Voters across the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda headed to the polls starting at 6 a.m. local time Thursday, as the country’s highly anticipated general election officially got underway across all 17 electoral constituencies. The Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission has issued formal confirmation that voting operations are running smoothly across every polling station nationwide, with ballot access open to eligible electors until 6 p.m. Thursday. Once voting concludes at the closing deadline, vote counting will immediately commence. The election is shaped as a competitive contest dominated by two major political forces: the incumbent governing Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP), and the main opposition United Progressive Party (UPP). One additional candidate from the Barbuda People’s Movement (BPM) is also in the running, alongside three independent contenders who are competing for seats in three separate constituencies: Debbie Pero Georges in St. George, Alan Weston in St. Paul, and Nigel Bascus in St. John’s Rural West. These independent candidacies have created tightly contested three-way races in each of these three districts. Notably, the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) opted out of the 2024 contest entirely, having previously announced it would not field any candidates in this election cycle. Early voter activity was reported at multiple polling locations across the country, with dozens of electors arriving to cast their ballots within minutes of stations opening. To maintain order and uphold electoral integrity, election officials, accredited party agents, and uniformed security personnel have been deployed to every polling site across Antigua and Barbuda. For context, the last general election held in the country in 2023 saw a total of 42,869 valid ballots cast, translating to a national voter turnout rate of 70.37 percent, per official electoral data. Ahead of voting, electoral authorities have issued public guidance urging all registered electors to double-check their assigned polling station locations ahead of arrival, bring the mandatory government-issued photo identification required to vote, and adhere to all established electoral rules and protocols throughout voting day. The outcome of Thursday’s vote will determine the full membership of Antigua and Barbuda’s next national Parliament. Counting operations are scheduled to run through the overnight hours into Friday, which has been designated a public holiday to accommodate the election process, with final official results expected to be declared once counting is completed. To reinforce transparency, independent observation teams from three major regional and international bodies—the Commonwealth, the Organization of American States (OAS), and the Caribbean Community (Caricom)—are on the ground monitoring all stages of the electoral process.
分类： politics
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Wijzigingen Comptabiliteitswet noodzakelijk voor begrotingsbehandeling
Paramaribo, 30 April – The opening of public debate on Suriname’s 2026 national budget has been delayed, after National Assembly Speaker Ashwin Adhin confirmed that critical preconditions have yet to be met before formal deliberations can begin. In an interview with local outlet Starnieuws, Adhin explained that amendments to the country’s Comptability Act must first be finalized to create a legal framework for the budget process. On top of the required legislative changes, the executive branch has yet to submit several supplementary policy documents and full financial datasets required for parliamentary review.
Adhin emphasized that budget deliberation is far more than a procedural formality for the legislature. It is the core mechanism through which parliament exercises its constitutional oversight over government spending, sovereign debt management, public revenue streams, and the implementation of administration policy priorities. Launching debate without complete, accurate information would be irresponsible, he said, adding that the government must first provide full clarity on all outstanding line items and planned expenditure allocations. Once all required documentation is received, the 2026 budget will be immediately placed on the assembly’s urgent agenda. Adhin also noted that the council of ministers still awaits a comprehensive national debt plan from Finance and Planning Minister Adelien Wijnerman, a key document required for thorough review.
The debate over the 2026 budget comes as the Suriname Court of Audit highlighted long-running systemic flaws in public financial management in its recently released 2025 annual report. While the court acknowledged that incremental progress has been made in recent reforms, it found that misalignment between policy priorities and budget implementation remains a persistent shortcoming. Internal control systems within individual government ministries also continue to function inadequately, the audit body found.
As a result of these weak controls, errors and irregularities in public spending are not always caught in a timely fashion, the court reported. Additional challenges remain around upholding integrity and compliance with existing financial laws and regulations. Recent audits into domain land management, social welfare benefits, and public subsidy distribution confirmed that gaps in oversight and irregular spending practices are still widespread. The court also flagged compliance with financial reporting requirements by state-owned enterprises as an ongoing high-priority concern.
Against this backdrop, Adhin argued that rigorous, careful scrutiny of the 2026 budget is non-negotiable. Parliament must have full clarity to trace exactly how public resources are allocated, what existing sovereign debt obligations the government carries, and how new financing will be deployed to meet policy goals. The Court of Audit echoed this priority, noting that transparency and accountability are foundational to maintaining public trust in government institutions. It also stressed that discharge approval by the National Assembly is a critical link in the state’s financial accountability cycle; without completing this step, national financial oversight remains incomplete.
Adhin reaffirmed that while moving the budget process forward in a timely manner is important, speed cannot come at the cost of robust, thorough parliamentary financial oversight. The budget will only be taken up for full debate once all preconditions are met. “We will not rush this process at the expense of sound governance,” Adhin said, adding that once the required legal amendments are passed and all missing documents are submitted, the National Assembly will advance the budget process with full urgency.
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Pringle Urges Change, Browne Promotes Strong Leadership in Final Appeal to Voters
As Antigua and Barbuda prepares to head to the polls for its critical general election, the nation’s two leading political forces have laid out starkly competing visions for the country’s future in last-ditch appeals to the electorate. On the eve of voting, opposition leader Jamale Pringle of the United Progressive Party (UPP) framed the upcoming ballot as a once-in-a-five-year opportunity to reverse what he calls a 12-year downward trajectory under the incumbent administration, while sitting Prime Minister Gaston Browne of the Labour Party is begging voters for a second term to build on the national “renaissance” his government claims to have already delivered.
In a pre-election video address published Wednesday, Pringle positioned the 2023 election as a defining turning point that will touch every corner of voters’ daily lives, from household grocery bills to the quality of public infrastructure and accessible healthcare. “Tomorrow… may be your last opportunity for five years to determine the future of this nation,” Pringle told the public, urging every eligible citizen — particularly undecided voters and those planning to skip voting — to show up to their polling stations and make their voices heard.
Pringle leaned into widespread voter frustration, acknowledging that large swathes of the population have been left “deeply disappointed” over the 12 years of Labour Party rule, with many facing declining personal finances and worsening economic mobility. He listed a litany of grievances that have eroded public trust: crumbling road networks, inconsistent access to clean drinking water, a steady rise in violent and petty crime, and the skyrocketing cost of living that has stretched household budgets thin. All these issues, he argued, are clear proof that a change in leadership is long overdue.
Beyond domestic failures, Pringle also called out what he framed as governance missteps that have damaged Antigua and Barbuda’s standing on the global stage. He pointed to strained diplomatic relations with key international partners and emerging financial risks that threaten the nation’s economic stability, arguing that these challenges are “not accidental circumstances” but the direct outcome of poor policy choices by the Browne administration.
Making his pitch for the UPP, Pringle highlighted the party’s proven track record in past government roles, noting that the party has previously inherited complex national challenges and managed them effectively. He urged voters to “vote against the situations that hinder your progress and the behavior that threatens democracy,” while calling on supporters to back the UPP and hold the party accountable if it fails to deliver on its pledges to boost living standards and drive inclusive national development. To counter doubts about the opposition’s readiness to govern, Pringle emphasized the “education, experience, competence, and the character” of the UPP’s full slate of candidates, framing the team as uniquely prepared to tackle the nation’s most pressing issues.
Meanwhile, during his final pre-election televised address, Prime Minister Browne made the case that his sitting administration has already delivered tangible, measurable progress for Antigua and Barbuda, and deserves another term to deepen those gains. Centering his re-election campaign on a theme of national renewal, Browne argued that the country is already in the midst of a transformative renaissance, pointing to sustained economic growth, large-scale infrastructure upgrades, and expanded social programs as proof of positive change under his leadership. “We are already in the Renaissance,” he said, adding that continued investment in physical infrastructure and human development would unlock the “blossoming of our nation” and lift living standards for all citizens.
Browne highlighted improvements across key economic metrics, including steady GDP growth, record low unemployment, and improved fiscal performance. He claimed his administration has strengthened the country’s overall financial position and steadily reduced economic inequality over its term. He also pointed to signature policy initiatives including subsidized affordable housing, broad duty waivers on essential goods, and expanded social safety net programs, all part of a broader push to distribute national wealth more equitably and improve quality of life for all Antigua and Barbudans.
Looking ahead to a second term, Browne laid out key policy pledges: his government would raise the national minimum wage and work toward implementing a full “livable wage” for all workers, while continuing critical subsidies to shield domestic consumers from volatile global price hikes. He argued that ongoing economic expansion, backed by billions of dollars in committed domestic and foreign investment projects, will create thousands of new jobs and solidify Antigua and Barbuda’s position as an economic and political leader across the Caribbean. Browne also pushed back against claims of exclusionary governance, emphasizing that his administration’s popular policies — from duty waivers to social support — have been distributed evenly to all citizens regardless of their political party affiliation.
These sharply contrasting closing messages highlight the stark choice facing voters as they head to the polls on election day. After more than a decade of Labour Party rule, voters must decide whether to align with the opposition’s call for sweeping change after years of perceived decline, or endorse the incumbent’s argument that its policy framework has already laid a strong foundation for continued growth and shared prosperity. The closely contested election, which will set the country’s political direction for the next five years, will see voters deliver their verdict today.
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Uncertainty over Venezuela
In a sharp rebuke of Trinidad and Tobago’s ruling United National Congress (UNC) administration, People’s National Movement (PNM) political leader Pennelope Beckles has raised alarms over the rapidly deteriorating diplomatic relationship between the twin-island nation and neighboring Venezuela, arguing that the fractured bilateral ties are directly undermining the country’s ability to lock in critical energy contracts that underpin its economy.
Speaking at a “State of the Economy” political gathering hosted at Port of Spain’s City Hall Monday night, Beckles emphasized that strained cross-border relations have severely eroded Trinidad and Tobago’s negotiating leverage at a moment when the energy sector remains the backbone of the country’s public revenue, export earnings, and overall economic stability. She told attendees that growing uncertainty around official engagement with Caracas has slowed progress on high-priority cross-border energy initiatives, most notably the long-planned Dragon gas project.
Beckles called out the current government for inconsistent public messaging around the status of the Dragon gas development, criticizing its clumsy handling of international diplomacy. She noted that nearly 12 months have passed since Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced the securing of a new Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) license and the revival of the Dragon gas deal, yet administration officials have still not been able to conduct official visits to Venezuela to advance the project. She contrasted this inaction with progress under the previous PNM administration, recalling that former energy minister Stuart Young made repeated trips to Caracas to lay the critical groundwork for the agreement.
“They say the Dragon gas deal is dead, they repeat it over and over, but imagine they are so bold-faced and have no shame. All of a sudden the same deal they said was dead they supposedly revived,” Beckles said, accusing the current administration of taking credit for diplomatic and technical progress achieved by the previous government while simultaneously dismissing those past efforts.
She also reiterated criticism of Persad-Bissessar’s past confrontational approach to Venezuela, noting that the prime minister’s aggressive, undiplomatic attacks on the Venezuelan government led to her being declared persona non grata. “Be careful how you bad talk people,” Beckles warned.
Turning to the broader health of Trinidad and Tobago’s economy, Beckles underscored the outsized role the energy sector plays in sustaining national livelihoods, breaking down its contribution to key economic metrics: it accounts for one-third of total government revenue, one-fifth of overall gross domestic product, and roughly 80 percent of the country’s total export earnings. “Without the benefits of the energy sector we would not enjoy the lifestyle we have come to take for granted,” she said.
Beckles stressed that Trinidad and Tobago’s entire economic model is built around natural gas, with upstream extraction feeding a robust downstream industrial sector that includes some of the largest petrochemical facilities in the Caribbean and Latin America. This industrial estate model, she noted, relies entirely on stable, long-term access to natural gas supplies.
Against this backdrop, she explained, declining production from maturing domestic gas fields has put growing pressure on the sector, making strategic cross-border partnerships and binding international energy agreements more important than ever. Production volumes have dropped sharply from historic highs, she said, while proven domestic reserves continue to decline, creating an urgent need to develop new supply sources like the Dragon field off Venezuela’s coast.
Beckles also criticized what she described as repeated attempts by the ruling administration to misrepresent the true state of the energy sector, arguing that political messaging often disregards hard technical realities around declining production and shrinking reserves. She closed by noting that previous negotiations under the PNM administration had strengthened Trinidad and Tobago’s standing in the global energy market, securing more favorable pricing structures and expanded participation in liquefied natural gas operations that benefit the entire nation.
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Kamla warned about fallout over Trump
Against the backdrop of shifting global political tides, a leading international relations scholar has sounded a urgent alarm over the strategic choices shaping Trinidad and Tobago’s foreign policy. Dr. Andy Knight, speaking at the weekly Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) Tuesday Talk forum hosted by MSJ leader David Abdulah, argued that the current close alignment of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s administration with U.S. President Donald Trump carries significant long-term risks that the small Caribbean nation cannot afford to ignore.
At the core of Knight’s warning is the unpredictable nature of American political cycles, which stand in sharp contrast to the stable long-term relationships small states depend on for their security and economic prosperity. “Right now, we see one or two Caricom nations tying their fate to a sitting U.S. president, but leaders in these capitals need to remember that no presidential term lasts forever,” Knight explained. He noted that even before the next presidential election, midterm congressional shifts could easily turn the sitting president into a lame duck, drastically limiting their ability to deliver on any informal or formal commitments made to Caribbean allies.
For a country like Trinidad and Tobago, which relies heavily on consistent, mutually respectful diplomatic ties to sustain its trade and security, this overalignment could leave the nation exposed when the inevitable leadership change occurs in Washington. “When you hitch your entire wagon to a single president, you set yourself up for long-term harm,” Knight emphasized. “If a new administration takes power in the next U.S. election, your close ties to the previous president could leave you on the wrong side of Washington, with few paths to repair the damage. That’s an existential threat for a small state that can’t afford to burn diplomatic bridges.”
Knight also pointed out growing unease across the Caribbean Community (Caricom) over Trinidad and Tobago’s close adoption of U.S. security priorities, noting that regional rifts have already begun to emerge. One high-profile example he cited was Venezuela’s decision to suspend energy cooperation with Trinidad and Tobago shortly after a U.S. warship was deployed to the region, a move that illustrates how quickly alignment with a major power can trigger damaging diplomatic and economic tension with neighboring states.
This reality, Knight argued, underscores the need for Trinidad and Tobago to prioritize both major power relations and regional integration. The nation maintains extensive trade and people-to-people ties across the Caribbean, and a breakdown of those relationships would carry severe economic and political consequences. “The smarter long-term play is to align your national interests with your Caribbean neighbors,” he said. “If regional partners grow frustrated with your choices and scale back cooperation, Trinidad and Tobago will find itself in an extremely difficult position.”
Adding another layer of risk is Trump’s well-documented unpredictability, Knight argued. Even in the short term, there is no guarantee that the current favorable alignment will hold: “We have no certainty that this president will maintain his support for Trinidad and Tobago, given how fickle he has proven to be. He can reverse course on past allies in an instant, which would leave the nation isolated almost overnight.”
Instead of tying the nation’s future to Washington, Knight argued that all Caribbean states should pursue a more balanced, independent foreign policy that preserves regional autonomy and unity. “We shoot ourselves in the foot when we tie our entire future to one individual or one single administration,” he said. “The entire region needs to think strategically about how to protect its sovereignty, strengthen regional cohesion, and avoid being left vulnerable when the inevitable shifts in global politics occur.”
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Saint Kitts and Nevis Government slashes import duties for fully electric vehicles
Basseterre, Saint Kitts – In a bold policy move designed to accelerate the Caribbean nation’s transition to low-carbon transportation, the government of Saint Kitts and Nevis has announced a 35-percentage-point cut to import duties on fully electric vehicles under four years old. The sweeping reduction, which will lower import taxes from 45 percent to just 10 percent, takes effect May 1, 2026.
Energy Minister Konris Maynard unveiled the new measure during an official launch ceremony for two groundbreaking national sustainability programs – Solar Integration for Sustainable Energy (SOLARISE) and Decarbonised Roadway Initiative for Vehicle Electrification (DRIVE) – held at the CUNA Conference Room on April 30.
Maynard emphasized that the tariff cut is far more than a minor policy adjustment, framing it as a transformative shift for the country’s transportation and energy sectors. “This government is about accelerating the transition to electric mobility and electric vehicles,” he told attendees, noting that the steep reduction is intended to remove a key financial barrier to EV adoption for local residents and citizens.
Beyond making the initial purchase of electric vehicles more accessible, Maynard – a personal EV owner himself – pointed to the ongoing financial benefits that come with electric transportation. Owners of EVs routinely see far lower costs for fuel, regular operation, and routine maintenance compared to drivers of traditional gas-powered vehicles, he explained.
The policy forms a core part of the government’s broader long-term strategy to build a more resilient national energy system, modernize the country’s transportation infrastructure, diversify the local economy, and position Saint Kitts and Nevis to compete effectively in an increasingly decarbonized global economy.
The launch of both the SOLARISE and DRIVE initiatives, along with the accompanying tariff cut, drew full high-level support from the national Cabinet, including Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson, Sustainable Development Minister Dr. Joyelle Clarke, and Social Development Minister Isalean Phillip. This cross-government backing signals the country’s unified commitment to advancing its climate and sustainability goals.
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Gonsalves attempts to use IMF report to rally ULP supporters
Five months after the Unity Labour Party (ULP) ended its 24-year consecutive rule over St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), veteran opposition leader and former prime minister Ralph Gonsalves is leveraging a newly released International Monetary Fund economic assessment to mobilize his base and push for an early reversal of the electorate’s decision. The 80-year-old leader, who remains head of the ULP despite the party’s historic electoral defeat, laid out his political campaign in an hours-long broadcast on the ULP-owned Star Radio’s popular “Morning Comrade” show Wednesday.
In the December 2024 general election, the New Democratic Party (NDP) secured the most lopsided electoral victory in SVG since 1989, beating the ULP by more than 10,000 popular votes. The election saw a dramatic shakeup within the ULP: while Gonsalves retained his own parliamentary seat, both his son Camillo Gonsalves, the former finance minister, and Saboto Caesar, former agriculture minister and a leading contender to succeed the elder Gonsalves, lost their seats. With former deputy leader Montgomery Daniel, 70, retiring from politics last year, the ULP has not yet filled the deputy leadership position after delaying a vote at its 2022 convention.
On Tuesday, one day before Gonsalves’ broadcast, sitting Prime Minister Godwin Friday upheld his pledge to government transparency by hosting a joint press conference with the Washington-based IMF team to announce the preliminary findings of the fund’s annual Article IV Consultation, a routine assessment SVG completed during every ULP administration. Friday confirmed that while the IMF identified a need for targeted economic reform, his NDP government will develop a locally led economic stabilization program that centers national ownership of the recovery process. He also emphasized that policy adjustments will prioritize protecting the country’s most vulnerable vulnerable populations from hardship. The full IMF staff report and executive board concluding statement are expected to be published at a later date, with additional detail on the fund’s full assessment and policy recommendations.
Gonsalves seized on the consultation results to frame the new government’s economic approach as illegitimate, arguing that voters made a mistake when they ousted the ULP after more than two decades in power, and now have a political duty to correct that error as quickly as possible. He positioned the conflict as a clear clash of competing economic visions: rejecting what he called the IMF and NDP’s “austerity message,” he argued that the ULP’s platform prioritizes prudence, enterprise, and inclusive growth that benefits all segments of SVG society. Gonsalves called on all ULP party bodies, from constituency councils to national leadership, to activate immediately, announcing that a national council meeting is scheduled for next month to lay the groundwork for the ULP’s return to power.
This is not the first time in less than a month that Gonsalves has leveraged a current policy debate to rally ULP supporters. Earlier in February, he mobilized opposition to a proposed constitutional amendment put forward by the NDP, framing the change as a self-serving “insurance policy” the governing party introduced to counter the ULP’s ongoing election petitions, which challenge the eligibility of Friday and Foreign Affairs Minister Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble over their dual Canadian citizenship. Friday responded that the amendment will be referred to a parliamentary select committee, and no floor vote or debate will be held until broad public consultation is completed.
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Gonsalves rejects IMF proposals, embraces statements favourable to ULP
A sharp political debate has erupted in St. Vincent and the Grenadines after the International Monetary Fund presented its annual economic assessment to the island nation’s new five-month-old administration, drawing fierce criticism from the former ruling party leader who claims the proposed austerity measures will disproportionately harm low-income workers and the growing middle class.
Ralph Gonsalves, head of the Unity Labour Party (ULP), stepped into the fray shortly after the IMF concluded its 2026 Article IV consultation — the Fund’s mandatory annual economic health check for member states — with a public press conference hosted in Kingstown on Tuesday. The ULP, which held power for 25 consecutive years, was ousted in the November 2025 general election, winning just one of 15 parliamentary seats against Prime Minister Godwin Friday’s New Democratic Party (NDP).
Gonsalves argues that the IMF’s proposed austerity framework directly contradicts the fiscally prudent, growth-focused economic philosophy his administration advanced during its time in office. “The main issue is they want to impose an austerity programme, which is a wrong and dangerous idea,” Gonsalves stated in his response to the Fund’s recommendations. He warned that the policies, which the IMF is pushing the young NDP government to adopt, would deepen poverty for the nation’s most vulnerable residents and reverse economic gains that lifted many working-class people into the middle class. “Those who are poor it gonna make you poorer… Those who came out of poverty and into the middle class it will drag you down, back into poverty,” he added.
The Tuesday press conference marked a break from long-standing practice in SVG: for the first time, the IMF’s mission chief for the country presented the Fund’s conclusions directly to the public, rather than having findings filtered through the sitting administration’s partisan framing — a norm that prevailed during Gonsalves’ two-and-a-half decades in office. Prime Minister Friday, who also serves as the nation’s finance minister, spoke before IMF Mission Chief Sergei Antoshin at the event, framing the public presentation as a core commitment of his new government to open governance.
Friday emphasized that the Article IV consultation is a necessary, routine process that his administration takes extremely seriously. “We have to deal with situations as they are, not as we would like them to be,” he noted, adding that his government is prepared to address the nation’s economic challenges with honesty and pragmatism, prioritizing the best interests of all Vincentians. Having held office for just five months, Friday reiterated that his administration campaigned on a pledge of transparency, saying the public press conference is part of a broader commitment to keep citizens informed of every major policy challenge and decision the government faces. “Today’s session is a part of that process of engaging with the people of this country on important matters that confront them,” he said.
But Gonsalves took issue not only with the substance of the IMF’s recommendations, but also with Friday’s decision to share the stage with Antoshin. The former prime minister claimed he never invited an IMF mission chief to appear alongside him at a public press conference during his tenure, arguing that Friday’s move amounts to the NDP leader hiding behind the Fund to push unpopular “bitter medicine” on the Vincentian public. Gonsalves accused the NDP government of a “mentality of submission” to the IMF, rather than pursuing genuine dialogue and pushing back against harmful policy prescriptions when necessary.
The debate has also centered on SVG’s long-running high debt burden, which the IMF has repeatedly flagged as a critical risk to economic stability. As of December 31, 2025, the nation’s total national debt stood at 3.5 billion Eastern Caribbean dollars, equal to an estimated 113% to 120% of gross domestic product, per World Bank calculations. Antoshin noted during Tuesday’s press conference that SVG has been classified at high risk of debt distress since 2016.
Gonsalves, who served as finance minister for 17 of his 25 years as prime minister, defended his administration’s debt record, pushing back against framing that links the rising debt to reckless public spending. He cited Antoshin’s own comments that growing fiscal deficits were driven by post-disaster relief and reconstruction efforts, large public infrastructure projects, and rising current expenditures. Gonsalves clarified that the major construction projects completed under his administration included critical public assets: primary and secondary schools, coastal and riverine flood defenses, community clinics, a new national hospital, an upgraded port, an international airport, and a national sports stadium.
He also disputed characterizations of the debt portfolio as overly expensive, noting that total debt sits at 3.3 billion Eastern Caribbean dollars, 2.1 to 2.3 billion of which is low-interest external debt, with less than 1 billion in domestic debt held primarily in government bonds. “When they’re talking about the debt … the bulk of the debt is cheap, overwhelmingly,” Gonsalves said. He added that his administration had already agreed on a framework with the IMF to gradually reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio to 60% to 65% by 2035, putting the nation’s debt on a sustainable long-term trajectory.
Full details of the IMF’s assessment and policy recommendations are expected to be released publicly in the coming weeks when the Fund publishes its full Article IV staff report and Executive Board concluding statement.
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ABEC Chairman Calls for Order, Respect and Preparedness as Antigua Votes
As Antigua and Barbuda prepares to hold its critical general election on Thursday, April 30, the chair of the country’s independent Electoral Commission (ABEC) has delivered a clear, urgent message to voters, political parties and all stakeholders involved: order, mutual respect and strict preparedness are non-negotiable to deliver a credible, trusted democratic outcome.
Arthur G.B. Thomas, ABEC’s sitting chairman, framed the upcoming vote as a defining moment for the nation’s democratic trajectory, emphasizing that every citizen’s right to vote comes paired with a binding responsibility to uphold electoral regulations. At the top of the enforcement agenda is the mandate for valid official voter identification, a requirement Thomas confirmed will be applied without exceptions for any elector.
“Let me be clear. No elector can be permitted to vote without a valid voter identification card,” Thomas stated, underscoring that the commission has already gone to great lengths to help voters resolve any ID issues ahead of polling day. To ensure eligible citizens could access or replace their identification documents, ABEC extended operating hours, added trained staffing to all regional offices, and deployed every available resource over the preceding weeks. Now, Thomas says, the onus shifts entirely to individual voters to confirm their eligibility before arriving at the polls.
“The opportunity has been provided. The responsibility now rests with you,” he added.
Beyond identification rules, Thomas issued a strong appeal for widespread discipline and decorum across all polling stations nationwide. He urged every voter to extend respect to electoral officials, on-site security personnel, fellow voters, and political opponents, noting that an orderly process is foundational to public trust in the final result. “Order and compliance and mutual respect are not optional; they are essential to the credibility of the outcome,” he said.
Thomas also reminded registered political parties of their legal and ethical obligation to remove all campaign materials, signage and promotional paraphernalia from areas surrounding polling divisions. A neutral voting space free from last-minute undue influence, he explained, is a core requirement for a fair election.
“The polling environment must remain neutral, orderly, and free from undue influence,” Thomas emphasized.
As polling locations open across the twin-island nation for the general election that will select the country’s next government, Thomas closed his address with a call for all eligible citizens to exercise their democratic right peacefully and within the bounds of electoral law. He stressed that broad adherence to the commission’s rules is the single most critical factor in maintaining public confidence in the process and its final outcome, urging all participants to honor Antigua and Barbuda’s long-standing democratic traditions through responsible participation.
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Symposium on Migration : The Minister of MAST advocates for the protection of Haitian migrants
Against a backdrop of sustained global discourse around human mobility and displacement, Haitian policymakers and stakeholders gathered Wednesday, April 29, Push for coordinated, forward-thinking solutions to the country’s ongoing migration challenges. Hosted at Port-au-Prince’s Montana Hotel and organized by the Jean Price-Mars Diplomatic Academy with official backing from Haiti’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the one-day symposium centered on the theme “Haitian Migration and its Contemporary Dynamics: Between Crises, Mobility, and Public Responses”, bringing together leading voices from diplomacy, academia, and national government institutions to examine the current state of Haitian migration and map out actionable policy responses.
Marc-Elie Nelson, Haiti’s Minister of Social Affairs and Labor (MAST), delivered the symposium’s keynote address, placing the protection of Haitian migrants at the top of the government’s policy agenda. “Migration has grown into one of the most pressing issues shaping international relations and public debate across the globe, and it is a defining challenge for our nation,” Nelson told attendees. He outlined a four-pillar approach to addressing the crisis: strengthening protections for Haitian citizens living abroad, deepening collaborative partnerships with the international community, expanding economic and social opportunities for young Haitians to reduce the pressure to emigrate, and more effectively integrating the Haitian diaspora into national development planning.
Nelson used his remarks to reaffirm the Haitian government’s commitment to addressing the root drivers of forced migration. He emphasized that the administration would work across all relevant state institutions to advance inclusive social policies designed to reduce the systemic vulnerabilities that push thousands of Haitians to seek opportunities abroad each year.
Pushing back against narratives that frame Haiti as permanently trapped in a cycle of human capital flight, Nelson struck a hopeful tone about the country’s potential. “Haiti is not condemned to perpetually export its youth and its most dynamic citizens,” he said. “Our country possesses extraordinary human resources, and our people have a well-documented resilience that is recognized across the entire world.” The minister outlined an ambitious vision to reframe migration as a coordinated national project, with the goal of building domestic capacity to retain young Haitian talent, encourage the return of skilled Haitians living abroad, and rebuild a sense of hope across the country.
Beyond high-level government addresses, the symposium served as a critical collaborative platform for cross-sector experts to share new research and on-the-ground findings related to Haitian migration, laying the groundwork for future multi-stakeholder action on the issue.