Carib Scope

分类： politics

  • Minnis: I didn’t leave, FNM abandoned me

    Minnis: I didn’t leave, FNM abandoned me

    On Saturday, former Bahamian Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis officially kicked off his campaign to keep his hold on the Killarney constituency seat, using the launch event to level explosive allegations against his long-time political party, the Free National Movement (FNM), claiming its current leadership has systematically shut him out of party activities and orchestrated a smear campaign targeting him and his family.

    Following the FNM’s disappointing general election defeat that pushed Minnis out of the prime minister’s office, the ex-leader says party officials have waged a coordinated effort to marginalize him. Despite his decades of loyalty to the FNM, Minnis said it was the party that turned its back on him, not the other way around. “I have always been an FNM. It was the FNM who left me, the FNM who abandoned me. I never walked away from the party,” he told reporters at Saturday’s press conference, adding that he could not stay silent about the unacceptable treatment he has received.

    Minnis detailed the multiple restrictions the party imposed on him after the election. “After the loss, I was told the public rejected both me and the party, so I no longer had a place in FNM circles. All local party associations were ordered not to let me speak at any party events. Many groups had already invited me and put my name on their promotional materials, which put them in an incredibly difficult position. Out of respect for them, I told them to just find another speaker rather than risk conflict with party leadership,” he explained.

    The restrictions went far beyond speaking bans, according to Minnis. “If that wasn’t enough, leadership told me I was not allowed to answer any questions from reporters at all. If the press approached me, I was supposed to report the question back to party leaders, let them draft a response, and they would speak to the press instead of me,” he said. When he pushed back against these rules, arguing they violate standard political procedures followed across The Bahamas and globally, Minnis says leadership gave him a blunt response that still stings: “I had my time, now it’s their turn. They’re in charge now, they make the rules, and they don’t want to hear anything I have to say.”

    Worsening the tensions, Minnis also claimed the FNM launched a coordinated smear campaign against him and his wife. Even through this hostility, however, Minnis says he never lost his connection to the Killarney community, which he has represented for more than 20 years. “Like the people of Killarney, we stayed strong and stayed focused. I knew the voters would get their chance to have their say eventually. The FNM may have abandoned me, but I never abandoned Killarney, and I would never walk away from the loyal, wonderful people of this constituency,” he said.

    Minnis emphasized that he is running as an independent candidate not out of preference, but out of necessity. He told constituents to treat all rival candidates with basic respect, but made clear he is asking voters to return him to office to continue his representation. Running without a party affiliation, he argues, frees him from binding party whips and forced policy alignment that would stop him from prioritizing the needs of Killarney residents first.

    The candidate laid out a clear policy agenda focused on three key areas: public safety, digital innovation, and expanded social support. “We have already started a lot of important programs here in Killarney, but we need to be the first constituency in the country to roll out full CCTV coverage across every part of Killarney,” he said. “We also need to finish our ring doorbell program, so every single resident in the constituency can access this safety tool.”

    Beyond public safety, Minnis proposed a new digital system for constituents to report community issues and pushed for the expansion of existing social support programs. In one of the most striking comments of his launch speech, he called out the deep crisis facing the country’s healthcare system, admitting that the sector has declined under every prime minister in modern history — including his own tenure.

    “We cannot play political games with people’s health. Too many Bahamians are dying needlessly, and no one else in this race is willing to say it out loud. That’s the advantage of being an independent: I can tell voters the plain facts, no sugarcoating,” he said. Minnis is calling for the creation of a non-partisan special committee, made up of sitting politicians, healthcare professionals and ordinary members of the public, to lead a full overhaul of the country’s broken healthcare system. He urged voters to reject any candidate who refuses to back this reform push.

    The campaign launch drew a number of high-profile Bahamian political figures in a show of support for Minnis, including former Deputy Governor General Lonnie Rolle, former Democratic National Alliance leader Branville McCartney, and former Bamboo Town Member of Parliament Renward Wells. When reached for comment on Minnis’ multiple allegations against the FNM, party chairman Dr. Duane Sands declined to issue any response.

  • Over 6,000 regain power in March as gov’t intervention helps JPS exceed targets

    Over 6,000 regain power in March as gov’t intervention helps JPS exceed targets

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s destructive sweep across the island, Jamaica has marked a major milestone in its post-storm recovery: the national utility Jamaica Public Service (JPS) has outperformed its agreed power restoration target for March, bringing the country significantly closer to full grid recovery after the devastating weather event.

    Data released by the Ministry of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications confirms that more than 6,000 customers were reconnected to the JPS grid throughout March, beating the initial goal of 5,000 set by the government and utility. As of April 1, 2026, only 3,022 customers across the island remain without power.

    This rapid progress builds on gains made in February, when the government had already restored service to 98 percent of the total JPS network, cutting the number of outages from tens of thousands to fewer than 10,000. By the end of that month, 9,135 of the utility’s roughly 690,000 total customers were still waiting for power to be restored.

    Ramping up operations through March, crews successfully reconnected 6,113 customers by the start of April – representing 67 percent of all customers who remained without power at the beginning of March. That reduction has left just over 3,000 customers still waiting for service.

    The vast majority of remaining outages are now concentrated in the hardest-hit, geographically challenging communities across the island. Roughly 84 percent of all customers still without power are located in the parish of Westmoreland, where extensive damage to critical infrastructure and complicated logistics have slowed recovery work. According to the ministry, current restoration efforts center on highly complex operations: traversing steep, hard-to-access terrain, repairing large-scale damaged infrastructure, and resolving individual barriers to customer connection, such as damaged in-home wiring that prevents safe reconnection.

    Portfolio Minister Daryl Vaz emphasized that the steady, accelerated progress is the direct result of intentional government policy and strict accountability measures put in place after the storm. Back in December 2025, the Jamaican government approved a $150 million US loan to speed up restoration work. This move came in response to initial projections from JPS that full grid restoration could stretch all the way into late 2026, or even the first quarter of 2027 – a timeline the administration rejected as unacceptable for Jamaican households.

    “That was not acceptable to us,” Vaz stated in an official release Monday. “When we approved the loan in December, it was on the basis that we would achieve full restoration by the end of February. While we reached 98 per cent restoration by that deadline, the Government made it clear that aggressive restoration efforts would continue into March and April to close the remaining gap.”

    After meeting the 98 percent benchmark in February, the government and JPS agreed to a specific target of reconnecting 5,000 customers in March – a goal the utility not only met but surpassed by more than 1,000 connections. “That is a strong performance, and JPS deserves commendation. Every target agreed with the Government has been met. That is an extraordinary achievement in a recovery effort of this scale,” Vaz added.

    Vaz went on to highlight that without the government’s early intervention and dedicated financing, restoration timelines would have been far longer, leaving thousands of Jamaicans without power for additional months. “The alternative would have resulted in many communities waiting months longer for electricity,” he said, noting that the administration took decisive action to avoid that outcome and speed up relief for all affected residents.

    The current phase of work, widely referred to as the “last mile” of restoration, relies on close coordination between local JPS crews, domestic contractors, international line crews brought in to supplement local capacity, and multiple state agencies focused on clearing access routes and removing storm debris.

    The Jamaican government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to reaching near-total restoration as quickly as possible, noting that ongoing work is prioritizing the most technically complex connections. The administration’s goal is to reconnect every customer who can safely receive power as rapidly as possible, even as full infrastructure rebuilding continues across all affected parishes. With steady progress month over month, Jamaica continues to advance toward full recovery from Hurricane Melissa’s impact.

  • Historic Taiwan Navy visit further strengthens the enduring friendship with Saint Kitts and Nevis

    Historic Taiwan Navy visit further strengthens the enduring friendship with Saint Kitts and Nevis

    BASSETERRE, Saint Kitts – On April 10, 2026, the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis opened its ports to a landmark goodwill visit from a Taiwanese naval squadron, marking the first time a Taiwanese naval contingent has arrived in the Caribbean nation in 23 years, and reaffirming the deep, decades-long diplomatic bonds between the two sides.

    This mission, which brings more than 700 personnel including senior officers, crew members, and graduating midshipmen, is a core element of Taiwan’s overseas pre-commissioning training program for naval cadets ahead of their formal graduation and entry into service. This visit marks only the third time a Taiwanese naval squadron has called at Saint Kitts and Nevis, following prior stops in 2002 and 2003.

    A formal welcoming ceremony was hosted at Port Zante, drawing top-tier government officials from Saint Kitts and Nevis. Attendees included Governor-General Dame Marcella Liburd, Deputy Governor-General for Nevis Hyleeta Liburd, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, Nevis Premier Mark Brantley, and Taiwan’s resident Ambassador Edward Ling-Wen Tao.

    In his address during the ceremony, Ambassador Tao underscored the profound diplomatic importance of the voyage, noting that the visit underscores the robust, mutually valued relationship between the two island nations. “Saint Kitts and Nevis stands as one of Taiwan’s most cherished diplomatic allies,” Tao stated. “Our friendship is founded on shared principles of mutual respect, reciprocal trust, and a collective dedication to advancing inclusive national development. The presence of this squadron here today speaks to the depth of our ongoing engagement.”

    The ambassador added that the squadron’s 9,000-plus nautical mile journey to the Caribbean is tangible proof of Taiwan’s unwavering commitment to deepening ties with Saint Kitts and Nevis. “We want the people of Saint Kitts and Nevis to know that even though our two nations are separated by thousands of miles, you hold a permanent place in our priorities,” he said. “It is my sincere hope that this goodwill mission will pave the way for new cooperative frameworks in national security and maritime safety, delivering shared benefits for both Taiwan and the esteemed Federation.”

    Prime Minister Drew framed the visit as a historic, milestone moment for Saint Kitts and Nevis, emphasizing that it serves as a powerful symbol of the enduring friendship and long-standing shared commitment to development that unites the two countries. “This first arrival of a Taiwan Navy contingent to our shores in 23 years is an event of genuine significance—historic in every sense of the word,” Drew noted. “It speaks to the unbroken strength of the bond between our nations, and stands as a testament to the close connection we continue to nurture, even across vast geographic distances.”

    Drew recalled that Taiwan has been a reliable, steadfast development partner for Saint Kitts and Nevis for more than 40 years, with collaborative projects spanning critical sectors including public health, agricultural development, education, climate change resilience, and digital technology. “But beyond infrastructure projects and formal development programs, what makes this relationship truly special is its human core,” the prime minister explained. “This is a friendship between peoples, rooted in shared values of human dignity, expanded opportunity, shared prosperity, and democratic governance. That is why this visit carries such deep meaning for us.”

    Beyond official diplomatic engagements, the visit included extensive public outreach activities. Local citizens and residents were invited to board the naval vessel for public tours, where they could explore on-board facilities, interact directly with Taiwanese midshipmen, and learn more about Taiwan’s naval training and maritime development programs. The public also enjoyed a joint military and cultural showcase in downtown Basseterre, featuring performances from the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force Band, a traditional drum display by Taiwan Navy personnel, a formal honour guard procession, and a martial arts demonstration.

  • De politieke barometer, oftewel de kunst van het regeren!

    De politieke barometer, oftewel de kunst van het regeren!

    Published: 12 April, 12:46

    Following the passing of former Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, I have been reflecting on his legacy ahead of his state funeral, where I contributed personally to the proceedings. Looking through the commemorative book released in his honor, the first and final images in Santokhi’s photo collage strike me as deeply curious, yet perfectly fitting for the man known to many as Chan.

    Even the foreword of the memorial book was crafted in a manner that feels distinctly aligned with who he was. It reads: “He served his country guided by a philosophical conviction that nature unites three worlds in harmony: the world of physical embodiment, the world of the thinking mind, and the world of the heart and intellect.” It is a tragedy that nature did not grant him the time to fully reach his potential across all three of these realms, but even so, we cannot deny the contributions he made to Suriname during his lifetime.

    It is true that throughout his final term in office, I often spoke out critically against his self-centered policy and personal decisions – criticism that was never unfounded. Despite this political friction, Santokhi and I maintained a cordial working relationship during his lifetime, a dynamic I believe was rooted in pragmatic political calculation on his end, a fact that those close to him can confirm.

    As fellow politician Gajadien once noted of Santokhi: he never arrived unprepared. I can personally attest to this observation. In 2019, I joined Santokhi for a meeting with then-incumbent President Dési Bouterse to discuss a potential pre-election alliance between Santokhi’s Progressive People’s Party (VHP) and Bouterse’s National Democratic Party (NDP). That encounter gave me the opportunity to see first-hand that Santokhi was a politician of both great courage and deep policy knowledge.

    Even amid widespread controversy over Bouterse’s political standing, Santokhi chose to move forward with talks about a potential partnership – a decision I witnessed directly, along with the President of the Suriname Court of Justice. This move must be recognized as a demonstration of remarkable political strength.

    So what drove this decision? Looking back at pre-election polling ahead of the May 2020 general election, projections put the NDP on track to win 18 parliamentary seats, with the VHP projected to take a maximum of 17. Even with those predictions stacked against his party, Santokhi took the initiative to open negotiations. What is more, despite having no way of knowing the final result, he remained fully convinced the VHP would outperform polls and win more than 17 seats.

    Santokhi pushed for a written agreement to formalize the pre-election collaboration. Unfortunately, politics and opportunism have always walked hand in hand. Throughout the talks, I repeatedly warned him that if the VHP ended up winning more seats than the NDP, the agreement would never move forward. Now, in 2026, Santokhi’s passing has brought the work he started to an unexpected close. It is through this lens that I read the caption accompanying his memorial photo collage.

    Today, many critics argue that Santokhi left many Suriname’s initiatives broken and uncompleted. That may hold some truth. But it is also undeniable that he personally pushed forward a great number of key projects that have benefited the nation. Those who can see beyond the political blackmail tactics employed by some current actors in Suriname’s political landscape recognize that the country is positioned for a strong future – a future Santokhi already saw on the horizon.

    Santokhi understood well that politics is no child’s game. He often noted that with 34 members of parliament holding seats in a governing coalition, it should be unthinkable to fail to reach a quorum to conduct legislative business. On the topic of judicial reform legislation more broadly, Santokhi frequently argued that the failure to reach a orderly, functional solution to the branch’s structural challenges is nothing short of scandalous.

    In particular, the current Law on the Legal Position of the Judiciary is unworkable. It is a complete failure of governance; even for legislators acting in good faith, closer examination makes clear why the legislation cannot function as written. This is just one more example of elected assembly members wasting public tax dollars, a travesty for the Surinamese people.

    As it stands today, 21 sitting assembly members are present for regular votes, enough to form a new functional coalition led by the VHP. This is the kind of decisive action politics demands. It is long past time to revise the current ineffective, gridlocked coalition. These observations have been brought into sharp relief by the petulant, uncooperative behavior of supposed adult political leaders in recent months.

    Every elected official claims to possess reason and good judgment. That is without question. So why do they so often refuse to use it? What more can we ask for than to let reason guide the work of governing? By settling for mediocre, unprincipled politics, we remain stuck in stagnation, unable to move forward as a nation.

    By Eugène van der San

  • PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar Vs CARICOM

    PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar Vs CARICOM

    A public dispute has emerged between Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) over the recent reappointment of the bloc’s top administrative leader, throwing into question regional governance procedures and transparency amid a high-stakes diplomatic standoff.

    The conflict follows the Twenty-Fifth Special Emergency Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government, held Friday to address governance concerns raised by Trinidad and Tobago — a meeting that neither Persad-Bissessar nor any of her government representatives attended. In an official statement released after the session, CARICOM Chairman Dr. Terrance Drew, who also serves as Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, laid out the regional bloc’s account of the events that led to Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett’s reappointment at the 50th Regular Meeting of the CARICOM Conference of Heads of Government, hosted in St. Kitts and Nevis between February 24 and 27, 2026.

    According to Drew’s statement, all CARICOM member states received formal advance notification of the February meeting’s official schedule, draft agenda, and working breakdown, including clear details of which topics would be discussed in plenary sessions, caucus meetings, and the closed Heads-only retreat. All heads of government offices received official correspondence confirming the retreat’s date and island venue, and every member state acknowledged receipt of the materials, CARICOM claims.

    The narrative continues that Persad-Bissessar departed St. Kitts on the evening of February 25, one day before the scheduled Heads-only retreat on February 26. That same night, Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign Minister Sean Sobers contacted Secretary-General Barnett via WhatsApp to ask whether he could attend the retreat in the prime minister’s absence. He was reportedly told that foreign ministers could stand in for heads of government if needed, but Sobers replied that he suffered from seasickness and would likely be unable to complete the boat ride required to reach the remote retreat venue.

    In response, Barnett informed Sobers that the Chairman would excuse his absence if the trip posed significant discomfort. Sobers never followed up to confirm his attendance, per CARICOM’s account. When heads of government gathered for the closed retreat to discuss community financing and governance, members approved Barnett’s reappointment in line with Article 24 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, with Barnett recusing herself from the discussion.

    As a courtesy to absent leadership, heads agreed to delay the public announcement of the reappointment to allow time to notify Persad-Bissessar. CARICOM says multiple attempts were made to contact the prime minister via phone and email, but none were successful, and the Chairman ultimately reached out directly to Sobers to share the outcome. Alongside the reappointment, CARICOM leaders agreed to form a subcommittee with representatives from Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, and Jamaica to conduct a full review of the bloc’s institutional governance and financing frameworks. Leaders also approved a formal statement on their recent meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio focused on evolving global geopolitical developments.

    In his closing remarks, Drew emphasized that CARICOM has long relied on its internal diplomatic mechanisms to resolve internal challenges, warning that “unfortunate and erroneous statements” from member states risk eroding years of progress toward deeper regional integration.

    But Persad-Bissessar has pushed back aggressively against CARICOM’s account, releasing a counter-statement on her official Facebook page that disputes key details and calls into question the entire reappointment process’s transparency.

    The Trinidad and Tobago prime minister claims that while her government received multiple communications about ceremonial meeting details — including required attire for official events — no notification was ever sent indicating that Barnett’s reappointment would be on the retreat’s agenda. She further alleges that a WhatsApp message sent from the Chairman’s office on the morning of February 26 explicitly stated the retreat would remain strictly limited to sitting heads of government, directly contradicting CARICOM’s claim that Sobers was welcome to attend in her place. That message, Persad-Bissessar says, instructed foreign ministers to remain at the separate Community Council meeting instead of attending the retreat.

    Persad-Bissessar is also demanding access to key internal documents that have not been made public, including the official minutes of the closed retreat, a formal performance appraisal of Barnett’s first term as Secretary-General, and full records from Barnett’s original 2021 appointment to the post. She has labeled the entire process fundamentally lacking in transparency, and has called on the CARICOM Secretariat to fulfill a formal request for documentation submitted in an April 9 letter from Foreign Minister Sobers.

  • STATEMENT BY THE CHAIR OF CARICOMHonourable Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis Twenty-fifth Special Emergency Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM

    STATEMENT BY THE CHAIR OF CARICOMHonourable Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis Twenty-fifth Special Emergency Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM

    On April 10, 2026, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) convened its 25th Special Emergency Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government to address long-simmering governance disputes first raised by Trinidad and Tobago, centered on the controversial reappointment of the bloc’s Secretary-General. In a notable snub, neither the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago nor any official representative from the nation participated in the emergency gathering. The statement released following the meeting was issued by CARICOM Chair Dr. Terrance Drew, who also serves as Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, and publicly dated April 11, 2026.

    The official statement clarifies the sequence of events that sparked the current rift, dating back to CARICOM’s 50th Regular Conference of Heads of Government, hosted by St. Kitts and Nevis between February 24 and 27, 2026. According to the official documentation attached to the statement, all member states received full, timely advance notification of the conference’s official schedule, draft agenda, and detailed work program, which clearly outlined which topics would be addressed in open plenary sessions, closed caucuses, and the restricted Heads-only retreat. All member states, including Trinidad and Tobago, formally acknowledged receipt of every official communication related to the 50th Regular Conference, the document confirms.

    Tensions emerged on the first day of the conference, when Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister departed St. Kitts and Nevis on the evening of February 25, a full day ahead of the scheduled February 26 closed retreat. That same night, at 10:33 PM, Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign Minister Sean Sobers contacted the Secretary-General via WhatsApp to ask whether he could attend the retreat in his Prime Minister’s absence. The Secretary-General confirmed that, consistent with past practice, a foreign minister could stand in for an absent head of government. However, Sobers immediately raised a concern: he experiences severe seasickness, and the retreat venue required a boat ride, leaving him uncertain he could attend.

    A copy of the official WhatsApp correspondence included in the attached documentation captures the subsequent exchange. At 10:55 PM the same night, the Secretary-General updated Chair Drew on the interaction, writing: “Chairman. TT Foreign Minister Sobers called me to ask if he should come to retreat in the absence of his PM. I indicated that other Heads who have left may be represented by their FMs. He also indicated he gets seasick, so he’s not looking forward to the boat ride. So we may not have TT represented tomorrow.” Shortly after midnight, at 12:37 AM on February 26, the Secretary-General followed up directly with Minister Sobers, writing: “Minister, if the boat trip will cause nausea am sure the Chairman would understand if you chose not to come tomorrow.” After that message, Sobers never followed up to confirm he would be able and willing to attend the retreat, leaving Trinidad and Tobago unrepresented at the closed session.

    During the retreat, under the standing agenda item focused on Community financing and governance, CARICOM heads took up the matter of the Secretary-General’s reappointment. Deliberating in accordance with Article 24 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, the governing document of the bloc, heads agreed to approve the reappointment, with the Secretary-General recusing himself from the room during the discussion. Out of courtesy to absent member state representatives, heads agreed to delay the official public announcement of the decision until all absent heads could be personally informed. While outreach to other absent leaders was successful, repeated attempts to contact Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister via both email and telephone went unanswered. Eventually, Chair Drew was requested to contact Foreign Minister Sobers directly to relay the decision.

    In addition to the Secretary-General’s reappointment, CARICOM heads reached two other key decisions during the February retreat: they established a special sub-committee of heads from Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, and Jamaica to conduct a comprehensive review of CARICOM institutional governance and financing, and they authorized a public statement on the bloc’s recent meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio under the agenda item covering global geopolitical developments.

    In his opening statement to the April 2026 emergency meeting, Chair Drew emphasized that all context, correspondence, and meeting materials from the 50th Regular Conference have been released publicly as attachments to the emergency meeting statement, to ensure full transparency for all member states and regional stakeholders. Drew closed the statement with a call for unity, noting that CARICOM’s core mission of deepening regional integration to improve the quality of life for all Caribbean people must remain the top priority. He expressed hope that the bloc can return to resolving internal differences through established internal mechanisms in the future, warning that unfounded public statements risk eroding years of progress toward integration. Full supporting documents, including a complete timeline of pre-conference correspondence and the official work program, are available for public download on the official CARICOM website.

  • ABLP expands campaign visibility with billboards ahead of election

    ABLP expands campaign visibility with billboards ahead of election

    As general elections draw near on the Caribbean island of Antigua and Barbuda, the incumbent Antigua Labour Party (ABLP) has moved to expand its public campaign footprint by rolling out a network of new billboards across key population centers. The strategic move is designed to increase the party’s visibility among undecided and mobile voters, placing core campaign messaging and party branding in high-traffic areas ranging from urban intersections to suburban commercial corridors. Political observers note that the billboard push forms part of a broader integrated outreach strategy that combines traditional out-of-home advertising with digital and door-to-door campaigning, as the party works to retain its parliamentary majority against opposition challengers. For many local voters, the growing presence of ABLP billboards across the country serves as a clear signal that the party is actively competing for support and prioritizing widespread name recognition ahead of polling day. The expansion of out-of-home advertising comes as polling analysts point to a tight race, with both major parties investing heavily in public outreach to sway the small share of swing voters that are expected to decide the election outcome.

  • Chairman insists Trinidad wasn’t ‘uninvited’ to CARICOM retreat

    Chairman insists Trinidad wasn’t ‘uninvited’ to CARICOM retreat

    BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS – A growing public dispute over the reappointment of CARICOM’s top administrative leader has pushed internal governance tensions within the 15-nation Caribbean integration bloc into the open, with CARICOM Chairman and St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew pushing back directly against claims from Trinidad and Tobago that it was deliberately locked out of the key decision-making meeting.

    In a detailed public statement released late Saturday, Drew clarified the timeline of events surrounding Carla Barnett’s reappointment as CARICOM Secretary-General for a second five-year term, a decision reached during a leadership retreat held on February 26 alongside the bloc’s 50th Regular Conference of Heads of Government in Basseterre. To back his account, Drew also published 11 pages of official correspondence exchanged between the bloc secretariat and all member states in the lead-up to the February 24-27 summit.

    Drew’s account contradicts Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s assertion that the country was uninvited to the retreat, where the reappointment vote took place. According to Drew, Persad-Bissessar departed the summit on the evening of February 25, a full day before the scheduled retreat. Later that night, at 10:33 p.m., Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister Sean Sobers contacted then-Secretary-General Barnett via WhatsApp to ask if he could attend the retreat in his prime minister’s absence. Drew confirmed Sobers was told he was welcome to attend, noting that other departing heads of government had previously been allowed to send their foreign ministers as representatives.

    In response, Sobers told officials he was experiencing severe seasickness and likely could not attend the boat-based retreat. Just under two hours later, at 12:37 a.m. on February 26, Barnett replied, confirming that the CARICOM chairman would fully understand if Sobers opted not to attend due to illness. Drew emphasized that Sobers never followed up to confirm he was able and willing to participate in the retreat after that exchange.

    Trinidad and Tobago’s leadership has publicly decried the reappointment process as “surreptitious and odious”, with Persad-Bissessar repeating calls for full transparency in a recent Facebook post, arguing the flawed process could have long-term negative impacts on Trinidad and Tobago’s interests. Earlier this week, Sobers announced the country would demand a full CARICOM meeting to challenge the reappointment, and even floated the possibility of holding new elections for the secretary-general post. When regional leaders held a virtual follow-up meeting on the dispute this Friday, neither Persad-Bissessar nor Sobers attended.

    Sobers has stressed that Trinidad and Tobago is not seeking to leave the 51-year-old integration bloc, but has deep concerns about CARICOM’s operational inefficiency and lack of transparency. He also confirmed the country would re-evaluate its financial contribution to the grouping in light of the dispute.

    Drew countered that all member states, including Trinidad and Tobago, received full official notification of all summit events, including the retreat’s date, location, and planned agenda items, well in advance of the conference. All member states formally acknowledged receipt of this correspondence, he added.

    During the retreat, Drew explained, leaders took up the reappointment under the agenda item focused on CARICOM governance and financing. The decision to reappoint Barnett followed the procedures laid out in Article 24 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, CARICOM’s founding governing document. Barnett, who first took office as the bloc’s eighth secretary-general in August 2021 after a unanimous appointment, was not present for the discussion or vote on her reappointment, Drew noted.

    Leaders agreed to delay the public announcement of the decision as a courtesy to allow absent leaders to be informed first, but multiple attempts to contact Persad-Bissessar via email and phone were unsuccessful, Drew said. After failed attempts to reach the prime minister, the chairman was only able to connect with Sobers.

    In addition to the reappointment, Drew confirmed that regional leaders used the retreat to advance other key governance work: they established a new sub-committee of heads from Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, and Jamaica to conduct a full review of governance and financing for all CARICOM institutions, and agreed to issue an official statement on the bloc’s recent meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

    As the dispute unfolds, two member states – Guyana and Belize – have already issued public statements confirming their support for the reappointment process. Barnett, who made history as the first woman to hold the CARICOM secretary-general post, will now serve her second five-year term in the role.

    Drew closed his statement by noting that the release of internal correspondence was aligned with agreements reached during Friday’s leaders’ meeting, and expressed hope that the bloc could return to using internal dispute resolution mechanisms to address future tensions. “Lest unfortunate and erroneous statements diminish the progress towards deepening the integration process for the benefit of the people of the Region,” he added.

  • LISTEN: Utility amnesty programme expanded to include internet access

    LISTEN: Utility amnesty programme expanded to include internet access

    The government of Antigua and Barbuda is taking a responsive, people-centered step to address growing household economic strain by expanding its popular utility amnesty initiative to cover internet services. The policy change will give thousands of households that lost connectivity over unpaid bills a path to have their service restored.

    Prime Minister Gaston Browne confirmed that the update to the program came directly after sustained public feedback from citizens across the country. He emphasized that in today’s digitally connected world, reliable internet access has shifted from a discretionary luxury to a core essential service, holding the same importance for daily life as traditional utilities like electricity and running water.

    This targeted expansion is crafted specifically to support low-income and vulnerable families that have fallen behind on monthly service payments amid broader economic pressures. By clearing the path for service restoration, the government aims to help these households regain critical access to tools that support daily life and boost long-term quality of life.

    Browne framed the adjusted amnesty program as a clear example of the administration’s governing philosophy: policy must be shaped through continuous dialogue with the public, and updated regularly to respond to fast-changing community needs. The addition of internet services is not a one-off adjustment, he noted, but a reflection of how essential digital connectivity has become for daily participation in society.

    The broader utility amnesty program is a core component of the government’s suite of social support policies focused on lifting up low-income households. Officials have repeatedly stressed that as a matter of principle, no resident should be locked out of access to basic and increasingly essential services due to temporary financial hardship.

    Stakeholders and government analysts project that the inclusion of internet in the amnesty will deliver outsized benefits to households in underserved communities, where many residents rely on digital connectivity for children’s remote learning, remote work arrangements, and staying connected to family members and essential healthcare services. For these communities, the change is expected to remove a major barrier to social and economic participation.

  • LETTER: Impact over noise: Inside Maria Browne’s Relentless Drive to Deliver for St. John’s Rural East

    LETTER: Impact over noise: Inside Maria Browne’s Relentless Drive to Deliver for St. John’s Rural East

    In the modern political landscape of Antigua and Barbuda, where voter distrust in elected officials has grown amid widespread perceptions that politicians only show up for election season, one candidate has emerged as a clear standout: Minister Maria Browne, the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party nominee for the St. John’s Rural East constituency. Far more than just a politician with untapped potential, Browne has already built a robust, well-documented track record defined by consistent performance, disciplined governance, and an unwavering dedication to advancing national development. Unlike many public figures who rely on grand rhetoric and viral spectacle to build their profiles, Browne’s legacy is rooted in years of quiet, relentless, outcome-focused work that spans critical sectors from infrastructure expansion to community uplift, youth empowerment and social progress.

    Browne’s impact on infrastructure development across the country is unmatched in its scope and ambition. Her work extends far beyond the borders of her St. John’s Rural East constituency, reflecting a coordinated, nation-first approach to improving connectivity and quality of life for all Antiguans and Barbudans. One of her flagship ongoing projects is the full redevelopment of All Saints Road, a transformative initiative backed by extensive planning and major public investment that will reshape one of the country’s most critical transport corridors. Beyond this landmark project, Browne has overseen upgrades to roads and public facilities in communities across the nation, including Cassada Gardens, Potters, Piccadilly, Lightfoot, Seatons, and Newfield. She has also prioritized foundational utilities beyond transport, recognizing that long-term community resilience depends on reliable basic services. Under her leadership, new water lines were installed in the Cedar Valley area, a forward-thinking investment that addresses both current access gaps and future water security for the region.

    At the local level, Browne’s work centers on building stronger, more connected communities through targeted public space investments. In St. Johnson’s Village, she championed the creation of a new outdoor gym and public playground, giving local families and children a safe, welcoming space to gather and stay active. She also led a comprehensive upgrade to the multi-use community facility at Cassada Gardens Triangle, transforming the underused space into a hub for collective activity that strengthens social bonds and fosters neighborhood unity.

    Yet Browne’s most consequential and defining investment is in people, particularly the younger generation that will shape Antigua and Barbuda’s future. To date, she has issued more than 100 scholarships to local youth, removing financial barriers to higher education and opening pathways to meaningful, long-term careers. This initiative is far from a one-off political gesture; it is a strategic investment in human capital, rooted in the core belief that a skilled, empowered population is the true foundation of national progress. Her commitment to supporting children extends across the year, with structured, enriching holiday camps hosted during Christmas, Easter, and summer breaks. These camps do more than provide recreational activities: they offer young people access to guided programming, stable supportive environments, and opportunities many would not otherwise have, creating lasting positive memories and life-changing experiences for attendees from all backgrounds.

    In her role as Minister of Housing and Works, Browne has extended this people-first approach to expanding access to affordable land and homeownership. By breaking down barriers to purchasing property and securing stable housing, she has directly improved quality of life for hundreds of families, equipping them to build long-term, secure futures for themselves and their children.

    What sets Browne apart from many of her political peers is that none of these initiatives were driven by political expediency. Every project, every scholarship, every community program has been delivered quietly, consistently, and with clear intentionality, guided by her core principle: people must always come before politics. In an era where public trust in political representation is at a historic low, Browne stands as a beacon of hope for constituents, who have seen her remain present, accessible, and responsive to community needs from her first day in office, not just in the lead-up to elections. Her deep, genuine connection to the people of St. John’s Rural East is reflected in every decision she makes. For voters, Browne’s track record makes one thing unmistakably clear: effective leadership is not measured by the promises candidates make on the campaign trail, but by the tangible, lasting results they deliver every single day.