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  • NIA Women’s Self-Empowerment Workshop Promotes Collaboration, Financial Literacy and Community Impact

    NIA Women’s Self-Empowerment Workshop Promotes Collaboration, Financial Literacy and Community Impact

    CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – April 9, 2026 – The Nevis Island Administration (NIA) has advanced its longstanding commitment to uplifting women and girls across the island with the launch of its sixth annual Women’s Self-Empowerment Workshop, an event designed this year to center collective progress, community giving, and tangible professional and financial growth.

    Unlike many empowerment initiatives that focus solely on individual advancement, this year’s workshop framed personal success as a force that grows when shared with others. Through structured interactive sessions, participants were invited to exchange knowledge, offer peer emotional support, and build long-lasting professional networks, all with the dual goal of strengthening local communities and accelerating individual career and personal development.

    Event organizer Hon. Latoya Jones, Special Advisor to the Premier of Nevis, laid out the core mission of the 2026 workshop, emphasizing that the program was built to encourage collaborative leadership, boost participant confidence, and celebrate the often-overlooked contributions of women and girls across every sector of Nevisian society.

    “Our core goals for this sixth annual gathering are simple: to nurture a culture of collaboration and generosity across our local communities, build leadership and team-building skills through hands-on activities, honor the achievements of women and girls in all fields, and help every participant leave with stronger confidence in their own potential,” Jones explained. “We want every woman and girl here to understand that when you lift others up, you elevate yourself along with them. Empowerment isn’t just about individual win – it grows exponentially when we pass it on.”

    Beyond community building, the workshop also prioritized practical economic empowerment, with dedicated sessions covering core financial literacy topics including household budgeting, long-term savings strategies, and foundational investment principles. Organizers also integrated targeted support for emerging and existing women entrepreneurs, creating structured space for cross-business networking and skill sharing.

    Hon. Senator Jahnel Nisbett, Nevis’ Minister of Gender Affairs, opened the event with brief remarks urging attendees to engage fully with both the giving and learning core of the workshop. Echoing the mantra that empowered women lift up entire communities, Nisbett noted that the room was filled with experienced practitioners ready to share expertise across financial literacy, business development, and personal growth.

    “I want every single one of us to take as much as we possibly can from this space,” Nisbett said. “As much as we are here to give our knowledge and support, we are also here to gain new skills and insights that will help us grow. When you leave this workshop, don’t keep what you’ve learned to yourself – multiply your impact by passing it on to someone else, and keep the cycle of empowerment going.”

    The workshop was facilitated by Ramie Wilkinson-Layden, a certified auditor with the NIA, who encouraged attendees to turn the insights they gained into actionable change in their own lives and communities. “Each of us is born with unique talents and skills that we can share with others,” Wilkinson-Layden said. “I urge every participant to give generously of your time, your ideas, your resources, and your support. When you do that, you will see your own gains multiply in ways you can’t yet imagine. My hope is that everyone leaves here with at least one or two concrete steps they can take to improve their financial well-being, strengthen their literacy around money, spend thoughtfully, and build smart, sustainable long-term investments.”

    Since the workshop launched six years ago, it has reached roughly 100 women and girls across Nevis. This year’s iteration drew more than 30 attendees, including 14 young girls, and included formal representation from nine female-owned local businesses spanning a diverse range of sectors: nail care, hospitality, skincare, fitness, gift retail, beauty services, and graphic design, among others.

    Jones highlighted the critical value of having local business owners participate directly in the workshop, noting that their on-the-ground insights gave emerging entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners unfiltered, practical guidance about daily business operations and entrepreneurship that cannot be learned from textbooks.

    Looking ahead, Jones shared her hope that attendees will carry the workshop’s mission forward by paying what they learned forward through mentoring, volunteer work, and mutual encouragement, creating a ripple effect of positive change that lasts long after the event concludes. She also expressed satisfaction with the high level of engagement and active participation across all sessions, and said she is confident that attendees will apply their new skills and knowledge to build lasting personal and financial success for themselves and their communities.

  • Lotto chair urges CDC to treat Vincymas as a business

    Lotto chair urges CDC to treat Vincymas as a business

    Vincymas, St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ premier cultural festival, will retain its largest backer in the National Lotteries Authority (NLA), but organizers will need to adopt a more business-oriented, financially accountable approach to secure the event’s long-term growth, according to the body’s newly appointed chair.

    Luann Hadaway, who made history earlier this year as the first woman to lead the NLA board since the organization’s founding in 1984, used the platform of this year’s festival media launch to reaffirm the authority’s long-standing partnership with the annual celebration. Founded to fund national sports and cultural initiatives, the NLA counts its Vincymas sponsorship as its single largest financial commitment, a reflection of the event’s outsized importance to the island nation.

    “Our sponsorship is not simply about funding an event, it is about preserving our heritage, strengthening our creative industries and creating real opportunities for our people,” Hadaway told attendees. She emphasized that the NLA’s new board takes its fiduciary responsibility seriously as stewards of public funds, requiring all sponsorship recipients to adhere to strict standards of prudent spending, robust governance and full transparency.

    “With that responsibility comes a clear obligation to ensure that every dollar is managed with care, integrity and purpose,” she said. “This is essential, not only for transparency, but for the long-term sustainability and credibility of institutions and events we support.”

    Given the scale of the NLA’s investment, Hadaway argued that Vincymas must meet consistent standards of value, impact and operational excellence. Most critically, she said, the festival must be reframed as a year-round business venture rather than a one-off annual celebration, capable of generating consistent revenue to build self-sustaining reserves for future events. This business model, she added, will expand long-term opportunities, deepen private-sector partnerships and foster the financial independence the festival needs to thrive for generations.

    Hadaway also pushed for the festival to expand its scope as a launchpad for local talent, calling for greater opportunities for young, emerging creators to perform alongside established industry figures. “It must remain a platform that truly showcases the depth of talent we have right here at home,” she said. “As we continue to invest, we also encourage a shared commitment to excellence, ensuring that Vincymas develops in a way that is sustainable, well organised and impactful for all.”

    Beyond celebration, Hadaway noted that Vincymas is a core economic driver for the country, supporting local livelihoods, boosting broader economic activity and nurturing widespread national pride.

    Speaking at the same launch event, Minister of Culture and Creative Industries Kaschaka Cupid echoed the message that cultural events like Vincymas deliver meaningful financial benefits to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He pointed out that the festival has helped local artists earn recognition at the national, regional and international level, and pledged the government’s ongoing support to the Carnival Development Corporation, the state-owned entity tasked with organizing Vincymas.

    Cupid also issued a public call for additional corporate sponsors to join the NLA in backing the festival, highlighting the creative sector’s growing role in driving national economic growth. “And I am here as Minister of Culture … to assure you that our government is here to support you, not just financially, but we are going to create opportunities for our artistes to grow and develop their special talents,” he said.

    The minister also revealed that he has recently held discussions with Prime Minister Godwin Friday and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble about a new initiative to deploy cultural ambassadors to promote St. Vincent and the Grenadines on the global stage. Cupid, who noted he had not attended Vincymas for roughly 20 years, said his tenure as culture minister has sparked a new appreciation for the country’s unique cultural heritage, and he plans to attend this year’s event both as a minister and a long-time culture lover.

  • STATEMENT BY THE CHAIR OF CARICOMHonourable Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis Twenty-fifth Special Emergency Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM

    STATEMENT BY THE CHAIR OF CARICOMHonourable Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis Twenty-fifth Special Emergency Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM

    On April 10, 2026, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) convened its 25th Special Emergency Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government to address long-simmering governance disputes first raised by Trinidad and Tobago, centered on the controversial reappointment of the bloc’s Secretary-General. In a notable snub, neither the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago nor any official representative from the nation participated in the emergency gathering. The statement released following the meeting was issued by CARICOM Chair Dr. Terrance Drew, who also serves as Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, and publicly dated April 11, 2026.

    The official statement clarifies the sequence of events that sparked the current rift, dating back to CARICOM’s 50th Regular Conference of Heads of Government, hosted by St. Kitts and Nevis between February 24 and 27, 2026. According to the official documentation attached to the statement, all member states received full, timely advance notification of the conference’s official schedule, draft agenda, and detailed work program, which clearly outlined which topics would be addressed in open plenary sessions, closed caucuses, and the restricted Heads-only retreat. All member states, including Trinidad and Tobago, formally acknowledged receipt of every official communication related to the 50th Regular Conference, the document confirms.

    Tensions emerged on the first day of the conference, when Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister departed St. Kitts and Nevis on the evening of February 25, a full day ahead of the scheduled February 26 closed retreat. That same night, at 10:33 PM, Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign Minister Sean Sobers contacted the Secretary-General via WhatsApp to ask whether he could attend the retreat in his Prime Minister’s absence. The Secretary-General confirmed that, consistent with past practice, a foreign minister could stand in for an absent head of government. However, Sobers immediately raised a concern: he experiences severe seasickness, and the retreat venue required a boat ride, leaving him uncertain he could attend.

    A copy of the official WhatsApp correspondence included in the attached documentation captures the subsequent exchange. At 10:55 PM the same night, the Secretary-General updated Chair Drew on the interaction, writing: “Chairman. TT Foreign Minister Sobers called me to ask if he should come to retreat in the absence of his PM. I indicated that other Heads who have left may be represented by their FMs. He also indicated he gets seasick, so he’s not looking forward to the boat ride. So we may not have TT represented tomorrow.” Shortly after midnight, at 12:37 AM on February 26, the Secretary-General followed up directly with Minister Sobers, writing: “Minister, if the boat trip will cause nausea am sure the Chairman would understand if you chose not to come tomorrow.” After that message, Sobers never followed up to confirm he would be able and willing to attend the retreat, leaving Trinidad and Tobago unrepresented at the closed session.

    During the retreat, under the standing agenda item focused on Community financing and governance, CARICOM heads took up the matter of the Secretary-General’s reappointment. Deliberating in accordance with Article 24 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, the governing document of the bloc, heads agreed to approve the reappointment, with the Secretary-General recusing himself from the room during the discussion. Out of courtesy to absent member state representatives, heads agreed to delay the official public announcement of the decision until all absent heads could be personally informed. While outreach to other absent leaders was successful, repeated attempts to contact Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister via both email and telephone went unanswered. Eventually, Chair Drew was requested to contact Foreign Minister Sobers directly to relay the decision.

    In addition to the Secretary-General’s reappointment, CARICOM heads reached two other key decisions during the February retreat: they established a special sub-committee of heads from Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, and Jamaica to conduct a comprehensive review of CARICOM institutional governance and financing, and they authorized a public statement on the bloc’s recent meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio under the agenda item covering global geopolitical developments.

    In his opening statement to the April 2026 emergency meeting, Chair Drew emphasized that all context, correspondence, and meeting materials from the 50th Regular Conference have been released publicly as attachments to the emergency meeting statement, to ensure full transparency for all member states and regional stakeholders. Drew closed the statement with a call for unity, noting that CARICOM’s core mission of deepening regional integration to improve the quality of life for all Caribbean people must remain the top priority. He expressed hope that the bloc can return to resolving internal differences through established internal mechanisms in the future, warning that unfounded public statements risk eroding years of progress toward integration. Full supporting documents, including a complete timeline of pre-conference correspondence and the official work program, are available for public download on the official CARICOM website.

  • ‘Elevated and reimagined’ Miss SVG returns to Vincymas calendar

    ‘Elevated and reimagined’ Miss SVG returns to Vincymas calendar

    After a one-year hiatus, one of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ most anticipated annual cultural events, the Miss SVG beauty pageant, is making a comeback — and this year, it is reclaiming its traditional spot as the official opening event of the Vincymas carnival season, scheduled to take place on May 30. This marks a shift from the pageant’s recent scheduling, when it was moved to October to align with the country’s annual Independence Day commemorations.

    Seven young contestants from communities across St. Vincent will compete for the coveted national crown and a package of top-tier prizes, headlined by an 80,000 Eastern Caribbean dollar university scholarship that offers a life-changing educational opportunity for the winner. The contestants, listed by their official performance order, are: 1. Charisma Charles, 22, representing sponsor Insta Cash from Peruvian Vale; 2. Enecia Clarke, representing Grenadine House from Layou; 3. 24-year-old N’Zinga Deroche, representing Republic Bank, also from Layou; 4. Elreka Gaymes, representing Executive Air Ltd.; 5. 26-year-old Lourie John, representing Darcheville Construction Equipment Sales Ld. from Redemption Sharpes; 6. Kayla Jordan, representing Lotto; and 7. Anaelia Williams, representing Lynch Caribbean Brokers Ltd. from Richland Park.

    Jamie Crick, a core member of the Carnival Development Corporation’s (CDC) Beauty Shows Committee, described this year’s class of contestants as a diverse “bouquet that reflects the very spirit of Vincymas”, noting that the months-long preparation journey leading up to the pageant makes the 2026 competition extra meaningful. Over nearly a year, Crick explained, the seven candidates have dedicated themselves to rigorous training, personal discipline, and intentional growth, evolving into polished, confident ambassadors prepared to represent their sponsors, home communities, and the country ahead of the carnival season. This year’s pageant operates under the overarching theme La Fleur Royale, or The Royal Flower.

    Beyond the main competition night on May 30, organizers have planned a full slate of accessible, community-focused pre-pageant events designed to bring the excitement of the contest directly to the Vincentian public. On May 3 and 10, contestants will participate in island-wide motorcades, with an additional motorcade route through the capital city of Kingstown scheduled for May 22. The motorcades will allow residents across every corner of the island to meet the contestants in person and engage with the Vincymas spirit ahead of the main event.

    On May 8, the pageant will host a unique public event titled “Meet me in the market”, framed as a casual, lively gathering where attendees can meet the delegates, take photos, learn more about their preparation journeys, and support local vendors across the island’s public markets. This event is one of several new, fresh additions organizers have introduced to this year’s revived pageant.

    Organizers have also reimagined the traditional pageant segments while retaining beloved core elements, with a focus on celebrating individuality and innovation this year. The popular swimwear segment will return with a cohesive unified color palette, but every candidate will wear a custom, uniquely designed piece that reflects her personal style. For the competitive interview round, each contestant will answer two questions: one pulled at random on stage, and one universal question asked to every competitor to create a fair comparative framework. The cultural wear segment will be themed “Once Upon A Village”, designed to highlight St. Vincent’s rich cultural heritage and local traditions, while audiences can also expect the timeless elegance of the evening wear portion and dynamic displays of creativity during the talent competition.

    Crick emphasized that despite the disruptions and patience required to bring the pageant back to its traditional Vincymas slot, the end result will be worth the effort. “Though the journey has required patience, we stand here confident that what lies ahead will be worth every painstaking moment, because with every moment that shapes us comes the opportunity to build something greater,” she said, noting that the return of the pageant to the carnival calendar brings a fresh, exciting energy to the start of the 2026 Vincymas season.

  • Grenada U19 fall to Dominica in Windward Islands Youth Clash

    Grenada U19 fall to Dominica in Windward Islands Youth Clash

    The 2026 WINLOTT Inc. Super 6 Windward Islands Under-19 Tournament kicked off with a weather-disrupted opening clash on Saturday 11 April at Benjamin’s Park, where hosts Grenada suffered an opening defeat to defending tournament champions Dominica. Persistent heavy showers reshaped the entire course of the match, forcing a revised target under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method that left Grenada unable to find their footing in the chase.

    After winning the pre-match toss, Grenada’s captain made the call to field first, a decision that looked solid in the opening exchanges. Grenada’s bowlers stuck to tight line and length early, restricting Dominica’s batters and holding the first wicket until the final delivery of the 10th over. It was pace bowler Aaron Edwards who broke the opening stand, dismissing Derwin Lewis for 19 runs with Dominica’s total just 46 at that point.

    Rain interruptions would go on to disrupt the middle overs, but Dominica’s middle-order batter Aiden Burton stepped up to steady the innings, crafting a well-compiled 58 runs off 62 deliveries marked by five fours and two maximums. When play was called off for the weather at 33.3 overs, Dominica had posted 168 runs for the loss of three wickets. Grenada’s bowling was led by spinner Aravinda Bishop, who claimed two key wickets while conceding 46 runs across his full 10-over allocation. Edwards backed him up with an economical spell, taking one wicket for just 25 runs from six overs. The full bowling breakdown for Grenada saw Jayonn Henry end with 0 wickets for 19 runs from four overs, Jeremy Edwards at 0 for 15 from five overs, Desrond Mitchell at 0 for 41 from eight overs, and Ron Charles at 0 for 9 from 0.3 overs.

    Following an extended weather delay, match officials applied the DLS par score rule, setting Grenada a challenging revised target of 209 runs to win from a shortened 29-over chase. Grenada got off to a steady start in their response, with opener Raekeim Lewis Charles top-scoring for his side. Lewis Charles put on a 36-run opening partnership with Jordan John (18), followed by a 26-run second-wicket stand with captain Khavaughn Bartholomew (16). As the required run rate climbed steadily, Grenada was forced to accelerate, but Dominica’s disciplined bowling attack choked the scoring, allowing just 27 runs across the next five overs before Lewis Charles was dismissed with Grenada on 89 for three.

    From the position of 90 for three in the 19th over, Grenada’s batting collapsed, losing four quick wickets for the addition of just 22 runs. The innings closed at 111 for seven after the full 29 allotted overs, leaving Dominica to take the opening win of the tournament. The full Grenada batting scorecard lists Jamie Wickham 11 not out, Christian Niles 2, Jayonn Henry 6, Desrond Mitchell 1, Aravinda Bishop 3, and Ron Charles 0 not out alongside Wickham.

    Grenada will now turn their focus to bouncing back from this opening setback, with their second group fixture scheduled to take place against St Lucia on Sunday 12 April 2026.

  • ABLP expands campaign visibility with billboards ahead of election

    ABLP expands campaign visibility with billboards ahead of election

    As general elections draw near on the Caribbean island of Antigua and Barbuda, the incumbent Antigua Labour Party (ABLP) has moved to expand its public campaign footprint by rolling out a network of new billboards across key population centers. The strategic move is designed to increase the party’s visibility among undecided and mobile voters, placing core campaign messaging and party branding in high-traffic areas ranging from urban intersections to suburban commercial corridors. Political observers note that the billboard push forms part of a broader integrated outreach strategy that combines traditional out-of-home advertising with digital and door-to-door campaigning, as the party works to retain its parliamentary majority against opposition challengers. For many local voters, the growing presence of ABLP billboards across the country serves as a clear signal that the party is actively competing for support and prioritizing widespread name recognition ahead of polling day. The expansion of out-of-home advertising comes as polling analysts point to a tight race, with both major parties investing heavily in public outreach to sway the small share of swing voters that are expected to decide the election outcome.

  • Loyalty to a criminal friend versus loyalty to my country’s laws

    Loyalty to a criminal friend versus loyalty to my country’s laws

    Across the small island nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), open talk of violent crime and the people who commit it circulates freely in local communities, shared openly on neighborhood street corners among the right social circles. These offenses are not random acts of impulse; they are carefully planned, coordinated, and even bragged about by perpetrators among their peers. Yet despite this widespread community knowledge, law enforcement agencies continue to face immense barriers to making arrests and reining in the country’s persistent crime problem.

    This gap between public awareness and criminal prosecution has sparked a pressing public debate: Would a greater reliance on undercover policing and structured intelligence gathering finally bring dangerous offenders to justice? Or is this solution far simpler to propose than to implement, given the deep-seated cultural and moral challenges that hold SVG back, chief among them the age-old conflict between personal loyalty to loved ones and civic duty to one’s country?

    For most Vincentians, this dilemma is not an abstract hypothetical—it is a weighty moral question that cuts to the core of personal relationships. Consider the most extreme scenario: a close friend confesses to a murder they committed, and no other authorities know of their guilt. Would you hand them over to law enforcement? If you did, would that make you a disloyal friend? If you stayed silent, would that count as unwavering loyalty worth honoring?

    It is impossible to judge anyone forced into this impossible position, as any choice comes with devastating personal consequences. While on paper, many argue that all murderers must face justice no matter their personal connections, the reality becomes far murkier when the perpetrator is someone you love. What if it was not an acquaintance, but a parent, spouse, sibling, or child who accidentally took a life during a drunken brawl? Could you turn them in, knowing it would end their freedom and destroy your family bond forever?

    For the vast majority of people, the answer to that question is not a simple one. But proponents of civic accountability push back against the framing of silence as loyalty: True friendship demands that you hold the people you care about accountable for their harmful actions. Allowing a friend to walk free after committing murder not only betrays the victim and their family, it also violates the core values that any healthy relationship is built on. A real friend would guide their loved one to do the right thing, not help them hide from the consequences of their actions. Beyond that, staying silent puts the entire community at risk: If a person has killed once, there is no guarantee they will not harm more people in the future. Legally, anyone who chooses to conceal a murderer becomes an accomplice to the original crime and any violence that follows.

    This culture of silence around criminal activity does not only impact murder investigations. Author Troy Prince, a concerned SVG citizen writing in an opinion piece for iWitness News, argues that the same misplaced loyalty is what allows child sexual abuse to remain hidden and persistent across the country. Family members and friends close to abusers often choose to stay silent out of loyalty, allowing abuse to continue for years without intervention.

    Prince argues that this widespread reluctance to report crimes committed by friends and family is a clear sign of deep moral erosion in Vincentian society, and it has severely damaged the country’s justice system. Without community cooperation, even the most well-resourced police forces cannot effectively reduce crime or hold offenders accountable. To rebuild SVG as a nation rooted in moral responsibility, equal justice, and personal accountability, sweeping reform of the country’s justice system is non-negotiable, he says. The key open question remains: Which stakeholders will step up to lead that change?

    In closing, Prince offers advice to every Vincentian grappling with this dilemma: Turning in a loved one who has committed a crime is not “snitching” — it is an act that protects both the broader community and the perpetrator themselves, guiding them to take accountability for their actions rather than carrying the weight of their crime forever. It also shields innocent people from becoming legal accomplices and protects communities from future harm. Fighting the crime that plagues SVG is not solely the responsibility of police or politicians — it is a collective duty that starts with individual self-reflection and a willingness to do the right thing, even when it is hard.

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this piece are solely those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the official editorial stance of iWitness News.

  • Hospital honours four retiring nurses for decades of service

    Hospital honours four retiring nurses for decades of service

    After dedicating decades of their lives to advancing patient care and strengthening local healthcare services, four long-serving nursing professionals from Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre have closed out their distinguished careers, drawing heartfelt tributes from the institution they served.

    The four retiring team members include two nursing assistants, Loretta Gage and Corrine Scotland, and two experienced registered nurses, Janice Dunbar and Judy St John Edwards. Each brought unique skills, consistent compassion, and unwavering commitment to their roles over their years of service at the facility.

    In an official public statement, hospital leadership extended sincere gratitude to the four retirees, highlighting their far-reaching contributions to the center’s mission of delivering high-quality care to the community. The institution emphasized that the retirees’ consistent dedication to their craft and unwavering adherence to professional standards have shaped the hospital’s culture of care, leaving a profound, lasting impression on both their fellow colleagues and the thousands of patients who relied on their support through vulnerable moments.

    The tribute reflects the wider healthcare sector’s recognition of the critical role that long-serving nursing staff play in building resilient, trusted healthcare systems, and marks the well-deserved transition of four professionals who have given decades of service to public well-being.

  • Chairman insists Trinidad wasn’t ‘uninvited’ to CARICOM retreat

    Chairman insists Trinidad wasn’t ‘uninvited’ to CARICOM retreat

    BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS – A growing public dispute over the reappointment of CARICOM’s top administrative leader has pushed internal governance tensions within the 15-nation Caribbean integration bloc into the open, with CARICOM Chairman and St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew pushing back directly against claims from Trinidad and Tobago that it was deliberately locked out of the key decision-making meeting.

    In a detailed public statement released late Saturday, Drew clarified the timeline of events surrounding Carla Barnett’s reappointment as CARICOM Secretary-General for a second five-year term, a decision reached during a leadership retreat held on February 26 alongside the bloc’s 50th Regular Conference of Heads of Government in Basseterre. To back his account, Drew also published 11 pages of official correspondence exchanged between the bloc secretariat and all member states in the lead-up to the February 24-27 summit.

    Drew’s account contradicts Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s assertion that the country was uninvited to the retreat, where the reappointment vote took place. According to Drew, Persad-Bissessar departed the summit on the evening of February 25, a full day before the scheduled retreat. Later that night, at 10:33 p.m., Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister Sean Sobers contacted then-Secretary-General Barnett via WhatsApp to ask if he could attend the retreat in his prime minister’s absence. Drew confirmed Sobers was told he was welcome to attend, noting that other departing heads of government had previously been allowed to send their foreign ministers as representatives.

    In response, Sobers told officials he was experiencing severe seasickness and likely could not attend the boat-based retreat. Just under two hours later, at 12:37 a.m. on February 26, Barnett replied, confirming that the CARICOM chairman would fully understand if Sobers opted not to attend due to illness. Drew emphasized that Sobers never followed up to confirm he was able and willing to participate in the retreat after that exchange.

    Trinidad and Tobago’s leadership has publicly decried the reappointment process as “surreptitious and odious”, with Persad-Bissessar repeating calls for full transparency in a recent Facebook post, arguing the flawed process could have long-term negative impacts on Trinidad and Tobago’s interests. Earlier this week, Sobers announced the country would demand a full CARICOM meeting to challenge the reappointment, and even floated the possibility of holding new elections for the secretary-general post. When regional leaders held a virtual follow-up meeting on the dispute this Friday, neither Persad-Bissessar nor Sobers attended.

    Sobers has stressed that Trinidad and Tobago is not seeking to leave the 51-year-old integration bloc, but has deep concerns about CARICOM’s operational inefficiency and lack of transparency. He also confirmed the country would re-evaluate its financial contribution to the grouping in light of the dispute.

    Drew countered that all member states, including Trinidad and Tobago, received full official notification of all summit events, including the retreat’s date, location, and planned agenda items, well in advance of the conference. All member states formally acknowledged receipt of this correspondence, he added.

    During the retreat, Drew explained, leaders took up the reappointment under the agenda item focused on CARICOM governance and financing. The decision to reappoint Barnett followed the procedures laid out in Article 24 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, CARICOM’s founding governing document. Barnett, who first took office as the bloc’s eighth secretary-general in August 2021 after a unanimous appointment, was not present for the discussion or vote on her reappointment, Drew noted.

    Leaders agreed to delay the public announcement of the decision as a courtesy to allow absent leaders to be informed first, but multiple attempts to contact Persad-Bissessar via email and phone were unsuccessful, Drew said. After failed attempts to reach the prime minister, the chairman was only able to connect with Sobers.

    In addition to the reappointment, Drew confirmed that regional leaders used the retreat to advance other key governance work: they established a new sub-committee of heads from Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, and Jamaica to conduct a full review of governance and financing for all CARICOM institutions, and agreed to issue an official statement on the bloc’s recent meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

    As the dispute unfolds, two member states – Guyana and Belize – have already issued public statements confirming their support for the reappointment process. Barnett, who made history as the first woman to hold the CARICOM secretary-general post, will now serve her second five-year term in the role.

    Drew closed his statement by noting that the release of internal correspondence was aligned with agreements reached during Friday’s leaders’ meeting, and expressed hope that the bloc could return to using internal dispute resolution mechanisms to address future tensions. “Lest unfortunate and erroneous statements diminish the progress towards deepening the integration process for the benefit of the people of the Region,” he added.

  • LISTEN: Utility amnesty programme expanded to include internet access

    LISTEN: Utility amnesty programme expanded to include internet access

    The government of Antigua and Barbuda is taking a responsive, people-centered step to address growing household economic strain by expanding its popular utility amnesty initiative to cover internet services. The policy change will give thousands of households that lost connectivity over unpaid bills a path to have their service restored.

    Prime Minister Gaston Browne confirmed that the update to the program came directly after sustained public feedback from citizens across the country. He emphasized that in today’s digitally connected world, reliable internet access has shifted from a discretionary luxury to a core essential service, holding the same importance for daily life as traditional utilities like electricity and running water.

    This targeted expansion is crafted specifically to support low-income and vulnerable families that have fallen behind on monthly service payments amid broader economic pressures. By clearing the path for service restoration, the government aims to help these households regain critical access to tools that support daily life and boost long-term quality of life.

    Browne framed the adjusted amnesty program as a clear example of the administration’s governing philosophy: policy must be shaped through continuous dialogue with the public, and updated regularly to respond to fast-changing community needs. The addition of internet services is not a one-off adjustment, he noted, but a reflection of how essential digital connectivity has become for daily participation in society.

    The broader utility amnesty program is a core component of the government’s suite of social support policies focused on lifting up low-income households. Officials have repeatedly stressed that as a matter of principle, no resident should be locked out of access to basic and increasingly essential services due to temporary financial hardship.

    Stakeholders and government analysts project that the inclusion of internet in the amnesty will deliver outsized benefits to households in underserved communities, where many residents rely on digital connectivity for children’s remote learning, remote work arrangements, and staying connected to family members and essential healthcare services. For these communities, the change is expected to remove a major barrier to social and economic participation.