KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican agricultural and fisheries sectors are reeling from the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, which has inflicted an estimated $29.5 billion in damages. Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Floyd Green, revealed these staggering figures during a parliamentary address on Tuesday. The hurricane has ravaged approximately 41,390 hectares of farmland, directly affecting over 70,000 farmers and resulting in the loss of 1,251,410 animals, including poultry, cattle, and small ruminants.
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Over 5,000kg of food condemned since Melissa hit — Tufton
KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which struck on October 28, Jamaica’s Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton, announced that 5,661 kilograms of food have been condemned by public health authorities. The decision was made to safeguard the nation’s food supply chain and prevent potential outbreaks of food-borne illnesses.
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France warns over Caribbean ‘instability’ as G7 talks open
At the G7 meeting held in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada, France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot expressed deep concern over the escalating military activities in the Caribbean, labeling them as a disregard for international law. Barrot emphasized the need to avoid instability caused by potential escalations, particularly in light of Venezuela’s warnings that US deployments could provoke a full-scale conflict. The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, recently entered the region under the control of the US Naval Forces Southern Command, intensifying the arms buildup. The Trump administration has justified its military campaign in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific as part of an anti-drug offensive, but Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused the US of fabricating a war to pursue regime change. Barrot highlighted the importance of G7 nations collaborating to combat the global narcotics trade, noting the potential impact on over a million French citizens residing in the Caribbean. Meanwhile, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, the meeting’s host, underscored the G7’s focus on supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, with the UK announcing £13 million in aid for Ukraine’s energy sector and a ban on Russian liquid natural gas. Anand also addressed the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan, pledging G7 support for those affected. Despite the ongoing trade tensions between the US and Canada, Anand indicated that the issue would not be a primary focus of her bilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
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Algemene Politieke Beschouwingen starten met eerbetoon aan Venetiaan
At the commencement of the General Political Deliberations (APB) in the National Assembly of Suriname, a moment of silence was observed to honor the passing of former President Ronald Venetiaan on November 5. Unanimously, all political factions acknowledged that Suriname has lost not only a political giant but also one of its most exemplary statesmen in multiple respects. Venetiaan was widely praised for his unwavering commitment to ethics, values, and norms, his profound love for Suriname, and his exemplary character. Steven Reyme, the leader of the A-20 faction, urged the current political generation and society at large to follow Venetiaan’s example. He described Venetiaan as the embodiment of servant leadership, having served Suriname in various capacities, including as a poet, teacher, union leader, minister, parliamentarian, family man, and three-time president. Reyme lamented that ‘prophets are often not sufficiently appreciated in their own land during their lifetime,’ but called on current leaders to adopt Venetiaan’s principles, which are sorely needed. Dorothy Hoever, a member of the National Party of Suriname (NPS), of which Venetiaan was a long-time chairman, highlighted his steadfastness, balance, faith, and commitment to truth. She remarked, ‘A great Surinamese has departed.’ President Jennifer Simons, speaking on behalf of the government, expressed condolences to Venetiaan’s family and confirmed that his wish to be buried without state honors would be respected. Simons, who knew Venetiaan since her school days, emphasized that his legacy of service to others would endure, transcending human differences.
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IMA announces enhanced compliance measures for CBI applicants
The Investment Migration Agency (IMA), formerly known as the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBI) in Grenada’s Ministry of Home Affairs, has announced the implementation of enhanced compliance measures for its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme. Effective November 10, 2025, these measures aim to bolster the integrity and transparency of the programme, which grants foreign nationals Grenadian citizenship through investments in real estate or contributions to the National Transformation Fund (NTF).
The new compliance framework includes stringent verification procedures aligned with international anti-money laundering (AML) standards. Applicants must now submit a completed Attestation Form, confirming that their investment funds originate from verifiable personal or sponsor resources. Additionally, Bank Credit Advice must be provided to demonstrate that funds were directly deposited by the applicant into the developer’s account, ultimately transferring to an Escrow or government-approved account.
These measures underscore the IMA’s commitment to ensuring that all investments are legitimate, traceable, and transparent. In a circular published on its website, the IMA emphasized its dedication to safeguarding the programme’s credibility and protecting the interests of genuine applicants. Since its inception in 2014, the CBI Programme has generated over EC$1 billion in revenue and granted citizenship to more than 20,000 individuals from countries such as the USA, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, India, Russia, and Turkey.
The IMA’s latest updates reflect its ongoing efforts to align with global best practices, reinforcing Grenada’s reputation as a trusted destination for investment migration. By prioritizing compliance and transparency, the agency aims to maintain the programme’s integrity while fostering economic growth and international partnerships.
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UPP leader Joshua Francis urges voter confirmation amidst criticism of stipulations
Joshua Francis, leader of the United Progressive Party (UPP), has urged Dominicans to actively participate in the ongoing voter confirmation process, despite perceived challenges. Speaking at a recent press conference, Francis emphasized the importance of civic duty in ensuring a robust democratic system. The voter confirmation process, initiated on October 15, 2025, is a cornerstone of Dominica’s electoral reform agenda, aimed at modernizing the voting system and enhancing democratic participation. Francis highlighted the difficulties faced by many citizens who lack essential identification documents such as passports, driver’s licenses, or social security cards. He called on the Electoral Commission to prioritize the interests of all Dominicans, ensuring inclusivity in the process. Francis also shared his personal experience, describing the confirmation process as straightforward and encouraging others to follow suit. He advised those encountering issues to seek assistance from legal professionals or the Chief Elections Officer. Meanwhile, Dr. Thomson Fontaine, leader of the United Workers Party (UWP), criticized the Electoral Commission’s decision to exclude birth certificates as a valid form of identification for voter confirmation. Fontaine argued that this exclusion would disenfranchise thousands of Dominicans, particularly those without the means to obtain alternative IDs. He condemned the move as a violation of fundamental human rights, stressing that it undermines the democratic principle of universal suffrage. The voter confirmation process involves multiple steps, including name verification, document validation, and electronic data entry, culminating in the issuance of a confirmation receipt. The debate over the process underscores the broader challenges of balancing electoral integrity with accessibility in Dominica’s evolving democratic landscape.
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No disclosure on Mohameds’ alleged connections to Venezuela, Middle East
In a recent development at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, attorneys representing Nazar “Shell” Mohamed and Azruddin Mohamed revealed that no evidence linking their clients to Venezuela or the Middle East was disclosed by US-hired lawyers. This revelation came during a court session on November 10, 2025, where the Mohameds are contesting an extradition request from the United States. The US legal team had previously alleged that the Mohameds were involved in an international criminal enterprise with connections to high-ranking officials in Venezuela and extending through the US to the Middle East. However, Attorney-at-Law Roysdale Forde, part of the Mohameds’ defense team, stated that no such documents were provided. The Mohameds face an 11-count Grand Jury indictment in a Florida federal court, including charges of mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering related to their gold exports business. They are currently on GY$150,000 bail and are scheduled to return to court on November 24. Meanwhile, the Guyana Revenue Authority has dropped all income tax evasion charges against the Mohameds in light of the US extradition request. Outside the courthouse, a small group of supporters from the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) political party gathered in solidarity with their leader, Azruddin Mohamed, though the turnout was significantly smaller compared to their previous court appearance on October 31.
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Venezuela sends 22 specialists to Cuba to repair damage from Melissa
In a significant display of solidarity, Venezuelan professionals from the electrical, transportation, and public works sectors were bid farewell at Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetía, La Guaira state. The event was attended by Venezuelan Vice Minister for Latin America, Rander Peña, and the Cuban Ambassador to Caracas, Jorge Luis Mayo, along with other officials. This initiative comes in response to the extensive damage caused by a Category 3 hurricane that struck Cuban provinces such as Santiago de Cuba, Las Tunas, Holguín, Granma, and Guantánamo in late October. The hurricane severely impacted electrical, housing, and agricultural infrastructure. Vice Minister Peña highlighted that the best specialists in each field had been carefully selected to support Cuban teams in restoring the power grid through diagnostics and ongoing aid. He also recalled the recent air shipment of 26 tons of food, construction materials, and supplies, dispatched shortly after the hurricane, followed by over 5,000 tons of aid transported by sea on the ALBA ship ‘Manuel Gual.’ Peña emphasized that these efforts are a profound expression of love and solidarity between the two nations.
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Police Search for Suspects in Church Break-In
The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has launched an investigation into a recent break-in at the Church of God of Prophecy in Cooks Hill. The incident occurred between 3:00 p.m. on Friday, November 7, 2025, and 9:20 a.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2025. According to reports, the perpetrators unlawfully entered the premises and made off with a 50-inch Samsung flat-screen television and multiple air conditioning units. Authorities are actively seeking the suspects and have urged the public to come forward with any information that could aid in the investigation. Individuals with relevant details are encouraged to contact the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at 462-3913, the Grays Farm Police Station at 462-0481, or Crimestoppers at 800-TIPS (8477). The police have emphasized the importance of community cooperation in resolving this case and ensuring the safety of local institutions.
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French Union to send aid to eastern Cuba hit by hurricane
Laurent Brun, a prominent leader of the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) and member of its Confederal Bureau, recently held a meeting with Otto Vaillant, the Cuban Ambassador to Paris. The discussions centered on the initial outcomes of a solidarity campaign initiated by the union to aid victims of a devastating storm that ravaged eastern Cuba in late October. The storm, characterized by winds surpassing 200 kilometers per hour and relentless torrential rains, left widespread destruction in its wake.