Category: CANA News

Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar who Wednesday said she expects to meet with Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez later this month has expressed her ‘love ‘ for the South American leader.

In October last year, the Venezuelan National Assembly declared Persad-Bissessar, persona non grata, banning her from entering the country. Caracas had accused her of supporting United States military aggression against the Bolivarian Republic that led to the removal of President Nicolas Maduro form office. He along with his wife are now in a United States jail on several charges including illegal drug smuggling,

Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar, a Senior Counsel who attended the ceremonial opening of the new law term here on Wednesday, told reporters that the meeting with Rodriquez could most likely take place in New York during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) slated for September 22-26.

Last week, Foreign Affairs Minister Sean Sobers led a delegation to Caracas and Persad-Bissessar was asked by reporters if she was hopeful that may bridge the relationship between the two countries at this present time given that she is still persona non grata and that could hamper a meeting with Rodriguez.

‘I will meet with anyone who wishes to meet me,’ she said, adding that Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago have enjoyed a close relationship and that members of her own family are Venezuelan nationals.

‘Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela, we have very very close ties so whatever has to be done we will do in the best interest of Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela,’ she said, noting that her message to the acring Venezuelan leader now is ‘I love her, I look forward to meeting her and in fact I think we’re hoping to meet …when we go up to the UN.

‘Yes, I think there is a plan that we will both meet at the end of September,’ she said, informing reporters that ‘there is a plan. If it doesn’t happen, I’ll let you know, but that is a plan.

‘Minister Sobers is working on it. If it works out, it happens. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll let you know,’ she said, adding that she also remains optimistic that natural gas from Venezuela could soon be coming across to Trinidad and Tobago.

‘I have absolutely no doubt that gas from Venezuela will come to Trinidad and Tobago.It is the only channel, the only place it can pass. We are seven miles away and it will come. We have already signed agreements with BP.

‘We hope to conclude agreements with Shell and …many other companies. I have absolutely no doubt that in the next year we will see natural gas coming to Trinidad and Tobago, and part of it has to do with rapprochement with Venezuela.

‘We are neighbours, well we’re in fact family, as I just shared with you,’ she added.

Last week, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela said they had agreed on a roadmap to deepen cooperation in trade, energy, agriculture, environmental protection, culture and collective security.

The agreement follows a meeting between Sobers, and his Venezuelan counterpart and in the joint statement the two governments said the visit marks ‘a new chapter’ in diplomatic relations between the neighbouring countries.

The working agenda is intended to facilitate what the governments described as ‘a new era’ in relations, and that the agenda will serve as a roadmap for increased cooperation in several priority areas.

The Saint Lucia Kings post 119 in 18.5 overs batting first against the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the 31st match of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League at Providence Stadium here on Wednesday.

ST LUCIA KINGS 119 in 18.5 overs (Kamil Pooran 43, Obus Pienaar 35, John Campbell 12; Imran Tahir 5-17, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 3-13)

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, has been appointed co-chair of World Economic Forum Tourism Day 2026 that will be held in Geneva on September 26.

‘I am deeply honored to serve as co-chair of World Economic Forum Tourism Day. Tourism is no longer just a leisure sector, it is economic infrastructure, cultural infrastructure, and resilience infrastructure for nations everywhere.

‘At a time of climate shocks, geopolitical uncertainty and rapid technological change, our industry must move from simply managing crises to building systems that prevent them and help communities thrive in their aftermath,’ said Bartlett.

World Economic Forum Tourism Day brings together heads of state, chief executive officers and the world’s foremost tourism leaders to set the international agenda for travel and hospitality.

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) said that Bartlett’s appointment to co-chair the 2026 edition affirms Jamaica’s standing not merely as a destination, but as an architect of the ideas now guiding the sector worldwide.

‘The appointment builds on nearly a decade of thought leadership from the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), which Bartlett established as the world’s first center dedicated to tourism resilience, training, research and crisis response,’ the JTB said.

The Jamaica-based GTRCMC works across more than 30 countries and institutions, it has become a global reference point for building capacity and reducing vulnerability in tourism-dependent economies-from small island states to major world markets.

‘Jamaica and the GTRCMC stand ready to work with the World Economic Forum and partners across the globe to advance resilient, inclusive and innovative tourism for people and planet,’ added Bartlett.

Defence attorneys for three of the accused in the October 2025 deadly gas station bombing case Wednesday made no-case submissions on behalf of their clients arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish its case.

The attorneys – Mikel Puran, Tifaine Rutherford and Melvin Duke – who appeared on behalf of the accused Jhonny Boodram, Krystal La Cruz and Alexander Bettencourt, told Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court that the prosecution led by Mandel Moore, had failed to establish a case against them.

The three accused along with Daniel Alexander Ramirez Peodemo, whom the prosecution prosecution has described as the alleged mastermind of the attack, are facing a terrorism charge in connection with the October 26, 2025 bombing, which resulted in the death of six-year-old Soraya Bourne and left several members of her family seriously injured.

Attorney Shelton Boyce, who is representing the Venezuelan Ramirez Peodemo told the court that no submissions would be filed on his behalf and that her client would abide by the court’s ruling.

In March and April, Ramirez Peodemo told the court that he was solely responsible for the deadly bombing and asked that the other three accused be released. However, after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) instructed the prosecution to proceed with the terrorism charges against the three other Venezuelan nationals, Ramirez Peodemo withdrew his guilty plea.

Two other accused men, Ramesh Pramdeo and Wayne Correia, who were charged in a separate magisterial district, were freed in April after the court upheld a no-case submission in their favour.

In July, the prosecution completed the tendering of evidence with more than 225 statements tendered into evidence during the paper committal proceedings.

Under the paper-committal process, the defence may argue that the evidence is insufficient to justify a trial. If the magistrate finds that there is no sufficient case against an accused, that person/s may be discharged. If the court is satisfied that a prima facie case has been established, the accused may be committed to stand trial in the High Court.

The evidence also included a DNA analysis report from the Center of Excellence in DNA Forensic in India, the post-mortem report on Bourne’s death, medical certificates for the other victims who survived the attack, and immigration records for four of the accused.

At the conclusion of the submissions, Magistrate Mc Gusty will review the statements, reports and documentary evidence tendered in court before deciding whether there is sufficient evidence for the three accused to be committed to stand trial.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar who Wednesday said she expects to meet with Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez later this month has her ‘love’ for the South American leader.

In October last year, the Venezuelan National Assembly declared Persad-Bissessar, persona non grata, banning her from entering the country. Caracas had accused her of supporting United States military aggression against the Bolivarian Republic that led to the removal of President Nicolas Maduro form office. He along with his wife are now in a United States jail on several charges including illegal drug smuggling,

Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar, a Senior Counsel who attended the ceremonial opening of the new law term here on Wednesday, told reporters that the meeting with Rodriquez could most likely take place in New York during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) slated for September 22-26.

Last week, Foreign Affairs Minister Sean Sobers led a delegation to Caracas and Persad-Bissessar was asked by reporters if she was hopeful that may bridge the relationship between the two countries at this present time given that she is still persona non grata and that could hamper a meeting with Rodriguez.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors defeat the Saint Lucia Kings by four wickets in the 31st match of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League at Providence Stadium here on Wednesday.

ST LUCIA KINGS 119 in 18.5 overs (Kamil Pooran 43, Obus Pienaar 35, John Campbell 12; Imran Tahir 5-17, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 3-13)

GUYANA AMAZON WARRIORS 122- 6 in 18.3 overs (Quentin Sampson 37 not out, Glenn Phillips 37, Shai Hope 21; Roston Chase 3-34)

Shadab Khan scored a boundary-studded cameo and Alzarri Joseph ran over the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ top order to lead the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons to a comprehensive 65-run win in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League here on Tuesday.

Joseph snared four wickets – including the prized scalps of Shai Hope and Rahmanullah Gurbaz – to skittle out the Amazon Warriors for 117 in 14.2 overs, well short of the Falcons’ total of 182 for five at Providence Stadium in their top-of-the-table clash.

The win propeled the Falcons to 13 points from their 10 games and helped them secure a place in Qualifier 1, with a more than likely rematch against the Amazon Warriors looming.

The Amazon Warriors, who have 12 points from seven games, need just one win from their three remaining matches to finish top of the table.

Having romped to six consecutive victories, the Amazon Warriors’ bowling unit seemed to be in full control with the Falcons stuck in first gear at 102 for two at the end of 14 overs.

But the dismissals of Amir Jangoo for a pedestrian 27 off 30 balls and Hasan Nawaz, who scored 36 off 27 balls, sparked a late assault spearheaded by Shadab Khan that saw the Falcons bludgeon 72 runs off the last five overs.

Captain Moeen Ali smashed Romario Shepherd for two sixes in the 18th over before being caught at short third man for 18 off 12 balls.

Fabian Allen hit Shamar Joseph for a six and Khan inside edged him to the fine leg boundary for four in the 19th over that went for 19 runs.

Khan then finished the innings in superb style by clobbering Shepherd for three consecutive sixes and a four in the final over that leaked 26 runs.

Player-of-the-Match Khan scored an unbeaten 30 off just nine balls with three sixes and two fours, while Allen ended on 11 not out – the two sharing an unbroken partnership of 46 off 13 balls.

The Amazon Warriors began positively, with Gurbaz hitting Joseph for two sixes in the opening over of their chase, while Mavendra Dindyal blasted Jayden Seales for a six and a four to see them race to 22 without loss after two overs.

But after being hit for a six over third man and conceding five wides to start the third over, Joseph struck back by bowling Gurbaz for 18 with a beauty of an outswinger.

Three balls later Joseph bounced out Hope for a duck to leave the home side 34 for two.

Shimron Hetmyer was lucky not to be dismissed for a first-ball duck, but his miscued pull shot went just to the left of Joshua James at mid on.

Dindyal was looking good after scoring 25 off 13 balls until he mistimed a drive off Joseph and gave Jayden Seales an easy catch at mid on to leave the score 54 for three in the fifth over.

Joshua James then had Hetmyer caught at point off his first ball and when Khan bowled Quentin Sampson for 12, the Amazon Warriors had collapsed to 74 for five.

Sufyan Moqim accounted for the wickets of Romario Shepherd and Shamar Joseph cheaply, while Khan dismissed Dwaine Pretorius for one to effectively bring the contest to an end at 99 for eight.

Joseph and James then wrapped up the tail, much to the disappointment of the large crowd on hand to give the Falcons a crucial win.

Joseph ended with figures of 4-41, James took 2-11, Moqim claimed 2-18 and Khan 2-19.

The Saint Lucia Kings elected to bat after winning the toss against the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the 31st match of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League at Providence Stadium here on Wednesday.

Kemol Savory is making his T20 debut for the St. Lucia Kings. Mehidy Hasan Mraz also gets his first game for the Warriors.

SQUADS

Guyana Amazon Warriors: Imran Tahir (c), Shai Hope (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mavendra Dindyal, Shimron Hetmyer, Quentin Sampson, Romario Shepherd, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Dwaine Pretorius, Shamar Joseph, Khary Pierre

Saint Lucia Kings: Roston Chase (c), Tim Seifert (wk), Kamil Pooran, John Campbell, Charith Asalanka, Kemol Savory, Obus Pienaar, Matthew Forde, McKenny Clarke, Joshua Bishop, Maheesh Theekshana

Umpires: Christopher Taylor, Deighton Butler

TV Umpire: Leslie Reifer

Reserve Umpire: Ryan Banwarie

Match Referee: Denavon Hayles.

The Bahamas government has expressed its ‘sincere appreciation’ to the international observer teams that were in the country for the May 12 general election.

In a statement, the Office of the Prime Minister said that the Philip Davis government thanked the ‘observer teams for the professionalism and independence with which they carried out their work, and for the time devoted to engaging with public officials, political parties, civil society, election administrators and Bahamian citizens. ‘The Government welcomes the role of independent election observation in supporting confidence in democratic institutions and electoral processes. We will carefully review the findings and recommendations contained in their report and consider them as part of our continued work to strengthen the administration of elections in The Bahamas.’

The Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) has released its final report on the May 12 general election, providing a particularly useful independent assessment.

It concluded that the election was credible, peaceful and competitive and that the result reflected the will of Bahamians who participated.

But the 96-page report also provides an illuminating examination of the electoral process, political culture, declining voter participation, campaign financing, government communications, the Parliamentary Registration Department, access to information and other weaknesses that remain embedded in our democratic system.

Among the observer teams were the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Election Observer Mission, the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Commonwealth Observer Group.

Prime Minister Davis led his ruling Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) to a second term, becoming the first incumbent Bahamian leader to secure re-election since 1997. The PLP won 33 of 41 seats, nearly matching the results in 2021.

In the statement, the Office of the Prime Minister said that The Bahamas has a ‘proud democratic tradition’ and that the government ‘remains committed to protecting the integrity of our electoral system, respecting the will of the Bahamian people and maintaining public confidence in our democratic institutions.

‘We thank the observers for their work and for their contribution to this process,’ it added.

The Court of Appeal has reserved its judgement in a case in which the Jamaican-born British King Counsel Vincent Nelson has filed a lawsuit alleging breaches of an indemnity agreement he entered into to implicate former attorney general Anand Ramlogan, and attorney Gerald Ramdeen in an alleged legal fee kickback scheme.

In October 2017, Nelson provided a statement in which he claimed that Ramlogan had demanded that he pay him 10 per cent of the legal fees he received for representing the State and State companies during Ramlogan’s tenure between 2010 and 2015.

He said Ramdeen served as the intermediary by allegedly collecting the funds and paying them over to Ramlogan.

Almost a month later, Nelson entered into an indemnity agreement with former attorney general Faris Al-Rawi. In the document, Al-Rawi, as the legal representative of the Government, agreed that Nelson’s statement would not be released into the public domain, including through parliamentary debate.

While the Court of Appeal did not set a date for its ruling, Justice Gillian Lucky said that the Court usually delivers its judgments within six months of an appeal being heard. Lawyers completed their submissions on Tuesday.

Nelson in his appeal, is claiming that High Court Judge Justice Jacqueline Wilson was wrong to reject his case seeking almost TT$100 million (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) in damages based on his loss of earnings after he entered into the agreement in 2017.

Nelson, who made his submissions on Tuesday, said that damage to his professional reputation was a foreseeable consequence of his involvement as an informant being made public.

He told the Appeal Court that Justice Wilson was wrong to refuse to find that the professional damage he suffered was not directly connected to minor breaches of the agreement between him and Al-Rawi, adding that the agreement was broadly drafted and intended to cover a wide range of possible outcomes.

‘If it was within the scope of the indemnity agreement, then remoteness does not apply,’ Nelson said, suggesting that the agreement had to be upheld, otherwise it would undermine the State’s ability to convince informers and whistle-blowers to testify.

‘No informer would come forward if they have no protection,’ Nelson said.

But in response, King Counsel Tom Poole, said that Nelson’s prosecution by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) did not constitute a breach of the agreement and that Al-Rawi only promised to recommend that Nelson not be prosecuted but could not guarantee it.

‘The agreement recognised the DPP had independent constitutional power, including to decide whether to prosecute,’ Poole said, adding that Justice Wilson was correct to rule that the agreement was breached when former government minister Stuart Young shared Nelson’s notarised statement, implicating Ramlogan, Ramdeen and himself, with the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA), leading to a tax evasion probe.

However, Poole told the Court of Appeal that the breach did not directly lead to Nelson being expelled from his law chambers by his colleagues or the UK Bar Standards Board’s refusal to issue Nelson with a practising certificate.

He said both decisions were based on Nelson being initially charged alongside Ramlogan and Ramdeen and pleading guilty.

The King Counsel said that the decision by the Attorney General’s Office to pay Nelson’s legal fees for the criminal charges did not mean that it accepted liability for Nelson’s inability to practise law.

However in a brief response, Nelson maintained that his inability to practise was based on his removal from his chambers and his difficulty in finding a replacement, as opposed to action taken by the Board.

He said that the Board had never taken disciplinary action against him in the past eight years, adding ‘if it has the power to debar me, then it would have done so.’

In October 2017, Nelson provided a statement in which he claimed that Ramlogan had demanded that he pay him ten per cent of the legal fees he received for representing the State and State companies during Ramlogan’s tenure between 2010 and 2015.

In 2019, Ramlogan, Ramdeen and Nelson were charged with conspiring together to receive, conceal and transfer criminal property, namely the rewards given to Ramlogan by Nelson for being appointed to represent the State in several cases; conspiring together to corruptly give Ramlogan a percentage of the funds; and conspiring with Ramlogan to make him misbehave in public office by receiving the funds.

Shortly after being charged, Nelson entered into a plea agreement with the DPP’s Office in exchange for his testimony against Ramlogan and Ramdeen.

In March 2020, High Court Judge Malcolm Holdip upheld the plea agreement and issued a total of $2.25 million in fines to Nelson for his role in the alleged conspiracy.

Under his plea agreement, the conspiracy to commit misbehaviour in public office charge was dropped, and he was fined for the other two offences. He was also placed on a $250,000 bond to keep the peace for three years.

Nelson then sued the State, alleging that it breached the indemnity agreement. He also filed a separate case seeking to overturn his convictions and sentences.

In October 2022, DPP Roger Gaspard, SC, was forced to discontinue the corruption case against Ramlogan and Ramdeen due to Nelson’s unwillingness to testify while his lawsuits were being determined.

Gaspard said then that the charges may be refiled if Nelson’s position changes.

In July last year, the Jamaican-born British King’s Counsel lost an appeal against his conviction and sentence for conspiracy to commit corruption and money laundering with the Court of Appeal, affirming an earlier decision to extend the time for Nelson to file his appeal.

Nelson is pursuing a final appeal in that case before the UK-based Privy Council.