Category: CANA News

West Indies held their nerves to ensure they ended their three-match T20I series against South Africa on a winning note, with a thrilling six run win via the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern method here on Saturday.

In a match that was first reduced to 16 overs and then 10 because of lightning strikes, the West Indies’ top order came out firing on their way to posting 114 for three after being sent in to bat for the third successive time in the series.

South Africa seemed out of the contest before staging a late fightback, but eventually fell short of their revised total of 125, finishing on 118 for six.

The match was delayed by 75 minutes after lightning strikes were spotted by the pilot in the flyover just before the start of play, resulting in it being reduced to 16 overs.

West Indies suffered a setback early on when they lost Johnson Charles for a duck with just five runs on the board, but captain Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer powered them to 66 for one after six overs, before lightning forced the players off the field.

With only four more overs available after the restart, the Windies started slowly, scoring just six runs from Corbin Bosch’s seventh over.

Hetmyer and Hope then combined to hit Keshav Maharaj for three sixes off the first four balls in the ensuing over, until Shope attempted to hit the spinner’s next ball out of the ground and was caught at long off for 48 off 25 balls.

Rovman Powell clobbered Kwena Maphaka for two sixes in the penultimate over before falling for 13 off seven balls and Hetmyer brought the curtain down on the innings by hitting Bosch’s last ball over midwicket for six.

He ended unbeaten on 48 off 22 balls with six sixes and one four.

Set a revised target of 125 by the DLS, South Africa started brightly by thumping 19 runs off Jason Holder’s opening over of the innings.

Akeal Hosein struck by having skipper Aiden Markram caught and bowled for two, and when Gudakesh Motie snared the wickets of Quinton de Kock for 28, Ryan Rickelton for 15 and Dewald Brevis for 17, South Africa had slumped to 63 for four after six overs.

The home side looked down and out with the required run rate over 15, but George Linde and Jason Smith smashed 14 runs from Joseph’s next over and 21 runs from the eighth over bowled by Hosein to reduce the equation to 27 from 12 balls.

Holder dismissed Linde in the penultimate over that went for 11 runs. leaving South Africa needing 16 runs from the last over.

Joseph conceded a boundary with his third delivery, but rebounded to bowl Smith with the next ball, before ending the over in fine fashion by conceding just two more runs.

Player-of-the-Match Motie ended with 3-17 from his two overs.

The San Diego, California-based Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA), alongside over 300 labor unions, civil and human rights organizations, faith leaders, business voices, and community groups across the United States, on Friday sent a letter to President Donald Trump, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging the reversal of the administration’s decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for over 300,000 Haitian nationals living here.

The administration’s termination of TPS for Haitians takes effect on February 3, 2026.

HBA Executive Director Guerline Jozef told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that Trump seems to be pushing ahead with ending TPS for Haitians, ‘despite significant gang violence, a humanitarian crisis, and instability’ in the French-speaking Caribbean country.

‘The Trump administration’s decision comes as Haiti is experiencing record-level gang violence, mass displacement of more than one million people, and state collapse, conditions so severe that the US government itself has designated Haiti a Level 4 ‘Do Not Travel’ country,’ Jozef said.

‘To simultaneously acknowledge that Haiti is too dangerous for Americans while forcing hundreds of thousands of Haitians to return is not policy – it is hypocrisy weaponized as governance,’ she added.

In their letter to Trump, HBA and the groups write that ‘extending and redesignating TPS for Haitians is in the clear national interest of the United States, from a labor, business, and taxpayer perspective.

‘This is not an appeal to charity; it is an appeal to pragmatic self-interest, grounded in facts,’ says the letter, noting that, as of March 31, 2025, about 1.3 million people had TPS in the United States.

The letter says recent analyses estimate that about 570,000 TPS holders are active in the US labor force, including roughly 95,000 in leisure and hospitality, 90,000 in construction, 85,000 in business services, 80,000 in wholesale/retail, and 70,000 in manufacturing.

Moreover, the letter says hospitals have ranked in the top five employment industries for Haitian TPS holders in particular.

‘These workers are overwhelmingly employed,’ says the letter, pointing to one study that found that 94.6 percent of TPS holders were working in 2021, contributing billions in federal, state, and local taxes and roughly US$8 billion in spending power in that year alone.

It says that, according to official records, roughly 330,000-353,000 Haitians currently benefit from TPS.

‘Removing their work authorization will not magically create other workers to replace them-instead, it will disrupt US employers who rely on this legal, vetted workforce; worsen labor shortages in construction, service, and care industries in key states; (and) harm co-workers of former TPS holders, including US-born co-workers, who will variously face job loss, forced overtime, and other negative impacts due to supply chain disruptions,’ warns the letter to Trump.

It also warns that terminating TPS for Haitians will reduce tax revenue and consumer demand in local economies; and force workers into the shadow economy, where they will be at risk of exploitation.

From a security standpoint, the letter says it is safer and cheaper to allow Haitian TPS holders working legally inside the United States than to fuel a new wave of instability and irregular migration in the Caribbean basin.

‘Extending TPS for Haitians is fully consistent with the TPS statute and more supportive of US interests than triggering a new wave of instability and potential irregular migration in the region would have on the United States,’ the letter says.

‘For these reasons, we respectfully urge your administration to rescind the termination and redesignate Haiti for TPS, or, at minimum, extend Haiti’s TPS designation beyond February 3, 2026; and instruct DHS to review the economic, security, and regional-stability impacts of Haitian TPS including impacts on US workers and labor markets, enforcement costs, and Caribbean security,’ it adds.

‘By extending TPS for Haiti, the United States protects its own economy, security, and regional interests while maintaining stability in our own neighborhood,’ the letter continues.

Jozef said that Haitian TPS holders are, among others, nurses, construction workers, caregivers, hotel workers, and manufacturers.

‘They keep hospitals open, rebuild cities after disasters, care for our elders, and pay billions in taxes,’ she said. ‘To strip them of status is to deliberately harm US workers, sabotage the economy, and push families into fear and precarity.

‘Large-scale deportations and maritime interdictions cost taxpayers billions, drain DHS resources, and fuel instability across the Caribbean,’ Jozef added. ‘TPS holders are already vetted, documented, and self-supporting. Ending TPS will force the federal government to spend more money to make the country less safe – while empowering gangs and human traffickers abroad.’

The Trump administration has approved the presidential permit required for the construction of a submarine power cable connecting Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, marking a major step forward for one of the most ambitious energy projects in the Caribbean.

Although the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has not yet issued a formal notification, the Caribbean Transmission Development Company (CTDC) confirmed it has already received ‘no objection’ clearances from the U.S. Departments of State and Defense.

A public announcement is expected in mid-February.

According to CTDC president Rafael Vélez Domínguez, the official announcement is scheduled for February 17 in the Dominican Republic and is expected to be attended by Dominican President Luis Abinader, Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González, and representatives of the U.S. government.

While the DOE website still lists the permit application as ‘pending,’ Vélez Domínguez said the company is preparing to move forward once the federal process is formally completed, including issuing purchase orders for the submarine cable.

The project would allow the transmission of up to 700 megawatts of electricity in both directions, strengthening energy security in both territories.

In the Dominican Republic, the cable would connect to a new natural gas power plant developed exclusively for the project, while in Puerto Rico it would link to the electrical grid through the Mayagez substation. CTDC must still finalize power purchase agreements with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), secure fuel supply contracts, obtain environmental and regulatory approvals in both jurisdictions, and raise an estimated US$2.5 billion in financing.

CTDC aims to energize the cable by January 2031. Initially, the project is expected to supply part of Puerto Rico’s energy demand, but in the long term it could also facilitate the export of surplus solar energy from Puerto Rico to the Dominican Republic. If completed, the initiative would become the first electrical interconnection in the Caribbean, joining more than 160 similar cross-border power links already operating between the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

West Indies defeated South Africa by six runs via the Duckworth/Lewis /Stern method in the third and final T20I here at Wanderers Stadium on Saturday.

WEST INDIES 114-3 in 10 overs (Shimron Hetmyer 48 not out, Shai Hope 48, Rovman Powell 13).

SOUTH AFRICA 118-6 in 10 overs (Quinton de Kock 28, Jason Smith 26, George Linde 17, Dewald Brevis 17, Ryan Rickelton 15, Tristan Stubbs 10 not out; Gudakesh Motie 3-17).

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has issued a stern warning to gangs and recently released detainees, saying law-abiding citizens are fed up with criminal activity.

The Prime Minister took to social media and made the following statement :

‘I want the gangs and those detainees released from prison to know that decent law-abiding citizens are fed up of your criminality and I will have no hesitation in enacting another SOE if you cannot behave yourselves.

You will be returned straight to prison and this time, your friends and family who aid your criminality will accompany you. If criminals want to terrorize law-abiding citizens and their families, I will do everything legally possible to terrorize criminals and their families.

It’s time to tip the scales in this country toward law-abiding citizens. I will use every means within the law to make criminals and their friends and families’ lives an absolute hell.

Your UNC government and the security services are prepared for the end of the SOE.

I never cared about the tired, outdated woke, race baiting, and bigoted propaganda and I still don’t. If anyone wants to mash up the place and burn down the country, go ahead, that’s your democratic choice.

However, anyone wanting to do this should understand by now that I am willing to do what it takes to keep decent, law-abiding citizens safe, so be certain that I will meet you head-on.

Those who commit brutality against law-abiding citizens will be met with brutality from me that’s a promise.

It’s a reality that the combination of American assistance to secure our borders, the competent leadership of COP Allister Guevarro, and the incarceration of the persons detained under the SOE using PDO’s, all contributed to 257 less murders in 2025 compared to 2024.

She added that main oppositionPeople’s National Movement (PNM) and the local drug mafia financiers erroneously believe that the higher the number of citizens who are murdered, raped, robbed, and terrorized, the higher would their chances be of getting back into government.

‘They appear very angry that 257 citizens are alive today, who would have been murdered if the 2024 homicide trend had continued.’

‘The local drug mafia financiers’ money laundering business fronts cannot survive without their PNM stooges manipulating economic, national security, and financial policies and institutions,’ the Prime Minister said.

‘ The PNM government of the last ten years operated as a narco government and enabled the murder, rape, and terrorizing of our citizens because PNM policies were crafted in paedophile lodges, restaurant backrooms, and yachts down the islands to benefit the local drug mafia financiers,’ then prime Minister said.

She assured Trinidadians that the UNC government is committed to ‘brutally destroying the local drug mafia and the violent gangs that they finance. The narco influence in government affairs and policy ended with the removal of the PNM on April 28th 2025.’

A medical doctor who is accused of being the mastermind behind the scheme that allegedly defrauded several financial institutions of more than J$600 million, was Friday remanded when she appeared before the St. Catherine Parish Court. Chloe Douett, 30, is facing charges of uttering forged documents, demanding property on forged documents, conspiracy to defraud, and failure to safely store a firearm.

Douett, who also goes by the name Peta-Gay Coke, was ordered to return to court on March 13 for a bail hearing.

According to allegations , between September and October 2025, Douett went to a bank in the western city of Montego Bay, seeking a loan of $79 million.

It is further alleged that she presented identification, a land valuation report, a job letter, and a statement of account from a financial institution in the name of Peta-Gay Coke>

The police say she returned to the bank on January 13 to complete the loan application, at which time she

was accosted by security personnel and later handed over to the police.

It is further reported that when she was accosted at the bank, Douett had a folder in her possession containing several

identification cards in the names of Chloe Douett and Peta-Gay Coke.

The medical doctor was among three persons arrested and charged two weeks ago by the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) in relation to the alleged fraud scheme against several financial institutions.

It’s alleged that five financial institutions were fleeced of more than $600 million through a series of fraudulent transactions.

MOCA , along with the Financial Investigations Division, carried out coordinated investigations into what was described as a highly sophisticated fraud operation, allegedly conducted over an extended period and involving the use of forged and fraudulently obtained documents.

The Cayman Islands Government has sent US$1 million to Jamaica to help the island recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

This was part of the US$1.2 million pledge made in October last year in the wake of the hurricane. The money will be used for a community voucher programme, education recovery and agricultural restoration.

On October 30, in the immediate aftermath of the storm, the government sent a shipment of emergency relief supplies valued at nearly US$200,000, which was delivered by a delegation led by Premier André Ebanks.

Officials explained that the voucher programme, which accounts for US$333,000 of the funds sent, enables residents in need to purchase building materials for home repairs while also stimulating economic activity in affected communities.

The same amount will go to the education sector to help rebuild schools and procure essential educational supplies, such as textbooks, chalkboards and tools, and US$334,000 will go toward the agricultural restoration programme to support farmers in recovering lost crops and livestock, enabling them to resume operations and restore economic stability in the west.

Ebanks said disbursing the remainder of the pledged funds underscores Cayman’s enduring partnership with Jamaica’s government and people.

‘The Cayman Islands continues to stand firmly with Jamaica during this critical period of recovery. Our contribution reflects our shared Caribbean bonds and our belief in Jamaica’s resilience. As recovery continues, we remain committed to offering meaningful support that helps communities recover, livelihoods restart, and families look to the future with renewed hope,’ he said.

‘We recall the profound impact Hurricane Ivan had on our ownIslands, and we remain grateful for the compassion Jamaica extended to usduring that difficult time,’ he added.

Ebanks noted the shared history of Cayman and Jamaica and their mutual responsibility to one another as neighbours. The CIG reiterated its commitment to support regional neighbours in times of need through ongoing efforts to promote resilience, recovery and long-term stability.

Scoreboard of the third T20I between South Africa and West Indies here at Wanderers Stadium on Saturday.

WEST INDIES

*+Shai Hope c Bosch b Maharaj 48

Johnson Charles c Smith b Nigidi 0

Shimron Hetmyer not out 48

Rovman Powell c Brevis b Maphaka 13

Romario Shepherd not out 3

Extras (lb2) 2

TOTAL (three wickets; 10 overs) 114

Did not bat: Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, Akeal Hosein.

Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-91, 3-104.

Bowling: Ngidi 2-0-19-1, Linde 2-0-9-0, Maharaj 2-0-38-1, Markram 1-0-18-0, Bosch 2-0-16-0, Maphaka 1-0-12-1.

SOUTH AFRICA

*Aiden Markram c and b Hosein 2

Quinton de Kock c Powell b Motie 28

Dewald Brevis c Holder b Motie 17

Ryan Rickelton c Holder b Motie 15

George Linde c Chase b Holder 17

Jason Smith b Joseph 26

Tristan Stubbs not out 10

Corbin Bosch not out 2

Extras (nb1) 1

TOTAL (six wickets; 10 overs) 118

Did not bat: Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi.

Fall of wickets: 1-23, 2-34, 3-62, 4-63, 5-100, 6-116.

Bowling: Holder 2-0-30-1, Hosein 2-0-25-1, Chase 2-0-23-0, Motie 2-0-17-3, Joseph 2-0-23-1.

Toss: South Africa elected to field.

Player-of-the-Match: Gudakesh Motie.

Result: West Indies won by six runs via the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern method.

Umpires: Arno Jacobs, Bongani Jele.

TV Umpire: Stephen Harris.

Reserve Umpire: Lauren Agenbag.

Match Referee: Shaid Wadvalla.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has issued a stern warning to gangs and recently released detainees, saying law-abiding citizens are fed up with criminal activity.

The Prime Minister took to social media and made the following statement :

‘I want the gangs and those detainees released from prison to know that decent law-abiding citizens are fed up of your criminality and I will have no hesitation in enacting another SOE if you cannot behave yourselves.

The World Bank Group, has officially opened its new, energy-efficient offices here, which will serve as the hub for its Caribbean operations.

The building brings the Bank’s Caribbean team together in one physical space, which will strengthen the institution’s presence and support in Jamaica and the wider region.

In 2021, the World Bank moved its Caribbean operations from Washington DC to the island as part of a strategic shift to decentralise functions to the field offices.

Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Efficiency, Innovation and Digital Transformation, Ambassador Audrey Marks commended the move by the Bank.

‘Today’s opening of the World Bank’s Belmont office is not only the launch of a new workplace. It is a visible statement of long-term partnership, trust and shared ambition between Jamaica and the World Bank,’ she said.

Marks said the World Bank has been a key development partner, noting the impact of the institution’s support in building the foundations of a modern, digital economy and strong institutions with capable systems, and a workforce prepared for the future.

‘For decades, the World Bank has walked alongside Jamaica at pivotal moments in our developing journey. From strengthening economic resilience, supporting institutional reform and social investment, this partnership has consistently been anchored in a shared belief that sustainable development must be inclusive, forward-looking and people-centered, and in many ways, this building exemplifies that belief,’ she said.

The World Bank supports Jamaica’s development through a 2024-2027 framework focusing on human capital, economic growth, and resilience. Key activities include financing education, healthcare, and social protection. The Bank also invests in disaster risk reduction, private sector modernisation, and climate resilience projects.

Country Director for Caribbean Countries, World Bank, Lilia Burunciuc, in her remarks, said that the new building reflects the Bank’s focus on sustainability.

‘We are very proud of this. Our mission is a world free of poverty on a liveable planet. So, the liveable planet is an important part of it, and we would like to implement what we preach, which is energy efficiency, environmental consciousness, and sustainability, which is what this office is about.

‘It’s not only a new, beautiful building that actually increases our productivity, but it also an Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE)-certified building. EDGE certification is an advanced certification, which is actually a global standard for measuring energy, for measuring weather and the overall efficiency of the building,’ she pointed out. The EDGE certification, which is an International Finance Corporation (IFC)-created green building certification system, will enable the office to consume 65 per cent lower energy, 42 per cent lower weather use and 25 per cent lower inverted energy.

Burunciuc, who assumed office in Jamaica on July 1, 2021, said when she arrived in the island, ‘it was the first time that a director for the region was being sent to the region’.

‘The previous director was sitting in Washington,’ she pointed out.

Burunciuc said that the Jamaica office at the time was small, with persons having to share space.

‘Finally, we have a new [building] where everybody has an office. We had to share, sometimes two, sometimes three people in the previous office, so we’re very happy to be here today,’ she said.