分类: politics

  • Budget for local government elections but not for biometric system

    Budget for local government elections but not for biometric system

    Guyana’s GY$1.558 trillion national budget for 2026 includes allocated funds for conducting Local Government Elections (LGE) within the year, though significant operational hurdles persist at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Minister of Governance Gail Teixeira confirmed the budgetary provisions during parliamentary questioning, indicating resources have been designated for temporary election staff, transportation, printing materials, and scrutineer payments across 10 towns and 70 neighborhood councils.

    Despite financial preparations, GECOM faces substantial challenges due to prolonged inactivity. Sources reveal the commission has not convened recently amid ongoing disputes regarding the legitimacy of three opposition-nominated commissioners. This paralysis complicates election readiness efforts being advanced by the GECOM Secretariat.

    The elections infrastructure debate centers on implementing biometric voter verification systems. The APNU opposition coalition continues advocating for digitalized biometric registration to enhance electoral transparency, while GECOM Chairman Retired Justice Claudette Singh maintains that exclusive biometric verification would violate constitutional provisions.

    Further complicating matters, the emerging opposition party WIN (We Invest in Nationhood) demands the replacement of three incumbent commissioners—Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin, and Desmond Trotman—who were nominated by pre-election opposition parties. These commissioners have refused voluntary resignation, stating their positions remain valid pending legislative amendments or judicial rulings. APNU has echoed this stance, creating an institutional deadlock that threatens to delay electoral proceedings despite available funding.

  • Free Movement Nears Reality as Belize Tables CARICOM Mobility Legislation

    Free Movement Nears Reality as Belize Tables CARICOM Mobility Legislation

    The Belizean government has taken a decisive step toward regional integration by formally tabling legislation that implements a groundbreaking free movement agreement within the CARICOM bloc. This legislative action, presented to the House on February 9, 2026, transforms the previously operational arrangement into binding law, setting the stage for full implementation by October 1, 2025.

    The pioneering initiative, initially endorsed during the 49th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in July 2025, establishes a comprehensive legal framework enabling citizens of Belize, Barbados, Dominica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to reside, seek employment, and pursue economic opportunities across participating nations without requiring special permits.

    Foreign Affairs Minister Francis Fonseca emphasized the legislation’s significance in providing “clarity for Belizeans, certainty for institutions, and consistency in the administration of free movement.” The bill effectively codifies arrangements that had been functionally operational but lacked formal legal standing.

    Official data reveals that 83 CARICOM nationals have already entered Belize under the preliminary framework, primarily comprising business professionals, athletes, and short-term visitors. Notably, only two individuals currently maintain indefinite residence status in Belize, indicating the program’s measured implementation without straining public services or compromising national order.

    This legislative milestone represents the most substantial advancement in Caribbean regional mobility since the original CARICOM framework’s establishment, potentially serving as a model for expanded integration throughout the broader Caribbean community.

  • PM Briceño Unveils Bold Overhaul of NHI System

    PM Briceño Unveils Bold Overhaul of NHI System

    In a landmark legislative session on February 9, 2026, the Briceño administration unveiled two transformative policy initiatives that signal a new era for regional integration and healthcare reform in Belize. The government first presented the Free Movement Bill, formalizing an agreement that will enable citizens of Belize, Barbados, Dominica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to live and work across borders starting in 2025, establishing clear rights and responsibilities within this new framework. Subsequently, Prime Minister John Briceño introduced the groundbreaking National Health Insurance Authority Bill, heralding it as the most substantial restructuring of Belize’s healthcare system in decades. This proposed authority is designed to enforce price transparency across medical services, regulate pharmaceutical costs, and direct increased funding toward community health centers. The comprehensive reforms aim to make healthcare more affordable and accountable for approximately eighty thousand Belizeans. Prime Minister Briceño emphasized the historical significance of this initiative, noting its origins during Said Musa’s first administration and highlighting immediate tangible benefits already being realized by citizens. He cited specific examples, including reduced medication costs from $600 to under $50 monthly for patients with hypertension and diabetes, underscoring the government’s philosophy that preventive care through accessible healthcare is more economically sustainable than treating advanced illnesses.

  • Police Service Commissioners must be replaced before this year’s promotions; Opposition Leader says ready for consultations with President

    Police Service Commissioners must be replaced before this year’s promotions; Opposition Leader says ready for consultations with President

    Guyana’s government faces an urgent constitutional challenge to reconstitute the Police Service Commission (PSC) following the recent death of its chairman and the previous passing of another commissioner. Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira confirmed Monday that the commission cannot currently function with only two remaining members, particularly without leadership.

    The vacancies emerged after PSC Chairman Patrick Findlay passed away on January 30, 2026, and ordinary commissioner Lloyd Conway died over a year ago. Minister Teixeira emphasized the pressing need for appointments during parliamentary budget discussions, noting that 645 members of the Guyana Police Force await promotions this year based on vacancies created by retirements and departures.

    Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed has declared his readiness to engage in constitutionally mandated consultations with President Irfaan Ali. Mohamed emphasized that the National Assembly must first identify its nominee to fill the commission vacancy before meaningful consultation can occur regarding the chairman appointment. ‘I look forward to this process being commenced so that this institution can be functional again,’ Mohamed stated.

    The Guyanese Constitution requires the President to appoint the PSC Chairman after meaningful consultation with the Opposition Leader from among four members appointed by the President. These appointments follow National Assembly nominations after consulting with bodies representing police force members.

    The political context adds complexity to the situation, as the People’s Progressive Party has previously noted Mohamed’s legal challenges. The United States seeks Mohamed for trial on allegations of wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering related to his gold trading business. Both Mohamed and his father face US sanctions for alleged gold smuggling that reportedly defrauded the Guyanese government of over US$50 million.

  • St Michael Central hopefuls blessed as election draws near

    St Michael Central hopefuls blessed as election draws near

    In a rare display of spiritual unity preceding political competition, three parliamentary candidates for St Michael Central convened at the Better Life Assembly Christ Union Church this Sunday. Representatives from Barbados’s major political factions—Tyra Trotman (BLP), Raymond Wiggins (FOD), and Andre Worrell (DLP)—sought divine blessing and congregational support, outlining distinct policy priorities during a shared worship service.

    Bishop Joseph Atherley and Reverend Erskine Branch presided over the ceremony, offering prayers for the candidates before each addressed the Hindsbury congregation. The event highlighted how faith intersects with political campaigning in Barbadian democracy, though each candidate presented contrasting approaches to social development.

    BLP candidate Tyra Trotman emphasized her party’s tangible commitment to religious institutions, referencing a manifesto pledge of $5 million in funding for faith-based organizations. “This government recognizes the divine work you perform,” she declared, framing the financial commitment as evidence of a governance model “putting God first.” Trotman supplemented policy promises with personal testimony, describing her journey from “walking a very dark path” to redemption. Positioning herself as a testament to transformative grace, she urged youth to reclaim spiritual guidance as a moral compass.

    FOD contender Raymond Wiggins prioritized systemic reforms targeting youth vulnerability and elderly neglect. He proposed early psychological screening in primary schools to identify learning disabilities and mental health challenges, arguing intervention could “keep children out of prisons and funeral homes.” Wiggins advocated educational restructuring to integrate vocational training into secondary curricula, specifically referencing earlier access to programs at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute. For elderly care, he proposed repurposing underutilized community centers as intergenerational gathering spaces.

    DLP representative Andre Worrell called for collaborative partnerships between churches and elected officials. He envisioned religious institutions hosting youth development initiatives focused on sports and career readiness, while empowering seniors as mentors. Acknowledging constituent skepticism toward politicians, Worrell asserted his motivation stemmed from faith and communal concern: “I recognize that together we can achieve more.”

    Bishop Atherley concluded the service with a transcendant message, urging attendees to pursue aspirational goals grounded in divine trust. His homily encouraged moving beyond “limited, confined spaces” while recognizing spiritual sovereignty in temporal achievements.

  • Guatemalans denounce US lies to attack Cuba’s example

    Guatemalans denounce US lies to attack Cuba’s example

    In a penetrating analysis of U.S. foreign policy, psychologist and political commentator Marcelo Colussi examines the enduring American campaign against Cuba, revealing deeper motivations beyond conventional geopolitical interests. Colussi contends that Washington’s persistent hostility toward the Cuban revolution—spanning over six decades and multiple administrations—represents a unique case in the annals of imperial aggression.

    According to Colussi, the United States’ relentless pursuit to undermine Cuba’s socialist system defies typical patterns of imperial behavior where resource exploitation or business interests typically drive foreign intervention. Instead, Cuba presents an exceptional circumstance: a nation that has constructed a functioning socialist model demonstrating remarkable sovereignty and dignity directly within the sphere of American influence.

    The analyst documents how successive U.S. administrations, regardless of political affiliation, have consistently manufactured justifications for their imperial adventures. This pattern of constructing absurd narratives, Colussi argues, serves as a standard operating procedure in Washington’s foreign policy toolkit. Each fabricated pretext, no matter how logically untenable, effectively serves its purpose in legitimizing aggressive actions.

    Colussi particularly emphasizes the extraordinary nature of the ongoing economic blockade—a measure globally condemned yet persistently intensified. Despite worldwide repudiation and numerous United Nations resolutions demanding its termination, this coercive economic warfare continues to target the Cuban people. The psychologist notes that after exhausting countless tactics to destabilize the Cuban system, the current administration under Donald Trump has remarkably classified the island nation as an “unusual and extraordinary threat”—a designation that reveals more about American anxiety than Cuban aggression.

    This enduring confrontation, Colussi concludes, ultimately demonstrates Washington’s profound discomfort with any successful alternative to capitalist hegemony, especially when developed so close to its borders.

  • Solidarity campaign in Belgium with Cuba in the face of US aggression

    Solidarity campaign in Belgium with Cuba in the face of US aggression

    In a striking visual protest against American foreign policy, the European Commission’s Berlaymont building in Brussels became the canvas for a dramatic projection campaign. Utilizing advanced video mapping technology, activists emblazoned the structure’s façade with messages reading “Hands Off Cuba” and “Stop the US Blockade.”

    The demonstration was orchestrated by the Belgian association Cubanismo.be, which condemned what it characterized as the Trump administration’s intensified efforts to economically strangle the Caribbean nation. The group specifically highlighted recent oil embargo measures that compound the six-decade-long economic, commercial, and financial blockade against Cuba.

    Protest organizers accused Washington of deliberately targeting essential services, alleging attempts to paralyze hospital operations and deprive Cuban citizens of basic energy and food resources. Cubanismo.be representatives framed this escalation as retaliation for Cuba’s continued resistance to American imperialist policies.

    “While the United States exports conflict worldwide, Cuba exports international solidarity,” declared one member during the event, referencing the nation’s deployment of medical personnel across the globe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The projection protest followed a Saturday gathering at Brussels Central Station where participants in the “Hands Off Cuba” campaign demonstrated their support for the Cuban people. Juan Antonio Fernandez, Cuba’s ambassador to Belgium and the European Union, expressed official gratitude for the solidarity shown in response to what he termed “Trump’s crusade” against his nation.

  • Cuba denounces aggressive escalation by the US in Geneva

    Cuba denounces aggressive escalation by the US in Geneva

    At a United Nations human rights session, Cuban diplomat Roberto Cabanas delivered a forceful condemnation of American economic policies toward his nation, characterizing them as an act of aggression against the Cuban populace. Cabanas asserted that these unilateral coercive measures are designed to inflict collective punishment, thereby constituting a flagrant violation of fundamental human rights.

    The representative detailed the extent of these policies, highlighting Washington’s threats to impose trade tariffs on any nation that supplies oil to Cuba. This tactic, he argued, is a deliberate strategy to coerce the international community into becoming complicit in what he termed an ‘energy blockade’ aimed at crippling the island nation.

    Cabanas dismissed the foundational premise for these actions—the long-standing U.S. classification of Cuba as an ‘unusual and extraordinary threat’ to its national security—as an absurd pretext. He exposed the true objective behind these draconian measures: to paralyze Cuba’s economic and social infrastructure and deliberately generate widespread suffering among millions of Cuban citizens.

    In his address to the Human Rights Council, Cabanas issued a direct challenge, emphasizing that the body ‘cannot remain silent in the face of these criminal acts.’ He framed his nation’s plight within a broader, more complex international context, noting that the 61st session of the Council convenes as the entire multilateral system and its institutions face direct attack from powerful nations undermining global cooperation.

  • Peruvians and Cubans condemn US threats on Cuba

    Peruvians and Cubans condemn US threats on Cuba

    In a powerful display of international solidarity, Peruvian activists and Cuban expatriates convened at Lima’s Casa del Maestro auditorium to vehemently condemn escalating U.S. hostilities toward Cuba. The gathering resonated with passionate chants against U.S. President Donald Trump and fervent appeals for Cuban sovereignty.

    Participants unanimously declared Cuba’s readiness to mount a determined defense should military aggression materialize—a scenario reportedly contemplated by various sources. The event featured cultural performances blending Peruvian and Cuban musical traditions, symbolizing the deep historical bonds between the two nations.

    Rita Fernandez, representing the ‘Raices Mambisas’ Association of Cuban Residents in Peru, characterized Washington’s policies as deliberate economic strangulation designed to inflict suffering upon the Cuban people. She categorically rejected Trump’s characterization of Cuba as a national security threat, asserting instead that Cubans embody “a cooperative and supportive people” open to dialogue without preconditions.

    Gabriel Cabrera of the Peruvian Coordinating Committee for Solidarity with Cuba issued a call for pan-Latin American unity against what he termed illegal U.S. measures targeting the island nation. He specifically denounced recent Washington policy shifts and implied threats of military intervention as violations of international norms and Cuban self-determination.

  • Notice To Declarants in Public Life – St. Kitts

    Notice To Declarants in Public Life – St. Kitts

    The Integrity Commission of St. Kitts has issued an official public notice directed at all individuals holding declarable positions in public life. The announcement, published on Tuesday, February 10th, 2026, serves as a formal reminder regarding the submission of mandatory declaration forms.

    This regulatory requirement represents a critical component of the nation’s governance and anti-corruption framework. The Commission has made these declaration forms readily accessible through its official digital portal at www.iplskn.com, facilitating compliance for all designated public officials.

    The mandate for financial disclosures from persons in public office forms part of broader transparency initiatives within the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. Such measures are designed to promote accountability, deter corrupt practices, and maintain public trust in governmental institutions and elected representatives.

    Additional information and detailed guidance regarding the declaration process are available through the Commission’s official channels. The notice underscores the administration’s ongoing commitment to ethical governance standards and financial transparency within the public sector.