Category: CANA News

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves is urging nationals to ‘own the future’ as St. Vincent and the Grenadines Monday celebrates its 46th anniversary of political independence from Britain.

‘My simple message to the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines on the occasion of the 46th anniversary of our country’s reclamation of its independence on October 27, 1979, is: ‘Own the Future”, Gonsalves said in a message to nationals in the Diaspora.

”Own the Future’ in love, in solidarity, in unity and caring, in our collective interests. Remember always an elemental truth: Of all time, only the future is ours to uplift further, or to desecrate; the present is the past; and the past possesses satisfactions and dissatisfactions, triumphs and defeats, successes and failures,’ said Gonsalves, who is expected to deliver his Independence Day message at a rally in Kingston later on Monday.

‘To be sure, we cannot alter the past; we must use the past and the present to uplift ourselves further in the future and avoid its desecration. These are vital considerations always, but especially so at a time when in-the-not-too-distant future, the people will be called upon to exercise the democratic choice in general elections to elect a government to lead us into the future’.

Gonsalves said that elections have consequences ‘for good or ill’ and that by nothing, the future would be desecrated.

‘Do everything to facilitate the uplifting of our future. So, choose wisely; take no risks; take no chances; make no gamble in these challenging times of turmoil around us generated from external forces, amidst our country’s fragilities and vulnerabilities arising from the condition of being a small-island developing state.’

Gonsalves said that since the country’s reclamation of independence in1979, ‘the Family of Labour (the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Labour Party and the Unity Labour Party) has been in government for nearly 30 years thus far, out of the 46 years of independence and sovereign control of governance.’

He said that, during this period, the Labour administrations under the founding father Robert Milton Cato and himself have, ‘in communion with the people, chalked up impressive achievements in the life, living, and production of the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.’

The prime minister said ‘Labour’ has constituted the government in almost two-thirds of the years since independence.

‘Almost everything of great value in our country has been built under the leadership of ‘Labor’ in communion with a determined, resilient, and magnificent people,’ he said, stating that he has been prime minister for nearly 25 years – more than half of the country’s ‘independence years.’

During this time, Gonsalves said ‘amazing uplifting transformations have occurred to the people’s enduring benefit.’

He said previous prime ministers including the late Sir James Mitchell and Arnhim Eustace of the main opposition New Democratic Party (NDPhave also made their contributions.

‘Sir James, sadly, is no longer in our Earthly City, and cannot aid his successors in the NDP as he did in the previous five elections since 2001. They are on their own; the people will judge them soon, by themselves, without any crutch whatsoever.

In ‘Owning the Future’, he said leadership matters, adding that ‘elections have consequences in facilitating a further upliftment of the future or its desecration.’

Gonsalves said the leadership required must have ‘energy and will, vision and skill plus the X-factor of drawing out of the people their high qualities, goodness, nobility, and solidarity, oft-times doing so in circumstances in which the people may not as yet know that they possess such goodness, nobility, and solidarity for individual and collective advancement.

‘Such a leadership must encourage, always in practical terms, the young people to soar like eagles with their wings unclipped; must assist in lifting the consciousness of our people to know and affirm that although we are not better than anyone, no one is better than us; and must seek, always, to engage the people in their acceptance that, despite their satisfactions, they ought, in solidarity, to lift their game so as to ensure an even better life and living,’ he added.

‘Only tried and tested leadership, armed with the requisite skills and possessed of a compelling developmental narrative, who have been beaten on the anvil of experience and forged in the cauldron on struggle can assist, optimally, in continuing to achieve these mighty deeds.

‘Selfish individualism must be eschewed; an uplifting social individualism, in solidarity, ought always to be promoted,’ he said.

‘We must develop our God-given talents and gifts; take advantage of the abundant opportunities for education, training, and work; avoid indolence and laziness; work in a disciplined and productive manner, and insist on just economic rewards for your labour; be good-neighborly, law-abiding, peaceful, caring, and God-fearing. And please take care of your family, and those who depend on you,’ Gonsalves said.

A blistering, unbroken 83-run partnership between captain Shai Hope and Rovman Powell, along with a decent bowling performance, helped to power the West Indies to a 16-run victory over Bangladesh in a pulsating first T20I here on Monday.

The late onslaught, which saw the visitors plunder 51 runs from the final three overs, completely shifted the momentum of the game and ultimately proved the difference, as the visitors posted 165-3 and then restricted the host to 149.

For much of their innings, the West Indies, who won the toss, were stifled by a disciplined Bangladeshi bowling attack, led by the miserly left-arm spin of Nasum Ahmed, who conceded just 15 runs from his four overs.

After openers Brandon King with 33 and Alick Athanaze with 34 provided a steady start, the innings stalled in the middle overs with the quick dismissals of openers and Sherfane Rutherford, who continues to find the going tough after scoring a first-ball duck.

At 82 for 3 in the 13th over, the West Indies were struggling to post a competitive total. However, Hope and Powell, playing in his 100th T20I, chose the perfect moment to explode.

Hope, who finished unbeaten on 46 from 28 balls, began the fightback by taking down leg-spinner Rishad Hossain for two sixes.

But it was Powell who provided the final, devastating flourish. After finally finding the middle of his bat with a 102-meter six off Mustafizur Rahman, he unleashed hell on Tanzim Hasan Sakib in the final over, smashing three consecutive sixes to finish on 44 not out from 28 deliveries.

For Player of the Match Powell, the innings was well needed, and he was pleased he could have done it in his 100th match.

‘At the end of the innings, I was really pleased. It was difficult for me to start on the wicket; at one point, I was about 7 off 20 deliveries. But I just kept believing that if I could get a good shot, a good boundary, I would turn it around. We just needed to go as deep as possible.’

Chasing 166, Bangladesh’s reply was immediately derailed by a catastrophic power play, which left them in a spot of bother.

After Jayden Seales took care of opener Tanzid Hassan for 15, Akeal Hosein then removed captain Litton Das for 5 and Saif Hassan for 8, within his first couple of overs.

When Jason Holder clipped Shamim Hossain’s off-bail in the fifth over, the hosts were in tatters at 42 for 4.

The slide continued as the middle order failed to build any substantial partnerships. Wickets fell at regular intervals to Holder 3-33 and the impressive Seales 3-31, reducing Bangladesh to 117 for 7.

A late flurry from tailender Tanzim Hasan, 33 and Nasum Ahmed, 20, provided a flicker of hope, but Holder’s dismissal of Tanzim in the 16th over effectively sealed the game.

The innings concluded bizarrely when Taskin Ahmed, after hitting a six, was dismissed hit-wicket in the final over, summing up a frustrating day for the hosts.

The victory gives the West Indies a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, with the second T20I set to be played at the same venue on Wednesday.

Venezuela Monday urged the Trinidad and Tobago government not to allow the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country to be dragged into ‘a dirty war’ involving the United States warning ‘we will defend our sovereignty without hesitation.

‘Venezuela will not fall into provocations, but no one is confused,’ Foreign Affairs Minister Yván Gil in a statement posted on Instagram, adding ‘Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar must take responsibility for the Caribbean and for history: either sides with peace or sink into the CIA agenda’.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Yván Gil .

Last month, President Donald Trump ramped up the 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.

Last Friday, the US said 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.

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’s Prime Minister has openly sided with Washington, saying that drug traffickers should be killed ‘violently’ and has denied that Port of Spain is engaged in actiities that will allow the United States to overthorw the Nicolas Maduro government in the South American country.

Bt following the arrival of the USS Gravely in Port of Spain on Sunday, Venezuela said it ‘has clearly informed the Government of Trinidad and Tobago about the CIA-led false flag operation: attacking an American military ship parked on that island and then blaming Venezuela, to justify an aggression against our country.

‘It’s the same imperial script of the ship Maine and the Gulf of Tonkin: fabricate a conflict to impose interests outside our region,’ according to the statement by Gil.

‘In our territory, a criminal cell funded by the CIA linked to this covert operation is being dismantled. We hope that Trinidad and Tobago will do the right thing and not allow their territory to be used for manoeuvres that threaten Caribbean peace.

‘We respect the people of Trinidad and Tobago and trust their conscience to prevent their country from being dragged into a dirty war operation,’ he said, insisting that Venezuela will not be provoked.

The Guyana police Monday released a video showing a man placing a bag at a gas station following an explosion that left one person dead and several others injured on Sunday night.

‘Preliminary investigations revealed that earlier in the evening, a male of mixed ethnicity, believed to be a Spanish speaking foreign national, was seen at the location with two bulky black plastic garbage bags,’ the police said in a statement.

Police release video showing main suspect with plastic bag (Guyana Police video)

‘He reportedly attempted to dispose of the bags in a garbage bin at the station but was prevented from doing so by an attendant. The individual subsequently left the area, heading south along King Street to the western side of the fuel station.

‘At approximately 19:36hrs, a powerful explosion was heard on the southwestern side of the compound, near the section where bottled cooking gas is stored. The blast caused extensive damage to the building, several parked vehicles and nearby properties,’ the police statement said.

It said that at the time of the explosion, a vehicle was in the compound with driver Jenica Hooper, 27 years, a teacher of Breeda Street, Werk-en-Rust; her mother, Yvonne Jonas, 71 years, a pensioner; her nieces, Soraya Bourne, six years and Seddia McIntosh, 12 years, a student; along with her nephew, Reshard Lord, seven years, a pupil.

‘They were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where Soraya Bourne was pronounced dead on arrival. The other victims were treated for injuries and remain in stable condition.’

The police said that the explosion also damaged four other motor vehicles and caused minor structural damage to a nearby building.

The police said that criminal investigators have ‘processed the scene and collected several items of evidential value, including fragments of black plastic bags and adhesive tape, which have been sent for forensic analysis. CCTV footage has been obtained and is being reviewed to assist investigators’.

Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, has extend deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of young Soraya Bourne during this time of immense grief.

President Irfaan Ali, who is on a visit to Saudi Arabia, said in a statement said he had been ‘briefed on the identification of an individual of interest, and I have instructed that images of this person be circulated widely so that the public may assist the Guyana Police Force by sharing any information that could aid the investigation.

‘I have directed that a full-scale investigation be launched immediately and that every available resource and investigative tool be utilised to determine the precise cause and circumstances of this incident,’ Ali said.

Home Affairs Minister, Oneidge Walrond, said ‘my heart goes out to the Bourne family during this unimaginably painful time’.

In May, 2025 two loud explosions simultaneously occurred at the Ruimveldt Police Outpost and a nearby Guyana Power and Light substation on Mandela Avenue. At that time, two Spanish-speaking persons had been identified as the suspects.

The Guyana government says it inviting Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) proposals for the establishment of the Guyana Ammonia and Urea Plant (GAUP).

The facility at at Wales, West Bank Demerara, will utilise up to 20 million cubic feet of gas per day (MMCFD) from Phase II of the Wales Gas-to-Energy (GTE) pipeline to produce approximately 300,000 tons of fertiliser annually.

Site for proposed Guyana Ammonia and Urea Plant (GAUP).

The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) said the project, valued at an estimated US$300 million, is expected to be operational by 2027/2028, aligning with the completion of Phase II of the GTE project.

The GAUP will operate as a public/private partnership, with the government seeking an EPC contractor to design, construct, and operate the plant while securing a world-class technology licensor.

The OPM said the plant’s output will target both local and regional markets, including Northern Brazil and the Caribbean, to reduce fertiliser prices and support agricultural productivity.

It said the proposed site is located east of the GTE Combined Cycle Power Plant and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility at Wales and that the plant will receive lean gas from Guyana Power and Gas Inc. (GPGI), a fully government-owned company.

The government will be responsible for establishing the new company to manage the project, structuring its financing, and securing all necessary contracts and permits.

It said proposals will be evaluated based on experience, EPC, and operational costs, as well as delivery timelines. The deadline for submissions is January 22, 2026, and all proposals must be submitted to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB.

Haitian authorities were on Monday urging people to remain vigilant as Hurricane Melissa, a category 5 storm could bring life-threatening flash flooding and landslides in southwestern Haiti this week.

So far the authorities say four people have been killed and 15 others injured since last Tuesday and the Haitian Hydrometeorological Unit (UHM) as well as the General Directorate of Civil Protection and the Permanent Secretariat for Risk Management are maintaining a red alert for the South and Grand’Anse departments. The South-East, Nippes, West, and central plateau departments are also on orange alert.

Hurricane Melissa is expected to bring an additional eight to 16 inches of rainfall to southern Hispaniola through Wednesday, with possible local maximum totals of 40 inches.

The Haitian authorities say catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and landslides are expected in southwestern Haiti and southern parts of the Dominican Republic through midweek.

In Haiti, significant infrastructure damage and community isolation are likely with tropical storm conditions expected late Tuesday and Wednesday along Haiti’s western coast.

The Departmental Directorate of Civil Protection is calling on the population to remain vigilant during this period, urging them not to cross any watercourses under any circumstances, not to tie up animals where the water could carry them away and not to stand on hills and bridges to observe flowing water.

‘Store your important documents in a safe place to prevent them from getting wet. Remember to keep an eye on people in need of assistance so that they can move if necessary. Remain calm and listen to Civil Protection messages from reliable sources,’ the Department said.

It said that the commune of Saut-d’Eau remains completely cut off from communications networks due to the control exercised by armed gangs, while Savanette has been isolated for more than three days following a telephone service outage.

In Thomassique, the power supply remains severely disrupted: several small and medium-sized businesses dependent on solar energy have been forced to suspend their operations, exacerbating the crisis in essential services.

Schools remain closed in the South-East, Sud, and Grand’Anse departments, as a precautionary measure.

The authorities said that 342 shelters have already been opened in the Southeast, South, and Grand’Anse departments.

The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that a tropical watch remains in effect for Haiti and Melissa is moving toward the west near three miles per hour (mph).

‘ A slow turn toward the northwest and north is expected today and tonight, followed by a northeastward acceleration beginning on Tuesday and continuing through at least Thursday. On the forecast track, the core of Melissa is expected to move near or over Jamaica tonight and Tuesday, across southeastern Cuba Tuesday night, and across the southeastern Bahamas on Wednesday,’ it said.

Melissa has maximum sustained winds are near 160 mph with higher gusts and some additional strengthening is forecast today, with fluctuations in intensity likely before Melissa makes landfall on Jamaica early Tuesday.

Hurricane Melissa, a category 5 storm with winds in excess of 160 miles per hour (mph) is inching towards Jamaica on Monday and is expected to move near or over the Caribbean island on Tuesday.

The latest bulletin from the Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that Melissa and its ‘destructive winds and storm surge and catastrophic flooding ‘will worsen on Jamaica through the day and into tonight.

The hurricane is about 130 miles, south, south west of Kingston, and is moving towards the west at three mph

‘A slow turn toward the northwest and north is expected today and tonight, followed by a northeastward acceleration beginning on Tuesday and continuing through at least Thursday,’ the NHC said, adding that on the forecast track, the core of Melissa is expected to move near or over Jamaica tonight and Tuesday, across southeastern Cuba Tuesday night, and across the southeastern Bahamas on Wednesday.

A hurricane warning is in effect for Jamaica, Cuban provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, and Holguin, while a hurricane watch is in effect for southeastern and central Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders, will address the launch of the United Nations Report of the Independent International Panel on Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations.

The event will take place on Tuesday at the UN headquarters and is being held during International Law Week, which is co-hosted by Antigua and Barbuda and Canada, with Australia, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands as co-sponsors.

Sir Ronald Sanders

The Panel’s Report is the first comprehensive legal study of arbitrary detention in state-to-state relations, the seizure of foreign nationals by a state to pressure another state. The practice violates international law, erodes trust between states. The Report sets out legal analysis and concrete recommendations to strengthen prevention, protection, and accountability.

Sir Ronald, who is also Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), will underscore his country’s early endorsement of the Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations and the particular vulnerabilities of small states with limited consular networks.

He will emphasize that ‘the seizure of people to bend the will of states is not diplomacy; it is coercion in daylight’.

West Indies won the toss and elected to bat against Bangladesh in the first T20 International here on Monday.

WEST INDIES 1 Brandon King, 2 Alick Athanaze, 3 Shai Hope (Capt and WK), 4 Roston Chase, 5 Sherfane Rutherford, 6 Rovman Powell, 7 Jason Holder, 8 Romario Shepherd, 9 Akeal Hosein, 10 Khary Pierre, 11 Jayden Seales.

BANGLADESH Litton Das (Capt and WK), 2 Tanzid Hasan Tamim, 3 Saif Hassan, 4 Nurul Hasan, 5 Shamim Hossain, 6 Towhid Hridoy, 7 Taskin Ahmed, 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Tanzim Hasan Sakib, 10 Nasum Ahmed, 11 Mustafizur Rahman

Umpires: Gazi Sohel, Morshed Ali Khan

TV Umpire: Tanvir Ahmed

Reserve Umpire: Masudur Rahman

Match Referee: Dean Cosker.

Opposition Leader Dr. Godwin Friday said with general elections imminent, the country’s celebration of its 46th anniversary of political independence from Britain affords an opportunity to reflect on the socio-economic development of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

‘On the anniversary of national independence, we naturally pause to reflect on where we are as a nation and what we collectively and individually need to do to make things better. This year, with general elections imminent, it is an even more fitting time for such reflection,’ Friday said in a message marking the occasion on Tuesday.

Dr. Godwin Friday

‘We should consider whether the promise of independence has been realised. Specifically, we should ask ourselves whether we are better off than we were five years ago and whether we should be much further ahead than where we are now.’

Friday, who is leading the main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) hoping to prevent the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) of securing an unprecedented sixth consecutive term in office, said unemployment in the country ‘is too high and our young people suffer from it the most.

‘Sadly, many are leaving our shores to seek opportunity elsewhere in the region. The state of our healthcare system is unacceptable. Basic medical supplies are lacking and our hospitals and clinics are in poor condition. Crime and violence abound.

‘Protection of women and girls from abuse is lacking. The police are ineffective because they have been neglected themselves, in the limited training provided and the poor living and working conditions they have been made to endure.’

Friday said that voters will have an opportunity to change these negatives by casting their ballots at the next general election that many political observers say will be held next month ahead of the February 2026 constitutional deadline.

‘Soon, we will have the chance to vote on whether we want the current situation to continue or we want change for the better. Let us do our duty to our nation and make that decision responsibly,’ Friday said.

Friday said that the country has relied on the mercy of God as well as from the generosity and kindness of friends the world over.

‘To them, we are grateful. We have built and sustained our nation through our own hard work, enduring courage and solidarity with one another through good times and in times of adversity.

‘In celebrating another anniversary of national independence, let us recognise the contributions of fellow citizens to the growth and development of our nation. Many have made great sacrifice for us and have given of their best to secure our sovereignty and maintain our way of life.

‘Some have done so to cheers and acclaim, whilst others have toiled quietly away from the spotlight, seeking neither accolades nor compensation but achieving great things for us all to enjoy.’

Friday said that the country ‘needs us now to stand up and do what we can to overcome our current challenges.

‘We are keenly aware of the pressures of the rising cost of living and of finding employment in our country. So, what do we do? We redouble our efforts to be as productive as possible and we set our priorities well so that our families are cared for while we still do our best to help others.’

He said the challenges are serious and troubling and that ‘ the real purpose of our democracy and the most benefit comes when, instead of silence, we raise our voices and demand better. The best opportunity to do so is at general elections’.