Category: CANA News

With fears circulating among non-national residents that the ongoing population census could be used to identify and deport undocumented individuals, the Director of the National Bureau of Statistics has moved to assure the public that all census information is legally protected and cannot be shared with immigration or law enforcement authorities.

Director Statchel Edwards, speaking in a recent interview, stressed that census data is collected solely for statistical purposes and is shielded by strict confidentiality provisions under the National Bureau of Statistics Act 2024.

‘All information collected during the census is strictly confidential. It’s not shared with any other entity, agency, immigration, inland revenue, police, or any other government department or any external organization,’ Edwards said. ‘By law, your individual information cannot be shared with any other entity.’

The issue gained public attention last week after Member of Parliament for St. Phillip’s South, Sherfield Bowen, suggested that some non-nationals fear the census could serve as a ‘Trojan horse’ for state authorities seeking to identify non-compliant residents.

Edwards responded by underscoring the severe penalties faced by census workers who violate confidentiality agreements, noting that breaches could result in heavy fines or imprisonment.

‘The legal mandate that governs us is the National Bureau of Statistics Act 2024, which outlines actions that can be taken against persons who violate the confidentiality clause within their contracts,’ he explained. ‘This includes penalties that could involve years in prison.’

He added that census workers found guilty of breaching confidentiality may also face fines of up to EC$10,000.

According to Edwards, no government department has access to census data, as the bureau operates on a standalone IT platform separate from other government systems.

‘No other government department or entity will see the data that we collect,’ he said. ‘The server and IT platform that we use are not shared with any other government department.’

Seeking to further reassure residents, Edwards pointed to Antigua and Barbuda’s long history of census-taking, noting that the same confidentiality standards have been applied for decades.

‘We conducted censuses in 2011, 1991, in the 1970s, and even before that,’ he said. ‘These principles and concepts are not new. They have guided census-taking in Antigua and Barbuda and across the region for decades.’

Edwards emphasized that census officials are not concerned with residents’ immigration status.

‘We do not care about your legal status in Antigua and Barbuda,’ he said. ‘By law, we do not report that information to any entity. Our objective is simply to capture a demographic snapshot of the country at a particular point in time.’

The census currently covers 160 enumeration districts nationwide, with approximately 200 enumerators conducting door-to-door interviews. Each district comprises between 100 and 125 households.

Edwards also acknowledged concerns about the visibility of public awareness efforts surrounding the census, describing them as ‘an opportunity to strengthen our communication and advocacy.’

Census workers can be identified by four official items: a photo identification card issued by the census office, an official census vest bearing the 2025 Population and Housing Census logo, an official census bag, and a census tablet. Enumerators can also present a formal letter of engagement from the census office upon request.

The government has released a draft Virgin Islands National Tourism Policy for public review, outlining a 10-year framework to reshape the territory’s tourism industry.

In a press statement issued earlier this week , the administration said it is ‘making considerable progress towards finalising the Virgin Islands National Tourism Policy (2026-2036) and the draft is now available for public review’.

According to the release, the policy proposes ‘a comprehensive framework for transforming the territory’s tourism sector into a resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive pillar of sustainable development’.

It also seeks ‘to achieve a balanced tourism model, harmonising the benefits of mass tourism with the exclusivity and high-value potential of luxury and boutique tourism’.

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley described the draft as a milestone in the government’s approach to the sector.

‘The National Tourism Policy represents a significant milestone in the government’s commitment to the tourism sector and provides a clear, modern framework to guide its growth and diversification,’ Dr Wheatley said.

He added that the policy ‘articulates government’s long-term commitment to strengthening tourism as a central pillar of the Virgin Islands’ economy, one that supports livelihoods, encourages investment, protects the territory’s natural and cultural assets, and ensures that the benefits of tourism are more widely and sustainably shared across the various communities’.

The Premier further stated that the policy sets out ‘clear objectives focused on improving governance and coordination across government, strengthening the overnight and marine tourism product, enhancing destination quality and resilience, and aligning tourism development with national sustainable-development goals’.

Permanent Secretary in the Tourism Ministry, Joseph Smith-Abbott, said the draft policy and supporting documents are now available on the government’s website.

‘We are delighted to be able to present these important documents to the public and we anticipate your feedback as we seek to finalise the policy. The formulation of the policy is grounded on extensive consultations with tourism stakeholders, who helped shape the future of the sector for years to come,’ Smith-Abbott said.

Chief Justice Bryan Sykes on Thursday, accepted the guilty plea of former Member of Parliament Jolyan Silvera in the death of his wife.

The decision was handed down in the Corporate Area based Gun Court.

Silvera , a former member of the opposition People’s National Party (PNP), was arrested and charged in January 2024.

He was charged with murder, manslaughter and using a firearm to commit an offence.

He pleaded guilty to the two lesser charges earlier this week, after initially pleading not guilty.

As part of a proposed plea deal, Silvera reportedly admitted that on November 10, 2023 he shot his wife, Melissa during a domestic dispute.

He reportedly said that on the fateful night, he and his wife engaged in a heated argument where among other things, she blamed him for the death of their son, Justin, in August 2017.

The body of Justin, who was only a year old, was found floating in their pool, while both Silvera and the household helper were at home.

On November 10, 2023, Melissa Silvera, 42, was found dead at the couple’s home. Early reports then suggested that she died in her sleep from natural causes.

Silvera reportedly told family and friends a combination of stories about how Melissa died.

One was that she died of a suspected aneurysm. Another one was that she fell while taking a shower and hit her head.

However, a post-mortem examination revealed that she died from gunshot wounds.

The former legislator could face several years in prison as manslaughter carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, while the firearms charge, attracts a maximum of 25 years.

Silvera was arrested and charged on January 18, 2024, and has remained in custody since.

He will be sentenced on March 6.

The United States has signalled its strong support for Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimè’s leadership ‘in building a strong, prosperous, and free Haiti’ as the deadline draws nearer for the end of the mandate of the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) on Saturday.

In a statement posted on the United States Embassy website in Haiti, Washington made it clear that it is in support of the 55 years Prime Minister Fils-Aimè’ who has been serving as prime minister since 2024.

‘As the Transitional Presidential Council’s Mandate ends on February 7th, we support Prime Minister Fils-Aimè’s leadership in building a strong, prosperous, and free Haiti,’ Washington said in the statement posted on the embassy’s website.

The CPT was established in April 2024 to restore political stability, address the security crisis caused by powerful armed gangs, and facilitate a transition of power following the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

The nine-member council was created to select a new prime minister and cabinet, prepare for, and oversee the nation’s next elections, which are planned for early 2026. Since April 2024, Haiti has held no national elections.

Now, with just a couple days to go before the CPT’s mandate ends, political parties, civil society groups and ordinary citizens are intensifying calls for the departure of the CPT, describing the council as costly, corrupt and incapable of addressing the country’s deepening crisis.

Among them is the Forum of Civil Society Groups, which it says has links with more than 13,000 ‘grass roots’ organisations that has named educator Dr. Charles Tardieu, as its presidential candidate.

The United States has confirmed that at the direction of Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, the USS Stockdale, the USCGC Stone and the USCGC Diligence have arrived in the Bay of Port-au-Prince.

‘Their presence reflects the United States’ unwavering commitment to Haiti’s security, stability, and brighter future. The US Navy and US Coast Guard stand as symbols of partnership and support, working to ensure a safer and more prosperous Haiti,’ the US Embassy noted.

Meanwhile, the Organization of American States (OAS) said that a meeting had been held in Washington this week, involving Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, Canada and the United States.

It said that following ‘extensive dialogue and consultations’, participants ‘reaffirmed continued commitment to supporting the people of the Republic of Haiti at a moment of profound uncertainty, but also of opportunity for a better future’.

The meeting recognised that ensuring ‘predictable, effective and stable governance, restoring public security and implementing democratic governance through free and fair elections are indispensable to bring peace and prosperity to the Haitian people, as well as securing the necessary international and regional political, technical and financial support’.

The meeting also recognised that in large parts of Haiti , people have been living under dire conditions, insecurity and lack of basic services and that that ‘the Haitian electorate has for far too long been unable to exercise their fundamental right of electing a constitutionally recognised President and Parliament through free, fair and credible national elections’.

The meeting also noted that the actions of organized gangs have ‘severe, far reaching and long-term impact on the social and economic wellbeing of the Haitian people as well as on effective governance, life and future of Haiti’ and that the stabilisation of Haiti’s security situation ‘is of the utmost importance and is essential to organize national elections, provide humanitarian assistance and rebuild the economic and social structures’.

It also welcomed the implementation of the UN Security resolution, especially the timely deployment of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), which ‘is of utmost importance to sustainably improve gang related insecurity in Haiti.

The first contingents of the GSF, which replaces the struggling Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, are expected to arrive in the country in April and its mission is to restore state authority and public order, reduce gang territorial control, secure critical infrastructure, and support the Haitian people as they work toward a return to elected governance and long-term stability.

‘We recognize that a Haitian led and owned solution is crucial. The signatories call on all stakeholders to act in the interest of peace and stability and for the well-being of the Haitian people,’ according to the OAS statement that was issued after the meeting.

For its part, CARICOM in its statement, said the EPG comprising the former prime ministers of St. Lucia, The Bahamas and Jamaica ‘held several engagements on the sidelines of the consultative dialogue.on the Gang Suppression Force’.

The Lower House on Wednesday approved the Fourth Supplementary Estimates for the fiscal year 2025/26, which reflects an increase in government expenditure of $14.36 billion.

The estimates, approved on February 3, proposes a total expenditure of approximately J$1.3 million (One Jamaica dollar=US$0.008 cents) .an increase of the budget from the third supplementary estimates .

Finance Minister Fayval Williams, said Central Government expenditure estimates are being adjusted to incorporate total incremental expenditure of $14.36 billion, of which $13.4 billion relates to Hurricane Melissa expenditure approved by Cabinet, subsequent to either the preparation of or the approval of the third supplementary in December 2025.

It also accounts for $960 million, which represents an initial payment to Trans Americas Fiber Systems Limited, an amount that is due upon the signing of a letter of intent between the company and the Government of Jamaica to pursue the provision of additional sub-sea fibre capacity.

Williams also stated that the changes to the 2025/2026 Public Bodies Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure, reflect the additional central government budgetary support approved for the Development Bank of Jamaica.

Additionally, there is an adjustment to the budget of the Ministry of Health and Wellness for $400 million to be utilised under phase one of the Hurricane Melissa Rehabilitation Programme for public health, with $300 million for facilities assessment and repair mobilisation, and $100 million for the purchase of fixed assets in the region,’ she noted.

Williams said the additional $13.4 billion being proposed for regularisation in the fourth supplementary estimates will bring the total sum allocated by Cabinet for pre and post-Hurricane Melissa response and relief activities to $66.76 billion, inclusive of the $24.18-billion loan approved by Cabinet to the Jamaica Public Service Company, to facilitate the speedy restoration of electricity across the island.

President of the Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA), Lyndon Cooper continues to make history after he was elected as vice-president of CONCACAF, the governing body for football in North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Last year, Cooper took over as president of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), a first for Saint Lucian football.

Cooper was elected unopposed as CONCACAF vice-president for the Caribbean, when the umbrella organisation staged its 41st Congress in Managua, Nicaragua over the weekend. The event brought together CONCACAF senior leadership and delegates from the Confederation’s 41 member associations and also marked 10 years of leadership under CONCACAF president and FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani.

Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by CONCACAF members Canada, Mexico, and the USA, and with six CONCACAF nations already qualified, Montagliani congratulated those teams and wished Jamaica and Suriname well as they prepare for the FIFA Play-Off tournament in March.

Montagliani further credited member associations for reshaping Concacaf and strengthening its foundations, while reaffirming the Confederation’s commitment to raising standards across the region.

‘Over the past decade, we rebuilt CONCACAF on stable foundations, so today we have earned the right to think long term, invest with confidence, and aim higher than ever.

‘As we step toward 2026, this is a moment to be proud, a moment to enjoy, and a moment to break through ceilings. Our continued success will come from staying united, leading through service, and protecting the integrity that makes progress possible,’ Montagliani said.

Member associations approved CONCACAF’s 2026 budget during the working session. They also addressed statutory matters and received updates aligned with the confederation’s strategic priorities.

The Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) Thursday said that the two-day Latin America and the Caribbean Business Matchmaking Forum held here late last month, had generated US$ 72.2 million in commercial expectations.

The forum connects regional firms with international partners to boost trade in agribusiness, manufacturing, and technology. It had been organised by CAF alongside the International Economic Forum, bringing togeter thousands of delegates to enhance regional integration and economic growth.

CAF said that of the funds generated at the forum, US$2.6 million corresponded to deals closed during the event itself and that ‘this marked the first business matchmaking roundtable exclusively among countries of Latin America and the Caribbean’.

The forum which was held between January 29-30, brought together for the first time 149 buyers from 34 countries and nearly 270 exporters from 20 countries.

Private sector representatives from Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and Curaçao participated in the event alongside other participating markets such as the United States, Germany, Canada, Spain, Italy, Japan, South Korea, India, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Paraguay, Bolivia, among others.

‘The success of this business matchmaking forum demonstrates that Latin America and the Caribbean has a competitive export offering with the capacity to integrate into global markets. This space has become one of the region’s main platforms for business connection, generating new commercial opportunities and strengthening productive value chains,’ said CAF’s executive president, Sergio Díaz-Granados.

CAF said according to the consolidated results reported by buyers, it is projected that US$ 9.1 million in business deals will be concluded over the next three months; US$20.6 million within a three to six-month period; and an additional US$21.6 million thereafter.

‘These projections underscore the strong potential for commercial linkages generated during the event,’ CAF said, adding that the sectors that recorded the highest level of engagement were agri-food, manufacturing, fashion, and services, reflecting the diversity and sophistication of the region’s export offering.

Chinelle Henry produced a fine all-around performance but her Delhi Capitals Women came out on the losing end in the final of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) for the fourth successive year, this time going down to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Women by six wickets here on Thursday.

After being sent in to bat at the Kotambi Stadium, skipper Jemimah Rodrigues led the way with an impressive half century as Capitals posted a mammoth 203 for four in their 20 overs, the second highest score in a women’s T20 tournament final.

Rodrigues blasted 57 off 37 balls with eight fours, Laura Wolvaardt made 44 from 25 balls, Lizelle Lee added 37 off 30 balls, while Henry stroked an unbeaten 35 off just 15 balls with four fours and two sixes, batting at number five.

Needing to complete a record chase to claim their second title, RCB captain Smriti Mandhana bludgeoned 87 off 41 balls inclusive of 12 fours and three sixes, while Georgia Voll hit 79 off 54 balls with 14 boundaries, to carry their team to 204 for four with two balls to spare.

Henry was the pick of the Capitals’ bowlers, finishing with 2-34 from her four overs.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has called on countries to accelerate efforts to achieve cervical cancer 2030 elimination targets in the Americas, including the Caribbean, warning that, with only five years remaining, the current pace puts reaching the goals at risk, despite progress in vaccination.

PAHO is on Wednesday holding a virtual seminar coinciding with World Cancer Day being observed under the theme ‘United by Unique’.

PAHO said annually, more than 78,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the Americas, and more than 40,000 die from the disease.

It said that 83 per cent of these deaths occur in Latin America and the Caribbean, where mortality rates are three times higher than in North America. PAHO said these figures reflect deep inequalities in access to prevention, early detection, and timely treatment services.

Cervical cancer is one of more than 30 diseases and related conditions that PAHO aims to eliminate as part of its Disease Elimination Initiative.

It said to achieve this goal, countries must meet three targets by 2030: reach 90 per cent coverage of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among girls before age 15; screen 70 per cent of women with high-performance tests at ages 35 and 45; and ensure that 90 per cent of women with precancerous lesions or invasive cancer receive treatment.

‘Important progress is already being seen in the region,’ said PAHO Director, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa in a video message.

‘The HPV vaccine is available in 49 of the 51 countries and territories of the Americas, which has a programmatic coverage of 70 per cent for the first dose of the vaccine among women in the region. In addition, 24 countries and territories have adopted a single-dose schedule, which significantly increases coverage,’ he added.

PAHO said challenges still persist, particularly in the areas of screening and treatment. It said although 14 countries have introduced HPV testing as part of their screening programs, coverage remains low and data availability is still limited.

Significant gaps also exist in treatment, as only 18 countries report having radiotherapy services available.

PAHO warned that if current trends continue, deaths from cervical cancer in the Americas are projected to exceed 46,200 by 2030, underscoring the urgency of accelerating the implementation of cost-effective interventions that are already available.

Meanwhile, a study in Barbados has found that many patients have been diagnosed with advanced stages of cancer very late.

The national study found that too many people are being diagnosed only when the disease has already advanced, drastically reducing survival chances and pushing the health system to its limits.

According to the survey ‘nearly 1 000 Barbadians are diagnosed with cancer each year, with too many cases still being identified at a late stage, when treatment is more difficult and survival rates are lower.’

This latest data from the Barbados National Registry (BNR), which covers the years 2013 to 2022, also found that cancer rates in Barbados remain higher than the global average.

‘In 2022 alone, 983 new cancer cases were recorded, affecting approximately one in every 300 people on the island,’ the survey said with breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers continuing to be the most common and the deadliest.

The study found that prostate cancer accounts for nearly half of all cancers diagnosed among men, while breast cancer remains the leading cancer among women. Colorectal cancer affects both sexes and continues to be a major cause of illness and death.

BNR principal investigator, Dr Christina Howitt and Professor Simon Anderson, co-principal investigator, noted that although slightly more women are diagnosed with cancer overall, men experience higher cancer rates, largely driven by prostate cancer.

‘One of the most important messages from this report is that too many people are still being diagnosed late. When cancer is found early, treatment is more effective, survival is higher, and the impact on families and the health system is much lower. Early detection really does save lives.’

The investigators expressed concern that in 2022, more people were first diagnosed only after their cancer had already spread to other parts of the body – the highest level observed in nineyears.

According to them, this suggests that many patients are entering the health system later in the course of their illness, limiting treatment options and increasing pressure on health services.

‘Survival outcomes remain modest. Approximately two-thirds of patients survive the first year after diagnosis, while fewer than half are alive five years later,’ the report warned.

While lung cancer is relatively uncommon in Barbados, it remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths, reflecting how difficult it is to treat when diagnosed late.

The Barbados Cancer Society (BCS) has endorsed the findings of the study, with its president, Professor David Rosin, expressing grave concern about the increasing number of people who are presenting too late to be effectively treated.

The Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Wednesday said cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the Caribbean, surpassed only by cardiovascular disease.

In a statement marking World Cancer Day being observed under the theme ‘United by Unique,’ CARPHA said that cancer remains a major cause of mortality worldwide and in 2022, the Caribbean region recorded an estimated 119,000 new cancer cases and more than 66,000 cancer-related deaths.

It said driven by population ageing and increasing exposure to key risk factors, the cancer burden in Latin America and the Caribbean is projected to rise by 69 per cent by 2045, underscoring the urgency of sustained and coordinated action.

CARPHA said that several Caribbean countries rank among those with the highest cancer burdens globally for specific cancer sites. It said notably, nine of the 15 countries worldwide with the highest estimated age-standardised incidence rates (ASRs) for prostate cancer are in the Caribbean, including Guadeloupe, Martinique, Barbados, Puerto Rico, French Guiana, The Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica, with Guadeloupe recording the highest rate globally.