An Antigua resort, Mill Reef Club, has been mandated by the Industrial Court to compensate a former receptionist, Andre Thomas, with over EC$29,000 for his wrongful dismissal nearly three decades ago. The court found that the 1998 termination, prompted by Thomas’s refusal to change his hairstyle, violated his constitutional rights and breached principles of good industrial relations. Thomas, who had been employed at the resort for six years, was suspended and subsequently fired after a new European manager insisted on altering his appearance. Notably, the court highlighted that there were no prior complaints about Thomas’s hairstyle and that the resort lacked a formal grooming policy. The judges deemed the dismissal “frivolous and extreme,” criticizing the resort for denying union representation and failing to investigate the matter adequately. Additionally, the destruction of employment records by the club undermined its defense during the proceedings, which commenced in 2011. Thomas was awarded EC$29,325.60, covering lost income, damages, and legal costs, with the payment deadline set for 17 November 2025.
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Colombia: Petro staakt inlichtingenuitwisseling met VS
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has announced the suspension of intelligence-sharing operations with U.S. security agencies, citing ongoing rocket attacks on boats in the Caribbean by the Trump administration. Petro declared on X (formerly Twitter) that all levels of Colombia’s public security intelligence services have been instructed to halt communication and other interactions with their U.S. counterparts. He emphasized that the suspension will remain in effect as long as the rocket attacks continue.
The decision comes amid unverified media reports suggesting that the United Kingdom has taken similar steps due to legal concerns over the U.S. strikes, which have reportedly claimed at least 75 lives. Petro has called for an investigation into U.S. President Donald Trump for alleged war crimes, arguing that the attacks, ostensibly targeting drug boats, have disproportionately affected civilians from Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Petro, a long-time critic of U.S. drug policy, accuses the Trump administration of focusing on coca farmers—the primary producers of cocaine’s raw ingredient—rather than targeting major drug traffickers and money launderers. During a recent summit between Latin American and European leaders, Petro met with the family of a Colombian fisherman allegedly killed in one of the attacks. He condemned the killing, stating, ‘He might have been carrying fish or cocaine, but he was not sentenced to death. There was no reason to murder him.’
The Trump administration, in turn, has accused Petro of being soft on drug traffickers and criticized his decision to shield Colombian rebel leaders involved in the drug trade from extradition to the U.S. This is not the first clash between the two leaders. In September, Petro left the U.S. hours after Washington revoked his visa, citing his ‘reckless and provocative actions’ during a protest march against the Israeli war on Gaza outside the United Nations headquarters in New York. Petro responded by accusing the U.S. of disregarding international law.
More recently, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Petro, his family, and Colombian Interior Minister Armando Benedetti, alleging their failure to curb the country’s cocaine industry and protect criminal groups from accountability. Petro’s announcement coincided with the arrival of the U.S. aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford in the Caribbean, fueling speculation that the Trump administration may escalate military actions in the region, primarily targeting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a long-standing U.S. adversary.
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Wet Weather to Linger Over Belize Through Friday
Belize is set to experience continued wet and unstable weather conditions through Friday, with the National Meteorological Service predicting widespread rain and isolated thunderstorms. Over the next two days, the country will see mostly cloudy to overcast skies, with light to moderate rainfall intensifying into heavy showers, particularly in northern regions during the morning hours. By the afternoon and evening, rainfall is expected to increase again, with isolated thunderstorms likely in northern and central areas. Friday will maintain similar patterns, with scattered showers and thunderstorms concentrated in the north and central zones. Despite the persistent rain, the tropical outlook remains calm, with no tropical cyclones forecasted in the North Atlantic that could threaten Belize or its coastal waters in the coming days.
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All Saints Road Repairs Moving Forward as Testing and Surveys Continue
The much-anticipated rehabilitation of All Saints Road is progressing steadily, with preliminary testing and groundwork now in motion, as confirmed by Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant. Speaking during Thursday’s post-Cabinet briefing, Merchant revealed that the project was a key topic of discussion in this week’s Cabinet meeting. A joint venture between a Canadian engineering firm and a local partner has already initiated testing activities on the road.
Merchant elaborated, ‘They have commenced preliminary work, including testing and surveys. In certain sections of All Saints Road, teams are conducting ground surveys and cutting out patches for testing purposes.’ The comprehensive reconstruction plan will not only address the road surface but also modernize underground infrastructure by removing outdated APUA pipelines and installing new ones.
The project will cover a significant stretch of approximately 11 to 12 miles, extending from the VC Bird bust in St. John’s to English Harbour. To ensure minimal disruption to traffic, the team is preparing strategic traffic diversions. Merchant emphasized, ‘Mobilization will begin shortly, and the transformation of All Saints Road will soon be evident.’ He also assured that the Cabinet would provide further updates next week as additional project details are finalized.
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Second Seven Seas Plant to Come on Stream This Weekend, Adding Two Million Gallons Daily
The government’s second Seven Seas desalination plant is poised to commence operations this weekend, significantly enhancing the national water supply by adding approximately two million gallons of water daily. Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications, announced the imminent launch during Thursday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, emphasizing the facility’s role in improving water accessibility across the island. The plant’s initial production phase will include rigorous testing and system adjustments, meaning immediate improvements may not be apparent to residents. Communities in the northern regions, including Hodges Bay, Coolidge, New Winthorpes, Barnes Hill, Blue Waters, and Cedar Valley, are expected to benefit from the increased water output. This initiative is a critical component of the government’s comprehensive strategy to bolster water reliability, particularly in drought-affected areas, and is part of broader infrastructure upgrades overseen by the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA).
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The National Bank of Dominica awarded 2025 ECCU Distinguished Bank of the Year
The National Bank of Dominica Ltd. (NBD) has achieved a remarkable milestone by securing top honors in three major categories at the 2025 ECCU Bank of the Year Awards. The ceremony, held in St. Kitts, saw NBD being recognized for its Technological Innovation, Customer Service, and the coveted ECCU Bank of the Year Award. This achievement underscores the bank’s commitment to excellence and innovation in the financial sector.
Established in 2024, the ECCU Distinguished Bank of the Year Award aims to celebrate financial institutions that demonstrate strategic foresight and innovative business practices. This year’s competition was particularly intense, with seven commercial banks submitting a total of 34 entries. Over 3,000 members of the public participated in the online voting process, reflecting widespread engagement and interest.
In addition to its three wins, NBD was also a finalist in all six award categories, including Corporate Social Responsibility, Financial Education and Empowerment, and Support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This broad recognition highlights the bank’s comprehensive approach to banking and its dedication to serving the community.
NBD’s victory in the Technological Innovation category is a testament to its ongoing efforts to revolutionize digital banking in Dominica. By introducing modern solutions that enhance accessibility, convenience, and security, the bank has positioned itself as a leader in the digital transformation of the financial sector. The Customer Service Award further cements NBD’s reputation for providing attentive, professional, and customer-centric service.
The ECCU Bank of the Year Award, the most prestigious honor of the night, recognizes NBD’s overall leadership, strategic vision, and consistent delivery of excellence. The bank’s statement expressed pride in this achievement, noting that it reflects NBD’s extensive contributions to financial stability, community empowerment, and innovation-driven progress.
As NBD celebrates these accolades, it remains committed to expanding its services, promoting financial inclusion, supporting national progress, and fostering the growth of communities and businesses within Dominica and the broader region.
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Saint Lucia downed by Cuba in Concacaf curtain-raiser
The Saint Lucia national men’s football team faced a challenging start to the Concacaf Friendly Series on Wednesday, November 12, succumbing to a 3-0 defeat against Cuba. The match, held at Cibao Stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, marked a tough beginning for the Caribbean squad in Group A. Despite missing key players, head coach Stern John entrusted Canada-based forward Caniggia Elva with the captain’s armband. The team’s lineup included Donavan Jn Baptiste, Trent Alexander, and Ridel Stanislas in attack, with Bayan Aman and Hamaiel Charlery controlling the midfield. The defense was anchored by Kurt Frederick, Melvin Doxilly, Joshua Sololon-Davies, and Ajani Louis, while Vino Barclett guarded the goal. The game remained balanced in the early stages, but Cuba’s Romario Torres broke the deadlock in the 38th minute, scoring his first goal for the senior national team. Yasnier Matos extended the lead just before halftime, and Dairon Reyes sealed the victory in the 53rd minute. This match also marked the debut of Cuban coach Pedro Pablo Pereira. Cuba, historically the first Caribbean team to compete in the FIFA World Cup in 1938, narrowly missed advancing to the final round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Meanwhile, Saint Lucia, ranked 164th in the FIFA World Rankings, finished third in Group C of the Second Round of Concacaf Qualifiers. The team will next face St Vincent & the Grenadines on November 15. The Concacaf Friendly Series, featuring 16 nations, commenced during the November FIFA international match window, with games hosted across the Dominican Republic, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda, and the Cayman Islands.
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Antigua and Guyana Agree on Food Import Plan to Cut Cost of Living
In a strategic move to alleviate the rising cost of living, the governments of Antigua and Barbuda and Guyana have inked a collaborative agreement to streamline food imports. The initiative aims to secure affordable fruits, vegetables, and other essential produce for local markets, directly benefiting consumers. The decision emerged from high-level discussions between Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali during the COP30 conference in Belize. Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications, announced that Agriculture Minister Anthony Smith Jr. has been tasked with coordinating efforts with Guyana to implement the plan. ‘This initiative will enable us to source food items at reduced rates, leading to tangible price reductions once fully operational,’ Merchant stated during a recent Cabinet media briefing. The partnership underscores the government’s broader strategy to enhance food security and mitigate the impact of global market fluctuations on local prices. Currently, nearly 90% of Antigua and Barbuda’s food imports originate from North America, a dependency that has left the nation vulnerable to external economic shifts. By diversifying supply sources within the CARICOM region, the agreement seeks to stabilize food costs and ensure long-term affordability for consumers. This effort complements earlier Cabinet decisions to reduce tariffs on essential food items, including fresh produce, canned proteins, and infant foods.
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Republic posts record US$329 million profit
Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL) has announced a record-breaking profit of US$329 million for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, marking a significant increase of US$29 million (9.7%) compared to the previous year’s US$300 million. This milestone underscores the earnings available to shareholders and reflects the company’s robust financial health. Chairman Vincent A. Pereira credited this exceptional performance to sustained loan growth, enhanced operational efficiency, and prudent risk management. Pereira emphasized that the past year was characterized by strong performance, disciplined execution, and meaningful progress, even in the face of a challenging global and regional economic landscape. The Board of Directors declared a final dividend of US$0.58 per share, bringing the total annual dividend to US$0.90 per share, a 5.3% increase from the previous year. Pereira highlighted RFHL’s solid capital and liquidity positions, which provide a strong foundation for continued growth and innovation across its sixteen countries of operation. The company has also prioritized strategic initiatives such as improving customer experience, accelerating digital transformation, and embedding sustainability and governance into its operations. Additionally, RFHL has demonstrated a strong commitment to social impact through various community investment programs, focusing on youth development, small business growth, and building inclusive economies. Looking forward, Pereira expressed confidence in the group’s ability to navigate global uncertainties and market volatility, reaffirming its strategic focus on delivering sustainable value to shareholders, exceptional service to customers, and fostering a culture of integrity, innovation, and inclusion.
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Over 400 Government Buildings to Be Repainted, Building Repair Fund Launched
The government of Antigua and Barbuda has unveiled an ambitious national beautification project aimed at revitalizing the country’s infrastructure. The initiative will involve the repainting of over 400 government-owned buildings, starting with state offices in the capital, St. John’s. Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications, revealed that the Cabinet has allocated a substantial budget for this endeavor, which aligns with the administration’s broader transformation and modernization goals. Merchant emphasized that the project is expected to inspire private sector participation, encouraging businesses to refurbish their properties as well. The initiative is complemented by the establishment of a Building-Repair Fund, designed to finance the restoration and maintenance of public offices nationwide. This fund will address the structural needs of government properties, ensuring their long-term sustainability. The beautification campaign is part of extensive preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which Antigua and Barbuda will host. Officials believe these efforts will enhance the nation’s appearance and infrastructure, showcasing its readiness to welcome international delegates.