分类： politics

Attorneys representing Guyanese Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and his father, prominent billionaire businessman Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed, have petitioned the Court of Appeal to suspend ongoing extradition proceedings in the magistrate’s court. The Mohameds face fraud and related charges in the United States and seek a stay pending their substantive appeal of a High Court ruling that validated the Authority to Proceed (ATP) with their extradition.

The legal team, comprising Roysdale Forde, Siand Dhurjon, and Damien Da Silva, contends that without an immediate suspension, the magistrate court proceedings could conclude within a month—potentially rendering their appeal moot and resulting in their clients’ detention. They argue that Chief Justice Navindra Singh’s dismissal of their initial challenge contained multiple legal and factual errors that compromised justice.

Central to their appeal is the allegation of governmental persecution and bias within the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic-led administration. The lawyers assert that Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond and Attorney General Anil Nandlall operated with ‘presumed and apparent bias,’ violating natural justice principles by acting as judges in their own cause. They maintain that the ATP—which empowers Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman to conduct committal hearings—is fundamentally flawed and should be quashed.

The Mohameds, sanctioned by the US Treasury for alleged gold smuggling and tax evasion, face an 11-count indictment including wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering. Their legal team argues that the extradition process jeopardizes their fundamental rights and that the Minister’s impartiality is indispensable for a fair hearing. They claim their appeal demonstrates a strong prima facie case and that neither the US nor Guyanese authorities would suffer prejudice from a stay.

CARACAS, Venezuela — In a dramatic display of protest, relatives of Venezuelan political detainees initiated a hunger strike outside a Caracas prison facility this Saturday. This demonstration follows the conditional release of 17 prisoners and occurs against the backdrop of stalled legislative negotiations regarding a promised amnesty law.

Approximately ten women, wearing protective face masks, positioned themselves in a horizontal formation at the entrance to Zone 7, a national police compound. Several participants were observed sleeping during the daytime hours, with one anonymous protester explaining to AFP that sleep provided temporary relief from hunger sensations.

Evelin Quiaro, a 46-year-old immigration official whose son faces terrorism-related charges dating back to November, expressed cautious optimism: ‘The pressure has yielded results; we intend to remain here until every political prisoner gains freedom.’ Quiaro confirmed she had consumed her final meal around 1:00 am prior to commencing the strike.

The early morning hours preceding the protest saw National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez announcing via social media the liberation of 17 detainees, though no specific identities were disclosed. Rodriguez urged citizens to ‘persist on this pathway toward peaceful democratic coexistence.’

This developing situation originates from the landmark amnesty initiative spearheaded by Acting President Delcy Rodriguez following the January 3rd capture of former leader Nicolas Maduro by U.S. special forces. The proposed legislation aims to dismantle nearly three decades of state-sponsored repression, potentially exonerating dissidents charged with ‘treason,’ ‘terrorism,’ and hate-speech allegations during the Maduro and Chavez administrations.

However, the legislative process hit an impasse last Thursday when lawmakers, after approving the bill’s initial reading, suspended final adoption due to contentious debates regarding implementation procedures. A particular point of contention emerged over requirements for amnesty seekers to personally appear in court to petition for clemency.

Both government-aligned and opposition legislators have agreed to resume deliberations on February 19, leaving hundreds of political prisoners’ fates in limbo and their families maintaining vigil through extreme protest measures.

Jamaica’s Energy and Telecommunications Minister Daryl Vaz has ignited a crucial debate about emergency governance by advocating for significant amendments to the nation’s procurement legislation. This push for reform comes in response to controversies surrounding the government’s acquisition of Starlink satellite devices during the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in October 2025.

Minister Vaz, speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing, defended his decision to bypass standard procurement protocols during the national crisis. He asserted that existing frameworks fail to distinguish between routine government purchases and urgent disaster response requirements. “Extreme times require extreme actions,” Vaz stated, emphasizing that people suffering and awaiting rescue “can’t wait on a procurement process that takes weeks.”

The hurricane, which struck Jamaica on October 28, 2025, caused catastrophic damage to telecommunications infrastructure, leaving numerous communities completely isolated. The government’s deployment of Starlink technology successfully restored internet connectivity for emergency agencies, healthcare facilities, and relief centers, potentially saving countless lives.

Despite the practical success of the intervention, Jamaica’s auditor general subsequently reported that the procurement violated established legal procedures. This finding triggered extensive political debate regarding the balance between regulatory compliance and emergency responsiveness.

Vaz clarified that his advocacy for legislative reform isn’t about expanding ministerial power but about creating practical mechanisms for crisis management. “You cannot have the same guidelines in normal times that you have in extreme times,” he argued, noting that the current system makes no provision for emergency scenarios where immediate action is required.

The minister maintained respect for oversight institutions while defending his actions. “I accept fully what was said by the auditor general in relation to me getting involved in the procurement,” Vaz acknowledged, while simultaneously justifying his position based on the extraordinary circumstances.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has previously indicated support for reviewing procurement legislation, suggesting potential government backing for such reforms. Vaz expressed confidence that changes would be implemented, describing the need for distinction between normal and emergency procedures as “an absolute no-brainer.”

The controversy highlights the ongoing challenge governments face in balancing accountability with operational flexibility during national emergencies. As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, Jamaica’s experience may serve as a case study for other nations grappling with similar regulatory dilemmas.