Category: CANA News

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Tuesday said that the country has signed six new air services agreements aimed at improving between Guyana and Africa and Latin America.

It said the agreements were signed at the recently held 17th International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Air Services Negotiation Event (ICAN 2025) in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

The GCAA said Guyana negotiated and initialed the air service agreements with Panama, St. Maarten, Uganda, Ecuador, Liberia, and Kenya and that the agreements create the legal framework that opens market access for airlines to operate and enhance competitive air transport services, trade, and economic growth between Guyana and those States.

It said it is anticipated that the agreements will stimulate interest from airlines in these states to consider destination Guyana as part of their route network and with these new agreements Guyana now has bilateral and multilateral air service agreements with over 60 countries.

Public Utilities and Aviation Minister, Deodat Indar, in welcoming the new agreements, said they will help in accomplishing the vision of connecting Guyana to the rest of the world.

‘Air services agreements signed by Guyana are necessary to advance our aviation sector. We are building a transformative aviation sector and having ASAs with other states is critical to accomplishing the vision of connecting Guyana with the rest of the world and building the Cheddi Jagan International Airport into an international air transport hub,’ he said.

Guyana has also commenced negotiations with France to update the 1974 air services agreement with the GCAA stating that updating of the agreement will allow airlines of both countries to operate to each other’s territory under a more liberal arrangement.

Negotiations were also initiated to establish an air service agreement with Austria.

The GCAA also signed two Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Technical Cooperation with the civil aviation authorities of Cabo Verde and the Dominican Republic. Those MOUs aim to improve the development, modernization, and operational efficiency of aviation systems between Guyana and those countries.

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary General, Dr. Carla Barnett, Tuesday said that the regional integration grouping stands in ‘solidarity’ with the global community in commemorating the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

Ina message, she said that during the November 25 to December 10 period, four important days will be observed, namely the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25, Human Rights Defenders’ Day on November ,29, World AIDS Day on December 1 and Human Rights Day on December 10.

CARICOM Secretary General, Dr. Carla Barnett

She said that the campaign underscores that violence denies women and girls the enjoyment of the full complement of their human rights.

‘CARICOM joins this global call to action against harmful gender norms, impunity, silence and stigma, all of which have allowed violence against women and girls to become normalized in far too many communities.

Barnett said that this year’s theme ‘UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls,’ addresses the alarming rise of digital violence against women and girls, fueled by artificial intelligence, online anonymity, and weak legal accountability.

‘Despite the internet’s potential for empowerment, women and girls now face increased threats, including cyber harassment, deepfake attacks, and relentless online abuse. UN Women reports that 1.8 billion women and girls lack legal protection from technology-facilitated abuse, with less than 40 per cent of countries having relevant laws.

‘The escalation of AI-driven abuse has made it faster, more targeted and harder to detect, with deepfake pornography disproportionately affecting women.’

Barnett said that the rise of the ‘manosphere’, a network of online communities promoting toxic masculinity and misogyny, adds to the growing threat to gender equality, saying it negatively affects the mental and physical wellbeing of both women and men, and deters women from participating in digital spaces.

‘With billions of people online, digital platforms are increasingly being used to spread hate, harmful stereotypes, reinforce sexist ideologies and portray feminism negatively among young men and boys.

‘Social media is being used to amplify these divisive messages, causing real-world impacts on attitudes and behaviours, affecting careers, shaping culture, causing fear and contributing to extreme acts of violence.’

The CARICOM Secretary General said that there is an urgent need to devise effective approaches to counteract toxic online environments.

She said multifaceted efforts must include research, policy advocacy, support for survivors, public education about gender equality and healthy relationships, youth-focused programmes, digital literacy and cultural change.

‘Emphasis should continue to be placed on legislative reform; hiring of more women in the digital space; swift removal of harmful content; and deceleration of the spread of misogynistic ideas.’

According to the United Nations, one in three women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence during their lifetime, most often at the hands of an intimate partner. Barnett said prevalence surveys conducted between 2017-2019 in five CARICOM member states, sampling women and girls 15-64 years old, indicate incidence rates as high as one in two women.

She said the social and economic consequences are concerning, with potential costs in healthcare, legal services and lost productivity. This underscores the need for a comprehensive response in our countries.

‘CARICOM member states have been implementing measures to address violence against women and girls by promoting gender equality, strengthening legal frameworks and enhancing support systems for survivors.

‘The CARICOM Secretariat remains committed to supporting member states in developing and implementing polices to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls, including through facilitating training of frontline professionals, including police, healthcare workers and social service providers, to better respond to cases of gender-based violence.’

Barnett said the region is today honouring the courage of survivors, amplify their voices, and commit to remain united in the pursuit of justice and equality.

‘The eradication of violence against women is not only a moral and vital human rights imperative, but a prerequisite for sustainable development and prosperity.

‘In a region of some 16 million people, more than half of whom are women and girls, we are individually and collectively responsible for creating safe, inclusive, and equitable societies, where every woman and girl can live free from fear and violence,’ she added.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) 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, and when the hearings began, Guatemala stepped in, seeking permission to intervene.

The Sapodilla Cayes, where the Caribbean meets the Gulf of Honduras, are a cluster of tiny islands. They are 14 specks of sand and palm trees, and for decades, these cayes have been more than a marine sanctuary, seen also as a geopolitical fault line.

The ICJ hearing is the latest chapter in a decades-old sovereignty battle that resumed when Belize filed its case back in 2022.

ICJ President, Iwasawa Yuji, addressing the parties reminded that the court is meeting under Article 84 Paragraph 2 of the Roosevelt Court, to hear the first round of oral arguments of the Republic of Guatemala on its application for permission to intervene in the case concerning sovereignty over Sapodilla Cayes, Cayos Zapotillos, Belize versus Honduras.

She said that on November 16th, 2022, Belize filed an application instituting proceedings against Honduras with regards to a dispute concerning sovereignty over Sapodilla Cayes, referred to by Honduras as the Cayos Zapotillos.

Yuji said in its application, Belize sought to find the court’s jurisdiction on Article 31 of the American Treaty on Pacific Settlements, signed on April 30th, 1948, officially designated, according to Article 60 thereof as the Pact of Bogota.

She said by an order dated February 2nd, 2023, the court had chosen May 2nd, 2023, and December 4th, 2023, as the respective time limits for the filing of a memorial by Belize and the counter-memorial by Honduras.

In her presentation, Guatemalan’s Ambassador, Cristina Rodriguez Pineda, told the court that the question of ownership is already before the court as a result of the case brought jointly by Guatemala and Belize through a special agreement concluded 14 years before Belize’s application against Honduras.

‘That case, pending before this court since 2019, concerns inter alia Guatemala’s insular claim against Belize for sovereignty over Cayo Zapotillos. Notably, Belize commenced the present proceedings just a few days before Guatemala was due to file its reply in the Guatemala/Belize case on December 8th, 2022.

‘This move by Belize has created an unfortunate procedural conundrum for the court. For the sake of consistency and efficiency, hearing the merits of the two overlapping cases, back-to-back, could be appropriate, particularly if Guatemala is permitted to intervene.’

The Guatemalan diplomat said that the interplay between the two cases is ‘ obvious.

‘It has specifically been acknowledged by Belize in correspondence and over the course of several meetings with Honduras. For instance, in notes verbals between April and October 2022, Belize sought to obtain guarantees from Honduras that it ‘would not assert a claim to the Sapodilla Cayes by way of application to intervene in the case before the International Court of Justice pending between Belize and Guatemala,’ she said.

The United States says it is imposing visa restrictions on an unnamed Haitian government official for supporting gangs and other criminal organizations, as well as obstructing the Haitian government’s fight against terrorist gangs designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.

The Department of State said in a statement that the action is taken under INA 212 ‘generally bars entrance to those whose entry or proposed activities have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.

‘The Department will revoke any currently valid visas held by this individual,’ said the State Department without identifying the official.

It said this 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’.

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.’

Grenada says it has granted a marketing licence to a Nigerian company after announcing earlier this year that it would be focusing on marketing the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme in Africa .

Under the CBI programme, foreign investors are granted citizenship of the country in return for making a substantial investment in its socio-economic development.

A notice published in the November 21 edition of the Government gazette, said that the Lagos-based VTA Global Services, ‘has been granted the license of a Marketing Agent and is therefore authorized to conduct business in the State of Grenada, pursuant to the terms and conditions specified in the said Grenada Citizenship by Investment Act, 2013’.

The notice said that the licence has been signed by Thomas Anthony, the chief executive officer of the Investment Migration Agency (IMA) and became effective as of November 3 this year.

VTA Global Services is reported to be operating in a residential area containing a variety of properties, including luxury apartments and duplexes. Properties in this area are known for being high-end, secure, and amenity-rich, with options for sale and rent, often including features like waterfront access, private security, and recreational facilities.

Besides Grenada, the company offers global citizenship services to St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda and the Dominican Republic.

‘We provide expert team to create great value for immigration. Our certified and reliable Immigration Consultant professionals can help you get a positive decision on your case. We provide immigration services in all countries,’ according to its website.

IMA data shows that a significant number of the people granted Grenada’s citizenship through the CBI are from Nigeria , one of the West African nations being targeted by the IMA.

In July, Anthony said Nigeria represents the largest demographics in Africa applying to the CBI and the plan is to extend it to nationals of other African countries.

‘We have been exploring more African countries, more recently we were in Kenya in collaboration with the Nairobi Chamber of Commerce and at that event we have more than 100 individuals attending and we believe that we will see some fruit from that event,’ Anthony said then.

The St. Lucia-based Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission says it has initiated discussions with two financial institutions towards establishing a Regional Operation for Advancing Housing Resilience in the Caribbean.

The OECS Commission said that the discussions are taking place with the Washington-based Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

‘This initiative aims to strengthen the resilience of existing housing stock across the OECS, addressing vulnerabilities that have left communities exposed to disasters, costing the Caribbean more than US$22 billion between 1950 and 2016,’ the Commission said in a statement.

It said that the operation will prioritise retrofitting homes and community infrastructure, drawing on regional standards such as the CARICOM hurricane resilient construction code and the Barbados Retrofit Policy Manual.

Successful models, including Trinidad and Tobago’s Housing Development Inspectors who guided upgrades for 3,500 households, demonstrate how resilience can be scaled across diverse contexts, the statement noted.

It said during the meeting, the partners agreed that the programme will be structured as an investment loan under a Global Credit Programme, with CDB serving as the executing agency for OECS member states.

‘The scope will extend beyond individual houses to include slope stabilisation, improved access, and recreational spaces, ensuring that resilience is embedded not only in homes but in the wider community fabric.’

The OECS Commission said it is expected to be invited to a meeting in Barbados from December 3-5, bringing together Caribbean Ministers for Housing and Urban Development to refine the framework for implementation.

‘The initiative marks an important step in safeguarding communities and embedding resilience at the core of regional development,’ it added.

Saffie Joseph Jr extended his impressive winning streak at Gulfstream Park by capturing his 14th consecutive championship meet title when the Sunshine Meet concluded over the weekend.

The ace Barbadian trainer, who has won 14 graded stakes this year, won the Sunshine Meet title with 34 victories from his 143 starts, eight more than second placed Jose D’Angelo.

Joseph ended the meet with earnings of US$1 332 480.

Saffie Joseph Jr

He clinched the title after four-year-old colt Message of Hope, with apprentice Micah Husbands in the saddle, won Sunday’s second race that went 1700 metres in a time of 1:43.85.

An elated Joseph afterwards thanked God for his achievement.

‘It never gets old. Actually, like a month ago, we were down six or seven. I looked at it and said, ‘Ooooh, we’ll give it a go and see if it can work out.’

‘The horses got in form, and it worked out. All the credit goes to the horses. All praise to God and the workers and the owners who give me the horses. I’m a small part of it,’ Joseph said.

Meanwhile, Edgard Zayas secured his 10th riding title and third in five years, ending the meet with 44 victories to pip Miguel Vasquez, who rode 42 winners.

‘It feels great. It’s been a great year,’ Zayas said. ‘We’ve been getting a lot of support from all the trainers, owners, my agent and family. It’s nice to get it done again, especially right before the Championship Meet. It’s a really important meet and it’s nice to have that momentum.’

The fourth-round match in the CG United Super50 Cup between Barbados Pride and Jamaica Scorpions at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy ended in a no-result here on Tuesday.

Police say they have intercepted illegal narcotics concealed in barrels shipped from the United States at the Port of Port of Spain with a street value of nearly half a million dollars (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents).

The police said that the seizure followed a coordinated intelligence-led operation involving partner agencies after receiving credible information and on Monday ‘conducted a targeted search of two barrels awaiting clearance that were shipped from Fort Myers, Florida.

‘Inside one barrel, officers discovered packages containing high-grade cannabis concealed beneath clothing. When weighed, the seized illegal narcotics scaled 4.605kg, with an estimated street value of TT$400,000’.

The police did not say whether they had been any arrests, but said they ‘will continue to work closely with local and international law enforcement partners to interrupt the flow of illegal narcotics and safeguard communities across Trinidad and Tobago’.

Police Commissioner, Allister Guevarro, Tuesday said that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has observed with ‘serious concern’ the recent increase in social media posts in which individuals have made threats of violence against one another, as well as threats directed at public officials.

‘Let me state unequivocally: this behaviour is unlawful, dangerous, and will not be tolerated. Freedom of expression is a right, and every citizen is free to share their thoughts and opinions,’ Guevarro said in a statement, adding that such ‘freedom ends where criminal conduct begins.

‘No one has the right to incite violence, intimidate others, or use online platforms to threaten harm. Such actions undermine public safety, destabilise communities, and erode the peace and order that citizens deserve.’

Guevarro said that in accordance with the Schedule of the Emergency Powers Regulations 2025, the Minister responsible for national security is empowered to issue a Preventive Detention Order to any person, to prevent such persons from acting in a manner prejudicial to public safety.

‘This power is activated when individuals use social media to publish posts or comments that incite violence, invite external interference, or otherwise endanger the safety and stability of the nation,’ the top cop said.

He warned that the TTPS will take decisive action and ‘any individual who uses social media or any digital platform to issue threats, encourage violence, or endanger the safety of any person, including government officials, will face the full force of the law.

‘Our Cyber and Social Media Unit continues to track these offences, and once evidence is gathered, offenders will be identified, located, and prosecuted.’

On Monday, former prime minister Stuart Young, expressed ‘alarm’ at what he described as the position being articulated by Homeland Security Minister, Roger Alexander.

Alexander told the Trinidad Express newspaper that the Kamla Persad Bissessar-led government is examining legal options to curb what he described as the misuse of social media and the spread of misinformation that threatens national safety and security.

He said the proposed measures would target harmful conduct and not legitimate public expression.

But Young said that as a ‘lawyer, and a proud citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, I am alarmed by the positions being articulated by Alexander.

‘When you consider these positions along with his use of a Preventive Detention Order under the State of Emergency Regulations to detain a social media blogger, as opposed to using the available criminal law which allows the protections of bail and the tenets of being ‘innocent until proven guilty’, what we are seeing is a live and developing threat to democracy’.

Young was making reference to the detention order served on Olive Green-Jack, who posted an image of the Prime Minister’s private residence on social media, calling on Venezuela to target it.

The order, which was made on November 12 said that she ‘made and published public posts and/or comments on social media addressed to the Venezuelan Government in an attempt to influence public opinion in a manner likely to be prejudicial to public safety.’

It added that the posts and comments invited violence on the Prime Minister, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and members of the public by Venezuela and/or external persons, which revealed ‘an imminent threat to public safety.’

Trinidad and Tobago is under a state of emergency (SoE) that is due to end in January next year, and Young said that Alexander’s latest statement and the detention of the woman ‘are very dangerous developments.

The Police Commissioner said he is urging all citizens to conduct themselves responsibly online.

‘Share your views, raise your concerns, and participate in national dialogue, but do so within the boundaries of the law. Don’t take chain up from anyone.as your words today can have you in handcuffs tomorrow. Words have consequences, and those who choose to threaten or incite violence will be held accountable.

The TTPS remains committed to maintaining law, order, and public safety. We will not hesitate to act,’ Guevarro said.