In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, Panamanian authorities intercepted a staggering 12 tons of cocaine on a ferry in the Pacific Ocean, marking one of the largest drug seizures in the nation’s history. The operation, conducted on Monday, led to the arrest of 10 individuals, including nationals from Venezuela, Ecuador, and Nicaragua. The ferry had departed from Colombia, a major source of cocaine production, with the U.S. as its intended destination. Panama, a critical transit hub for narcotics from South America, has intensified its anti-drug efforts, seizing a total of 119 metric tons of drugs in 2023 alone. This operation comes amid heightened U.S. military deployment in Latin America, part of a broader anti-drug campaign. However, the initiative has sparked controversy, with Venezuela accusing Washington of using the campaign as a pretext to target its president, Nicolas Maduro. The seizure underscores the ongoing challenges in combating drug trafficking in the region, as Latin American nations strive to demonstrate their commitment to curbing the narcotics trade.
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Widespread power outage hits Dominican Republic
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic—The Dominican Republic faced a widespread power outage on Tuesday, leaving the capital city of Santo Domingo and other regions in the dark. The blackout, attributed to a ‘transmission system failure,’ was announced by the state-owned energy company ETED, though the exact scale of the disruption remains unclear. The outage impacted critical public services, including the metro and cable car systems in Santo Domingo, prompting the evacuation of stranded passengers. While some areas retained electricity and internet connectivity, social media reports confirmed outages across multiple regions. This incident follows weeks of recurring power failures, with outages lasting up to 10 hours in recent weeks. Authorities have cited insufficient maintenance and illegal connections as primary causes of the ongoing energy crisis, exacerbating the strain on the nation’s infrastructure and its 11 million residents.
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Seville donates $500,000 to support farmers after Hurricane Melissa
Jamaica’s 100-meter world champion, Oblique Seville, has made a significant contribution of $500,000 to the United Way Jamaica Restoration and Rehabilitation Fund. This initiative aims to provide critical support to farming communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa. Seville’s donation aligns with a broader effort by private sector donors, including a $1.5 million pledge from the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), launched at their office on Tuesday. Additionally, United Way International, the parent organization, has contributed $21 million to bolster the fund. The Restoration Fund is designed to deliver immediate relief and long-term recovery assistance to disaster-stricken areas, with a particular focus on the agricultural sector. Seville, 24, whose parents are farmers, expressed his deep connection to agriculture, stating, ‘Agriculture is what I am brought up on. For me with my parents and everything, it is actually what built me, and I see how hard it is to do agriculture. Sometimes farmers do give back, so for me to give back is something special.’ Dressed elegantly in a black suit and white shirt, Seville emphasized the importance of nutrition for athletes and his gratitude for the opportunity to support his country.
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St James residents urged to avoid unsafe routes
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon has issued a stern warning to residents of St James, urging them to avoid unsafe routes and adhere to the guidance of emergency personnel. Speaking at a follow-up meeting of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) held at the St James Municipal Corporation on Monday, Vernon emphasized that most roadways in the parish are now accessible, with the exception of Spring Mount and the route to Cambridge via Montpelier and Seven Rivers. ‘We strongly advise against attempting to cross Seven Rivers. The water levels remain high, and it is unsafe until authorities give the all-clear,’ he stated. To mitigate the challenges, work is underway at John’s Hall to establish an alternative route for communities typically accessed via Lottery. Vernon highlighted the coordinated efforts of key stakeholders, including the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Jamaica Fire Brigade, National Works Agency, and public health officials, in the ongoing recovery process. The focus remains on restoration, clean-up, and monitoring to restore normalcy. The mayor also praised residents for their cooperation and assured them of the government’s commitment to rebuilding their communities. The EOC continues to meet regularly to assess progress and provide updates on critical sectors such as infrastructure, sanitation, and public health.
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Man held after Tobago shooting incident
A man has been apprehended in connection with a shooting incident that occurred in Tobago on the morning of November 11. According to a release from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), the incident unfolded around 6:15 am on Arnos Vale Road in Plymouth. The victim, who was at his workplace in Courland, Black Rock, was approached by an armed individual dressed in black. The suspect fired multiple shots at the victim, leading to a physical altercation before fleeing into nearby bushes. Law enforcement agencies, including officers from the Crown Point Police Station, swiftly responded to the scene. A silver Nissan Note car, matching the suspect’s description, was intercepted in the Black Rock area. The suspect was arrested, and a Glock pistol was confiscated. A coordinated operation led by ASP Bacchus, involving the Shirvan Road Police Station’s CID, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), and the Crown Point Police Station, resulted in the recovery of a magazine from the bushy area near the scene. Later, a search of the suspect’s residence in Plymouth yielded six rounds of nine-millimetre calibre ammunition. The suspect remains in custody at the Shirvan Road Police Station as investigations, led by PC Lewis, continue.
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Minister Zakour tours highway days after fatal crash
Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Eli Zakour spearheaded a critical safety assessment of the Solomon Hochoy Highway near the Corinth Overpass on November 11, just days after a tragic accident claimed the life of 32-year-old Arvin Williams. The fatal incident occurred on November 8 when Williams, driving his red Nissan Frontier, lost control near the Cipero Bridge, causing the vehicle to crash into the bridge’s walls and plummet 30 feet into a ditch below. Williams, who was en route home after dropping off a friend in Golconda, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was set to celebrate his 33rd birthday on November 11. The assessment tour, part of a broader multi-agency initiative to enhance road safety, included senior officials such as Chief Traffic Engineer Adande Piggott, Civil Engineer Sharaz Hosein, and Police Road Safety Project Co-ordinator Sgt Brent Batson. The team conducted a thorough evaluation of the site to identify necessary improvements and expedite corrective measures. The ministry reiterated its commitment to road safety through infrastructure upgrades, inter-agency collaboration, and public awareness campaigns. Recent efforts include the installation of new safety barriers along the San Fernando Hill roadway. Minister Zakour also expressed his condolences to Williams’ family, noting that the deceased was the son of Winston Williams, the newly appointed head of the Pan American Life Insurance Group for the Caribbean.
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Four Tobago hotels get $1.7m from TTAL
On November 11, four prominent hotels in Tobago were awarded approximately $1.7 million in financial reimbursements and grants by the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited (TTAL). The recipients—Crown Point Beach Hotel, Shepherd’s Inn, Tropikist Beach Hotel and Resort, and Sparkle’s B Lovely Events and Accommodation—were recognized for their commitment to enhancing the island’s tourism sector. The funds were disbursed under the Tourism Accommodation Upgrade Project (TAUP) and phase two of the Tourism Accommodation Relief Grant (TARG) programme, both aimed at elevating Tobago’s hospitality standards and fostering a sustainable tourism industry. The TAUP initiative, approved by the Cabinet, provides partial reimbursements to eligible accommodation providers for infrastructural improvements that enhance visitor experiences. Meanwhile, the TARG programme offers crucial financial support to help operators maintain high standards. Notable upgrades funded by these initiatives include the installation of solar energy and waste management systems at Shepherd’s Inn Tobago, refurbishments at Crown Point Beach Hotel, and significant health and safety improvements at Tropikist Beach Hotel & Resort and Sparkle’s B Lovely Events and Accommodation. At the grant distribution ceremony, Secretary for Tourism Tashia Burris highlighted the importance of these investments in positioning Tobago as a competitive destination. She emphasized the need to elevate accommodation standards to meet global expectations and called for collaboration between the public and private sectors to showcase Tobago’s unique cultural and natural offerings. TTAL reaffirmed its dedication to advancing the island’s tourism infrastructure and ensuring visitors experience Tobago’s unspoiled charm and Beyond Ordinary appeal.
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BNU chief accuses Darville of hypocrisy on ministry’s handling of suspended nurses
Muriel Lightbourn, President of the Bahamas Nurses Union, has publicly accused Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Michael Darville of hypocrisy regarding the suspension of public health nurses. Since assuming office in 2023, Lightbourn revealed that over 30 nurses have been suspended, with some cases occurring as recently as three weeks ago. Although three nurses have since returned to work, Lightbourn criticized the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) for what she described as excessive disciplinary measures. She specifically questioned Dr. Darville’s sincerity after he expressed concern over the suspension of veteran nurse Pearl Williams, calling his remarks ‘disingenuous’ given his silence in other cases. Lightbourn highlighted the flawed disciplinary system within the PHA and called for reforms to ensure fairness and efficiency. She emphasized the union’s intention to revisit its industrial agreement to address these issues and prevent future occurrences. The controversy stems from the suspension of Williams, a 44-year veteran, who was disciplined for recording a video exposing poor conditions at Princess Margaret Hospital, including leaking roofs, rodent infestations, and supply shortages. The PHA accused her of violating its social media policy and imposed strict restrictions, including surrendering her identification badge and limiting her hospital access. Lightbourn argued that such punishments are overly harsh and strain already limited hospital resources. She also criticized the prolonged investigation process, suggesting that warnings or relocations would be more appropriate than suspensions. Dr. Darville defended his ministry, stating that he is not directly involved in all human resources matters and that suspensions are necessary for policy violations. Lightbourn further called for greater transparency in disciplinary proceedings, noting that nurses are often left uninformed about investigation outcomes. She defended her leadership style, emphasizing that her preference for private negotiations should not be mistaken for inaction. Meanwhile, Williams expressed hope that her case would prompt authorities to address the systemic issues she raised, though she has no plans to pursue legal action.
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High certainty that blood found in Maitland apartment was Donaldson’s – expert
In a dramatic turn of events at the Home Circuit Court in Kingston, a seven-member jury was presented with compelling forensic evidence on Tuesday. The court heard that blood samples discovered in Constable Noel Maitland’s Chelsea Manor apartment in St Andrew had a 99.9999% probability of belonging to his missing girlfriend, Donna-Lee Donaldson, a prominent social media influencer. Maitland is currently on trial for murder and obstructing the lawful burial of a corpse, stemming from Donaldson’s disappearance on July 12, 2022. She was last seen at the apartment complex where Maitland resided. A senior forensic science officer, testifying as a key witness, revealed that blood samples were collected from three items within Maitland’s apartment and subjected to DNA analysis. The results overwhelmingly indicated a match with Donaldson’s DNA. The case has drawn significant public attention, with further details expected to be disclosed in the Wednesday Observer.
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Steel Workers Union appeals Industrial Court’s Desalcott covid19 ruling
The Steel Workers Union (SWU) has escalated its legal battle against the Desalination Company (Desalcott) by appealing the Industrial Court’s dismissal of their complaint regarding actions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic. The court’s September 26 ruling, delivered by Vice President Hubert Soverall and Essential Services Division Chairman Larry Achong, concluded that Desalcott did not violate any laws by enforcing pandemic-related measures. However, court member Gregory Rousseau dissented, arguing that the company unlawfully locked out workers who refused the COVID-19 vaccine and breached the Industrial Relations Act by implementing a unilateral “rotation” policy that sent employees home without pay. Rousseau’s dissenting ruling, issued on November 5, ordered Desalcott to reinstate affected workers by November 10 and compensate them for lost wages and benefits dating back to June 17, 2021. The company was also fined $20,000 for the industrial relations offense. The case originated from a July 2021 union complaint after unvaccinated employees were instructed to stay home indefinitely. Rousseau criticized Desalcott for failing to consult workers before imposing the policy and later replacing their positions, effectively terminating their employment without notice or cause. He emphasized that no law authorized employers to place workers on unpaid leave, highlighting the government’s failure to address industrial relations issues arising from the pandemic. In contrast, Soverall and Achong’s majority ruling defended Desalcott’s actions, stating the company acted in compliance with existing laws and government directives, prioritizing public health and worker safety. They acknowledged the challenges posed by rapidly changing regulations and the company’s efforts to act in good faith. The case underscores the complexities of balancing public health mandates with workers’ rights during unprecedented crises.