Category: CANA News

The United States is providing assistance to Grenada in improving its maritime security, stressing that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country ‘is an excellent partner in the Caribbean’.

A statement from the United States Embassy here said that in response to a request from the Grenada government, the US Southern Command’s Caribbean Basin Security Initiative Technical Assistance Field Team (USSOUTHCOM CBSI-TAFT) is here for a week assisting the Royal Grenada Police Force Coast Guard (RGPFCG) in repairing U.S.- supported maritime assets. It said that the CBSI-TAFT, comprised of US Coast Guard, army engineers and logisticians, are working ‘closely with the RGPFCG during these technical assistance visits.

‘The Grenadian team consistently welcomes the collaboration, demonstrating a strong commitment to regional security and operational readiness. Grenada is an excellent partner in the Caribbean, and the United States is grateful for the opportunity to work side by side to strengthen maritime security and counter-trafficking capabilities,’ the statement said.

It said that these efforts support a ‘safer Caribbean and reinforce the enduring partnership between the United States and Grenada’.

Last month, the Grenada government said it would not enter into any agreement which has any possibility of violating regional, domestic or international law as the country discussed a request from Washington to establish radar at Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA).

Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell in a statement to Parliament said Washington had also indicated that it wished to have a response by a particular time, but that his administration has not been able to provide that response ‘for the simple reason that.from a technical point of view, we are not in a position to satisfy ourselves as to safety and other technical requirements, as to whether or not such equipment properly optically at the airport..

‘The other fundamental issue that we have to consider Mr. Speaker is the fact that Grenada has no military, and therefore our cooperation with the US has always been the context of law enforcement and in the context of our own domestic law and in the context of international law.’

Mitchell told Parliament that the public had been engaged in ‘heated debate and discussions’ in relation to the US request to erect the radar at the MBIA and that the ongoing debate ‘is a clear indication of the fact that this government was fully aware that because of the nature of the request, that it could not proceed to make it definitive’.

Two defeated candidates of the main opposition Unity Labour Party (ULP) have filed election petitions challenging the victory of Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday and his Foreign Affairs Minister, Fitz Bramble, following the November 27 general elections.

Carlos Williams and Luke Browne are challenging the victories of Friday and Bramble in the Northern Grenadines and the East Kingstown after the New Democratic Party (NDP) won an overwhelming 14-1 seat majority, ending the 25 year rule of the ULP.

The two defeated candidates want the High Court to rule that the election victory of Friday and Bramble are invalid because they were not qualified to be nominated as candidates, given that they are both hold Canadian citizenship.

The nomination of Friday, who has been representing the Northern Grenadines since March 2001 and Bramble, who was first elected to Parliament in November 2020, had become in the lead up to the elections, with the ULP challenging their nominations on Nomination Day.

Negotiations are continuing for the release of the wife of a 70-year-businessman, who was released more than 24 hours by their abductors following the payment of TT$150,000 (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) including US$5,000.

Police confirmed that Derrick ‘Stones’ Tardieu was released on Wednesday by kidnappers along the North Coast of Trinidad after the ransom was paid, but that his wife, Clarabelle Tardieu, 47, remains captive. ‘The matter is at a sensitive stage right now and we do not want to jeopardise anything,’ a police officer said.

Attorney Leslie-Ann Lucky-Samaroo, who is acting on behalf of the family, released a statement saying ‘the family of Derrick Tardieu wishes to share that their loved one, Derrick, has been released. He is at present seeking medical attention and care and needs time to recover from his ordeal.

‘His family appreciates the kind words, support and especially prayers throughout this difficult time. The family humbly asks that you respect their privacy and the privacy of their loved one as they recover.’

The abductors had initially demanded a US$2.5 million ransom after the the couple had been snatched from their home at Blanchette Bay, Monos Island, on December 13. The ransom was later reduced to TT$100,000.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had initially described the abduction as ‘fishy’ as she questioned why kidnappers would want the ransom in US dollars and such a large amount.

‘The one at Monos Island appears to be very-I don’t want to pronounce because the matter will be before the police and the courts, but it’s a bit fishy for someone to ask for 2.5 million US dollars.

‘So, I guess more investigations will give us more answers,’ she told reporters last week.

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has appealed to all media practitioners and members of the public to exercise responsibility and restraint in reporting, noting speculative or premature disclosures may place the lives and safety of the victim(s) at serious risk.

‘Kidnapping for ransom will be met with decisive action, and the TTPS remains fully committed to protecting citizens and bringing perpetrators to justice,’ Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro said then.

Media reports said that a family friend had received a voice note from a cellphone with a Colombian registration number informing them of the kidnapping.

In the message, Tardieu, confirms being snatched with the abductors demanding ‘2.5 million US for meh release’.

A video of the couple was circulated on social media and showed what appeared to be a gun pointed at Tardieu’s head and hand with a grenade under his head. The suspects holding the weapons to Tardieu’s head were not seen in the video, however.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Deputy Secretary-General, Dr. Armstrong Alexis, has praised the commitment of the Republic of Korea to the socio-economic development of the 15-member regional integration grouping, particularly through the CARICOM-Republic of Korea Cooperation Fund.

Established in 2021, the Fund has received an estimated seven million US dollars financing major interventions across the health, digital innovation, cybersecurity, climate resilience, agriculture, water resource management, document and record management and statistics sectors. Alexis has described the Republic of Korea as ‘a long-standing partner’ committed to expanding its support for the region’s development.

‘We are grateful for the strong bonds of friendship, and we thank the government and people of the Republic of Korea for its support to the Community in several critical areas. The benefits we seek for the citizens of the Community are supported by meaningful partnerships such as that with the Republic of Korea,’ Alexis said.

Through the existing partnership, the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat is delivering significant results across several vital areas of development.

In digital innovation, the Secretariat said it is undergoing a major three-part innovation and digitisation project focused on modernisation of its records management, information technology (IT) infrastructure, and human resource and administrative systems.

The ongoing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) project will streamline enterprise management systems including human resource and finance and administration, building on the success of precursor digitization and innovation projects to improve efficiency through modern ICT systems.

Another significant intervention is the strengthening the statistical capacity to Implement an Interoperable ICT Infrastructure to Automate and Enhance Statistics Production and Dissemination in CARICOM Project.

‘This initiative aims to enhance data exchange among National Statistical Systems Offices and the CARICOM Secretariat by promoting the use of Statistical Data and Metadata Exchange standards to enhance the production and dissemination of statistics, boosting evidence-based decision-making across the region.’

CARICOM-Korea cooperation is also supporting the region’s high-level climate diplomacy through the CARICOM Envoy on Climate Change, who advocates for the region’s perspectives on climate change, including climate finance, at international fora.

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders Friday night uregd a quick resolution to the decision by the United States preventing or limiting the entry of nationals from three CARICOM countries from entering the North American country.

‘ The Bureau of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has noted with concern the proclamation issued by the Government of the United States on 16 December 2025 imposing partial entry restrictions on nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and the Commonwealth of Dominica,’ the leaders said in a statement late Friday night.

The Bureau, comprising the prime ministers of Barbados, Grenada, and Jamaica, with the CARICOM Secretary-General serving as an ex-officio member, said it recognises the right of countries to implement policies regulating entry to their borders.

‘Nevertheless, the Bureau expresses concern that this decision was taken without prior consultation, especially in circumstances of its potential adverse effects on legitimate travel, people-to-people exchanges, and the social and economic well-being of these small states.’

On Tuesday, President Trump in his latest executive order said that apart from Antigua and Barbuda, nationals from Dominica and Haiti would also be affected by the immigration policy.

Trump said some of these countries identified in an earlier proclamation, had offered Citizenship by Investment (CBI) without residency, which poses challenges for screening and vetting purposes.

Under the CBI programme, several Caribbean countries including Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica offer citizenship to foreign investors in return for making a substantial investment in the socio-economic development of these countries.

Trump said both Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica have ‘historically had CBI without residency’ and that the entry into the United States of nationals of these two countries as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, is hereby suspended.

He said consular officers shall reduce the validity for any other nonimmigrant visa issued to nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica ‘to the extent permitted by law.

Trump said in its latest executive order justifying the action taken against the Caribbean countries that ‘as an example, a foreign national from a country that is subject to travel restrictions could purchase CBI from a second country that is not subject to travel restrictions, obtain a passport in the citizenship of that second country, and subsequently apply for a United States visa for travel to the United States, thus evading the travel restrictions on his or her first country.

‘ Additionally, United States law enforcement and the Department of State have found that, historically, CBI programmes have been susceptible to several risks. These risks include allowing an individual to conceal his or her identity and assets to circumvent travel restrictions or financial or banking restrictions,’ he said.

In its statement, the CARICOM Bureau said it is concerned about the lack of clarity regarding the status of existing visas after 1 January 2026.

‘The Bureau urges an early engagement by the United States with the Governments of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica to clarify the proclamation and address outstanding concerns, consistent with the strong and longstanding partnership between the United States of America and CARICOM.

‘CARICOM remains committed to dialogue and cooperation based on mutual respect, shared interests and the rule of law as we seek to secure the prosperity of the region and its citizens.’

On Friday, both Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda said that Washington had agreed to suspend the implementation of the proclamation following discussions between them and the United States.

‘This applies to all visa categories, including B-1, B-2, J, and M visas,’ said Antigua and Barbuda Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders, adding that ‘for the avoidance of doubt, this includes tourist, business, student, and other valid United States-issued visas.

‘Second, there will be no revocation of any existing visas issued to nationals of Antigua and Barbuda prior to 31 December 2025,’ he said in a statement.

He said with regard to new visa applications submitted after January 1, 2026 ‘these will be subject to new arrangements that are still to be worked out with several Caribbean countries, including Antigua and Barbuda.

‘These arrangements relate specifically to the collection of biometric information of Antigua and Barbuda passport holders to ensure full compatibility with United States biometric systems.’

A High Court judge has dismissed arguments that the decision by the police to prevent activist Umar Abdullah from burning a replica of the police flag during a protest in 2023 was arbitrary, unfair or a breach of natural justice.

Justice Kevin Ramcharan in his ruling noted that Abdullah, the leader of the non-government organization, First Wave Movement, was interviewed by police before the decision was made by former police commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher to refuse the activist the right to burn the flag during a protest against alleged police killings. The judge said that the then commissioner in lawfully barring the burning of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) flag, found that the restriction was a proportionate measure aimed at preventing a possible breach of the peace and did not unlawfully infringe constitutional rights to free expression, assembly or association.

Justice Ramcharan upheld the decision to approve Abdullah’s public march in Port of Spain but prohibited the burning of any item. Abdullah had applied for permission under the Summary Offences Act to march on October 28, 2023, to protest alleged extrajudicial killings by police.

He argued that burning the replica flag was a form of symbolic speech protected by the Constitution and that the police commissioner acted without evidence in restricting it.

But Justice Ramcharan rejected those arguments, ruling that the Summary Offences Act gives the commissioner discretion to impose conditions where an event ‘may occasion a breach of the peace or serious public disorder’.

The judge said that the High Court must give deference to the decision-maker unless the decision is shown to be irrational or based on irrelevant considerations.

‘The apprehension that the burning of the flag may cause a breach of the peace or serious public disorder was within the ambit of the commissioner’s discretion,’ Justice Ramcharan said in his ruling, noting the emotionally charged nature of the protest, the risks of igniting a fire in a densely urban area and the history of public disorder linked to protests involving burning objects.

‘There is a possibility of serious public disorder and breach of the peace. The history of some protests, whether or not permission was granted, has culminated in violence after items were burned.

‘I cannot allow the burning of an item, something that is violent in nature, to protest against extra-judicial killings, violent in nature. There were reasonable grounds for apprehending that the protest may occasion a breach of the peace. Igniting a fire in a public space has the potential to lead to violence, not necessarily by the claimant himself, but by those in attendance.’

Justice Rambacharn said that the High Court is of the view that igniting the replica flag of the TTPS in a densely urban area, in the presence of others, which may include family members and friends of victims of the extra-judicial killings and surrounding buildings, raises the possibility of an escalation to damage to infrastructure and injury to onlookers.

‘Undoubtedly, the march would be an already emotionally charged event, which would be culminated by the igniting of the replica flag of the TTPS, the body allegedly responsible for the extrajudicial killings of their loved ones. It has the potential to incite violence.

‘There is no guarantee that it would not lead to a breach of the peace and incite violence; equally, there is no guarantee that prohibiting it would prevent violence,’ the judge said, noting also that the public-march provisions of the Summary Offences Act expressly operate notwithstanding constitutional rights to freedom of expression and assembly, provided any limitation is proportionate.

He noted that Abdullah was still allowed to march and protest near police headquarters, and that the restriction was narrowly tailored to public safety concerns.

‘The defendant struck a fair balance between the claimant’s right, which was not wholly disturbed and the public interest to prevent breaches of the peace which may be likely to occur owing to the nature of the protest and the igniting of a fire that can cause injury and damage.’

Two defeated candidates of the main opposition Unity Labour Party (ULP) have filed election petitions challenging the victory of Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday and his Foreign Affairs Minister, Fitz Bramble, following the November 27 general elections.

Carlos Williams and Luke Browne are challenging the victories of Friday and Bramble in the Northern Grenadines and the East Kingstown after the New Democratic Party (NDP) won an overwhelming 14-1 seat majority, ending the 25 year rule of the ULP. The two defeated candidates want the High Court to rule that the election victory of Friday and Bramble are invalid because they were not qualified to be nominated as candidates, given that they are both hold Canadian citizenship.

The nomination of Friday, who has been representing the Northern Grenadines since March 2001 and Bramble, who was first elected to Parliament in November 2020, had become in the lead up to the elections, with the ULP challenging their nominations on Nomination Day.

Notices published in the local media also urged voters not to ‘waste’ their ballots voting for either of the two NDP candidates, pointing to section 26 (1) of the Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which states ‘No person shall be qualified to be elected or appointed as a Representative or Senator (hereinafter in this section referred to as a ‘member’) if he –

(a) is by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state’.

The media notices also pointed to the statutory declaration that a candidate is required to sign, which states ‘That I am duly qualified to be elected as a member of the House of Assembly for this constituency, and that – . I am not by virtue of my own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state’.

The notices said that both Friday and Bramble are citizens of Canada.

Prior to the election and ahead of Nomination Day, then prime minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, had indicated that the issue of candidates being elected to Parliament while having dual citizenship will be taken to court.

Gonsalves, who was seeking an unprecedented sixth consecutive term as head of government, confirmed that the ULP had attempted to prevent Friday and Bramble, from being nominated as candidates for the elections because of their Canadian citizenship.

Both Bramble and Friday were born in St Vincent and the Grenadines but obtained Canadian citizenship as adults.

Gonsalves said the two Opposition legislators ‘have a huge problem’ as he defended the decision of ‘registered electors’ to make the objection to their nomination.

He said section 26 of the Constitution states that you are disqualified if you are ‘by your own voluntary act, under the acknowledgement of allegiance or adherence to a foreign power or state, that foreign power being Canada.

‘That is repeated word for word in the Representation of the People’s Act at section 35,’ Gonsalves said, adding that this provision, along with another one about a Commonwealth citizen had been considered in a case involving for the former St. Kitts-Nevis prime minister, Dr Denzil Douglas, who had been granted a diplomatic passport by Dominica a few years ago.

‘The court held that the mere possession of the passport, all be it a diplomatic one, pointed clearly to an act, voluntarily by Denzil Douglas to be under acknowledgement of allegiance.obedience or adherence of a foreign power or state,’ Gonsalves said.

Gonsalves, an attorney, said prior to the Douglas case there were varied legal opinions in the Caribbean, but ‘in our jurisdiction in 2020, the Court of Appeal determined that the mere holding of the passport, not even citizenship indicated this

Two St. Vincent and the Grenadines legal scholars, Dr. Linton Lewis and Dr. Jason Hayne, have written commentaries on the matter.

Lewis, a former NDP senator and chairman, argued that a case against the nomination of Friday and Bramble would succeed, while Haynes argued that a proper reading of the Constitution would show that it is peculiar and provides for commonwealth citizens to contest elections. He argued that any challenge to the election of Friday and Bramble based on their Canadian citizenship would, therefore, fail.

Vice President Dr Bharat Jagdeo has dismissed rumours that he is suffering from either prostate or throat cancer.

‘I’m not diagnosed with cancer. I’m not sick and it’s not Delip speaking here; Bharrat Jagdeo (is),’ he said in clear reference to a Facebook claim that someone named Delip had been paid handsomely to impersonate him. Known for his weekly three-to-four-hour-long press engagements, there had been increasing public speculation about his health since his previous press conference was held on November 6, 2026.

But at his news conference on Thursday, Jagdeo told reporters ‘I am not ill, I have not been diagnosed with cancer’.

He said that the rumours about his health were started by the opposition and a certain section of society as a political ploy to distract the public from the government’s work and achievements.

He expressed concern about the spread of the misinformation, noting that such rumours could mislead the public and create unnecessary alarm.

He reiterated his dedication to public service and mentioned that his work schedule is the same and that he is working on the President Irfaan Ali’s announcements aimed at doing everything possible to help the people of Guyana thrive.

President Ali had twice on the 2025 general election campaign trail and again at the commissioning of the bridge publicly credited Mr Jagdeo for playing a major role in the development of modern Guyana.

Ali also described Jagdeo as his ‘confidante’.

The following is the CANANews and SPORTS Schedule for Friday, December 19, 2025.

KINGSTOWN – Two defeated candidates of the main opposition Unity Labour Party (ULP) have filed election petitions challenging the victory of Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday and his Foreign Affairs Minister, Fitz Bramble, following the November 27 general elections.

HAMILTON – Premier David Burt says his ruling Progressive Labour Party (PLP) administration has kept its campaign promise and balance th national budget recording the first time in Bermuda’s history in 20 years, a surplus of US$29 million.

GEORGETOWN – Vice President Dr Bharat Jagdeo has dismissed rumours that he is suffering from either prostate or throat cancer.

BRIDGETOWN – The Barbados government has taken offence at the decision by the United Kingdom to issue a travel advisory this week warning British travellers of terrorist attacks on the Caribbean island.

GEORGETOWN – President Irfaan Ali has reiterated Guyana’s support for the United States crackdown on illegal drugs trade in the region, saying his administration ‘has absolutely no sympathy for drug trafficker’.

SPORTS:

MOUNT MAUNGANUI – The West Indies’ batters have started strongly chasing New Zealand’s mammoth first innings total, to leave the game in the balance at the end of play on the second day here on Friday.

Scoreboard of the second day of the third Test between New Zealand and West Indies here at the Bay Oval on Friday.

NEW ZEALAND 1st innings

(overnight 334 for one)

*Tom Latham c Chase b Roach 137

Devon Conway lbw b Greaves 227

Jacob Duffy c +Imlach b Seales 17

Kane Williamson c +Imlach b Greaves 31

Rachin Ravindra not out 72

Daryl Mitchell c +Imlach b Chase 11

+Tom Blundell c +Imlach b Seales 4

Glenn Phillips c Chase b Phillip 29

Zak Foulkes b Phillip 1

Ajaz Patel not out 30

Extras (b2, lb2, nb2, w10) 16

TOTAL (eight wickets; 155 overs) 575 dec’d

Did not bat: Michael Rae.

Fall of wickets: 1-323, 2-350, 3-419, 4-432, 5-455, 6-461, 7-522, 8-536.

Bowling: Roach 19-3-63-1, Seales 33-4-100-2, Phillips 29-4-154-2, Greaves 29-4-83-2, Chase 44-1-159-1, Hodge 1-0-12-0.

WEST INDIES 1st innings

John Campbell not out 45

Brandon King not out 55

Extras (w10) 10

TOTAL (no wicket; 23 overs) 110

Yet to bat: Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Alick Athanaze, *Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, +Tevin Imlach, Kemar Roach, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales.

Bowling: Duffy 9-0-37-0, Foulkes 6-0-39-0, Rae 4-0-25-0, Patel 4-0-9-0.

Toss: New Zealand elected to bat first.

Position: West Indies trail New Zealand by 465 runs.

Umpires: Alladhuddien Paleker, Alex Wharf.

TV Umpire: Paul Reiffel,

Reserve Umpire: Chris Brown.

Match Referee: Javagal Srinath.