Category: CANA News

Jamaica is marking National Heroes Day on Monday with the country’s two main political leaders paying tribute to those who have paved the way for the country to be recognised both at home and abroad.

In addition, the day provides an opportunity for 141 Jamaicans to receive national awards as the 2025 Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards will be held on the lawns of King’s House, the official residence of the Governor-General, Sir Patrick Allen, who acting as chancellor of the orders, confers these honours on the advice of the prime minister.

Among the awardees announced for 2025 are three individuals who will be appointed to the Order of Jamaica (OJ), the fourth-highest honour in the land.

Group chief executive officer of JMMB Group and recently appointed Government Senator Keith Duncan has been recognised for his exceptional service in finance, business, and social development.

The long-serving Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Desmond McKenzie, is being honoured for more than four decades of public service, while Marlene Street Forrest, the former managing director of the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE), is being celebrated for her leadership in transforming the JSE into one of the world’s top-performing exchanges.

In his message Prime Minister Andrew Holness said National Heroes Day should serve as a reminder of ‘Jamaica’s ‘story written in courage and conviction’, describing the country’s heroes as the ’embodiment of courage, faith, intellect, sacrifice, and love of country.

‘Our heritage is not something locked away in the pages of history. It is a living call, a charge to each of us to carry forward the values of discipline, hard work, respect, and love for one another. Our forebears fought so that we could live purposefully, and we must guard our freedom with great vigilance and commitment.

‘If we are to honour the legacy of our heroes, we must return to the principles that made us who we are: respect for law, reverence for God, and pride in honest work,’ Holness said as he linked those values to national progress, acknowledging also that true nation-building rests in character and citizens

‘But the greatest work lies not in the infrastructure we build, but in our character. It lies in teaching our youth that patriotism is a lifestyle; that to love Jamaica is to serve her with excellence, to protect her from harm, and to lift her name with pride wherever we go.’

Holness also extended his definition of heroism beyond history’s great figures, saluting everyday Jamaicans who serve with integrity – from teachers and nurses to farmers and security personnel – calling them ‘the continuation of that proud and bold heritage’.

But as he has done in years gone by, Opposition Leader Mark Golding again called for cultural icons Robert Nesta ‘Bob’ Marley and Louise Bennett-Coverley (Miss Lou) to be recognised as National Heroes.

He said that their music, poetry, and advocacy for Jamaican identity had inspired generations both locally and abroad.

Golding, whose People’s National Party (PNP) lost the September 3 general election for a third consecutive time to the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), described the voters as ‘modern examples of heroism’, no doubt in reference to the party’s improved showing at the polls.

He said Jamaicans had exercised their right to vote ‘without indulging in the malignant influence of money or other corrupt influences.

‘In exercising your choice based on your belief and conscience, you embraced the very ideals that our national heroes fought to secure. Your honest participation demonstrated your commitment to shaping Jamaica’s future and reaffirmed that the spirit of our ancestors endures in our people,’ he said.

But Golding is worried over the recent rise in violence and suicides impacting the island.

‘In the face of these challenges, let us choose empathy over anger, unity over division, and hope over despair. Let us stand together as one people, united in purpose, bound together in our love for our country, and determined to build a Jamaica where peace, equality, and opportunity become realities for all,’ Golding said.

Trinidad and Tobago’s nomination for a position on the United Nations Security Council for the period 2027-28 could be in jeopardy following Port of Spain’s decision to support the United States in its military build up in parts of the Caribbean, well placed sources told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) on Monday.

They said that there is a perception in the region that some regional leaders are not happy with the view of Trinidad and Tobago, making reference to the statement put out by CARICOM over the last weekend.

The sources make reference to Trinidad and Tobago’s position on the US actions, even in light of reports that two of their nationals were killed last week.

On Sunday, Trinidad and Tobago reiterated its position why it is standing apart from its CARICOM neighbours saying that the US operations are ‘aimed at combatting narco and human trafficking and other forms of transnational crime (and) are ultimately aimed at allowing the region to be a true ‘Zone of Peace’ where all citizens can in reality, live and work in a safe environment’.

The Guyanese-American jurist, Justice Claudia Daniels-DePeyster, is seeking election to the Supreme Court Justice in Kings County (Brooklyn) in New York, after acting in the past for several years.

Justice Daniels-DePeyster was appointed by former New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio as a judge 10 years ago and was elevated to the position of Acting Supreme Court Justice, based on her work performance in Kings County Criminal Court, three years ago.

‘I decided to run for office to become an elected official because I wanted the community to know the work that I am doing on their behalf,’ Justice Daniels-DePeyster told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

‘I thought it was important to get out in the community, visit churches of different denominations, visit senior centers and let the public put a face to the name, as they vote for judges in Brooklyn,’ she added.

Justice Daniels-DePeyster, who is ‘proud’ of her Guyanese-Caribbean heritage, said ‘there is accountability to the community’ in the position of an elected Supreme Court Justice.

‘In addition, if I were to seek an appellate judge position in the future, I could only do so as an elected judge, not an appointed one,’ she said.

As an elected judge, Justice Daniels-DePeyster said she gets a 14-year-term and either a secretary or a junior court attorney to work alongside her.

‘This will assist me in doing my job, writing decisions and being as productive as possible on the bench,’ she said, stating that appointed judges fill the terms of judges who either retired or moved up.

‘They do the same work as elected judges in civil or criminal court,’ added Justice Daniels-DePeyster, disclosing that she had a two-year-term, then received a full 10-year-term as an appointed judge.

‘You can serve from six months to 10 years. The problem is: appointed judges can’t move up. They don’t get a secretary or an additional junior court attorney as elected judges do. Also, elected judges get a 14-year-term. Appointed judges can also be removed without notice or a hearing.’

In sentencing individuals, Justice Daniels-DePeyster said she usually writes them a letter.

‘It encourages them, and I have received feedback from defendants, attorneys and family that my words are inspirational,’ she said, disclosing that the letter has also ‘sparked the Office of Court Administration to host a therapeutic jurisprudence conference at Brooklyn Law School next month, where she will be one of the panelists.

‘It is my belief that all courts can be a place for treatment and therapy,’ she said, adding that she has ‘seen the law from all sides.’

Justice Daniels-DePeyster said she was born and raised in Brooklyn to ‘two proud Guyanese parents’ She is a graduate of Midwood High School in Brooklyn, and earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Buffalo in New York and her Juris Doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law.

As a testament to her diverse and comprehensive legal background, Justice Daniels-DePeyster said she was appointed by Mavor De Blasio to serve as a Criminal Court Judge in April 2015.

Justice Daniels-DePeyster said ‘standing up for others’ as a litigator equipped her with ‘the crucial insight that can only be gained by seeing the law from both sides of the bench, from defending tenants facing eviction, to defending people accused of crimes,’ to immersing herself in family law work.

Justice Daniels-DePeyster said she learned early in her career ‘the tremendous gravity often connected to most cases heard by our courts.’

From 2001 through 2015, Justice Daniels-DePeyster said she worked in several capacities for the New York Police Department (NYPD)

Justice Daniels-DePeyster said she is currently a board member of the Judicial Friends Association, where she co-chairs the Community Service Committee. She is also a board member of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association and member of the National Bar Association-Judicial Council, where she chairs the Community Outreach Committee.

Her other affiliations include memberships in the National Association of Women Judges and the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY) Women Judges Committee.

Trinidad and Tobago’s nomination for a position on the United Nations Security Council for the period 2027-28 could be in jeopardy following Port of Spain’s decision to support the United States in its military build up in parts of the Caribbean.

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, Oct 20, CMC – Prime Minister Gaston Browne is defending the decision that led to the resignation of the Customs Comptroller, Raju Boddu, earlier this month.

KINGSTON – Jamaica is marking National Heroes Day on Monday with the country’s two main political leaders paying tribute to those who have paved the way for the country to be recognised both at home and abroad.

BRIDGETOWN – The Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has launched a regional storytelling initiative that it says will anchor Caribbean Tourism Month in November and celebrate the theme ‘Caribbean Cultural Mosaic: Rejuvenating Heritage and Authenticity’.

BASSETERRE – The St. Kitts and Nevis government says it is getting closer to returning the capital with a 24-hour water supply after it said progress on the two-million-gallon-per-day desalination plant at the C. A. Paul Southwell Industrial Park is ‘well advanced’.

SPORTS:

MIRPUR – Akeal Hosein and Ramon Simmonds have named as replacements for the West Indies in the ongoing One Day International series against Bangladesh.

ONTARIO – Saint Lucia cycling legend Jean Louis passed away over the weekend after being involved in a vehicular accident here in Burlington.

The Caribbean Ombudsman Association (CAROA) began a four-day symposium here on Monday aimed at strengthening regional cooperation, professional development, and the long-term sustainability of Ombudsman institutions across the Caribbean

The event is being held under the theme ‘Building Sustainable Futures: Preparing the Path for the Strengthening of CAROA’ and is being held under the chairmanship of Dr. Nigel L. Taylor, SCM, JP, the Ombudsman of Barbados and the CAROA president.

CAROA president, Dr. Nigel L. Taylor.

According to the organisers among the key areas for discussion during the symposium will include institutional capacity building training and professional development, regular capacity-building initiatives for ombudsmen and staff focused on emerging human rights issues as well as conflict resolution, and principles of good governance.

Developing and disseminating harmonized operational frameworks to strengthen consistency among Ombudsman offices across the region as well as investing in modern case management systems and secure digital platforms to enhance efficiency and accessibility wll also be topics to be discussed.

The organisers said that advocating for stronger legislative frameworks that safeguard the independence and authority of Ombudsman institutions and supporting laws that encourage transparency and protecting those who expose wrongdoing will also be discussed during the symposium.

‘The Office of the Ombudsman stands as a pillar of transparency and accountability, serving as the voice of the marginalized and a vigilant watchdog in ensuring adherence to established policies, procedures, and guidelines. It remains steadfast in its advocacy for fairness, equity, and justice within the governance framework,’ according to a statement issued here.

The Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) held a critical workshop here over the weekend, aimed at strengthening collaboration in sports throughout the Caribbean.

The XIII Annual Workshop and XXIII General Assembly, a two-day event, was held at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre and attracted over 100 delegates from 28 nations.

The summit was held under the theme, ‘Charting the Future of Authentic Caribbean Sport’, and featured a powerful assembly of global sport administrators, underscoring the regional focus on modernising governance. Guyana’s Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr. stressed the value of regional synergy during his welcoming remarks.

‘When the Caribbean collaborates, we accelerate. Hosting CANOC here in Georgetown is about building capacity, trust, and a shared future for sport,’ Ramson Jr said.

The Minister praised CANOC’s mission to strengthen governance and capacity, calling the event a ‘significant opportunity’ for nations to exchange expertise and accelerate shared development goals.

The opening day focused heavily on the institutional frameworks necessary for future success, including a session on the CANOC/UWI MOU to map a roadmap for sport education, and legal discussions on CANOC Incorporation led by Sandra Osborne, SCM, SC.

A presentation on the CANOC/Deloitte Partnership also explored financial governance and sustainability standards.

The summit follows a preparatory Olympic Solidarity Financial Management Workshop, reinforcing the primary mandate for greater financial transparency and accountability across Caribbean National Olympic Committees.

The Barbados-based Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) Monday said it has been officially approved as an non-government organization (NGO) in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

CBU, which was founded in 1970 with UNESCO’s support, said that it had been afforded ‘consultative status’ and that ‘this recognition’ is the first of its kind for an NGO from the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean.

‘Becoming an official partner of UNESCO is not just a badge of honour. It offers the CBU a seat at the global table, a stronger, direct voice in shaping cultural and media policy worldwide. And the world needs to hear the Caribbean’s voice,’ said Eric Falt, UNESCO Representative for the Caribbean.

The CBU is a regional, non-profit association comprising public service, independent, and community media services, media education institutions, and regulators.

‘Since the very birth of CBU in 1970 with UNESCO’s support, our partnership has been instrumental in strengthening Caribbean media at home and ensuring our sector has a voice on the global stage,’ said CBU president, Anthony Greene, highlighting the long and productive relationship between the two organizations.

The CBU said that the status conferred during the 222nd session of UNESCO’s Executive Board in Paris, was also welcomed by member states hailing it as an important achievement for the Union and a signal of encouragement for other NGOs in the Caribbean and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to strengthen their collaboration with UN body that promotes world peace and security through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture.

The CBU said that with its new consultative status, it will now join UNESCO’s broader family of NGOs worldwide to advance shared priorities in education, science, culture, and communication.

It said plans are already in motion for joint activities during Global Media and Information Literacy Week from October 24, and preparations for World Radio Day 2026, to be celebrated under the theme ‘Radio and Artificial Intelligence.

Saint Lucia cycling legend Jean Louis passed away over the weekend after being involved in a vehicular accident here in Burlington.

According to reports, Louis was hit by a vehicle while riding on Friday and was pronounced dead at the scene. He was 66 years old.

Louis, a former champion, was named Saint Lucia’s Sportsman of the Year in 1985, the only cyclist to ever cop the award.

In 1987 he created more history when he captured the inaugural Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Cycling Championships men’s title.

Hailing from the south Castries community of Anse La Salopwe in La Toc, Louis won multiple Ovaltine titles at home and in St Kitts and Nevis, including the 1987 Barclays Bank Race to Dennery and back, and invitational grass track races at school sports.

He even rode in National Championships in 2023 and 2024, just to support the next generation of cyclists.

President of the Saint Lucia Cycling Association, Cyril Mangal lauded Louis for helping to develop the sport on the island.

‘Jean Louis was instrumental in the development of many of the young cyclists in the 1980s to the 90’s. He played a major role in my development, along with my brothers.

‘He helped us with equipment. He was like a father figure to us. He contributed even while he was [a] resident in Canada. He was always there to encourage me as a cycling administrator when things seemed tough for the sport, encouraging me not to give up,’ Mangal said.

Trinidad and Tobago’s nomination for a position on the United Nations Security Council for the period 2027-28 could be in jeopardy following Port of Spain’s decision to support the United States in its military build up in parts of the Caribbean, well placed sources told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) on Monday.

They said that there is a perception in the region that some regional leaders are not happy with the view of Trinidad and Tobago, making reference to the statement put out by CARICOM over the last weekend.

The sources make reference to Trinidad and Tobago’s position on the US actions, even in light of reports that two of their nationals were killed last week.

On Sunday, Trinidad and Tobago reiterated its position why it is standing apart from its CARICOM neighbours saying that the US operations are ‘aimed at combatting narco and human trafficking and other forms of transnational crime (and) are ultimately aimed at allowing the region to be a true ‘Zone of Peace’ where all citizens can in reality, live and work in a safe environment’.

Last Saturday, the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat said that regional leaders had met last week to discuss several issues on the regional agenda, including the security build-up in parts of the Caribbean and its potential impact on member states.

It said that the position at that meeting was not endorsed by the government of the twin-island republic.

The meeting follows a series of deadly strikes by the Donald Trump administration targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels off the Venezuelan coast, the latest of which reportedly claimed the lives of two Trinidad and Tobago nationals.

‘Save in respect of Trinidad and Tobago who reserved its position, Heads agreed on the following: They reaffirmed the principle of maintaining the Caribbean Region as 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,’ the CARICOM statement read.

Trinidad and Tobago holds responsibility for security in the quasi CARICOM cabinet and according to the sources, Port of Spain’s position calls into question the endorsement secured by Trinidad and Tobago under the last administration to serve on the United Nations Security Council for the period 2027-28.

Further, the sources said that Trinidad and Tobago may have also rendered itself ineligible to represent CARICOM given Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar’s view that the US military should kill all traffickers violently.

The Caribbean is also worried that her views are also also causing friction among the wider Group of Latin American and Caribbean countries (GRULAC), as well as affect the ongoing collaboration pursued under the three non-permanent African countries and CARICOM, known as the A+3 block of countries.

The sources told CMC that in the past there has been an excellent working relationship with the grouping under St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Guyana, the latest two CARICOM countries that have selected to the UN Security Council in recent years.

Last week, the Venezuelan Ambassador to Dominica, Jose Durabio Moros Savelli, urged Caribbean countries to unite in opposing the military build saying that it is important for preserving peace in the Caribbean.

‘We should fully preserve the peace in the region.it is not just about Venezuela if the United States start a war in the Caribbean it will be bad for all of us, our economy, our people,’ Savelli said.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has also criticised the deployment of United States naval forces to the Caribbean, calling them a source of strain that could undermine peace in the region.

‘The presence of the armed forces of the largest power in the Caribbean Sea is a factor of tension,’ Lula had said.

Colombia, one of the United States oldest and strongest allies in the region, has also come out against the military build up saying it is destabilizing for all Latin America.

Colombia’ has rejected outright President Donald Trump’s claims that the naval ships, a submarine, and a squadron of F-35 fighter jets were there to tackle the drug trade.

The sources said that as a result of such opposition, the matter of Trinidad and Tobago’s selection to the UN Security Council is such that regional leaders should be asked to state their views given that they had in their statement reaffirmed their commitment to tackling narcotrafficking and the illegal trade in small arms and light weapons, which continue to pose major threats to regional stability.

The CARICOM leaders had stressed that such challenges must be addressed through ongoing international cooperation and in keeping with international law.

In its statement on Sunday, Port of Spain said that the Trinidad and Tobago government ‘affirms that these operations are not meant to target law abiding persons, specifically fisherfolk and other seafaring individuals seeking to earn an honest living.

‘Alternatively, all persons who may seek to engage in, or indirectly support, any illegal activities in the region, are warned that should they be so inclined, they do so at their own peril.

‘The Government of Trinidad and Tobago reiterates its commitment to the people of the Caribbean for the creation of a safer, stronger and more prosperous region,’ the statement added.

The Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) MOnday said it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the OPEC Fund for International Development, establishing a strategic framework for collaboration aimed at unlocking new financing opportunities and driving sustainable growth across the Caribbean.

It said the agreement sets the stage for parallel financing and co-financing of projects in critical sectors such as climate resilience, renewable energy, resilient infrastructure, food security, trade finance, and youth empowerment.

It also promotes knowledge sharing, technical assistance, and capacity building, ensuring that Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) benefit from innovative solutions and expanded access to resources.

CDB President, Daniel Best, speaking at the signing ceremony that took place last week on the margins of the International Monetary Fund-World Bank annual meetings in Washington, underscored the transformative power of collaboration.

‘Strategic partnerships between multilateral development banks are fundamental to achieving meaningful progress and driving transformational impact. By working as a cohesive system – combining expertise, resources, and aligned priorities – we can fast-track solutions to global challenges and advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

‘This MOU is a significant step forward, showing that cooperation among development institutions is not just beneficial but vital to delivering real and lasting improvements in people’s livesm,’ Best added.

The MOU outlines joint activities including project preparation, technical assistance, and regional dialogues to advance inclusive and green development. Areas of focus range from climate-smart agriculture and water security to digital connectivity and private sector growth, all aligned with CDB’s mission to foster resilience and reduce poverty.

‘This partnership opens unparalleled opportunities for our Borrowing Member Countries. By leveraging the OPEC Fund’s global reach and CDB’s deep regional expertise, we can accelerate investments in infrastructure, climate adaptation, and human development – creating a future that is sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous for the people of the Caribbean,’ Best said.

The region’s premier financial institution said that the collaboration will also support youth empowerment initiatives, technical and vocational training, and innovative financing mechanisms such as debt-for-sustainability swaps and blue economy facilities, reinforcing the Caribbean’s position as a leader in climate resilience and sustainable development.