In a vibrant display of political fervor and spiritual unity, the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) hosted its National Gospel Concert last night at the Vieux Fort Recreation Park. With the general election just two weeks away, the event served as both a rallying cry for supporters and a platform to celebrate recent achievements, including the handover of the St Jude Hospital. SLP candidates shared the stage with local gospel artists, delivering impassioned speeches that praised party leader Philip J. Pierre and warned of intensified political rhetoric in the coming days. Lisa Jawahir, the SLP candidate for Castries South-East, emphasized the significance of the hospital handover, stating, ‘This occasion is bigger than politics,’ while expressing her inspiration drawn from Pierre’s leadership and the resilience of the nation. Pierre himself cautioned supporters about the ‘nastiest politics’ expected from the opposition United Workers Party (UWP), which was simultaneously holding its own rally. He urged SLP candidates to intensify their campaign efforts and highlighted key policies, such as the ‘one university graduate per household’ initiative and free preschool education. The SLP is set to unveil its full manifesto on November 25, ahead of the December 1 election.
分类： politics
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Mexican President for talks between the US and Venezuela
In a recent statement, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized her country’s commitment to peace and dialogue, particularly in the context of escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela. Responding to former US President Donald Trump’s comments about potential talks with Venezuela, Sheinbaum reiterated Mexico’s stance against invasions and its support for peaceful conflict resolution. ‘We are a country that always seeks peace, dialogue, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. We are not in favor of invasions,’ she declared during her weekly media briefing at the National Palace. Sheinbaum also affirmed Mexico’s willingness to assist in fostering dialogue between the US and Venezuela, stating, ‘Mexico will always be there to help in any possible way. Dialogue must always take place. We must seek talks and peace everywhere.’ Trump’s remarks coincided with the deployment of the US Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier to the Caribbean Sea, a move widely interpreted as a display of military strength. Additionally, the US initiated provocative military exercises in Trinidad and Tobago, near Venezuela’s borders, while continuing operations against suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s refusal to recognize Nicolas Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate president, maintaining a hardline stance against his administration.
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Bangladesh: Tribunaal veroordeelt afgezette Sheikh Hasina tot de doodstraf
In a landmark ruling, a special tribunal in Dhaka has sentenced Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity. The charges stem from her alleged harsh crackdown on a student-led uprising in 2024, which resulted in hundreds of deaths and the collapse of her 15-year rule. The International Crimes Tribunal also handed down a death sentence to former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan for his role in the violent suppression of protesters. Both Hasina and Khan fled to India last year and were convicted in absentia. A former police chief, who turned state witness against Hasina, received a five-year prison sentence. The tribunal, led by Judge Golam Mortuza Mozumder, announced the verdict in a session broadcast live, drawing mixed reactions from the crowded courtroom. Hasina has condemned the ruling as “biased and politically motivated,” asserting that she acted in good faith to minimize casualties. The verdict comes amid ongoing instability in Bangladesh following Hasina’s ousting on August 5, 2024. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, who now heads an interim government, has vowed to punish Hasina and banned her Awami League party from participating in upcoming elections. The country remains tense, with increased security measures and sporadic violence reported in the lead-up to the verdict. Hasina has the option to appeal the sentence within 30 days, though her return to Bangladesh seems unlikely.
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Cuba congratulates students and remembers Fidel Castro’s message
In a heartfelt tribute on International Students’ Day, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel took to social media to extend his warm wishes to students worldwide. He urged them to revisit the profound words of Fidel Castro, the iconic leader of the Cuban Revolution, delivered two decades ago. Diaz-Canel emphasized the enduring relevance of Castro’s message, stating, ‘His words from then carry remarkable significance and timeless lessons for the future.’ Simultaneously, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez commemorated Castro’s historic speech at the University of Havana on November 17, 2005, marking the 60th anniversary of Castro’s enrollment at the institution. Rodriguez highlighted the speech’s critical warnings about imperialist threats to the Global South and its rallying cry for unity, awareness, and intelligence to safeguard the Revolution’s achievements. He also celebrated Castro’s unwavering optimism, quoting his declaration that dedicating one’s life to the cause made it ‘worth being born! Worth living!’ International Students’ Day traces its origins to November 17, 1939, when Czechoslovakian students bravely resisted Nazi forces in Prague, symbolizing the enduring spirit of youth in the face of oppression.
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Duchess of Edinburgh to Meet Prime Minister Briceno
Sophie Rhys-Jones, the Duchess of Edinburgh, commenced a significant three-day diplomatic visit to Belize, arriving at Philip Goldson International Airport on the evening of November 16, 2025. She was warmly received by a delegation including Governor-General Dame Froyla Tzalam, Ambassador Amalia Mai, and representatives from the Belize Defence Force Honour Guard, underscoring the importance of her visit. The Duchess’s itinerary is packed with engagements aimed at fostering bilateral relations and supporting local initiatives. Her first stop was the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI) in Belize City, where she interacted with the community and highlighted the importance of health and social welfare programs. Later in the day, she is scheduled to hold a pivotal meeting with Prime Minister John Briceño to discuss mutual interests and collaborative efforts. The day will culminate with a formal reception at the House of Culture, featuring an investiture ceremony. The Duchess’s visit emphasizes key areas such as health, the empowerment of indigenous women, and the preservation of Belize’s renowned barrier reef. This visit not only reinforces the strong historical ties between Belize, a Commonwealth realm, and the United Kingdom but also showcases the ongoing commitment to shared values and cooperation.
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Democratic People’s Movement: We move together!
On Sunday, 16 November 2025, Peter David officially launched the Democratic People’s Movement (DPM) in a historic event that marked a turning point for Grenada. Addressing a diverse audience, David declared that the movement is no longer just an idea but a tangible force for change. He emphasized unity, action, and progress as the core principles of the DPM, urging Grenadians to move beyond division and stagnation.
David acknowledged the challenges Grenada faces, including political division, economic struggles, and social inequality. He shared stories from his travels across the country, where he listened to the concerns of citizens—parents worried about their children’s future, business owners battling economic hardships, and a general frustration with the status quo. He framed the DPM as a grassroots movement, born from the shared hope of rebuilding a nation that honors its past while embracing a brighter future.
The DPM’s philosophy centers on the belief that a nation’s strength lies in the participation of all its people, not just a select few. David outlined three key commitments: ‘Work that pays and stays,’ ‘Food that feeds us,’ and ‘Healthcare that reaches you.’ These pillars aim to address unemployment, food security, and healthcare accessibility, ensuring a better quality of life for all Grenadians.
David also highlighted the need for economic resilience, particularly in the face of global challenges that disproportionately affect small island states. He called for strategic partnerships, sustainable investment, and policies that protect Grenada’s sovereignty and dignity. The movement’s Progressive Agenda for Empowerment (PAE) will be unveiled in the coming weeks, focusing on youth empowerment, small business support, and agricultural revitalization.
In a passionate conclusion, David invoked the spirit of unity and courage, urging Grenadians to join the movement and shape its future. He emphasized that the DPM is not about leaders or parties but about ideas, policies, and action. The event concluded with a call to action: ‘First, we question. Then, we organize. Finally, we move forward, together.’
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Electoral Officer announces that the process of voter confirmation is proceeding with no interruptions
The Electoral Office has issued a clarification regarding the ongoing voter confirmation process, emphasizing that it remains uninterrupted despite the temporary suspension of new voter registrations. In a recent statement, the Office addressed public concerns and misinformation, confirming that voter confirmation activities are proceeding as planned until the October 15, 2026, deadline. The suspension of new voter registrations, announced last week, does not affect the confirmation process, which allows registered voters to verify, update, or amend their personal information. The Office highlighted the distinction between the two processes: voter registration, which is currently on hold, is for individuals not yet listed on the Voters Register, while voter confirmation is for those already registered. To facilitate the confirmation process, designated centres across all constituencies remain operational during specified hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The Electoral Office encourages all registered voters to complete their confirmation before the deadline. For further assistance, the public can contact the Electoral Office hotline at 617-9595 or 275-8164. The Office is located at the commissions building on Jewel Street, Roseau, in the Commonwealth of Dominica.
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New York AG urges temporary protected status for Jamaicans after Hurricane Melissa
In the wake of the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica on October 28, 2025, New York Attorney General Letitia James has called on the federal government to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Jamaicans currently residing in the United States. The hurricane, the most intense to ever hit the island, has resulted in at least 45 fatalities and caused over $2 billion in property damage, displacing approximately 30,000 households and severely disrupting access to essential services such as electricity, clean water, and medical care.
In a formal letter addressed to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), James emphasized the urgent need for TPS, a designation that allows individuals from countries experiencing severe crises to live and work legally in the U.S. without fear of deportation. ‘Hurricane Melissa has inflicted unimaginable devastation on our Jamaican neighbors, destroying vital infrastructure and leaving tens of thousands homeless,’ James stated. ‘Forcing Jamaicans in the U.S. to return to a shattered homeland would be both dangerous and inhumane. TPS was designed precisely for such situations, and the federal government must act swiftly to protect those affected.’
James’s appeal has garnered widespread support from political leaders, including Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, who highlighted the U.S.’s moral and diplomatic obligations to Jamaica. ‘Jamaica has been a steadfast ally to the United States since its founding,’ Clarke remarked. ‘We must honor our humanitarian commitments by ensuring that Jamaicans are not forced to return to unsafe conditions while their nation rebuilds.’
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., whose family has Jamaican roots, echoed these sentiments, urging the Trump administration to ‘set politics aside’ and extend TPS without delay. ‘The heart-wrenching images of devastation in Jamaica compel us to act,’ Richards said. ‘The U.S. must stand with our Caribbean brothers and sisters during this critical time.’
New York City Council Majority Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers, representing one of the largest Caribbean communities in the city, also voiced her support. ‘Extending TPS is not only the right thing to do but also a testament to the deep cultural and historical ties between New York City and Jamaica,’ she asserted. ‘It is our shared responsibility to provide safety and stability to those in need.’
The call for TPS follows a precedent set by the U.S. government, which has previously granted the designation to nationals of Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal following natural disasters. As Jamaica begins the arduous process of recovery, the extension of TPS would offer critical relief to those affected by the hurricane’s unprecedented destruction.
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Mindless, rabid partisanship
In Trinidad and Tobago, the unwavering allegiance to political parties and leaders often overshadows the principles of good governance, public welfare, and integrity. This phenomenon, as highlighted by commentator Trevor Sudama, is not new nor exclusive to any single party. Simon Wright, in a recent letter to the press, pointed out a growing and dangerous trend where political loyalty supersedes national interest. This sentiment is echoed among supporters of both the United National Congress (UNC) and the People’s National Movement (PNM), where dissent is often met with harsh criticism and ostracism. Sudama recounts his own experiences of being vilified by the UNC leadership and its base for raising concerns about corruption, governance, and the party’s direction. He, along with Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj and Ralph Maraj, faced dismissal from the government in 2001 after questioning the administration’s actions, including the handling of the Piarco terminal project and the collapse of Clico. Despite the backlash, Sudama remains steadfast in his commitment to integrity and independence of thought, emphasizing the importance of speaking truth to power. He reflects on the irony of politics, where former opponents of the UNC now lead the party, and past PNM sympathizers are at the forefront of a UNC government. Sudama’s narrative underscores the complexities and contradictions inherent in political life, where blind loyalty often trumps rational discourse and accountability.
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Maduro knocks Kamla for ‘housing US military force’
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has launched a scathing critique against Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, accusing her government of undermining its sovereignty by hosting a US military force. Speaking on his weekly television program, *Con Maduro*, on November 18, Maduro claimed that Persad-Bissessar had ‘mortgaged’ the nation’s sea and territory to accommodate a foreign military presence just 15 kilometers from Venezuela’s coast. He argued that this decision threatens regional stability and disrupts the historical brotherhood between the two nations. Maduro specifically referenced the US Marine Corps 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, which has been conducting joint military exercises with the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force since late October. This marks the unit’s second deployment to the region in less than a month. Maduro warned that such actions represent a ‘false step against peace’ and violate the shared history of the Caribbean. He further asserted that the people of Trinidad and Tobago, including their military, oppose the militarization of their territory and the perceived threats against Venezuela. Meanwhile, Persad-Bissessar defended the US presence, stating on X (formerly Twitter) that it has contributed to reducing gun, drug, and human trafficking in the region. The US Southern Command has justified its military activities as part of efforts to combat narco-terrorism, with at least 21 strikes carried out in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since September. However, the Venezuelan government views this as a covert attempt to destabilize its regime. Amid escalating tensions, former US President Donald Trump expressed his intention to engage in discussions with Maduro following a request from Venezuela’s administration.