Orlando Brewster, the incumbent Member of Parliament for Central Leeward and Minister of Housing, has laid out his comprehensive vision for the constituency as he seeks re-election for a second five-year term. Speaking at the Unity Labour Party (ULP) campaign launch in Layou, Brewster emphasized his commitment to transformative development, including the construction of new hotels, expanded scholarship programs, improved healthcare services, and extensive housing repairs across St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He assured constituents that the ULP is the only party capable of delivering on its promises, stating, “You can put your pot on the fire and know this party will come true to help you.” Brewster also highlighted upcoming projects, such as housing developments for young professionals in Peters Hope, floodlit village tournaments in Layou, and the renovation of the Buccament Bay Playing Field to support local athletes. Addressing land scarcity in Layou, he revealed that the Prime Minister had instructed the chief surveyor to allocate additional lands in Ridge Side for development. Brewster further pledged to establish a state-of-the-art early childhood facility in Barrouallie to accommodate the area’s growing population. While acknowledging that not all housing repairs under the current program would be completed before the election, he vowed that the ULP would continue the rebuilding process if re-elected. Brewster’s campaign contrasts sharply with his opponent, Conroy Huggins of the New Democratic Party (NDP), whose “Vision 2025-2035” plan Brewster claims lacks transparency. The general election is anticipated by November 2025, ahead of the constitutional deadline in February 2026.
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Guyana balances peaceful Caribbean with battling transnational crimes
In the wake of a recent U.S. military operation in Caribbean waters that resulted in the destruction of a suspected drug vessel and the deaths of six individuals off Venezuela’s coast, Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali has reaffirmed his nation’s commitment to regional peace and the fight against transnational crime. Speaking on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, President Ali emphasized Guyana’s dual focus: maintaining Latin America and the Caribbean as a ‘zone of peace’ while actively supporting efforts to dismantle illegal drug trade networks and other destabilizing activities. ‘We support every action and embrace every partnership to cripple transnational crime, the illicit drug trade, and any form of destabilization that threatens the security of Guyana and this region,’ he declared. While not directly referencing the U.S. military deployment, President Ali underscored Guyana’s rejection of aggression and coercion, advocating instead for dialogue, international law, and collaborative efforts to address both traditional and non-traditional threats. He also highlighted Guyana’s determination to defend its sovereignty with the support of international allies, particularly in the face of territorial aggression. The President condemned recent attacks on Guyanese civilians and soldiers along the Cuyuni River, which borders Venezuela, and reiterated his government’s broader commitment to promoting peace and the rule of law across the region. Guyana’s stance aligns with the 33-member Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which has called for the region to remain a ‘zone of peace.’ Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago, a fellow CARICOM member, has openly supported the U.S.-led efforts against narco-trafficking, citing a decline in violent crime as a positive outcome.
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Economic struggles lead to increase in mental health cases
Barbados is witnessing a significant rise in mental health issues, driven by financial hardship and housing scarcity, according to Dr. Joy Sue, a Consultant Psychiatrist at the Psychiatric Hospital. Dr. Sue highlighted that depression and anxiety are among the most prevalent conditions she treats, often exacerbated by economic and social challenges. She emphasized that many patients are not on medication but rely on counseling to cope with their struggles, which frequently stem from financial instability and inadequate housing.
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In Too Cool’s trial, Bailey says ‘more care’ needed when dealing with mentally ill people
Assistant Commissioner of Police Trevor ‘Buju’ Bailey, a key figure in crime prevention, emphasized the importance of exercising heightened care when dealing with individuals suffering from mental illness. His testimony came during the trial of Christopher ‘Too Cool Chris’ Jones, a prominent DJ and radio personality, who is facing charges of wounding in connection with the shooting of Kevin Patterson in Kingstown on July 4, 2024. Jones claims he acted in self-defense, alleging that Patterson was reaching for a weapon in his bag, which was later found to contain a knife and a box cutter. However, the prosecution argues that Jones’ actions were malicious and did not constitute self-defense. Bailey, summoned by the defense, shared insights into police protocols when interacting with mentally ill individuals. He noted that police recruits are trained by the Ministry of Health on how to handle such situations, and workshops are regularly conducted for frontline officers. Bailey stressed the need for calm communication and assured assistance when dealing with mentally ill persons, acknowledging that reasoning may not always be possible due to incoherence. He also discussed the use of licensed firearms, stating that their primary purpose is protection and crime prevention, and that any use of a firearm in such situations would be subject to investigation. The trial, presided over by Senior Magistrate Tammika McKenzie, is set for a verdict on December 10, with the possibility of an earlier decision.
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Training in Goede Agrarische Praktijken versterkt landbouw in Para
In observance of World Food Day, celebrated globally on October 16, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries (LVV) organized a three-day training program for farmers in the Para district. The event, held from October 13 to 15, focused on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), a methodology aimed at promoting sustainable, safe, and efficient food production. The sessions took place in the multifunctional hall of the Para center and were led by LVV experts. Twelve farmers with at least five years of experience participated in the training, which emphasized improving production processes, food safety, and environmentally friendly cultivation methods. During the closing ceremony, LVV Deputy Director Maitrie Jagroep highlighted the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing in strengthening the agricultural sector. ‘We are using this opportunity to exchange ideas and work together toward better food and a brighter future. Sustainable agriculture and certification are key concepts in this endeavor,’ Jagroep stated. The training underscores the ministry’s commitment to professionalizing and enhancing capacity within the agricultural sector. This initiative aligns with the goals of World Food Day, which this year is celebrated under the theme ‘Better Food for a Better Future.’
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Tourism : Celebrity Cruises suspends its stops in Haiti until 2026
Celebrity Cruises, a prominent Miami-based cruise line under the Royal Caribbean Group, has announced the suspension of its stops at Labadee, Haiti, through 2026. This decision stems from escalating safety concerns in the region, prompting the company to revise 11 of its itineraries, primarily affecting voyages aboard the Celebrity Apex and Celebrity Beyond. In lieu of Labadee, the cruise line will now redirect its ships to alternative destinations, including the Turks and Caicos Islands, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel, Mexico. This move mirrors a similar announcement by Royal Caribbean in September 2025, which also canceled all Labadee visits until at least spring 2026. Haiti has been under a Level 4 ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory since March 2024, issued by the U.S. State Department due to persistent political instability, rampant crime, kidnapping threats, and terrorist activities. The advisory highlights the presence of gangs designated as terrorist organizations, further exacerbating the nation’s security crisis. The suspension of cruise visits to Labadee underscores the ongoing challenges facing Haiti’s tourism industry and its broader socio-political landscape.
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New TRAE Control Center enhances safety for nearly 1.9 million students
The Dominican Republic has introduced a cutting-edge Georeferenced Control and Monitoring Center for its National Student Transportation System (TRAE), marking a significant leap in public school transportation safety and efficiency. This state-of-the-art platform will oversee 1,871 buses in real time, ensuring the safe transit of nearly 1.9 million students across the country. The initiative is expected to slash school transportation operating costs by 25%, while also enhancing transparency and reliability. Education Minister Luis Miguel De Camps emphasized President Luis Abinader’s dedication to modernizing the education sector, stating, ‘Behind every monitored route there is a calm mother, a confident father, a waiting teacher, and a State that supports and watches over its children.’ The system leverages preventive artificial intelligence to identify potential issues such as driver fatigue, unauthorized stops, or irregularities during trips. Each bus is being transformed into a ‘smart bus,’ equipped with GPS-enabled cameras, cybersecurity systems, and internet connectivity. Parents can now track buses in real time, receive boarding alerts, and view estimated arrival times, while drivers and managers gain access to tools for optimizing routes, monitoring vehicle status, and analyzing real-time operational data.
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Insecurity : 1.4 million people displaced fleeing violence
Haiti is grappling with an unprecedented humanitarian crisis as violence and instability have forced over 1.4 million people to flee their homes, marking the highest displacement figure ever recorded in the country. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), this represents a staggering 36% increase since late 2024. Grégoire Goodstein, IOM Haiti Chief of Mission, emphasized the urgency of the situation, calling for sustained international support to address the crisis and restore dignity to affected populations. He highlighted the resilience of Haitian communities, which are hosting approximately 85% of displaced individuals despite severe resource constraints. The crisis has extended beyond the capital, Port-au-Prince, with 64% of new displacements occurring in regions like Centre and Artibonite. Displacement sites are severely overcrowded, lacking basic services, while spontaneous sites have surged by 68% since December 2024. Women and children, comprising over half of the displaced, are disproportionately affected, with many families resorting to sending children to safer areas. Additionally, the return of over 250,000 Haitians expelled from the Dominican Republic since January 2025 has exacerbated the situation along the border. In response, IOM has expanded its operations, providing emergency shelter, clean water, health services, and psychosocial support to vulnerable families. The organization has also appealed for increased international funding, warning that without immediate action, the suffering of displaced Haitians will only intensify.
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FLASH : Sunrise Airways adds 2 Airbus A320s to its aircraft fleet
Sunrise Airways, a privately owned Haitian airline, is set to bolster its fleet with the addition of two Airbus A320 aircraft. This expansion comes as part of a comprehensive leasing agreement with GlobalX, which includes not only the aircraft but also crew, maintenance, and insurance services. The new A320s, each configured with 179 seats, will commence operations in November 2025, increasing the airline’s total fleet size to 14 aircraft. Gary Stone, CEO of Sunrise Airways, emphasized the strategic importance of this move, stating, ‘These two Airbus A320s will be exclusively dedicated to our operations, significantly enhancing passenger experience and connectivity across the Caribbean region.’ Initially, the aircraft will be deployed to strengthen existing routes, particularly between Florida and Cap-Haitien. However, the airline has ambitious plans to utilize these A320s for expanding its network to new destinations, including Fort Lauderdale, New York, and other key markets in the Americas. Sunrise Airways currently operates under three separate Air Operator Certificates (AOCs) in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Eastern Caribbean. By the end of 2025, the airline aims to operate a total of 18 aircraft across its network, further solidifying its presence in the region.
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Suriname shelves oil royalty payout
The newly elected Surinamese government, under President Jennifer Geerlings Simons, has decided to suspend a proposed initiative to distribute oil royalties of US$750 plus interest to all citizens. This announcement was made by Andrew Baasaron, the Minister of Economic Affairs, Entrepreneurship, and Technological Innovation, during a panel discussion at the International Business Conference (IBC) 2025. Baasaron cited insufficient financial resources as the primary reason for halting the plan, contrasting Suriname’s economic situation with that of Guyana, which successfully distributed GY$100,000 (approximately US$458) to over 600,000 adults last year. The previous administration, led by Chandrikapersad Santokhi, had tied the royalty payout to projected earnings from the Gran Morgu offshore project, expected to produce 220,000 barrels of oil by 2028. TotalEnergies, a France-based energy giant, is investing US$10.5 billion in the project. Instead of direct payouts, the new government plans to channel funds into sustainable investments in companies, new technologies, and workforce development. Baasaron emphasized the need for Suriname to reduce its reliance on government support and focus on enhancing productivity and economic growth.