Category: CANA News

The CARICOM Reparations Commission (CRC) is urging Caribbean nations and the global African diaspora to continue the pursuit of reparatory justice, saying the struggle for equality and redress remains unfinished despite the abolition of slavery.

In an Emancipation Day message, the Commission paid tribute to the courage and resilience of enslaved Africans who fought for their freedom, describing their resistance as a defining moment in the region’s history.

The Commission said Emancipation Day is not only a celebration of freedom but also a reminder that the fight for justice, dignity and equality continues.

This year’s observance, it noted, carries added significance following the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption on March 25 of a declaration recognizing the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialised chattel enslavement as the gravest crime against humanity.

According to the Commission, the declaration validates what descendants of enslaved Africans, historians and reparations advocates have argued for decades-that the transatlantic slave trade and the institution of slavery were crimes whose consequences continue to shape the social, economic and political realities of Caribbean societies.

The Commission said the UN declaration strengthens the moral and political foundation for reparatory justice and represents a major milestone in the international community’s acknowledgement of the historical injustice suffered by Africans and their descendants.

The CRC also noted that Emancipation Day coincides with preparations to mark the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted at the 2001 World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance.

Describing the Durban Declaration as the most comprehensive international framework for addressing the enduring legacy of slavery, colonialism and systemic racism, the Commission called on governments around the world to recommit themselves to its full implementation and reject efforts to weaken its relevance.

The Commission said that for CARICOM, Emancipation Day remains closely linked to the regional campaign for reparatory justice.

It argued that while slavery ended, political freedom did not erase the structural inequalities created by centuries of exploitation.

‘The wealth extracted from enslaved African labour financed the development of European empires while leaving Caribbean societies to contend with underdevelopment, economic dependency and persistent racial disparities,’ the Commission said.

It maintained that those historic injustices continue to impede sustainable development across the region and require meaningful redress.

The Commission also highlighted the relaunch of the expanded CARICOM Ten Point Plan for Reparatory Justice: A Manifesto for the Coming Enlightenment, describing it as a framework for dialogue between former colonizing states, private corporations, churches, academic institutions and civil society.

According to the Commission, the plan is intended to encourage acknowledgement of historical responsibility and advance reparatory justice as an essential component of reconciliation and sustainable development.

As Caribbean countries commemorate Emancipation Day, the Commission called on the region to honour the sacrifices of those who resisted enslavement by continuing to build societies free from racism, discrimination and exclusion.

‘Together, let us transform remembrance into resolve and justice into reality for present and future generations,’ the Commission said

President Irfaan Ali has paid tribute to the resilience, sacrifice and enduring legacy of African ancestors while urging Guyanese to continue building a nation founded on unity, equality and shared prosperity.

In his Emancipation Day 2026 message, the President extended greetings to Guyanese at home and abroad, describing the observance as an opportunity to honour those who endured the atrocities of the transatlantic slave trade and slavery without surrendering their dignity or desire for freedom.

‘Today, we pay homage to the resistance, resolve, resourcefulness and resilience of our African ancestors in the face of the most abominable system ever known to mankind.’

Reflecting on the significance of Emancipation, Ali said freedom marked the beginning of a new chapter, with formerly enslaved Africans working to achieve economic empowerment and self-determination.

He highlighted the Village Movement as one of the defining achievements of post-emancipation Guyana, noting that African-Guyanese pooled their resources to purchase land and establish villages that became centres of resilience, culture and nation-building.

The President also recognised the contributions of African-Guyanese across multiple sectors, including education, entrepreneurship, agriculture, mining, sports, the arts, politics and the professions, describing their achievements as central to Guyana’s development.

‘Their contributions are the very pillars upon which modern Guyana stands,’ he stated.

Ali said the determination of African ancestors should continue to inspire present and future generations, particularly in overcoming adversity through unity rather than division.

‘They did not allow tragedy to harden their hearts into hatred. Instead, they transformed their sorrow into solidarity and their pain into purpose,’ he said.

He urged Guyanese to reject division and work together to build a society grounded in mutual respect, genuine equality and shared prosperity.

‘The greatest honour we can pay to them is in the work we do to create a society rooted in mutual respect, genuine equality, and shared prosperity. It is in the bridges we build across every divide,’ the President said.

Concluding his message, Ali called on citizens to continue building ‘a Guyana that is truly free, truly prosperous, and just’ while expressing hope that the resilience and vision of African ancestors would continue to guide the nation.

‘My best wishes to all on this Emancipation Day 2026,’ he said.

The Government has begun the search for an experienced marine salvage company to recover the wreck of the ferry – the MV Barima, nearly two weeks after the passenger and cargo vessel sank off the country’s coast in one of Guyana’s worst maritime disasters.

The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), under the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation, has invited qualified marine salvage contractors to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to undertake the complex operation.

According to the invitation, the vessel is lying in soft mud at a depth of about 13 to 15 metres (42 to 49 feet), where visibility is poor and strong currents and tidal streams pose significant challenges for divers and salvage crews.

The MV Barima is a 38.6-metre-long passenger and cargo ferry, registered in Georgetown and powered by twin Caterpillar C18 diesel engines.

Rather than prescribing how the vessel should be recovered, MARAD is asking contractors to develop their own technical approach for every stage of the operation, from preparing the wreck to lifting and transporting it safely.

A key requirement is that companies demonstrate how they will protect and document forensic evidence during the salvage.

That evidence is expected to assist the international Commission of Inquiry established to determine what caused the vessel to capsize. Contractors must also outline measures to minimise environmental impacts during the operation.

The Government is seeking firms with a proven record of conducting successful vessel salvage operations in Guyana or elsewhere in the Caribbean, particularly in difficult conditions involving poor underwater visibility and strong currents.

Interested companies must provide evidence of similar work carried out over the past five to 10 years, including details of the vessels recovered, water depths, salvage methods used and client references.

The selected contractor will also need to identify the specialist personnel and equipment that would be deployed, provide an estimated timeline for mobilising and completing the work, and demonstrate the ability to keep the recovered vessel upright on a barge for several weeks after it has been raised.

MARAD is also asking interested companies to indicate whether they are prepared to undertake the work on a ‘no cure, no pay’ basis or under another commercial arrangement, while confirming that they have appropriate insurance coverage and health, safety and environmental management systems in place.

Expressions of Interest must be submitted electronically by August 14. After reviewing the submissions, MARAD will shortlist suitable firms before issuing a detailed request for proposals containing the technical specifications, site information and commercial terms for the salvage operation.

The ministry said it is not obliged to accept any submission and reserves the right to cancel or re-advertise the process if necessary.

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) says a Cuban national has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for his role in an international ‘alien’ smuggling, asylum fraud and money laundering conspiracy.

‘[Erik]Ventura-Castro was part of a complex conspiracy responsible for smuggling aliens into the United States on a massive scale,’ said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

According to court documents, Erik Ventura-Castro, 24, of Hialeah, Florida, between January of 2021 and June of 2025, ‘conspired with others to operate an alien smuggling organization (ASO), which encouraged or induced thousands of Cuban aliens to enter the United States through the southern border and used fraudulent Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and visa waivers.’

The defendants advertised their smuggling services and bogus visa services across multiple social media platforms to solicit Cuban nationals and other ‘aliens’ to attempt to illegally enter the United States and fraudulently obtain lawful status in the United States.

‘The alien smuggling organization advertised services included assisting Cubans with making false claims of European citizenship to enter the United States on a European tourist visa waiver or ESTA and filing hundreds of fraudulent ESTA applications with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), using fake addresses and fabricated documents,’ the DOJ said.

To obtain admission under the ESTAs, it said the defendants made false representations that the applicants had not been in Cuba since 2011.

‘The defendants knew that Cubans are not eligible for the ESTA program, and that the applicants were actually in Cuba at the time the ESTA applications were submitted,’ the DOJ said.

It said Ventura-Castro furthered the conspiracy by advertising trips for ‘aliens’ to travel from Cuba to the United States through third-party countries and assisting the ‘aliens’ in obtaining fraudulent ESTAs.

The DOJ said the defendant submitted over 40 electronic payments to USCIS for fraudulent ESTA applications.

As part of the conspiracy, the DOJ said ‘aliens’ were charged between US$1,500 and US$40,000 for smuggling services.

In addition, the DOJ said Ventura-Castro and co-defendants conspired with each other to regularly move funds to companies operating outside of the United States and to other places outside the United States, such as by purchasing international flights for ‘aliens’ to travel into the United States.

Ventura-Castro transmitted over US$97,000 from the United States to the Cayman Islands, Colombia and Mexico to purchase flights for ‘aliens’ to unlawfully enter the United States.

Ventura-Castro pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit ‘alien’ smuggling for financial gain and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments on May 7.

British Virgin Islands Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley has ordered multiple investigations into an unauthorized government investment in Delta Capital Partners Limited, saying the transaction violated the Public Finance Management Act and was made without his knowledge or approval.

In a public statement on Thursday, Wheatley said the investment was executed on behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands by former Accountant General Arnold Ainsley without the ministerial authorization required under law.

‘The Public Finance Management Act requires any investment of public funds to be approved by the Minister of Finance, and the investment made by the former Accountant General, Arnold Ainsley, in Delta Capital Ltd was made outside of my knowledge and approval. This is unacceptable,’ the Premier said.

According to Wheatley, the Ministry of Finance formally brought the matter to his attention in April 2026. He said investigations were immediately initiated to determine how the breach occurred and to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Premier disclosed that the Financial Investigation Agency (FIA) has launched a criminal investigation to determine whether any wrongdoing occurred in connection with the investment.

He has also directed the Internal Audit Department to conduct its own investigation, while the Ministry of Finance and Treasury has been instructed to pursue recovery of the funds if possible.

‘There must be accountability for any wrongdoing, and I am making sure that the right steps are being taken to prevent this from happening again.’

The Premier noted that the government has already strengthened its oversight of public investments following issues surrounding an earlier investment in Bank of Asia.

He said Cabinet approved a comprehensive Government Investment Policy in March this year to ensure all future investments comply with the Public Finance Management Act.

Wheatley also revealed that he has asked the Deputy Governor to review an Internal Audit report to determine whether any public officers should be held responsible for deficiencies identified during the review.

In addition, he said the Auditor General is preparing a report into the government’s investment in a certificate of deposit at Bank of Asia, which he intends to table during the current sitting of the House of Assembly.

Opposition Leader Marlon Penn welcomed the investigations but argued that they should be expanded into an independent inquiry.

Penn said he will write to the Auditor General requesting ‘a full, independent, and exhaustive investigation’ into the Delta Capital investment, including every decision, approval and failure associated with the transaction.

He also questioned how the investment could have proceeded without the approval of the Minister of Finance, citing provisions of the Public Finance Management Act, and said those responsible must be held accountable.

‘The time for excuses is over. The time for answers is now,’ Penn declared.

Responding to calls for disciplinary action, Wheatley said responsibility for disciplining public officers rests with the Governor, Deputy Governor and the Public Service Commission where breaches of the law or regulations are identified.

‘Let me be crystal clear: where there is clear evidence of any breach or failure to follow the Public Finance Management Act and its accompanying regulations, there must be action,’ the Premier said.

Meanwhile, Delta Capital Partners has also become the subject of criminal proceedings in Jamaica linked to the collapse of investment firm Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL).

Jamaican authorities have charged Delta Capital Partners Ltd., its co-founder Zachary Harding and several former SSL executives with multiple offences, including alleged breaches of the Securities Act, Banking Services Act, Bank of Jamaica Act, Companies Act and Larceny Act following a joint investigation by the Financial Investigations Division and the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

San Francisco Unicorns are through to the 2026 ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) T20 final after beating Desert Vipers by eight wickets in a high-stakes Qualifier on Friday evening at the National Stadium, Providence.

Unicorns will now meet defending champions Guyana Amazon Warriors in the championship game on Saturday from 7 pm in front of a capacity crowd.

Chasing a tricky 123 for victory, Unicorns reached the target with 23 balls to spare. The successful chase was brilliantly led by opener Tim Robinson with an impressive, unbeaten 68 off 54 balls.

Robinson and Oliver Peake shared a record-breaking, 97-run third-wicket stand after they lost Connor Esterhuizen for 17 and skipper Hassan Khan without scoring.

The in-form Robinson hit six fours and a six, while Peake provided steady support with 33* off 34, hitting five fours.

Left-arm spinner Khary Pierre, who made the initial breakthrough, finished with 2-22 from his four overs.

Earlier, Unicorns justified their decision to bowl first, restricting Vipers to 30-2 in the Powerplay and 61-4 by the 13th over.

Vriitya Aravind provided some late-order impetus scoring 29 not out, but it was left-arm spinner Fabian Allen who stole the spotlight with the ball, taking 3-20 in an impactful four-over spell.

He first accounted for opener Andries Gous (8), then added the scalps of Rilee Rossouw (11) and skipper Shadab Khan (14), strikes that dented the Vipers.

Unicorns’ victory was sweet redemption for the nine-wicket defeat they suffered against the same opposition in the preliminary phase, and it sets up a grand finale with the home franchise and defending champions Warriors on a night where Providence will be rocking.

The West Indies will stride onto the hallowed turf of the Queen’s Park Oval on Sunday with history in their sights and a fortress at their backs.

As the second Test against Pakistan gets underway, the Caribbean side is not just playing for a series victory; they are playing to extend a remarkable unbeaten streak and topple a two-decade-old domestic hoodoo.

The venue has been a bastion of resilience for the men in maroon. They are undefeated in their last six Tests at the historic ground, a run of form that has transformed the Oval into a genuine stronghold.

Looking back at the broader history between these two sides at the venue, the hosts hold the edge with three victories to Pakistan’s two, with the famous draw of 1988 being the only blemish on a fiercely contested rivalry.

The last time Pakistan visited this turf in 1993, they left with a scar, succumbing to a colossal 204-run defeat.

Standing in the way of Pakistan’s redemption is a West Indian unit humming with confidence. Captain Roston Chase, leading from the front, made it clear that the team’s preparation has been meticulous and their ambitions sky-high.

‘We’re very confident. We’re exactly where we wanted to be,’ Chase stated on the eve of the match. ‘After having the year last year, we sat down, we planned, and said that this is where we want to be. We’re one love up, so we want to just come into this second Test, not take anything for granted, go through the processes that we’ve sat down and talked about, and look to get that second victory.’

A victory would mark the first time since 2022 that the West Indies have won consecutive Test series. More significantly, it would seal their first home Test series win over Pakistan since the turn of the millennium, a gap stretching back to 2000.

The pitch at Queen’s Park Oval is expected to offer turn, potentially opening the door for Chase’s off-spin to play a decisive role. However, the captain is managing a finger injury that kept him from bowling in the first Test, an issue that could dictate the balance of the attack.

Chase, however, was optimistic about his fitness. ‘It’s getting better. Hopefully, I think I will be ready to bowl by Sunday. I bowled two overs today. It still has a bit of pain, but I think by Sunday, I should be able to at least bowl probably four to five overs consistently.’

The captain’s determination to be fit is reflective of a broader cultural shift within the squad, that is a desire to make the Caribbean an impenetrable fortress.

‘We’re very blessed and very happy for the results that we’ve been having at home so far,’ Chase added. ‘But I want to make home our fortress, where we make it very difficult for teams to come to the Caribbean and beat us because it’s our conditions. We know them inside out and better than the opposition. We want to really make home advantage count, and we’ve been doing that well so far.’

The final morning session of these Commonwealth Games produced a frigid, wind-whipped fury of Jamaican excellence as the nation’s track and field athletes powered their way to three more podium finishes, including two glittering golds, to push the island’s overall medal tally to 15.

On a day when the weather turned decidedly un-Caribbean, the Jamaican contingent turned up the heat on the track and in the field, headlined by a history-making performance from Dejanea Oakley in the women’s 400m.

Oakley, running with grit on the cold Glasgow tarmac, clocked a superb 50.21 seconds to become the fourth Jamaican woman in history to capture the one-lap crown.

The victory was a masterclass in front-running, as she held off a charging field down the home straight despite the blustery conditions.

The battle for the minor medals was a photo-finish thriller. 2022 champion Sada Williams of Barbados held on for the silver medal, stopping the clock at 50.99, while Nigeria’s Ella Onovujwevwo was denied by the barest of margins, claiming bronze in 51.00 seconds.

While Oakley was making history on the track, Jordan Scott was writing a new chapter in the field. The jumper delivered when it mattered most, unleashing a fourth-round effort of 16.72m to become the first Jamaican male ever to win the triple jump at this level.

Scott’s victory adds another major accolade to his growing reputation, following his World Indoor Silver medal earlier this year. His winning leap came at a crucial juncture, demonstrating the composure that has come to define his season.

In the men’s discus throw, veteran Fedrick Dacres proved that age is just a number as the 32-year-old added another piece of silverware to his collection. Dacres secured the silver medal with a best throw of 65.10m, adding to the gold he won in 2018.

The event was dominated by Australia’s Matthew Denny, who successfully defended his title with a formidable mark of 67.73m. Jamaica’s Ralford Mullings also featured in the final, finishing fifth with a solid throw of 62.85m.

With the athletics program now in full swing, Jamaica’s medal count stands at 15, placing the nation tantalisingly close to the record of 22 set in 2006 and matched in 2014.

The Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Philip J. Pierre has called on Caribbean nations to continue the ‘unfinished journey of emancipation’ by pursuing economic empowerment, food security, energy independence and reparative justice.

In his Emancipation Day message, Pierre, who is also the Prime Minister of St Lucia, paid tribute to the resilience and sacrifice of enslaved Africans whose struggle secured freedom for future generations, saying Emancipation Day is a solemn reminder of both the region’s painful history and its continuing responsibility to build a more just society.

‘Freedom was never handed to our ancestors. Freedom was demanded. Freedom was fought for. Freedom was paid for with sacrifice, with courage and with an unbreakable faith,’ Pierre said.

He said the Caribbean owes a debt of gratitude to those who endured slavery while refusing to surrender their dignity, humanity and hope.

The CARICOM Chairman acknowledged that while slavery officially ended, the injustices experienced by formerly enslaved people continued long after emancipation.

‘Our ancestors walked into freedom without land, without wealth, without compensation, without opportunity. Yet those who benefited from their labour were rewarded,’ he said, adding that understanding that history is essential to shaping a better future.

He described the Caribbean’s history as one marked by the displacement of Indigenous peoples, African enslavement, indentureship and colonial rule, but said the region has transformed suffering into resilience and achievement.

‘We built nations. We built communities. We built democracies. We have created music that moves the world, literature that enlightens the world and culture that transforms and enriches the world,’ Pierre said.

He urged Caribbean citizens to embrace their identity with pride, declaring, ‘We are Caribbean people. We are a proud people. We are a resilient people. And have every reason to believe in our future.’

Pierre stressed that true emancipation extends beyond political freedom and must include economic opportunity and prosperity.

‘Our people deserve economic freedom. They deserve opportunity. They deserve ownership. They deserve prosperity,’ he said.

He called for stronger regional economies where entrepreneurs can thrive, young people can find opportunities at home, and farmers, fishers and manufacturers are supported as key contributors to national development.

The Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of investing in education and equipping young people with the skills needed to innovate, lead businesses and harness technology to transform Caribbean societies.

Addressing regional development, Pierre identified food security and energy security as critical pillars of genuine independence, urging greater support for local agriculture and cleaner, more affordable energy sources.

He also reaffirmed CARICOM’s commitment to pursuing reparatory justice for slavery, saying the movement is rooted in truth and accountability rather than blame.

‘The pursuit of reparations for slavery is not about blame, not about revenge. It is about the truth and justice for the human suffering of slavery,’ Pierre said.

Concluding his address, the CARICOM Chairman urged the region to honour the sacrifices of its ancestors by building stronger, more united and more prosperous societies.

‘Let us continue the work begun by our forefathers; let us strengthen our Caribbean Community; let us build a future worthy of the sacrifices of those who came before us,’ Pierre said.

History was rewritten at The Hydro on Saturday as Jamaica shattered Australia’s netball dynasty, defeating the four-time reigning champions 46-45 in a breathtaking semi-final to book their place in the Commonwealth Games gold medal match.

For the first time, the world No.1 Diamonds will not contest the final, their hopes crushed in a nerve-shredding finish that left a capacity crowd, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, on the edge of their seats.

In a contest that swung like a pendulum, the Sunshine Girls drew first blood, edging the opening quarter 13-10 against the stunned Australians.

But the champions, as they have done for decades, clawed their way back, and the match entered the final period deadlocked at 35-35. What followed was a masterclass in composure under pressure.

Jamaican captain Shamera Sterling-Humphrey was impervious, a relentless defensive wall whose crucial interceptions time and again disrupted Australia’s rhythm.

With shooters Romelda Aiken and Shanice Beckford firing on all cylinders, Jamaica surged four points clear as the clock became the Diamonds’ fiercest enemy.

Australia, fuelled by desperation, mounted one last charge. A pinpoint finish from Cara Koenen cut the deficit to a solitary point with just 36 seconds remaining.

As Jamaica attempted to ice the game, Sophie Dwyer rose for a potential equaliser at the death. But her shot clattered off the rim, and with it, Australia’s streak of eight successive Commonwealth Games finals evaporated into the Glasgow air.

‘We knew we had it in us. We’re carrying a bit of vengeance from the last Games,’ said an elated Sterling-Humphrey, who was named player of the match.

‘People always say big players have to step up in big games, and I’m glad I did that today. More importantly, we played as a real unit. We’ve graduated from bronze medals; we didn’t want bronze this year.’

The victory is sweet redemption for Jamaica as they face New Zealand in Sunday’s final, after the Silver Ferns dispatched England 61-54 in the earlier semi-final.

But for Sterling-Humphrey and her history-making squad, the mission is clear. ‘We know New Zealand will be a tough challenge, but we’ll battle them the same way we battled Australia today. We’re going to fight until the very end.’