Category: CANA News

A new report is warning that the future quality of Caribbean democracies will depend on the region’s ability to integrate economic resilience, climate change adaptation, and social cohesion into an institutional framework capable of protecting human development in an increasingly uncertain global environment.

At the same time, the report has also noted that Caribbean democracies face a convergence of structural pressures that simultaneously strain their economic stability, social cohesion and capacities.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Monday launched its report ‘Democracies Under Pressure: Reimagining the Futures of Democracy and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean’.

It said Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is today the most democratic region among developing regions and the third worldwide and that more than four out of five citizens live under regimes elected through elections.

The Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) is reiterating a call for the Antigua and Barbuda Service (ABS) be incorporated as a state-owned entity with an independent board of directors governing its policies, operations and programming noting this ‘could help mitigate some of the challenges regarding accessibility, fairness and bias’.

The COG, which monitored the April 30 general election in which Prime Minister Gaston Browne led his ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) to a convincing 15-2 victory, has released its final report.

In it, the COG said that in 2023, it had recommended the incorporation of ABS as a state-owned entity, adding it is also now recommending a ‘need to depoliticise the media landscape. ‘…it must be free, fair and inclusive. There is an urgent requirement to strengthen the regulatory framework in this regard,’ the COG said, recommending ‘that consideration be given to reviving the media association, as this could provide a useful platform for co-ordination, professional development and the reinforcement of ethical standards across the sector.

‘As recommended by the 2018 and 2023 COGs in their reports, an independent and adequately funded media council or monitoring body should be established to provide oversight and enforcement of Section 36(1) of the ROPA (Representation of the People’s Act) (Amendment) 2001 and Section 62(3) of the ROPA (Amendment) 2002’.

The COG said it is recommending that ABS and other media be ‘encouraged to continue efforts to ensure balanced coverage and fair access for all political parties to strengthen editorial independence and public trust.’

According to the COG final report, a copy of which has been sent to the Antigua and Barbuda government, the media generally met its obligation to provide credible information in the weeks leading up to the April 30 general election ‘helping voters make informed decisions.

‘However, the highly polarised environment raised concerns about fairness and editorial independence, with the opposition complaining of bias and unfair treatment by the state-owned ABS.’

The COG said that the country has a dynamic media environment, with nearly 20 radio stations. It also has television, e-papers and online sites.

But some stakeholders the COG met with complained that ‘the candidates and their campaigns did not always get fair access to the media, and diverse and balanced viewpoints were not always reflected given the political affiliation and ideological alignment of the various media entities

‘ABS told the COG that once the writs of election were issued, it provided rate cards to the political parties and scheduled candidate interviews for ABS TV’s ‘Know Your Candidate’ programme.’

The report noted that all ABLP candidates took advantage of the opportunity to be interviewed. ‘However, after two UPP candidates were interviewed, the opposition party refused to participate further in the interviews, citing complaints from its candidates and supporters about the bias and combativeness displayed by the programme’s host and the negative slant of the news reports following their appearance.’

The report said that ‘ABS strongly rejected the allegations, stating that the host operated with a high degree of professionalism’.

The report noted that one week after nomination day, and 10 days ahead of the elections, the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) published general elections media guidelines pursuant to the ROPA.

It said that these rules prohibit radio and television stations from preventing any political party or candidate nominated to run in the general elections from broadcasting information necessary to promote their campaigns.

The rules also prevent print media from blocking the publication of any print material to promote a campaign and require owners of electronic and print media to provide equitable allocation of time and space in a nondiscriminatory manner.

The guidelines also stipulate that media entities cannot charge more than the ordinary advertising rates for promoting political content. Violation of these rules would come with a penalty of EC$10,000 (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) upon conviction or imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year.

But the report noted that the opposition had informed the COG that ‘it did not advertise on ABS entities because it had no confirmation that the ABLP was being made to pay for the advertising it was doing, and there was no guarantee of fairness.

‘The opposition party used other media channels for advertising, including The Observer, and pushed its messages out via social media,’ the report said, adding that the ‘UPP complained of a lack of balance in news coverage, and some private media personnel told the Group that denial of access to government officials was heightened during the election season, making it more difficult to balance their stories.

‘Private media also shared with the COG that there were some private media practitioners who were afraid of being victimised.’

But the report quoted ABS as saying that ‘it remained committed to providing balanced reporting and aimed to get opposition responses to stories where warranted, but noted a general distrust by those aligned with the opposition.

‘State-owned and private media entities played important roles in voter education, amplifying information provided by ABEC. Some private media practitioners expressed concerns about having to pay to access historical data from the Electoral Commission

‘The COG took note of the absence of any printed newspapers in Antigua and Barbuda, which traditionally had been a vital source of communication for elderly electors and those who do not use social media channels.’

The report also indicated that ‘there is no precedent for an election-specific code of conduct for the media, either private or government owned. Neither is there a single codified media code of ethics.

‘As noted, freedom of expression – including that of the press – is guaranteed in the Constitution and journalists are protected from arbitrary interference. These rights are qualified, meaning the state can impose restrictions in the interest of public order national security, reputation protection and the less-defined, morality.

‘ Journalists and media outlets are expected through individual articles of legislation to balance freedom of journalistic expression with public accountability and to refrain from harm or defamation through their publications,’ the report added.

The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, will travel to Haiti next Tuesday for a solidarity visit, UN Deputy Spokesman, Farhan Haq, announced Monday.

He said that Guterres will meet men, women and children whose lives have been affected by violence and ‘will see firsthand the humanitarian and security challenges facing the country, as well as efforts by national authorities and the international community to restore stability and support the Haitian people’. Haq said that while in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country, the Secretary-General will assess the support given by the United Nations to Haiti in facing its multidimensional crisis, including the logistical and operational support to the Gang Suppression Force, in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2793.

Heavily armed gangs control up to 85 per cent of the capital, Port-au-Prince, severely restricting access to basic necessities and committing acts of extreme violence, including a recent surge in gender-based violence and sexual assault.

The UN Security Council has authorised an expanded force, transitioning the previous Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission into a ‘Gang Suppression Force’ (GSF) of up to 5,500 uniformed personnel. This force aims to neutralize gangs and secure critical infrastructure like schools, hospitals, and ports.

Over 1.45 million people are internally displaced across the country, with 6.4 million Haitians requiring urgent humanitarian assistance

Guterres is also expected to meet with the Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé as the country prepares for election widely expected before yearend..

Haq said that the Secretary-General will travel to Haiti via the Dominican Republic and while in Santo Domingo, he is expected to meet with national authorities before returning to New York on June 17.

The President of Barbados, Jeffrey Bostic on Saturday announced that he will no longer use the military title of ‘Lieutenant Colonel’ as part of his official designation, saying the time has come to be known simply as ‘The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic’. Speaking at the inaugural Commander-in-Chief Parade at St Ann’s Fort, The Garrison, the President reflected on his long association with the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) and the pride he has taken in carrying the rank earned during his 26 years of service.

He said that even after entering politics, he deliberately retained the title because he wanted Barbadians to appreciate the calibre of people produced by the force and to inspire serving members to recognise their own potential.

‘Barbados had to understand what this force is capable of doing and who this force is capable of producing,’ he said. ‘It was supposed to be an inspiration to each and every one of you in uniform serving this force to understand what this force can do for you and what you can do for this force and this country.’

However, Bostic said his elevation to the nation’s highest office marked a natural point for change.

‘I’ve reached this point in my journey, this destination, this office of the president of this country and your commander-in-chief, and I’ve now determined that this is the time… that from my official title I will drop the lieutenant colonel,’ he said.

Stating that the lengthy designation often created difficulties for those introducing him at official functions, he added: ‘From now, I am very happy to be The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic.’

The President also used the occasion to encourage members of the BDF to take pride in the institution’s history and its contributions to Barbados and the wider region, particularly during times of crisis6

‘You are inheritors of the BDF, and the BDF is your inheritance,’ he told troops. ‘It built me, it sustained me for 26 years, and today it honours me with this command.’

Recalling his years in uniform, Bostic said he remained proud of the men and women with whom he served and pledged to continue serving them in his current role as commander-in-chief.

Education Minister Sonia Parag says a comprehensive file containing the reports, statements, findings and recommendations arising from the Ministry’s investigation into the mistreatment of a special needs student by two teachers, has been submitted to the Teaching Service Commission (TSC). In making this disclosure, the Education Minister explained that while Ministry is responsible for the management and oversight of the education system, the TSC is responsible for the hiring and firing of teachers at non-board schools.

She added that the TSC is therefore expected to take appropriate action at the conclusion of a planned disciplinary hearing. That process, according to the Education Minister, is expected to be completed within 10 days.

‘We have done our international investigation but the teachers are employed through the Teaching Service Commission and they have to carry out their inquiry and they have said to us that they should be concluding their inquiry within another 10 days,’ Parag said.

She also said the Ministry of Education will continue to cooperate fully with the Commission and provide any additional information required to facilitate the timely completion of the proceedings and added that since the incident, she has visited the school, and has met with the affected parents, guardians and the Head Teacher to not only hear their concerns, but to assure them that the matter would be treated with the utmost seriousness.

‘What I would have done from last week, I went immediately to the school itself, I met with the parents, I met with the principal, the HM of the school. I also met with the parents later on to try and assist with getting the child to continue therapy that he has to take,’ Parag said.

Officials from the Education Ministry also met with members of staff of the school, the executive of the Parent-Teacher Association and the wider PTA body as part of its own investigation.

But as it awaits the decision of the Teaching Service Commission, the Ministry of Education has taken steps to strengthen oversight and governance at the institution.

Those steps include the establishment of a Board of Governors, and the Board is expected to enhance accountability, supervision and engagement between the school and the families it serves.

Parag said the Government and the Education Ministry remain unwavering in their commitment to protecting every child within the education system.

The Ministry launched its probe at the school after a video surfaced on social media with two teachers using a belt to whip a young child who has autism.

The Education Minister said the treatment depicted in the video is wholly unacceptable and does not reflect the values, standards or expectations that they hold for those entrusted with the care and education of the nation’s children.

The 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup was launched in stunning fashion as London’s famous Waterloo Bridge was transformed into a massive cricket pitch for the first time here on Sunday.

All 12 captains were in attendance at the famous London landmark ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup in England and Wales, which begins June 12, with the world’s best players taking part in the Captains’ Carnival high above the River Thames.

It was the first public gathering of all 12 captains ahead of the T20 World Cup and served as a powerful symbol of the global growth, visibility and appeal of women’s cricket in front of well-known London landmarks that included Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral and the London Eye. ICC chairman Jay Shah said the event was ‘a fitting way’ to launch the global cricket showpiece.

‘This is a landmark moment for women’s cricket and a fitting way to launch what we believe will be the most exciting and ambitious ICC Women’s T20 World Cup ever staged.

‘This will help elevate the buzz and excitement around the event, providing the final boost to the anticipation for the tournament before the first ball is bowled on June 12 in Birmingham,’ Shah said.

‘This event is another expression of the ICC’s commitment and belief linked to the agenda of building a more inclusive, global game.’

With ticket sales already around 200,000 – a record-breaking figure achieved before the tournament has even begun and comfortably eclipsing previous ICC Women’s T20 World Cup benchmarks – even more records are set to be smashed when the action gets underway in less than a week.

Deputy Secretary-General of CARICOM, Dr Armstrong Alexis has thrown his full support behind both Haiti and Curacao ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

The two countries are the only representatives from the region in the June 11 to July 19 event, which will be held in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Haiti, who is drawn in Group C, is set to participate in the World Cup for the second time, while first-timers Curacao, the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup, will compete in Group E in the 48-team tournament.

Alexis said CARICOM was proud of their achievements and was eagerly looking forward to their performances at the biggest sporting event in the world.

‘I congratulate both nations. I believe in the power, strength and readiness of our Member States as they take on opponents in ‘the beautiful game’.

‘The whole of CARICOM is behind you. We carry you in our hearts and in the coming weeks, we will all be routing for you. We are ONE Caribbean taking our rightful place on the world’s biggest sports stage,’ Alexis said.

Haiti will play their first game against Scotland on June 13, while Curacao’s first match is against Germany on June 15.

The Trinidad and Tobago government Sunday said that the state of emergency (SoE), which is due to expire on June 17, will be further extended for three months.

The current SoE came into effect from March 3, this year. The government enjoys a 28-13 majority in the Parliament.

A statement issued by the Office of the Attorney General said that the National Security Council (NSC) met on Friday night where it received and reviewed reports on the states of emergency implemented between December 2024 and May 2026.

‘The report highlighted analyses of datasets related to all significant local and international threats to state security. The reports revealed that all three SoEs were associated with meaningful disruptions in all categories of datasets reviewed and analyzed,’ the statement said.

It said after examining the reports and advice from members of the NSC ‘the Prime Minister has decided that the government will go to Parliament to request an extension of the State of Emergency for a further three months’

The statement said that a resolution to extend the SoE will be debated in Parliament on Wednesday.

The Cayman Islands Government has published legislation that would give Cabinet the authority to suspend the issuance of licences to foreign-owned businesses in sectors where it determines such action is in the public interest.

The Local Companies (Control) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, is scheduled to be debated in Parliament later this month and forms part of the government’s efforts to create greater opportunities for Caymanian entrepreneurs.

Under the proposed law, Cabinet would be empowered to impose a moratorium on the granting of Local Companies Control Licences (LCCLs), either broadly or within specific industries. LCCLs are required for businesses operating in the Cayman Islands that are owned or controlled by non-Caymanians.

Premier André Ebanks first announced the planned changes in Parliament in April, arguing that the amendments would provide the government with greater flexibility to respond to changing economic conditions while supporting broader business sector reforms.

The government has indicated that particular attention is being given to the real estate and property development sector, where a significant number of LCCLs are concentrated. Although such licences account for only a small percentage of Cayman’s licensed businesses, officials believe greater participation by Caymanians is needed in industries traditionally dominated by expatriate-owned enterprises.

The proposal stems from a private member’s motion previously brought by legislator McKeeva Bush, which called for a freeze on the issuance of LCCLs within the property sector. However, the government has opted for broader legislation that would allow restrictions to be applied to other categories of trade and business if deemed necessary.

Speaking in Parliament earlier this year, Ebanks said the original legislation, enacted in the 1970s, was designed to support economic development at a time when the country’s small population lacked the capacity to provide many essential services independently.

He argued that the Cayman Islands has since developed a highly skilled and experienced workforce and that the legislation should now be updated to reflect the country’s evolving economic realities.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) says it is intensifying support to countries across the Americas, including the Caribbean, to strengthen preparedness for Ebola following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) related to the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, and to ensure readiness for any potential imported case. PAHO said that while the risk of Ebola in the Americas remains low and no cases have been reported in the region, it has activated its Incident Management System (IMS) to coordinate regional preparedness efforts.

The health organization said it is working with ministries of health to reinforce surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, infection prevention and control, and operational coordination, ‘so countries can rapidly detect, isolate and care for people with suspected infection.’

‘Countries in the Americas are not currently affected by Ebola, and the risk to the region remains low, but preparedness is our strongest tool to reduce risks and ensure a timely response,’ said Dr. Ciro Ugarte, director of Health Emergencies at PAHO. ‘Even with low risk, countries must be ready to detect and respond quickly to any possible importation to protect health workers and communities, and to prevent further transmission.’

PAHO said it is collaborating with the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), a WHO-coordinated network of technical institutions and partners for international outbreak response, in convening regional technical exchanges to support national preparedness efforts.

A technical session, organized by PAHO’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and held on June 3, brought together 394 participants from 30 countries across the region, including national professionals involved in Ebola preparedness and response and representatives from GOARN partner institutions in the Americas.

Participants reviewed key preparedness actions, including laboratory diagnosis and biosafety, clinical management, infection prevention and control, medical evacuation, and safe and dignified burials.

A follow-up session on Wednesday, will bring together ministries of health and GOARN partners from the Americas to discuss the GOARN network, including opportunities to receive international technical support and to deploy national experts from the region to support outbreak responses.