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  • A United Front for Belizean Sovereignty at Sarstoon

    A United Front for Belizean Sovereignty at Sarstoon

    In a rare display of unified action during Belize’s annual September national celebrations, once-divided civilian and national security groups have set aside past differences to stand together in defense of the country’s territorial sovereignty along the contested Sarstoon River border.

    The collaborative effort, which brought together the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV), a civilian activist group focused on territorial claims, and the Belize Coast Guard, with additional logistical and operational backing from the Belize Defense Force, culminated in a flag-planting expedition at the southern border, a long-running annual event to assert Belize’s territorial sovereignty.

    Weeks of coordinated planning between leadership from all three groups laid the groundwork for the smooth, incident-free mission, according to Belize Coast Guard Commandant Rear Admiral Gregory Soberanis. In comments following the expedition, Soberanis emphasized that open, direct dialogue between the civilian and military stakeholders was the key to the operation’s success. “This was an initiative where members of the BTV sat with members of the Belize Defense Force and the Belize Coast Guard and planned how we were going to execute,” Soberanis explained. “And it was executed in the manner that we had planned and so we are proud that we were able to pull it off with no incidents.”

    The joint mission comes amid rising tensions along the Sarstoon, where Guatemalan civilian and government vessels have increasingly increased their presence in the contested waterway. When asked by reporters whether this new model of civilian-military cooperation would become standard operating procedure for future expeditions, given the shifting and more confrontational posture from Guatemalan actors, Soberanis declined to commit to a long-term plan. Instead, he noted that authorities would take a flexible, year-by-year approach to future operations. “Every year we just will not forecast. We don’t want to presume anything,” Soberanis said. “We’ll take it year by year and then we’ll see how things unfold. And based on how things unfold as we reach a time like this year, we plan accordingly for how we are going to execute.”

    Despite the heavy presence of Guatemalan vessels and civilians along the river during this year’s expedition, the unified Belizean team successfully reached the Forward Operating Base at the border and raised the Belizean national flag, completing their core objective of reinforcing the country’s long-held territorial claim. This successful cross-group collaboration marks a notable shift in how Belize is approaching its ongoing border dispute, demonstrating a unified front both domestically and to international observers.

    This report is adapted from a transcript of an evening television newscast originally published online.

  • Political Pioneer Gwen Liz Earns Nation’s Highest Honour

    Political Pioneer Gwen Liz Earns Nation’s Highest Honour

    On September 18, 2026, Belize marked a historic milestone for gender equality and political progress during its annual Tribute to Belizean Patriots, where late political pioneer Gwen Lizarraga became the first woman in the nation’s history to be named a National Hero. The ceremony, held to honor 25 Belizeans for their decades of dedicated service to national development, also awarded six new recipients of the prestigious Order of Belize and introduced a brand-new honor, the Medal of Valor, awarded to a heroic pilot for his life-saving actions during a 2015 hijacking.

    In his opening remarks at the event, Prime Minister John Briceño celebrated Lizarraga’s trailblazing legacy, noting that her decades-long career broke long-standing gender barriers in Belizean politics at a time when public leadership was almost exclusively held by men. “She was a pioneering Belizean woman whose life was defined by courage, determination, and an unwavering commitment to social justice, gender equality, and human rights,” Briceño told attendees.

    Lizarraga’s public service career began at the municipal level, serving on the Belize Town Council before making history in 1961 as the first woman elected to Belize’s House of Representatives following the country’s transition to self-governance. She went on to serve three consecutive terms in office, ultimately claiming another historic first as Belize’s inaugural woman cabinet minister, serving through 1974. Beyond her own political achievements, her presence in top government leadership paved the way for generations of Belizean women to pursue public office.

    The tribute to Lizarraga anchored an evening that recognized dozens of Belizeans who have shaped the modern nation across sectors from politics to environmental protection. Governor General Dame Froyla Tzalam emphasized that the honorees represent what sustained national service truly means. “Each of the patriots being recognized tonight has been selflessly embodying what it means to believe in Belize,” she said. “They are national role models for all of us. They have shown that love of country isn’t something done once a year. It is a duty fulfilled every day and consistently demonstrated in the little things they do to build strong communities, to protect the vulnerable, to protect the environment, and in so doing, nurture Belize to be the best in her glorious diversity.”

    Alongside Lizarraga’s historic induction as a National Hero, six new honorees received the Order of Belize, one of the country’s highest civilian honors: posthumous awards went to Vernon Harrison “Harry” Courtney and Alexander “Sandy” Hunter, while living recipients include former People’s United Party leader Said Musa, Florencio Marin, former Ambassador Robert Leslie, and Shirley McSweeney (formerly Harvey). Briceño noted that the new inductees bring the total number of Order of Belize recipients from Belize’s greatest generation of nationalists to eight, joining previously honored Lindy Rogers and Assad Shoman, and called on the crowd to give all honorees a standing ovation.

    The 2026 ceremony also added a new distinction to the program: the Medal of Valor, which awarded its first ever medal to Captain Howell Grange for his extraordinary bravery during an April 2015 mid-air hijacking. Francis Usher, CEO of Belize’s Ministry of National Defense, explained that Grange’s calm, quick thinking under extreme pressure saved every life on board the flight. “The fact that Captain Grange was able to, despite all the adversity, despite everything going wrong, despite the threat on his life, despite being attacked physically, despite his passengers being attacked, he was able to keep a level head and come up with a plan,” Usher said. “I think that is really what separates what happened that day and makes it so heroic.”

    In his report from the event, News Five correspondent Shane Williams noted that while an AI-generated opening tribute contained several factual errors, the core mission of the night was carried out perfectly: cementing Lizarraga’s place in Belizean history as a barrier-breaking leader. The evening closed with a collective reminder that modern Belize, 45 years after independence, is the product of generations of selfless service from patriots across all walks of life.

  • The Woman Who Refused to “Accept “No”’: Belize Honours Madame Gwen Liz

    The Woman Who Refused to “Accept “No”’: Belize Honours Madame Gwen Liz

    On September 18, 2026, Belize paid one of its highest honors to a trailblazing leader who spent decades breaking gender barriers and expanding opportunity for marginalized communities across the nation. At the annual Tribute to Belizean Patriots ceremony, held along the waterfront near the iconic Swing Bridge in Belize City, Gwendolyn “Madame Liz” Lizarraga was posthumously named a National Hero of Belize, recognizing her lifelong work advancing women’s rights, shaping public education and housing policy, and proving that determined advocacy can overcome systemic exclusion. The award was accepted by Lizarraga’s grandson, Victor Lizarraga, on behalf of her family, as hundreds gathered to honor her legacy more than 50 years after her death.

    Born in the small Belizean village of Maskall in 1901, Lizarraga rose to prominence at a time when Belizean society actively barred women from positions of political, economic and social power. Refusing to accept the limited roles assigned to women, she built a career as a successful businesswoman before turning her attention to collective advocacy, joining with other gender equality activists to form the United Women’s Group. Through the organization, Lizarraga led campaigns for equal pay for working women, coordinated support systems for low-income and vulnerable families, and pushed for policies that would help women gain long-term economic independence. A firm believer in financial empowerment as a foundation for gender equity, she co-founded the United Women’s Credit Union, which encouraged women to save even small amounts of money to build their own financial security and invest in their families.

    Lizarraga made history in 1961, when she became the first woman ever elected to Belize’s House of Representatives, and went on to make history again as the country’s first female Cabinet minister. She served three consecutive terms in office, holding leadership portfolios across education, housing and social services—sectors where she saw the greatest need for systemic change. During her time in government, Lizarraga spearheaded expansions to teacher training programs and opened new access to secondary and vocational education for Belizean young people. Two major public secondary schools in the country, Gwen Lizarraga High School and Edward P. Yorke High School, trace their origins to the education infrastructure she championed, opening pathways to opportunity for generations of Belizean children that did not exist before her tenure.

    One of the most iconic moments of Lizarraga’s advocacy came early in her work, when government officials turned down a request from a group of Belizean women seeking access to land, telling them outright that no land was available for their group. Lizarraga refused to accept that answer, continuing to organize and push until the women secured the land they sought—a moment that has come to define her legacy of relentless commitment to equity. Addressing the crowd at the 2026 tribute ceremony, Prime Minister John Briceño praised Lizarraga’s lifelong impact, noting that her life serves as a powerful testament to how determined, principled leadership can transform entire nations. “Her life stands as a testament to the transformative power of determined leadership and remains an inspiration to generations of Belizeans,” Briceño told attendees, ahead of the screening of a commemorative tribute video honoring Lizarraga’s life and work.

    Lizarraga passed away in 1975, but her contributions to Belize’s national development, its democratic institutions, and the global movement for women’s empowerment have continued to shape the country decades later. Thursday’s induction as a National Hero cements her place as one of Belize’s most influential public figures, a reminder of how one person’s refusal to accept injustice can create lasting change for millions.

  • Non-oil economy in shambles; too much reliance on oil for economic growth- APNU

    Non-oil economy in shambles; too much reliance on oil for economic growth- APNU

    On Friday, 18 September 2026, Guyana’s main opposition bloc A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) publicly called on the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC)-led administration to disclose full details surrounding its revised 2026 national economic growth projections, following the release of the Finance Ministry’s mid-year economic assessment.

    In a prepared statement delivered by APNU’s parliamentary leader Dr. Terrence Campbell, the opposition emphasized that the significant downward adjustments to non-oil sector growth forecasts included in the updated report require rigorous public scrutiny of the core assumptions that underpinned the government’s original 2026 national budget.

    The mid-year report cut the full-year 2026 non-oil sector growth projection from 10.8% to 10.2%, with far steeper reductions across key primary industries. The combined agriculture, forestry and fishing forecast was slashed from 7.6% growth to just 2.9%: other crop production projections fell from 9.8% to 2.1%, while sugar output growth was revised down from 67.9% to 18.1%. Manufacturing growth expectations were trimmed from 12.9% to 10.7%, and bauxite mining growth was cut in half from 19.3% to 10.2%. Dr. Campbell clarified that these adjustments are reduced growth forecasts, not cuts to government spending allocations for the sectors.

    Notably, the mid-year report actually raised the overall 2026 gross domestic product (GDP) growth projection from 16.2% to 20.8%, driven by a faster-than-expected expansion in the country’s booming oil sector, which also pushed construction sector growth forecasts up from 25.4% to 27.6%. But Dr. Campbell argued that the government cannot use strong oil-fueled aggregate growth to mask underperformance in critical non-oil segments of the economy.

    “Stronger oil-led growth must not obscure weaker expectations for important non-oil activities. Government owes Parliament and citizens an explanation of the missed assumptions, implementation constraints and corrective actions, with clear deadlines,” he stated in his address.

    Dr. Campbell, a long-standing Guyanese urban business leader, pointed out that the national economy grew 33.3% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, but the petroleum, gas and related support services sector accounted for 78.9% of real GDP during the period – up from 74.4% in the first half of 2025. Crude oil alone generated 92.9% of Guyana’s total merchandise export earnings in the first six months of the year. He stressed that the growing concentration of the national economy in oil is a critical structural risk, noting that output and export gains do not automatically translate into higher incomes for households or additional stable revenue for government coffers.

    The most alarming trend, he added, is that the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector actually contracted by 0.5% year-on-year in the first half of 2026. Output of other crops fell 6.4% overall, with cole crops (including broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and kale) dropping 19.1%, spices declining 17.7%, beans and cereals falling 5.7%, and vegetables down 4.2%. Even gains in sugar, rice, livestock, forestry and fishing were not enough to offset these declines to pull the combined sector into positive territory. Dr. Campbell framed the contraction as an urgent warning about national food production, not just a minor statistical anomaly.

    The opposition leader pushed back on the mid-year report’s attribution of widespread crop losses to prolonged, above-average rainfall, noting the report also warns of upcoming heat stress from El Niño later in 2026. He argued that while adverse weather explains poor output, it does not excuse a lack of proactive preparedness by the government. “Weather is an explanation; it is not a substitute for preparedness. Government must show how its agricultural investments protect farms against both flooding and drought,” he said.

    While the government’s report outlines planned interventions including drainage infrastructure upgrades, shade house development and farmer support programs, APNU is questioning whether these measures are sufficient in scale, timing and long-term maintenance. The opposition has formally called for fully funded, region-specific agricultural recovery plans that address critical gaps: reliable drainage and irrigation systems, expanded water storage capacity, improved agricultural extension services, accessible affordable credit for smallholder farmers, cold storage infrastructure, expanded agro-processing capacity and better market access for domestic producers. Dr. Campbell added that these plans should include public, measurable targets for production growth, farmer income increases and improved food affordability for all Guyanese households.

  • Indigenous chief presses for stronger role in reparations movement

    Indigenous chief presses for stronger role in reparations movement

    At the opening of the third international reparations conference hosted under the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) initiative, a top Caribbean indigenous leader has issued a urgent call: indigenous communities must occupy a core, central role in the region’s fight for reparations for colonial crimes, rather than being sidelined as an afterthought in political and public relations processes.

    Delivering the address on behalf of Ricardo Bharath Hernandez, chair of the Caribbean Organisation of Indigenous Peoples (COIP), Damon Gerard Corrie—Taíno Chief, leader of the Barbados Chapter of the United Confederation of Taíno People, and co-president of the Caribbean Amerindian Development Organisation—brought the collective demands of the region’s original inhabitants to the gathering. The conference itself forms a key part of CARICOM’s long-running campaign to secure reparations for two interconnected crimes of colonialism: the transatlantic trafficking and enslavement of African peoples, and the systematic genocide of the Caribbean’s native populations that followed European invasion in the 15th and 16th centuries.

    Corrie framed the push for historical reparatory justice as a unified struggle, linking the experiences of indigenous survivors and the descendants of enslaved Africans. He opened his remarks by acknowledging the ancestral nature of the land hosting the conference, paying homage to indigenous ancestors who built the Caribbean’s first thriving civilizations before European arrival.

    The devastating toll of European conquest cannot be overstated, Corrie emphasized. Invasion brought systemic violence, forced displacement, chattel enslavement, widespread disease, and the complete destruction of indigenous political and social structures, triggering catastrophic population collapse across the Caribbean and neighboring Guyana. While indigenous communities and their descendants survived centuries of oppression, many continue to face systemic marginalization today: insecure land tenure, lack of formal recognition for customary territorial claims, exclusion from consultation for extractive industry projects on traditional lands, and unequal access to basic public services. In Guyana, these struggles remain particularly acute, tied directly to ongoing conflicts over mining access and control of ancestral territories.

    Corrie paid tribute to the traditional indigenous chiefs, or Kaikhs, who led centuries of resistance against colonial violence, pushing back against efforts to erase the realities of the atrocities that accompanied European contact. He linked historical genocide to the intergenerational trauma that continues to shape indigenous communities today. “Many of our peoples were utterly destroyed in genocidal warmongering launched by Christopher Columbus and the European colonizers who followed him,” Corrie said. “The unimaginable horrors our ancestors suffered throughout the centuries still linger in us. We are their descendants, carrying unresolved intergenerational trauma. Standing together with our African brothers and sisters, we unite in demanding reparatory justice, for we are all the living evidence of the greatest crime in recorded human history.”

    The conference’s focus on reparatory justice must act as a active call to action, not just symbolic rhetoric, Corrie argued. While he praised CARICOM for its consistent political and financial support for the CARICOM Reparations Commission (CRC) since the body was established in 2013—positioning the regional bloc on the right side of history, he noted—he issued a sharp caution to national governments: indigenous leaders must not be reduced to window dressing for public relations campaigns.

    “Reparations must start in the territories of the indigenous survivors,” Corrie stressed. “Please do not merely invite us into the process as a public relations afterthought.”

    Corrie also challenged widespread historical misconceptions about indigenous enslavement, pointing out that Amerindian peoples were not only the first populations subjected to chattel slavery in the Western Hemisphere, but also among the last. He highlighted the system of forced indigenous labor on European rubber plantations in the Amazon’s Putumayo province, which continued well into the 20th century, only ending in 1926.

    Despite the existence of international frameworks designed to protect indigenous rights, Corrie noted that indigenous voices across the Caribbean remain systematically suppressed, leaving communities marginalized and disproportionately landless. He called on CARICOM member states to fully implement International Labour Convention 169 and the 2007 American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as mandatory minimum standards for governance of indigenous affairs.

    “Survivors of these crimes against humanity remain traumatized, often landless, and are the most marginalized social group within the region,” Corrie said. “We submit that despite international declarations, the indigenous voice remains largely ignored, and more often than we want to believe, aggressively suppressed.”

    As CARICOM prepares to relaunch its revised 10-point reparations plan, Corrie called for a dedicated indigenous peoples development program to be fully integrated into every level of the regional strategy. Such investment, he said, is essential to address centuries of systemic neglect and create conditions for indigenous communities to thrive. He also appealed to regional governments to launch public education and advocacy campaigns to build broad public support for the reparations cause across Caribbean society.

    “We call on CARICOM governments, who are charged with the responsibility to initiate reparatory justice programmes, to educate, motivate, and inspire the people of our collective and united Caribbean civilisation,” Corrie said. “We must ensure that present and future generations realise the full benefit from the human efforts being made on their behalf.”

    To contextualize the ongoing struggle, the Taíno—an Arawakan-speaking indigenous group—migrated to the Caribbean from northern South America more than 2,000 years ago. By the time of European contact, Taíno communities were the dominant population across the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas, and parts of the northern Lesser Antilles, building settled, complex societies centered on cassava cultivation, fishing, trade, craft production, and traditional chiefly governance.

    Barbados, the host of this year’s conference, sits at the eastern edge of the historical indigenous Caribbean world. Archaeological evidence documents successive waves of Amerindian settlement across the island, from Chancery Lane in Christ Church to Heywoods in St Peter, with remains of Saladoid, Troumassoid, and later Suazoid cultural traditions. Historians and archaeologists note that pre-colonial Barbados had its own distinct, evolving cultural patterns, so the island cannot be simplified as solely a “Taíno island.” By the time English settlers colonized Barbados in 1627, no indigenous population remained on the island.

  • PNCR to lease headquarters land for hotel construction

    PNCR to lease headquarters land for hotel construction

    In a recent address addressing swirling public speculation, senior officials from Guyana’s main opposition-aligned political party, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), have confirmed plans to lease out the northern portion of the large Sophia plot that houses the party’s Congress Place headquarters, while forcefully pushing back against false claims that the historic property is up for sale.

    According to insider sources familiar with the plan, the leased parcel will be developed into a commercial hotel, a core component of a broader strategy led by the PNCR’s fully owned business subsidiary, Maikwak Limited, to generate sustainable income from the party’s existing real estate assets. Insiders note that the long-term lease structure is designed to deliver a consistent, predictable revenue stream to support the party’s ongoing operations and activities.

    PNCR General Secretary Sherwin Benjamin issued a blunt, categorical denial in response to social media criticism and online rumors that the party was moving to offload its iconic property. “Let me say categorically and vehemently that the People’s National Congress Reform has not sold Congress Place,” Benjamin stated, emphasizing that the party has no intention of selling the headquarters either now or at any point in the future.

    Benjamin further clarified that the move aligns with earlier announcements from PNCR leader Aubrey Norton, who previously confirmed the party had activated its business arm Maikwak to manage and monetize party-owned assets. He appealed to long-time party members and supporters to trust that current party leadership is acting with full transparency and in the best interest of the 70-year-old organization, which was founded by the late Guyanese political figure Forbes Burnham.

    “I want to say to our members and supporters that you have to have faith in the leadership of this party. We have nothing to hide. We have been dealing with our membership in an upfront manner, and so let us put aside the fears and the apprehension that we are selling Burnham’s party,” Benjamin added.

    Addressing questions about why the party’s General Council, its second-highest decision-making body between national party congresses, has not convened since Guyana’s general and regional elections one year prior, Benjamin confirmed the body will hold a formal meeting before the end of 2026. He explained that scheduling challenges and logistical hurdles to gather members from across the country had delayed the meeting, but all decisions already approved by the party’s central executive will be formally presented for debate and ratification at the upcoming General Council session. Benjamin also noted that rank-and-file party members have been kept updated on all major decisions made by executive leadership in the interim.

    The PNCR has a long history of leveraging its underutilized real estate holdings to generate income: over the past 35 years, the party has leased out other portions of its Sophia land, a downtown property on Croal Street that previously housed the Vanceram facility, and a Smyth Street plot that once hosted the party’s printery operations.

    Benjamin also used the announcement to push back against internal and external criticism of party leader Aubrey Norton, who has faced repeated backlash over allegations he sidelined dissident party members and led the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) alliance — of which PNCR is the leading member — into its worst electoral performance in history. In a forceful rebuke of critics, Benjamin called on loyal party members to end public infighting, noting that undermining the party’s leadership only weakens the organization as a whole.

    “Each one of us has a responsibility to this great party to ensure its success, and we’re doing that at the level of our leadership. Beating a leader or beating leadership is beating the party. Let’s stop this nonsense,” he said.

    The 2026 general and regional elections marked a major shakeup for Guyana’s opposition landscape. The newly formed We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, founded by a billionaire former gold exporter and foreign exchange dealer, displaced APNU as the country’s largest opposition bloc, securing 16 of the 29 total opposition seats in parliament. APNU won just 12 seats, with the remaining one seat going to the small Forward Guyana Movement.

  • PM Friday leaves for NY for his first UN General Assembly meeting

    PM Friday leaves for NY for his first UN General Assembly meeting

    In a high-stakes diplomatic mission marking his first attendance at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) general debate since assuming office last November, Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday departed St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) for New York on Friday, carrying the Caribbean nation’s key priorities and aspirations to the global stage.

    The trip, scheduled to run through September 27, centers on elevating SVG’s voice on issues critical to the Small Island Developing State, from climate vulnerability to inclusive economic growth, according to an official press statement released by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). Unlike routine diplomatic visits, this trip combines high-level multilateral engagement with targeted outreach to the global Vincentian diaspora and international investors, aligning global dialogue directly with domestic priorities for SVG’s citizens.

    A core milestone of the visit will see SVG formalize its membership in the Climate Vulnerable Forum during the forum’s leaders meeting, a step that underscores the nation’s commitment to collective action against the existential climate threats facing small island states. Beyond the membership announcement, Friday is set to take part in two other landmark high-level climate gatherings: a forum focused on climate action and a just global transition, and a plenary meeting dedicated to addressing the growing threat of sea level rise that endangers low-lying coastal and island nations like SVG. To cap off his multilateral schedule, the prime minister will deliver SVG’s official national address during the general debate of the 79th UNGA, where he will outline the government’s core priorities before the global body assembled in New York.

    As a Small Island Developing State, SVG faces unique, overlapping challenges: it remains disproportionately exposed to the accelerating impacts of climate change, even as it works to expand economic opportunity, upgrade critical infrastructure, attract new investment, create sustainable jobs, and raise living standards for all Vincentians, the OPM statement noted. Friday’s engagements at UNGA will create a critical platform to advocate for expanded, more accessible climate and development financing for vulnerable states, deepen existing bilateral and multilateral partnerships, strengthen global diplomatic ties, and reinforce the government’s core message: SVG is open for business, and ready to build mutually beneficial partnerships that deliver tangible, lasting benefits to its people.

    Beyond multilateral climate and diplomatic discussions, the prime minister’s schedule includes a full slate of bilateral meetings with fellow heads of government, global institutional partners, and prospective international investors. On Saturday, he will lead the Diaspora Outreach and Investment Forum, an event organized in partnership with Invest SVG, the nation’s investment promotion agency. The forum is designed to connect the global Vincentian diaspora, potential investors, and development partners to highlight untapped investment opportunities and pathways for economic participation in SVG.

    This event forms a core part of the government’s broader strategy to deepen ties between the diaspora and the nation’s development agenda, position SVG as a competitive destination for high-impact investment, and encourage Vincentians living overseas to play a more direct role in driving domestic economic growth. Following the forum, Friday will also host an open town hall meeting with the Vincentian community in New York, creating a space for direct dialogue between the prime minister and diaspora members about the government’s current policy agenda, the nation’s long-term direction, and the critical role overseas Vincentians can play in shaping SVG’s future.

    In comments ahead of the trip, Friday emphasized that every engagement during his time in New York will center on advancing the interests of SVG’s people. “We are going to New York to represent the interests of our people. Whether we are speaking about climate financing, investment, jobs, development or international cooperation, the question for us must always be: how does this help us make life better for Vincentians? Saint Vincent and the Grenadines must be present in these conversations, and we must be prepared to turn those conversations into opportunities for our people,” he said.

    Friday is accompanied by a full delegation of senior government officials, including Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment and Diaspora Affairs Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble; Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly Senator Jemalie John; Senator Chelsea Alexander; Ambassador and Senior Advisor Kevin Hope; Senior Advisor on Diaspora Affairs Sharon Jones; Administrative Cadet in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shadeisha George; Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Danielle Veira; Communications Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Claris Ann Joseph; and Head of the Prime Minister’s Security Detail Corporal Desrick Quashie. The delegation will receive on-the-ground support from Vynnette Frederick, SVG’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and the full team at SVG’s UN Permanent Mission in New York.

    The OPM framed the UNGA trip as far more than a routine diplomatic participation: it is a strategic opportunity to strengthen SVG’s international standing, unlock new investment and development opportunities, expand the nation’s diplomatic reach, and ensure that SVG’s unique concerns and priorities remain front and center in global decision-making. “The visit is also intended to ensure that Saint Vincent and the Grenadines does more than participate in international discussions; it will use those engagements to build relationships, attract opportunities, and pursue outcomes that can directly contribute to economic growth and improved lives for Vincentians at home,” the release read.

    The UNGA general debate, a signature annual gathering that brings together heads of state and government from every region of the world, provides countries with a rare high-profile platform to share their national priorities with the entire global community. The 79th session of the UNGA is convening under the official theme: “Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all.”

    During Prime Minister Friday’s absence from SVG, Deputy Prime Minister Major St. Clair Leacock will serve as acting prime minister to oversee ongoing government operations.

  • New Sexual Offences Court to open in Grenada in 2027

    New Sexual Offences Court to open in Grenada in 2027

    In response to growing public demand for more robust accountability and victim protection in sexual offense cases, the government of Grenada has announced plans to launch a specialized Sexual Offenses Court by January 2027, alongside sweeping legislative reforms that include the creation of a national Sex Offender Registry. The policy push came into the spotlight during a recent interactive broadcast hosted by Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, when a secondary school student raised urgent concerns about current penalties for sex offenders and directly called for the establishment of a formal registry to track convicted offenders.

    Claudette Joseph, Grenada’s Minister for Legal Affairs and Attorney General, confirmed that the Ministry of Legal Affairs and the Supreme Court Registry are already coordinating to prepare the court for full operations by the January 2027 deadline. The specialized court is designed to address the unique complexities of sexual offense cases, which often involve vulnerable victims and require tailored procedural handling. By creating a dedicated judicial space exclusively for these cases, government officials hope to reduce case backlogs, shorten trial timelines, and provide more trauma-informed support for survivors navigating the legal system.

    The new court is just one component of a broader legislative overhaul that the Grenadian government is currently advancing. Prime Minister Mitchell confirmed that a draft Sex Offender Registry Bill is being developed collaboratively by the Ministry of Legal Affairs and the Ministry of Social and Community Development, and the legislation is expected to be introduced for debate in the upcoming parliamentary session. Once enacted, the registry will create a formal, centralized system to document the details of individuals convicted of specified sexual offenses, though full details of how the registry will operate and be accessed have not yet been released to the public.

    During the broadcast, Prime Minister Mitchell also clarified the separation of powers between the legislative and judicial branches of government when it comes to criminal sentencing. He emphasized that while Parliament is responsible for setting the overarching legal framework and sentencing guidelines through legislation, the final decision on individual sentences rests exclusively with independent judges and magistrates, in line with Grenada’s constitutional separation of powers.

    The announcement of these reforms comes amid sustained public pressure for stronger measures to combat sexual violence, improve victim outcomes, and increase transparency around sex offender management. Advocates and community members have welcomed the planned changes as a critical step forward in aligning Grenada’s justice system with international best practices for addressing sexual offenses, though many are awaiting further details on the structure of the Sex Offender Registry and the resources that will be allocated to the new specialized court.

  • Can AI Safety Bring the US and China Together?

    Can AI Safety Bring the US and China Together?

    As artificial intelligence capabilities rapidly advance and strategic competition between Washington and Beijing intensifies, security experts from both nations have put forward a collaborative set of emergency safeguards designed to avoid an unintended military confrontation between the two global powers triggered by unregulated AI systems.

    Drawn from joint research by think tank specialists from the Brookings Institution (a US-based leading public policy research organization) and Fudan University (one of China’s top academic institutions), the core recommendations focus on three key areas of risk mitigation. First, the experts call for a binding agreement to exclude artificial intelligence from final decision-making processes related to nuclear weapons deployments and launches. Second, they urge both governments to mandate that human actors retain full, override authority over all large-scale offensive and defensive cyber operations, even when AI tools are used to support those operations. Third, the proposal outlines the creation of a dedicated, always-operational direct hotline that would allow leaders from both countries to immediately communicate and de-escalate any situation where AI systems may have sparked an unexpected crisis.

    The need for these safeguards stems from the growing autonomous functionality of modern AI systems, which can now complete complex, high-stakes tasks without constant human oversight. Researchers warn that in the event of an AI-driven miscalculation in a military or cyber context, the speed of AI-generated actions would leave diplomatic teams and national leaders with barely any time to intervene before a minor incident escalates into a full-scale confrontation between the two nuclear-armed powers.

    In a parallel development, Beijing has recently updated its own national AI safety regulatory framework, shifting greater focus toward addressing risks posed by fully autonomous AI systems. The updated Chinese guidance explicitly highlights that unregulated autonomous AI actions can generate severe, irreversible real-world consequences for national security and regional stability.

    Today, the United States and China remain engaged in a tightly contested race to develop the most advanced general-purpose AI systems, a competition that shapes everything from commercial innovation to military modernization. This technological rivalry will take center stage just six days from now, when US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet for high-level talks in Washington DC on September 24.

    International leaders have echoed the experts’ warnings about the urgency of AI safety regulation. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has publicly emphasized that the global community cannot afford to allow unregulated competition to erode AI safety standards. “The world cannot afford a race to the bottom on AI safety,” Guterres stated, underscoring the shared global stake in preventing catastrophic AI-related accidents.

  • OPINION: 25 Years After 9/11: The Professionals Who Stand Between the Threat and the Traveller

    OPINION: 25 Years After 9/11: The Professionals Who Stand Between the Threat and the Traveller

    A quarter-century after the 9/11 attacks transformed global aviation security standards, the CEO of V.C. Bird International Airport, Kurt Menal, has outlined the layered regulatory and operational framework that protects travelers passing through Antigua and Barbuda’s aviation facilities, highlighting the indispensable role of trained security professionals in keeping the traveling public safe.

    At the national level, Antigua and Barbuda has adapted mandatory international aviation security requirements into a robust domestic system, anchored by national legislation, formal regulations, and structured national programs. Oversight of regional civil aviation safety and security falls to the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA), which identifies aviation security as a dedicated regulatory priority focused on shielding passengers, crew, and cargo through consistent rigorous quality control, targeted security protocols, and ongoing monitoring. The country’s 2021 Civil Aviation (Security) Regulations form the legal backbone of this framework, supporting four core national programs that define how security personnel carry out their daily duties: the National Civil Aviation Security Programme, the National Screener Certification Programme, the National Civil Aviation Security Training Programme, and the National Civil Aviation Security Quality Control Programme.

    Far from being just administrative paperwork, these programs answer four foundational questions that guide every security officer’s work: what security measures must be put in place, who is qualified to implement them, how personnel should be trained and evaluated, and how regulators confirm the system remains effective over time.

    The National Civil Aviation Security Programme establishes the overarching national structure to protect civil aviation from unlawful interference, translating high-level standards into clear operational guidance for on-the-ground officers. It standardizes protocols for core security functions including passenger and baggage screening, access control to restricted airport zones, aircraft protection, and other key preventive measures. Unlike unregulated ad-hoc security practices, every officer works within a system aligned to both national requirements and international standards, a structure that makes aviation security a uniquely specialized field. Officers are trained to understand not just what procedures to follow, but why those procedures exist and why consistent application is critical to mitigating risk.

    For the most visible aviation security role—passenger and baggage screening—professional competence is non-negotiable. Screening is a technical role that requires structured training, hands-on competency evaluation, and formal certification, aligned with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requirements that mandate all screening personnel hold national certification. This rule ensures checkpoint staff do not learn on the job through informal observation alone; the National Screener Certification Programme creates a clear professional pathway for screeners, reinforcing that only personnel who can consistently meet required performance standards are cleared to work in screening roles.

    A common misconception about aviation security holds that training ends after an officer completes initial onboarding. In reality, the security landscape is constantly shifting: threat profiles evolve, new technologies emerge, screening equipment is updated, passenger behavior changes, protocols are adjusted, and international standards are updated. To keep pace, ongoing training is embedded into Antigua and Barbuda’s system through the National Civil Aviation Security Training Programme. This approach aligns with ICAO’s global framework, which prioritizes continuous training, competency verification, certification, and quality control as core pillars of an effective security system. Far from viewing ongoing training as an unnecessary cost, Antigua and Barbuda frames it as a critical investment in national security, aviation integrity, and public confidence in air travel.

    Even with well-trained personnel and clear protocols, aviation security requires continuous testing to confirm procedures are followed and remain effective. That is the mandate of the National Civil Aviation Security Quality Control Programme, which meets ICAO requirements for national monitoring of security system performance. The program uses audits, inspections, targeted tests, and regular monitoring to assess compliance with national standards and validate the effectiveness of existing security measures. Quality control creates clear accountability, asking whether procedures are followed, whether personnel remain properly trained, whether identified deficiencies are corrected, and most importantly, whether the security system is achieving its core goal of protecting the traveling public. This creates a continuous cycle of training, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and improvement that keeps the system adaptive, with security officers at the center of every step.

    While modern airports increasingly rely on advanced technologies—from sophisticated screening scanners and biometric access controls to widespread surveillance systems—technology has not replaced the need for trained human judgment. A machine can flag an anomaly, but only a trained professional can interpret the alert and decide on an appropriate response. When passengers become frustrated by security procedures, officers must balance strict adherence to security rules with respectful, dignified customer service, a priority that is especially critical for tourism-dependent economies like Antigua and Barbuda, where airport security officers are often the first and last point of contact for international visitors. This dual mandate—protecting travelers while upholding their dignity—does not create conflict; the two goals complement one another.

    The greatest mark of an effective aviation security officer is the absence of incident: no prohibited items enter restricted areas, no unauthorized individuals gain access, no vulnerabilities are exploited, and every threat is identified and contained before it can cause harm. This invisibility of success often makes security work underappreciated, but a lack of incidents is proof the system is working. Behind that successful system are everyday professionals who work long shifts, cover weekends and holidays, and staff checkpoints during peak travel periods, knowing that close attention to detail at their post has far-reaching impacts on the safety of everyone who travels.

    As the world marks 25 years since the 9/11 attacks that reshaped global aviation security, Menal emphasizes that it is critical to recognize the Aviation Security Officers of the Antigua and Barbuda Airports Authority as the specialized professionals they are. While their uniforms are familiar to frequent travelers, the depth of expertise required for their role is often misunderstood. Officers operate within a global security architecture, governed by strict national laws and regulations, trained through structured national programs, held to formal certification standards, and monitored through ongoing quality control. Their roles evolve constantly to match new threats and technologies, making it a highly specialized profession that requires discipline, integrity, constant vigilance, emotional intelligence, technical skill, and sound judgment. Above all, officers understand that aviation security is not about creating unnecessary inconvenience for travelers—it is about building the public confidence that keeps global aviation running.

    The global aviation landscape looks fundamentally different today than it did before September 11, 2001: the security environment has shifted, regulatory frameworks have been updated, technology has advanced beyond recognition, and threat profiles have evolved. But one core principle remains unchanged: effective aviation security ultimately depends on prepared, competent, committed people. In Antigua and Barbuda, those people are the Aviation Security Officers who staff V.C. Bird International Airport and the country’s other aviation facilities. As thousands of passengers pass through the country’s airports each year, these officers form the backbone of the national security system, protecting aircraft, anonymous passengers, crew members, airport employees, and critical national infrastructure. They also safeguard Antigua and Barbuda’s global reputation as a safe, secure, and welcoming travel destination.

    Twenty-five years after 9/11, the world honors the lives lost and reflects on the hard lessons learned from that day. But it is also critical to recognize the everyday professionals who turn those lessons into action every single day. Antigua and Barbuda’s Aviation Security Officers do more than screen passengers: they safeguard global aviation, protect people, and secure the future of safe travel. For that vital work, they deserve widespread respect, recognition, and gratitude.