Category: CANA News

Energy Minister Stuart Young has received the full backing of his People’s National Movement (PNM) colleagues in the House of Representatives to take over as Prime Minister when Dr. Keith Rowley steps down.

The announcement was made by PNM General Secretary Foster Cummings on Saturday evening, following the monthly meeting of the party’s general council.

Earlier in the week, Young had received the support of 11 MPs, while nine voted in favour of Planning and Development Minister Pennelope Beckles-Robinson. Cummings told reporters that PNM MPs were united in supporting Young, stressing that no motion was put on the floor dealing with the matter, and members raised issues as is the norm at general council meetings.

‘At of the time of this press conference, all 21 members of the House of Representatives of the PNM have signed on to agree and approve Minister Stuart Young to take over the Office of Prime Minister upon the retirement of Prime Minister Rowley,’ he said.

‘Every Member of Parliament is united behind Minister Young in this new responsibility that he is to take on. Our party executive and party members are excited about the prospects of the future.’

Cummings insisted that the PNM remains united, strong and ready to serve the country.

Young, who attended the press conference with Cummings, also delivered a message of ‘unity and unification’.

‘I have been in very good dialogue, in particular with my colleagues – Minister Cummings and many of my other colleagues,’ said the prime minister-in-waiting, who is also the PNM chairman.

‘This evening, at Balisier House, the general secretary and myself.are pleased to tell Trinidad and Tobago what you are going to be seeing is the roll-out of Team PNM. You’re going to be seeing Team PNM going to the population as a unified party, a strengthened party, a party that has a lot to offer the population,’ he added.

Young said he looked forward to working with his colleagues in that regard.

A week ago, Rowley announced that he would be stepping down as prime minister before the end of his government’s parliamentary term and would not be offering himself as a candidate in the next general elections, due later this year.

The Bermuda government has defended a programme that allows a small number of children in the care of the Director of the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) with severe and complex mental health, psychiatric, behavioral, and educational needs to be sent overseas for treatment.

‘These are not routine cases. They involve levels of risk and complexity that require specialised intervention that cannot be provided locally, to protect the child and, in some cases, others,’ the government said in a statement.

Youth, Social Development and Seniors Minister, Tinee S. Furbert, said when the Director has care of a child, the government has a duty to act and that the decisions are carefully made, based on professional assessment, with the child’s safety, well-being, and dignity being paramount.

‘Overseas therapeutic services are used only when a child’s needs cannot be met here at home, and when delaying care would place that child or others at risk.,’ Furbert added.

The statement said that the government’s position is clear and that ‘children should be supported as close to home as possible, with family, cultural connection, and community support.

‘Overseas therapeutic services are not a first option and are used only when professional assessment confirms that the level of care required is not available locally.’

It said that under the Children Act 1998, when a child is in the care of the Director, the government has a legal duty to protect that child and to ensure their health, safety, and well-being.

The statement notes that Bermuda is a small jurisdiction and that while there are committed professionals across health, education, and social services, there are limits to the highly specialised, intensive services that can be provided at all times.

The rarity and intensity of these cases mean that the required level of specialised care cannot always be sustained locally,’ the statement said, noting that in 2025, there was an increase in the number of children requiring overseas therapeutic support, with many requiring longer periods of care due to the severity of their circumstances. The statement did not provide any figures.

‘As diagnostic tools improve and earlier intervention becomes more common, more children with complex needs are being identified,’ it said, reiterating that when overseas care is required, children are referred only to licensed and accredited facilities that have been rigorously vetted.

‘DCFS works with a limited number of approved overseas providers, each selected for specific clinical, behavioral and therapeutic expertise. These facilities are subject to ongoing monitoring and review. Placements are also subject to regular progress monitoring and planning for eventual reintegration into the local community.’

The statement said that the overseas therapeutic programme within DCFS has been in place for more than 20 years ‘and exists because some children’s needs cannot be met safely within Bermuda despite best efforts across services. As clinical understanding improves, more children with complex needs are being identified earlier’.

The Bermuda government said that strengthening local capacity remains a priority, with the long-term aim of reducing the need for overseas placements wherever possible.

But it acknowledged that ‘when local options cannot safely meet a child’s needs, the Government must act.

‘The safety, dignity, and future of Bermuda’s children remain paramount,’ it added.

United States Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, says the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country needs to have in place an opposition leader based on the results of the September 1 general and regional elections that resulted in the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) being returned to office.

The newly formed We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) headed by Azruddin Mohamed, emerged as the second party in the new parliament with the most seats, overtaking the position that had been occupied by the coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). Over the weekend, President Irfaan Ali described as ‘absolutely ridiculous’ suggestions in some quarters that his government has not been calling sittings of the National Assembly to avoid the election of Mohamed as the main opposition leader.

‘Absolutely ridiculous! The opposition can elect whoever they want as Opposition Leader so it’s absolutely ridiculous. That’s their business. We have no business in the opposition electing whoever they want as Leader of the Opposition,’ he told reporters.

Following the September 1, 2025 general and regional elections, the National Assembly was called only once – November 3, 2025, and the Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, has so far not called the constitutionally required meeting of the 29 opposition parliamentarians to elect, most likely, Mohamed as Opposition Leader.

‘I think it’s incredibly important that you have a functioning parliament in any democracy and in order to have that, you do need a Leader of the Opposition. It just makes things work properly,’ Theriot told reporters following an event at Banks DIH on Sunday.

The US diplomat said steps should be taken to have the opposition leader in place at the earliest opportunity, adding ‘I do think it’s very important for Guyana, as soon as possible, to elect a Leader of the Opposition’.

Mohamed, along with his billionaire businessman father, Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed, are challenging their extradition to the United State where on October 30, 2025, Washington had requested the extradition of the 76 year-old businessman and his 38-year -old son after they were accused of multiple charges including wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, conspiracy, aiding and abetting, and customs-related violations connected to an alleged US$50 million gold export and tax evasion scheme.

Their extradition committal hearing is slated to resume on February 5, 2026.

Theriot was quick to reiterate that the US would be unable to engage Mohamed politically on certain matters.

‘Like I’ve said before, it complicates matters. It’s not the easiest thing in the world to deal with but what’s most important is that your democracy functions and I think in order for Parliament to do that and to represent the will of the people, who elected this person or who chose this person to have a significant number of seats or chose his party, that they need to move forward with the election.

‘It doesn’t impact on us legally but if he is involved in certain aspects of government that we have to deal with; if it involves anything financial or contractual then that might be a slight problem for us and we would just have to ask that someone else work on that issue so for us we can work around it,’ she said.

The US diplomat also noted that the European Union, Canada, and the United Kingdom have all called for the election of the opposition leader.

‘I don’t think we can be more clear than that when we say it publicly. It certainly gets to the right ears,’ she said when asked whether the diplomatic community has sought to persuade Guyanese authorities that the post of opposition leader should filled.

Brandon King will captain a significantly weakened West Indies squad which will play Afghanistan in three T20Is beginning next Monday.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced a 16-member squad on Monday that does not include several of its key players, including white-ball captain Shai Hope, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Rovman Powell or Romario Shepherd, for the tour of the United Arab Emirates which runs from January 19 to 22.

While West Indians will be pleased to see the return of pacer Shamar Joseph from injury, questions will be asked about the non-inclusion of fellow fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, who has been out of action since last September due to injury.

‘Alzarri Joseph, who was also sidelined by injury towards the end of 2025, had been making encouraging progress in his return-to-play programme but has not been included at this stage as a precaution following medical review,’ CWI said in announcing the team.

Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre says he is under no illusion that the road ahead will be challenging for St. Lucia as the island became the fourth Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country to reach an agreement with the United States to facilitate third country refugees so as to mitigate scenarios where Washington cannot return these individuals to their state of birth or origin.

In a nationwide radio and television broadcast on Sunday night, Pierre said that St. Lucia joins Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and Saint Kitts and Nevis that have already reached an agreement with Washington on the issue. ‘I am under no illusion that the road ahead will be challenging. Global uncertainty, climate threats, and economic pressures remain real,’ Pierre said in his broadcast , adding that recent developments in the wider hemisphere have underscored that reality.

He said events in Venezuela, which the United states invaded earlier this year and deposed its leader, Nicolas Maduro, ‘have reverberated across the Caribbean, disrupting air travel, affecting trade and tourism, and creating unsettling concerns for small open economies like ours’.

Pierre said that in response to these recent geopolitical events, St. Lucia has reaffirmed its commitment to peace, and the principles of international law that protect all nations, large and small.

‘St. Lucia, as a member of CARICOM, stands committed to the principles of CARICOM. We believe that stability is best secured through dialogue, diplomacy, and respect for established international norms. We will continue to work with our regional partners to safeguard the Caribbean as a zone of peace.

‘St. Lucia’s foreign policy remains rooted in diplomacy, co-operation and mutually beneficial shared interests.’

He said in this regard, Cabinet has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the St. Lucia and United States governments ‘to accept the potential transfer of certain third-country nationals present in the United States.

‘This agreement is non-binding and is at the complete discretion of both governments. This MOU establishes a framework for co-operation and does not trigger any immediate transfer and future engagements. This MOU is orderly, transparent and consistent with the laws, policies and national interest of St. Lucia.

‘Let me make it clear that no agreement has been signed and no details are available. As I have always done on matters of national interest, I will provide all relevant and applicable information to the citizens of St. Lucia.

‘I expect that there will be those who are supportive and those who are against providing such support to the United States, but I ask that you rest assured that I will always put you first and act in the best interest of the people of our beloved country, no matter how difficult the decisions may be.’

According to the ‘Fact Sheet’ issued by the government on Sunday night, ‘The MOU does not override St. Lucia’s laws, does not affect immigration or visa policy, and does not require Saint Lucia to accept or receive anyone. All authority and final decision-making remain entirely with the Government of St. Lucia.’

It notes that the MOU is not linked in any way to United States visa policy and that the island has not given up control of its borders or laws.

‘St. Lucia retains full sovereignty, control of its borders, and authority under its Constitution and immigration laws,’ it said, adding that St. Lucia agreed to enter into the MOU ‘to keep open diplomatic dialogue, protect national interests, and ensure that any future discussions, if they occur, happen on St. Lucia’s terms, transparently and responsibly’.

On this issue of changes in the visa requirements for St. Lucians entering the United States, Prime Minister Pierre said that he wanted to assure all citizens that ‘as of today, there has been no information given to the gGovernment of Saint Lucia regarding any changes in the United States’ visa policy for St. Lucians wishing to travel to the United States’.

Pierre told the nation that his government, which was returned to office with an overwhelming majority in the general elections in December last year, has always viewed general elections as not about just victory or defeat.

‘They are about the direction a people choose. Your overwhelming choice reaffirmed a shared belief in fairness, inclusion, stability, and progress. The choice reaffirmed our collective resolve to move forward together with love and compassion. You rejected bitterness, divisiveness, hatred and anger.

‘As we begin 2026, it is appropriate to reflect on how far we have come and to look honestly and confidently at the road ahead,’ he said, reminding St. Lucians ‘we have faced unprecedented economic uncertainty, rising global prices, and deep social strain.

‘Yet, together, we chose resilience over despair, unity over division, and people-centred governance over indifference,’ he said, adding ‘our future prosperity cannot be secured by government alone, but the destructive behaviour of a critical mass can bring about harm to all of us.

‘I plead for the responsible use of social media. Social media should not be used as a tool for misinformation, for slander and for denigration of citizens, private or public. While misinformation may appear to hurt political opponents, in the final analysis, it is the country that suffers.

‘This year, let us recommit to unity, respect, and shared responsibility. Let us reject cynicism and embrace opportunities. Let us care for the most vulnerable, by empowering them, and create opportunities for future generations,’ Pierre added.

Sherfane Rutherford’s second consecutive Player-of-the-Match performance helped to seal the Pretoria Capitals’ comfortable 53-run victory over MI Cape Town and send them top of the SA20 here on Monday.

Rutherford bludgeoned 53 off 27 balls in a boundary-laden knock that contained five sixes and three fours, as the Capitals ended on 185 for six in their 20 overs at SuperSport Park. The West Indian shared a 69-run partnership in just under six overs with Dewald Brevis, who made 34 off 19 balls, and together with Andre Russell, who made 11 not out, they added 27 runs off the last nine balls before Rutherford was dismissed off the final ball of the innings.

Despite an unbeaten half century by Reeza Hendricks, Cape Town could only muster 132 for seven in their allotted overs.

Hendricks finished on 68 not out off 50 balls and was the lone bright spark in an otherwise lacklustre batting display by Cape Town.

Gideon Peters was the Capitals’ best bowler with 3-32 from his four overs.

In an effort to assemble their best possible team for next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Cricket West Indies (CWI) have reached out to Nicholas Pooran to find out whether he is interested in making a comeback.

However, according to Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, it does not appear as though the 29-year-old T20 star is contemplating coming out of retirement to take part in the global showpiece.

Pooran shocked the world when he announced his retirement from international cricket last June and has since been plying his trade in the various T20 franchises across the globe.

With CWI set to name their World Cup squad following the completion of their upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan later this month, Bascombe revealed that moves had been made to contact Pooran. He said those efforts had been unsuccessful to date.

‘What I can say is that we have made every effort to ensure that we can have the best players represent the West Indies.

‘I could definitely say that we have probed. Pooran was quite aware that the World Cup was upcoming and his decision to retire would have been with that knowledge,’ Bascombe said while speaking on WESN TV on Saturday.

‘So, we probed and we saw that he mentioned not too long ago that he was quite happy to stick to his decision, so I could say that we probed.’

When asked if CWI had enquired whether West Indies legends Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard or Andre Russell were interested in being part of the team’s management unit for the World Cup, Bascombe said they had.

He revealed that a packed schedule was one of the reasons they had been given for not being able to make such a commitment.

‘We have put out feelers. We’ve asked questions about availability, etcetera, but as you can understand the World Cup pretty much flows into the IPL [Indian Premier League], so anyone who would come on board as part of our team management would pretty much have to sacrifice a lot of time away.

‘We’ve probed and some of the feedback we’ve gotten is that it would mean that they would have to spend an extended time away.and if they go to the World Cup, it would mean that they would have to spend quite a lot of time away from home because they will be at the World Cup and then going to the IPL,’ Bascombe explained.

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary General, Dr. Carla Barnett, Monday said that the pursuit of strong public financial management is critical to the sustainable development of small developing states, like Belize, which face a unique set of challenges.

‘Vulnerability to external shocks – such as the global economic and trade instability that we are all now experiencing – is compounded by increased risks of weather events associated with climate change,’ Barnett said, as she ddressed the certification ceremony to recognise the achievements of the first cohort of public officers who have participated in the Strengthening Public Expenditure Management (SPEM) project. ‘As economies with narrow economic bases, dependence on global markets where we are price takers, and limited fiscal space, there is intense pressure on public resources and therefore, every public dollar matters.

‘How we plan, allocate, spend, monitor, and account for public funds is not merely a technical exercise, it is a decisive factor in our ability to deliver development outcomes, maintain public trust, and cooperate effectively across borders,’ she told the attendees of the SPEM project, an initiative of the Belize government, the University of Belize and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

The project is financed by an eight million US dollar loan from the IDB and is implemented by the Ministry of Economic Transformation and the Ministry of Finance, with the primary goal being to enhance the systems and practices used to manage public funds, which includes accounting, budgeting, procurement, and internal audit processes.

Barnett said that strong public financial management is a foundation pillar of good governance, saying it ensures that public resources are aligned with priorities, used efficiently and effectively, and safeguarded against waste and misuse.

‘Without sound public financial management systems, even the most ambitious and well-prepared development strategies are at risk of unfulfilled aspirations. A sound public financial management system is critical to ensuring that limited financial resources can be transformed into lasting investments in people, in social and economic infrastructure, and resilient long-term sustainable development.’

The Belize-born CARICOM Secretary General said that for small developing states, sustainability and resilience are two sides of the same coin.

‘Extreme weather events, global economic downturns, and sudden disruptions can quickly overwhelm our fragile economic systems. Effective financial management allows governments to build fiscal buffers, mobilise domestic financing more effectively, and channel emergency funding where it is needed most, and to do so quickly and with transparency and accountability.’

She said the ceremony is, therefore, more than just a formal recognition of hard work, adding that it underscores a strong commitment to prudent public financial management.

‘Investment in the skills and capabilities of public officers is an affirmation that prudent fiscal discipline and effective public financial management are not simply about balancing budgets.

‘It is about ensuring that every dollar spent translates into robust health and education systems, improved infrastructure, vibrant communities, strong families, safe societies and meaningful opportunities for everyone.’

Barnett said that in today’s interconnected world, the vision for development by definition, extends beyond national borders.

‘As members of a wider community – within CARICOM, the Americas, and other regional and international frameworks – we recognise that a nation’s prosperity is linked to the prosperity of its neighbours.’

She said that Belize is a strong partner in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), which supports harmonisation of standards, sharing of best practices, and pooling of resources for greater impact.

She said that strong public financial management, enabled by transparent reporting systems, empowers Belize to participate more effectively in regional trade, to attract investment, and collaborate on cross-border projects.

Barnett said that this, in turn, drives collective growth and resilience, and allows citizens to engage confidently with partners across the region.

She said strengthening public financial management is also not a one-time or sporadic activity. It is a continuous process that requires policy direction, institutional capacity, and committed public service workers.

‘This means embracing innovation in use and improvement of digital financial systems, strengthened data analytics, and modern auditing techniques, while remaining grounded in core principles of continuous learning, accountability and inclusiveness.’

Barnett said that this effort to strengthen economic governance aligns with the United Nations Financing for Development (FfD) agenda, particularly the goal of domestic resource mobilisation.

‘The Financing for Development framework reminds us that sustainable development cannot rely solely on external aid or borrowing. It requires countries to strengthen their own capacity to generate, manage, and channel domestic resources toward national priorities.

‘Embedding fiscal discipline and building human capacity, directly contributes to this global goal, ensuring that Belize can increasingly finance its own development, reduce vulnerability, and chart a path of resilience and self-reliance.’

She told those graduating from the SPEM project they carry the responsibility of using the skills they have learned to contribute practically to strengthened fiscal management, to improve service delivery, and thereby secure long-term development outcomes.

‘These are not abstract ideals; they are the very pillars on which trust in government is built, and the mechanisms through which citizens experience the tangible benefits of development.’

Brandon King will captain a significantly weakened West Indies squad which will play Afghanistan in three T20Is beginning next Monday.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced a 16-member squad on Monday that does not include several of its key players, including white-ball captain Shai Hope, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Rovman Powell or Romario Shepherd, for the tour of the United Arab Emirates which runs from January 19 to 22.

While West Indians will be pleased to see the return of pacer Shamar Joseph from injury, questions will be asked about the non-inclusion of fellow fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, who has been out of action since last September due to injury.

‘Alzarri Joseph, who was also sidelined by injury towards the end of 2025, had been making encouraging progress in his return-to-play programme but has not been included at this stage as a precaution following medical review,’ CWI said in announcing the team.

Dominica is urging small island developing states (SIDS) not to pursue geothermal energy development unless they have strong partners to help cover costs and provide technical expertise.

‘I’m excited, but I’m also very nervous because I’m tempted to tell my colleagues from the small island developing states, ‘Don’t do this; it’s too expensive’,’ Energy Minister, Dr. Vince Henderson told a ministerial roundtable as part of the 16th Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which ends here on Monday.

‘But the good news is it can work. We can get it done, but it will require the support of all of us around the table, and I can see some partners here who’ve helped us along the way,’ Henderson told the discussion, dubbed ‘Geothermal Heat and Power – Building a Resilient Energy Backbone’. After nearly 20 years of investment, including research, Dominica is preparing to begin commercial operations at a 10-megawatt geothermal power plant in the Roseau Valley in March this year.

‘So, the lessons learned are: strong partnerships are important. We need partners,’ Henderson said, adding that Dominica would not have started geothermal energy development without the support of the European Union.

Henderson, who also has ministerial responsibilities for foreign affairs, international business and trade, said that, through a grant from the European Union, Dominica partnered with the neighbouring French territories of Guadeloupe and Martinique to conduct the first test drilling in 2011.

Later, other partners, including the United Kingdom, Iceland, the World Bank, and New Zealand, provided technical assistance, with support from the Clinton Global Initiative.

‘We were able to work together, and it was just a consortium of partners that were able to assist us to reduce the cost,’ Henderson said.

‘And it’s not just bringing the money, but bringing the support, the advocacy, getting the right people around the room. And secondly, and I’m saying this for the benefit of especially the smaller states that are seeking to pursue geothermal energy, the right teams, local as well as foreign advisers, as transactional supporters.’

Henderson said legislation was one of the biggest challenges that Dominica faced.

‘. even in our case, where we did not have the legislation, we’re able to work our way into the legislation, even while we were pursuing the geothermal development,’ Henderson said, adding, ‘all of that was helpful because of the partnership we had with the World Bank, especially, and to some extent, the Caribbean Development Bank. But more in particular, the World Bank.’

Henderson noted that IRENA has taken a very active role in promoting the development of geothermal energy.

‘But the key thing is we really need to help member states to de-risk. We need grants, contingent grants, full grants, special facilities to determine the resource,’ he said.

‘The truth is, when you start looking at drilling two wells, it really doesn’t make much economic sense. I think it is where we really need the partnership.

‘In our case, small systems, small island states, we need that type of partnership. We also need, on the technical side, to be prepared for what is required.’

The Dominica Energy Minister noted the importance of investment in the transmission networks.

‘Most of our systems cannot carry geothermal energy, and usually, the resource is found in some very difficult, remote area. So, we have to first build access to that place, then we have to build the transmission to get the power out of that place. So that is something that we also need to consider.’

He said that, even with good partners, guaranteeing the project was a challenge.

‘How do you guarantee a geothermal project? And that is where we found ourselves, really under tremendous pressure. How do you guarantee, and for a small island state like ours, through a public-private partnership, we still had to provide guarantees?’

Henderson also noted the climatic challenges to the construction of a geothermal project in a country like Dominica, even as renewable energy helps to reduce the hydrocarbons that contribute to climate extremes that affect SIDS.

‘. we are susceptible to hurricanes every year and you must have natural force majeure and provide for them and guarantee that will ensure that this can work,’ Henderson said.

‘And finally, on the utility side, small utilities without international credit ratings, how do they secure a power purchase agreement from an international developer who wishes to sell that power? So, there are a number of technical challenges that we need to overcome.’

Henderson said that the most important thing is having the right type of partnerships.

‘And of course, leadership is really critical, because we’ve been at this, and I personally have been at this for the last 20 years, and I must say, as soon as the lights are turned on, I’m done. I’m going to move on to something else in my life, because it’s been 20 years of my life that have been devoted to this.’

He said the government was hoping to commission the plant sooner but encountered weather-related construction delays.

Henderson said that Dominicans were initially opposed to the project.

‘And I was just sharing with a friend the horror story when I was permanent representative to the United Nations, I had to find an overnight flight to get home because the community decided they were protesting, and nothing would happen.’

Henderson said there had to be community engagements, adding that one took place as recently as the previous week.

‘We’re going to open the wells for the first time to actually power the system. So, we had to meet with the community to explain to them what to expect. But now I’ll tell you, they are the best supporters of geothermal, but it took a lot of time.’

However, Henderson anticipates another challenge in managing Dominicans’ expectations for lower electricity bills when the plant begins operating.

‘The challenge, which will be the next step, is convincing the public, as our friend from Hungary said, that when they do not get a drastic reduction in the electricity prices, how do you sell this? So this is my job, I guess, the next part,’ Henderson told the ministerial roundtable.