Vote counting is progressing across polling stations in Barbuda following the closure of polls earlier this evening, with early partial results showing the sitting candidate holding a clear lead in the race for the constituency seat. The first official partial tally from Box 1, one of the local polling locations, puts incumbent Trevor Walker, the candidate for the Barbuda People’s Movement (BPM), at 128 votes. His challenger, Kendra Beazer of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP), has secured 78 votes in the same box in this first count. This early result puts Walker ahead as election officials continue counting the remaining ballots from across the constituency. Walker has served as the elected representative for Barbuda for multiple terms, and he is currently working to defend his seat against a strong renewed challenge from the ABLP, which has focused its campaign on flipping the long-held BPM constituency. As of the latest update, counting operations remain ongoing, and electoral authorities have not yet announced any final official results for the race, with final numbers expected to be released once all ballots have been processed and verified.
分类: politics
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VS schenkt uitrusting aan KPS voor versterking criminaliteitsbestrijding
In a formal ceremony held at the Suriname Police Corps (Korps Politie Suriname, KPS) headquarters on Duisburglaan on April 30, the United States formally handed over a shipment of security equipment to Suriname’s law enforcement agency, in a move designed to strengthen local security services and expand the country’s capacity to combat organized and common crime.
The handover was led by U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Paul Watzlavick, who officially presented the donated goods to Suriname’s Minister of Justice and Police Harish Monorath. Following the diplomatic handover, Monorath symbolically transferred the equipment to KPS Chief Commissioner Melvin Pinas, the top leader of Suriname’s national police force. Earlier in the same week, Watzlavick had already delivered a separate batch of specialized equipment to Commissioner Eshita Hunte, head of the KPS’s Serious Crime Division, for use by the agency’s elite Arrestation Team.
During remarks delivered at the main ceremony, all three key stakeholders — Pinas, Watzlavick, and Monorath — emphasized the longstanding, productive bilateral security partnership between the United States and Suriname. All speakers reaffirmed that collaborative cross-border action is critical to tackling evolving criminal threats in all forms, from transnational drug trafficking to local violent crime. The event also highlighted the ongoing breadth of U.S.-Suriname security cooperation, which extends beyond one-time equipment donations to include sustained capacity building, specialized professional training, and targeted operational support for multiple agencies across Suriname’s security sector, with the KPS as a core priority partner.
This latest donation is widely viewed as a meaningful contribution to ongoing efforts to modernize and strengthen Suriname’s national police force and reinforce the country’s overall national security architecture. The support aligns with years of bilateral cooperation focused on improving public safety and expanding law enforcement capacity across the South American nation.
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Unlmtd Stages Solo Protest on BelCan Bridge
In a bold shift from digital activism to on-the-ground public demonstration, prominent Belizean artist Bernard Cayetano, who performs and organizes under the pseudonym “Unlmtd”, has brought his calls for systemic change to one of the country’s heavily trafficked crossings. On Wednesday, April 30, 2026, Cayetano launched a one-person protest on Belize’s BelCan Bridge, aiming to force nationwide attention to what he frames as ongoing systemic oppression that marginalizes ordinary Belizean citizens.
Cayetano stood alone on the bridge for hours, holding a hand-painted placard emblazoned with the rallying cry “Enough is Enough.” The demonstration caused only minor delays for motorists passing through the area, but its unusual nature immediately captured attention from both on-site bystanders and online audiences, with many drivers slowing down to acknowledge the artist’s message before continuing their commute.
Speaking to reporters covering the protest, Cayetano framed Belizean ordinary people as being held hostage by unfair governing systems in their own homeland. He pointed specifically to recent policy changes in the country’s transport sector as a clear example of top-down decision-making that excludes input from everyday citizens who are most impacted by the rules. The artist argued that while a large share of the Belizean public shares his frustration with the country’s current political and social trajectory, widespread fear and complacency have kept most people from taking public action.
“Everybody sees what is going on, but we would rather wait out the five-year election term than speak up now,” Cayetano explained. He emphasized that all Belizeans deserve a more fair, inclusive governing system, and urged his fellow citizens to raise their voices in protest sooner rather than waiting for electoral cycles to bring incremental change. Even as he carried out his demonstration without additional supporters on the bridge, Cayetano remains unshaken in his commitment to his cause. He noted that every large, meaningful shift in social and political systems begins with a single, brave voice willing to stand up and be heard.
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Marabella tenants win appeal in $3m flooding damage case
In a landmark split decision that reshapes landlord-tenant liability rules across Trinidad, the Court of Appeal has handed down a pivotal ruling that reverses a prior High Court judgment, opening the door for two affected commercial tenants to secure millions in compensation for property damage caused by an unforeseen plumbing failure.
The legal dispute traces back to a 2018 flooding event at Marabella’s Allum’s Shopping Centre. A PVC angle valve connected to an upper-level unit’s kitchen sink, leased by local firm O.T.I. Trinidad Ltd, unexpectedly failed. The resulting leak seeped downward into five ground-floor commercial suites, two of which are operated by Western Industrial Solutions Ltd and entrepreneur Debera Rampersad, who runs the retail outlet Debera Fashion Step Up and Save. The damaged inventory and forced business interruptions pushed the two affected tenants to claim more than TT$3 million in total losses.
When the case first went to trial, High Court Justice Avason Quinlan-Williams dismissed the claims against the property owner, J.T. Allum and Company Ltd. The trial judge ruled that commercial landlords cannot be held responsible for sudden plumbing failures that occur within spaces exclusively controlled and occupied by their tenants, clearing the company of any legal obligation to compensate the businesses for their losses.
But the appellate court, a three-judge panel led by Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh alongside Justices of Appeal Nolan Bereaux and James Aboud, rejected this lower-court interpretation of property law. In a 2-1 majority decision delivered Wednesday, the panel found that even though the landlord was not found to be negligent in causing the pipe failure, it still bears legal responsibility for the resulting damage under the law of private nuisance.
Writing the lead judgment for the majority, Justice Bereaux — whose reasoning was backed by Chief Justice Boodoosingh — explained that the critical factor establishing liability is the landlord’s reserved right under all commercial leases for the property to enter tenant-occupied spaces to conduct inspections and complete necessary repairs. This retained right, the justice argued, is sufficient to uphold a nuisance claim against the property owner. He further noted that the landlord had previously argued in separate legal proceedings against the upper-floor tenant that the site’s plumbing was already in a state of disrepair, meaning the company cannot now claim the hidden defect was unidentifiable through reasonable inspection.
Justice Bereaux also clarified a longstanding point of nuisance law: when a landlord explicitly retains the right to conduct repairs on a property, they can be held liable for damage caused to third parties even if they had no direct, actual knowledge of the hazardous defect before the incident occurred.
Justice Aboud issued a dissent, arguing the appeal should have been thrown out. He characterized the pipe failure as an isolated, entirely unforeseeable event: the 10-year-old pipe joint had failed suddenly with no warning signs, and this does not meet the legal standard for a private nuisance. He also cautioned that the majority’s legal reasoning could impose an unfair and unreasonable burden on commercial landlords across the country, forcing them to conduct exhaustive searches for hidden defects in spaces fully occupied and controlled by their tenants.
On the separate claim of negligence brought by the tenants, the appellate court was unanimous. The full panel agreed to dismiss the negligence claim, as no evidence presented during the trial linked the landlord’s actions or inactions to the pipe failure itself. The court also upheld the trial judge’s ruling to exclude proposed testimony from former landlord employee Vedesh Gopaul, finding his statements about the original plumbing installation were not relevant to the core legal questions in the case.
The matter will now return to the High Court, where a Master will assess and determine the final amount of damages to be awarded to the two successful appellants. The appellate court also left in place an earlier unrelated order requiring Rampersad to settle all outstanding back rent owed to the property owner, which has no connection to the 2018 flooding incident. Attorneys Chanka Persadsingh and Anand Rampersad represented the two affected tenants, while Shankar Bidaisee, instructed by Rachael Jaggernauth, appeared on behalf of the landlord.
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Student Named UK High Commissioner for a Day
In a unique opportunity that bridges youth leadership development and international diplomacy, a young Belizean student has gained unprecedented hands-on experience in diplomatic operations after being selected for a signature outreach programme run by the British High Commission based in Belize.
Nineteen-year-old Chloé Martinez earned the title of High Commissioner for a Day 2026, beating dozens of other applicants in a rigorous competitive selection process. Judges ultimately selected Martinez for her clear, forward-thinking policy vision, long-standing track record of local community engagement, and unwavering dedication to building inclusive, accessible leadership structures that lift up marginalized groups.
During her one-day appointment, Martinez shadowed incumbent UK High Commissioner to Belize Alistair White, taking a seat at closed-door official meetings, sitting in on bilateral coordination discussions, and gaining first-hand insight into the quiet, behind-the-scenes work that drives successful diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Belize. The experience let Martinez move beyond the textbook understandings of diplomacy she had learned in the classroom, and see how negotiation, relationship-building, and cultural awareness shape daily diplomatic work.
The programme wrapped up with a public Women’s Networking Event, which drew cross-sector attendees from Belize’s national government, private business sector, local civil society organizations, and the wider diplomatic corps based in the country. The interactive gathering centered on three core goals: expanding access to mentorship opportunities for emerging women leaders, growing female representation in senior decision-making roles, and strengthening intergenerational support networks that connect established women leaders with young people just starting their careers.
In comments following the event, High Commissioner White emphasized that immersive programmes like High Commissioner for a Day fill a critical gap in youth development. He noted that the initiative is intentionally designed to give young women the practical, on-the-ground experience and built confidence they need to pursue senior leadership and decision-making roles across all sectors, both within Belize and internationally.
Following Martinez’s selection, the British High Commission issued an official statement congratulating her on the achievement, and extended gratitude to all local and institutional partners that made the 2026 iteration of the programme possible. The statement reaffirmed the British government’s long-term commitment to supporting and empowering the next generation of women leaders across Belize, through targeted development initiatives and leadership programming.
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Postponement of launch of Grenada Decent Work Country Programme
Grenada’s Ministry of Legal Affairs, Labour and Consumer Affairs has issued an official public announcement confirming that the much-anticipated launch of the 2026–2031 Grenada Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) will not proceed as originally planned. The official ceremony, which was scheduled to coincide with national May Day celebrations on Carriacou on 1 May 2026, has been rescheduled to a future date that will be shared with the public once finalized.
The decision to delay the launch was reached through collective consultations among all core governing stakeholders: the Government of Grenada, the Grenada Trades Union Council (GTUC), the Grenada Employers’ Federation (GEF), and the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The delay stems from unforeseen logistical or operational circumstances that were not accounted for during initial planning. All participating parties have emphasized that their shared commitment to the Decent Work Agenda remains unchanged, and the delay is intended to ensure the official launch properly reflects the programme’s national importance and its foundational tripartite structure that includes government, worker representatives, and employer groups.
As a flagship national policy initiative for the next five years, the DWCP is designed to guide coordinated, cross-sector action across six key priority areas: expanding access to decent and productive employment, strengthening regulatory and institutional governance of the national labour market, expanding accessible social protection for all workers, improving standards for occupational safety and health across all workplaces, scaling up targeted workforce skills development, and reinforcing productive social dialogue between labour and industry stakeholders. The programme itself was already developed through a year-long, inclusive tripartite consultation process, with specialized technical guidance and support provided by the ILO.
While the formal launch and tripartite signing ceremony have been deferred, ministry officials confirmed that all substantive pre-implementation work and preparatory activities for the DWCP will continue on schedule. The initiative remains a top policy priority for the ministry and all its social partner stakeholders. A new official date for the launch and signing will be announced to the public after additional internal consultations between all participating parties.
In closing the announcement, the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Labour and Consumer Affairs reaffirmed its longstanding, collaborative partnership with the GTUC, GEF, and ILO. It also restated its unwavering commitment to advancing fair decent work outcomes and social justice for all workers and employers across Grenada.
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Former Minister Cannot Escape Corruption Charge, Court Rules
In a historic decision that reshapes the landscape of executive accountability in Belize, the Supreme Court has rejected a legal bid by former Cabinet Minister Rene Montero to dismiss corruption-related charges against him, confirming that sitting and former government ministers can be held criminally liable for abuses of power under the nation’s Criminal Code.
The case centers on allegations first brought in April 2024, when Montero—who previously served as the Works Minister under the UDP administration—and George Andrews, a former Assistant District Technical Supervisor at the Ministry of Works, were jointly indicted on charges of wilful oppression under Sections 284(1) and 309 of the Belize Criminal Code. Prosecutors allege that between April 2016 and November 2020, the pair deliberately misused their authority to direct and permit the improper diversion of public government resources, causing direct harm to the Belizean public.
Montero’s legal team launched a pre-trial challenge to have the entire indictment thrown out, grounding their argument in a technical constitutional interpretation. They pointed to Section 131(4) of the Belize Constitution, which explicitly excludes political Ministers from the formal definition of the “public service.” Counsel argued this exclusion should extend to the Criminal Code, placing elected ministers beyond the reach of Section 284(1) which only applies to “public officers.” They further contended that the Constitution intentionally draws a clear line between the political executive—held accountable primarily through electoral democracy—and the permanent public service, which is subject to administrative law oversight; erasing that distinction, they argued, was constitutionally invalid, especially in criminal law where status-based liability must be clearly defined.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) pushed back forcefully against this interpretation, noting that the Section 131(4) exclusion opens with the limiting phrase “In this Constitution,” meaning it was only intended to apply to the internal operational provisions of the constitutional document itself. The DPP argued Parliament never intended this narrow constitutional definition to override how criminal statutes define liability for public officials.
In her ruling delivered in late March 2026, Justice Natalie Creary-Dixon sided squarely with the prosecution. She emphasized that Section 299 of the Belize Criminal Code contains its own independent definition of “public officer, created explicitly for criminal law purposes and separate from any definitions laid out in the Constitution. Under the Criminal Code’s wording, a public officer is any person holding a civil office whose appointment and removal falls to the Governor-General or other specified official authority. Since all government ministers are formally appointed by the Governor-General under Section 40 of the Constitution, and hold non-military civil positions in the government, they clearly meet the plain language definition of public officer under the code.
The judge stressed that the Constitution’s exclusion of ministers from the definition of “public service” applies only to matters covered by the constitutional text itself, and does not grant ministers any blanket immunity from prosecution under ordinary criminal law. In a key passage of the judgment, Justice Creary-Dixon wrote: “The Constitution does not confer immunity upon Ministers from the application of criminal law. On one view, interpreting section 299 so as to include Ministers arguably advances the constitutional value of the rule of law by ensuring that holders of significant executive authority remain subject to legal standards governing abuse of public power.”
With Montero’s application to quash the indictment rejected, his criminal trial will move forward as scheduled. Legal analysts across Belize widely agree that this ruling will carry far-reaching implications for future cases of ministerial misconduct, establishing a clear precedent that no senior elected official is above the reach of criminal law when accused of abusing public office.



