Category: CANA News

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).

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness is leaving Guyana on Friday after the two countries signed a series of agreements across various sectors that President Irfaan Ali said could lead to a ‘stronger, relentless, resilient and sustainable partnership’. between the two Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries.

Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd and his Jamaican counterpart, Kamina Johnson-Smith, signed the agreements that included the protocol amending the agreement on economic, cultural and technical cooperation, the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on bilateral cooperation in the field of agriculture, the MoU between the Guyana Defence Force and the Jamaica Defence Force on defence and security cooperation and the the MoU on the development of financial services. Holness told the signing ceremony that there has always been a ‘great fraternity between Jamaica and Guyana’ and that he was also pleased with the ‘excellent arrangements that have been made for this visit.

‘Today we sign various MOUs, but that should not be interpreted as the entirety of the engagement. Those are just what we could formalise within the time. The breadth of our exchanges and the potential of our collaboration and cooperation is extensive,’ Holness said.

‘We have discussed energy, security, tourism, financial services, agriculture, housing, all kinds of things we have discussed, including regional and diplomatic issues. And it is clear that Jamaica and Guyana are very much aligned, and we have a similar outlook on the world, similar understanding of the changing dynamics and the new nature of global politics,’ Holness said.

But he said the two countries also share a ‘very positive outlook on our economic prospects’ and that both are very prospecting’ in terms of our leadership, always looking for opportunities and seeing where we can make the most out of the resources that we have’.

The Jamaican prime minister said that the two leaders ‘particularly share a focus on the efficiency of our public sector,’ praising Ali for the several changes ‘in your administration that would be very much aligned with the growth that your country will naturally have.

‘We in Jamaica, we struggle with the same thing. We are making progress. We are changing our bureaucracy. So it was good to come and see in your country many of the changes in motion, the changes working. And it has been very stimulating, Mr. President, to see the progress being made here.’

Holness said that there are some ideas that he will take away from the visit here ‘to stimulate in Jamaica as well,’ adding ‘this was a very worthwhile and meaningful engagement’.

Ali said that even though the visit was supposed to have been classified as ‘an official’ one, Holness work ethic caused him to question that description.

‘This is just an extremely intense working visit and I just want the people of Jamaica to know of this extraordinary leadership I’ve seen, and a commitment to advancing the cause of the Jamaican private sector, and a commitment of advancing the cause of the Jamaican people, finding ways in which we can advance priorities for both countries.’

Ali said he is confident that the discussions have ‘really laid the basis through which greater trust, greater confidence, greater partnership will emerge.

‘I am very confident about that,’ he said, adding that both men share the ambition of having efficient governance, efficient implementation, and delivering services ‘where our people can enjoy the experience of having those services.

‘Services that allow the citizens to feel as if they are valued. And that is important for both of us, and we are both committing on a pathway with the use of technology to advance this cause.’

Ali gave the assurance that Guyana will deploy a team to work with its counterpart in Jamaica ‘and to have maybe what is missing over the decades, that is greater integration at the technical level also, so that they can learn from each other and understand each other, what they’re doing.

‘In energy, the opportunities are enormous. We have to scope our comparative advantage, your infrastructure and our infrastructure, and to find a way in which we can have a common vehicle through which both of us benefit, but also the region benefit.

‘And we are committed to having a working group examine this closely and to come up with recommendations and options as to how we can collaborate in the energy sector. And there are some exciting ideas that we’re already talking about.

‘In tourism, you have distinguished yourself globally in the orange economy .Everybody, they’re always amazed at the presence of Jamaica, the name Jamaica, and scenes from Jamaica in Hollywood, the depth of the culture, the food,’ Ali said, adding that ‘all of this rests on the people, and the people understanding of what nationalistic thinking is all about, and the pride in country.

‘And I think we can learn from Jamaica. We can learn from you, Prime Minister. As we grow our tourism sector, this is an important pillar and also look at the development of the orange economy,’ he said, adding ‘we will be relying on your experience in this sector to help us to define our orange economy and to shape it to meet the specific needs of Guyana and the market we can serve’.

Ali said that his Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashley Singh has said publicly before that the Jamaican financial system has a lot of maturity that the region can learn and benefit from. ‘That is why we are particularly very pleased that we are able to sign this MoU on financial services, given the fact that we are now proceeding on a junior stock exchange, the expertise of Jamaica, having our insurance company more integrated, our financial systems more integrated, our banking system more integrated, our means of settlement more integrated.

‘This is what that opens up the opportunity and there’s a lot of work in the financial architecture system that will emerge out of these engagements. ‘

Ali also praised Jamaica on having done an excellent job on the issue of security, saying ‘outstanding is an understatement, remarkable is an understatement.

‘What you have done for security and crime in Jamaica is nothing short of a model…and I hope the people of Jamaica understand what you have done. We too are doing an enormous job on crime.

‘But I think there are important opportunities that we have discussed. We are building a world-class academy. Training is important. Cyber security is important. Data sovereignty is important. So when we speak about security, we’re not speaking about it in a narrow traditional sense.

‘We’re exploring security in its entire ecosystem and we look forward to working closely with Jamaica, especially given the financial services that you provide on how we can build out this security architecture that is comprehensive,’ Ali added.

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.

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Assistant Secretary-General for Foreign and Community Relations, Elizabeth Solomon, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that the regional organisation continues ‘to work with all national and international stakeholders towards stability and transformation of Haiti, including through ensuring security to pave the way to elections.’ According to Solomon, CARICOM has been supporting the embattled Interim Government ‘in bringing the security situation under control by playing a significant role within the Standing Group of Partners that oversees the (multinational) Gang Suppression Force (GSF).’

The emphasis on defeating armed gangs was reinforced when OAS member states unanimously adopted a resolution supporting a Haiti-led stabilisation strategy.

This calls for stronger regional coordination to combat gang violence, curb illicit arms trafficking, strengthen the Haitian National Police, and expand international support for the GSF.

The resolution also urges member states to increase financial and technical assistance while backing long-term efforts to reduce violence, dismantle criminal networks and address the social conditions that fuel instability.

OAS Secretary-General Albert Ramdin said that ‘Haiti requires hemispheric solidarity first and foremost.’

He cited active OAS support for the GSF, the establishment of a Special Mission, and the appointment of Special Representative Alberto Fohrig.

Through the OAS Universal Civil Identity Programme in the Americas (PUICA), Ramdin said, ‘we are supporting Haiti’s Identification Office, where in the last months alone we distributed more than 600,000 identification cards, which are critical for the holding of elections in the Republic of Haiti.’

The last electoral register placed Haiti’s electorate at 5.85 million in 2015. With the country’s population now estimated at about 12 million, the number of eligible voters is believed to be around six million.

The OAS resolution meanwhile stresses that elections alone will not restore stability. It calls for an inclusive Haitian-led political consensus, continued humanitarian assistance, stronger institutions, and sustained international support to create conditions for free and fair elections in a secure environment while respecting Haiti’s sovereignty.

Solomon said CARICOM would continue working alongside the OAS and the United Nations on the OAS Roadmap for Stability and Peace, as well as with the Association of Caribbean States, which has been supporting humanitarian initiatives in Haiti.

Addressing the Assembly, Haiti’s Ambassador to the OAS, Joshue Pierre, described free and fair elections as essential to meeting the expectations of the Haitian people, while cautioning that all international assistance should remain aligned with priorities determined by Haitians themselves.

Haitian Foreign Minister Raina Forbin briefed ministers and senior officials on the country’s political and security situation after earlier consultations with a Caricom delegation.

Haiti has not held presidential elections since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. A CARICOM-inspired transitional arrangement was established in 2024 to facilitate elections, but these have yet to take place.

The Central Bank of Barbados (CBB) says it has been able to make payments to a significant number of workers who had been affected following the transition to BiMPay.

Last weekend, the CBB said it was aware of concerns from some employees who had not received their salaries on time and who have associated those delays with the newly launched national instant payment platform, BiMPay.

In its latest statement on Friday, the CBB said that of the estimated 27,366 salary payments for central government, the Barbados Revenue Authority, and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 27, 206 have now been paid.

‘In the statutory corporations, the position is broadly similar, with most workers having now received their salaries. The Central Bank sincerely apologises to those workers who have not yet received their salaries. We recognise the financial and personal distress this has caused, and resolving the remaining outstanding payments remains a priority.

‘Since the issue arose, we are in constant communication with the commercial banks to ensure that all outstanding payments to private sector employees are expedited. We have also been working with government agencies, employers, and financial institutions to identify and correct account information that did not meet the required format for processing through BiMPay. Where necessary, valid account information is being obtained so that outstanding payments can be processed without further delay.’

The CBB said that the issue relates mainly to the formatting and validation of account information in payroll files. It said that under the previous batch-based arrangements, some account information issues could be corrected manually during processing.

‘Under BiMPay, payment files must contain valid account information before upload because payments are processed instantly. This is a significant operational change, and all parties are working to complete the remaining corrections,’ the CBB said reminding also that individuals and businesses earning less than BDS$10,000 daily do not pay to use BiMPay

‘BiMPay remains operational and continues to process interbank transactions while the remaining payroll account corrections are being completed. Government pensions are being processed today, June 26, 2026. The Central Bank is working with the relevant government agencies and financial institutions to support timely processing and will provide a further update if necessary.

‘Employees who have not yet received payment are asked to continue to liaise with their HR or Finance departments. Those departments remain in direct contact with the relevant financial institutions and are best placed to confirm and correct individual payroll account details,’ the CBB added.

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.

The US Supreme Court on Thursday allowed the Trump administration to end legal protections for migrants fleeing violence and natural disaster in Haiti and Syria, exposing hundreds of thousands more people to potential deportation.

The 6-3 decision overturns lower court orders and allows the Department of Homeland Security to swiftly end temporary protected status (TPS) a programme that protects a total of 1.3 million people from 17 countries.

The Republican administration argued that judges cannot second-guess immigration officials’ decisions about protections that were intended to be temporary.

The court’s conservative majority agreed, finding that the law creating the program keeps courts out of the process. ‘The Secretary’s TPS designation decisions are not subject to judicial review,’ Justice Samuel Alito wrote.

Immigration lawyers said the countries at issue remain unsafe for migrants to return and they argued that the administration ended the protections in an unlawfully hasty process tinged by racial animus. During Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, he amplified rumors that Haitian immigrants were abducting and eating dogs and cats.

The court majority found that the statements from Trump and his administration were not ‘overtly racial.’ Alito said that Haitian people should not face character attacks. ‘But whatever one may think of the cited statements, they are insufficient to show that the termination of Haiti’s TPS designation was based on the race of the Haitian people,’ he wrote.

The court’s three liberal justices dissented, writing that the law does allow for judges to step in if officials sidestep the process for ending the protections. Race, meanwhile, does appear to have played a role, Justice Elena Kagan wrote.

‘The evidence is there, plain to see, in the President’s statements, which the majority (and for that matter, his own lawyers) cannot even bear to repeat,’ she wrote. ‘Respectfully, I dissent from the Court’s decision that they may instead be put on the next plane.’

Lawyers for the Haitian immigrants said the Haitians would be in danger if they were sent back. ‘Simply put, the Supreme Court’s ruling will directly result in thousands of innocent people dying violent, needless deaths,’ Geoff Pipoly and Andy Tauber said.

They urged the Senate to approve an extension of deportation protections for Haitians. That measure has languished since it was passed the House on a rare bipartisan vote in April.

Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, also condemned the decision.

‘This ruling is a devastating betrayal of Haitian families who have lived, worked, and contributed to this country for years — only to be cast out based on anti-Black immigration sentiment,’ he said.

The Department of Justice appealed to the Supreme Court after judges postponed the end of the programme for about 350,000 Haitians and 6,000 Syrians. The high court sided with the administration before and allowed the end of the program for people from Venezuela.

Since Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, DHS has ended the protections, including some that had been in place for more than a decade, for people from 13 countries.

The terminations were made even though countries such as Haiti and Syria remain dangerous, immigration lawyers said.

Four Haitian women who were deported from the United States in February were found beheaded and dumped in a river several months later, lawyers said in court documents.

The United States first granted protections to Haitians in 2010 after a catastrophic earthquake and extended them multiple times amid ongoing gang violence that has displaced more than a million people, according to court documents.

Syrians were first granted protected status in 2012, during a civil war that lasted for more than a decade before the fall of President Bashar Assad’s government in late 2024.

The programme was created by Congress in 1990 to prevent deportations to countries suffering from natural disasters, civil strife and other instability. It allows people already in the country to stay with work permits in increments of up to 18 months, but it does not provide a path to citizenship.