Category: CANA News

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 Bahamas government Monday, issued a formal evacuation notice for residents of Inagua, Acklins, Crooked Island, Mayaguana, and Ragged Island ahead of the passage of Hurricane Melissa, a category 5 storm later this week.

Prime Minister Phillip Davis said that according to the Bahamas Department of Meteorology, Hurricane Melissa is forecast to begin affecting the Southeast Bahamas by early Tuesday morning, with conditions expected to deteriorate through Wednesday as the storm tracks across the area.

Hurricane Melissa

He said the evacuation decision was taken following the advice of the Disaster Risk Management Authority (DRM) and the Bahamas Department of Meteorology, noting that it was made out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety of residents in the most vulnerable islands.

‘This notice is being issued to ensure that those most at risk can be safely relocated before conditions worsen,’ Prime Minister Davis said, advising residents to contact their local Family Island Administrator for details on evacuation schedules and transportation arrangements. Prime Minister Davis said that the government will provide a comprehensive update on Monday evening when he will be joined by officials from the Disaster Risk Management Authority.

‘At that time, we will outline the specific steps being taken to safeguard lives and property, including transportation logistics, shelter readiness, and coordination across all government agencies,’ he said, encouraging Bahamians to remain vigilant, stay informed, and continue to look out for one another.

The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that a hurricane watch is in effect for the southeastern and central Bahamas as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands.

‘Melissa is a category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are likely before Melissa makes landfall on Jamaica on Tuesday. However, Melissa is expected to reach Jamaica and southeastern Cuba as an

extremely powerful major hurricane, and will still be at hurricane strength when it moves across the southeastern Bahamas,’ the NHC added.

It said that over the Southeast Bahamas, total rainfall of four to eight inches is expected Tuesday into Wednesday resulting in areas of flash flooding.

The umpires for the highly anticipated semi-finals of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 have been confirmed, placing several of the game’s top officials in the spotlight for the tournament’s biggest matches yet.

Jacqueline Williams

In a landmark appointment, Jamaica’s Jacqueline Williams has been named as an on-field umpire for the first semi-final in Guwahati, where England will face South Africa.

She will stand alongside Australia’s Eloise Sheridan, marking a significant moment for the Emirates ICC International Panel.

Both umpires bring considerable experience from the group stages. Sheridan presided over the previous encounter between these two sides, a dominant 10-wicket victory for England, as well as South Africa’s win against Pakistan.

Williams was in charge of two matches involving each team, officiating South Africa’s key victories against India and Bangladesh, and England’s win over India and their sole defeat to Australia.

The support team for this high-stakes match will see India’s Vrinda Rathi as the third umpire, Australia’s Claire Polosak as the fourth umpire, and GS Lakshmi as the match referee.

The second semi-final in Navi Mumbai, a blockbuster between reigning champions Australia and hosts India, will be officiated by South Africa’s Lauren Agenbag and England’s Sue Redfern.

The officiating team for this clash is completed by New Zealand’s Kim Cotton (Third Umpire), Sri Lanka’s Nimali Perera (Fourth Umpire), and Michell Pereira (Match Referee).

The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) has sought to downplay the presence of military aircraft activity and paratroopers in the country , saying they are not linked to regional tensions or foreign military operations.

‘The aircraft activity observed over parts of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is part of planned Independence Day exhibitions organised in coordination with relevant state agencies,’ the RSVGPF said in a statement.

It said that these exercises are ‘ceremonial, professionally supervised’ and form part of the official programme of events marking the country’s 46th Anniversary of Independence on Tuesday.

The police acknowledged that in the current climate of international uncertainty, citizens may be ‘naturally curious or even concerned when they observe unfamiliar aerial manoeuvres.

‘However, it is important to distinguish between verified information and online speculation,’ it said, rejecting rejecting ‘unequivocally.any assertion suggesting the presence or use of jamming devices, restrictions on airspace, or any form of security threat to the State or its citizens.

‘These rumours are entirely false, misleading, and irresponsible, serving only to create unnecessary panic and confusion,’ said the police statement, coming hours after a video was published on social media, showing what appeared to be a paratrooper landing on the Bank of St. Vincent and the Grenadines building in the capital, Kingstown.

The video showed what appears to be three men in civilian wear, one of them apparently carrying an assault rifle, and a fourth man, wearing what appears to be the black uniform of the Rapid Response Unit, walking on the roof of the building.

In its statement, the RSVGPF said that while the media play an important role in informing the public, ‘sensational headlines and conjecture can lead to unnecessary fear and confusion.

‘The RSVGPF encourages all media entities and citizens to verify information through official channels before publication or sharing.

‘As a proud nation celebrating 46 years of Independence, the RSVGPF urges all Vincentians to turn their attention to the spirit of unity, discipline, and resilience that defines our people. Let us not allow speculation to distract from our shared pride in country and heritage.

‘The RSVGPF assures the public that Independence Day celebrations are being conducted with full regard for public safety and security, and all activities remain under proper coordination.’

Apparently, the participation of Guyanese skydivers in the independence parade at Arnos Vale on Monday night was intended to be a surprise.

However, the team made a video post about it on its Facebook page, saying, ‘Look out St Vincent and the Grenadines, the team will be coming to the Arnos Vale Stadium this weekend’.

Meanwhile, Rajkumar Singh also posted about the event on Facebook, saying on Sunday, ‘The Guyana Skydiving Team is soaring to new heights! Heading to St. Vincent to represent our nation for Independence celebrations. Guyana to the skies – let’s fly the Golden Arrowhead high! stay tuned for updates!’

Tensions are high across the southern Caribbean and the rest of the region as the United States warship ‘USS Gravely’ docked in Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, even as Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar sought to downplay threats of military aggression in the region.

Last week, the Donald Trump administration announced that it is intensifying its military build-up in the Caribbean with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth ordering the deployment of the world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, and its carrier air wing, to the Caribbean in aid of what the administration says is its counter-drug initiative.

Washington said the enhanced US force presence in the USSOUTHCOM AOR will bolster US capacity to detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors and activities that compromise the safety and prosperity of the United States homeland and its security in the Western Hemisphere.

In recent times, the Trump administration has deployed several warships and over 10,000 troops to the Caribbean in what pundits claim is a pretext for an eventual land invasion of Venezuela.

An increasing number of United States legislators are expressing deep concern about President Donald J. Trump’s unilateral initiative in conducting military strikes and military build-up in the Caribbean Sea.

Several legislators, from both the Republic and Democratic parties, have taken to television shows on Sunday denouncing Trump’s decision, say that he has failed to seek Congressional approval before striking suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean Sea, off the Venezuelan coast.

US military build-up in the Caribbean

‘So far, they have alleged that these people are drug dealers,’ said Republican Senator Rand Paul, of Kentucky, adding ‘no one said their name; no one said what evidence; no one said whether they’re armed. And, we’ve had no evidence presented.

‘So, at this point, I would call them extrajudicial killings. And this is akin to what China does, to what Iran does with drug dealers. They summarily execute people without presenting evidence to the public. So, it’s wrong, Paul added.

Democrat Mark Kelly questioned the legality of Trump’s military strikes in the Caribbean.

‘It’s questionable, and the White House and the Department of Defense could not give us a logical explanation on how this is legal. They were tying themselves in knots trying to explain this.

‘We had a lot of questions for them, both Democrats and Republicans,’ said Kelly, alluding to a previous meeting at the White House. ‘

‘It was not a good meeting. It did not go well. We were presented some evidence that does not back up the story that the White House is telling to the American people,’ he told television viewers.

Another Democrat, Ruben Gallego, described as ‘murder’ the administration’s military strikes in the Caribbean, stating that they are inconsistent with international law.

‘If this president feels that they’re doing something illegally, then he should be using the Coast Guard. If it’s an act of war, then you use our military, and then you come and talk to us first. But this is murder. It’s sanctioned murder that he is doing.’

Senator Tim Kaine, Democrat of Virginia, who with Senator Paul and Senator Adam Schiff, the Democrat of California, had introduced a war powers resolution earlier this month in trying to prohibit the conduct of military force against Venezuela, said Trump should follow the US Constitution and seek congressional approval before he resorting to military force.

‘If we’re going to be in a war – whether it’s against boats in Nicaragua chosen off a secret list that the president won’t share with Congress or the public, or a land invasion in Venezuela, it should be done following the debate and a vote in Congress,’ said Kaine.

‘The Ford strike group that’s being deployed has an awful lot of Virginians. They shouldn’t be sent in harm’s way unless Congress has the guts to vote about whether a war is in the national interest.’

Last month, President 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.

Republican Senator. Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally, said that there’s a ‘real possibility’ of a land invasion of Venezuela.

‘I think President Trump’s made a decision that [Nicolas] Maduro, the leader of Venezuela, is an indicted drug, drug trafficker, that it’s time for him to go, that Venezuela and Colombia have been safe havens for narco-terrorists for too long,’ said Graham.

‘And President Trump told me yesterday that he plans to brief members of Congress when he gets back from Asia about future potential military operations against Venezuela and Colombia,’ he added.

Last Friday, a Pentagon spokesman said that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the deployment of the world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, and its carrier air wing, to the Caribbean in aid of what the administration says is its counter-drug initiative.

Current and former Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders, save in respect of Trinidad and Tobago, who reserved its position, have called for the Caribbean to remain a zone of peace and the importance of dialogue and engagement towards the peaceful resolution of disputes and conflict.

‘CARICOM remains willing to assist towards that objective,’ they added.

The Trinidad and Tobago government and the main opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) Monday gave contrasting responses to a statement by Venezuela that it may suspend the Energy Cooperation Framework Agreement with this country.

Venezuela’s Vice President, Delcy Rodríguez, speaking on the state-owned television Monday, said a formal proposal has already been submitted to President Nicolas Maduro to end the agreement with Port of Spain.

She said the proposal was being made by the board of the Venezuelan State-owned company Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA), to President Maduro.

‘We propose to President Nicolas Maduro the denunciation of the Energy Cooperation Framework Agreement between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. Consequently, we request that all bilateral gas agreements be suspended,’ she told television viewers.

‘We have just concluded a meeting of the leadership of the Ministry of Popular Power for Petroleum – all vice ministers present – together with the Board of Directors of PDVSA, accompanied by its president, vice presidents, and the Minister of Economy and Finance, who is also a member of this board.’

‘The leadership of both the Ministry and PDVSA has decided to propose to President Nicolás Maduro the immediate denunciation of the Framework Agreement on Energy Cooperation between the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, signed in 2015 for ten years and automatically renewed this February for another five. Article 13, paragraph 3, gives either party the authority to terminate it,’ Rodriguez said.

‘This agreement covered broad areas of energy cooperation – joint gas field development, infrastructure projects, hydrocarbon initiatives, and monetization of shared resources. It is a comprehensive framework, but we are now responsibly proposing that the President terminate it immediately. As a result, all gas agreements between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago will be suspended.’

Caracas has accused Port of Spain of supporting the ramped up United States military presence in the Caribbean Sea ostensibly as part of Washington’s effort to address threats from Latin American drug cartels. But observers say it is a pretext to overthrow the Maduro regime.

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.

In her response to the Venezuelan threat to suspend the energy agreement, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, said her administration, which came to office following the April 28 general election, 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 told the Guardian Media Limited.

She said that Port of Spain will continue to maintain cordial relations with Venezuela, saying ‘we continue to maintain peaceful relations with the Venezuelan people’ underscoring her government’s commitment to diplomacy and regional stability.

‘The last PNM government mistakenly placed all their hopes in the Dragon project – we have not done so. Therefore, we are not susceptible to any blackmail from the Venezuelans for political support. We continue to maintain peaceful relations with the Venezuelan people.’

Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar also took the opportunity of taking a swipe at the main opposition PNM that had been pursuing the energy deal with Caracas over the last nine and a half years, while it was in office.

‘The last PNM government mistakenly placed all their hopes in the Dragon project. We have not done so, therefore we are not susceptible to any blackmail from the Venezuelans for political support,’ she said.

But in a statement, Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles said that the announcement by the Venezuelan vice president ‘ is alarming, unfortunate and deeply concerning.

‘This development presents a complex and delicate challenge, requiring a measured and thoughtful response. The PNM has long prided itself on being careful and diligent in the pursuit of economic stability and growth for our nation.

‘Yet, this latest twist is both alarming and consequential and rests squarely at the feet of the sitting Government of Trinidad and Tobago,’ Beckles said, adding the ‘pressing question that now arises is what lies ahead for Trinidad and Tobago in this period of uncertainty’.

The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Commerce says it is disappointed at the Venezuelan decision, noting that the accord specifically stated that ‘no provision of the agreement will affect the sovereign rights of the two nations over their respective territories, maritime zones and other geographical spaces under their sovereignty and jurisdiction’.

It said while it respects Venezuela’s decision in this regard, the underlying purpose of the agreement, to jointly develop shared or adjacent gas deposits, cooperate on infrastructure such as pipelines and processing in Trinidad, and monetise Venezuelan offshore gas through Trinidad’s downstream sector, remains economically sound and beneficial to both nations.

‘We hope that a return to the rationale for the genesis of this agreement can be rekindled and that the spirit and hope that was fostered through this agreement can somehow survive through the willingness of all parties,’ the private sector group said.

Law enforcement authorities say that an employee of the Directorate of National Security (DNV) in connection with the murder of businessman Karan Chablani, who was killed last weekend in a drive-by shooting, has since surrendered himself to police.

The DNV is the agency responsible for safeguarding national security and serves as Suriname’s main intelligence service.

The authorities said that the 43-year-old entrepreneur, the owner of, among other things, a modern shopping mall in northern Paramaribo, was killed in Emielaan in Uitvlugt.

According to preliminary police investigations, Chablani was visiting relatives and had just stepped out of his car, when another vehicle stopped next to him, and multiple shots were fired from inside the car. Witnesses said that at least four shots were fired and that the car fled the scene at high speed.

Family members rushed the victim to the Emergency Department of the Academic Hospital Paramaribo (AZP), but he was pronounced dead.

The police and the Anonymous Information Hotline (MIA) had since issued a wanted notice for the DNV member, saying he is ‘is suspected of having committed a drive-by shooting on Emielaan in Paramaribo’.

The suspect, identified as Antony Loswijk, has since turned himself in to the police, accompanied by his lawyer.

Police said that three brothers have also been taken into custody as part of the investigations.

At the time of his death, the businessman was a suspect in an ongoing money laundering case that is still pending before the magistrate’s court.

A judicial source told the newspaper de Ware Tijd that it is still too early to draw conclusions about the motive.

‘It’s far too soon to make any statements. It could be related to the criminal case, but it’s also possible that the motive lies elsewhere. Several scenarios are being considered,’ the source said.

Police said that they have since seized the suspected getaway car, which was found abandoned near a cemetery. They said that the vehicle had been rented from a car rental company in Paramaribo and was likely fitted with false license plates.