Category: CANA News

Prime Minister Gaston Browne says the Antigua and Barbuda economy is expected to end the current fiscal year with an expansion of 4.8 per cent in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

‘Antigua and Barbuda’s economy is expected to grow 4.8 per cent by the end of 2025 and five per cent next year,’ Browne said on his weekly radio programme, adding that the country’s GDP has surpassed the two billion US dollar mark. Browne, who has promised to provide more details on the country’s economic performance, described as ‘remarkable’ the full set of performance indicators, saying that his administration’s record is clear evidence that ‘we have delivered for the people of Antigua and Barbuda.’

He told radio listeners that ‘per capita income has surpassed EC$60,000 (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents),’ placing Antigua and Barbuda ‘ahead of many other Caribbean nations.’

He highlighted gains across several sectors, including education, agriculture and tourism, adding that the government is ‘exploring opportunities to export educational services through the expansion of the University of the West Indies Five Islands campus,’ while also moving ahead with an eco-park at Christian Valley and an agro-industrial park to ‘expand food production to improve food sovereignty and security.’

Browne said that Antigua and Barbuda will continue to ‘diversify the tourism product, including sports tourism and conference tourism,’ as part of its wider economic strategy.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, A three-member Trinidad and Tobago delegation has been holding discussions with officials in the Middle East in keeping with the government’s desire to broaden bilateral cooperation, a statement from the Ministry of CARICOM and Foreign Affairs said on Monday.

It said that the delegation includes CARICOM and Foreign Affairs Minister, Sean Sobers, the Minister of Works and Infrastructure, Jearlen John and Minister of Land and Legal Affairs, Saddam Hosein.

The statement said that the discussions will center on the establishment of a diplomatic presence in the Middle East, the sourcing of financing for projects in Trinidad and Tobago and the increase of trade and investment between Trinidad and Tobago and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The statement sdid that discussions have already been held with the Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Noura bint Mohammed Al kaabi, ‘on several areas of bilateral importance including the possible establishment of a diplomatic mission in UAE as well as areas of investment in Trinidad and Tobago which are aligned to the government’s.Revitalisation Blueprint ‘Trinidad and Tobago’s Global Logistical Hub initiative’.

The statement said that the two countries also ‘discussed a strategic digital partnership which would be the model for the UAE’s footprint in the Caribbean’.

The statement said that the delegation is also expected to meet with senior government and private sector officials during their visit.

A devastating spell of calculated spin bowling from Vitel Lawes helped to propel the West Indies Under-19s to a comprehensive 98-run victory over their English counterparts in the fourth Youth One-Day International here at the National Cricket Stadium on Monday, securing a commanding 3-1 lead in the seven-match series. Set a challenging target of 281 for victory, England’s batting lineup had no answer for the disciplined West Indies attack, crumbling to 182 all out in just 38.5 overs.

After inserting the host, England might have thought that they would have had an easy time, as they did in the third game against the visitors.

But the young Windies side decided that they were going to apply themselves a lot better with the bat, which they did.

The opening pair of Tanez Francis and Zachary Francis helped themselves to a half-century stand before Carter went to left-arm pacer James Minto for 34.

Despite Earsinho Fontaine scoring only three, the Windies kept up the scoring and pushed the score to 111 in the 24th over, before Francis fell to the spin of captain Farhan Ahmed for a well-played 51, which included five fours.

With Brendan Boodoo not contributing much with the bat at 121-4, it was the over to captain Joshua Dorne and Jonathan van Lange to steer the ship.

The pair shared in a remarkable 120-run fifth-wicket partnership, which spruced up the host score with three overs still left in the innings.

Dorne eventually fell for 80, after facing 108 balls and hitting six fours and a six, while van Lange ensured the momentum continued through the closing overs with 80 runs of his own, with four fours and four sixes.

The English bowlers toiled in the Grenadian heat as Luke Hands picked up 3-63, with Farhan Ahmed taking 2-37.

In reply, England’s innings never truly found its footing. Apart from a resolute 78 from Ben Dawkins and a supporting 32 from Caleb Falconer, the batting card made for sorry reading, thanks to an opening burst from Shaquan Belle and the spin and guile of Lawes later on.

Wickets fell at regular intervals, with the destroyer-in-chief being Lawes, whose mystery chinaman deliveries reaped a four-wicket haul for just 35 runs, ripping the heart out of England’s middle order.

He was brilliantly supported by Belle, who claimed 3 for 34, as the two bowlers combined to ensure there would be no late drama.

With a 3-1 series lead, they now have two opportunities to clinch the series outright, with the fifth ODI set for the same venue on Wednesday.

The leader of the main opposition, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), Azruddin Mohamed, Monday said he intends taking legal action against the Speaker of Parliament, Manzoor Nadir, over the delay in holding a meeting to elect a leader of the opposition.

‘We have to move to the court,’ Mohamed told reporters as he emerged from the magistrate’s court where he and his father, Nazar Mohamed are challenging their extradition to the United States on fraud related charges. WIN became the second highest party in the National Assembly after winning 16 of the 65 seats in the National Assembly following the September 1 regional and general election that was won by the incumbent People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

The opposition coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), which had been the main opposition party in the last parliament, won 12 seats, while the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) won one seat.

Mohamed told reporters that he would ‘continue to my work as the presumptive opposition leader.’

His attorney, Siand Dhurjohn, told reporters that he has already started drafting proceedings ahead of the expiration of an ultimatum next Monday.

‘We don’t expect him to do anything sensible so we’re going to be prepared to serve him ‘ he told reporters, adding that the Speaker is obligated to facilitate the election of the Opposition Leader at meeting by non-government parliamentarians.

‘It should be done as soon as possible. The very constitution constitution contemplates that it be done as soon as possible,’ he said, adding ‘there are duties and obligations of the Leader of the Opposition which are indispensable to our democracy that the Leader of the Opposition has to do which he, as a result of the Speaker’s inaction, is deprived of the ability to do those things,’ he added.

The Guyana government has repeatedly said Mohamed’s election as a parliamentarian and opposition leader would not immunise him from being extradited to the United States to face trial in a Florida Federal Court for wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering.

But Mohamed told reporters that his challenge of the extradition request would take several years.

‘We have about more than five years coming up these court steps. You just can’t extradite someone like that,’ he added.

Supporters of the main opposition We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party Monday picketed Parliament calling on the Speaker, Manzoor Nadir, to set a date for the election of the a leader of the opposition following the September 1 regional and general elections.

Despite Parliament being convened on November 4, with all legislators being sworn in, there has not been a meeting of opposition legislators to decide on who should occupy the position of Leader of the Opposition in the 65-member National Assembly. The WIN legislators and supporters are calling for their leader, Azruddin Mohamed, to be elected to the post after the party emerged as the one with the second highest number of seats following the elections, displacing the opposition coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) that had been in the position in the last parliament.

The WIN party has since written to Nadir on the issue, and has also threatened to take legal action if the meeting of the opposition legislators is not called within two weeks.

But Nadir has remained silent on the issue and has not indicated when he will call the meeting of the opposition legislators.

WIN general secretary and Member of Parliament, Odessa Primus, told reporters during the protest that ‘we have no information on when parliament will reconvene, we have no information on what is going on, and we have looked at when other opposition leaders were sworn in’.

She said that only when there is a factor affecting that process, the election of an opposition leader ‘usually goes ahead’ and ‘to the best of our knowledge, there is nothing that is preventing, outside of the government’s victimization in terms of the swearing in of the Leader of the Opposition.

‘The opposition forms part of the government, and so what we are doing right now is basically functioning as a dictatorship because whatever the government says, goes, and whatever the Government does goes’, Primus said.

She told reporters that the election of the Leader of the Opposition forms part of the democratic principles governing the country, and the Speaker should therefore set the date for the Leader of the Opposition to be elected.

‘We have had the PPP (ruling People’s Progressive Party) in the past profess that they are standing up for democracy while they themselves today are the persons who are ensuring that the democratic process does not take place and we are in an unfortunate state and at this point we would like to call on all of Guyana, whether or not you supported us in the elections, this is about the democracy of our country, and so we all need to stand up on this’, she said.

Attorney Siand Dhurjon, said the WIN party is already drafting court proceedings to be filed against the Speaker.

‘He has an obligation to facilitate the election of the Leader of the Opposition.We are not saying that the Leader of the Opposition has to be elected during a sitting. The Leader of the Opposition has to be elected during a meeting convened specifically among the non-government members of the National Assembly and it should be done as soon as possible.’

Dhurjon said that the ‘very Constitution contemplates that it be done as soon as possible’.

Last Friday, the APNU said that the Opposition Leader’s office is a Constitutional office and it ought to be filled, questioning the Speaker’s delay in convening a meeting of the opposition legislators.

In a major boost for Jamaica’s World Cup hopes, star striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw has been recalled to the Reggae Girlz squad for their crucial qualifying match against Dominica this Saturday in Saint Lucia. The highly anticipated return of the 28-year-old forward was confirmed by head coach Hubert Busby during a virtual press conference on Monday.

Shaw last featured for the national team in a pair of friendlies against South Africa in late 2024.

Shaw’s inclusion comes as she is in scintillating form for her club side, Manchester City.

She is currently the leading scorer in England’s Barclays Women’s Super League, having netted six goals and provided two assists in nine matches, propelling City to the top of the table.

Her absence from recent Jamaican squads was attributed to a carefully managed recovery from injury and subsequent discussions between Busby, the player, and Manchester City concerning her workload.

‘Shaw is a top professional,’ Busby stated, expressing confidence that the team’s captain will reintegrate seamlessly despite her prolonged absence from the national setup.

The path continues with an away fixture against Nicaragua on March 2, 2026, followed by home games against Antigua and Barbuda and Guyana in April.

The ultimate goal is to top their group and advance to the 2026 Concacaf Women’s Championship. That tournament will serve as the direct route to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with four teams earning automatic qualification.

A further two nations will advance to an inter-confederation playoff.

Additionally, the Concacaf Championship will offer two berths for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Full Reggae Girlz Squad

Goalkeepers: Rebecca Spencer, Sydney Schneider

Defenders: Konya Plummer, Naya Cardoza, Tianna Harris, Chantelle Swaby, Mia Mitchell, Jaileah McPherson

Midfielders: Tiffany Cameron, Atlanta Primus, Olufolasade Ademolekun, Israela Groves, Drew Spence, Deneisha Blackwood

Forwards: Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, Natasha Thomas, Jody Brown, Ricshya Walker, Shania Hayles, Kalyssa Van Zanten, Shaniel Buckley.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine will visit Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday, the US Embassy has announced.

It said that Caine will meet with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and that the ‘visit will focus on the two nations’ strong bi-lateral relationship, strengthening regional stability, and regional unity on the vital importance of countering illicit trafficking and transnational criminal organizations’. Caine is the 22nd chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the US’s highest-ranking military officer, and the principal military advisor to the President, Secretary of Defense, and National Security Council.

Prior to becoming Chairman on April 11, 2025, General Caine was the Associate Director for Military Affairs at Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

His visit here comes as the United States President Donald Trump has ramped up its military presence in the Caribbean Sea ordering an amphibious squadron to the southern Caribbean as part of his effort to address threats from Latin American drug cartels.

A nuclear-powered attack submarine, additional P8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft, several destroyers and a guided-missile cruiser have also being allocated to US Southern Command as part of the mission. In addition, the US largest carrier, the Gerald Forde has joined the build-up

But the United States military has been bombing vessels in the international waters claiming that the occupants were drug traffickers without offering any evidence of such activity.

The United Nations UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also strongly condemned the airstrikes carried out by the United States against alleged drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean and Pacific.

Volker Trk said in a statement that the strikes ‘violate international human rights law’, demanding that they be stopped immediately.

Last month, the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat said that regional leaders had discussed several issues on the regional agenda, including the security build-up in parts of the Caribbean and its potential impact on member states.

It said that the position at that meeting was not endorsed by the government of Trinidad and Tobago.

Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro has accused Washington of seeking a regime change in his country with its naval deployment in the Caribbean, saying ‘they are seeking a regime change through military threat.

‘Venezuela is confronting the biggest threat that has been seen on our continent in the last 100 years. A situation like this has never been seen,’ Maduro added.

On Monday, Venezuela rejected the US terrorist designation of an alleged drug cartel on its territory as a ‘ridiculous lie’ aimed at paving the way for an ‘illegitimate’ United States military intervention.

‘Venezuela categorically, firmly, and absolutely rejects the new and ridiculous lie from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who designates the alleged Cartel of the Suns as a terrorist organisation. to justify an illegitimate and illegal intervention against Venezuela,’ Venezuela’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Maduro has also accused Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar of assisting Washington in carrying out its plans.

In a rain-affected CG United Super50 Cup clash at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force emerged victorious by six runs over the Guyana Harpy Eagles via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method after persistent rain brought a premature end to the day/night encounter here on Sunday. After a delayed start forced the match to be reduced to 44 overs per side, the Guyana Harpy Eagles, anxious to kickstart their campaign after two previous washouts, were sent into a tailspin by a devastating Red Force bowling attack.

The new-ball pair of Terrance Hinds 3-18 and rookie Ricky Jaipaul 3-29 ran riot, reducing the visitors to a precarious 21 for 4 inside the first ten overs.

Guyana’s innings was rescued from complete ruin by a brilliant counter-attacking partnership between all-rounders Gudakesh Motie and Keemo Paul.

The duo added a rapid 65 runs from just 64 balls, aggressively targeting the Red Force spinners to revive their team’s hopes. Motie was the standout, top-scoring with a fluent 65 from 58 deliveries, an innings laced with six fours and three sixes.

However, just as Guyana looked to post a competitive total, the Red Force struck back. Hinds returned to break the partnership by removing Paul for 39, and the young medium pacer Abdul-Raheem Toppin 1-29, eventually dismissing the dangerous Motie, bowling Guyana out for 196 in the 41st over.

With 197 to chase, Trinidad and Tobago started slowly as they lost their first wicket in the 8th over with just 16 runs on the board.

Cephas Cooper went lbw to Motie for 12. Motie was again involved in the second wicket to fall, this time he took the catch to dismiss the captain, Da Silva, for 10 off spinner Junior Sinclair, with 35 runs on the board in the 11th over.

Four runs later, Sinclair snared his second wicket; this time, Yannic Cariah perished for two. The inform Jason Mohammed played a couple of handsome strokes to get to 15, but when he fell with the score on 65, things were looking bleak for the host.

Opener Tion Webster, who took a while to get going, started to find his groove and got himself to 31 runs from 54 balls with five fours.

His batting partner, Gyd Goolie, also unleashed a few lusty blows and was not out on 29 before rain ended the contest at 106 for four, and the Red Force six runs ahead of the DLS score.

The CARICOM Private Sector Organization (CPSO) says it welcomes the decision of the United States to remove tariffs on key Caribbean Community (CARICOM) export sectors, saying it will bring ‘important relief’ to regional industries that had been negatively affected by the reciprocal tariffs implemented earlier this year.

President Donald Trump had first implemented the tariffs in April and updated the measure in August. ‘This decision is both timely and consequential. It reinforces the competitiveness of Trinidad and Tobago’s exports in the chemicals sector, which includes fertilizers and related downstream products,’ said CPSO chief executive officer, Dr. Patrick Antoine.

‘It stabilizes key agricultural and agro processing supply chains across CARICOM and provides targeted relief where it is most needed. For Jamaica, a major exporter of agricultural products to the United States, this relief comes at a critical moment, as the nation’s agricultural sector requires all possible support to rebuild its production infrastructure in the wake of Hurricane Melissa.’

Antoine said that ‘this outcome demonstrates that when the Community acts in a unified and coordinated manner toward a shared purpose, positive outcomes are achieved for the people of CARICOM.

‘he November 14, 2025, Executive Order while reflecting US domestic priorities, also reinforces the credibility of the CARICOM as a key interlocutor with the United States and highlights the importance of aligning regional positions in pursuit of common purposes,’ he added.

The CPSO said it had previously estimated that the reciprocal tariffs would cost CARICOM member states US$653.6 million in export revenue annually, with the largest exposures concentrated in the base metals, agriculture and food and chemicals’ sectors.

Antoine, who is also the CPSO’s technical director, said that the coordinated advocacy of CARICOM leaders played a pivotal role in securing the withdrawal of the reciprocal tariffs, saying that they had all engaged United States counterparts on the urgency of addressing the tariff measures affecting agriculture, chemicals and other critical exports.

The CPSO said that the burden of the reciprocal tariffs fell most heavily on the agriculture and food’ and chemicals’ sectors with a CPSO study estimating potential annual export revenue losses of US$117.7 million for agriculture and US$86.1 million for chemicals.

The CPSO said that the November 14 executive order by President Trump eliminates the reciprocal tariffs and reverses the previous rates applied under the America First trade measures.

It said that among the products now exempted from the reciprocal tariffs are ammonia, urea ammonium nitrate (UAN), both essential fertilizers widely used across global agriculture, as well as methanol and selected agri-food products.

‘Trinidad and Tobago, which is CARICOM’s leading industrial and manufacturing exporter, had been the member state most affected within the chemicals sector and stands to benefit significantly from the withdrawal of the US tariffs,’ the CPSO said.

The CPSO said the US remains CARICOM’s principal trade and economic partner and that the removal of the reciprocal tariffs will, therefore, contribute to the strengthening of the US-CARICOM trade relationship.

It said that during the US’ Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) Biennial Review Process, which was undertaken in July 2025, the CPSO made a submission to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) outlining the negative implications for CARICOM’s export sectors of the imposition of the reciprocal tariff regime.

The CPSO said that even as the organisation continues to undertake work aimed at measuring the impact of the remaining tariffs on regional exports, Antoine noted that with the removal of these key tariffs, a substantial portion of CARICOM’s exports to the United States will benefit immediately.

‘While the CPSO welcomes the removal of the tariffs on a substantial part of the region’s agriculture and Chemical exports, the organization will continue to work with the CARICOM heads of member states to assist with the elimination of the remaining tariffs affecting CARICOM’s exports to the US.’

The CPSO said that it remains committed to supporting CARICOM leaders and the regional private sector in advancing solutions that strengthen trade facilitation, enhance competitiveness and bolster long-term economic resilience.

The Guyana government says that within the next 12 months it will begin transporting fresh produce directly from the interior to Caribbean Community (CARICOM) states.

President Irfaan Ali says the initiative is set to revolutionise regional trade, expand hinterland agriculture, and open a new export market for Guyanese farmers. Speaking at the sod-turning ceremony for the new airport terminal at the Bartica aerodrome, President Ali said that the initiative forms part of a wider national strategy to strengthen food security, ease transportation challenges, and position Guyana as a major supplier of fresh foods within the Caribbean.

He said improved air connectivity will significantly cut transport time from farm to export point, enabling farmers and producers in Region Seven and neighbouring regions to access new regional markets.

President Ali said the government is working closely with air operators and regulatory agencies to establish the logistical framework needed for the seamless movement of agricultural produce from the hinterland to CARICOM destinations.

‘Within 12 months, we will fly food out from the interior, directly into CARICOM countries,’ he said, adding that this will open new income streams for mining communities that are now expanding into agriculture and agro-processing.

President Ali said this export push aligns with the regional objective to reduce CARICOM’s food import bill by 25 per cent, and gives farmers across Guyana the chance to scale production and value-added processing while earning higher returns.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that development is not confined to the coast but is shared across every region.

‘This will ensure that hinterland producers participate fully in the national and regional economy. We are creating opportunities where people live,’ President Ali said.

Meanwhile, Ali described the sod turning for the new BK airport terminal on Sunday in Bartica as a transformative milestone for Region Seven and another major step in advancing national connectivity, tourism and economic diversification.

He said the project reflects ‘the continuous reinvestment of local wealth back into national development’, lauding the BK Group for consistently expanding its footprint and creating new opportunities across Guyana.

He said that Bartica is undergoing rapid change in line with the government’s wider development strategy, noting that the new terminal will become a critical link in opening up the region by air, expanding tourism offerings, lowering transport costs and improving services for communities and businesses.

He said the new terminal is expected to cut travel time and significantly reduce operational expenses for interior operators, while creating the space for innovations such as drone logistics, medevac support, and direct export of food products from the interior into CARICOM markets.

‘In simple terms, when places are easier to reach, they become easier to grow,’ he said, adding ‘there is no way the aviation sector cannot, at this time, reduce air transport costs by at least 15 per cent’.