Category: CANA News

The Judicial and Legal Services Commission says it has taken note of the recent comments and concerns being expressed regarding the transfer of senior magistrates, insisting that such transfers ‘are routine’.

In a statement, the Commission defended the transfer of the magistrates to various districts across the country, saying it is in keeping with the Judicial and Legal Services Regulations, which governs the transfer of magistrates after a tour of two years.

‘While transfers are ordinarily conducted during the regular transfer period of July to August, the regulations provide that transfers may also be affected outside of this timeframe in cases where an exigency arises,’ It added.

The Commission said that when the positions of senior magistrates were created years ago the intention was for them to ‘be placed at strategic locations in the districts across Belize with the primary objective of strengthening the delivery of justice in the District Courts and enhancing capacity building among junior officers.

‘This initiative ensures that the public continues to receive efficient, fair, and accessible judicial services across the country,’ the Commission said, indicating that its decisions are guided by the rule of law, good governance, ‘and the ongoing need to improve access to justice and delivery of justice in the districts’.

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has updated its growth projections for the region, estimating that gross domestic product (GDP) will rise 2.4 per cent this year and slightly reduced to 2.3 per cent next year.

The new estimate for 2025 represents an upward revision from the 2.2 per cent forecast in the Economic Survey of Latin America and the Caribbean 2025, published on August 5.

This is the second upward revision since April, when the outlook for regional growth was two per cent and ECLAC said with this update, the expectation for regional growth is identical to the figure presented in December 2024 of 2.4 per cent.

ECLAC said that the adjustment to the projections reflects a less adverse international environment than what was foreseen in April, but it does not change the underlying diagnosis: the external drivers of growth have decelerated and the region continues to grow at a slow pace.

It said to break out of this situation, a more accelerated productive transformation is needed to fuel economic growth and productivity, diversify economies, and create more and better jobs.

ECLAC said the revisions to the 2025 projections reflect changes in the external conditions faced by the region.

These include modifications in the scenarios for international trade growth due to the effects of the tariff announcements made by the United States since April of this year, as well as adjustments in the growth prospects of the region’s main trading partners – the pace of which, while decelerating versus 2024, has improved in comparison with the estimates from the start of the year.

In addition to these factors, inflation expectations at a global level have declined at a slower-than-expected speed, affecting interest rate reductions by the main central banks and the dollar’s trajectory in international markets.

Although the international context has been the main conditioning factor in the current year, ECLAC emphasises that domestic determinants – such as the reduced space available for fiscal and monetary policies, productive specialization and the destination of exports – also account for the differences in the performance of the region’s economies.

The current projections point to heterogeneous behaviour among subregions.

In 2025, South America is seen growing by 2.9 per cent, above the 2.7 per cent forecast in August. This rise reflects an increase in trade between the subregion’s countries and China and a rebound in the prices for precious metals and other products from extractive sectors.

The English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean is forecast to grow by 4.7 per cent, or 1.9 per cent if Guyana is excluded, versus 4.1 per cent and 1.8 per cent in August, respectively, driven by a more favorable-than-expected result in the tourism sector.

For 2026, ECLAC has kept its regional projection unchanged at 2.3 per cent.

It says if this estimate is borne out, it would be the fourth straight year in which the region grows at rates of around 2.3 per cent, leading to average regional GDP growth of 1.6 per cent for the 2017-2026 period. By subregion, 2026 growth rates are forecast 1.7 per cent for the Caribbean region, but 1.7 per cent if Guyana is excluded).

ECLAC warns that the international outlook continues to be dominated by downward risks, including the possibility of abrupt corrections in international financial markets, pressures on fiscal sustainability in advanced economies, and possible additional trade disruptions – tensions that could affect the credibility of monetary policies in the world’s main central banks and interest rate levels.

Given this scenario, ECLAC urges the region’s countries to preserve macroeconomic stability, strengthen their fiscal and monetary institutions, and promote productive development policies aimed at increasing productivity, diversifying exports, boosting intraregional trade and fostering sustainable investment.

In December, ECLAC said it will publish its flagship report ‘Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean 2025,’ in which it will offer a detailed analysis of the year’s results along with new perspectives for 2026.

Venezuelan legislators are on Tuesday expected to debate a motion declaring the Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad- Bissessar persona non grata as the rift between the two governments over the presence of United States military presence off the coast of the South American country widens.

The motion appears on the official agenda of the Assembly’s ordinary session that also includes the ‘Commandos Bill for the Integral Defence of Venezuela’ designed to strengthen the country’s military and civilian preparedness against ‘internal and external threats,’ which received unanimous approval in its first discussion and reinforces the ‘joint responsibility of the State and the people’ in defending national sovereignty.

If approved, it will be the first time that Venezuela’s National Assembly has formally censured a sitting Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leader.

But Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar has dismissed the move saying it is ‘a useless declaration’ insisting, ‘it has no effect on my life.’

On Monday, President Nicolas Maduro announced the ‘immediate’ suspension of energy agreements with Trinidad and Tobago, a few hours after his Vice President, Delcy Rodríguez, said a formal proposal had been submitted to him to suspend the Energy Cooperation Framework Agreement with Port of Spain.

During his weekly television show on Monday night, Maduro accused Trinidad and Tobago of acting as the ‘aircraft carrier of the U.S. empire’ and said that he was left with no choice but to pull out of treaties signed with the country 10 years ago.

Maduro said that Trinidad and Tobago ‘ran out’ of gas before Venezuela had agreed to help it with the deal.

However, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar has dismissed Venezuela’s suspension saying Port of Spain will continue to pursue its own energy and economic strategies.

‘Our future does not depend on Venezuela and never has. We have our plans and projects to grow our economy both within the energy and non-energy sectors,’ she added.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last month that the US supports the Trinidad government’s Dragon gas proposal but it would take steps to ensure it will not provide significant benefit to Maduro’s government.

The Dragon gas field is reported to have 119 billion cubic metres (4.2 trillion cubic feet) of gas.

Last month, President Donald Trump ramped up US 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.

The United States military has carried out deadly air strikes in Caribbean waters over the past few weeks against what Washington alleges are Caracas-backed drug traffickers. The Venezuelan government denies the charge, accusing the administration of being a threat to the peace and security of the whole region.

Trinidad and Tobago has come out in full support for the US action, with Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar already indicating that the drug traffickers should be killed ‘violently’..

According to Tuesday’s agenda, the Venezuelan legislators will debate a draft resolution condemning the Trinidad and Tobago leader, accusing her of making statements that ‘affect national sovereignty’ and ‘promote stigmas against Venezuelan migration in the Caribbean’.

Caracas said that the motion is also intended to send a ‘firm and symbolic message’ to Port of Spain in response to what Caracas views as Trinidad and Tobago pattern of hostility and alignment with the United States’ growing military presence in the region.

The Jamaica National Group has activated its ISupportJamaica Fund to support the rebuilding efforts which are expected after the passage of Hurricane Melissa which is forecast to be the worst storm in the country’s history. Forecasters predict that Melissa will have even more devastating impact than Hurricane Charlie in 1951 and Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, which were two of Jamaica’s most catastrophic hurricanes.

The effects of hurricanes go beyond shattered roofs, landslides and flooded streets; they disrupt lives, livelihoods, and the very fabric of communities. Beyond material loss, hurricanes take a heavy toll on human life and emotional well-being, reminding us that recovery is not only about rebuilding structures but also restoring routines, security, and hope.

The ISupportJamaica Fund will facilitate people, locally and abroad, who want to aid in recovery efforts. The fund which is managed by the JN Foundation is an offshoot of ISupportJamaica.com which was launched in 2013.

Referencing reports from The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, Paulette Simpson, executive for corporate affairs and public policy at The Jamaica National Group, and who is based in the United Kingdom, says given the magnitude of the hurricane and the projected impact, coordination of recovery efforts have begun.

‘Therefore, we are appealing to Jamaicans, home and abroad, to donate so that first responders can jump immediately into providing comfort for those in need as soon as it is safe,’ she pleaded.

‘We invite you make monetary donations to the I Support Jamaica Fund, which is managed by JN Foundation via JN Bank, JN Money.’ Information on how to donate is available on the JN Foundation website, jnfoundation.com/hurricane-melissa-relief/.

Beneficiaries of the donations will include the most vulnerable; children’s homes, early childhood institutions, homes for the elderly, healthcare facilities, as well as registered community groups operating in the worst affected areas.

In addition to cash donations, Jamaica National is also collaborating with Food for the Poor in the United Kingdom (FFTP) to collect emergency supplies from persons for donation to vulnerable communities.

FFTP Jamaica has been a trusted humanitarian partner and the largest charitable organization on the island. With decades of proven experience, FFTP Jamaica is a key operational partner within the national disaster management framework.

FFTP has a dedicated Disaster Management Unit, supported by surge staff, that enables rapid mobilisation during crises. Through a strong logistics network and deep community partnerships, FFTP delivers targeted relief swiftly and effectively to all 14 parishes, including remote or hard-to-reach areas.

‘The Jamaica National Group remains intimately connected to Jamaicans across all Diaspora markets and so we have sprung into action to assist Jamaica with recovering quickly and recovering robustly.’

The Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) says it is commemorating 20 years of partnership with Korea this year, as trade between the country and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is projected to reach a record US$70 billion.

The issue was among matters discussed at the two day seventh Korea-LAC Business Summit, co-organized by the IDB Group, Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance (MOEF), the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM), and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).

The summit brought together hundreds of firms from Korea and Latin America and the Caribbean for over 600 one-on-one business meetings, alongside public officials, investors, and development partners.

The summit also launched the BID for the Americas programme in Korea, which connects companies from the IDB Group’s non-borrowing member countries to opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Since joining the IDB Group in 2005, Korea has become a key development partner for Latin America and the Caribbean. Bilateral trade in goods and services has grown over fivefold from US$13 billion to a projected US$70 billion in 2025, according to a new joint report, Two Decades, One Partnership: Korea and the IDB Group Delivering at Scale.

Korean exports, including cars, electronics, and machinery , have expanded rapidly across Latin America and the Caribbean, while the region’s copper, lithium, fuels, and agricultural products have become essential to Korea’s economy.

Through the Korea-IDB Group partnership, more than four million households in Latin America and the Caribbean have gained access to electricity, water, sanitation, and digital services , supported by over two billion US dollars in Korea and IDB Group co-financing for infrastructure, connectivity, and clean energy.

At the Summit, the IDB Group and Korean partners also announced a new cooperation package to expand collaboration in five priority areas of artificial intelligence, energy, critical minerals, infrastructure, and talent mobility.

The new joint report identifies three key steps to accelerate progress: lowering trade costs, expanding preferential trade agreements, and coinvesting in value chains for critical minerals, resilient energy, digital transformation, and agri-food industries.

The Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago says it has received a commitment from the President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Kathy Smith, to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the development of the private sector in both countries.

‘We look forward to deepening relations with our counterparts in Guyana as we collaborate toward strengthening the private sector role in the development of both country’s energy sector,’ said Dr Thackwray Driver, the president and chief executive officer of the Energy Chamber.

President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Kathy Smith (center) in discussions with members of the Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago.

In a statement, the Energy Chamber said that the commitment was given during a visit to Port of Spain by Smith for the post annual general meeting event titled ‘Building Guyana – T and T Private Sector Collaboration’.

It said that the event, which featured an address by Smith, also included a panel discussion with leaders from several energy services companies in Trinidad and Tobago.

‘The discussions focused on opportunities for collaboration and the removal of non-tariff barriers and alleviating port congestion issues,’ it said.

The Energy Chamber said that the proposed MoU will be centered around developing avenues for collaboration in areas such as skills development and knowledge transfer, local co

The Trinidad and Tobago government says it will deport 200 illegal Venezuelan nationals as part of the crackdown on criminal activities in the country.

The Ministry of Homeland Security has since issued an order to place all illegal migrants at the Immigration Detention Centre for deportation.

Illegal Venezuelan migrants arriving in Trinidad by boat (File Phhoto)

‘The Honourable Minister of Homeland Security has instructed that all illegal immigrants detained are to be held at the Immigration Detention Centre until repatriation. They are not to be placed on Orders of Supervision, as consideration is currently being given to the implementation of a mass deportation exercise for illegal immigrant

‘This policy takes immediate effect and shall remain in force until further instructions are issued by the Honourable Minister,’ according to a memo signed by Videsh Maharaj, Permanent Secretary of Homeland Security.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said the deportation ‘is only for illegal immigrants who have committed criminal offences, of any nationality.

‘This is for people detained in the jails or detention centres who have been arrested for crimes. Nothing to do with kids,’ she added.

In August, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had indicated that while there would be no ‘mass deportation’ her administration is ‘still working on that policy,’ even as she blamed the former administration for failing to properly address the illegal migrant issue, which she said was linked to criminality.

‘That is what they allowed for the last 10 years. There was little, there was no attempt, little or no attempt by our predecessors to sift through immigrants who were legitimately fleeing conditions in Venezuela from those who came here with criminal intent,’ she told supporters at a UNC rally in August.

In recent weeks, Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago have been at odds over the United States military build up in the region, with Caracas accusing Port of Spain as aiding and abetting Washington in its efforts at regime change in the South American country.

President Nicolas Maduro on Monday announced the suspension of all energy agreements between the two countries.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves Tuesday night announced November 27 s the date for the general elections in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Speaking at the ruling Unity Labour Party’s (ULP) ‘Labour Strong Rally’, Gonsalves said that the 15-seat Parliament has been dissolved and that Nomination Day is November. 10.

‘It is now decision time for our free and democratic people in free and fair elections for you to choose between the ULP and the NDP (New Democratic Party),’ Gonsalves said.

The ULP is seeking an unprecedented sixth consecutive term in office. The ULP had won an historic fifth consecutive five-year term by a 9-6 margin in 2020, when the party won North Leeward by one vote after a contentious recount.

However, in 2020, the party also lost the popular vote for the first time since 1998.

‘And the NDP, you’re listening to me: Hear me well. as a boy from country, I tell you, it’s ain’t long rope that does heng (hang) cattle; is short rope, and the rope is getting shorter and shorter,’ said the 79-year-old Gonsalves.

Gonsalves main challenge will come from the NDP, headed by the 66 year-old Dr. Godwin Friday who has been representing the Northern Grenadines since 2001,and his making his his second bid to become prime minister.

In 2020, Friday failed in his first attempt to lead the NDP to victory, almost four years after taking over the reins of the party.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has announced an increased in public assistance of EC$360 (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents), saying that the increase is retroactive to three months.

Gonsalves also announced that public sector workers will receive a three per cent Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for three months.

‘A Christmas COLA will also be paid to all public servants, nurses, teachers, police officers, prison officers and non-established employees in the central government as a one-off payment tax-free, of three per cent of the person’s salaries or wages for three months,’ Gonsalves said.

Delivering his Independence Day address on Monday evening, Gonsalves said the minimum pension paid by the National Insurance Service (NIS) will be raised to the same amount, with the government contributing the additional EC$40 for each of the 1,910 pensioners, until an actuarial review is done, as required by law.

He said there are 4,646 people on public assistance, a social welfare programme through which the government gives a monthly payout to poor and vulnerable people, including the disabled.

Before Gonsalves’ announcement, public assistance recipients who are less than 65 years old received EC$280 monthly while those older received EC$300.

The prime minister said that from December, all recipients will receive EC$360 a month and that is in addition to the expanding menu of social safety net assistance, including housing, rents, food packages, lump sums for particular adverse events, and medical and pharmaceutical support.

‘To assist in cushioning the expenditure for persons who are receiving public assistance, I will be backdating this increase from September 1, 2025,’ Gonsalves said.

‘So, for a person receiving EC$280 a month in Public Assistance, his or her payment from December will be EC$80 more, but at the end of November, he or she will receive, in addition to his or her regular EC$280, a backdated lump sum of EC$240 – the additional EC$80 for each of the three months of September to November inclusive.’

Gonsalves said this was a kind of public assistance Cost of Living Adjustment, similar to what he announced for other categories of Vincentians.

Gonsalves said that the increase in public assistance for the four months will cost the Treasury EC$1.246 million, adding that it will be EC$3.74 million annually.

Gonsalves told the nation that when his Unity Labour Party (ULP) came to office in 2001, public assistance was EC$50 a month.

‘We have increased it some six times before the latest round of increases and expanded the list to accommodate more persons, particularly the elderly, the infirm and the physically challenged who are in need.’

He said any government has to be alert to the difficulty of increasing the monthly cash payment of public assistance above the minimum monthly payments for the pensioners at the NIS.

The NIS minimum pension is determined following a periodic actuarial review, as required by law.

‘Currently, there are 1,910 pensioners at the NIS who are on a minimum pension, out of nearly 10,000 pensioners overall on the NIS roll,’ Gonsalves said, receiving a minimum pension of EC$320 monthly.

‘These would have contributed to the pension fund. So, it is unfair to them, having contributed to the national insurance pension fund, that they should get less than the non-contributory public assistance,’ he said, adding that the people on minimum pensions rightly complain whenever public assistance payments exceed theirs.

The prime minister said he was correcting this until the next actuarial review, adding that in addition to the minimum NIS pension of EC$320 monthly, the government will pay through the NIS an additional EC$40 to bring the minimum pension to EC$360.

‘Not only that, because I give the back pay for the non-contributory pension, I’m also giving the back pay of the $40 for the three months, so they will get an additional $120 in a lump sum to help them between September and November.’

Gonsalves said the cost to the treasury for this support from September to December will be about EC$250,000.

‘I have to say, for completeness, those who are on the NIS have some additional benefits, such as a funeral grant for the family of a pensioner.,’ Gonsalves said, also announcing that his government will increase from EC$275 to EC$400 the monthly pay-out per foster child to foster families.

‘I know somebody may be saying, ‘Well, I have space for three foster children, so I’ll get EC$1,200.’ But remember, the ministry will vet you to see that you’re an appropriate person to be a foster mother.’

He said there are currently 165 children in foster care, either with families or with mothers who are not families or in institutional care, adding that the government will back date this increase to September.

Gonsalves said that the Christmas COLA to public sector workers will cost the Treasury three million EC dollars and that in January, the government will engage public sector unions on salary-related negotiations for three years, to be included in the 2026 budget.

Gonsalves also announced that 2,704 people who had been assessed to be in severe need and who were paid a COLA of EC$175 monthly for three months earlier this year will be paid a Christmas COLA of another three months from October to December this year.

‘This Christmas cola will be paid by the end of November 2025. This will cost the Treasury $1.4 million,’ he said.

The extremely dangerous category 5 Hurriccane Melissa has made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday, with officials warning about the catastrophic winds, flash flooding and strom surge associated with the storm, already blamed for three lives.

As the storm inches closer to the island, a representative of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said that the category 5 system ‘will be the strongest on the planet this year’ putting a million people at direct risk, ‘including families which are still recovering from Hurricane Beryl’ which hit Jamaica 16 months ago.

‘Roofs will be tested. Flood water will rise. Isolation will become a harsh reality for many,’ said Necephor Mghendi, the Trinidad-based IFRC’s head of Delegation for the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean.

The tropical cyclone specialist with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO),  Anne-Claire Fontan, quoting the Miami based National Hurricane Center (NHC), said ‘total structural failure is likely.

‘I have never seen this sentence before. it’s a massive impact that is expected to be in Jamaica,’ she said.

The NHC in its latest bulleting said that the storm is about 40 miles south east of Negril in Jamaica and has maximum sustained winds of 185 miles per hour.

(Details in Full News section)