Category: CANA News

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Wednesday dismissed as ‘political rant’ statements made by a junior Trinidad and Tobago government minister that his wife and two children had been given preferential treatment in obtaining government-subsidised housing in the twin-island republic.

‘Everybody knows that he is carrying a can for the opposition here in St. Vincent. That’s the reason for his broadcast, his podcast or whatever you may call it,’ Gonsalves said, noting that the allegation made by the minister in the Ministry of Housing in Trinidad, Anil Roberts, is that his wife and children ‘had benefitted from a kind of insider trading.in purchasing apartments in a development in Trinidad.’He made several mis-representations and falsehoods and he drew certain conclusions and presented many innuendoes which touch and concern on the issue of damaging people’s character and defamation generally,’ Gonsalves said during 30 minute segment on his weekly radio programme in which he dealt with the issue and referring to his wife and children ‘as three citizens of Trinidad and Tobago’.

On Tuesday, Roberts acknowledged in his broadcast that Eloise Gonsalves and her children, Storm and Soleil Gonsalves, had been allocated the apartments even as over 200,000 residents of the twin island republic are on a waiting list.

Roberts said that the acquisition was uncovered because of inquiries he made after Prime Minister Gonsalves had been critical of Prime Minister Kamla Persad- Bissessar’s position regarding the Caribbean being declared a zone of peace.

‘. the honourable prime minister has waged a war and attack on our prime minister, Kamla Persad Bissessar, and I couldn’t understand why he was being so undiplomatic, inappropriate and strong to . say that she’s un-stateswoman-like and she’s misguided,’ Roberts said, later telling reporters that Gonsalves was ‘coming down . partisan sort of approach and delving into the politics of a sovereign nation.

Roberts raised many issues regarding the purchase of the properties saying that there are also questions about a declaration signed by Storm Gonsalves.

‘And to sign a false declaration in Trinidad and Tobago is a criminal offence. He said that from his app tech company, he makes 25,000 a month. The policy at the HDC (Housing Development Corporation) in Trinidad and Tobago, once you make one cent over $25,000 TT per month, you do not qualify.

‘So, further investigation by the police is needed in certain matters. Then, thirdly, a student, a child, working basically nowhere, gets an allocation of a house paid for by her mom and dad and brother when other citizens of this country are struggling and screaming out for scarce resources? It is wrong in 100 different ways,’ he added.

But in his radio response, Prime Minister Gonsalves said that he was never critical of Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar’s position on the region being declared a zone of peace, saying ‘I did not disrespect Kamla, I disagreed with her and I used the gentle formulation . a sort of characterisation of the region that Caribbean and Latin America was misguided.

‘In 2014 she signed on to the Havana Declaration, the bilateral meeting between our region, CARICOM and Cuba. In 2014 where the designation of the Caribbean and Latin America being a zone of peace that’s there. She is a member of CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) and meetings she attended with CELAC was also in the Declaration which she agreed to.

‘Well her position clearly has shifted and you can shift your position and I don’t have a quarrel when you shift your position, but it is open to me reasonably to say that that is not a correct position, because there are 14 countries in CARICOM (Caribbean Community), 13 of us currently say that the Caribbean and Latin America is a zone of peace, she does not accept that characterisation anymore and I thought she was misguided in that regard.

‘That is the most gentle of disagreements, but of course in Mr. Roberts’ mind it is gross disrespect and so on.’.

Persad-Bissessar’s shift in position has in the past few weeks coincided with the United States military build-up off the coast of Venezuela under the guise of eradicating the illegal drugs trade.

Washington has sent several warships including the world’s largest carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford, in what political observers say is a attempt at regime change in Caracas where President Nicolas Maduro has been in power.

The Americans have killed several people, including two Trinidad and Tobago nationals in strikes on what it termed illegal vessels carrying drugs in international waters and Persad Bissessar is on record as saying that those in the illegal drug trade should be ‘killed violently’.

Regarding the purchase of the properties in Trinidad and Tobago, Gonsalves said ‘I never spoke to anybody in the government of Trinidad and Tobago or seek to influence anybody in the government, state administration or otherwise to accord preferential treatment to these three citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.

‘They have done nothing which is illegal, nothing which is immoral, nothing which is unethical. It doesn’t reach any of those levels. No where at all, plain straight forward transactions’.

He told the audience that the apartments in the west of Trinidad and Tobago are ‘in a gated community.and are not regular state provided housing in Trinidad.

‘In fact the monies made from Victoria Keyes by HDC, those monies are used to help low income housing. That is the policy of successive governments as I understand it in Trinidad,’ Gonsalves said, outlining the procedures his wife and children had undertaken in acquiring the properties.

Gonsalves, an attorney, said apart from the ‘defamatory issues.on this broadcast by Mr. Roberts and by his clear imputation that I personally and Eloise and Storm and Soleil did something, unethical, illegal maybe even corrupt, which is completely false that I interfaced with the PNM (People’s National Movement) leadership to get benefit, absolutely not’.

He said any approach to the then prime minister Dr. Keith Rowley for assistance and purchasing the apartments would have been dismissed out of hand.

Gonsalves said that if Robert’s outburst is linked to assisting the main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP)in the November 27 general election, it would backfire, predicting that his ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) would be returned with a greater margin than five years ago when it won nine of the 15 seats at stake.

‘Vincentians are appalled by this kind of behaviour by Anil Roberts.and they will punish the NDP at the polls because if somebody was inclined not to vote for this or that reason, they will say no no no, we don’t want our country to descend into this, we have had 25 years of political stability under Ralph.,’ said Gonsalves, who is seeking an unprecedented sixth consecutive term as head of government.

Four of the seven individuals charged with involvement in the deadly explosion at a gas station last month, appeared in court here on Wednesday, but the matter was adjourned to December 3 this year.

Venezuelan national, Daniel Alexander Ramirez Poedemo, 33, whom the police say is the mastermind behind the October 26, 2025 explosion that led to the death of six year-old Sorya Bourne and injury to three others, and three of his co-accused appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Appearing alongside Poedemo were Alexander Bettancourt, 44, Johnny Boodram,33, and 33 year-old, Krystal LaCruz.

The prosecution alleges that Poedemo on October 26, with intent to threaten the security and sovereignty of Guyana or to strike terror among its people, used an explosive device at the Mobil Fuel Station at Regent and King Streets, Georgetown, resulting in the death of the six-year-old child.

The court also heard that Boodram aided and abetted Poedemo with intent to commit the same offence.

During the brief court hearing, the prosecution handing over some statements to the defense with the court being informed that more disclosure will be made at the next hearing, after which the case will proceed via paper committal to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for trial in the High Court.

A paper committal is a legal process in which a magistrate examines the written evidence to determine whether there is enough to send an accused person to stand trial in the High Court.

The three other accused, Ramesh Pramdeo, 51, Wayne Corriea, 44 and 33-year-old Jennifer Rodriguez, have been charged with aiding and abetting Poedemo with intent to threaten the security and safety of Guyana to strike terror on the people by the use of an explosive substance by placing it at the gas station resulting in Bourne’s death.

Their matter has been adjourned to November 24.

West Indies reached 140 in 18.4 overs after they were sent into bat by New Zealand in the fifth and final T20I here on Thursday at University Oval.

WEST INDIES 140 in 18.4 overs (Roston Chase 38, Romario Shepherd 36, Jason Holder 20, Shai Hope 11, Rovman Powell 11; Jacob Duffy 4-35, Jimmy Neesham 2-31).

One day after his body was cremated, the Suriname government has declared Wednesday a day of national mourning in honour of former president, Ronald Venetiaan, who died on November 5

The Ministry of the Interior in making the announcement said that it serves as a sign of sympathy and solidarity with the family of the former president and with all Surinamese people. It said that the Surinamese flag will be flown at half-mast on all public buildings and ships moored at the dock as a sign of mourning and that the flag must fly at half-mast from 6.00 am (local time) until sunset.

In addition, media companies, including radio and television stations, are called upon to adapt their programming to the meaning of this national day of mourning.

On Tuesday afternoon at a packed Cathedral Basilica, family, friends, politicians, foreign dignitaries, members of the National Party of Suriname (NPS) paid their last respects to Venetiaan, 89, served as head of state from 1991 and 1996, and between 2000 and 2010. He had previously taught mathematics and physics and served as Minister of Education.

The funeral was marked by his own words: ‘Arrived as an RRV and left as an RRV’ underscoring his wish that was repeated throughout the service that he did not wish for a state funeral.

‘What inspired a man with a passion for nature, mathematics, guitar playing, and poetry to become president of a country that had collapsed economically and was burdened by corruption, crime, and poverty?,’ asked his friend and long time party member, Roy Shyamnarain as he reflected on Venetiaan’s exceptional leadership.

‘That requires vision, courage, and above all, love-unconditional love for country and people. He knew that the risk of failure was greater than of success, but he acted out of faith, trust, and principled steadfastness. With the support of many, he made Suriname a better country. Today we commemorate the man who brought us those blessings.’

The son of the former president, Alvin remembered the difficult eighties, when his father was under house arrest, saying ‘despite everything, he insisted that the soldiers guarding him also be fed. That was who he was’.

Father Esteban Kross said Venetiaan will not be remembered for his titles, but for his humanity.

‘God will not judge him on his merits or honours, but on his sincere life. Before Him, all people are equal. Ronald Venetiaan was a great man, not only as a president, but as a deeply religious man, convinced that there is only one right path: that of values and standards.’

The United States government says it is providing nearly US$12.6 million in additional emergency, ‘life-saving assistance’ to Jamaica and Haiti as the countries recover from the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

The US Department of State said in a statement that the latest aid is ‘part of the ongoing support in our region in the wake of Hurricane Melissa’. It said that, in Jamaica, the additional funding will help implementers to clear debris, restore access to hard-to-reach areas, and provide shelter, emergency healthcare, child protection, water, sanitation, hygiene, and food assistance.

In Haiti, the additional US$2.5 million will support ‘similar life-saving efforts for those affected by the hurricane’s devastation.’

With this additional support, the State Department said the United States has provided nearly US$37 million to date in emergency, life-saving assistance and on-the-ground support throughout the region in response to Hurricane Melissa, including over US$22 million to Jamaica, US$11 million for Haiti, three million dollars for Cuba, and US$500,000 for The Bahamas.

‘This funding has enabled critical efforts by our Disaster Assistance Recovery Team (DART) and search-and-rescue teams from Los Angeles and Fairfax Counties to assist communities in need,’ the State Department said.

‘The United States remains steadfast in its commitment to helping our neighbors recover from this disaster and will continue to explore additional ways to provide meaningful assistance during this critical time,’ it added.

Last Tuesday, the Trump administration said it was providing an initial US$24 million in ’emergency, life-saving assistance’ for Jamaica, Haiti, the Bahamas, and ‘the people of Cuba’ to assist those affected by the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa.

The aid came Schumer, the US Senate Minority Leader, said he had sent a letter toUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stating that ‘officials in the Caribbean have reported early assessments of damage to be widespread, where homes and buildings have collapsed, roadways have been demolished, parishes are completely underwater and currently 77 per cent of Jamaica remains without power.’

New Zealand won the toss and elected to field against West Indies in the fifth and final T20I here on Thursday at University Oval.

West Indies have made one change with Jayden Seales replacing Amir Jangoo while New Zealand has named an unchanged squad.

SQUADS

WEST INDIES: Shai Hope (captain), Alick Athanaze, Amir Jangoo, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Ackeem Auguste, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Shamar Springer.

NEW ZEALAND: Mitchell Santner (captain), Tim Robinson, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Ish Sodhi, Jimmy Neesham, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy.

Umpires: Shaun Haig, Wayne Knights.

TV Umpire: Chris Brown.

Reserve Umpire: Kim Cotton.

Match Referee: Phil Whitticase.

Haiti has been identified among 16 countries and territories worldwide by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP) of a major hunger emergency, with acute food insecurity set to worsen between now and May 2026, putting millions of lives at risk.

A report released by the two UN agencies identifies six that are at the highest risk of famine or catastrophic hunger, namely Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Mali, Haiti, and Yemen. The report notes that in these areas, some communities are projected to reach famine or near-famine conditions.

Other countries of very high concern include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Nigeria, Somalia, Syria, and Afghanistan. Additional hotspots include Burkina Faso, Chad, Kenya, and the situation of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

The UN said acute food insecurity means families cannot meet their basic food needs and often resort to desperate measures, such as skipping meals or selling essential possessions. At Phase 4 (Emergency) and Phase 5 (Catastrophe/Famine), hunger becomes life-threatening.

‘Famine is not inevitable. We have the tools and the knowledge to prevent it, but we need the resources and the political will to act now,’ said Cindy McCain, the WFP’s Executive Director.

The agencies say children are especially vulnerable. Malnutrition weakens immunity, making them more susceptible to disease and death. The report warns that delayed action will cost lives and increase humanitarian costs.

The report highlights four main drivers, namely conflict and violence, the leading cause in 14 of the 16 hotspots, economic shocks with fragile economies, high debt, and soaring food prices; climate extremes such as floods, droughts, and cyclones linked to La Niña conditions and reduced humanitarian aid where funding shortfalls have forced ration cuts and limited malnutrition treatment.

‘Conflict remains the single biggest driver of hunger,’ said Dongyu Qu, the FAO Director-General. ‘But climate shocks and economic instability are compounding the crisis, leaving millions with no safety net.’

The two UN agencies are calling for urgent action to prevent famine. They are urging humanitarian assistance to save lives and livelihoods, early interventions before crises escalate and investment in resilience to tackle root causes, not just symptoms.

The agencies stress that the international community faces a narrowing window to act. Failure to respond will deepen hunger, destabilize regions, and lead to preventable deaths.

New Zealand defeated West Indies by eight wickets in the fifth and final T20I here on Thursday at University Oval.

Scores

WEST INDIES 140 in 18.4 overs (Roston Chase 38, Romario Shepherd 36, Jason Holder 20, Shai Hope 11, Rovman Powell 11; Jacob Duffy 4-35, Jimmy Neesham 2-31).

NEW ZEALAND 141-2 in 15.4 overs (Devon Conway 47 not out, Tim Robinson 45, Rachin Ravindra 21, Mark Chapman 21 not out).

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has launched a student census that it says will provide the opportunity to directly influence the future of education in the sub-regional grouping.

‘Today across our islands, we make history. For the first time anywhere in the world, every student, from kindergarten to secondary, will take part in a single, region-wide student census. Not a sample. Not a survey of a few. A true census giving every child the chance to be heard,’ said Dr. Didacus Jules, the OECS Director General. ‘The OECS is the first region in the world to undertake this total student-voice census and we do it because transformation begins with listening,’ he added.

The head of the Human and Social Division at the OECS Commission, Mrs. Sisera Simon, said the student census represents a truly transformative step in regional education development in the OECS.

‘It presents an opportunity to capture accurate, up-to-date information on every student, we gain the insights needed to shape policies that truly respond to their needs and aspirations. This initiative empowers us to make informed decisions, close gaps, and unlock the full potential of our young people across the region.’

The OECS Student Census initiative is intended to capture the authentic voices of students from kindergarten to Form 5, providing invaluable insights to help governments, educators, and policy-makers build more inclusive, equitable, and student-centred learning environments.

Students in Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts-Nevis, Montserrat, the British Virgin Islands and Anguilla are being invited to anonymously share their honest views and experiences about learning, teaching, and school life.

The OECS said that their voices will provide critical insights to help education leaders understand students’ needs and challenges, improve classroom teaching and school environments, and design inclusive and future-ready education systems.

It said that the data collected will inform the new 10-Year OECS Education Sector Strategy (2027-2037), anchoring it in the lived experiences of students.

The OECS Commission said that all data collected will be made anonymous and kept confidential, ensuring that students can express themselves freely and safely.

‘The OECS Student Census will serve as a powerful platform to amplify the voices of over 100,000 learners across the region. It is a bold step toward building more inclusive, equitable, and student-centred education systems that reflect the true realities of learners today.’

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited Wednesday announced that the daily production in the Stabroek Block has increased to 900,000 barrels.

‘Guyana’s story is one of continuous achievements because of the close collaboration with the Government of Guyana, our co-venturers, suppliers, contractors, and employees. Together, we are building a world-class energy sector that is delivering significant value for the people of Guyana,’ said ExxonMobil Guyana President, Alistair Routledge.

In a statement, ExxonMobil said the achievement together with its co-venturers, Hess Guyana Exploration Limited, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, comes just months after the successful startup of Guyana’s fourth offshore oil project at Yellowtail.

It said the project has now achieved its initial annual average production capacity of 250,000 barrels of oil per day.

‘We continue to safely deliver industry-leading performance, providing the oil and gas the world still demands,’ said Routledge.

The Stabroek co-venturers have committed more than US$60 billion to develop seven projects on Guyana’s offshore Stabroek block including Uaru, Whiptail, and Hammerhead.

The Uaru and Whiptail projects, Guyana’s fifth and sixth projects, are each expected to produce approximately 250,000 bopd.

The projects are expected to begin operations in 2026 and 2027, respectively, while the Hammerhead, the seventh project, is expected to add approximately 150,000 bopd when production begins in 2029.

Exxon said the eighth project, Longtail, is currently undergoing regulatory reviews. Once approved, ExxonMobil Guyana expects to have total production capacity of 1.7 million bopd from eight developments.