Category: CANA News

The European Council has decided to prolong the European Union’s (EU) framework for restrictive measures against those responsible for threatening the peace, stability and security of Haiti or undermining democracy and the rule of law in the country until July29 next year.

The Council said that the decision comes following the annual review and in view of the gravity of the situation in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country, as the EU remains concerned about the persistent and destabilising criminal activities, including the high levels of gang violence, that undermine the stability of the country and the region.

It said that those listed under the sanctions regime -nine individuals and one entity- are subject to an asset freeze, and it is prohibited to provide them with funds or economic resources, either directly or indirectly. Additionally, a travel ban to the EU applies to all persons listed.

Among the individuals are former president Michel Joseph Martelly, the former president of the Senate, Youri Latortue as well as gang leaders Jimmy Chérizier, alias ‘Barbecue’, Micanor Altès, Jeff Larose, Jonel Catel and Ferdens Tilus alias ‘Zion’.

On November 25, 2022, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Haiti ans on July 28, 2023, the Council amended its sanctions regime, allowing the EU to autonomously impose restrictive measures on individuals and entities responsible for threatening the peace, security or stability of Haiti, or for undermining democracy or the rule of law in Haiti.

The COuncil said that this framework complements the sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council in October 2022.

‘Haiti remains firmly on the agenda of the EU. The EU’s support is aimed to both strengthen Haiti’s institutional capacity and facilitate the access to basic public services to the population in the very insecure and volatile context. The EU support entails macroeconomic assistance as well as assistance to education, food security and nutrition, disaster preparedness, protection and stability, including to the Haitian National Police.’

The European Union says it is a long-standing political and development partner of Haiti and ‘will continue to play its part alongside other regional partners, to help face the dire situation, including humanitarian crisis in the country’.

Prime Minister Dr. Terrance M. Drew has confirmed that all 47 passengers and crew on board the inter-island ferry, Apple Syder, had been rescued on Monday and that he has visited the J. N. France General Hospital to ensure their safety following the incident in the Basseterre harbour. ‘I just left the hospital where I was updated that everyone from the ferry, Apple Syder is safe. Thanks to God, the emergency response teams, hospital staff, and civilians for their tremendous rescue efforts,’ Dr. Drew said in a statement, adding that relevant updates will be made public.

Drew said he had also been monitoring the situation since early Monday.

‘I have been in constant contact with the Commander of the Defence Force and have been assured that every available resource has been deployed in the effort to save the lives of all those on board the ferry Apple Syder,’ he added.

Nevis Premier Mark Brantley said his office had received news of ‘an accident at sea involving one of our inter-island ferries.

‘At this point the information is that all passengers and crew are safe. We are grateful to our Coast Guard. We are grateful to God,’ he added.

Videos posted on social media showed the inter-island ferry Apple Syder experiencing difficulties before submerging just minutes after departing Basseterre for Nevis.

The videos also show shows passengers wearing life jackets floating in the water as rescue teams worked to bring them to safety.

‘Prime Minister Drew expresses profound gratitude to every individual and agency involved, and above all gives thanks to Almighty God for His grace and protection over everyone on board. The Government will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide further updates as necessary,’ according to a statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister.

An investigation into the cause of the incident is expected to begin soon and in a statement posted on his Facebook page, Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Denzil Douglas, wrote ‘with a sigh of relief and hearts full of gratitude, we give thanks that everyone is safe.

‘As we reflect on today’s frightening incident, memories of the ill-fated MV Christena inevitably come to mind. May we never forget that tragedy, even as we remain thankful that this situation ended without the loss of life. We commend the swift response of the Coast Guard, fishermen, and all who assisted in ensuring the safe rescue of those on board. Truly, every life saved is a blessing,’ he added.

On August 1, 1970, the inter-island ferry, MV Christena, sank in the ‘Narrows’ strait. It was designed to hold an estimated 155 passengers, but at the time of the incident, the vessel had more than 300 people celebrating the Emancipation holiday, leading to the tragic loss of 233 lives.

The Bermuda government Minday warned the public against paying any fee through the website Travel Smart Travel Fast, which it says is not an official government of Belize website.

The Ministry of Immigration, Governance and Labour said that the website appears to present itself as a Belize travel entry service and charges users to process entry to Belize.

‘The Ministry confirms that the Government of Belize is not affiliated with this website in any way. Members of the public are strongly advised not to pay any fee through this website,’ the ministry said.

It said that persons should visit the official immigration website migration website, https://immigration.gov.bz/visa/visa-who-qualify/ to determine whether persons need a visa to enter Belize, the type of visa required, and the applicable official fees.

The ministry said that visa application forms and the Letter of Financial Support are also available on the official website and it is urging the public to use only official government of Belize platforms for immigration information and services.

The Guyana government Monday said it would begin distributing next week cash subsidies to rice farmers that could cost the state an estimated three billion dollars (One Guyana dollar=US$0.004 cents).

In a statement, the Ministry of Agriculture said that the payment is a result of a commitment made during a consultation with hundreds of rice farmers at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) on April 30, as part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to support the rice industry in the face of increasing global challenges. According to the ministry, following the consultations it was agreed that the assistance would be provided through direct cash transfers and as a result, rice farmers cultivating 50 acres or less will receive GUY$15,000 per acre, while those cultivating more than 50 acres will receive GUY$10,000 per acre.

The minstry said through the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), completed the registration process for eligible farmers and, following the conclusion of the harvest, undertook the necessary verification of claims to ensure transparency and accountability.

It said that verification process has now been completed, paving the way for the commencement of payments next week.

Approximately three billion dollars has been allocated by the government for this initiative, with the ministry saying it reflects the government’s ‘unwavering commitment to supporting rice farmers, safeguarding livelihoods, and strengthening Guyana’s rice industry.

‘The government remains committed to working closely with our farmers to ensure that the rice sector continues to grow, remains competitive, and contributes to national food security, economic growth, and rural development,’ the statement added.

A historic moment for Caymanian sports unfolded Friday evening as 18-year-old Jaxon Cover was selected by the Ottawa Senators with the 32nd and final pick of the first round of the NHL entry draft, becoming the first player from the Cayman Islands ever drafted into the National Hockey League. The moment was particularly remarkable given Cover’s unconventional path to hockey stardom. Growing up on Grand Cayman, an island without a single ice rink, Cover didn’t lace up ice skates until age 13, instead developing his skills through ball hockey and roller hockey.

‘It went down to the wire,’ admitted Nanalie Cover, Jaxon’s mother and president and CEO of the University College of the Cayman Islands, who watched from Buffalo alongside extended family and high school friends as her son’s name was called.

The Cover family, surrounded by friends who travelled to witness the milestone, expressed profound gratitude for the journey that led to this moment.

‘We are very thankful, grateful and humbled by Jaxon’s journey, and where he is this morning,’ Nanalie Cover told local Cayman media Saturday.

She added that the achievement serves as inspiration for the islands: ‘The people of the Cayman Islands have this as a symbol of what we can do, and what is possible for all, irrespective of where they originate.’

For the young forward, who most recently played for the Ontario junior team, the London Knights, the draft selection is just the beginning.

Unlike the NFL or NBA, where draftees typically join their teams immediately, NHL prospects often require years of development before making their professional debut.

Cover’s development path will take him to Penn State University, where he has committed to play college hockey, the same institution attended by this year’s No. 1 overall pick, Gavin McKenna.

The Ministry of National Security is urging Bermudians and businesses that operate Fortinet firewall or VPN devices to be aware of the global credential compromise campaign, widely referred to as ‘FortiBleed’ which is actively targeting these devices.

The ministry said acting on advice from the National Cybersecurity Unit (NCU), organisations that have not taken protective action are at risk of unauthorised access to their networks. ‘The security of Bermuda’s digital infrastructure is a matter of national importance. This campaign is not a theoretical risk. It is an active threat that has already compromised tens of thousands of devices globally,’ said Acting Minister of National Security, Jaché Adams.

‘I urge every organisation in Bermuda operating Fortinet equipment to treat this as a priority and act on the guidance provided today without delay,’ Adams added.

FortiBleed is a large-scale credential harvesting campaign targeting Fortinet FortiGate firewalls and SSL VPN gateways exposed to the internet. Security researchers estimate that between 74,000 and 86,000 devices have been affected globally.

Attackers are exploiting previously compromised credentials, password reuse, and automated brute-force tools to gain unauthorised access.

Fortinet has confirmed that this is not a new software vulnerability and that the activity stems from weak password practices, absent multi-factor authentication, and legacy password storage methods that persist on some devices even after firmware updates.

Once inside a device, attackers can intercept network traffic, create backdoor accounts, modify configurations, and move laterally into connected systems, including Active Directory environments.

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and Fortinet’s own Product Security Incident Response Team have both issued formal guidance urging immediate action.

The ministry said that any organisation or individual in Bermuda operating a Fortinet FortiGate firewall or SSL VPN gateway, whether in the public sector, private sector, financial services, telecommunications, healthcare, or any other sector, should treat this alert as directly relevant and act immediately.

Fortinet is proactively contacting customers whose devices have been identified as potentially compromised. Organisations that have not received direct notification should not assume their devices are unaffected.

The NCU strongly advises all Fortinet device operators in Bermuda to immediately terminate all active sessions, reset all credentials, upgrade to a supported firmware version as well s enable Multi-Factor Authentication, audit their configuratio and review logs for signs of compromise.

It said that if indicators of compromise are identified, including unrecognised accounts, unauthorised configuration changes or suspicious authentication activity, the affected device should be treated as compromised.

Haiti’s Public Health Minister, Bertrand Sinal, says any person travelling to the country from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda would need to spend at least 21 days in a third country not affected by Ebola before being allowed into the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.

In a video message, Sinal said that the measures were necessary given that the two African countries more than 1,100 cases of the virus and more than 300 deaths. ‘We made these decisions because the Haitian health system is not ready to face a possible Ebola epidemic if the virus were to enter the national territory,’ said Sinal, adding that Haiti does not have the logistical resources nor the territorial control necessary to impose or manage a national quarantine or large-scale isolation centers.

He said that the priority now is focused on the current humanitarian and hospital crisis in Port-au-Prince and that the Ministry of the Interior as well as the National Airport Authority (AAN) have been made aware of the new policy.

Sinal said that international and humanitarian organizations operating in Haiti apply their own rules of preventive isolation and 21-day screening for their personnel before their deployment on Haitian soil.

The Public Health Minister said that the 10 countries bordering these two Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, are also under close surveillance. These are South Sudan, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Congo (Brazzaville), Burundi, Angola, the Central African Republic (CAR) and Zambia,

The United States Coast Guard says the crews of its Cutter Winslow recently repatriated 27 Cuban migrantsfollowing an interdiction in the Yucatán Channel.

The US Coast Guard said the crew reported that the vessel was taking on water, had no fuel or water aboard, and was in danger of sinking.’

The crew then ’embarked’ the Cuban migrants and transferred them aboard the cutter for processing and disposition.

The migrants were later transferred to Coast Guard Cutter Winslow Griesser for repatriation.

‘Attempting to migrate illegally by sea aboard overloaded and unseaworthy vessels is extremely dangerous and places lives at unnecessary risk,’ said Lieutenant Commander Luis Garcia, US Coast Guard liaison officer to Cuba.

‘The Coast Guard and our federal, state and local partners maintain a constant presence throughout the maritime approaches to the United States to detect, deter and prevent unlawful maritime migration,’ he added.

The US Coast Guard said interdictions in the Caribbean Sea are performed by its members ‘under the authority and control’ of the Coast Guard Southeast District, headquartered in Miami.

The long-awaited regulation of Guyana’s horse racing industry is officially underway, with the newly formed Guyana Horse Racing Authority receiving Cabinet approval and poised to begin its regulatory mandate.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr. confirmed the development on Saturday, stating that the authority has already been constituted and the Cabinet has completed its review of the body’s membership and composition.

The Minister indicated that the full list of members, including the individual selected to serve as Chair, is expected to be published within the coming week.

‘The body is already formed,’ Minister Ramson stated on the sidelines of a weekend event. He noted that the Cabinet engaged in extensive discussions prior to granting its approval.

While the authority has likely already been gazetted, the Ministry will issue a public release to ensure the information is widely accessible to all stakeholders.

With the administrative formalities now complete, Minister Ramson emphasised that the critical phase of the initiative is about to commence.

The Authority is now tasked with executing the regulatory functions outlined under the Horse Racing Authority Act. This includes the critical work of licensing racetracks, certifying jockeys, and overseeing other key operational areas within the sport.

The push to enact and enforce the legislation stems from years of unregulated operation, which the Minister said hindered the ability to officially sanction races and meets. He stressed that establishing a formal regulatory framework is essential for elevating Guyana’s status on the international stage.

‘Proper regulation is vital if we are to attract international competitors and gain the confidence of other nations,’ Ramson explained. ‘Overseas participants must have the assurance that they are competing under fair rules and standards that are globally recognised.’

The Minister highlighted that the selection process for the Authority’s members was rigorous, with individuals chosen specifically for their expertise and their capacity to meet the demands of the regulatory body.

He noted that the appointees are expected to move swiftly beyond their appointment to begin executing their mandate.

Ramson pointed to the significant growth the sport has experienced over the past three years, driven by a combination of Government support and private investment.

These factors, he said, have cultivated an environment of growth and transformation. However, he was clear that the focus must now pivot to the practical work of regulation.

‘The passage and enforcement of the Horse Racing Authority Act, along with the appointment of this body, mark a major step forward,’ Ramson concluded. ‘The focus must now shift to the practical work of ensuring that the sport operates under clear and recognised standards.’

Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Sonia Boyce has been appointed Commissioner of Police, effective July 3, 2026, succeeding Commissioner Richard Boyce, who is retiring after a distinguished career in law enforcement.

The appointment follows a selection process conducted by the Protective Services Commission, including candidate interviews and the submission of a recommendation to Prime Minister Mia Mottley for the constitutionally required consultation before receiving presidential approval.

In announcing the appointment, the government cited Boyce’s extensive experience, leadership, integrity, and exemplary record of service spanning four decades in policing and public service.

Boyce joined the then Royal Barbados Police Force on April 21, 1986, and has served in numerous operational, investigative, administrative, and human resource roles. She was appointed acting deputy commissioner in November 2025 and currently oversees administration and human resources.

Her career includes leading several major murder investigations that resulted in convictions, earning her a reputation for professionalism, investigative excellence, and commitment to the rule of law.

Boyce has completed extensive leadership and policing training in Barbados, Canada, Jamaica, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Most recently, she graduated with merit from the Executive Leadership Programme at the College of Policing in the United Kingdom. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science with Law from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.

Her contributions have been recognized with the Barbados Services Medal of Honour with First Clasp and the Barbados Humanitarian Award. She has also served in several regional and international policing and civic organizations.

The government thanked outgoing Commissioner Richard Boyce for his dedicated service and contribution to national security, noting that Sonia Boyce’s appointment will ensure continuity, professionalism, and strong leadership within the Barbados Police Service.