Category: CANA News

Antigua and Barbuda is widening its international travel access after signing a series of visa agreements with countries across Africa and the Middle East.

E P Chet Green

Foreign Affairs Minister EP Chet Greene, speaking during the 2026 Budget Debate, told Parliament that new visa arrangements have been concluded with the United Arab Emirates, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and Benin, forming part of what he described as a deliberate push to improve mobility for Antiguans and Barbudans.

The agreements, Greene said, are intended to make it easier for citizens to travel abroad while deepening diplomatic and economic links with key international partners.

Although the minister did not outline the specific terms of each agreement, he framed them as practical outcomes of foreign policy – measures designed to move beyond symbolism and deliver real benefits, particularly in trade, investment and people-to-people connections.

Greene also pointed to Japan as part of Antigua and Barbuda’s wider diplomatic engagement, noting that arrangements with Tokyo remain active even though no new visa agreement was announced during the debate. He included Japan among countries with which the government continues to strengthen long-standing ties.

The visa agreements come amid a broader reconfiguration of Antigua and Barbuda’s foreign service, which Greene used his budget presentation to detail.

That included new diplomatic appointments, changes to overseas missions and efforts to expand the country’s international footprint.

Government officials have increasingly framed visa access as a key indicator of diplomatic reach, particularly for small island states where global mobility can directly affect trade opportunities, education access and tourism development.

Greene said the latest agreements reflect the government’s view that foreign policy should translate into everyday advantages for citizens, rather than remain confined to diplomatic communiqués.

The United States and Canada on Friday welcomed the ‘commitments and participation’ made at the December 9 Haiti Force Generation Conference for the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), convened on behalf of the Standing Group of Partners.

Laurent Saint-Cyr

In a joint statement, the two governments said the ‘shared determination of partner countries and organizations reflects a commitment to assist Haitians in addressing ongoing security challenges affecting the stability of the country and the region.’

They noted that Haiti’s transitional government has taken significant steps to re-establish a democratic process, including adopting an electoral decree that would allow Haitians to choose their leaders for the first time in nearly a decade.

‘The conference deliberations sought to reinforce this trajectory by convening partners to coordinate, support, and strengthen security conditions on the ground,’ the statement said.

With 18 entities pledging personnel, resources, and technical support, the US and Canada said the commitments demonstrate the breadth of international engagement behind the mission. They added that a burden-sharing approach would ensure the GSF has the tools needed to meet its mandate.

The two countries said they will continue working with international partners to ensure proper training, equipment, and compliance mechanisms are in place to support personnel-contributing countries. They also thanked those that previously contributed to the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission and reaffirmed their commitment to working alongside Haiti through the GSF ‘to advance stability, protect civilians, and support the Haitian people’s aspirations for a safer, more prosperous future.’

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Haiti’s President pro tempore and Coordinator of the Transitional Council, Laurent Saint-Cyr, welcomed a new contingent of Kenyan troops assigned to the GSF.

The fifth contingent, comprising 230 specialized police officers, arrived at Toussaint Louverture International Airport accompanied by Kenya’s Deputy National Security Advisor, Joseph Boinett, and Principal Deputy Inspector General James Kamau. Their arrival coincided with the departure of 100 Kenyan police officers who had completed their mission.

In early September, the United Nations Security Council authorized the GSF to replace the Kenyan-led MSS mission amid escalating gang violence, widespread human rights abuses, and a deepening humanitarian crisis.

The resolution, co-sponsored by Panama and the United States and supported by dozens of countries, was adopted with 12 votes in favor and three abstentions from China, Pakistan, and Russia.

Under an initial 12-month mandate, the UN said the 5,550-member force will work closely with the Haitian National Police and the armed forces to conduct intelligence-led operations against gangs, secure critical infrastructure, support humanitarian access, protect vulnerable populations, and assist with the reintegration of former fighters while strengthening national institutions.

The UN said the MSS mission, authorized in October 2023, was hampered by chronic underfunding, insufficient personnel, and limited operational capacity, making it difficult to counter gangs that now control large areas of Port-au-Prince. While the MSS helped restore access to some areas and infrastructure, it struggled to match the scale of the crisis. Kenya, which led the MSS, has endorsed the new GSF mechanism.

According to the UN, Haiti is currently facing nearly 1.3 million internally displaced people, rising kidnappings, widespread sexual violence, and gangs controlling much of the capital.

Last month, in presenting an updated Roadmap for Stability and Peace in Haiti to the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS), Secretary General Albert Ramdin urged member states to ‘act with urgency.’

Ramdin said the third version of the roadmap, first introduced in August, enjoys broad international support but warned that ‘time is running out.’ He called on member states and partners to move from commitments to concrete action to ease the suffering of Haitians and ‘lay the foundations for stability, democracy, and hope, under Haitian leadership and with effective international coordination.’

The nation is mourning the death of former speaker of the House of Representatives and former attorney general, Sir Gerald Watt KC.

Sir Gerald who died on Saturday, aged 86, was receiving medical treatment at the time of his passing.

Sir Gerald served in several areas of public service.

He served as attorney general, chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission, president of the Antigua and Barbuda Bar Association and House Speaker.

He resigned as House Speaker in 2024, after 10 years in the post.

His death has left the legal fraternity reeling, as the king’s counsel was one of the country’s most distinguished and highly-respected attorneys.

He was head of Watt, Dorsett, Hewlett Law. Partner in the law firm, Dr David Dorsett, reflects on Sir Gerald as ‘one of a kind.’

Sir Gerald would have celebrated his 87th birthday on December 19.

A burst of youthful energy has descended upon Guyana’s shores as the Barbados Under-13 cricket team arrived on Friday, setting the stage for a thrilling five-match series against their Guyanese counterparts.

Barbados Under-13 cricket squad, along with their coaches.

The much-anticipated contest begins today at the Lusignan Community Centre Ground, promising a festival of emerging talent and regional camaraderie.

All matches are set to commence at 10:00 a.m., with both teams adorned in traditional white clothing, contesting 40 overs per side, a format designed to test the skill and temperament of the region’s most promising junior cricketers.

Following today’s opener, the action shifts to the historic GCC Bourda for the second fixture on December 14.

After a scheduled rest and tour day, the series resumes at Bourda on December 16, before moving to the Everest Cricket Ground for the fourth match on December 17.

The finale will be played at Everest on December 19, with the Barbadian contingent departing on December 20.

The Barbadian touring party, led by an experienced management team headed by Coach Roderick Estwick, Assistant Coach Dexter Toppin, and Manager Sherwin Greene, boasts a squad of fourteen budding stars.

The roster includes Avery Boyce, Jon-David Greene, Anarhi Hinds, Tanari Hunte, Kijani Inniss, Ky-Mani Inniss, Oliver King, Nathan Kirton, Natarie Lavine, Niako Patterson, Z’Dari Scantlebury, Liam Sookram, Jaheim Springer, and Kaedon Wilkins.

Standing in their way is a determined Guyana U13 squad, captained by Lomar Seecharran and vice-captained by Sahid Gajnabi.

The home team boasts a diverse lineup of exciting talents, including Nathaniel Ramkhelawan, Timothy Ramdat, Afraz Ali, Makai Dowlin, Afraz Khan, Fayyad Baksh, Ashton Collins, Deshawn Ramnauth, Adrian Emmanuel, Jasani Craig, DeMarcus Thomas, and Jaden Ganpat.

This series underscores the ongoing developmental commitment of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA).

Designed to provide meaningful regional exposure, the initiative strengthens cricketing pathways while fostering the values of sportsmanship and friendship among Caribbean youth.

The United States and Canada on Friday welcomed the ‘commitments and participation’ made at the December 9 Haiti Force Generation Conference for the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), convened on behalf of the Standing Group of Partners.

Laurent Saint-Cyr

In a joint statement, the two governments said the ‘shared determination of partner countries and organizations reflects a commitment to assist Haitians in addressing ongoing security challenges affecting the stability of the country and the region.’

They noted that Haiti’s transitional government has taken significant steps to re-establish a democratic process, including adopting an electoral decree that would allow Haitians to choose their leaders for the first time in nearly a decade.

‘The conference deliberations sought to reinforce this trajectory by convening partners to coordinate, support, and strengthen security conditions on the ground,’ the statement said.

With 18 entities pledging personnel, resources, and technical support, the US and Canada said the commitments demonstrate the breadth of international engagement behind the mission. They added that a burden-sharing approach would ensure the GSF has the tools needed to meet its mandate.

The two countries said they will continue working with international partners to ensure proper training, equipment, and compliance mechanisms are in place to support personnel-contributing countries. They also thanked those that previously contributed to the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission and reaffirmed their commitment to working alongside Haiti through the GSF ‘to advance stability, protect civilians, and support the Haitian people’s aspirations for a safer, more prosperous future.’

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Haiti’s President pro tempore and Coordinator of the Transitional Council, Laurent Saint-Cyr, welcomed a new contingent of Kenyan troops assigned to the GSF.

The fifth contingent, comprising 230 specialized police officers, arrived at Toussaint Louverture International Airport accompanied by Kenya’s Deputy National Security Advisor, Joseph Boinett, and Principal Deputy Inspector General James Kamau. Their arrival coincided with the departure of 100 Kenyan police officers who had completed their mission.

In early September, the United Nations Security Council authorized the GSF to replace the Kenyan-led MSS mission amid escalating gang violence, widespread human rights abuses, and a deepening humanitarian crisis.

The resolution, co-sponsored by Panama and the United States and supported by dozens of countries, was adopted with 12 votes in favor and three abstentions from China, Pakistan, and Russia.

Under an initial 12-month mandate, the UN said the 5,550-member force will work closely with the Haitian National Police and the armed forces to conduct intelligence-led operations against gangs, secure critical infrastructure, support humanitarian access, protect vulnerable populations, and assist with the reintegration of former fighters while strengthening national institutions.

The UN said the MSS mission, authorized in October 2023, was hampered by chronic underfunding, insufficient personnel, and limited operational capacity, making it difficult to counter gangs that now control large areas of Port-au-Prince. While the MSS helped restore access to some areas and infrastructure, it struggled to match the scale of the crisis. Kenya, which led the MSS, has endorsed the new GSF mechanism.

According to the UN, Haiti is currently facing nearly 1.3 million internally displaced people, rising kidnappings, widespread sexual violence, and gangs controlling much of the capital.

Last month, in presenting an updated Roadmap for Stability and Peace in Haiti to the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS), Secretary General Albert Ramdin urged member states to ‘act with urgency.’

Ramdin said the third version of the roadmap, first introduced in August, enjoys broad international support but warned that ‘time is running out.’ He called on member states and partners to move from commitments to concrete action to ease the suffering of Haitians and ‘lay the foundations for stability, democracy, and hope, under Haitian leadership and with effective international coordination.’

An intelligence-led operation in Point Fortin, to the south of here, has resulted in the seizure of an estimated TT$56 million worth of marijuana, marking the second major drug bust by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) within 24 hours.

The seizure followed a separate operation on Wednesday night, during which officers recovered 1,560 kilogrammes of ‘creepy marijuana’ in the Caroni Swamp, with an estimated street value of TT$171,205,320 One TT doTT$52,159.

According to the TTPS, the latest exercise was conducted on Thursday between 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro.

Officers were deployed to a remote forested area off South Central Road, Cap-De-Ville, Point Fortin, where a search led to the discovery of 23 bales of marijuana wrapped in black plastic.

Guevarro commended the officers and partner agencies involved, citing their continued efforts to restrict the movement of illegal narcotics. He said the impact of such seizures goes beyond financial losses to criminal groups, noting their role in protecting lives affected by drug-related activity.

Guevarro said the TTPS remains focused on reducing opportunities for organised criminal groups to profit from illegal operations and will continue pursuing strategies aimed at dismantling drug trafficking networks.

The TTPS said operations of this nature form part of a broader, intelligence-driven strategy to reduce serious crime nationwide by maintaining sustained pressure on drug traffickers.

Investigations into the origin of the 23 bales of marijuana and those responsible for their transport or storage are continuing under the direction of the Special Investigations Unit.

Free agent forward Michail Antonio is in advanced talks with Leicester City over a short-term deal, as the veteran Reggae Boy forward aims to complete a remarkable return to professional football nearly a year after a serious car accident.

The 35-year-old Jamaican international, who has been without a club since his West Ham United contract expired this summer, trained with the Championship side on Thursday and held positive discussions.

Leicester, operating under financial constraints, sees the experienced striker as a potential low-cost option to bolster its attacking ranks.

Antonio’s journey back to full fitness has been arduous. In December last year, he survived a crash in Epping, Essex, that left his vehicle severely damaged.

He has not played senior competitive football since, dedicating himself to a lengthy rehabilitation initially continued at West Ham.

Following his release, the forward has diligently worked his way back, featuring for West Ham’s Under-21s in August and maintaining fitness through a training spell with Brentford earlier this season.

Now, with his recovery having progressed significantly, a move to the King Power Stadium appears imminent. For Antonio, it represents a chance to defy the odds and reignite a career that seemed in jeopardy just twelve months ago.

He will also be eyeing a return to the Reggae Boys squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup play-offs in March next year.

The United States Navy Admiral overseeing US forces in Latin America and Caribbean retired on Friday, two years ahead of schedule.

Admiral Alvin Holsey

The Miami-based US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), which overseas military operations in the region, said Admiral Alvin Holsey relinquished duties as commander to Air Force Lieutenant General Evan L. Pettus at the command’s headquarters on Friday.

Holsey reportedly was in disagreement with the Trump administration and its military operations in the Caribbean Sea.

‘One of Admiral Holsey’s most significant achievements was the transformation of US SOUTHCOM into a more agile, capable and operationally present force,’ said SOUTHCOM in a statement.

‘Under his leadership, the command expanded from roughly 3,500 personnel to nearly 15,000 personnel in direct support of operations in the region,’ it added. ‘The operational impact was immediately felt, with the expanded US presence across the region, improving responsiveness and strengthening deterrence.’

SOUTHCOM said Pettus, who was SOUTHCOM’s Military Deputy Commander, is a career Air Force officer with multiple combat deployments and stints in leadership roles, including the Commandant of the Air Command and Staff College, the Commander of the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing, and the Commander, Air Forces Southern.

SOUTHCOM said Holsey’s career includes numerous deployments aboard US Navy frigates and cruisers, as well as missions flying the SH-2F Seasprite and SH-60B Seahawk helicopters.

He commanded a helicopter anti-submarine squadron; the US Navy’s first hybrid electric propulsion warship, USS Makin Island (LHD 8); and Carrier Strike Group One aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.

Holsey previously served as Military Deputy Commander at SOUTHCOM prior to assuming command.

Hosley assumed command of SOUTHCOM November 7, 2024.

‘Under his leadership, SOUTHCOM strengthened security in the Caribbean, reached an historic drug interdiction milestone by seizing and disrupting more than a million pounds of cocaine; expanded the US security partnership with Panama to a level not seen in decades; provided robust logistical support to the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti; and stood up Joint Task Force Southern Guard to support the Department of Homeland Security,’ SOUTHCOM said.

One of America’s six geographically focused unified commands, SOUTHCOM is responsible for US defense and security cooperation with partner nations in the Caribbean, Central America and South America, as well as US military operations in the region.

An intelligence-led operation in Point Fortin, to the south of here, has resulted in the seizure of an estimated TT$56 million worth of marijuana, marking the second major drug bust by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) within 24 hours.

The seizure followed a separate operation on Wednesday night, during which officers recovered 1,560 kilogrammes of ‘creepy marijuana’ in the Caroni Swamp, with an estimated street value of TT$171,205,320 One TT doTT$52,159.

According to the TTPS, the latest exercise was conducted on Thursday between 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro.

Officers were deployed to a remote forested area off South Central Road, Cap-De-Ville, Point Fortin, where a search led to the discovery of 23 bales of marijuana wrapped in black plastic.

Guevarro commended the officers and partner agencies involved, citing their continued efforts to restrict the movement of illegal narcotics. He said the impact of such seizures goes beyond financial losses to criminal groups, noting their role in protecting lives affected by drug-related activity.

Guevarro said the TTPS remains focused on reducing opportunities for organised criminal groups to profit from illegal operations and will continue pursuing strategies aimed at dismantling drug trafficking networks.

The TTPS said operations of this nature form part of a broader, intelligence-driven strategy to reduce serious crime nationwide by maintaining sustained pressure on drug traffickers.

Investigations into the origin of the 23 bales of marijuana and those responsible for their transport or storage are continuing under the direction of the Special Investigations Unit.

Latin America and Caribbean countries (LAC) are being urged to strengthen and expand economic and cooperative relations with India to boost their economic growth and enhance development.

Delegates attending the ‘India-Latin America and the Caribbean: Emerging partners in a shifting global economy’ organized by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), agreed that it is in the LAC’s best interest to boost their relationship with India. The event included two high-level panels in which experts and specialists both from the region and from India debated topics such as bilateral relations in a transforming global economy and new frontiers to expand cooperation in trade and investment.

ECLAC’s executive secretary José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, said the main consideration proposed by this seminar is the need to reframe international integration of Latin America and the Caribbean through foresight.

‘Integration with the world must be managed intelligently, that is, as a political tool to boost growth and development, drive productive transformation, bolster the region’s numerous assets, and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with a growing number of trade and economic partners,’ Salazar-Xirinachs stated.

He noted that India is currently one of the world’s most dynamic emerging economies, with a gross domestic product (GDP) of nearly 3.7 trillion US dollars and a population of more than 1.4 billion people.

The ECLAC official added that India is currently the fifth-largest economy worldwide, set to become the third-largest by 2030, driven by a high growth rate and a process of deep transformation that can provide valuable lessons for Latin America and the Caribbean.

He noted that although economic relations between India and the region have shown increased momentum-with bilateral commerce of nearly 50 billion US dollars-they are still far from fulfilling their potential. Exchange is currently concentrated on a small number of products, with little presence of goods and services with a greater added value.

However, current negotiations and the expansion of the India-Mercosur agreement, are evidence of growing interest and an expanding economic agenda, he stated.

‘Latin America and the Caribbean must complement their traditional economic ties with a broader strategy of diversification toward emerging economies like India, the Gulf countries, ASEAN, and Africa.

‘This proposal does not mean diminishing the importance of our main partners, such as the United States, China, and the European Union or countries within the region, with whom we maintain solid relationships. Instead, it aims to complement that architecture with new spaces of cooperation that allow the region to act with greater agility in a more competitive global landscape,’ he said.

‘This means building resilience and a capacity for foresight, broadening our productive base, leveraging commercial and technological complementarities, and along with all this, adding very necessary drivers of growth and forms of reducing exposition to external socks that imply higher costs for our economies and societies,’ Salazar-Xirinachs noted.

He said that in an economy and global landscape characterized by strong industrial and technological rivalry that are increasingly weaponized and competitive, the countries and regions that combine resilience, foresight, and proactive action will have the greatest chances of improving their path of development.

‘The future of the relationship between India and the region will depend on our ability to transform spaces like these into inputs for public policy, corporate partnerships, public-private projects, and mechanisms for sustainable cooperation. I hope this seminar will be a jumping-off point to compare analyses, share experiences, identify alignments, and work toward a shared roadmap,’ he added.

India’s Ambassador to India, Abhilasha Joshi, noted that in a changing landscape, India and Latin America and the Caribbean are discovering new paths for cooperation.

‘On this journey to bring our regions closer together, multilateral forums like ECLAC play a crucial role by providing analytical knowledge and platforms for dialogue,’ she said, adding that India’s message to all countries in the region ‘is one of cooperation, ambition, and shared prosperity

‘I’m sure that in the coming years, we will see a broader, deeper collaboration between India and Latin America and the Caribbean, with a greater impact than ever,’ she said.