TANGIER, Morocco — On November 25, 2025, Prime Minister Gaston A. Browne of Antigua and Barbuda arrived in Morocco to participate in the 17th edition of the MEDays Forum, held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. The forum, scheduled from November 26 to 29, 2025, in Tangier, brings together over 300 high-profile speakers, including Heads of State, ministers, Nobel laureates, and international experts, alongside 7,000 participants from 120 countries. This year’s theme, “Fractures & Polarization: Reinventing the Global Equation,” addresses pressing global challenges such as geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, and the need for inclusive governance. Known as the “Forum of the South,” MEDays serves as a critical platform for emerging and developing nations to voice their concerns and shape a more equitable international order. Prime Minister Browne’s attendance highlights Antigua and Barbuda’s dedication to South-South cooperation, high-level diplomacy, and advocating for the interests of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in a multipolar world. Key discussions will focus on global governance, economic sovereignty, climate resilience, and development finance — issues of paramount importance to SIDS. The forum also aligns with Antigua and Barbuda’s goals of attracting foreign investment, fostering sustainable development, and strengthening ties with Africa and other Global South partners. Prime Minister Browne emphasized, “In a world of deepening polarization, Antigua and Barbuda must not only adapt but advocate. MEDays 2025 provides a platform to project our priorities, particularly climate resilience and economic equity.” Since its inception in 2008 by the Amadeus Institute, MEDays has evolved into a strategic hub for diplomacy, economics, and intellectual exchange, particularly for the Global South. The 2025 edition features over 50 sessions on geopolitics, economics, energy, climate, and governance, including the MEDays Investment Summit, which promotes public-private investment in Africa and beyond. The event is hosted at the Palais des Arts et de la Culture in Tangier.
分类： politics
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ICJ Battle Pits Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras Over Sapodillas
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is set to adjudicate a high-stakes territorial dispute involving Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras over the sovereignty of the Sapodilla Islands in the Gulf of Honduras. This legal confrontation underscores the complexities of international law, historical claims, and geopolitical interests. Guatemala asserts its stake in the islands, citing overlapping territorial claims with Belize, while Honduras challenges the validity of Guatemala’s legal interest, arguing it lacks specificity and precision. The case hinges on Article 62 of the ICJ Statute, which requires a well-established legal interest for intervention. Professor Carlos Jiménez Piernas, Legal Counsel for Honduras, emphasized that Guatemala’s claims are not substantiated by the court’s jurisprudence. The outcome of this case will not only determine the fate of the Sapodilla Islands but also set a precedent for resolving disputes where history, geography, and law intersect. The ICJ’s decision will address a fundamental question: in an era of blurred borders, how do nations define and defend their sovereignty?
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National Transport Seeking to Usurp Authority of City Council
In a bold move to enhance road safety, Belize’s Ministry of Transport has unveiled a sweeping reform targeting motorcycle riders. Effective January 1, 2026, all motorcycle license holders will be required to complete a mandatory two-week training course, costing up to $300. Transport Minister Dr. Louis Zabaneh announced the initiative as part of a broader national safety strategy, emphasizing its potential to modernize road safety and reduce fatalities. However, the proposal has sparked significant friction with municipal governments, who argue that it undermines their long-standing authority to issue motorcycle licenses. Dr. Zabaneh stated, ‘All motorcycle license holders must complete a two-week course to become certified. We’re offering a two-year transition period for current and new applicants to comply.’ The ministry’s CEO, Chester Williams, has been actively engaging with motorcycle clubs to communicate the changes. Municipal councils, traditionally responsible for licensing, express concerns over their diminished role in enforcement and potential revenue loss. With the mandate set to take effect in January, numerous questions remain unresolved, leaving stakeholders in a state of uncertainty.
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FLASH : U.S. revokes the visa of Advisor Fritz Alphonse Jean (video)
In a significant diplomatic move, the United States government revoked the visa of Fritz Alphonse Jean, a prominent member of Haiti’s Presidential Transitional Council, on November 24, 2025. The decision, which also extended to his family members, was based on allegations that Jean supported criminal gangs and obstructed Haiti’s efforts to combat terrorism. However, Jean vehemently denied these accusations during a press conference held at the Villa d’Accueil on November 25. He asserted that the visa revocation was politically motivated, linked to his role in advocating for a change in Haiti’s leadership. Jean revealed that members of the Transitional Council had received threats of visa cancellations and other sanctions from U.S. and Canadian diplomats if they pursued the replacement of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. He provided WhatsApp messages exchanged with the Canadian Ambassador and U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Henry Wooster as evidence of these threats. Jean vowed that international sanctions would not deter him from his political mission and questioned the foreign support for Prime Minister Fils-Aimé.
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Dominican Army reviews security operations at key border checkpoints
On Tuesday, General Jorge Iván Camino Pérez, the commanding officer of the Dominican Army, embarked on an extensive inspection tour of critical border areas in the provinces of Independencia and Elías Piña. The tour extended along the International Highway, which borders Haiti, underscoring the strategic importance of these regions. The visit began at the Tierra Virgen detachment, situated at an elevation of approximately 3,000 feet in the Sierra de Neiba’s Bucan Base area. Here, General Camino Pérez assessed the ongoing construction of new facilities and a heliport designated for the 14th Infantry Battalion in Jimaní. The inspection continued through several key posts, including Macasías in Comendador, Las Dos Bocas—where the Macasías and Artibonito rivers converge—Guaroa, Guayabal, Hato Viejo, Paso de Nonón, Paso de Javier, and the Bánica detachment. The general then proceeded along the International Highway, starting from Pedro Santana, and inspected multiple posts such as La Cadena, Los Cacaos, El Corte, Sombrero, Palmita, Guayajayuco, Los Algodones, and Villa Anacaona, concluding at the Kilometer 2 post. The day concluded with visits to the 17th Company in Restauración, the Km. 14 post, the Loma de Cabrera inspectorate, and the Beller Fortress in Dajabón, the headquarters of the 10th Infantry Battalion. This thorough inspection highlights the Dominican Army’s commitment to maintaining security and infrastructure along its border with Haiti.
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The irrevocable oath of the new generations
As Cuba approaches the 100th anniversary of Fidel Castro’s birth, the nation has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving his revolutionary legacy. The commemorative event, held at the historic University of Havana, was attended by prominent political figures, including President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez and members of the Communist Party’s Central Committee. Meyvis Estévez Echevarría, a key leader in the Union of Young Communists, delivered a poignant speech, emphasizing Fidel’s enduring influence on Cuban society and the global socialist movement. She highlighted how Fidel’s revolutionary ideals, rooted in the teachings of José Martí, continue to inspire the younger generation. The event also featured the slogan ‘One Hundred Years with Fidel,’ symbolizing the deep emotional and ideological connection the Cuban people maintain with their former leader. The gathering served as a reminder of Fidel’s warning about the fragility of the Revolution and the collective responsibility to safeguard it. The evening concluded with a solemn oath to ensure that Fidel’s legacy remains alive, particularly as the nation faces ongoing economic and political challenges.
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A20: Suriname staat klaar voor een nieuw Jubeljaar
On November 25, 1975, Suriname boldly chose its own path, marking the beginning of a journey towards independence. Development aid served as a starting point, not a permanent crutch. Now, fifty years later, the nation stands at a pivotal crossroads. Its future is no longer dictated by donors but by its own strength, resources, and commitment to forging a sustainable economic path. This year not only commemorates a historic milestone but also what Steven Reyme, party chairman and representative, aptly termed ‘Suriname’s Jubilee Year’—a time for reflection, recovery, and renewal, echoing the biblical Jubilee’s themes of freedom, forgiveness, and rectifying inequality. This symbolism aligns seamlessly with the narrative of Suriname’s fifty years of independence.
Suriname’s journey has been marked by growth and setbacks, hopeful moments and challenging periods. Through it all, its leaders—despite their imperfections—have consistently passed the baton to the next generation, a legacy worth honoring on this historic day. Like the biblical Jubilee, Suriname has experienced times of recovery, course correction, and renewal. Fifty years of independence demand the same introspection: What do we restore? What do we leave behind? Where do we begin anew? And what does our future hold?
Today, Suriname stands on the brink of a transformative era:
– Developing its own energy sources to create economic opportunities.
– Diversifying its economy to reduce vulnerability.
– Building better governance, transparency, and credibility.
– Addressing the rightful demands of its youth for genuine opportunities and prospects.The Jubilee Year calls for justice:
– No child left without education.
– No district without basic services.
– No citizen left marginalized.Suriname’s natural wealth becomes truly valuable when wisely invested in education, infrastructure, healthcare, technology, sports, and local economies. Looking ahead, Suriname envisions a future where:
– Highly educated Surinamese earn global respect.
– Sports fields, cultural centers, and talent programs nurture youth in every district.
– Diversification in agriculture, tourism, technology, industry, and energy becomes a reality.
– Every Surinamese has access to safe and affordable housing.
– The diaspora actively contributes to national progress.
– Unity prevails over division: We are Surinamese. Period.In the spirit of the Jubilee, a new beginning means breaking old patterns, restoring trust, creating stability, and addressing inequality. This is not an unfounded dream but an achievable choice.
On this fiftieth Independence Day, A20 calls on the nation to embrace action and progress. This Jubilee Year is an opportunity to free Suriname from outdated habits and focus on justice, integrity, and sustainable development. The next fifty years belong to us. Let us fill them with policy, discipline, dreams, and deeds. It can be different. It must be different. Tra fas dé!
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OAS chief appeals to US, Venezuela to find diplomatic solution instead of war
Albert Ramdin, the Secretary General of the Organisation of American States (OAS), has called on the United States and Venezuela to prioritize diplomatic solutions to ease escalating tensions, emphasizing the need to avoid a potential ‘war-type situation.’ In a recent interview broadcast on social media, Ramdin stressed the importance of maintaining the Caribbean as a ‘zone of peace’ and urged both nations to exercise restraint. ‘I hope that both countries—Venezuela and the United States—do restrain themselves and ensure that diplomatic negotiations take precedence,’ said Ramdin, a former Suriname foreign minister. He also highlighted the necessity of lawful methods in combating narco-trafficking, a growing concern in the region. The appeal comes amid fears that the US military build-up in the Caribbean is aimed at destabilizing Venezuela’s Nicholás Maduro administration rather than targeting drug cartels. The US has labeled the Cartel de los Soles, allegedly linked to Maduro, as a narco-terrorist organization. Ramdin’s remarks coincided with a visit by General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and President Donald Trump’s primary military adviser, to Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago, where he met with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Ramdin underscored the importance of adhering to international law and human rights in combating transnational organized crime, noting that governments must have the legal tools to address these challenges effectively. He also suggested that countries amend their laws to empower governments to fight crime without violating human rights. The issue of transnational crime has been raised by Colombia in recent discussions within the OAS, though it has not yet been formally addressed by the organization.
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PM Says U.S. Attorney Preparing Pre-Action Letter Over Alfa Nero Defamation Claim
The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda has announced that his U.S. attorney is drafting a pre-action letter to the prominent American law firm Boies Schiller Flexner, seeking $10 million in damages for alleged defamation tied to what he describes as the “Alfa Nero fabrication.” In an online statement, the Prime Minister revealed that the letter will be delivered within 48 hours to David Boies, a partner at the firm. While specific details of the defamatory statements were not disclosed, the Prime Minister accused the firm of disseminating false information related to the ongoing Alfa Nero controversy. The statement also hinted at potential legal action against Harold Lovell, a former political leader, suggesting a broader legal strategy. The Alfa Nero, a superyacht seized in Antigua in 2023 and subsequently sold by the government, has been at the heart of political, legal, and international disputes, leading to numerous court challenges and public debates. Further details on the planned legal action remain undisclosed.
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Dominica joins regional election observation mission, move criticized at home
The Electoral Office of Dominica has announced its participation in a regional election observation mission to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, reflecting the Caribbean’s unified commitment to upholding democratic integrity. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has formed a ten-member CARICOM Election Observation Mission (CEOM) to oversee the General Elections in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, set for November 27, 2025. Dominica’s Chief Elections Officer, Ms. Anthea Joseph, will be among the observers, collaborating with regional counterparts to evaluate the electoral process. This initiative coincides with Dominica’s ongoing voter confirmation process, highlighting the importance of regional cooperation and the exchange of best practices in strengthening electoral systems. Ms. Joseph emphasized the mission’s role in promoting transparent and accountable elections, stating, ‘By learning from our Caribbean neighbors, we can enhance our own electoral processes.’ The CEOM will engage with electoral authorities, political parties, and civil society groups in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, providing impartial assessments to ensure fairness and transparency. The Electoral Office described the mission as a demonstration of solidarity and shared responsibility for safeguarding democracy in the Caribbean. However, the initiative has faced criticism domestically. Pastor Randy Rodney questioned the timing and purpose of Ms. Joseph’s participation, arguing that her role is more about learning than observation, given her recent appointment. Rodney criticized the government’s decision to appoint an inexperienced leader to the electoral office during a period of reform, suggesting that the former Chief Elections Officer’s expertise would have been more valuable. He also raised concerns about Dominica’s voter confirmation process, arguing that it fails to produce a clean voters list. Rodney highlighted issues such as outdated registrations and deceased individuals still on the electoral list, urging Dominicans to focus on these problems rather than what he termed ‘gerrymandering.’ As Ms. Joseph joins the mission in Kingstown, the initiative underscores both the potential and challenges of electoral reform in the Caribbean, sparking debates about leadership, timing, and the integrity of Dominica’s electoral process.