Category: CANA News

Security officials from across the Caribbean, Latin America and Europe Friday initiated plans to establish a specialised police network to track and dismantle transnational environmental crime organisations operating in the region.

The delegates gave the green light at the inaugural meeting of the grouping following an intensive two-day Waste Trafficking Workshop geared towards confronting the rapidly escalating global threats of waste trafficking and pollution crimeThe newly proposed network will establish a structured regional mechanism to improve real-time intelligence sharing, coordinate joint investigations and dismantle criminal networks exploiting the Region’s unique geography and maritime routes.

The international and regional security experts attending the meeting held at the Trinidad-based headquarters of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), warned that environmental crimes, such as wildlife poaching, illegal logging and illicit mining, have evolved far beyond ecological threats, becoming major challenges to national security and regional governance.

Deputy Head of Mission, Delegation of the European Union to Trinidad and Tobago, Evelina Melbarzde, said that these activities directly undermine the rule of law and the stability of local communities.

She said whether dealing with timber, wildlife or waste, these offences rely on the exact same networks, maritime routes and illicit financial flows that sustain other criminal markets

Melbarzde said that EU views the creation of this network as part of a genuine, reciprocal partnership between the two regions, rather than a one-sided initiative.

‘Our aim is not only to support individual activities, but also to build stronger bridges between Caribbean institutions, national law enforcement authorities and their European counterparts. In this way, cooperation with regional partners delivers value in both directions’, she said.

The Environmental Crime Lead at the CARICOM IMPACS, Virun Lutchman, spoke of the vulnerability of the Caribbean region’s geography to exploitation.

He said that transnational syndicates take advantage of vast maritime spaces and porous borders to move illegal goods, frequently combining environmental offences with document fraud, tax evasion and money laundering.

Lutchman stated that because these criminal networks operate across borders, a siloed national response was no longer viable, urging regional law enforcement to move towards a highly integrated model of policing, stressing that the proposed network was essential for closing the operational gaps that criminals currently exploit.

‘No Caribbean country should have to face environmental crime alone. The regional geography, maritime space, biodiversity and strategic trafficking routes create vulnerabilities that call for a coordinated regional response’, he said.

Key expert for Environmental Crime, EL PACCTO 2.0 Alain Lemangnen, reinforced the call for structural unity, noting the defence of the environment is a matter of regional sovereignty. He warned that illegal exploitation directly threatens food security and exposes local populations to heightened risks from natural disasters

Lemangnen asserted that international agencies stand ready to provide specialised operational training but underscored the importance of local execution and long-term commitment to the network’s success.

‘Beyond tools and structures, the long-term success of this initiative will depend on trust, continuity and shared commitment. It is about clearly stating that the Caribbean will not be a lawless zone when it comes to environmental protection’, he added.

He also urged participating States to designate national points of contact, enhance financial investigations and intelligence sharing as well as actively support the formation of permanent, specialised environmental law enforcement units

The network is supported by EL PACCTO 2.0 and CARICOM IMPACS, alongside international partners such as Interpol and the Spanish Civil Guard (SEPRONA). It aims to replicate the operational success of Latin American initiatives, like the Jaguar Network, while tailoring the framework to Caribbean realities.

The Guyana government says it will seek a ‘a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation’ into the death of 16-year-old Altaf King, whose death by accident on Thursday night led to residents staging protest and setting fires on a section of the Corentyne Public Road in Berbice.

Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond, in extending ‘deepest condolences to the family’ said ‘I wish to assure the family and the public that this matter will be the subject of a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation. ‘Every aspect of the incident will be carefully examined, and if any criminal or disciplinary culpability is established, it will be dealt with swiftly and in accordance with the law. No one is above accountability,’ Waldron said.

The Home Affairs Minister also appealled to the residents of Skeldon and the surrounding communities to ‘remain calm, refrain from actions that may endanger lives and allow the investigative process to proceed without interference.

‘I understand the grief and concern being expressed, but it is essential that the truth is established through a comprehensive and independent investigation,’ Waldron said.

In a statement late Thursday night, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) said enquires so far indicate that King was riding a motorcycle ‘when he attempted to evade a Police patrol, lost control of the motorcycle and collided with a utility pole’.

The GPF said its Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has commenced an ‘immediate investigation’ and ‘will examine all aspects of the incident and establish whether there was any criminal or disciplinary culpabilit’.

Police said King sustained injuries and was conveyed to the Regional Public Hospital, where he was examined and pronounced dead on arrival.

It said also that it recognises the seriousness of the matter and sought to assure the relatives of the dead teenager and members of the public that ‘appropriate action would be taken should any criminal or disciplinary culpability be established.’

But the main opposition We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party claimed that the cyclist was struck down by the police and is demanding ‘Justice for young Altaf that was purposely hit by Police Officer in Corriverton’.

The other opposition party, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) called for a full, independent, transparent, and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the cyclist, as well as the immediate preservation of all relevant evidence, including police records, communications, and any available video footage, and appropriate action against any individual found to have acted negligently or unlawfully.

‘The timely release of the findings to the public to ensure accountability and maintain public confidence.

‘The PNCR/APNU stands with the grieving family in their pursuit of truth and justice. No family should have to endure the pain of losing a child under such circumstances without clear answers and accountability,’ the PNCR-APU said.

A woman accused of involvement in an alleged TT$20 million (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) fraudulent cheque scheme has been granted bail and will return to court on November 5 this year.

Police said that Jackqui Watson, formerly Watson-Vincent, appeared before a Master of the Court earlier this week and released on six million dollars bail and ordered to surrender her travel documents.

Watson was charged following an investigation by the Fraud Squad and the Special Investigations Unit into the deposit of a purported TT$20 million government cheque into an account held by a company at a commercial bank.

Investigators allege that the cheque, which appeared to have been issued by the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago CBTT), was later determined not to be genuine and that before the discrepancy was discovered, more than TT$18 million had reportedly been withdrawn or otherwise disposed of from the account.

The police said that following her arrest on June 18, and subsequent legal consultations, Watson was charged with one count of obtaining money by false pretence and one count of money laundering.

Shaqkere Parris struck a scintillating, boundary-studded century to lead West Indies Academy to a 76-run win over Sri Lanka Emerging Players here on Friday.

Parris clobbered 177 off just 129 balls, with 13 fours and 11 sixes, while Kevlon Anderson scored an unbeaten half century to help the visitors post a commanding 349 for four in 50 overs after electing to bat first at the Nondescripts Cricket Ground.

Pacer Amari Goodridge then claimed four wickets as Sri Lanka Emerging Players were bowled out for 273 in 42.4 overs to give the WI Academy a series-clinching 2-1 victory.

The WI Academy’s mammoth total was built on the backs of Parris and Anderson, who shared a match-winning 222-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Following the early dismissals of openers Mavendra Dindyal for one and Damel Evelyn for 27, which left them 42 for two, Parris and his captain Rivaldo Clarke added 79 runs for third wicket to carry them to 121 for two in the 24th over.

Offspinner Traveen Mathew broke the partnership by having Clarke caught behind for 38, but his departure brought Anderson to the crease.

For the next 70 minutes, Parris and Anderson bludgeoned the Sri Lankan bowlers to all parts of the ground, scoring at over eight and a half runs an over.

By the time left-arm pacer Mihiranga Silva had Parris caught, the damage had already been done as only three balls remained in the innings.

Anderson finished on 86 not out off 78 balls and hit seven fours and two sixes.

Needing to score at exactly seven runs an over, Sri Lanka recovered from a rocky start of 18 for two to find themselves in the hunt at 202 for four in the 32nd over thanks mainly to Ranesh Silva’s 69, Dinura Kalupahana who made 54 and opener Vishen Halambage’s 42.

However, once Silva was dismissed by Goodridge, the home side’s run chase went off track, and they stumbled to 231 for eight.

Their eventual total was bolstered by a knock of 29 from Mathew batting at number eight, with left-arm spinner Giovonte Depeiza trapping him lbw to bring the match to an end.

Goodridge took 4-56, Zishan Motara claimed 2-46 and Depeiza 2-52.

The United Nation Friday said that the humanitarian situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate, with new displacement recorded across several departments.

‘More than 2,600 people have been displaced in Artibonite department following clashes between armed group last week. That is what the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is telling us,’ UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric, told the daily news briefing.

Dujarric said more than three-quarters of the displaced sought refuge in the commune of Marchand Dessalines and that ‘continuing violence in Artibonite is raising serious protection concerns’.

The UN spokesman said that in the West department, renewed armed clashes in Cité Soleil since June 13 have displaced more than 5,000 people and that ‘this adds to the thousands of persons who had been recently displaced multiple times while fleeing the fight in Cité Soleil.

‘Our humanitarian colleagues note that ongoing violence has severely disrupted health services, particularly for women and girls. It has forced Doctors Without Borders to suspend activities at its maternity facility in Cité Soleil on 19 June, which obviously deprives thousands of women to access maternal and reproductive health care in one of the most densely populated areas of the Haitian capital. ‘

Dujarric said these displacement and violence dynamics are occurring in a context of increasing forced returns to Haiti.

According to IOM, more than 117,000 people were returned between January and June of this year and that ’24 per cent of all forcibly returned migrants in 2026 are women and eight per cent are children.

Dujarric said that the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) continues to work with ‘our humanitarian partners to assess needs and provide assistance’ and that the US$880 million Humanitarian Appeal for 2026 is currently only 27 per cent funded.

West Indies trail Sri Lanka by 219 runs with nine wickets remaining after reaching 89 for one at lunch on the second day of the first Test at the Sir Vivian Richard Stadium here on Friday.

Scores

SRI LANKA 308.

WEST INDIES 89-1 in 24 overs (John Campbell 36 not out, Brandon King 31, Kavem Hodge 12 not out).

The following is the CANANEWS and SPORTS Schedule for Friday, June 26, 2026

NEW YORK – Legislators and immigration advocates have strongly condemned and are expressing profound outrage over the ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) terminating the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) of hundreds of Haitians and Syrians living in the country.

GEORGETOWN – Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness has urged Caribbean countries to embrace innovation and modern technology so as to accelerate development and improve public service delivery.

ST. JOHN’S – The Antigua and Barbuda government has approved a US$10 passenger head tax increase for travellers coming into and departing the country.

PANAMA CITY – There was cautious optimism regarding Haiti’s long-delayed elections at the 56th Regular Session of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Panama, but regional leaders stressed that restoring security remains the country’s most urgent priority.

BRADES – Former premier, Donaldson Romeo, is calling on legislators to put aside their differences and support a resolution seeking the urgent restoration of safe, reliable, affordable, and continuous day and night medical evacuation services in Montserrat.

SPORTS:

COLOMBO – Shaqkere Parris struck a scintillating, boundary-studded century to lead West Indies Academy to a 76-run win over Sri Lanka Emerging Players here on Friday.

ST. JOHN’S – Second day of the first test match between West Indies and the visiting Sri Lanka at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

Amir Jangoo and captain Roston Chase scored crucial unbeaten knocks as West Indies recovered from a nervy start to take control of the opening Test match against Sri Lanka at the end of the second day’s play here on Friday.

The Windies were precariously placed at 168 for five at one stage at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, after pacers Asitha Fernando and Milan Rathnayake threatened to run through their usually fragile batting lineup.

However, Jangoo and Chase shared an unbroken stand of 103 runs to rescue their side as the Windies recovered to finish the day on 271 for five, needing a further 37 runs to overtake Sri Lanka on first innings.

In a day of topsy turvy action, the home side started in positive fashion, with openers John Campbell and Brandon King giving them a solid start.

The pair carried the Windies past 50 and to the first drinks break with little alarm, but as has become the norm, the stand was broken almost immediately upon resumption when King drove at a wide delivery from Rathnayake and was caught at cover for 31 to leave the score 58 for one.

Campbell and new batsman Kavem Hodge maintained the momentum, carrying the Windies to lunch at 89 for one. But once again another wicket tumbled after the restart, with Campbell holing out to long for 39 in his attempt to hit left-arm spinner Sonal Dinusha out of the ground to make the score 97 for two.

With just five runs added to the total, Hodge was back in the pavilion for 19 after chopping a delivery from Rathnayake onto his stumps.

Amir Jangoo and his compatriot Joshua Da Silva set about rebuilding the innings during a partnership of 52 runs, with Da Silva fortunate to survive a lbw appeal when he was 11 after being given out, with the review showing the ball narrowly missing the stumps.

They looked set to carry the Windies to tea in the ascendancy until Da Silva threw his wicket away by chasing a wide delivery from Fernando and was caught at cover for 20.

Justin Greaves’ stay at the crease was brief, although he could count himself a bit unlucky to be dismissed by a superb catch by wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis off the bowling of Fernando, to see the Windies limp to tea on 168 for five.

The match almost followed the same pattern as the previous two sessions, but a thin inside edge saved Jangoo from being lbw in the first over after tea.

Jangoo moved to 46 and carried the West Indies past the 200-run mark in nervy fashion with a slash that sailed over the slip corridor for four and five balls later he brought up his maiden Test half century off 111 balls by exquisitely driving Rajitha through cover for another boundary.

The duo then navigated a tricky final session of play, with Fernando and Rathnayake testing them with the second new ball in the final four overs of the day.

Jangoo ended on 78 not out off 174 balls with seven fours, while Chase was unbeaten on 42 from 105 balls with two boundaries.

Fernando has so far taken 2-25, while Rathnayaka has claimed 2-45.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.2 rattled some Caribbean island on Friday, the Trinidad-based Seismic Research Centre (SRC) of the University of the West Indies reported.

It said that the event occurred at 7.19 a (local time) and was at a depth of 10 kilometers (km).

It was felf in the nearby cities of Point-à-Pitre, the capital of the French-island of Guadeloupe, Roseau n Dominica and St. Johhn’s the Antigua and Barbuda capital.

The SRC said that there were no immedite reports of injuries or damage.

It comes less than 24 hours following the magnitude 7.1 and 7.5 events off the coast of Venezuela that have killed 589 and injuring 2,980 acting President Delcy Rodriquez has said.

International rescue teams have joined the search for survivors in Venezuela as loccal teams searched through the the night in collpased buildings in Caracas and the state of La Guaira.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has extended Guyana’s solidarity and support to neighbouring Venezuela following the devastating back-to-back earthquakes that struck Caracas on Wednesday, leaving dozens dead and hundreds injured.

In a message of sympathy, President Ali expressed sadness at the scale of destruction and loss of life caused by the disaster and assured that Guyana stands ready to assist within its capacity.

‘As neighbours, we are deeply saddened by the scale, magnitude, and destruction caused by the two powerful back-to-back earthquakes that struck Caracas yesterday,’ the president stated.

‘We stand in solidarity with the people of Venezuela. As neighbours, we are ready to offer assistance within our capacity. Our love, prayers and thoughts are with the families of those affected and the people of Venezuela.’

The gesture was acknowledged by the Acting President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, who publicly thanked President Ali for his message and willingness to support the Venezuelan people.

In her response, Rodríguez said Guyana’s message reflected solidarity, respect and a sense of neighbourliness during a difficult time for Venezuela.

The exchange underscores a moment of regional support and humanitarian concern as recovery efforts continue following the earthquakes.