Category: CANA News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Energy Minister Daryl Vaz has dismissed conspiracy theories that have been circulating concerning last Friday night’s all-island power outage. Across social media platforms, it’s stated that the outage was due to the arrival of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz to Jamaica and a fire at the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) headquarters.

According to Vaz – the claims are ludicrous and fake news.

Addressing a press conference with representatives of Jamaica Public Service (JPS), on Saturday, to provide an update on the progress to restore power to the island, Vaz assured citizens that the outage was due to inclement weather which resulted in a system failure.

‘I want to make it very clear at this point that it was a system failure of the JPS, and to make sure that I state clearly that all of the conspiracy theories that have been making the [rounds] are fake news. I will not even repeat some of them because they are so ludicrous. This was a simple, or should I say, a straightforward system breakdown within the JPS apparatus.’

According to JPS CEO Hugh Grant, inclement weather resulted in the loss of five transmission lines emanating from significant substations in the Corporate Area. A cascading effect, he said, further caused a loss of generation across the entire island and resulted in the shutdown of the entire grid.

The USS Nimitz (CVN-68) is an aircraft carrier of the United States Navy, and the lead ship of its class. It is one of the largest warships in the world, known for its nuclear-powered engines and its significant size, spanning 1,092 feet.

According to the US Embassy – and several Jamaican Government officials – the arrival of the vessel highlights the strength of expanded US-Jamaica security cooperation under President Donald Trump, particularly the partnership in maritime security.

It was also explained that the vessel is on its 11th iteration of the Southern Seas tour, which is known for fostering goodwill and strengthening maritime partnerships throughout the region.

However, upon the warship’s arrival last week, many Jamaicans expressed concern about its presence, especially amid highly strained US-Cuba relations following intensified sanction – including a fuel blockade – the US indictment of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro, and US officials calling Cuba a failed state.

Jamaicans on social media also claimed that last Friday’s fire at Up Park Camp – the headquarters of the Jamaica Defense Force, was linked to the power outage, another claim that was dismissed by both Vaz and Grant.

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

The current SoE came into effect from March 3, this year. The government enjoys a 28-13 majority in the Parliament. A statement issued by the Office of the Attorney General said that the National Security Council (NSC) met on Friday night where it received and reviewed reports on the states of emergency implemented between December 2024 and May 2026.

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

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

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

Last Friday, Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro said any decision on extending the current SoE rests with the government, which had earlier said ‘lawlessness and disorder must never ever be tolerated’.

Guevarro, speaking to reporters in Tobago, said that based on the data collected so far ‘we are seeing some positive results’ in the fight against crime.

‘I announced a couple weeks ago we have seen reduction in all of the divisions of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and Tobago was one of them,’ he said.

But when pressed as to whether or not the SoE, which is due to expire at midnight on June 17, the top cop replied ‘that decision is not up to the Trinidad and Tobago Police’.

Last week, the main opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) said it is prepared to file a constitutional motion in the courts should the Persad-Bissessar government move towards extending the SoE.

In March, the government defended the imposition of yet another SoE less than two months after a more than year long similar measure had been lifted.

Opposition Leader, Pennelope Beckles, said that the government was also using the SoE to prevent citizens from staging protests including outside the Parliament building.

Former national security minister Marvin Gonzales said that the PNM intends to file the constitutional motion if the government proceeds with plans to seek another extension of the emergency measures.

He said that the government has already signalled its intention to return to parliament to extend the SoE, adding ‘enough is enough.

‘We wish to serve notice to the government that we have already assembled our team of attorneys who will be prepared to go to the court and file a constitutional motion to bring an end to this unlawful and unconstitutional state of emergency in Trinidad and Tobago,’ he added.

On Sunday, Defence Minister, Wayne Sturge, said while the government can govern Trinidad ‘without an SoE, but not at this time’.

He told the Sunday Express newspaper that he personally believes the state of emergency should be extended for a further three months and that while significant gains have been made against crime, gang warfare, and the illegal flow of guns and drugs into the country, more time is needed to consolidate those gains and strengthen the country’s security apparatus.

Sturge told the newspaper that while law enforcement agencies have made progress in addressing security threats, key objectives are still being pursued.

Since taking office in May 2025, the Kamla Persad-Bissessar administration has implemented two states of emergency as part of its response to escalating crime and national security threats.

‘We are making a significant dent. If it were up to me, I would recommend another three-month extension, but it is not up to me; it is up to the entire National Security Council,’ Sturge said.

A Jamaican parliamentary committee is to examine the potential benefits and challenges of flexible work arrangements, including remote work and flexible hours, as the country responds to mounting global economic pressures.

Chairman of the committee, Alando Terrelonge, said the review comes at a time of increasing global economic uncertainty, geopolitical instability and rising fuel prices, which are affecting businesses, workers and economies worldwide.

‘Jamaica must remain responsive to the changing realities of the global economy. As fuel and transportation costs continue to affect households and businesses, it is important that we examine innovative and practical approaches that can support productivity while improving the everyday lives of our people,’ Terrelonge said in a statement.

He said the review forms part of broader efforts to identify practical measures to enhance productivity, strengthen economic resilience and improve the quality of life of Jamaicans.

According to Terrelonge, the committee intends to engage stakeholders in evidence-based discussions on the opportunities and challenges associated with flexible work arrangements and their potential application in Jamaica.

He said the examination will consider a range of workplace models that have been adopted internationally to improve organisational performance, employee well-being and operational efficiency.

The committee will also seek input from representatives of the public and private sectors, labour organisations, academia and government agencies to ensure that any recommendations are practical, sustainable and informed by local realities.

Terrelonge noted that the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that many organisations were able to adapt successfully to alternative work arrangements and said the current economic environment presents an opportunity to assess whether elements of those approaches can continue to provide benefits.

‘The objective is not simply to revisit practices introduced during the pandemic but to determine whether there are sustainable approaches that can help Jamaica become more productive, more competitive, and better prepared for future economic challenges,’ he said.

Terrelonge said the review is ultimately focused on productivity and national competitiveness.

‘If there are ways to help workers spend less time in traffic, reduce transportation costs, improve work-life balance, and simultaneously increase efficiency and output, then it is a discussion worth having,’ he said.

‘Jamaica cannot afford to ignore technological advancements and innovations that may strengthen our economy and improve the daily lives of our citizens.’

The committee is expected to begin consultations in the coming weeks before submitting its findings and recommendations to Parliament.

Guyana has launched a 31-month initiative aimed at developing a sustainable and internationally aligned organ donation and transplantation system as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare services and improve patient outcomes.

The programme, which will run from April 2026 to October 2028, was formally launched during a meeting between Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony and a delegation from the Donation and Transplantation Institute (DTI Foundation), the Human Organ and Tissue Transplant Agency (HOTTA), the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), and other senior health officials.

Funded by the European Union and coordinated by Expertise France under the Guyana NextHealth programme, the initiative is intended to strengthen institutional, clinical, regulatory and laboratory capacities while improving protocols for living kidney donation.

The project will support the development of an internationally aligned framework for organ donation and transplantation and move Guyana from isolated, ad hoc procedures to a fully integrated and ethically governed national system under local leadership.

The ministry said the initiative is expected to improve access to life-saving transplant services, reduce mortality associated with end-stage organ failure and lessen the need for patients to travel overseas for treatment.

It will also facilitate the transfer of knowledge and international best practices to local healthcare professionals, helping to build the expertise required to manage organ donation and transplantation services independently and sustainably.

The programme forms part of the government’s wider efforts to modernise the healthcare sector and expand access to specialised medical services within Guyana.

Executive Director of Jamaica’s Integrity Commission, Craig Beresford, is urging Caribbean countries to strengthen collaboration and align their anti-corruption laws, warning that fragmented approaches undermine efforts to tackle corruption.

Addressing a press conference at the 12th Annual Commonwealth Caribbean Association of Integrity Commissions and Anti-Corruption Bodies (CCAICAB) Conference here this week, Beresford argued that corruption should be treated as a regional crisis requiring a coordinated response from governments and oversight agencies.

‘The time has come to treat anti-corruption as a regional public good,’ he said, noting that a cohesive approach would strengthen the fight against corruption throughout the region.

Beresford said differences in anti-corruption laws and enforcement mechanisms among Caribbean states can hamper regional efforts, making it more difficult for agencies to combat increasingly sophisticated forms of corruption.

He outlined the Integrity Commission’s approach, which focuses on prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution, and highlighted efforts to advance Jamaica’s National Anti-Corruption Strategy through greater stakeholder engagement and public education.

The Commission is also investing in technology to strengthen its detection capabilities, including big-data analytics, forensic tools and enhanced case-management systems aimed at identifying and investigating suspicious activities more effectively.

He stressed the importance of partnerships with agencies such as Jamaica’s Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA), saying joint investigations and information-sharing arrangements have helped bolster the country’s anti-corruption efforts.

Meanwhile, MOCA Director-General Colonel Desmond Edwards said advances in technology have transformed the corruption landscape, with fraud, money laundering and other illicit activities increasingly shifting into cyberspace.

He said the trend accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic as businesses and consumers relied more heavily on digital platforms, prompting MOCA to expand its cyber-forensics capabilities and establish specialised cyber-investigation and data-analysis teams.

Edwards revealed that one investigation required analysts to examine approximately 17 terabytes of data, illustrating the growing complexity and scale of modern corruption probes.

West Indies won the toss and elected to field against Sri Lanka in the second One Day International at Sabina Park here on Saturday.

West Indies have made one change with Amir Jangoo replacing Matthew Forde, while Sri Lanka has also made one change with Eshan Malinga coming in for Asitha Fernando.

WEST INDIES: Shai Hope (captain), John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Amir Jangoo, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales.

SRI LANKA: Kusal Mendis (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Milan Rathnayake, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga.

Umpires: Allahuddien Paleker, Christopher Taylor.

TV Umpire: Wayne Knights.

Reserve Umpire: Leslie Reifer.

Match Referee: Richie Richardson.

Shania Hayles scored a superb free kick to lead Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz to a 1-0 lead over Panama in their international friendly on Friday.

Playing at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez, Hayles continued her impressive scoring form by netting the game’s lone goal in the 25th minute, her fourth goal in national colours and third in this calendar year.

Jamaica dominated the game in the first half and came close to scoring on a few occasions, the first chance coming in the eighth minute when Kayla McKenna swiveled on the top of the six-yard box but fired just wide of the left post.

They eventually took the lead when they were awarded a free kick from about 22 yards out and Hayles found the far-left corner of the goal, beating goalkeeper Yenith Bailey.

Jody Brown missed an opportunity to double the lead in the 50th minute, when her shot hit the left upright on its way out.

Panama should have equalised in the 87th minute, but goalkeeper Liya Brooks produced a brilliant save to turn a header from Katherine Castillo around the post for a corner.

Jamaica and Ghana have agreed on a series of measures covering health, defence, trade, air services, culture, sports and education following the third session of the Jamaica-Ghana Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation, the first such meeting between the two countries in 21 years.

Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson Smith said the formal meetings, held in Accra on May 25 and 26, resulted in the signing of cooperation agreements in health and defence, as well as the modernisation of an existing agreement on sports and culture.

‘The visit provided an excellent opportunity to advance and re-energise our cooperation in the areas of health, in the areas of defence, trade, air services, culture, sports and education,’ Johnson Smith said during a post-Cabinet press briefing.

The newly signed health agreement establishes a framework for the recruitment of Ghanaian healthcare workers to Jamaica. It also provides for bilateral cooperation in hospital management, specialised care, digital health, telemedicine, emergency preparedness, research and health surveillance.

On defence cooperation, Johnson Smith said the agreement builds on Ghana’s recent solidarity mission to Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

‘The agreement provides for a framework for joint training for maritime security, cyber defence, and cooperation against transnational threats,’ she said.

The minister noted that the model utilised by the Ghana Armed Forces engineering corps during its mission to Jamaica will now serve as a blueprint for the country’s future humanitarian responses.

‘Normally, they donate food or other in kind, or even cash, but this was the first time they had members of their engineering corps on the ground, and… because of its excellent success, it now will serve as a model for their unfolding of this model in other humanitarian responses where required,’ Johnson Smith said.

The two countries also updated and modernised a 2005 agreement on sports and culture, expanding its scope to better reflect contemporary creative industries.

In addition, the Joint Commission agreed to pursue joint ventures in agro-processing, financial technology, logistics, manufacturing, energy and the creative industries as part of efforts to translate South-South cooperation into economic outcomes.

Johnson Smith said Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister Aubyn Hill will lead a Jamaican business delegation to Ghana in July to help advance those objectives. The mission, being organised in partnership with JAMPRO, already has 38 registered Jamaican companies seeking to expand exports and investments.

The countries also pledged to fast-track implementation of the bilateral Air Services Agreement signed in 2018.

‘Ghana, on their side, is working on their airlift, and there will be more to say about that in due course. And we are ultimately examining the opportunity for establishing direct air links and, by extension, increased people-to-people ties between Kingston and Accra, both gateways to our respective regions,’ Johnson Smith said.

Both countries agreed to utilise biennial political consultations and technical implementation teams to monitor progress on the initiatives.

The next meeting of the Permanent Joint Commission will be held in Kingston as Jamaica and Ghana move towards the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2028.