FRS Express Des Iles has announced the suspension of its ferry service to and from St Lucia until Wednesday, October 22, 2025. The decision comes in response to an unexpected technical issue that has disrupted operations. This development follows a series of schedule adjustments and unforeseen cancellations over the past weekend. The company has assured passengers that refunds will be processed for those affected by the service halt. Details on how to obtain a refund have been provided in the official announcement. The temporary pause in the St Lucia leg of the service underscores the challenges faced by the ferry operator in maintaining seamless transportation amid technical difficulties.
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Four SLASPA employees arrested following drug bust at Castries Port
In a significant crackdown on illegal drug activities, four employees of the Saint Lucia Air and Seaports Authority (SLASPA) have been apprehended following a drug bust at the Castries Port. The arrests were made as part of an intelligence-driven operation executed by the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) on October 18. During the operation, law enforcement officers intercepted a vehicle operated by a SLASPA employee. Upon inspection, they discovered a barrel that had not yet been processed for Customs examination. A thorough search of the container revealed substantial quantities of controlled substances, including cannabis and MDMA, also known as ecstasy. The driver of the vehicle was immediately taken into custody. Subsequently, three more individuals, believed to be involved in the incident, were arrested. The RSLPF has confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, and formal charges are anticipated to be filed later this week.
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LO-leerkrachten getraind in 3×3 basketbal voor Inter Island School Games 2026
The Suriname School Sport Federation (SSFS), an operational arm of the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, has successfully trained the first cohort of physical education (PE) teachers from secondary schools in 3×3 basketball. This initiative is part of Suriname’s preparation for its debut at the Inter Island School Games 2026, a prestigious regional school sports event where Suriname will compete alongside Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. The Inter Island School Games, also known as The Inter Insulair School Games, is designed for students aged 10 to 17. Suriname will participate in 3×3 basketball, chess, and athletics. To assemble a competitive team, the SSFS is organizing national school competitions, with the champions representing the country. For 3×3 basketball, the SSFS is collaborating closely with the Suriname Basketball Association (SBA) and the Dutch Basketball Federation (NBB) to equip PE teachers with the skills to train school teams to international standards. Following the initial training of 17 teachers, a second round will be held for 28 PE teachers from the BOSS (Physical Education and School Sports) division from October 27 to 29. The session will conclude with a certificate ceremony, as stated by SSFS Chairman Aniel Ghisaidoobe. The SSFS emphasizes that these training programs align with its mission to strengthen school sports nationwide, foster talent development, and connect with regional and international competitions.
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COMMENTARY: Jamaican beekeeper Duhaje Jennings will share insights on the challenges and opportunities of producing in the Caribbean at the Conference of Ministers of Agriculture of the Americas in Brazil
Duhaje Jennings, a 38-year-old Jamaican beekeeper and entrepreneur, has been invited to participate in the Conference of Ministers of Agriculture of the Americas 2025 in Brasília. Recognized as one of the Leaders of Rurality of the Americas by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Jennings is celebrated for his contributions to food security and environmental sustainability. The conference, organized by Brazil and IICA, will convene ministers and senior officials from November 3 to 5 to discuss the future of agriculture, emphasizing the role of science, technology, and innovation. Jennings, along with three other Leaders of Rurality, will share insights from their rural communities with the ministers. Jennings’ journey into beekeeping began in childhood, inspired by his grandfather. Starting with just five bee colonies at 18, he now manages around one thousand colonies annually through his company, Dada B’s, which also creates jobs and supports aspiring beekeepers in Jamaica. At the conference, Jennings plans to advocate for the inclusion of agriculture in school curricula, stressing its importance for regional food security. He also proposes exchange programs for Caribbean farmers to learn from successful agricultural practices in countries like Brazil. The event will also feature the 23rd Regular Meeting of the Inter-American Board of Agriculture (IABA), IICA’s highest governing body. The conference aims to address the challenges and opportunities in agriculture, particularly in the face of climate change and food import dependency in the Caribbean.
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MSME Tax Amnesty Extended Until End of 2025
The Government of Belize has officially prolonged the MSME Tax Amnesty Programme until December 31, 2025, as revealed during a Special Sitting of the House of Representatives on October 17. This initiative, spearheaded by the Office of the Prime Minister in collaboration with BELTRAIDE, the Investment Policy and Compliance Unit (IPCU), the Belize Tax Service (BTS), the Belize Companies and Corporate Affairs Registry (BCCAR), the Economic Development Council (EDC), and the Ministry of Local Government and City and Town Councils, aims to provide small businesses with extended opportunities to benefit from significant tax relief measures. The extension allows eligible Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) additional time to settle outstanding business tax penalties and interest, and to qualify for up to one year of business tax exemption. It also ensures the processing of pending applications from previous Roadshow events, guaranteeing that all qualified MSMEs receive their Tax Amnesty Certificates. The next Tax Amnesty Roadshow event is scheduled for October 27 at the Belmopan Civic Center, with adjusted dates for San Pedro (November 4), Caye Caulker (November 5), and Punta Gorda (November 7) to maximize participation. The Government has commended the numerous MSMEs that have already enrolled in the programme, taking crucial steps toward formalizing and expanding their businesses. For further details, business owners can reach out to BELTRAIDE’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC Belize) at 280-3195 or sbdc@beltraide.bz, or the Investment Policy and Compliance Unit (IPCU) at 880-4728 / 880-4729 or belizeInvestment@invest.gov.bz.
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GFA and Ansa Coatings partner for infrastructure upliftment
The Grenada Football Association (GFA) has unveiled a groundbreaking one-year partnership with Ansa Coatings (Grenada) Ltd, effective immediately. This collaboration signifies a pivotal moment in the GFA’s efforts to elevate its facilities and underscores the transformative role of corporate investment in advancing national sports development. As part of this strategic alliance, the GFA will embark on a comprehensive repainting and aesthetic upgrade of its facilities, leveraging high-quality products provided by Ansa Coatings. This initiative aims to foster a more dynamic and motivating environment for athletes, staff, and the broader football community. The partnership highlights the profound impact of corporate contributions on sports infrastructure and athlete support. The GFA extended its heartfelt gratitude to Jarmarie Hypolite, CEO of Ansa Coatings (Grenada), and his team for their unwavering dedication to this shared vision. Reyan Neckles, Commercial Manager at Ansa Coatings, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, ‘Ansa Coatings is thrilled to be part of this project and eagerly anticipates future collaborations that drive community growth and development across Grenada.’ The GFA is optimistic about the transformative journey ahead and the positive ripple effects it will have on Grenada’s football landscape.
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Trump Escalates Tensions with Venezuela and Colombia
In a significant escalation of tensions in Latin America, former U.S. President Donald Trump has ramped up pressure on Venezuela and Colombia, raising concerns of prolonged instability in the region. According to CNN, U.S. officials privately acknowledge that the campaign aims to oust Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who is accused of ties to drug cartels and facilitating migrant flows. Trump confirmed authorizing covert operations within Venezuela, hinting at potential military intervention. ‘We are certainly looking at land now because we’ve got the sea very well under control,’ he stated last week. Maduro, in response, has mobilized the Bolivarian Armed Forces and claimed eight million volunteers have joined his militias, though analysts question the accuracy of these figures. Meanwhile, tensions have spilled into Colombia, which recalled its ambassador to Washington after a U.S. strike in the Caribbean killed a Colombian fisherman. Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemned the incident as a ‘direct threat to national sovereignty’ and described the victim as a ‘lifelong fisherman’ and ‘humble human being.’ Trump retaliated by labeling Petro an ‘illegal drug dealer,’ vowing to impose new tariffs and halt U.S. aid. He also demanded Petro shut down drug cultivation sites, warning that the U.S. would intervene forcefully if he did not comply. This deepening rift underscores the growing volatility in U.S.-Latin American relations.
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A cache of firearms has been surrendered to police by a civilian, reports Ag Police Chief
Acting Police Chief Lincoln Corbette has announced a significant breakthrough in Dominica’s fight against crime, as a citizen voluntarily surrendered nine firearms to Sergeant Yankey of the St Joseph police station. The collection included rifles, pistols, revolvers, and 216 rounds of ammunition. Corbette praised Sergeant Yankey for his meticulous and professional handling of the situation. In addition to this, Corbette revealed the largest drug seizure in Dominica’s history, with 1,730 kilograms of cocaine confiscated, valued at approximately EC$46.764 million. This surpasses the previous record set in the early 1980s. The seizure was part of ‘Operation Clean Street,’ a joint initiative by the Regional Security System (RSS) and the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF), launched in late September 2025 to combat illegal firearms, narcotics, and violent crime. Corbette emphasized the importance of keeping such dangerous substances out of criminal hands. The operation also led to 24 arrests, including 19 males and five females, and the confiscation of significant amounts of cash and additional firearms. Corbette commended the officers involved for their dedication to public safety.
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Belize Secures BZ$10 Million from Adaptation Fund for Climate Resilience and Water Security
The Government of Belize has successfully secured BZ$10 million in funding from the Adaptation Fund to launch the Securing Water Resources through Solar Energy and Innovative Adaptive Management (SEAM) project. This initiative aims to enhance climate resilience and provide sustainable water systems to rural communities, particularly in the villages of Boom Creek, Dolores, Otoxha in the Toledo District, and Copper Bank in the Corozal District. The project, announced jointly by the Ministry of Economic Transformation (MET), the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government (MRT), and the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT), was approved during the Adaptation Fund’s 45th Board Meeting in Bonn, Germany. Funded through the Adaptation Fund’s Large Innovation window, SEAM will be implemented over five years, directly benefiting over 1,800 individuals. Key components include the development of solar-powered hybrid water systems, ecosystem restoration, and livelihood diversification for women through reforestation and agroforestry. Additionally, the project will strengthen local water governance structures. Implementation is set to commence following the signing of the grant agreement in early 2026. Once operational, SEAM is expected to serve as a scalable model for integrated climate adaptation strategies in other rural areas across Belize.
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Camillo’s ‘GATES’ mirrors NDP’s 2023 Youth Guarantee Pledge
In a strategic move during the election campaign, Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves announced a youth-oriented initiative, Youth GATES (Guarantee of Apprenticeship Training, Employment, or Scholarship), at a United Labour Party (ULP) rally in Calliaqua. The programme, aimed at providing opportunities for young graduates in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, mirrors a pledge made by the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) in 2023. Gonsalves, seeking a third term as MP for East St. George, emphasized the ULP’s longstanding commitment to youth development since 2001, contrasting it with what he described as the NDP’s unfulfilled promises. He criticized the NDP for failing to address critical issues like housing and education in their campaign rhetoric, accusing them of neglecting the nation’s progress. The minister also warned that an NDP victory could jeopardize ongoing projects, such as the Arnos Vale hospital construction, and sever ties with Taiwan, which supports Vincentian students. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has previously expressed confidence in the ULP’s ability to elevate St. Vincent and the Grenadines to first-world status within 15 years. With general elections anticipated by November, the political landscape remains highly charged as both parties vie for public trust.