Category: CANA News

Forestry officials have condemned the killing of at least five boas or Tete Chien snakes by members of the public, saying ‘this extreme cruelty to wildlife is unacceptable and constitutes a major offence’.

The Forestry Department said it is in receipt of a ‘very disturbing video, circulated on social media’, showing the killings of the snakes, adding that the St. Lucia boa is listed as ‘Protected Wildlife’ under the Wildlife Act.

The Department said that the St. Lucia boa (Boa orophias) is a non-venomous snake that is endemic to the island and that the animal poses no threat to humans.

‘As a matter of fact, boas predominantly prey on rats which poses a greater concern for public health through the spread of Leptospirosis’.

The Forestry Deaprtment said that in the video the boas were bludgeoned to death with a stick. Additionally, a large rock was hurled at the animals to ensure their death.

‘The Forestry Department categorically condemns such irresponsible and indiscriminate killing of our protected and endemic wildlife and will in no way condone such illegal acts perpetrated by members of the public. The Forestry Department will therefore seek all legal avenues to ensure that the perpetrators of such wildlife crime receive the maximum penalty for their illegal actions.’

The Department gave no date as to when the killings occurred noting that a ‘person commits an offence who for the purpose of killing or capturing any protected or partially protected wildlife, using any live animal or any decoy or appliance whatsoever’

The Forestry Department said it is collaborating with the police on the matter and with their assistance ‘an immediate arrest will be effected and charges will be laid against the perpetrators of this horrific and disturbing wildlife crime’.

The Forestry Department said it is seeking the maximum penalty, as per the Wildlife Act, of EC$5000 (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) per animal killed or imprisonment or both.

The Department said it is also aware that in some communities the snakes are being ‘hunted, stewed and sold as a delicacy’ warning ‘this too is an offence against the Wildlife Act, and anyone caught hunting, purchasing or selling boa meat or stew will be prosecuted under the law.

‘The Forestry Department will not tolerate the indiscriminate killing and persecution of protected wildlife.

‘Our indigenous biodiversity plays a very important role in conditioning our environment so that the environment in return can provide the ecosystem services and functions that are necessary to support and sustain human lives and livelihoods’ the Forestry Department said, adding ‘it is therefore the duty of all to help conserve nature and use its resources in a sustainable and responsible manner’.

More than a century after he grabbed the mace, which represents the British monarch in Parliament, and without which the proceedings cannot take place, Stanley Kendrick ‘Stalky’ John, KC, has been sworn in as the new Governor General of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

John succeeds Dame Susan Dougan, who retired from the post on Monday after six years, bringing to an end 50 years of public service, including more than 30 years in education.

At the swearing in ceremony, John said he is embarking on the new journey ‘impressed’ by the mood among Vincentians at home and in the diaspora.

‘Clearly, we are at the threshold of a new era,’ the 74-year-old head of state said during the installation ceremony at Government House.

‘You are tired of the focus on partisan rivalries between the political parties, the political tribalism which takes place at the expense of our national interests, you now express a desire to experience a healing of our nation,’ said John, a former parliamentary representative for East St. George.

‘Hence, you have charged the Honourable Prime Minister and his cabinet, this new administration, all of them committed patriots, to embark on this magnificent venture; fostering of a government for all the people.’

John said the people’s expectations emanate from ‘a deep desire for an effective, meaningful and civilised manner in which to address the challenges that confront Vincentians in improving the social and economic conditions of our nation.

‘In concluding these remarks, I repeat, we are off to a commendable start in that direction; let us pray to Almighty God for guidance and work together as one people, towards achieving this admirable goal,’ he said.

John was a senator for the St. Vincent Labour Party (SVLP) from 1984 to 1989, its leader from 1992-94 before becoming the parliamentary representative for East St. George under the Unity Labour Party (ULP) from 1998 to 2001 that governed the island for the past 25 years until it was defeated in the November 27 general elections last year.

But, during his stint as a legislator, John made headlines when he grabbed the mace, which represents the monarch in Parliament, and without which the proceedings cannot take place.

Some political observers have noted the irony of that act, which occurred more than a quarter century before John would become the monarch’s representative in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

In 2015, John mounted the platform of the then-opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), and has been appointed head of state under the NDP administration that won last November’s poll.

‘Today, I feel so humbled as I reflect on the resolve and clarity, which the people of this nation exemplified in exercising their democratic right in the recently held general elections,’ John said at the installation ceremony.

He said that what was especially telling was the unanimity of purpose made evident in the impressive mandate they bestowed upon their new administration.

‘That command imposes an immense responsibility on those who have been elected and appointed, to serve in Parliament and in the executive branch, on behalf of the people. The positive feeling of assurance is pervasive, that the Honourable Prime Minister and his Cabinet are off to a brilliant start and will continue to address with earnestness, the legitimate expectations of the populace.’

The Governor General said there is ‘the expectation that those persons who have been elected and appointed, charged with the important constitutional role of providing the ‘People’s loyal Opposition’, will acquit themselves with aplomb in the true traditions of our Westminster-style parliamentary democracy.

‘That they will work to keep the government, in all aspects, alert to the proper fulfilment of its obligations to the nation and that they will do so within the parameters of our constitutional processes,’ he added.

The Jamaica government says it will be taking ‘strong action’ to preserve the integrity of the Overseas Employment Programme

Labour and Social Security Minister, Pearnel Charles Jr., who was scheduled to meet with the the Permanent Secretary to discuss the issue, said ‘we will always have to protect the programme from attack’.

Charles said that he had received a note from some anonymous person on WhatsApp earlier this week, ‘sending me a TikTok of myself inviting them to call me to get on to the farm work programme.

‘I have received other similar notes of that nature, and I want to make it very clear. to the entire country, that we are going to take strong action to preserve the integrity of the Overseas Employment Programme,’ he said.

‘So all and any who are involved in any activity outside of the scope of the law, consider this a final warning. you will find yourself behind bars. We have already reached out to the relevant authorities, and I hope the message goes out to the media that we are very serious about preserving the integrity of the programme and why we are so serious about it,’ Charles said.

The minister, speaking during a send-off ceremony for seasonal agricultural workers departing for Canada, said that the programme is of critical importance, particularly in light of the recent passage of Hurricane Melissa, which adversely affected parishes in western Jamaica.

‘The opportunity for our Jamaicans to have gainful, lawful employment and to be able to support themselves and support their families is important to us. The partnership and the strength of the collaboration is important to us,’ Charles said.

The first batch of 98 farm workers left here on Tuesday, while another 85 are scheduled to leave from Norman Manley International Airport on Wednesday. Of the 183 workers, 22 will be participating in the programme for the first time.

Meanwhile, Charles noted that this year marks 60 years of partnership between Canada and Jamaica in the implementation of the programme.

‘Many farm workers will tell you that their children have gained tertiary education because of their hard work on the farm work programme. I want to encourage all who are here and who are repeating, in terms of this journey, to stay focused,’ he said, adding that ‘sometimes when you are on track, (obstacles may arise) to distract you. these can come in many different ways and (forms).

‘It could be a fellow farm worker; it could be a supervisor; it could be just somebody in the community. Stay focused. This opportunity is yours to make or to break. For those of you who have the experience and have been here for some time now, you have a responsibility to make sure that the younger ones are guided,’ Charles added.

Since January 1, 2025, a total of 15,156 workers have benefited from employment opportunities in Canada and the United States, representing an increase of 687, compared to 2024.

Charles said that of the total number, 59 per cent participated in the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme, three per cent in the Low-Skilled Programme, and 38 per cent in the US Programme.

‘These figures represent much more than just mere statistics. These figures represent livelihoods, children that have been supported, and communities that have been strengthened,’ he added.

Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell says he is concerned about the level of gambling or game of chance in Grenada and wants to see a holistic approach be adopted whereby focus is not only on the revenue gained but also on the impact of those who are vulnerable to the habit.

‘I do have significant concerns about the level of domestic gambling that is going on in Grenada and it is something that has to be addressed holistically. You see values matter and if people are left to think the only way in which they can exit the financial challenges that they have is through gambling then you know we are guaranteeing to them that they will never come out of it,’ Mitchell said.

Mitchell said that while he respects individuals rights to choose how they want to live their lives, he is of the opinion that as a society there is need to have some consensus as to what values are and what are the merits and demerits.

‘Gambling is a demerit and gambling addiction if one suffers from it could be highly destructive,’ said Prime Minister Mitchell, who made it clear that he was not referring to the one time bingo or other games of chance but to those described by the World Health Organization (WHO) as highly addictive.

‘Fortunately for us it is persons who are off limited financial means who find themselves gambling and if they are to find themselves addictive then we have an issue,’ he said while pointing out that there are people who gamble between 12 to 14 hours daily.

‘It’s the accessible behaviour and patterns where they don’t care about their children, they leave the children home and they go gambling, they spend hours in the gambling area without realising that 12 hours have past, 14 hours have past.

‘We have to take a whole of society approach to decide what are the best avenues or options when maximising revenues that comes from gambling while at the same time protecting the persons who are most vulnerable from the activities of gambling,’ he said.

Besides private companies having promotional games of chance the biggest gambling outfit is the state operated Grenada National Lotteries Authorities, which is the leading provider of all lottery games and products in Grenada.

In a significant show of support for Jamaica’s athletic community, World Athletics President Lord Sebastian Coe announced a US$100,000 (approximately J$16 million) donation to aid local track and field members impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

The announcement was made during a media briefing at the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) headquarters in Kingston on Tuesday.

The funds, to be disbursed through the International Athletics Foundation, are earmarked for recovery pathways and support programs specifically for athletes, coaches, and officials affected by the recent storm.

‘We can recruit external teams and agencies to come to the table to help,’ stated Coe. ‘And I’m delighted to be able to announce this morning that we will make available $100,000 to help with those pathways and those programs.’

Coe, who is marking his tenth year as head of the sport’s global governing body, outlined a dual approach to supporting Jamaica’s recovery.

Beyond the immediate financial grant, he revealed plans for a charity 5K run in Kingston this April, organised in collaboration with Mayor Andrew Swaby. Coe will serve as the event’s patron, with all proceeds directed toward broader hurricane relief efforts.

The World Athletics president’s two-day visit included high-level meetings with Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Opposition Leader Mark Golding, emphasising the non-partisan nature of the relief initiative.

He also engaged with various stakeholder groups and took time to visit track programs at Jamaica College and Excelsior High School.

Defence Minister, Wayne Sturge, has dismissed claims on social media that Trinidad and Tobago’s airspace has been restricted, insisting that all aviation operations remain normal and fully functional.

‘The Government of Trinidad and Tobago remains committed to safeguarding national sovereignty, aviation safety, and public confidence,’ Sturge said the statement said, adding that any material changes to aviation operations would be communicated through official channels. Sturge said that misinformation had been disseminated online following the sharing of a partial excerpt of a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) identified as A0010/26.

He said that the excerpt was presented in a misleading manner that sensationalised what he described as a routine aviation security advisory, resulting in unnecessary public concern.

‘Trinidad and Tobago’s airspace remains fully open and operational. The Piarco Flight Information Region (TTZP) and all airports continue to accommodate normal commercial and private aviation traffic.’

The Ministry of Defence said that NOTAM A0010/26 was issued by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and applies only to US registered aircraft operators.

It said that such advisories are standard security measures routinely issued by sovereign states and do not represent an assessment of the safety or security of Trinidad and Tobago’s airspace.

The Ministry said that local aviation and national security authorities continue to monitor the Piarco Flight Information Region in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards to ensure the safety of all air traffic.

The Ministry of Defence also called for responsible reporting, warning that the circulation of incomplete or misleading information could undermine public confidence and create unnecessary alarm.

Three people, including an officer with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), have been charged with conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States and firearms offenses.

A statement from the United States Embassy here on Tuesday, said that on December 30 last year, three provisional arrest warrants were served on Trinidadians Rafael Joseph, Michael McSween, and Clevon Persad.

Joseph has been identified as ‘an active duty officer with the TTPS, with the Embassy saying that all three are charged in the Eastern District of New York for conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States and firearms offenses stemming from a 2024 Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigation. The Embassy said that personnel from the DEA Vetted Unit, supported by the TTPS’s Special Investigative Unit (SIU) and the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) successfully executed the warrants.

‘This was a great example of bilateral cooperation between our two countries and a significant blow to not only drug and firearms trafficking, but also against public corruption with the arrest of the police officer,’ said U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Dr. Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz.

‘The outstanding cooperation between the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Vetted Unit and SIU and TOCU shows the multiplier power of agencies of both of our great countries working together’ she added.

Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro said, ‘I can confirm that close collaboration with United States law enforcement authorities has resulted in the successful arrest of a TTPS member who is now awaiting deportation.

‘This joint operation reflects the strength of our international partnerships and our unwavering commitment to accountability at every level of the organisation. The TTPS remains resolute in upholding the highest standards of integrity, and we will continue to work with our global counterparts to ensure that anyone who betrays the public trust is brought to justice,’ he added.

The DEA Caribbean Division Special Agent in Charge, Michael A. Miranda said, the operation reflects the strength of true bilateral partnership.

‘The successful execution of these provisional arrest warrants.sends a clear message: no one is above the law. Together, we are not only dismantling drug and firearms trafficking networks, but also confronting public corruption head-on. When trusted partnerships stand united, our communities are safer and justice prevails,’ Miranda added.

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is scheduled to meet on Tuesday to determine if Reggae Girlz head coach, Hubert Busby will be given a contract extension.

Busby, whose contract expired at the end of last year, has been in charge for the past 19 months. During his time in charge, Busby has overseen 13 games, recording six wins and seven defeats.

JFF president, Michael Ricketts told the Gleaner that Busby’s tenure would be reviewed to see if he was the right fit for the job.

‘We had a board meeting [Monday] and a technical meeting will be held tomorrow [Tuesday], and they will make a recommendation to the board of directors. ‘The normal process is that an assessment is to be done by the technical committee and that is being done as we speak. After which, their report will be sent to the JFF, and then based on that report, the JFF will proceed accordingly,’ Ricketts said.

‘That is the story with all the national coaches. Once your contract has expired, then the technical committee does their review and then submits a report to the JFF’s board of directors.’

Busby’s six wins included back-to-back wins against South Africa and Peru each, alongside a 4-1 victory over Caribbean rivals Trinidad and Tobago and a record 18-0 demolition of Dominica.

Five of his seven defeats during his tenure came against teams ranked among the world’s top 10, falling to France, Brazil, England, and the United States.

During his tenure, the Reggae Girlz also improved three places in the FIFA World Rankings, moving to 39th by the end of 2025, from their position of 42nd when he was first appointed.

While Ricketts said he believed Busby had done enough to earn a contract extension, he said the decision was not his to make.

‘From my personal perspective, I did say that I have no issues with renewing his contract, but it is the technical committee which will meet to make that recommendation.

‘From my standpoint, I fully support the continuation of Busby’s tenure,’ Ricketts said.

CMC -United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, Tuesday held talks with Guyana’s President, Irfaan Ali, aimed at further strengthening bilateral security cooperation, according to the US State Department’s deputy spokesman, Tommy Pigott.

‘He commended President Ali for his leadership as a regional security partner and for Guyana’s growing role in promoting stability across our hemisphere,’ Piggott said in a brief statement. He said Rubio reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to ‘deepening security cooperation with Guyana to address shared challenges, including illicit narcotics and firearms trafficking, which threaten regional stability and economic resilience.

‘Both leaders underscored the importance of continued collaboration to disrupt foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal networks while strengthening law enforcement capabilities and border security,’ the US State Department’s deputy spokesman added.

The discussions between Rubio and President Ali came less than a week after the US military invaded Venezuela, and seizing the country’s President, Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on drug related charges.

On Monday, Maduro, identifying himself as President of Venezuela, pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism, drugs and weapons charges in a New York Federal Court. The matter has been adjourned to March, 17 and both Maduros have been remanded into custody.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud, in a statement issued in Georgetown on Tuesday, said Rubio and Ali spoke on ‘recent developments in Venezuela and other issues of importance in the Western Hemisphere’.

Persaud said President Ali welcomed Secretary Rubio’s reaffirmation of the US continued support for and partnership with Guyana ‘in defence of our sovereignty and territorial integrity’ and that they committed to remain engaged on areas discussed and other areas of mutual interest.

‘President Ali commended the leadership of President (Donald)Trump and Secretary Rubio in reaffirming a shared commitment to freedom, democracy and regional security, according to the Foreign Secretary. President Ali reiterated Guyana’s steadfast commitment to working with the United States – the region’s strategic and important security ally,’ the statement from Georgetown said.

It said that President Ali also ‘re-emphasised Guyana’s support for every effort to combat transnational crime, including drugs and gold smuggling, and narco-terrorism’ and that Georgetown reiterated its ‘respect for the rule of law, free and fair elections, upholding of democratic norms and the furtherance of peace and prosperity for all the people of the region’.

Last December, Guyana and the United States signed an an ‘expanded’ military cooperation agreement, but the details of that pact had not been revealed.

‘The two countries also signed a Statement of Intent to expand joint military cooperation with full respect for the sovereignty and laws of both countries,’ President Ali said, following talks with senior US officials, including US Senior Advisor to the Secretary of War, Patrick Weaver, and the Acting Assistant Secretary of War for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Joseph Humire.

Reggae Girlz goalkeeper Yazmeen Jamieson will turn out for FC Berlin in the Major Arena Soccer League Women’s Division (MASLW) this winter season.

Jamieson formerly played for Guelph United FC in the League1 Ontario competition.

The club made the announcement via Instagram, showing Jamieson in their green goalie kit. ‘FC Berlin is proud to announce the addition of Yazmeen Jamieson to our MASL-W roster for the winter season,’ the club said in its post.

Created in 2024, the MASLW is a North American women’s indoor soccer league rebranded from the former Premier Arena Soccer League’s women’s league.

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) was also quick to congratulate the 27-year-old on her most recent achievement.

‘Congratulations to Reggae Girl Yazmeen Jamieson on joining FC Berlin Women for the winter season. One Love and All the best!’ the organisation posted on social media.