Category: CANA News

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’.

The Donald Trump administration has built up a military armada in international waters near Venezuela, allegedly to prevent drug smugglers from sending their products into the North American country. Washington has sanctioned the killings of several people on vessels that the military has bombed in international waters despite international criticisms that the killings were extra judicial in nature with the US providing no evidence of those killed were involved in the illegal drugs trade.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has supported the actions taken by the US saying that drug dealers should be killed ‘violently’.

Ali, speaking to reports said that Georgetown is unwavering in its support for ongoing efforts to combat narcotics trafficking and other forms of smuggling in the region.

‘We have a strong partnership with the US and other international partners in dealing with every form of smuggling and drug trafficking,’ he said, adding ‘my administration has absolutely no sympathy for drug traffickers.

‘Tens of thousands, millions of lives are destroyed, and also economies are destroyed by smuggling. We also see our region as one in which democracy must be able to thrive, in which the rule of law must win every single day, [and] in which the freedom of our people, wherever they live and exist, must be honoured. And that is an important element of any modern society, and we support the region being a zone of peace.’

Political observers say the US presence in the region is aimed at removing the Nicolas Maduro government in Venezuela from office and earlier this week, President Trump announced a full naval blockade of all US-sanctioned oil tankers designed to sever the Venezuelan president’s economic lifeline.

Asked about these escalating situations, President Ali told reporters that the ‘United States government has access to more intelligence than anyone of us.

‘So, we have to respect that these sanctions – and that is something every Guyanese need to understand: sanctions are a serious matter – and any action by the US in relation to its own sanction mechanism is a matter for the United States government.’

Ali said that while he cannot speak for other countries in the region that have spoken out against the US operations in the southern Caribbean, he was also mindful of the aggression and threats Guyana is facing from its South American neighbour, which has laid claims to a significant portion of Guyana.

‘You know that we have a peculiar situation in Guyana. We just had Venezuelans being charged for terrorist activity in Guyana that claimed the life of [a] young person. We have a border situation to manage [whereby] we have an active threat from Venezuela on the sovereignty of this country.

‘And my responsibility is to keep Guyanese safe, to keep Guyana safe, and to work with all our allies and partners in doing that. And I intend to continue to work strongly with our allies in doing exactly that,’ President Ali said.

West Indies trail New Zealand by 265 runs after reaching 310 for four at tea on the third day of the third and final Test here at the Bay Oval on Saturday.

NEW ZEALAND 575-8 dec’d.

WEST INDIES 310-4 in 83 overs (Kavem Hodge 83 not out, Brandon King 63, John Campbell 45, Alick Athanaze 45, Tevin Imlach 27, Justin Greaves 20 not out; Jacob Duffy 2-63).

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.

With veteran pacer and leader Kemar Roach unable to take the field because of a hamstring injury sustained on Thursday’s opening day, the Windies’ bowlers showed great heart but could not stop the home side from piling on the runs, until they eventually declared their first innings at 575 for eight, buoyed by Devon Conway’s impressive double century.

However, Brandon King, who finished the day unbeaten on 55 and John Campbell (45 not out), carried the visitors to 110 without loss to set up an intriguing third day of action.

With the pitch offering little assistance to the bowlers, King and Campbell scored at almost five runs an over during their partnership in the day’s final 90 minutes.

King was his usual fluent self from the start of his innings, striking pacer Zak Foulkes for two consecutive boundaries in the seventh over, before giving fast bowler Jacob Duffy the same treatment three overs later. Campbell brought up the Windies’ 50 inside 10 overs with a spanking drive down the ground for four off pacer Michael Rae.

King moved into his 40s with another boundary off Foulkes, before reaching his second Test half century off only 63 balls by guiding a delivery from Duffy past backward point for another four.

He has so far faced 78 balls and struck nine boundaries, while Campbell’s knock has taken 60 balls, and includes seven fours.

Earlier, the West Indies’ bowling attack was dealt a harsh blow at the start of play when it was revealed that Roach would be unable to bowl because of his hamstring injury.

Resuming the day on 334 for one, with Conway unbeaten on 178, nightwatchman Duffy did well to score 17 before edging pacer Jayden Seales behind with 16 runs added to their total.

Conway though, continued to press on, eventually bringing up his second Test double hundred by hitting Jayden Seales for two boundaries.

He added 69 runs with Kane Williamson, before Williamson attempted an expansive drive off pacer Justin Greaves, only to be caught behind by wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach for 31, to leave the score 419 for three.

New Zealand went into the lunch break at 424 for three, but Greaves claimed the prized scalp of Conway shortly after play resumed by trapping him plumb in front for 227.

In all, he spent almost eight and a half hours at the crease and smashed an impressive 31 boundaries from the 367 balls he faced.

Daryl Mitchell only made 11 before he was caught down the leg side by Imlach off the bowling of Roston Chase, and six runs later Seales had Tom Blundell caught behind for four to see the Kiwis reduced to 461 for six.

Ravendra then added 61 runs for the seventh wicket with Glenn Phillips, who made 29, and then shared an unbroken partnership of 39 with Ajaz Patel, before captain Tom Latham declared their innings.

Ravendra faced 106 balls and hit six fours and two sixes during his unbeaten knock, while Patel made a run-a-ball 30, inclusive of three fours and two sixes.

Greaves was the Windies’ best bowler, grabbing 2-83, while Seales (2-100) and Phillip (2-154), provided good support.

West Indies trail New Zealand by 465 runs after reaching 110 without loss at the close of play on the second day of the third and final Test here at the Bay Oval on Friday.

Scores

NEW ZEALAND 575-8 dec’d in 155 overs (Devon Conway 224 not out, Tom Latham 137, Rachin Ravindra 72 not out, Kane Williamson 31, Ajax Patel 30 not out, Glenn Phillips 29, Jacob Duffy 17, Daryl Mitchell 11; Justin Greaves 2-83, Jayden Seales 2-100, Anderson Phillip 2-154).

WEST INDIES 110-0 in 23 overs (Brandon King 55 not out, John Campbell 45 not out).

The Antigua and Barbuda government Friday said it had reached an agreement with the United States allowing for its nationals currently holding valid visas to be allowed entry into the North American country.

‘This applies to all visa categories, including B-1, B-2, J, and M visas,’ said Antigua and Barbuda’s 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.

Earlier this week, the Gaston Browne government said it is ‘actively engaged’ in discussions with the United States authorities after President Donald Trump included nationals from the island and two other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries who would either be ‘fully’ restricted or have limited entry into the United 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 his statement, Ambassador Sanders said that he met with the United States officials ‘on the instructions of, and with the guidance of’ Prime Minister Browne to discuss the issuance of the United States Proclamation entitled ‘Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States,’ issued on December 16.

‘I met today with senior officials of the United States Department of State. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Proclamation and its implications for Antigua and Barbuda,’ he said, adding that at that meeting, several matters were ‘confirmed and agreed’.

According to the diplomat 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.’

Sir Ronald said he wanted to emphasis ‘that the process of gathering the biometric information will be no different than now applies to all Antigua and Barbuda citizens; only the technology will change to align it with the US system.

‘This alignment of biometric data systems will apply to all citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, including citizens by birth, descent, naturalisation, or investment,’ said Sir Ronald, adding that he wanted to ‘express appreciation to the officials of the United States Government who have worked with us constructively and in good faith to address this matter.

‘We are grateful for their commitment to continue working with us in furtherance of the cooperative relationship that our two countries have long enjoyed. Antigua and Barbuda recognises and respects the responsibility of the United States to protect its national security.

‘We have pledged-and we reaffirm-our commitment to continue working closely with United States authorities on all necessary measures to ensure that our systems present no risk to U.S. security, while preserving legitimate travel for our citizens.’

The diplomat said St. John’s is ‘pleased that clarity has been achieved on these immediate concerns, and we will continue to participate fully in the work now underway to ensure the continuation of strong people-to-people exchanges between the United States and Antigua and Barbuda’.

West Indies were left to toil under a relentless New Zealand sun on the opening day of the third and final Test at Bay Oval, as the hosts seized total control with a commanding batting display, finishing the day on a formidable 334 for the loss of just one wicket.

The day belonged entirely to New Zealand’s opening pair, Devon Conway and Tom Latham, who constructed a mammoth 323-run partnership.

Their stand, which lasted a gruelling 86 overs, is now the highest opening partnership ever recorded for New Zealand on home soil and the second-highest in their Test history.

The tourists’ breakthrough finally came when veteran seamer Kemar Roach dismissed Latham for a well-made 137, but the damage was already profound.

Conway remains at the crease, unbeaten on a majestic 178, and will look to convert it into a double-century when play resumes on day two.

Facing the media at the close of a punishing day, West Indies assistant coach Rayon Griffith conceded the challenge but insisted his side would not capitulate.

‘It was a tough day, and it’s cricket. That’s how it goes,’ Griffith stated. ‘Sometimes you have a tough time, and sometimes you have some easier days, right? However, yes, Devon and Tom played well. I thought the partnership that they put on set the game up for New Zealand.’

Griffith defended the effort of his bowling attack, suggesting the Kiwi batters simply weathered the storm. ‘Well, you may say we didn’t make the best use of it. I thought the bowlers came in, Jayden (Seales) and Kemar (Roach), thought they bowled well. They had New Zealand, but not really scoring. But I thought the two batters released well; they played the situation in a good fashion.’

With New Zealand in a position to bat the West Indies out of the contest, the visiting coach emphasised the need for resilience from a seasoned squad.

‘We have experienced players in our dressing room. And we know the positive will continue passing around that dressing room,’ he said. ‘The game is still in progress, so we’ve been through this before. These guys are accustomed to a situation like this, and we will become better.’

Veteran fast bowler Kemar Roach did not take the field on the second day of the third and final Test against New Zealand here on Friday due to a hamstring injury.

The 37-year-old suffered the injury on Thursday’s opening day where he bowled 19 overs and took one wicket.

He is currently undergoing tests to determine the extent of the injury and whether he will take any further part in the match.

The distribution of the GUY$50,000 disability cash grant officially begins Thursday, delivering critical financial support to thousands of Guyanese living with permanent disabilities.

‘I am happy to announce that after His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s announcement of the $50,000 cash grant that will be for persons living with disabilities on our register, this is the register of persons living with permanent disabilities, that process will start tomorrow (Thursday),’ Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud said.

The announcement was made by Persaud in a video posted to her Facebook page.

According to Persaud, beneficiaries who are already on the official register can access the funds by using the voucher located at the back of their 2025 Permanent Disability booklet.

‘So if you are on the register, you will have a permanent disability book. The last voucher in that book, many of you were asking what that voucher is for. Take that voucher to the post office or any of the outlets such as MoneyGram, SurePay, or Western Union, and you can cash out that voucher for the $50,000 cash grant,’ she explained.

She further urged beneficiaries across the country to begin the process immediately.

The Ministry has also reminded beneficiaries to ensure that the last page of their Permanent Disability booklet is properly stamped.

This can be done at any Probation and Social Services Office in the person’s respective district before attempting to cash the grant.

President Ali first announced the Disability Cash Grant on December 3.

The initiative is expected to inject approximately $1.4 billion in direct assistance to more than 27,000 vulnerable citizens nationwide.

New Zealand reached 424 for three at lunch against West Indies on the second day of the third and final Test here at the Bay Oval on Friday.

NEW ZEALAND 424-3 in 117 overs (Devon Conway 224 not out, Tom Latham 137, Kane Williamson 31).

Over 40 officers in the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) are now better equipped to handle rape and other sexual related assault cases.

The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) recently conducted an intensive training programme for officers of the RGPF, focusing on the effective handling of rape and sexual assault cases.

‘This initiative underscores the shared commitment of the United Kingdom and Grenada to uphold justice, protect human dignity, and safeguard the most vulnerable members of society,’ says a news release from Grenada’s British High Commission Office.

The release explains that recognizing the profound impact of sexual violence and the long-lasting trauma it inflicts, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), with support from Virgin Atlantic, funded this specialized training delivered by two NCA experts.

At the opening ceremony, Charley Williams, the UK’s Deputy High Commissioner for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean said that Sexual violence is among the gravest violations of human rights.

‘Its consequences extend far beyond the immediate harm, leaving deep and lasting scars on individuals, families, and communities. How law enforcement responds to such crimes is critical, for the pursuit of justice and restoring trust and the healing of victims,’ he told the participants.

The week-long training covered advanced interviewing and investigative techniques, victim-centered approaches, support structures, and complex case management.

According to the release, the programme was designed in line with international standards and best practices to strengthen victim care and improve outcomes in sexual violence cases.

In May 2025, the Criminal Justice Reform Committee whose Chairperson is Madam Justice Gilford, launched an initiative with the primary object being public education on social issues affecting communities,

The Committee is currently engaged in spotlighting ‘Sexual Offenses’ as one of the topics of the Committee’s public awareness campaign in schools in Grenada. This public awareness campaign aims to edify persons in the community about sexual offenses -particularly minors- who are often affected by these crimes – be they perpetrators or victims.

In an interview in July 2025, Legal Affairs Minister Claudette Joseph said that sexual related offenses are high in Grenada and there are several people who are abusive to children. She called on the religious community to stop protecting these predators who are sometimes shielding themselves behind the cloth.