WASHINGTON, United States — Admiral Alvin Holsey, the head of US Southern Command, has announced his retirement, effective December 12, 2025, just one year into his tenure. Holsey’s departure comes amid a controversial counter-narcotics campaign in the Caribbean, which has seen US forces conduct strikes against alleged drug-smuggling boats, resulting in 27 fatalities. Critics argue these operations are illegal, while regional powers, particularly Venezuela, fear they may be a precursor to regime change.
分类： politics
-
Rights groups demand legal memo on Caribbean boat strikes
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) have jointly filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to uncover the Office of Legal Counsel’s (OLC) guidance and related documents concerning lethal strikes on alleged drug smugglers in the Caribbean. This move follows U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s refusal to confirm the existence of such guidance during her testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. However, Charles Young, nominee for U.S. Army General Counsel, acknowledged the guidance’s existence in a separate hearing, revealing it was developed through an interagency lawyers’ working group involving the White House and executive branch agencies. Public reports suggest the OLC’s opinion asserts expansive presidential authority to use military force against individuals linked to drug cartels. Jeffrey Stein of the ACLU’s National Security Project condemned these strikes as ‘murder, pure and simple,’ emphasizing the need for public scrutiny of the administration’s legal justifications. Since early September, President Trump has reportedly ordered five strikes in the Caribbean, resulting in at least 27 deaths. The administration defends these actions by labeling drug cartels as ‘non-state armed groups’ engaged in armed conflict with the U.S. However, critics, including bipartisan lawmakers, legal experts, and international bodies, argue the strikes violate both international and domestic law. Baher Azmy of CCR warned of the administration’s ‘indiscriminate pattern of lawlessness,’ stressing the importance of transparency. Amnesty International’s Daphne Eviatar condemned the strikes as ‘murder—plain and simple,’ urging Congress to halt these actions and hold those responsible accountable.
-
North Eleuthera MP seeks re-nomination, leaving some aspirants feeling ‘disrespected’
North Eleuthera Member of Parliament Sylvanus Petty has announced his intention to seek re-nomination for his seat, a decision that has sparked mixed reactions within the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP). Petty, who previously declared his departure from frontline politics to focus on family, confirmed his change of heart during a press briefing, stating he has the full backing of Prime Minister Philip Davis. ‘I just spoke to the Prime Minister about 20 minutes ago, so I’m good to go,’ Petty told reporters. However, his decision has left some PLP aspirants feeling ‘disrespected,’ particularly Oscar McPhee, a hopeful candidate who criticized Petty’s performance and accused him of neglecting constituents. McPhee argued that Petty’s return undermines the efforts of other aspirants and fails to address the community’s dissatisfaction. Residents of North Eleuthera have also voiced frustration over ongoing issues such as water, electricity, and internet disruptions, with some expressing reluctance to see Petty return. Despite these concerns, Petty remains confident in his re-election prospects, citing recent government initiatives to improve infrastructure and living conditions. ‘We’re gonna have the same support as we did in the last election,’ he said. ‘So I’m confident that we’re gonna win it.’ Prime Minister Davis is expected to meet with other hopefuls for the constituency soon, as the PLP navigates internal tensions ahead of the upcoming election.
-
Government tables bill aimed at cracking down on migrant smuggling
In a significant move to address migrant smuggling, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe presented the Smuggling of Migrants Bill, 2025, in the House of Assembly. This legislation aims to strengthen The Bahamas’ ability to prosecute traffickers involved in moving people into or out of the country, particularly when Bahamian nationals or interests are implicated. The bill extends jurisdiction to cases occurring both within and outside The Bahamas, covering scenarios where the country serves as a point of origin, transit, or destination for smuggled migrants. Minister Munroe emphasized that the expanded scope ensures local authorities can act against offenders regardless of the location of the crime, provided it involves Bahamian interests. The legislation also enhances enforcement powers at sea, including search, seizure, and arrest, while safeguarding migrant safety and human rights. The bill outlines various human smuggling offenses, such as using fraudulent documents, arranging illegal entry, concealing migrants, and coordinating smuggling operations. Penalties include fines up to $300,000 and imprisonment for up to 15 years, with harsher punishments for cases involving exploitation, violence, or harm to vulnerable groups. The bill also penalizes owners of vehicles, vessels, or aircraft used in smuggling and criminalizes harboring smuggled migrants for financial gain. Additionally, the legislation protects migrants’ rights, ensuring access to basic amenities, consular services, and asylum procedures. Minister Munroe highlighted that this legislation fills a critical gap in national law, aligning with international treaties to combat migrant smuggling effectively.
-
X, Y, Z, shouldn’t matter
Everald Warmington, Member of Parliament for St Catherine South Western, has tabled a motion in Jamaica’s House of Representatives calling for significant amendments to the Representation of the People Act (ROPA), which governs the country’s electoral processes. Warmington, a government MP, proposed eliminating the requirement for voters to mark their ballots with a cross (X) using a black lead pencil, arguing that this rule is outdated and restrictive. He suggested that voters should be allowed to use any implement and make any mark that clearly indicates their choice. Additionally, Warmington advocated for extending voting hours from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm to accommodate modern lifestyles and technological advancements. He also called for a full re-verification of the voters’ list, citing concerns about inflated voter registration numbers and inaccurate turnout statistics. Warmington further proposed amendments to allow election agents to operate closer to polling stations, ensuring they can effectively perform their duties. These reforms aim to enhance the transparency, accessibility, and efficiency of Jamaica’s electoral system. Parliament will decide whether to debate the motion, with the next local government elections scheduled for 2028 and the general election by 2030.
-
CAL ‘nineyears late’troubling
In a recent development that has raised significant concerns about governance and accountability, the audited financial statements of Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) for the year 2016 were tabled in the House of Representatives—nine years after their due date. This delay, highlighted in a letter to the editor by Motilal Ramsingh, underscores a broader issue of systemic negligence within public sector institutions.
The financial documents were referred to the Public Accounts (Enterprises) Committee, chaired by Senator Vishnu Dhanpaul, with MP Colm Imbert serving as vice-chair. Notably, both individuals have previously held the position of Minister of Finance and are well-versed in financial stewardship. Dhanpaul, who also served as a permanent secretary and a member of CAL’s board, is no stranger to the intricacies of corporate governance.
The nearly decade-long delay in presenting these accounts is not an isolated incident but rather indicative of a pervasive culture of weak accountability and a blatant disregard for statutory reporting obligations. Such lapses erode public confidence, impede effective parliamentary oversight, and undermine the credibility of financial governance across the public sector.
The situation is further exacerbated by the recent change in CAL’s board and the departure of key executives, which has laid bare the farcical nature of accountability within the organization. This episode serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic reforms to restore public trust in institutions.
As Ramsingh aptly notes, this incident should not be met with wry amusement among those once responsible for oversight but should instead prompt serious reflection and corrective action. The restoration of public trust in governance mechanisms is imperative to ensure transparency and accountability in the future.
-
Venezuela VP: US bombs meant for Venezuelans falling on TT citizens
Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has accused the United States of causing collateral damage in its aggressive campaign against drug trafficking, claiming that US bombs intended for Venezuelans have tragically impacted innocent citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. In a Telegram post on October 16, Rodríguez described the killing of six individuals—reportedly including two Trinidadians—on a suspected drug vessel from Venezuela on October 14 as a “self-fulfilling prophecy.” She criticized Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for endorsing US military actions, quoting her earlier statement: “The US Army should kill them all.” Rodríguez highlighted newspaper headlines from Trinidad and Tobago, emphasizing that the US military’s actions have resulted in the extrajudicial deaths of “humble citizens” of the country. The US has conducted missile strikes on four suspected drug boats departing Venezuela, resulting in over 20 fatalities. Two unidentified bodies washed ashore in Trinidad and Tobago following the first strike. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has accused the US of using the drug war as a pretext for regime change. Rodríguez warned that the US military deployment in the southern Caribbean, which includes seven warships, a nuclear submarine, and nearly 5,000 personnel, threatens regional peace. She called for unity among Caribbean and Latin American nations to safeguard peace.
-
Motion passes in Parliament: Douglas and Charles to posthumously receive highest honour on independence day
The Parliament of Dominica has unanimously passed a motion to confer the Dominica Award of Honour (D.A.H.), the country’s most prestigious recognition, upon the late Prime Ministers Roosevelt “Rosie” Douglas and Pierre Charles. The motion, introduced by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, celebrates the enduring legacy of the two leaders, whose visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to social justice, education, and community development have left an indelible mark on the nation. The awards will be presented posthumously during the formal ceremonies marking Dominica’s 47th Independence Anniversary on November 3. Prime Minister Skerrit, addressing the Parliament, highlighted the exemplary service of both leaders, emphasizing their contributions to the advancement of Dominica and the broader Caribbean region. Roosevelt “Rosie” Douglas served as Prime Minister from February 2000 until his untimely death on October 1 of the same year, while Pierre Charles succeeded him, serving from October 3, 2000, until his passing on January 6, 2004. The Dominica Award of Honour stands as a testament to their selfless devotion and distinguished service to the nation and its people.
-
US strikes another vessel off Venezuela coast, killing six
In a significant escalation of its anti-narcotics operations, the United States has conducted its fifth military strike on a vessel accused of drug trafficking off the coast of Venezuela. President Donald Trump announced the strike on Truth Social, claiming the boat was linked to “narcoterrorist” networks and was transporting narcotics. The attack resulted in the deaths of six individuals, bringing the total fatalities from such operations to 27 since September. However, the US has yet to provide concrete evidence or details about the identities of the vessels or those on board. The strike has drawn criticism from legal experts and neighboring countries, with accusations that the US is violating international law. Trump defended the action, stating that intelligence confirmed the vessel’s involvement in drug smuggling and its association with illicit networks. He also shared an aerial surveillance video showing the boat being struck by a missile. The strike aligns with a recent leaked memo to Congress, which framed the US as being in a “non-international armed conflict” with drug cartels. This classification potentially justifies the use of wartime powers, including lethal force against suspected traffickers. Critics argue that the strikes are part of a broader political strategy to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who has been accused of involvement in drug trafficking. The US has also deployed warships to the Caribbean, further intensifying tensions in the region. Maduro has vehemently denied the allegations, and Venezuelan officials have questioned the authenticity of the footage shared by Trump. The situation underscores the complex interplay between anti-narcotics efforts and geopolitical maneuvering in Latin America.
-
PM announces plans for new police belts, double Youth Economy funding
In a significant move to empower the younger generation, Prime Minister Philip J Pierre announced during this week’s pre-cabinet meeting that the government will double the funding allocated to the Youth Economy Grant program in the upcoming budget. This decision comes on the heels of the initiative’s remarkable success, which has already benefited over 1,000 young Saint Lucians since its inception. The program offers grants of $5,000, coupled with essential training, to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to establish or expand their businesses. Pierre highlighted that the grant component has outperformed the loan scheme administered by the Saint Lucia Development Bank, with ongoing discussions aimed at enhancing the loan program’s effectiveness and accessibility. The Prime Minister also lauded the Youth Economy Agency for its independence, emphasizing that its decisions are made by an impartial board, free from political influence. While acknowledging delays in processing applications due to overwhelming demand, Pierre described the high level of interest as encouraging and reiterated the government’s dedication to streamlining procedures. In a separate development, Pierre addressed concerns over police welfare, revealing that the government has ordered 1,300 specialized belts to replace the uncomfortable gear currently in use. This initiative follows the recent distribution of bulletproof vests, underscoring the administration’s commitment to improving the working conditions of law enforcement officers. The Prime Minister expressed optimism that the new belts, currently in production, will significantly enhance officers’ comfort and efficiency.