Category: CANA News

Prime Minister Philip Davis has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to defending The Bahamas’ borders, safeguarding national sovereignty, and dismantling transnational smuggling network, providing fines for up to US$300,000.

He told Parliament that the Smuggling of Migrants Bill, 2025, directly targets criminal networks that profit from human suffering, modernising the country’s legal framework to make it easier to prosecute smugglers and impose harsher penalties.

‘This Bill makes it easier to prosecute smugglers, and punishes them with tougher penalties than ever before.This is how we protect Bahamian communities. This is how we rule our waters. And this is how we reduce the number of migrants who enter our country illegally,’ But the main opposition Free National Movement (FNM) says it will repeal the legislation if if the party wins the next general election.

FNM and Opposition Leader, Michael Pintard, said the bill, which was passed in the Parliament, will not effect a real crackdown on illegal migrants or the smugglers who exploit them for financial gain.

‘The Smuggling of Migrants Bill will soon become the law of the land,’ Pintard said in a statement.

‘When the Free National Movement forms the next government, it will be repealed. The reason is simple: The bill is a far cry from a real crackdown on illegal entrants, as well as the smugglers and financiers who exploit them for profit,’ he added.

The government said that the Bill defines the smuggling of migrants as a distinct criminal offence and ensures that anyone involved in planning, financing, transporting, or harbouring migrants can be prosecuted – whether the smuggling operation begins, passes through, or ends in The Bahamas.

Under the new legislation, offenders face fines up to US$300,000 and prison terms up to 15 years and Bahamian jurisdiction is extended to prosecute smuggling-related offences committed outside national waters or on foreign-flagged vessels.

It also provides for the confiscation of vehicles, vessels, and other assets used in connection with the crime.

Prime Minister Davis said the legislation builds on his government’s record of strengthening the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) and Immigration Department through new patrol vessels, drones, radar systems, upgraded communications, and expanded manpower.

Since 2022, more than 13,000 migrants have been repatriated – the highest number in Bahamian history – while detention centre populations have dropped significantly due to faster processing and repatriation.

Prime Minister Davis said that The Bahamas will continue to balance compassion with control, upholding the rule of law while refusing to yield to external pressure.

‘Our first duty is to our citizens and to those who are here lawfully. We have refused to sign declarations that would commit us to accepting more migrants. We have refused calls to suspend deportations to Haiti. And we will continue to act in the best interests of The Bahamas.’

The Prime Minister said the Bill clarifies the legal distinction between human smuggling and immigration offences, ensuring that humanitarian treatment of migrants is upheld while preserving the nation’s right to enforce its laws.

‘Being a victim of smuggling does not grant a right to remain in The Bahamas,’ he said. ‘Our asylum laws remain unchanged, and anyone entering illegally will be repatriated.’

Prime Minister Davis warned that Bahamians who knowingly assist smugglers, including those who rent properties, provide transport, or lend vessels for illegal activity, will face serious consequences under the new law.

‘If you are participating in or supporting human smuggling in any way, you will find yourself within the crosshairs of our justice system. This is a turning point. What might have felt like a side income will now carry consequences that can change your life.’

He praised the work of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, the Department of Immigration, and the Ministries of National Security and Immigration and National Insurance for their leadership and coordination.

‘We will not allow criminal networks to use our islands as corridors. We will not allow lawlessness to challenge the safety and stability of our communities. We will not tolerate the exploitation of vulnerable people. And we will not compromise our sovereignty,’ Prime Minister Davis said.

Addressing would be migrants directly, he said ‘I say do not place your lives, or the lives of your children, in the hands of criminals.

‘They will take your money, put you on an overloaded vessel, and send you into open water with little regard for whether you survive. If you come here in breach of our laws, you will be returned to your country of origin.’

During debate, National Security Minister, Wayne Munroe said Section 11, which provided immunity from prosecution to smuggled migrants, would be deleted, saying it would not have changed anything about the way that migrants who enter The Bahamas illegally are processed.

‘We have heard the outcry, and this is a responsive government,’ Munroe said, adding ‘people had a problem with there being immunity and it’s being removed. When I examined it, I could not see the importance of it’.

But Pintard said the government’s amendments to the bill cannot fix what is wrong with the legislation.

‘The bill continues to treat smuggled migrants as victims in a general sense, even where those individuals willingly paid smugglers and chose to enter The Bahamas illegally. That is not consistent with international practice.’

He said that human trafficking involves coercion and victims of this crime deserve protection.

Pintard said human smuggling ‘involves consent’ adding that migrants in this category ‘voluntarily join illegal networks to evade lawful entry’.

‘Our stance on this is clear: persons who voluntarily participate in smuggling should face penalties, not receive the protections reserved for genuine trafficking victims,’ Pintard said, noting that the bill places operational authority, including temporary residence decisions for smuggled migrants, under the minister of national security rather than the minister of immigration, which he said ‘makes no sense’.

Pintard was referring to a clause which states that the minister of national security ‘may grant a temporary residence permit to a smuggled migrant in order to facilitate the investigation or prosecution of an offence’ under the new bill ‘or to facilitate the migrant’s recovery or rehabilitation’.

Pintard dismissed the government’s statement that the Smuggling of Migrants Bill is necessary to adhere to international treaties.

‘That is simply not true. International protocols do not require The Bahamas to soften penalties for smuggling or blur the line between trafficking and smuggling. They do not override Parliament’s duty to protect the peace and security of our country,’ the Opposition Leader said.

West Indies were dismissed for 205 after tea against New Zealand on the opening day of the second Test here at the Basin Reserve on Wednesday.

WEST INDIES 205 in 75 overs (Shai Hope 48, John Campbell 44, Brandon King 33, Roston Chase 29, Tevin Imlach 16, Justin Greaves 13; Blair Tickner 4-32, Michael Rae 3-67).

Guyana has signed an agreement with the United States expanding military cooperation between the two countries.

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

President Irfaan Ali greets US Senior Advisor to the Secretary of War, Patrick Weaver, and the Acting Assistant Secretary of War for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Joseph Humire

Ali said that the agreement is part of an evolving process between Washington and its allies in South America and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to work on defence and security.

‘The US government now is launching what they call the ‘Southern Spear’ of security where they are now coming up with a strategy for the Western Hemisphere and the US government is to invest more and pay attention more to the CARICOM and Western Hemisphere so basically the countries and allies in the region signalling their intention for more collaboration and cooperation,’ he said.

He said the agreement provides for ‘reinforcement’ of long-term training and collaboration under existing regimes like the Shiprider Agreement that allows for US security personnel to chase, intercept and board drug trafficking vessels in Guyanese waters.

Asked whether the Statement of Intent would lead to the signing of a defence treaty between the US and Guyana, Preisdent Ali replied by saying ‘this is evolving so in the coming months there will be greater discussions on more levels of cooperation and the integration of our work’

The signing of the agreement comes less than 24 hours after President Ali reiterated Guyana’s commitment to work with its international allies in promoting peace, democracy and ridding the region of maligned actors involved in transnational crime in Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean.

Ali had told the visiting Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell that Guyana has consistently spoken about ‘the abuse of our airspace and our waterways by all kinds of criminal elements, all kinds of illegitimate trade and we stand strong and steadfast in every action that will allow those illegitimate actors to continue to tarnish the reputation of our region and we have to do this in partnership if we are to have a region that is safe for our children 30, 40, 50 years from now’.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Wednesday said that it is transitioning into the second phase of its assistance to Jamaica in the aftermath of the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa last October, shifting from short-term emergency deployments toward longer-term institutional strengthening.

PAHO said in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW), priorities include expanding training for health workers on key mental health and psychosocial support interventions, restoring and equipping mobile mental health outreach teams, institutionalizing the Care for Carers programme, and optimising parish-level information systems to improve mental health support services.

‘The next phase must prioritise consolidating and expanding these capacities through institutional mechanisms,’ advised Marcello de Queiroz, a mental health expert with PAHO who was deployed to Jamaica immediately after the hurricane.

PAHO said that the hurricane, which killed at least 45 people and left damage estimated at nine billion US dollars, severely damaged health service infrastructure and disrupted life in Jamaica.

It said in the aftermath, thousands of displaced families, health workers, children, and people living with chronic illnesses continue to deal with the storm’s psychosocial impacts: including acute stress, grief, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion.

PAHO said with shelters operating at capacity and privacy in short supply, early assessments show that people who lost their homes or livelihoods are experiencing deep feelings of helplessness and uncertainty. Older adults, overwhelmed health workers, and people living with chronic illnesses are also struggling with fatigue and diminished coping abilities.

For decades, Jamaica delivers mental health care through a community-based model integrated into its primary health system. The MoHW deploys mental health experts -psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychiatric nurses – to health centers across the island on a weekly or biweekly basis.

‘This rotation system allows people to access care close to home – through outpatient mental health clinics, home visits, and mobile outreach teams – and ensures that individuals with severe conditions receive adequate and continuous support. This model normally provides broad, equitable coverage, with over 300 participating clinics.’

According to post-hurricane analysis, over 130 health clinics were damaged, causing disruption in services. In Trelawny, for example, two of six mental health service sites became non-functional after the hurricane, while in St. Elizabeth four of six centers stopped operations – dramatically reducing access to routine follow-up and medication continuity for people living with mental health conditions.

PAHO said as a result, urgent clinical and psychosocial risks emerged: people with severe mental illness who depend on regular treatment were suddenly at risk of disruption and relapse, while communities already coping with acute stress, grief, and anxiety faced even greater vulnerability in the hurricane’s aftermath.

‘The devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa has led to widespread emotional distress and if it is not addressed in a coordinated way, we will miss people who require mental and psychological support,’ explains Dr. Kevin Goulbourne, Director of Mental Health Services for the MoWH.

PAHO immediately responded with support to help the MOHW organise a multilayered support system, reactivate critical services, and coordinate dozens of responding organizations.

It said just days after the hurricane, the Ministry, supported by PAHO, conducted a 48-hour assessment and activated the National MHPSS Working Group, bringing together 14 organizations. The group adapted and rolled out the WHO/PAHO 4Ws tool, a simple and effective way to identify gaps, understand challenges, and map who was doing what and where in the early phase of a response.

PAHO said many of the hardest-hit communities – St. Elizabeth, Trelawny, Westmoreland, and St. James – experienced prolonged isolation due to blocked roads and damaged infrastructure. MoHW and PAHO mobilized 20 trained volunteers to deliver psychosocial support in shelters.

These interventions integrate structured problem-solving counseling with key behavioral strategies to improve people’s ability to cope and function. Joined by the Jamaican Red Cross and C-TECH, these teams reached approximately 950 people in the first two weeks, providing psychological first aid, stress-management techniques, and referrals where needed.

Simultaneously, PAHO, in collaboration with the MoHW and the University of the West Indies (UWI), launched a series of weekly face-to-face training sessions in Psychological First Aid (PFA). These sessions are complemented by the dissemination of comprehensive guidance materials designed to strengthen the MHPSS surge response. Over 100 health sector workers have been trained thus far, including participants from the hardest-hit communities.

PAHO said health workers were among the most heavily affected by the hurricane, working under extreme stress while dealing with personal losses and displacement.

To support them, PAHO said it helped establish a weekly ‘Care for Carers’ deployment of mental health professionals from the Southeast Regional Health Authority to the most affected parishes. By the end of the month, over 200 health workers from 11 health facilities had received group or individual support sessions.

‘Many health professionals are experiencing grief and loss, have lost their homes, and still feel compelled to continue working in emergency settings and provide services,’ said Roriz de Queiroz.

With PAHO’s support, the MoHW intensified mental health messaging through radio, social media, and printed materials. The campaigns promote positive coping strategies, counter misinformation, and connect people to support services like the national Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Helpline and the UMatter Chatline.

Regional psychiatrists were invited to join the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Working Group, updating them on evolving needs. Mobile mental health teams reestablished follow-up, home visits, and medication continuity in hard-to-reach communities, efforts crucial to reaching psychiatric patients whose treatment was interrupted by the hurricane.

‘With PAHO’s support, we have developed indicators and data collection sheets used by MHPSS providers to ensure we can record data for monitoring and evaluation. With this information we can make adjustments to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of our support,’ Dr. Kevin Goulbourne added.

New Zealand trail West Indies by 181 runs with 10 wickets remaining after reaching 24 without loss at the close of play on the opening day of the second Test here at the Basin Reserve on Wednesday.

WEST INDIES 205 in 75 overs (Shai Hope 48, John Campbell 44, Brandon King 33, Roston Chase 29, Tevin Imlach 16, Justin Greaves 13; Blair Tickner 4-32, Michael Rae 3-67).

NEW ZEALAND 24-0 in nine overs (Devon Conway 16 not out).

The President General of the Oilfield Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU), Ancel Roget, Wednesday said he had filed a lawsuit for defamation against former prime minister Dr. Keith Rowley.

Roget said that the lawsuit follows a Facebook post made by Rowley on August 29, 2022 and that he had decided on the legal action after Rowley, who served as prime minister from 2015 to early 2025, failed to accede to his lawyers’ request to retract his statement.

‘Since Dr Rowley has failed to retract his statement as requested in a pre-action protocol letter dated 29th August 2022, this lawsuit seeks to vindicate Comrade Roget’s reputation, obtain a full retraction and apology, and pursue appropriate damages for the harm caused,’ the OWTU said in a statement.

It said that the post by the former prime minister ‘falsely attributed criminal behaviour and irresponsible leadership to Comrade Roget and attempted to associate him with unlawful conduct and political subversion.

‘Comrade Roget has taken strong exception to the implication that he, in his capacity as a Trade Union leader, orchestrated or endorsed acts of illegality or sabotage that endangered public order and national security,’ the statement said, adding that the damage caused by Rowley’s comments was worsened because of his position as prime minister.

‘Statements of this nature from someone in such a powerful position not only amplify misinformation but also incite public distrust and hostility toward those who advocate on behalf of workers’ rights and democratic freedoms,’ it said.

Barbados has appointed the former president of the Senate, Kerryann Ifill as the country’s first Human Rights Commissioner (HRC).

Her appointment took effect from December 1, 2025, and will initially be contractual until the post is enshrined by legislation within the next year.

The Human Rights Commissioner met briefly with Prime Minister, Mia Amor Mottley, and Attorney General Dale Marshall, discussing the role and functions of the new Office within the context of traditional and emerging human rights.

Prime Minister, Mia Amor Mottley, congratulates Barbados’ first Human Rights Commissioner, Kerryann Ifill, during their meeting at Parliament. Looking on is Attorney General Dale Marshall. (C. Pitt/BGIS)

The Prime Minister noted that the Office of the HRC would be independent and welcomed the HRC’s potential contribution to the elaboration of a human rights framework, including a regime to protect citizens from different forms of discrimination.

She said that while protection from discrimination in employment currently exists under the Employment Rights Act, legislation was needed to protect citizens from discrimination in areas of activity other than employment, and invited the Commissioner to give consideration to this aspect.

In commenting on Ifill’s appointment, the Attorney General said notwithstanding Barbados’ good record as far as human rights are concerned, it is now the gold standard for countries to establish an Office of Commissioner for Human Rights.

‘A Human Rights Commissioner is involved with promoting awareness of human rights, monitoring human rights complaints, ensuring human rights standards as well as developing, coordinating and implementing policies and programmes that promote the observance of human rights.’

Ifill said she welcomes the opportunity to serve as Human Rights Commissioner, noting that ‘human rights are very near and dear to me’ and breaches often occurred in ‘subtle and sometimes not so subtle’ ways.

‘When it is fully in place, the Human Rights Commission of Barbados will serve as an independent body dedicated to promoting, protecting, and upholding human rights across the nation. The Commission will, among other things, conduct investigations into human rights complaints, develop and implement educational campaigns and behaviour change communication to raise awareness about human rights, monitor Barbados’ compliance with international human rights treaties and domestic legislation.

‘During the next several months, before we roll out to the public, the Office will be preparing this groundwork, including offering suggestions on a legislated human rights framework. In this regard, we will be taking a look at the human rights operations in regional and international settings.’

Ifill served as president of the Senate from 2012 to 2018. She was awarded the Order of Freedom of Barbados in this country’s Independence National Awards in 2023, one of the highest national honours. In 2018, she was also awarded a Silver Crown of Merit in the National Honours List, and received the Anthony N. Sabga Award for Caribbean Excellence in 2024.

She has also held several positions in many organisations in Barbados and regionally, including President of the Caribbean Council for the Blind, Vice President of the Barbados Council for the Disabled, Deputy Chair of the National Advisory Committee to improve the lives of Persons with Disabilities, Vice Chair of the Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum, and President-Elect Rotary Club of Barbados South. She was also a Commissioner on the recent Constitutional Reform Commission.

New Zealand trail West Indies by five runs with five wickets remaining after reaching 200 for five at tea on the second day of the second Test here at the Basin Reserve on Thursday.

WEST INDIES 205.

NEW ZEALAND 200-5 in 57 overs (Devon Conway 60, Mitchell Hay 52 not out, Kane Williamson 37, Daryl Mitchell 25, Tom Latham 11; Kemar Roach 2-40, Anderson Phillip 2-53).

A 32-year-old man, who was found guilty of raping the girlfriend of his roommate, has been sentenced to 17 years in jail.

Justice Renae McKay handed down the sentence on Danis Cezalien, who the prosecution alleged had raped the 25-year-old woman in a home in northeastern New Providence on November 25, 2023.

The court heard that prior to the sexual assault, Cezalien, the woman and her boyfriend had gone out for drinks to celebrate the boyfriend’s birthday and while they were celebrating, the police arrested the boyfriend for unpaid traffic tickets.

The woman and Cezalien returned home with the woman saying she had several drinks and went to sleep. She said she awoke to pressure on her chest and first assumed it was her boyfriend.

But she said she realised it was Cezalien after she remembered her boyfriend had been locked up.

The woman said Cezalien put his hands over her mouth and raped her.

Cezalien, who held his head when the judge imposed the sentence, did not deny having a sexual encounter with the woman, but claimed it was consensual.

-Parliament has approved legislation regulating the use of fireworks in Trinidad and Tobago amid the security risks posed by these product legislators agreed were not toys but explosive devices which could create great damage and injury.

Attorney General John Jeremie, who piloted the Summary Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2025, also known as the Fireworks Regulation Bill, said the legislation is to amend and regulate the use of fireworks, which have become a part of celebrations in Trinidad and Tobago, but could also be a nuisance and pose threats to life and limbs.

What was once a source of celebration has become over the years a serious public safety concern. Vulnerable citizens, including children, the elderly and those with medical conditions suffer from the excessive noise and destruction. Animals too are affected. Homes and businesses are at risk of catching fire if fireworks land on them.

‘Fireworks pose a grave national security risk. Their explosive components can be repurposed to construct improvised bombs, while their deafening blasts mimic gunfire so closely that they may mask illegal use of firearms, and there have been a number of occasions where this has been done,’ Jeremie said.

The legislation,which received the support of the opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) legislators, also details the exceptions for use of fireworks without a permit, and the restrictions of the use of fireworks.

Jeremie said the minister responsible for national security is given the power to make regulations to give effect to the new sections that will regulate the fireworks industry, except the sections dealing with the fixed penalty.

He told legislators that work on the bill began in 2020 when the Law Reform Commission reviewed the laws governing fireworks. A policy paper was produced, followed by recommendations which were used to create the Summary Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which was put out for public comment. This input was used to provide recommendations for the current legislation.

The legislation provides the requirement for people to notify the Fire Service about the intended use of fireworks 14 days in advance of when they plan to use it.It also provides the restrictions on people’s use of fireworks as it relates to the discharge on land, whether such discharge creates a danger or nuisance and the supervision of children when discharging toy fireworks.

The bill provides for the restriction on the use of fireworks in specified areas, within a half mile radius of a public hospital, a private hospital, an airport, a zoo, a registered animal shelter, a farm where animals are reared, a Forest Reserve and a National Park.

But it states that a person is not required to obtain a permit for the discharge of fireworks on specified days and that a person is allowed to discharge fireworks on a public holiday between the hours of 8.00 to 9.00 pm(local time) of that same day; and December 31 between the hours of 11.30 pm-12.30 am the next day.

The bill provides for a fixed penalty notice to be issued by a police officer where an offence is committed andalso provides for the payment of the fixed penalty notice.

It also provides for a person to file a notice to contest his fixed penalty notice to the District Criminal and Traffic Court.

Opposition legislator, Symon De Nobriga said the opposition supported the bill and that the the fixed penalty system modernised enforcement.

He suggested that the penalty for paying the ticket should be increased from 14 to 28 days, to make it less onerous,urging the government to reinstate key oversight agencies – the Environmental Management Authority, the Civil Aviation Authority and the municipal corporations – to aid in oversight and enforcement.

De Nobriga said there needed to be a robust public education programme so that people would understand the conditions under which fireworks could be discharged.

De Nobriga said the bill did not do enough to account for the people who would not follow the law, thinking it did not apply to them or they would not get caught and face consequences.

He said while he approved of the admittance of video evidence, he did not know how effective this evidence would be.

‘There is nothing here that doesn’t allow for altering of videos, AI or videos taken on some other day purporting to be another day. Also in the inclusion, it shifts the responsibility from the state to the citizens to monitor themselves, putting it in the hands of the citizens to say ‘my neighbour or the person up the street is doing this, here is a video which may or may not be true.”