Category: CANA News

The Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLAC) has released a new publication that systematically measures the level of preparedness, adoption, and governance of artificial intelligence (AI) in 19 countries of the region.

The third edition of the Latin American Artificial Intelligence Index (ILIA 2025) was done in collaboration with the National Center for Artificial Intelligence of Chile.

Based on more than 100 sub-indicators organised into three dimensions, namely enabling factors; research, development and adoption; and governance, the report provides a detailed overview of the progress made and the challenges that Latin America and the Caribbean still face in this field.

The results show that the region is accelerating AI adoption, surpassing what might be expected given its digital weight.

According to ECLAC estimates, Latin America and the Caribbean account for 14 per cent of global visits to AI solutions, compared to an 11 per cent share of the world’s internet users. However, this trend is marked by sharp contrasts across countries in the region.

ILIA groups countries into three categories according to their level of maturity: pioneers, adopters, and explorers.

The study highlights significant structural gaps in talent, investment and governance. In particular, advanced training in AI remains insufficient and is concentrated in a small number of countries. Since 2022, the talent gap relative to the global average has widened, associated with an accelerated brain drain of specialists.

In terms of investment, Latin America and the Caribbean account for 6.6 per cent of global GDP, but receive only 1.12 per cent of global AI investment.

‘This severely restricts the region’s ability to scale productive, technological and innovative initiatives, according to the report prepared with the support of the European Union-Latin America and Caribbean Digital Alliance (EU-LAC) project and several academic, public and private organizations.’

The report also warns that, while a growing number of countries have developed national AI strategies, most lack financing, implementation mechanisms and impact evaluation systems, reducing the effectiveness of these policies.

Furthermore, environmental and gender equality approaches are largely absent, despite their importance for sustainable and inclusive development. Policies also tend to focus on regulatory aspects, rather than consolidating a technological ecosystem to support productivity and well-being.

According to the document, AI adoption in the region is concentrated in a small group of countries and is primarily oriented toward the consumption of ready-made, end-user solutions with low technical requirements.

However, the growing interest in such tools creates an opportunity to democratize innovation and strengthen productivity, since AI can generate significant benefits across economies of different sizes and structures-provided there are favorable environments for innovation and entrepreneurship.

‘ILIA 2025 confirms that artificial intelligence can become a driver for overcoming the development traps of Latin America and the Caribbean,’ said ECLAC’s executive secretary, José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs.

‘But for this to happen, it is essential to align digitalization policies with productive development policies, including the digital transformation of priority sectors, in order to close infrastructure, talent, innovation and governance gaps, while also advancing regional cooperation to ensure an ethical, inclusive and responsible use of this technology,’ he added.

Salazar-Xirinachs said that AI adoption can contribute, among other areas, to the design of new productive strategies; democratizing access to education, health and other public services; expanding social protection; reducing gender gaps and lowering environmental pollution among other areas.

ECLAC said the Latin American Artificial Intelligence Index is an essential benchmark to guide evidence-based policymaking and to assess the implementation and progress of such policies, ensuring the development of AI that is geared toward a more productive, inclusive and sustainable future for the region.

The Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the World Bank (WB) have in collaboration with the St. Vincent and the Grenadines government have determined a set of priority actions to strengthen project implementation and ensure continued alignment with the country’s development agenda.

They have agreed to streamline their portfolios for greater efficiency, deepen their partnership to maximise resources, and assess local market conditions in light of the construction boom and the demand for skilled human resources.

They are also committed to strengthening inter-ministerial coordination, building the capacity of Project Implementation Units, contractors, and consultants, and fostering internal reflection within both institutions to adopt a more client-focused, flexible, and collaborative approach.

According to a statement issued here, the agreements are as a result of the Country Project Portfolio Review that brought together senior government officials, CDB and WB representatives, and key stakeholders to examine the status of jointly financed projects.

The discussions also highlighted national priorities in disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, resilient infrastructure, education, health systems strengthening, and economic diversification.

The statement said that lessons learned were shared from major initiatives such as the Volcanic Eruption Emergency Recovery, Hurricane Beryl Emergency Resilient Recovery, Port Modernisation, Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management, and the Caribbean Digital Transformation.

‘By working alongside the World Bank and the government, CDB is ensuring that investments are both transformative and sustainable, tackling immediate needs while laying the groundwork for long-term growth,’ said CDB acting director of Projects, L. O’Reilly Lewis.

The World Bank Director for the Caribbean, Lilia Burunciuc, also underscored the depth of collaboration, saying ‘this review highlights the strong collaboration between the government, the World Bank, and CDB in addressing urgent recovery needs while advancing reforms that support resilience, innovation, and opportunities for Vincentians’.

Jamaica police say they are determined to dismantle a woman-led crime syndicate so as to ensure a continued decline in criminal activities along the island’s island’s northern coast.

‘For this quarter, we will be fully pursuing this female-led robbery syndicate. We’ll be pushing hard against this syndicate to ensure that we bring the robberies right down. We’re going into the Yuletide season and we want persons to be able to shop in peace,’ Senior Superintendent Eron Samuels, told a news conference as he discussed ‘Operation Endgame,’ the new crime initiative.

The new anti-crime operation comes as police statistics show that St James has recorded 43 murders for the period January 1 to September 27, 2025, compared to 102 for the same period last year, a reduction of 57.8 per cent. Shootings have also dropped from 89 to 42 over the same comparative periods, a 52.8 per cent reduction.

Samuels said the efforts of the police in the St. James area ‘ will be relentless in ensuring that this robbery syndicate is fully demolished’, noting that the syndicate operates across several parishes.

Samuels said the work of the members of the division, including those in the zones of special operation (ZOSO) has been successful apprehending some of the main players.

ZOSOs are special security and community development measures implemented in specific communities in Jamaica to address rampant criminality or high rates of violence, transforming the areas by focusing on both law and order and social intervention for a more sustainable environment.

These zones are designated by Prime Minister Andrew Holness and involve the military and police working together with social transformation committees to achieve objectives such as enhancing the community and strengthening the police force.

‘They have made some major headway, but there are still splinters of the gang around, and with that joint effort across Area One we will see that robbery syndicate being dismantled,’ Samuels added.

Deputy Superintendent of Policce, Michael Moore, who is in charge of crime in St James, told reporters that more than a dozen perpetrators, who the police believe form part of this syndicate and operating in the St James area, have been detained.

‘Recently, we had five arrested and firearms were seized from them,’ Moore said, adding ‘these men mainly targeted our Chinese business community, and I can say with confidence right now the Chinese business community is breathing a sigh of relief, because we have arrested and charged these persons, and they are presently in custody’.

Moore said that the police have also seen where some of the bandits have moved to neighbouring parishes as a result of the relentless operational and investigative surge that the police in St James division have been doing.

Superintendent Lynroy Edwards, said the new anti-crime offensive will run into the new year and that Operation Endgame is to basically end badness and criminality in St James.

‘We have added more teeth to our activities, more assets, more intense, a combination of old and new strategies combined with our JDF (Jamaica Defence Force) partners and other formations.

‘The gangs, of course, have been feeling our effectiveness, and they are going to feel it even more, mark our word,’ he told reporters, urging Jamaicans to work with the police to ensure that people linked to criminal activities are shown that they are not welcome.

‘We just want the citizens to continue to cooperate with us, and to use a Jamaican colloquial term, continue to ‘shub dem out’, so we can keep the peace right across the parish.’

The leader of the main opposition Free National Movement (FNM), Michael Pintard, is calling on Prime Minister Philip to announce a date for the general election rather than hold a by-election to replace the Environment and Natural Resources Minister, Vaughn Miller, who died last weekend.

Miller, who served as parliamentary representative for the Golden Isles constituency, was found unresponsive last Sunday and pronounced dead at hospital.

General elections are scheduled to be held in The Bahamas by September 2026 to elect all 38 members of the House of Assembly and under the Parliamentary Elections Act, a writ for a by-election must be issued within 21 to 30 days of a vacancy.

Pintard said that with Bahamians facing financial hardship, it would be wasteful for the government to spend millions on a single by-election when national issues remain unresolved.

‘We’re discussing general election,’ he said, adding ‘given the financial challenges that the Bahamian people are facing, it would be interesting to see whether or not this government is prepared, to again, as they did in West Grand Bahama, spent over, we believe, US$10 million on one seat.’

Pintard said Bahamians have real life bread and butter issues that the government needs to dedicate resources to and that a ‘general election will give one party or another a new mandate, and so he ought to go to a general election’.

But asked by reporters on whether the FNM would not contest a by-election, Pintard responded by saying ‘I did not say that. I said exactly what I meant. We ought to go to a general election’.

Prime Minister Davis told The Tribune newspaper that it is too early to be making political decisions.

‘We are mourning at this time and I haven’t given consideration to that,’ he said, regarding a by-election.

‘The law requires me to call it within 60 days. I’m giving consideration to that.’

Meanwhile, former primer minister, Dr. Hubert Minnis, has sidestepped questions as to whether or not he will join the opposition Democratic National Alliance (DNA) and contest the and Killarney constituency, which he represents in the Parliament.

‘I’m wearing pink,’ Minnis said, adding ‘this is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I advise the entire Bahamas to wear pink this month. In Killarney, we’re organizing, at the end of this month, a pink walk for the Killarney residents. To show our respect for the women.

‘Men have breast also and men also get breast cancer. Not as common, but we do. I will be representing the people. Whatever the people want. I will represent Killarney and I will run in Killarney,’ said the medical practitioner.

Minnis, who served as prime minister between May 2017 to 16 September .

‘I’m running in Killarney. However it’s done, you will know, because you will see Minnis name on the ballot. And I’ve told my people as I go through, when you go to that poll, look for Minnis,’ the 70 year-old former FNM leader said.

The DNA was formed in 2011 by former former FNM government minister Branville McCartney. It contested three general elections – 2012, 2017 and 2021-but lost ground with each election and failed to win a seat in Parliament.

Its leader, Arinthia Komalafe, resigned in December 2021 and has since joined the FNM and was recently ratified as that party’s candidate for Carmichael.

Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel Friday sentenced a former police officer, Karim Warner, to one year in jail, after he was found guilty of discharging his firearm in a public place on December 3, 2022.

Magistrate Emanuel emphasised the seriousness of the offence, noting the risk to public safety.

The magistrate had earlier this week postponed the sentencing after the prosecutors said Warner fired 12 rounds at a motor vehicle with two occupants after a confrontation during an attempt to reclaim a leased vehicle. No one was injured.

The court heard that the male occupant refused to hand over the car before shots were fired., The 37-year-old father of two, had broken down in tears in the St John’s Magistrates’ Court this week after he was found guilty of the charge.

Warner had initially faced charges for discharging a firearm in a public place and assaulting both vehicle occupants. He maintained his innocence, entering not guilty pleas.

In February, the prosecution dropped the assault charges entirely and the situation became more complicated when the male complainant failed to appear for trial and formally withdrew from the case, stating he no longer wished to participate in the proceedings.

Despite these setbacks, Magistrate Emanuel continued with the remaining charge of discharging a firearm in a public place with testimony from four witnesses, including the female complainant, a taxi driver, police officers, and additional witnesses.

Following the prosecution’s presentation, defense attorney Andrew O’Kola mounted a no-case submission, contending that prosecutors had failed to meet the evidentiary threshold required to sustain the charges. O’Kola requested the case be dismissed outright.

But after considering the arguments from the state and the defence, Magistrate Emanuel rejected the no-case submission.

Jamaica is the only Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country to have benefited from 23 projects funded by the Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) Early Childhood Development Innovation Fund that has improved the quality of life of more than 700,000 children in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In a statement, the IDB said that in its eight years of implementation, during which it invested US$10 million, the initiative has also benefited 300,000 parents and caregivers and 5,000 childcare centers in the region.

The 23 projects funded in Jamaica, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, and Uruguay explored new ways to boost attendance in early childhood education, improve the quality of interactions between children and caregivers, and address the situation of migrant children.

‘Investing in children’s development is a highly cost-effective strategy. Quality programmes for vulnerable children ages zero to five generate an annual return as high as 14 per cent,’ said Ferdinando Regalia, IDB Social Sector manager.

‘Not making these investments has a high cost for society and undermines the future education, economy, and health of an entire country,’ he added.

To find innovative ways to scale up child development programmes while emphasizing quality, the IDB joined forces with leading civil society organizations-FEMSA Foundation, Van Leer Foundation, María Cecilia Souto Vidigal Foundation, and Porticus-to create the fund.

The alliance came together to finance, design, implement, and evaluate novel and scalable approaches that improve the lives of children under age five in the region, with a focus on the most disadvantaged groups within each country.

The IDB said that in Latin America and the Caribbean, the cost of non-action in early childhood amounts to 1.6 per cent of the region’s gross domestic product (GDP).

It said millions of children in the region still lack essential health, nutrition, and early childhood stimulation services. The average country in the region only allocates 0.34 per cent of its GDP to preschool education, well below the average percentage in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries. This low investment restricts access to quality services and deepens social inequalities.

In addition to its projects, the Early Childhood Development Innovation Fund became a regional knowledge platform. It generated evidence on the most effective interventions and shared resources and best practices through the Community of Practice in Early Childhood Development and the Childhood Development Hub. This effort bolstered collaboration between governments, civil society, the private sector, and academia and laid the groundwork for more effective and sustainable public policies.

‘The achievements of the Early Childhood Development Innovative Fund in Latin America and the Caribbean reflect the IDB Group’s commitment to expanding the impact and scale of development initiatives to fuel sustainable economic growth in Latin America and the Caribbean in a way that puts people at the center of development,’ the IDB added.

India reached 448 for five, an overall lead of 286 runs, against West Indies at the close of play on the second day of the first Test here at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday.

Scores

WEST INDIES 162.

INDIA 448-5 in 128 overs (Dhruv Jurel 125, Ravindra Jadeja 104 not out, KL Rahul 100, Shubman Gill 50, Yashasvi Jaiswal 36; Roston Chase 2-90).

India reached 326 for four, an overall lead of 164 runs, against West Indies at tea on the second day of the first Test here at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday.

Scores

WEST INDIES 162.

INDIA 326-4 in 96 overs (KL Rahul 100, Dhruv Jurel 68 not out, Ravindra Jadeja 50 not out, Shubman Gill 50, Yashasvi Jaiswal 36; Roston Chase 2-63).

Immigrant advocacy groups have warned of the ‘grave impact’ of the United States S federal government shutdown on Caribbean and other immigrants.

The San Diego, California-based Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA) said it was ‘gravely concerned’ noting that ‘a shutdown of even a few days could delay asylum hearings, stall visa and work permit applications, and slow the already overwhelming immigration court backlog’.

HBA’s founder and executive director, Guerline Jozef, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) these disruptions will leave families in limbo, extend detention periods, and heighten uncertainty for Haitians and other vulnerable populations.

‘Every shutdown ripples outward to those least able to withstand the consequences. Immigrants cannot afford more delayed access to justice, reunification with loved ones, or the protections they desperately need.. We call on leaders to prioritize the dignity and humanity of those caught in the middle,’ Jozef added.

The US federal government shut down at midnight on Tuesday after the US Congress failed to reach a deal on funding.

The president and chief executive officer of the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), Murad Awawdeh said that court appearances for many Caribbean and other immigrants were rescheduled without notice.

He said immigration courts across the country have responded to the shutdown ‘inconsistently, creating chaos in New York courthouses.

‘A government shutdown threatens the long-term provision of essential services and programmes for millions of children, veterans and families,’ Awawdeh told CMC.

‘Yet, the Trump administration has deemed ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency) operations and deportation activities as ‘essential’-meaning its US$170 billion mass deportation and detention agenda will continue without interruption, even as hard-working families across the country are left without critical support.

‘Immigrant communities will continue to live under the daily threat of raids, deportation, and detention, further destabilizing communities. The federal government shutdown has thrown thousands of New York families into turmoil, as they attempt to navigate access to essential services and requirements to appear in immigration courts. This isn’t how a just and functional democracy for the people should work.’

Awaedeh said that the Trump administration has intentionally turned its back on all hard working families by divesting from essential services, like health care and food programmes, in order to pour billions of dollars into ICE and CBP (US Customs and Border Protection agency).

‘The federal government is choosing to prioritize the criminalistion and separation of families over the well-being of every child and family who calls this country home and truly make America great.’

Meanwhile, Caribbean-American Democratic leaders have blamed President and the Republicans for the federal government shutdown.

‘From the moment Donald Trump took office, he and his administration have been on a relentless crusade to make this nation less affordable, less equitable, and less like the America we love with all our hearts,’ Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, told CMC.

‘This ongoing government shutdown is simply the culmination of those efforts so far. The American people are not fools,’ added the representative for the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn.

‘They see that Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House, and they know the responsibility to fund the government is on the majority’s shoulders. If Republicans cannot keep the government open without Democratic votes, they should have a meaningful dialogue with our leaders rather than insult them with crude, racist caricatures for applause on social media.’

Clarke, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), said it will not support any spending bill that strips healthcare from millions, slashes federal jobs, and drives up the cost of living for working families.

Congressman Adriano Espaillat, the first Dominican Republic-American to serve in the US House of Representatives, also condemned the action by the Trump adminsitration to freeze funding for New York City transit and infrastructure.

‘The White House’s decision to threaten the Gateway Project and Second Avenue Subway, our nation’s most critical infrastructure projects, is another exhibit of the reckless partisanship and bad governance that triggered this Republican government shutdown,’ said Espaillat,

The non-government organization, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Friday said that as the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, sinks deeper into a crisis marked by violent clashes between armed groups and police forces, there has been an increase in the number of civilian causalities arriving at its facilities.

MSF, also known as Doctors without Borders, said that while nearly two in five Haitians are in urgent need of medical care due to widespread insecurity and violence, 60 to 80 per cent of Port-au-Prince’s health facilities are closed or non-functional for the same reasons.

It said that between January and June 2025, MSF teams assisted 2,600 victims and survivors of sexual violence, admitted 13,300 patients to emergency rooms and treated 2,267 victims of violence.

Among these, 26 per cent were minors, compared to 11 per cent in 2024 with MSF stating that most minors were under the age of 15, and one third were girls. Thirty per cent of all minors admitted for violence-related injuries suffered gunshot wounds.