In a significant diplomatic gathering, Ambassador Gonzalez emphasized ASEAN’s unwavering support for Cuba’s annual resolution at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), which calls for the termination of the United States’ economic, financial, and commercial blockade. The ambassador’s remarks were delivered during a meeting with ASEAN member country representatives, attended by Deputy Secretary-General Nararya Soepaptro, at Jakarta’s Ciputra Hotel. This event coincided with the 5th anniversary of Cuba’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). Gonzalez highlighted that November 10 marked a pivotal moment in Cuba’s diplomatic history, symbolizing a new era of relations with ASEAN based on mutual respect, solidarity, and peaceful cooperation. She stressed that the TAC signing was not merely symbolic but a robust affirmation of principles, making Cuba the first Caribbean nation and the fifth in Latin America to join the treaty. This move, she noted, reinforced Cuba’s dedication to multilateralism, non-intervention, and conflict resolution. Gonzalez also pointed out that the treaty’s signing during the Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated Cuba’s commitment to addressing shared global challenges such as public health, climate change, and natural disasters.
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Christy Guzman Freed of All Charges
In a significant legal development, 21-year-old Christy Guzman has been exonerated of all charges related to the manslaughter of Wilson Hernandez. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) announced the withdrawal of charges on November 13, 2025, following the emergence of new evidence that fundamentally altered the case’s trajectory. Deputy DPP Javier Chan issued the directive on November 10 after reviewing the updated findings. The evidence revealed that Hernandez was assaulting his partner, Dalia Vellos, when Guzman, Vellos’s sister, intervened with a licensed firearm. The bullet, intended to disarm Hernandez, tragically struck his torso, resulting in his death. The incident, which occurred off-camera, left the DPP with no grounds to challenge the account, prompting the decision to drop the charges. Guzman, initially denied bail in September, was later granted conditional release in October, requiring her to report to the Belmopan Police Station biweekly and surrender her travel documents. The case stemmed from a domestic dispute on August 31, during which surveillance footage captured Vellos and Guzman handling the firearm prior to the fatal shot.
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Saint Lucia win ECVA volleyball opener
Saint Lucia kicked off their campaign in the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Under-23 Men’s Championship with a commanding 3-0 victory over defending champions St Vincent & the Grenadines on Wednesday, November 12, at the YMCA in St John’s, Antigua & Barbuda. The 2021 champions secured their win with set scores of 25-17, 26-24, and 25-12, positioning themselves as strong contenders for the championship trophy and a spot in the NORCECA 2026 Pan American Cup.
Head coach Levi Leonce expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, ‘The game was very informative; it was a good start. We still have some areas to improve, particularly our blocking, but we were strong behind the service line. I expect the team to be more technically sound and convincing in the upcoming matches.’
Saint Lucia set the tone early in the first set, racing to a 7-1 lead and forcing St Vincent & the Grenadines to call a timeout at 12-6. Despite a late push from their opponents, Saint Lucia closed out the set 25-17. The second set saw a resilient effort from the defending champions, who led for most of the set. However, Saint Lucia fought back, tying the game multiple times before clinching the set 26-24. The final set was a dominant display from Saint Lucia, who extended a narrow lead to a decisive 25-12 victory.
In other matches on Wednesday, Antigua & Barbuda defeated Anguilla 3-0 (25-14, 25-10, 25-17), while Dominica overcame Grenada 3-1 (28-26, 25-16, 23-25, 25-18). Saint Lucia is set to face Anguilla and hosts Antigua & Barbuda on Thursday, aiming to continue their winning streak.
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Mexico Cracks Down on Casinos as Belize Reviews Its Own Gambling Laws
In a significant move to combat financial crimes, the Mexican government has closed 13 casinos following a joint investigation by the Ministry of Finance and the national security agency. The probe uncovered suspicious cash operations, international money transfers, and unregulated online gambling platforms suspected of facilitating money laundering. Authorities have frozen accounts, suspended operations, and filed formal complaints with the Attorney General’s Office. President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized the need to modernize Mexico’s outdated casino and digital betting laws, highlighting the growing prevalence of online gambling and its potential misuse for illicit activities. Meanwhile, Belize is also revisiting its gambling regulations. The Senate debated the Gaming and Lotteries Control Bill 2025, aimed at modernizing and consolidating the country’s gambling laws. However, after a heated discussion, senators decided to delay the bill for further refinement. Senator Louis Wade urged caution, citing unresolved issues in the proposed legislation, including loopholes exposed by recent investigations into Caribi Bleu Casino and the ongoing Rima Ray case. Both nations are grappling with the challenges of regulating an evolving gambling industry while addressing concerns of financial misconduct.
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World Mission Church makes food donation to at-risk households in Dominica, through ministries of social services and agriculture
In a heartfelt gesture to mark World Food Day 2025, the World Mission Society Church of God has distributed 25 food parcels to families and individuals in Dominica grappling with economic hardships, health challenges, and the impacts of climate change. This initiative is part of the church’s global “Hold Hope Campaign,” which aims to provide compassion, love, and practical support to underserved communities worldwide, as detailed in a recent press release. The food packages were delivered at the Government Headquarters in Dominica during October, with recipients carefully selected in collaboration with Dominica’s Ministry of Social Services, Community Development, and Gender Affairs, as well as the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy. This partnership ensures that aid reaches those most in need. A representative from the Church of God in Dominica expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside the government, stating, “Through small acts of sharing, we can bring great hope to those facing difficult circumstances.” Government officials, including Minister of Social Services Cassandra Williams and Permanent Secretaries Kyra Paul (Health) and Ryan Anselm (Agriculture), lauded the church’s generosity and alignment with national efforts to enhance food security and social safety nets for vulnerable populations. Under the leadership of General Pastor Joo-cheol Kim, the Church is actively engaged in the Hold Hope Campaign, which seeks to “share hope with a Mother’s heart” and support communities affected by climate change, economic struggles, and health challenges. Building on its February initiative, which provided daily essentials to 6,400 households across 25 countries on World Day of Social Justice, this year’s campaign aims to assist over 7,400 households in approximately 80 nations, with aid packages valued at around USD 258,800. The initiative also focuses on supporting small-scale farmers, fishers, and livestock producers facing labor shortages, reinforcing its commitment to agricultural and rural communities.
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Vaccine Mandate Case sent to Privy Council for final decision
The Court of Appeal in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has granted conditional permission for the contentious ‘Vaccine Mandate Case’ to be referred to the Privy Council in London, the nation’s highest judicial authority, for a definitive resolution. This legal battle stems from the November 2021 decision by the Ralph Gonsalves-led Unity Labour Party (ULP) government, which declared that public sector workers refusing to comply with the COVID-19 vaccination mandate had effectively abandoned their jobs. The Public Service Union, SVG Teachers’ Union, and Police Welfare Association spearheaded the lawsuit, which initially saw High Court Judge Justice Esco Henry rule in favor of the workers in March 2023. However, a subsequent 2-1 decision by the Court of Appeal in February 2025 overturned this ruling, prompting the workers to seek the Privy Council’s intervention. During a virtual hearing in Kingstown, the government’s legal team, led by senior counsel Anthony Astaphan, opted not to present oral arguments, leaving the decision entirely to the court. Cara Shillingford, lead counsel for the workers, emphasized the case’s constitutional significance, particularly regarding property and pension rights under Section 99 of SVG’s Constitution. She also highlighted the High Court’s finding that the vaccine mandate violated Section 77, which governs the Public Service Commission’s independence. The court acknowledged the substantial public interest in resolving this critical constitutional issue. The panel, comprising Justices Trevor Ward, Peter Foster, and Reginald Armour, noted the undisputed value of the workers’ pensions, which far exceeded $1,500, as evidenced by affidavit submissions.
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Health ministry warns against contaminated water as suspected cases of leptospirosis on the rise
Health authorities in Jamaica are sounding the alarm over a potential surge in leptospirosis cases, a deadly bacterial infection, as communities battle stagnant floodwaters left in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), emphasized the heightened risk during a recent interview on Radio Jamaica’s Hotline program. She warned that the current conditions—standing water contaminated with animal waste—create an ideal breeding ground for the disease. The Ministry of Health has already identified suspected cases, which are being treated as confirmed under protocol. Leptospirosis, which can escalate rapidly into a life-threatening illness, is transmitted through contact with contaminated water, particularly through cuts or abrasions on the skin. Dr. Bisasor-McKenzie urged the public to take preventive measures, including wearing protective footwear, avoiding exposure to dirty water, and ensuring proper garbage disposal. She stressed the importance of personal responsibility, noting that while health teams are working to address the crisis, individual vigilance is critical to curbing the spread of the disease. The CMO’s call to action underscores the urgent need for community-wide efforts to mitigate the risk of infection and prevent further health complications.
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Special Olympics Jamaica targets podium finish at historic regional basketball tournament
The Special Olympics Jamaica (SOJ) basketball team is poised to make history as they prepare to compete in the inaugural Special Olympics 3×3 unified basketball tournament in Guadeloupe, scheduled for November 14-15. Head coach Elfema Williams expressed confidence in her team’s ability to secure a podium finish, citing their strong preparation and unity.
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Catherine Hall and West Green clean-up entering second phase
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which has been described as the most devastating hurricane to strike Jamaica, government agencies have ramped up their efforts to restore normalcy in the severely affected Catherine Hall and West Green communities. The clean-up operation, now in its second phase, focuses on removing remaining debris and implementing extensive sanitization measures. Minister Robert Morgan, responsible for works, highlighted the extensive damage, noting that floodwaters reached up to 10 feet, with mud levels in some areas as high as three feet. Over 700 truckloads of debris, including destroyed furniture, have already been removed by the National Solid Waste Management Authority. The second phase involves mobilizing community members, alongside agencies like China Harbour Engineering, the municipality, and the National Works Agency, to ensure thorough sanitization and debris removal. Minister Andrew Wheatley emphasized the collaborative efforts with various state agencies, including the National Water Commission and the fire brigade, to expedite the restoration process. Despite the significant losses suffered by residents, there is a collective gratitude that no lives were lost. The government is also focusing on public health risks, ensuring that areas posing health hazards are promptly addressed. Wheatley acknowledged the unprecedented nature of the disaster, with rivers overflowing and water levels reaching historic highs, and stressed the importance of learning from this experience to implement future mitigation strategies. The cost of the recovery efforts is yet to be finalized, but the central government is fully supporting the multi-agency initiative to bring relief to the affected communities.
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GEM sends $4.3 million worth in aid to Jamaica for Hurricane Melissa recovery
KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) has spearheaded a monumental recovery initiative in collaboration with the Building a Better Jamaica program and various partner organizations. This effort aims to assist affected communities in rebuilding and restoring normalcy.