Category: CANA News

The governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has extended congratulations to Dr Godwin Friday and the New Democratic Party (NDP) on their victory in the general elections in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the JLP said the result reflects the clear will of the Vincentian people and highlights the strength of democratic traditions across the Caribbean.

The party noted that Jamaica looks forward to deepening its partnership with St Vincent and the Grenadines, particularly as both nations continue to advance shared regional priorities, including stronger CARICOM integration, enhanced climate resilience, and expanded opportunities for citizens.

‘We again congratulate Dr Friday and the NDP and extend best wishes for a successful term of service to the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines,’ the statement said.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne is seeking US$10 million in damages over allegations made by a US-based attorney regarding the sale of the sale of the super yacht, Alpha Nero.

Lawyers for Prime Minister Browne also claim that their client has suffered ‘severe financial and reputational harm’ over the statements made regarding the sale of the yacht and that his ‘attorneys’ fees and costs’ be met on ‘an indemnity basis’

‘It must be clearly understood that it is not our intention to restrict or censor your legitimate right to defend your client. However, our Client simply cannot allow you to use, or continue to use allegations which are completely baseless, patently and absolutely false, and which he has consistently denied,’ they wrote in the November 26, 2025 letter, a copy of which has been obtained by the Barbados-based Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

Prime Minister Gaston Browne

The Antigua and Barbuda government sold the seized superyacht in July 2024, after an initial attempt in June 2023 was delayed, following legal battles and sanctions against its alleged Russian oligarch owner.

The yacht was seized by the Antigua government in March 2022 after being abandoned in Falmouth Harbour due to its connection to sanctioned Russian billionaire, Andrey Guryev. Guryev has denied ownership, and his daughter, Yulia Guryeva-Motlokhov, claims to be the rightful owner.

In the eight page letter sent to businessmen David Boies and Jonathan Schiller and attorney Martin DeLuca, the attorneys for Prime Minister Browne said that their client ‘is a widely known regional leader and political figure who has championed many regional and international issues’.

In addition, they said that he is the Chairman of the SIDS Commission on Climate Change and International Law that obtained a favourable advisory opinion on climate from the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and that he has also chaired a United Nations expert group on the development of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index.

‘Our Client is also currently a governor of the World Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank, and a member of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Monetary Council. Presently, he is the Incoming Chair in office for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2026, which will be held in Antigua and Barbuda and the Chairman in office for Small Island States – Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS.’

In their letter, the law firm of Rika Bird and Associates, wrote that on or about March 11, 2025 and thereafter, in relation to the sale of the yacht attorney DeLuca representing Guryeva-Motlokhova, as an agent and employee of Boies, Schiller, Flexner ‘made several statements that were directed towards our client.which are highly defamatory’.

The lawyers claim that the attorney made the statements in an email to the publication known as Superyacht Investor, questioning the reported US$40 million sale price of the Alfa Nero yacht to a Turkish buyer in July 2024, especially since earlier bids, such as one from former Google chief executive officer, Eric Schmidt for US$67 million, were significantly higher

‘The the clear imputation of this statement is that our Client is guilty of corruption, misappropriation of public funds, fraud, and/or misfeasance in public office.’

The lawyers also said that statements made to the local, regional and international media ‘in their natural and ordinary meaning, and in context, are understood to mean and otherwise infer that our Client in the discharge of his public offic? as the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Corporate Governance dishonestly, corruptly and illegally appropriated millions of dollars from the sale of the vessel to and for his personal benefit, and therefore committed the criminal offences of corruption, breach of his fiduciary duties, fraud and misfeasance in public office contrary to law including the relevant anti-corruption Acts of Antigua and Barbuda’

They allege that the statements were made by DeLuca ‘intentionally to harm the reputation of our Client and/or recklessly without first seeking comments from our Client or presenting the allegations upon which you purported to rely on, before making your baseless comments. ‘Further, your utterances and harm done to our Client were aggravated by the fact that you, as Counsel for a litigant, a member of a prestigious law firm, and an officer of the court, leveraged your professional standing to deliberately lend unwarranted credibility to these false and malicious allegations.

‘Further, our Client has noted your reliance on the without notice order made in relation to the subpoenas. However, you failed to mention that the subpoenas were subsequently discharged and set aside by the learned Judge. Any implication of wrongdoing based on that initial order is therefore null and void.’

The lawyers claim that ‘your multiple allegations that our Client appropriated millions of dollars from the sale of the Alfa Nero yacht as alleged or at all, are patently false and highly defamatory of our Client.

‘More importantly, your defamatory statements were made, published and re-published internationally and in Antigua and Barbuda despite the repeated denials by our Client to include the following publications:’

The lawyers wrote that the ‘continued and repeated publication of these demonstrably false allegations across numerous platforms (including publications in Antigua and Barbuda) evidences an intent to cause unwarranted professional and personal damage to our Client. ‘You repeatedly posted malicious statements about our Client with the intent to cause maximum damage to him both personal and professionally in every possible forum you could find to repeat your baseless statements.

‘Our Client, therefore, believes that you intended or recklessly calculated that it would resound to your client’s and your personal benefit at the expense of our Client, by exposing him to hatred, contempt and public ridicule personally, and as the holder of the Office of Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda and Minister of Finance and Corporate Governance.’

They said that the statements ‘statements have caused our Client severe financial and reputational harm’ and that this is ‘unacceptable to him’.

The lawyers for Prime MInister Browne said that in the circumstances, their client is demanding that the attorney ‘immediately cease to have any of your false allegations published; Cause the words complained of to be removed from all the above-mentioned publications; Cease and desist from further publishing these or similar allegations concerning our Client in any forum or manner; Issue an apology to our Client in terms to be approved by us, on and in all the abovementioned publications over the electronic/social media, and on the front page of The Daily Observer Newspaper and all other above-mentioned newspapers

‘Do be advised that should you fail to act as demanded our Client will institute proceedings to seek compensation on the footing of aggravated damages and costs against you, Boies Schiller Flexner LLP and every person or entity responsible for publishing the statements with the words complained of by our Client.

‘In the meantime, our client reserves all rights in respect of any further allegation which may be made by you,’ the letter noted.

Openers Ben Dawkins and Issac Mohammed both hit counter-attacking half centuries to lead England Under-19s to an exciting two-wicket win over West Indies Under-19s in the fifth Youth One Day International and keep themselves in the hunt for a series victory here on Wednesday.

Playing at the National Cricket Stadium, Dawkins slammed 97 off 100 balls, while Mohammed struck 74 off 75 balls, as the visitors reached 277 for eight in 49 overs in response to the Windies’ total of 276 for nine.

The close win reduced the West Indies’ lead in the seven-match series to 3-2 and kept England in with a chance of winning the series.

Dawkins and Mohammed gave England the perfect start in their run chase during a 158-run stand while scoring at over six runs and over, which put them in the driver’s seat.

Mohammed hit five sixes and three fours in his knock before becoming the first of three wickets for left-arm spinner Vitel Lawes.

His dismissal sparked a mini collapse that saw England slip to 199 for four, with pacer Jakeem Pollard having Dawkins caught behind three runs short of a well-deserved century. Dawkins struck nine fours and three sixes in his knock.

And when pacer Deshawn James accounted for the wickets of Farhan Ahmed and Ralphie Albert in the space of three deliveries, West Indies were in the ascendancy with the score 238 for seven in the 43rd over.

However, Luke Hands, who made an unbeaten 16 off 18 balls and Manny Lumsden, who scored a quickfire 15 from 12 deliveries, shared an unbroken partnership of 27 runs to guide their side to victory with six balls remaining.

Lawes finished with 3-32, Pollard took 3-39 and James 2-49.

Earlier, West Indies opener Zachary Carter scored an aggressive half century to be the mainstay of his team’s competitive total.

Carter hit a boundary studded 87 off just 59 balls, decorated with nine massive sixes and four boundaries to get the Windies off to a brisk start.

Together with fellow opener Tanez Francis, who made 24, they put on 58 runs for the first wicket and he also added 57 runs with Brendan Boodoo, who made 16.

But from a comfortable position of 115 for one, they lost the wickets of Boodoo, Carter, Kunal Tilokani and the usually dependable Jonathan van Lange, to slump to 128 for four in the 22nd over.

Captain Joshua Dorne then joined forces with Matthew Miller to steady the innings during a 48-run partnership.

After the skipper fell for 24, Miller, who made 44 and Isra-el Morton, who contributed 28 runs added 52 runs to help get the Windies up to a competitive total.

Manny Lumsden (2-31), Farhan Ahmed (2-51) and Luke Hands (2-53) were England’s best bowlers.

The sixth Youth ODI will be played on Saturday.

Fritz Alphonse Jean, a member of the Presidential Transitional Council (TPC), has confirmed that he is the unnamed Haitian government official whom the United States government has imposed visa restrictions for allegedly supporting gangs and other criminal organizations in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.

Washington had announced earlier this week that a Haitian government had been sanctioned for obstructing the Haitian government’s fight against terrorist gangs designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.

Fritz Alphonse Jean

Amid media reports that he had been sanctioned, Jean, an economist and former central bank governor who recently served a rotating term as the president of Haiti’s transitional presidential council, told a news conference that the accusation made by the United States against him were untrue.

He insists that he has no connection whatsoever with any gang and believes there are other reasons behind the move by the US State Department.

‘As soon as we began to consider the possibility of changing the head of government, members of the Council received threats of visa cancellations and other sanctions from the representative of the United States Embassy and the Canadian Ambassador,’ Jean told reporters.

He said that his office had provided the press with excerpts of messages exchanged via WhatsApp with the Canadian Ambassador to Haiti as well as the American Chargé d’Affaires, Henry Wooster, in which they allegedly made it clear that if the Transitional Council did not abandon the idea of replacing Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, certain advisors would be subject to diplomatic sanctions, including visa cancellations.

But Jean told reporters that the international sanctions would not deter him from continuing his fight and questioned the reasons for the support given to Prime Minister Fils-Aimé.

The US State Department had said it would ‘revoke any currently valid visas held by this individual’ and that the policy, first announced in October 2022, targets individuals and their family members, who provide financial or material support to gangs and criminal organizations operating in Haiti.

‘The United States remains committed to supporting Haiti’s stability and expects measurable progress toward free and fair elections. The Haitian people have had enough with gang violence, destruction, and political infighting,’ said the State Department, adding ‘the Trump administration will promote accountability for those who continue to destabilize Haiti and our region’.

Fils-Aimé and the transitional presidential council have been under pressure to hold general elections before the council’s mandate expires and the Provisional Electoral Council has set tentative election dates for August and December of next year.

Last month, the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Dimitri Herard for his support to the Haitian gang coalition, Viv Ansanm.

OFAC also said it ‘designated’ Kempes Sanon, leader of the Bel Air gang, one of the constituent gangs in the Viv Ansanm alliance.

OFAC said Viv Ansanm contributes to the violence and instability within Haiti and that the action ‘underscores the critical role of gang leaders and facilitators like Herard and Sanon, whose support enables Viv Ansanm’s campaign of violence, extortion, and terrorism in Haiti.

‘The United States is committed to holding accountable the violent terrorist gangs that endanger the Haitian people.’

England Under-19s defeated West Indies Under-19s by two wickets in the fifth Youth One Day International here at the National Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Scores

WEST INDIES U19s 276-9 in 50 overs (Zachary Carter 87, Matthew Miller 44, Isra-el Morton 28, Joshua Dorne 24, Tanez Francis 24, Brendan Boodoo 16; Manny Lumsden 2-31, Farhan Ahmed 2-51, Luke Hands 2-53).

ENGLAND U19s 277-8 in 49 overs (Ben Dawkins 97, Issac Mohammed 74, Farhan Ahmed 16, Luke Hands 16 not out, Manny Lumsden 15 not out, Ralphie Albert 14, Ben Mayes 13; Vitel Lawes 3-32, Jakeem Pollard 3-39, Deshawn James 2-49).

The Guyana government says effective from January next year, it will introduce a new structured timeline for reviewing and approving applications for local content certification.

It said that the move is intended to bring greater clarity, predictability, and efficiency to the process, ensuring that businesses and companies understand exactly how long approvals will take once all the required documents have been submitted.

The Ministry of Natural Resources, through the Local Content Secretariat, said effective January 2026, sole proprietorships and landlords will have new applications processed within five working days, with renewals completed within three working days.

In addition, Guyanese-owned companies and business partnerships will have new applications processed within 15 working days, and renewals within 10 working days, while all other companies will see new applications processed within 21 working days, while renewals will be completed within 15 working days.

The Secretariat said that these timelines will only begin once all required documents have been received, ensuring that processing periods are ‘consistent, transparent, and aligned with the government’s commitment to a more responsive public service’.

It said an updated list of required documents will be posted on the petroleum.gov.gy website, clearly indicating the documents which will be required under this new framework.

Furthermore, stakeholders across Guyana’s petroleum industry and its wider supply chain are encouraged to download and utilise the Local Content App, launched in February of this year, the Secretariat added.

‘This platform brings suppliers closer to contractors and subcontractors by streamlining access to procurement needs and strengthening local participation in the sector. Importantly, too, the ministry will be launching a portal where applications can be submitted online to optimise efficiencies in the process.

‘This launch will also take place in January 2026, and we encourage all members of the public to utilise these new facilities when submitting their applications,’ the Secretariat said.

The Guyanese Local Content Act (LCA) was enacted to provide obligations on businesses involved in the energy sector to prioritise Guyanese nationals and companies in procurement for the enhancement for the oil and gas value chain; to develop local capacity and to promote competitiveness and encourage the creation of industries that would help the country’s development.

In April this year, President Irfaan Ali said that since the passage of the Local Content Act, local companies have benefited from over US$1.5 billion in contracts and procurement, with 1,100 Guyanese companies successfully being added to the register at the end of 2024.

A tense legal battle is unfolding at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is hearing an application by Guatemala into a land dispute that could reshape regional borders in Central America.

Belize is claiming ownership of a cluster of islands known as the Sapodilla Cayes, but its ownership is being contested by Honduras. But the Belize legal team has put forward an argument that the hearings on two territorial disputes should be held back-to-back.

Belmopan is of the view that both cases, the long-standing Guatemala claim to Belizean territory and Honduras claim over the Sapodilla Cayes, are connected.

Ben Juratowitch, KC

Honduras first raised its claim in 1981, after the Heads of Agreement talks collapsed, and Belize is arguing that Honduras could have intervened in the Guatemala-Belize case but chose not to.

‘It would be sensible for the court to hold the hearings on the merits in the two cases back to back on the bases that Belize and Guatemala agree that the court would hear and resolve the merits of both disputes in a way that allows its deliberations in each of them to overlap. Belize does not object to Guatemala’s application,’ Belize legal counsel, Ben Juratowitch, KC, told the ICJ.

‘The second point of common ground is that Honduras did not make known its claim to the Sapodillas until 1981. That was when it became aware of the Heads of Agreement which contemplated discussions aimed at a compromised resolution of a broader dispute between the United Kingdom and Guatemala concerning the territory of Belize and which ultimately failed.’

He said that his third point is that having made a claim in 1981, Honduras then left it dormant, while his fourth point is that Honduras could have applied to intervene in Guatemala/Belize, but elected not to do so.

‘It is undisputed, as between the three states, that there is no impediment to the complete resolution of all of Guatemala’s claims against Belize. Those are the points of common ground between Belize and Guatemala’s submissions of yesterday.

Professor Carlos Jiménez Piernas

‘The next issue concerns two matters that Guatemala identified yesterday on which it said that it would not have a chance to comment unless its intervention were permitted. The first is the Honduran claim to traditional fishing rights,’ Juratowitch said.

Meanwhile, the Special Envoy for the Prime Minister of Belize, Ambassador Assad Shoman, said there are two cases currently before the ICJ concerning Belize’s territorial integrity.

He said in 2019, by way of a special agreement, Belize and Guatemala requested that the ICJ ‘resolve any and all legal claims of Guatemala against Belize to land and insular territories and to any maritime areas pertaining to those territories and to determine the boundaries between them’.

The envoy said that in 2022, Belize invoked the court’s jurisdiction in the present case with Honduras which concerns a smaller area within the same territory, but one significant to Belize.

‘A range of cayes in the south of the Gulf of Honduras called the Sapodillas. There are disputes between Belize and each of Guatemala and Honduras concerning sovereignty over those cayes.’

He said that before Belize instituted these proceedings, it engaged in bilateral discussions and exchanges with Honduras, but that country did not abandon its claim to sovereignty over the Sapodillas.

‘Belize, therefore, commenced the present proceedings to ensure the full resolution of all territorial claims against it. For Belize, the pressing issue remains the need for an efficient and complete resolution of all claims against Belize’s territory by both Guatemala and Honduras. ‘Belize considers that this objective will be best served by coordination of the two cases. How to achieve such coordination is, of course, a matter for the court.’

Shoman said that it would be logical for the court to hear Guatemala/Belize first and then immediately, or very shortly thereafter, to hear the more confined case of Belize/Honduras. ‘That would facilitate efficient use of the court’s resources. Participants in the second case could refer to matters already covered in the first and so, minimize repetition,’ he added.

But Professor Carlos Jiménez Piernas, the legal counsel for Honduras, said Guatemala is claiming an alleged interest in the Zapotillas case.

‘Guatemala could claim such in a case to which Belize is a party and in which the question of sovereignty over the case has been raised in the Gulf of Honduras. But the mere existence of a link between the proceedings that are being heard concurrently and in parallel, the court does not constitute, in and of itself, an interest of legal nature in the meaning of Article 62 of the statute.’

Piernas said that the existence of an interest of a legal nature belongs to a qualified category and according to the court’s jurisprudence, an interest of a legal nature that is affected must be precise, specific and well established.

‘Guatemala justifies its application on the basis of the alleged overlapping submissions of Belize in both proceedings. Furthermore, Guatemala notes that it has, and I quote, requested the court to adjudge and declare that the Sapodillas belong to it, end of quote.

‘These statements are not correct. Guatemala has stated in the submissions contained in this memorial of December 8, 2022, that were reiterated by referral in the submissions of its rejoinder that it was claiming sovereignty, and I quote, over all the islands occupied by Belize in the Gulf of Honduras,’ Piernas added.

Jamaican reggae lovers and artistes in the New York Metropolitan Area are paying glowing tributes to legendary Jamaican singer, songwriter and actor Jimmy Cliff, who died on Monday at the age of 81 years.

Cliff, who has been credited with introducing reggae to an international audience, primarily through his performance in the landmark film, ‘The Harder They Come’ (1972).

‘There will forever be a part of Jimmy that will resonate and remain with my family for time to come,’ Jamaican-born, New York-based attorney Merrick J. Dammar told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

‘As the godfather of my son Markhus, Jimmy was the first entertainer that performed at my property located at Emandee acres, setting the standard under which we offer quality entertainment for free.

‘I am proud to be the owner of Jimmy’s first guitar. As he presented it to me he stated, ‘Bob Marley’s guitar is with him. Mine is with you, Take good care of her. She made me famous’.

‘Rest my brother; you have crossed your last river, leaving us with the reminder that we live in a ‘Wonderful World’ with ‘Beautiful People”, he said, referring to one of Cliff’s biggest hits, ‘Wonderful World, Beautiful People.’

Reggae singer, Richie Stephens said Cliff was ‘not just an artist, he was a national treasure and an icon.

‘Jimmy is someone who taught us about the business of music, both how to perform on stage and how to conduct ourselves. Jimmy Cliff was a pioneer, somebody that we truly loved and admired throughout the years,’ he told CMC.

‘It’s such a sad day for Jamaica, for the entire reggae industry to know he’s no longer with us,’ Stephens added. ‘Reggae music has certainly lost one of our greatest ever. Jimmy is gone but will never be forgotten. RIP (rest in peace).’

Jamaican-born, New York-based entertainment promoter Anthony ‘ER Guru’ Turner, said he has ‘known the songs of singer, actor, humanitarian Jimmy Cliff all my life.

‘I remember hearing songs like ‘Harder They Come’, ‘Many Rivers To Cross’ and ‘You Can Get It If You Really Want. These songs were the soundtrack not just to the movie ‘Hard They Come’ but the lives of many Jamaicans who loved and cherished his songs,’ Turner added.

He recalled working with Cliff in 2010, when he became the second Jamaican reggae recorder to be inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

‘What a life changing moment that was to have shared space with him when I put together a press junket to honor Jimmy’s accomplishments for over 30 Jamaican/Caribbean media in Manhattan,’ Turner said. ‘I had the rare opportunity to touch and hold his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame trophy. This is a moment I will never forget.’

In 2012, Turner said he also had the opportunity to work with CLIFF again at the Groovin In The Park in Jamaica, Queens, New York, where he headlined the festival with Glady Knight, Boyz To Men, Beres Hammond and Beenieman.

‘Jimmy was the consummate performer who knew how to engage and entertain fans,’ said Turner, noting that Cliff was conferred with the Order of Merit, Jamaica’s fourth-highest national honor in 2003 by the Government of Jamaica. ‘Walk good my friend. RIP.’

Jamaican-born, New York-based musicologist Winston ‘Stan’ Smith said, ‘Jimmy Cliff’s legacy is secure.

‘Like brand Jamaica, his musical accomplishments punched above his weight. The world knew and loved the rich tapestry of Ska, Rock Steady and Reggae because of Jimmy Cliff.’

Cliff’s biography on his official website says: ‘As many legends throughout history do, the whole story starts during a devastating storm. We open on the Somerton District of St. James, Jamaica. With only one midwife tending to the entire village, a mother gives birth to a child, wraps him in a sheet, and takes him to shelter at a neighbour’s home as the hurricane blows her house away.

‘However, everybody agrees, ‘There’s something special about this boy. He becomes famous by the age of 14 for a hit coincidentally entitled ‘Hurricane Hattie.’ He goes on to popularize reggae music everywhere. He changes the world. Nearly 70 years later, he doesn’t stop. This is the story of Jimmy Cliff.

West Indies reached 346 for five on the opening day of their two-day warmup match against a New Zealand XI here at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval on Tuesday.

WEST INDIES 346-5 in 96 overs (Tagenarine Chander

The following is the CANANews and SPORTS Schedule for Wednesday, November 26, 2025.

SANTIAGO – A new report released here on Wednesday has found that spending by central governments in the Caribbean is equivalent to 11 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) as compared with 11.6 per cent in Latin America.

ROSEAU – The Dominica government says it will commission its 10-megawatt geothermal power plant next month, as the country continues with efforts to transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy sector.

LONDON – A tense legal battle is unfolding at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is hearing an application by Guatemala into a land dispute that could reshape regional borders in Central America.

TANGIER – Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister, Gaston Browne is on Wednesday attending the three-day meeting of the MEDays Forum that provides a platform where emerging and developing countries can voice their perspectives and shape a more inclusive international order.

BRIDGETOWN – The Barbados government is moving to have the Speaker of the Parliament to be elected from outside the chamber.

SPORTS:

LINCOLN – Four West Indies batsmen, led by Tagenarine Chanderpaul, scored half centuries to lift their side to 346 for five at the close of play on the opening day of their two-day warmup match against a New Zealand XI here on Tuesday.

PORT OF SPAIN – With just one more preliminary round remaining in the CG United Super50 Cup, the Barbados Pride, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force and Windward Islands Volcanoes are in a three-way fight for a place in Saturday’s final with US$100, 000 at stake for the winners.