Category: CANA News

Agriculture Minister, Jose Abelardo Mai, is reported to have resigned from the cabinet of Prime Minister John Briceño, but there has been no official confirmation of the resignation.

The government has issued no official statement regarding the resignation even as several media outlets said that Mai’s resignation late Monday came amid reports of pressure from the United States Embassy in Belize and follows allegations from a Mexican news outlet linking him to criminal activity, claims Mai has strongly denies, calling them ‘defamatory’ and politically motivated.

He has threatened legal action against what he describes as ‘fake news’ and opposition operatives.

The purported resignation also comes a week after Prime Minister Briceño defended a cabinet re-shuffle saying these adjustments will as a whole strengthen his executive team while bringing a fresh approach to several difficult spheres of governance.

The announcement from the Office of the Prime Minister did not give any reasons for the cabinet changes, noting only that they will become effective from Monday, November 17.

The statement said Mai, would remain as Minister of Agriculture, Food Security with the added portfolio of New Growth Industries.

Opposition Leader, Tracy Panton, said the opposition is ‘extremely concerned on what we perceive to be, and I am sure the rest of the country, perceive to be the unravelling of a corrupt regime.

‘I think that the government has a duty and obligation to act in the best interest of this country and should not be coerced or forced to seek the resignation of a member of its Cabinet, as I understand allegedly is the case with the Mai situation,’ she added.

She is calling on Prime Minister Briceño to ‘explain why immediately after a reshuffle of his Cabinet, not only a reshuffle, but a reshuffle remix, we say it almost jokingly but it is serious matter, that we hav

The chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Reparations Commission (CRC) Sir Hilary Beckles, Tuesday urged Britain to re-think its socio-economic policies towards the Caribbean region, criticising some segments of the British press for suggesting that the call for reparation

‘Sections of the British media, rather than see the enormous hospitality of the Caribbean people, what you talk about is that we have come here to take money away from the taxpayers,’ he said.

Sir Hilary, who is leading a six-member delegation on a ‘groundbreaking visit’ to the United Kingdom to ‘advance its advocacy for reparatory justice’, told a news conference that there is no reason why Britain should be divided on reparatory justice for the Caribbean.

‘There is no logical reason. It’s an emotional response based on the racism of a few and I believe that there is racism in the western world. I don’t believe the majority of the British people have racist tendencies,’ he said, reminding the media that he grew up in Britain, attending schools here as well.

‘Yes you have a few racist people knocking around the place, but the majority of the people are open minded liberal, and that is the consciousness that we want to respond to. That open liberal spirit of the British people, that what we are talking to,’ he said, telling the media ‘you can help us to communicate that message’.

In a landmark moment for the nation’s sporting history, the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) has officially named a 50-member delegation to compete at the 2025 Bolivarian Games, marking the country’s first-ever participation in the prestigious event.

The team, ratified by the TTOC’s executive board and council, will travel to Ayacucho, Lima, Peru, for the Games, which run from November 22 to December 7.

The delegation of 32 athletes and 18 officials will compete in three sports: men’s and women’s cricket, cycling, and surfing.

The selection underscores a strategic push to provide elite athletes with new competitive platforms, with the cricket teams also eyeing crucial development ahead of their quest to qualify for the LA 2028 Olympics.

Leading the charge as chef de mission is the experienced Lovie Santana-Duke, who expressed immense pride in the milestone.

‘It is an honour to lead TT’s first-ever delegation to the Bolivarian Games,’ Santana-Duke stated. ‘This moment represents far more than participation; it reflects the commitment of our athletes, the dedication of their support teams, and the pride of our nation. We are stepping onto a new stage with confidence, discipline, and unity.’

TTOC President Diane Henderson hailed the occasion as a pivotal step in the nation’s athletic development.

‘This is a landmark moment for TT Sport. Our athletes will have the opportunity to compete on a new international stage and gain invaluable experience as they prepare for future regional and global competitions. We commend their dedication and look forward to witnessing their continued growth and success.’

The team features a mix of established stars and emerging talent. Track cycling phenom Nicholas Paul and fellow cyclist Makaira Wallace will represent the red, white, and black on the velodrome.

Established in 1938, the Bolivarian Games (Juegos Bolivarianos) are a regional multi-sport event held to honour the legacy of Simón Bolívar.

Organised by the Bolivarian Sports Organisation (ODEBO), the Games aim to foster unity, friendship, and athletic excellence among the nations he helped liberate.

Trinidad and Tobago Delegation for 2025 Bolivarian Games: Chef de Mission: Lovie Santana-Duke, Administrative Personnel: Jariel Mc Collin, Media Officer: Kira Alexander. Medical Staff: Chief Medical Officer: Shakti Ramsawak, Physiotherapist: Demi Guevara, Massage Therapist: Brent Elder.

Surfing: Aiden Albada, Manager/Coach: Edward Albada

Men’s Cricket: Vikash Mohan, Andrew Rambaran, Crystian Thurton, Damion Joachim, Daniel Williams, Dejourn Charles, Jesse Bootan, Kamil Pooran, Kyle Ramdoo, Leonardo Julien, Mikkel Govia, Sameer Ali, Shaaron Lewis, Joshua Davis, Teshawon Castro. Officials. Keston Harrypersad (Coach), Earnil Ryan (Coach), Omar Khan (Manager), Adrian Ali (Assistant Manager).

Women’s Cricket: Karishma Ramharack, Shania Abdool, Brianna Harricharan, Kenika Cassar, Anisa Mohammed, Shunelle Sawh, Samara Ramnath, Djenaba Joseph, Kirbyina Alexander, Lee Ann Kirby, Nadia Mohammed, Britney Cooper, Ameila Khan, Amrita Ramtaha. Officials. Merissa Aguilleira (Coach), Marjorie Thomas (Manager), Wayne Samuel (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Kelvin Williams (Assistant Coach), Deliannys Espinoza Herrera (Manager Assistant).

Cycling: Nicholas Paul, Makaira Wallace. Officials: Elisha Greene (Coach/Mechanic), Ian Cole (Manager).

The Guyana -based Caribbean Community (CARICO) Secretariat Tuesday announced the launch of a new initiative aimed at at strengthening food security and empowering key stakeholders across member states.

It said that the ‘CARICOM Boost: Women and Youth in Agriculture’ project is being supported by the New Zealand government, adding that a resilient agri-food system remains critical for the 15-member regional integration grouping as it continues to face increasing climate-related challenges.

It said that this strategic initiative is designed to enhance the capacity of women and youth in the agribusiness sector, while contributing to the region’s goal of reducing its food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

Programme manager for Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, Shaun Baugh, said the overarching goal is to improve livelihoods and expand employment opportunities.

‘So, we will engage 188 youth and women from the region by teaching them agricultural best practices and management. Beneficiaries will participate in a series of capacity-building activities aimed at equipping them with skills in production and post-harvest management.’

The project will be implemented in Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname, with direct support provided to selected participants through training, equipment, and infrastructure development.

Key deliverables of the project include construction of 47 shade houses to support controlled-environment agriculture; provision of 15 solar-powered cold storage units; distribution of post-harvest and storage crates to enhance produce handling and preservation.

The capacity-building component of the initiative is being delivered in collaboration with regional and international partners, including the Trinidad-based Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

‘The CARICOM Secretariat remains steadfast in its mission to foster inclusive growth and food and nutrition security through targeted interventions that empower the next generation of agricultural leaders,’ said Baugh.

The Central Bank of Suriname (CBvS) says a team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is on a visit to the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) as part of an Article IV mission

This article of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement governs the Fund’s oversight of the economic and financial policies of its member states and the mission which ends its stay here on Friday is being led by the new mission chief for Suriname, Alberto Behar.

‘Now that Suriname has completed its IMF programme (in March 2025), the regular 12-month Article IV missions will resume. However, an interim mission will continue annually as part of the post-IMF programme, during which, among other things, the consistency of our country’s macroeconomic framework will be assessed over the medium term,’ the CBvS said in a statement.

It said that the consultations with the CBvS concern both policy and operational matters and cover a wide range of topics, ‘particularly monetary and exchange rate policy and related operations, including open market operations and foreign exchange interventions’.

In August, the Suriname government says it would not enter into a new agreement with the IMF similar to the one that had been successfully implemented by the Santokhi government

‘We will not implement an IMF programme like we had,’ President Jenny Geerlings- Simons said, adding ‘but we will certainly remain on speaking terms to help us with our financial affairs, to provide advice on this, and to help strengthen institutions.’

In 2021, the IMF executive board approved Suriname’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) US$572 million arrangement with the country pursuing an ambitious economic reform agenda with the objective of restoring macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability, while laying the foundations for strong and more inclusive growth.

The programme, which ended earlier this year, focused on restoring fiscal and debt sustainability, protecting the poor and vulnerable, upgrading the monetary and exchange rate policy framework, addressing banking sector vulnerabilities, and advancing the anti-corruption and governance reform agenda.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Tuesday said that people in Haiti are fleeing their homes in the commune of Tabarre, following armed attacks last week.

UN Deputy Spokesperson, Farhan Haq, quoting the International Organization for Migration (IOM), said attacks on November 13 and 14th forced more than 600 people from their homes. Haq said that while most remain in Tabarre, hosted by local families, ‘these incidents come as the security situation in the capital continues to deteriorate.

‘Attacks in the residential areas of Thomassin and Fermathe – previously considered relatively safe – drove more than 1,800 people to seek safety elsewhere.’

Haq said that by the end of October, the number of people displaced by violence had reached 1.4 million, the highest level recorded in the country and up by more than a third from last year.

‘With insecurity rising, we urge all parties to protect civilians and ensure safe, rapid, unhindered humanitarian access to every community in need,’ Haq added.

On Monday, the leader of the ‘Viv Ansanm’ terrorist gang coalition, Jimmy Chérizier, called on members of the population to stay indoors as the group intends to confront law enforcement officials in the streets of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

His statement comes after the PNH, the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAD’H), and the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) launched a large-scale joint operation earlier this month against the ‘400 Mawozo’ criminal gang, blamed by the authorities for placing the communes of Tabarre and Croix-des-Bouquets, north of Port-au-Prince, under hostage.

Several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries are being represented at the 15th High-Level Forum on the Korea-Caribbean Partnership that began here on Tuesday.

The one-day event is being hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) and is being held under the theme ‘Korea-Caribbean Cooperation for a Resilient and Sustainable Ocean’.

Since its inception in 2011, the Forum has covered a wide range of issues, including food security, public health, renewable energy, and Information, Communication and Technology (ICT).

The Forum brings together high-level government officials, representatives from international organizations, academia, experts, and the private sector with the organisers saying the goal is to share a wide range of ideas and perspectives on strengthening cooperation between the two regions.

They said that discussions will specifically target methods to bolster ocean resilience in the face of climate change and to explore pathways for achieving a sustainable Blue Economy.

The forum’s agenda is structured into two key sessions with the first session discussing ‘Korea-Caribbean Cooperation for a Healthy and Resilient Ocean in the Era of Climate Change.’

In the second session, ‘Korea-Caribbean Cooperation for a Sustainable Blue Economy’ will hear presentations from Ava Maxam, the director of the Trinidad-based Institute of Marine Affairs, Belize Minister of the Blue Economy and Marine Conservation, Abner Andre Perez, who will speak on ‘Belize’s Blue Economy-Charting a Bold Course Toward a Blue Future’.

Grenada’s Special Envoy for Oceans, Jerry Jermain Enoe, will address the issue of ‘Innovating for Sustainability: Grenada’s Blue Economy Vision and Opportunities for Korea Caribbean Collaboration, Jerusa Ali, the Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Bahamas, will address the topic ‘Exploring Pathways for Korea-Caribbean Cooperation on Maritime Resilience and a Sustainable Blue Economy’.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign and CRICOM Affairs Minister, Sean Sobers, gave congratulatory remarks at the opening of the Forum, outlining his country’s perspectives on maritime challenges, climate resilience, and opportunities for strengthened marine collaboration with the Republic of Korea.

The start of the second One Day International between host New Zealand and the West Indies has been delayed due to rain.

-A 22-year-old corrections officer is due to return to court on November 27 after she denied allegations that she had been plotting to murder her boss.

The prosecution alleges that Shante Taylor and another person had conspired to murder the Corrections officer, Charles Curtis, on July 30, 2024. Taylor is alleged to have discussed the plan during a WhatsApp conversation. But she has denied the allegation when she made an appearance before Justice Guillimina Archer-Minns.

Taylor, who has been released on US$20,000 bail, has been suspended and placed on half-pay pending the outcome of the case.

Taylor is also facing trial in connection with a plot to kill Elvardo Thompson Jr, who was murdered outside of her home in Pinecrest Gardens on July 20, 2024.

Taylor is accused along with four other people of conspiring to murder Thompson and later committing the crime.

They are expected to be tried before Justice Neil Brathwaite next year.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Monday urged governments, civil society, health teams, and families to intensify efforts in neonatal health, ensuring that every baby born too soon has the chance to survive and thrive.

In a message marking World Prematurity Day, PAHO said that annually, an estimated one in 10 babies is born prematurely, which amounts to approximately 1.2 million children in the Region of the Americas, including the Caribbean. It said prematurity, defined as birth before the 37th week of gestation, is one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality, morbidity, and disability.

PAHO said newborns face a significantly higher risk of complications, from breathing difficulties, infections, and poor growth to delays in neurological, school, and lifelong development.

World Prematurity Day is being observed under the theme ‘Giving premature babies a strong start for a hopeful future’ and PAHO said it is joining the World Health Organization (WHO) in this global call to raise awareness about the need to guarantee universal access to quality care from birth.

‘The challenges are multiple and go beyond clinical care. For families, a premature birth often means reduced income, long hospital stays, emotional stress, barriers to accessing services, and difficulties with follow-up care.

‘For society, it represents a high cost in terms of health, psychosocial support, special education, and future productivity. And for health teams, it requires specialized professionals – particularly in neonatology and nursing – as well as technological resources, quality protocols, intersectoral coordination, and continuity of care from the neonatal unit through early childhood.’

PAHO said in response to these challenges, the resolution adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2025 urges countries to invest in high-impact, evidence-based interventions, such as early initiation of breastfeeding, the use of the kangaroo care method and family support, the safe use of oxygen when required, and the availability of quality-assured medicines – all of which improve health outcomes for babies born too soon or with low birthweight.

Preterm newborns living in rural areas, Indigenous or Afro-descendant communities, families experiencing poverty, or those with limited access to quality health services face the greatest barriers to a healthy start.

‘Reducing prematurity and its consequences requires addressing the inequalities that affect mothers, newborns, and their families,’ said PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa.

‘Actions must focus on the most vulnerable populations, where we continue to see the highest neonatal mortality rates and the greatest challenges to accessing quality care.’

To advance equity in neonatal care, PAHO promotes several strategies that strengthen the capacity of health teams and communities. Among them is the free eCBB mobile app, which provides practical and up-to-date information on newborn care to both professionals and families.

‘Progress in reducing neonatal mortality in the region depends on strengthening care for premature and small newborns. Investing in human resources, service networks, and postnatal follow-up is essential to offer a truly healthy start and save thousands of lives each year,’ said Suzanne Serruya, PAHO’s Chief of the Women’s, Neonatal, and Reproductive Health Unit.