Carib Scope

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  • WIOC Eyes Potential Benefits From Renewed Venezuelan Oil Production

    WIOC Eyes Potential Benefits From Renewed Venezuelan Oil Production

    The small Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda stands to unlock tangible economic benefits from rising oil output in neighboring Venezuela, if expanded production develops into a stable new regional supply hub, according to Gregory Georges, chief executive officer of the West Indies Oil Company (WIOC).

    This potential upside carries particular weight given the existing structural ties between the two countries’ energy sectors: Venezuela’s state-run national oil firm Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA) holds a 25 percent equity stake in WIOC, creating a direct commercial link that would position Antigua and Barbuda to capture value from growing Venezuelan production activity.

    Beyond Venezuela, Georges also highlighted the rapid expansion of Guyana’s burgeoning offshore oil industry as a second promising opportunity for the Caribbean nation to grow its regional energy footprint and economic gains. As neighboring South American countries ramp up oil output, Antigua and Barbuda is well positioned to leverage its existing industry connections to turn these regional developments into local economic advantages.

    This reporting is based on original work from Island Press Box.

  • ‘Fish cheap’: Fisherfolk urge Barbadians to buy

    ‘Fish cheap’: Fisherfolk urge Barbadians to buy

    A sudden and massive surplus of fresh wild-caught fish has sent wholesale and retail prices tumbling at Barbados’ Bridgetown Fisheries Complex, forcing vessel owners and local fisherfolk to issue an urgent public call for residents to step forward and purchase the overflowing stock.

    The appeal was publicly made Wednesday by experienced boat owner Donna Nobel during an on-site interview with Barbados TODAY, when she confirmed that thousands of pounds of freshly caught fish remain unsold and stored on ice across the facility, with popular species including amberfish, snapper, and tuna all facing excess supply.

    Nobel explained that the current market dynamic has flipped the usual pricing logic entirely. Where limited catches in previous periods pushed retail prices higher, the sudden flood of new catches has forced sellers to slash margins to move inventory. She highlighted the exceptional value currently on offer: whole amberfish is available from fishing vessels at just $6 per pound, a price point that undercuts even affordable poultry products in Barbados.

    Minor additional service fees apply for post-purchase processing, she clarified. Fisherfolk charge an extra $1 per pound to clean, debone, and fillet catches, bringing the retail price of processed amberfish to $7 per pound. For context, she outlined common pricing structures for bulk and small purchases: two one-pound packs of processed amberfish total $16, a far lower cost than many comparable protein sources on local grocery shelves. Other species also carry steep discounts: fresh snapper retails at $14 per pound (plus $1 per pound for processing), while tuna is priced at $11 per pound for smaller orders, dropping to $10 per pound for bulk purchases of 10 pounds or more.

    The amberfish surplus has also created an unexpected shift in the local fishing market that explains recent price increases for flying fish, a regional staple. Nobel noted that flying fish require long, expensive offshore trips to catch, with vessels traveling up to 500 miles from shore. A single excursion can cost as much as $7 000 in fuel alone, before accounting for additional costs for crew provisions and ice. With high volumes of easily accessible amberfish already available close to shore (which swim in areas with dense seaweed populations, unlike flying fish that inhabit clearer offshore waters), most fishing boats have opted to remain closer to home instead of making the costly trek for flying fish. This reduction in supply has naturally pushed flying fish prices higher in recent weeks.

    In terms of infrastructure support, Nobel confirmed that the Ministry of Environment, National Beautification and Fisheries has an existing agreement in place to supply fisherfolk with daily ice on demand, which allows operators to store and freeze excess catch to prevent spoilage. The Bridgetown Fisheries Complex itself features a centralized blast freezer that serves the entire facility, and additional cold storage capacity is available at nearby BICO facilities, so short-term storage is not a critical issue.

    Even with that support, however, the extreme supply surplus has created operational challenges. The complex’s existing receiving infrastructure has reached full overcapacity, so when new vessels return to port with additional catches, operators are forced to absorb extra unplanned costs to manage the overflow.

    Veteran fisherman William Mosley echoed the urgency of the appeal, explaining that he has been forced to travel off-site to sell his catch just to clear inventory. “Right now I done selling, I sell my fish at Oistins, I sell my fish all over the place just to get it done,” Mosley said.

    The steep discounts have created an unexpected opportunity for Barbadian consumers to access high-quality fresh seafood at record low prices, as producers work to clear the current glut.

  • Agricultural Science Teachers Prepare for New Academic Year

    Agricultural Science Teachers Prepare for New Academic Year

    On September 2, more than 40 agricultural science teaching professionals from across the region converged for the annual national seminar and workshop hosted by the Ministry of Education. Centered on the forward-thinking theme “Growing Greatness,” the three-day event was specifically designed to equip participating educators with updated skills, knowledge and frameworks ahead of the 2026–2027 academic year, focusing on three critical, timely pillars for modern agricultural education: advancing domestic food production, integrating cutting-edge artificial intelligence tools into classroom learning, and addressing persistent systemic challenges facing the agricultural education sector.

    Throughout the interactive workshop sessions, educators collaborated in working groups to develop actionable, context-specific strategies for converting locally grown staple crops into high-value, value-added consumer goods. This approach not only supports small-scale local farmers but also creates real-world, community-connected learning opportunities for secondary and post-secondary agricultural students. Leading agricultural education specialist Dr. Andrew Hunte used a keynote address and hands-on breakout session to encourage attendees to embrace generative AI tools such as ChatGPT as complementary teaching aids, demonstrating how these technologies can streamline lesson planning, create customized learning materials for students with diverse skill levels, and help learners explore complex agricultural data sets more efficiently.

    In addition to teaching strategy discussions, senior education and agricultural officials updated attendees on ongoing infrastructural developments and institutional expansion plans. They detailed progress on several new school-based irrigation projects designed to give students hands-on experience with sustainable water management for crop cultivation, and shared early-stage plans to introduce formal accredited agricultural science degree programs at The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, a move that would expand access to advanced agricultural training for local students and reduce the need to study the discipline abroad. To close the event, organizers celebrated the contributions of long-serving educators, with several participants receiving formal awards and public recognition for their decades of outstanding service to advancing agricultural education across the country.

  • Canada to provide biometric processing for visa applications in Saint Kitts and Nevis

    Canada to provide biometric processing for visa applications in Saint Kitts and Nevis

    In a collaborative announcement between the governments of Canada and Saint Kitts and Nevis, Canadian immigration officials will travel to Basseterre to offer on-site biometric data collection for Canadian visa applicants on September 17 and 18, 2026. This new temporary service eliminates the need for local applicants to travel abroad to complete this mandatory step of the Canadian visa application process.

    Biometric data, including fingerprints and a digital photograph, is a required component of nearly all Canadian immigration and travel applications for eligible applicants. This requirement applies to applications for tourist visas, study permits, work permits, temporary residence status, and permanent residence. Prior to this scheduled on-site visit, Saint Kitts and Nevis residents who needed to submit biometrics were required to travel to official collection centers in neighboring countries, including Barbados, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. The temporary on-site service represents a major convenience for local applicants, cutting out the cost and hassle of international travel just to complete this mandatory step.

    The on-site biometric collection service will operate from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on both days at the St. Kitts Marriott Beach Resort. The service is open to three groups of eligible applicants: nationals of Saint Kitts and Nevis planning any form of travel to Canada; applicants who have already submitted their visa, permit, or permanent residence applications online or by mail and have received an official Biometric Instruction Letter; and nationals of other biometric-required countries who currently reside in Saint Kitts and Nevis and intend to travel to Canada.

    To secure an appointment for biometric collection, eligible applicants must send an email to BDGTN-VISA@international.gc.ca and include their unique visa application file number in the correspondence. Canadian officials note that they will only collect biometric data from applicants who have already received their official Biometric Instruction Letter; walk-in applicants without this documentation will not be served. All attendees are required to bring their official Biometric Instruction Letter to their scheduled appointment to complete the process.

    Authorities are urging prospective applicants to complete their online visa applications as soon as possible to ensure they receive their Biometric Instruction Letter in time to take advantage of this temporary on-site opportunity. This service is only available during the scheduled September visit, and the standard requirement to travel to off-island collection centers will remain in effect for all other periods outside of these two days.

  • Ministry of Sports, Principals Discuss Plans for New School Year

    Ministry of Sports, Principals Discuss Plans for New School Year

    Leaders from Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Sports have gathered with principals from across the twin-island nation to map out a collaborative strategy for boosting school-based sports programs as the new academic year gets underway. The roundtable discussion brought two key stakeholders together: national sports officials and the education leaders who oversee youth athletic activity on a daily basis, with a shared goal of unlocking greater potential for young people across the country.

    Following the closed-door meeting, ministry representatives described the talks as highly productive, noting that both sides left the session aligned on a shared vision for the future of school sports. Officials confirmed that the Ministry of Sports stands ready to partner closely with school administrators, combining resources, expertise, and on-the-ground support to foster consistent, sustainable growth of athletic programs at all education levels. Unlike ad-hoc interventions of the past, this initiative centers on embedding long-term development frameworks into school structures rather than one-off events.

    A core priority emphasized during the meeting is the critical role that K-12 and secondary schools play in building Antigua and Barbuda’s next generation of competitive athletes. As the first point of contact for young people with an interest in sports, schools are uniquely positioned to spot early talent, provide consistent training opportunities, and nurture emerging skills before athletes move to higher-level national programs. This grassroots focus is expected to create a stronger talent pipeline for national teams across a range of Olympic and regional sports in the coming years.

    Ministry officials stressed that Wednesday’s meeting is just the first step in a year-long series of upgrades to school sports. Additional targeted initiatives, ranging from infrastructure investment to coach training programs and new inter-school competition formats, will be rolled out and announced incrementally throughout the 2024-2025 academic year, with updates shared with school communities and the public as plans are finalized.

  • Albouystown scrap metal dealer arrested for stolen Demerara River bridge cable

    Albouystown scrap metal dealer arrested for stolen Demerara River bridge cable

    In a recent development in Guyana, law enforcement authorities have taken two individuals into custody in connection with the high-value theft of heavy-duty copper cable from the iconic Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge (BJDRB), a key infrastructure asset in the country. The breakthrough in the investigation came after the first suspect, a 39-year-old day labourer, led investigators to the scrap metal dealer who he admitted sold the stolen material, senior police officials confirmed Thursday.

    Wendell Blanhum, Deputy Police Commissioner and head of the Guyana Police Force’s Criminal Investigations Department, confirmed to local media that both the labourer and the 52-year-old scrap dealer are currently in police custody as the investigation continues. The labourer was first taken into custody in the early hours of Wednesday night, after bridge patrols found him on BJDRB property carrying a specialized cutting tool. He was disguised in standard work safety gear including a protective helmet and a high-visibility reflective vest, a ruse investigators believe he used to convince passersby and bridge staff that he was an authorized contractor working on the bridge.

    Acting on the information the detained labourer provided, police executed coordinated cordon-and-search operations at two linked locations: a property at 93 Sussex Street in Albouystown, Georgetown, and a secured storage yard attached to the dealer’s private residence in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo. No stolen cable was recovered at the Albouystown site, but investigators uncovered two segments of copper cable matching the specifications of the material stolen from the bridge at the Tuschen storage bond.

    When questioned by detectives, the scrap dealer admitted he had purchased 30 pounds of copper from the labourer the previous week for a total of GY$15,000, far below the market value of the stolen cable. However, he claimed he could not recall the exact dimensions of the copper he purchased and told investigators he had no knowledge of where the labourer had obtained the material.

    Blanhum told Demerara Waves Online News that the labourer has formally confessed to the theft, admitting he stole 90 feet of high-capacity four-conductor cable, with each conductor rated at 350 thousand circular mils. The stolen infrastructure material has an official estimated value of GY$1.62 million, more than 100 times the amount the labourer sold it for. Blanhum added the suspect told investigators he carried out the theft over a roughly week-long window between midnight on August 23, 2026, and 9 AM on September 1, 2026, to get cash to buy food and illegal drugs.

    The stolen cable powers the bridge’s distinctive decorative LED lighting system, which is mounted on steel poles along the structure’s high span and powered by an on-site generator located beneath the bridge. The LED system is regularly used to display custom colour schemes to mark regional and national events, and it was last confirmed to be fully operational on August 23, the same day the theft began. Bridge management did not notice the theft until August 31, when the system failed to light up one half of the bridge in the national colours of Trinidad and Tobago for the CARICOM neighbour’s independence anniversary celebration. The investigation into the theft and recovery of the remaining stolen cable is still ongoing.

  • VAT-Free weekend draws crowds and traffic

    VAT-Free weekend draws crowds and traffic

    Grenada’s first ever two-day VAT-free shopping event, held on August 28 and 29, has wrapped up with strong consumer turnout that delivered a major boost to local retailers, but also raised questions about actual savings for shoppers and left major commercial hubs grappling with unexpected traffic gridlock. The initiative is a core component of the government’s EC$18 million Cost of Living Assistance Programme, designed to ease household financial strain while stimulating stagnant activity in the country’s retail sector.

    Under the terms of the policy, the standard 15% value-added tax that registered businesses normally collect on behalf of the government is waived for a select list of goods during the designated event weekends. Many retailers opted to go a step further, layering their own additional discounts on top of the VAT exemption to draw more foot traffic, amplifying potential savings for consumers. Unlike regular shopping periods, the event attracted unprecedented crowds to supermarkets, hardware stores, appliance retailers and other commercial outlets across the island.

    Salim Rahaman, the private sector’s representative in Grenada’s Upper House of Parliament, framed the inaugural event as a clear success, noting that any early operational and logistical challenges faced by participating businesses were quickly resolved. Rahaman pointed out that VAT-free shopping periods are a well-established cost-of-living relief tool, having been deployed for more than a decade in countries including the United States. Looking ahead, he confirmed that additional retailer-driven discounts could become a regular feature of future events, telling reporters “we would see more of that in the upcoming VAT-free days.”

    The massive turnout, however, came with a notable downside: severe traffic congestion in the island’s busiest commercial districts, particularly downtown St George’s and the popular tourist hub of Grand Anse. Rahaman compared the crowded conditions to the peak traffic seen during Grenada’s annual Christmas shopping season or Carnival celebrations, with supermarkets and hardware stores recording the largest influx of visitors.

    When reached for comment on the traffic situation, the Community Relations Department of the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) confirmed it had not put in place any special traffic management measures to accommodate the increased vehicle traffic during the event. The RGPF redirected all inquiries about traffic planning to the Grenada Transport Commission (GTC), and as of press time, multiple requests for comment from the GTC have gone unanswered. It remains unclear whether the commission implemented any extra mitigation measures, and how the weekend’s congestion compares to typical traffic volumes on regular Friday and Saturday shopping days.

    Early feedback from participating businesses has been largely positive. M&N Hardware, one of the island’s major suppliers of building and home improvement goods, reported a sharp uptick in customer foot traffic and called the overall execution of the event “well executed.” Foodland Supermarket, another major retail player, extended its operating hours to 10 pm on the event’s second day to accommodate the continued flow of shoppers.

    For consumers, experiences with the promised savings have been sharply divided. Shoppers making large purchases of eligible goods, such as building materials, appliances and bulk groceries, have reported substantial savings. One shopper who bought a large volume of construction supplies told reporters they saved as much as EC$2000 through the VAT exemption. But other consumers have raised red flags, noting that some retailers did not appear to adjust prices at all to reflect the waived tax, and a small number even reportedly increased base prices on some goods ahead of the event, erasing any potential benefit for shoppers.

    These contrasting experiences have underscored the importance for consumers to compare pre-event prices and check itemized receipts to confirm they are actually receiving the full benefit of the VAT exemption. The event also carries a tangible cost for the Grenadian government, which forgone all VAT revenue on eligible goods sold during the weekend. The Inland Revenue Division under the Ministry of Finance is expected to release an official figure for the total revenue lost from the inaugural event in the coming weeks.

    Rahaman acknowledged that the policy cannot be made permanent due to its impact on government revenue, noting that “it’s not something that the government would offer all time because they are giving up revenue, but it is a targeted measure, and I believe it was very successful.” Two more two-day VAT-free shopping events are already scheduled for later this year: one on September 25 and 26, and a second on October 30 and 31. These upcoming events will give policymakers and stakeholders a chance to further evaluate consumer demand, retailer participation, the actual impact on household savings, and the full fiscal cost of the programme. While the first event has already confirmed strong consumer interest and a clear boost to retail sales, the full scope of its benefits and shortcomings will not emerge until official data on revenue and savings is published.

  • Antigua and Barbuda’s Janet Simon Appointed Dean of CARICOM Youth Ambassador Corps

    Antigua and Barbuda’s Janet Simon Appointed Dean of CARICOM Youth Ambassador Corps

    The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat has made a landmark announcement for regional youth development: Janet Simon, a youth advocate hailing from Antigua and Barbuda, will take up the post of Dean of the CARICOM Youth Ambassador Corps starting September 1, 2026.

    Simon has outlined a clear, action-focused agenda that will shape her one-year rotating tenure, with six core priorities at the forefront of her leadership: expanding evidence-based nutrition education across regional education systems, scaling up prevention initiatives for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), expanding accessible youth mental health support, advancing community peacebuilding, boosting practical life skills training for young people, and creating clearer, more equitable pathways to sustainable youth employment. Her overarching mission is to arm Caribbean young people with the knowledge, capabilities, and systemic support they need to become engaged, active citizens and drive the future direction of the CARICOM bloc.

    In a statement following the announcement, Simon shared her enthusiasm and on-the-ground perspective for the role. “I am deeply honoured to take on this responsibility as Dean of the CARICOM Youth Ambassador Corps,” she said. “My years of work alongside young people across every corner of the region have made clear just how urgent it is that we strengthen mental health services and improve nutrition access for our youth. I firmly believe that by empowering young peers to lead outreach and service design, we can fundamentally transform how young people access the support they need.”

    Michele Small-Bartley, the CARICOM Secretariat’s Programme Manager for Youth Development, extended a warm welcome to Simon, highlighting the unique value she brings to the regional programme. “Janet arrives in this role with a profound, long-standing passion for youth development, a creative approach to longstanding challenges, and an unwavering commitment to public service,” Small-Bartley noted. “I am particularly encouraged by her dedicated focus on mental health advocacy and the fresh, thoughtful strategies she plans to bring to the CARICOM Youth Ambassador Programme. Her leadership comes at a key moment as we work to expand the voice, increase the visibility, and strengthen the meaningful participation of CARICOM Youth Ambassadors across the entire region.”

    Beyond her regional work, Simon has already built a robust track record of impactful youth-focused initiatives at the national level. She is widely recognized for her national School Tour programme, which has delivered practical life skills education to thousands of secondary and primary students across Antigua and Barbuda, as well as her innovative “Peace through Art” community series, which uses creative expression to resolve conflict and build social cohesion. She also regularly leads capacity-building workshops for local and national youth organisations, and is an active core member of Healthy Caribbean Youth, where she has led advocacy for comprehensive school nutrition policies and expanded school-based mental health services. Her advocacy has also extended to the global stage, where she has presented Caribbean youth priorities to senior leaders at both the World Bank and the United Nations, centering the unique needs of small island developing states’ youth populations in global policy conversations.

    To contextualise the role, the position of Dean of the CARICOM Youth Ambassador Corps rotates annually among CARICOM Member States and Associate Members, following an alphabetical order rotation system. The CARICOM Youth Ambassador Programme (CYAP), which the Dean leads, is the official youth wing of the 15-nation regional bloc. It functions as a dynamic regional network of young leaders, tasked with advocating for the needs of their peers, amplifying youth perspectives in regional and national policy discussions, and advancing the bloc’s core Caribbean integration goals.

    The programme traces its origins back to 1993, when it launched under the name Regional Youth Ambassador Programme (RYAP) during the CARICOM Conference of Heads of Government, held to mark the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas. It was formally established as an official CARICOM programme in 1994, initially operating under the coordination of the Culture Desk at the CARICOM Secretariat, before being transferred to the reactivated Youth Desk in 1997. Since its founding, the programme has delivered three core long-term impacts: it has expanded young people’s knowledge and awareness of regional CARICOM priorities and challenges; it has raised the profile of youth leadership at both national and regional levels; and it has created formal pathways to integrate the views and experiences of young people from across the Caribbean into national, regional, and international policy and programming.

  • FLASH : 2026-2027 School Calendar (official)

    FLASH : 2026-2027 School Calendar (official)

    Haiti’s national education authorities have officially published the full academic calendar for the 2026-2027 school year, outlining structured learning hour requirements, key holiday breaks, assessment windows, official exam schedules, and a full list of critical administrative deadlines for schools, educators, and students across the country. Released publicly on September 3, 2026, the official framework establishes clear guidelines for all education levels, designed to bring consistency to academic operations for the coming year.

    Across all tiers of Haiti’s education system, the upcoming school year will total 194 instructional school days, with tailored learning hour allocations matched to each level’s educational requirements. Preschool programs are scheduled to deliver 864 total hours of structured learning, while the first and second cycles of fundamental education will see 920 instructional hours. For secondary education institutions, the calendar sets a 1,164-hour learning requirement for the academic year.

    The 2026-2027 school year will officially kick off on September 7, 2026, marking the first day of classes for students across the nation. The calendar maps out all national public holidays aligned with Haiti’s cultural and historical milestones: November 2 will be observed as All Souls’ Day, November 18 marks the Battle of Vertières, January 1, 2027 is Haiti’s Independence Day, Carnival celebrations will take place on February 8 and 9 2027, a two-day Easter break is scheduled for March 25 and 26 2027, May 17 is designated Teachers’ Day (also called Educators’ Day), May 18 is observed as both Flag Day and University Day, and May 27 2027 will mark the religious holiday of Corpus Christi.

    Four formal assessment periods are scheduled throughout the academic year. The first cycle of assessments will run from November 9 to 13 2026, followed by a second assessment window from January 25 to 29 2027. Third assessments are scheduled for May 12 to 16 2027, with the final assessment period and all official end-of-year exams taking place between May 31 and July 1 2027.

    The winter holiday break will begin on December 21 2026, the last day of classes before the new year, with students returning to classrooms on January 4 2027. A shorter mid-semester break follows in early February, with classes concluding for the break on February 5 2027.

    For official end-of-year state exams, the calendar splits scheduling across different academic programs. Exams for 9th AF, Family Education Center programs, Teacher Training College, and Technical and Vocational Training tracks will be held from June 14 to 17 2027. Exams for NS4 levels and the Permanent Baccalaureate will run from June 28 to July 1 2027, with the first session of the December 2026 Permanent Baccalaureate exam open for registration between October 27 and November 17 2026.

    In addition to academic milestones, the official calendar outlines dozens of critical administrative deadlines for education departments, private schools, and staff. Leading up to the start of the school year, submission and entry of final decision lists for the 2025-2026 academic year will be accepted from August 3 to September 4 2026. The first of four scheduled teacher training sessions, hosted by the Directorate of Training and Professional Development (DFP), will run from August 23 to September 4 2026. Additional DFP training sessions are scheduled for December 28 to 31 2026, and February 16 to 18 2027.

    For the Directorate for Support to Private and Partnership Education (DAEPP), schools must submit school council information online between September 1 and 30 2026, and all applications for new operating permits must be submitted by October 30 2026. The deadline for applications to open entirely new schools is set for March 31 2027. The National Bureau of State Examinations (BUNEXE) will accept 2027 state exam registration forms from October 6 to December 29 2026. The Directorate of Planning and External Cooperation (DPCE) requires all schools to complete 2026-2027 school census forms online between January 11 and February 4 2027. Submission of class lists for the 2026-2027 academic year, alongside 2027 state exam registration forms, is open from August 14 to December 18 2026.

    The full official 2026-2027 school calendar is available for public download in PDF format via HaitiLibre’s official document portal.

  • PM Drew speaks out amid health concerns, says he is recovering well

    PM Drew speaks out amid health concerns, says he is recovering well

    In his first public statement since falling ill over the Labor Day weekend, St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew has reassured the nation that his condition is stable and he is on track to a full recovery, speaking from a South Florida medical facility where he is undergoing ongoing evaluations.

    Drew first began experiencing troubling symptoms on Sunday, starting with persistent nausea that quickly escalated to repeated vomiting. He soon developed additional warning signs: sharp pain on the left side of his neck, paired with a mild headache, spells of dizziness, and growing difficulty maintaining his balance while walking. Recognizing these as red flag symptoms that required urgent medical attention, Drew checked into St. Kitts and Nevis’ Joseph N. France (JNF) General Hospital, where he spent 18 hours under close medical observation receiving initial care.

    After a first round of scans and diagnostic tests at JNF, local medical providers recommended that Drew seek specialized advanced care outside the country. He was first transferred to a medical facility in Martinique before moving on to South Florida, where clinicians are continuing to run diagnostic evaluations to pinpoint the root cause of his sudden illness.

    In a pre-recorded video address released to the public Thursday afternoon, Drew emphasized that there is no immediate cause for public alarm, even as medical teams continue their investigations into his condition. A medical doctor himself, Drew reflected on the experience, noting that he understands the line between providing care and needing to receive it.

    “As a medical doctor, I know when it is time to practise medicine and when it is time to simply be the patient,” Drew said in the address. “After the weekend I just had, I knew the best thing I could do was step back, follow my doctor’s orders and take the rest my body required.”

    Drew told the public he has paused his usual regular gym routine in line with clinicians’ guidance, but shared an encouraging update on his progress: he completed a short, gentle walk earlier Thursday, and said it felt good to start moving again gradually.

    The Prime Minister framed his recent health scare as a critical wake-up call, and used his public statement to urge all residents of St. Kitts and Nevis to prioritize their own health and pay attention to their bodies’ warning signs. “We must listen when our bodies speak to us,” he advised. “Please take your health seriously, get your regular checkups, take the time to rest and never ignore the warning signs when something does not feel right.”

    Drew extended his gratitude to the dozens of people who have reached out with support since he fell ill, thanking citizens, residents, and well-wishers across the country and beyond for their prayers, messages of encouragement, and good will. He also expressed deep appreciation for the clinical teams that have cared for him since Sunday, starting with the doctors, nurses, and administrative staff at JNF General Hospital, who he praised for their swift response, compassionate care, and professional treatment. He also thanked the medical team currently overseeing his care in the United States, and clinicians in Martinique led by Professor Dabur Rezaie.

    Drew additionally thanked diplomatic and consular partners who assisted with his transfer and care abroad, including representatives of the French Embassy and the French Ambassador to the region, the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, and the Consulate of the Commonwealth of Dominica in Martinique.

    As of Thursday afternoon, Drew confirmed that he remains fully conscious and his condition is stable, with ongoing diagnostic work continuing to inform his treatment plan. Official updates on his progress will be released to the public in the coming days as more information becomes available.