the main reason the side qualified for the final four.

‘We always feel disappointed, but I keep reiterating all the time that the fact that we’ve made it to this stage of the competition with a lack of performances from our big players speaks volumes to the supporting cast that we have in the team, it speaks volumes to the likes of Aaliyah Alleyne, maybe a Jahzara Claxton and a Jannillea Glasgow.

‘Things used to look a lot different once upon a time and I certainly feel like the last World Cup or the one before that if I had the form that I did with the bat and Deandra Dottin did, we would not be in a semifinal right now. So I think we can take a lot of pride from that, knowing that me and Deandra and Stafanie [Taylor], we are a bit letdown, but we are proud that as a unit we were still able to get over the line in a lot of the games,’ Matthews said.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has launched a US$24 million appeal to support health services and early recovery efforts in Venezuela following the powerful earthquakes that struck the country last week.

The regional health agency said the funding will support the first six months of the emergency response, including the delivery of lifesaving medical care, restoration of essential health services, disease surveillance and outbreak prevention, continued access to medicines and vaccines, and efforts to rebuild the operational capacity of the health system in the areas worst affected by the disaster.

PAHO said the appeal is intended to assist about 700,000 people living in the hardest-hit municipalities while strengthening referral hospitals and other health facilities serving millions more whose access to healthcare has been disrupted.

‘While search and rescue efforts continue, the health emergency is entering a new phase,’ PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa said.

‘Thousands of injured people require ongoing care, hospitals remain under enormous pressure, and the risk of disease outbreaks is increasing. This appeal will help save lives today while supporting the recovery of essential health services for the months ahead.’

According to PAHO, two earthquakes measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck north-central Venezuela on June 24, causing widespread destruction in densely populated areas already facing humanitarian challenges.

Citing official reports, the organisation said that, as of June 29, the earthquakes had claimed more than 1,943 lives and injured more than 10,500 people.

PAHO said hospitals continue to operate beyond capacity while shortages of medicines, surgical supplies, laboratory reagents and critical medical equipment are threatening the continuity of essential services.

The agency also warned that damage to health facilities, population displacement, overcrowded shelters, disruptions to vaccine services, and interruptions to water and sanitation systems have heightened the risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable and other communicable diseases. It added that affected communities and healthcare workers are also facing growing mental health and psychosocial challenges.

Since the earthquakes, PAHO said it has activated its Incident Management System and Regional Response Team, deployed emergency specialists, assessed priority hospitals and coordinated the deployment of international Emergency Medical Teams.

The organisation has also dispatched trauma kits, medicines and emergency equipment from its Strategic Reserve in Panama and is supporting the procurement of additional vaccines, medicines, laboratory supplies and other essential medical commodities.

The appeal will finance six priority areas over the next six months, including emergency trauma and surgical care, restoration of health services, procurement of medical supplies, disease prevention and surveillance, mental health and psychosocial support, and strengthening health sector coordination and the transition to early recovery.

Barbosa called on governments, international financial institutions, development partners, philanthropic organisations and the private sector to support the appeal, saying early investment would help save lives and reduce the risk of further public health emergencies.

Jamaica’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security and Peace, Dr Horace Chang, has sought to reassure the public that a deportation transit arrangement with the United States will not allow criminals to enter the island, insisting the government would not jeopardise gains made in reducing violent crime.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Chang rejected criticism surrounding the Third Country Nationals (TCN) arrangement, under which Jamaica has agreed to facilitate the temporary transit of non-Jamaican nationals being deported from the United States.

‘To consider that I would bring criminals into Jamaica, from anywhere of any kind, after we have done all we have done to reduce crime and violence, it is ridiculous,’ Chang said during his closing presentation in the 2026/27 Sectoral Debate.

He added that ‘no criminal will find a safe haven anywhere in Jamaica’ while the current administration remains in office.

The arrangement has generated public debate in Jamaica, with some critics raising concerns about transparency in the negotiations and questioning whether it could expose the country to security risks. The government has maintained that the agreement provides only for the controlled and temporary transit of third-country nationals and does not permit criminals to be resettled in Jamaica.

Chang said the government’s position is consistent with its efforts to strengthen public security, pointing to a 23 per cent decline in homicides.

He said that if the current trend continues, Jamaica could record fewer than 600 murders by the end of the year, attributing the reduction to sustained investment in law enforcement, improved policing strategies and stronger security institutions.

Chang also highlighted the work of the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA), saying it has expanded its assistance to law enforcement agencies in several Caribbean territories, including the Turks and Caicos Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Saint Lucia, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.

Beyond security, the deputy prime minister said the government is pursuing reforms in agriculture, healthcare and land administration, including implementation of a 10-year agricultural plan and measures to accelerate land titling and address informal settlements.

Cricket West Indies’ (CWI) Board of Directors along with its Executive Management team met over the weekend to discuss strategic policies outlined in CWI’s 2024-2027 Strategic Plan ‘The Long Run’.

The meeting, which was held in Antigua on Saturday, was chaired by president Dr Kishore Shallow and focused on organisational performance, strategic initiatives, and the continued growth and development of West Indies cricket.

The meeting marked the Board’s only scheduled face-to-face meeting for 2026, complementing the regular virtual meetings held throughout the year.

It followed an earlier meeting on Friday with CWI’s Executive Committee, which comprised the presidents of each Member Territory together with Shallow and his vice-president Azim Bassarath.

The Executive Committee considered several strategic matters in advance of the full Board meeting, supporting an efficient governance process while ensuring robust discussion on issues of regional importance.

A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to the continued development of the Cricket West Indies Campus at Coolidge Cricket Ground, where they received updates on plans to transform the campus into an all-encompassing, world-class cricket operations facility. The Board also reviewed progress made on several strategic initiatives being advanced by CEO Chris Dehring and the Executive Management team. Collectively, these initiatives reflect key objectives identified within the Commercial and Financial Sustainability pillar of the 2024-2027 Strategic Plan, with priority being placed on modernizing CWI’s operations and management, strengthening high-performance systems, diversifying the organisation’s revenue streams, unlocking new commercial opportunities and positioning West Indies cricket for sustained success both on and off the field.

Shallow said the meeting reflected the Board’s continued commitment to providing strong governance while supporting the long-term growth of West Indies cricket.

‘This Board meeting provided an invaluable opportunity for Directors to engage in constructive discussions on the strategic direction of Cricket West Indies.

‘As the game continues to evolve, maintaining strong alignment between the Board and management is essential to ensuring that the decisions we make today position West Indies cricket for sustained success,’ Shallow said.

‘I am encouraged by the progress of several transformational initiatives that directly support the objectives of the four-year strategic plan, enhancing our commercial and cricketing capabilities while delivering enduring benefits for the game and its stakeholders across the region.’

Meanwhile, Dehring said the Board’s engagement was critical to advancing the organisation’s long-term vision.

‘Our discussions over the two days reinforced a shared commitment to delivering on the ambitions of ‘The Long Run’ and building a stronger, more sustainable future for Cricket West Indies.

‘From the continued development of the Cricket West Indies Campus and High-Performance Centre to initiatives focused on innovation, commercial growth and revenue diversification, we are making meaningful progress across several pillars of the strategic plan,’ Dehring pointed out.

‘While we remain focused on managing today’s challenges, we are equally committed to creating an organisation that is modern, resilient and positioned to deliver sustained success for our players, our stakeholders and our fans.’

Saint Lucia on Wednesday officially assumed the Chairmanship of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), with Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre beginning a six-month tenure that will focus on delivering meaningful results for the people of the Caribbean.

Under CARICOM’s system of rotating leadership, Saint Lucia will serve as Chair of the Community from July 1 to December 31, 2026. During this period, Prime Minister Pierre will preside over meetings of the Conference of Heads of Government and help shape the regional response to issues affecting the Community.

Five priorities will guide Saint Lucia’s tenure: strengthening regional unity, advancing climate justice, championing reparatory justice, promoting economic renewal and ensuring that regional development creates opportunities for everyone.

‘The success of CARICOM must ultimately be measured by whether the people of this region feel the benefits of our integration in their daily lives,’ he said. ‘Integration that our people cannot feel will not last.’

A three-month immigration amnesty programme aimed at allowing eligible long-term residents to regularise their immigration status went into effect on Wednesday.

The initiative, established under the Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Act, 2026, runs from July 1 to September 30 and is being administered by the Department of Immigration under the responsibility of Immigration Minister E.P. Chet Greene.

According to the government, the programme is open to people who have lived in Antigua and Barbuda for four years or more and who have experienced gaps or irregularities in their immigration status during that period.

Applicants are required to submit a passport-sized photograph, a completed amnesty application form, police certificates from every country or territory where they have resided during the past four years, a processing fee of EC$500 (US$185) and a change of status fee of EC$150 (US$55).

The Department of Immigration said applications will be accepted at Immigration Headquarters from Monday to Friday between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm and will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis using a numbered queue system.

Officials said incomplete applications could delay processing or be rejected until all required documentation has been submitted.

The department also stressed that eligibility to apply under the amnesty does not automatically guarantee approval.

It said every application will be assessed on its individual merits in accordance with the provisions of the Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Act, 2026, as well as other applicable immigration laws and policies.

The government has encouraged all eligible persons to take advantage of the amnesty before it ends on September 30.

For general enquiries outside application hours, members of the public may visit the Amnesty Information Desk at Immigration Headquarters or contact the Department of Immigration during normal business hours.