Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves has unveiled the Unity Labour Party’s (ULP) 2025 election manifesto, emphasizing its focus on substantive policies over superficial gimmicks. Speaking at a rally in Colonarie, Gonsalves outlined the ULP’s plans to reduce income tax to 22% and raise the tax-free threshold to EC$30,000, measures he described as impactful for working-class citizens in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He contrasted these policies with the New Democratic Party’s (NDP) proposal to cut VAT from 16% to 13%, arguing that the ULP’s approach would yield greater financial benefits for individuals, such as an extra EC$1,500 annually for constables and over EC$2,000 for teachers and nurses. Gonsalves also highlighted the ULP’s commitment to job creation, citing the addition of 6,500 jobs over the past five years despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, the La Soufriere volcanic eruption, and Hurricane Beryl. He pledged to create 6,000 more jobs if re-elected, aiming to reduce unemployment below 5% for the first time in the nation’s history. Additionally, the ULP plans to open a Beaches resort, attract EC$2.5 billion in foreign investment, and boost GDP from EC$3 billion to EC$4 billion within five years. Gonsalves concluded by asserting the ULP’s vision to transform St. Vincent and the Grenadines into a first-world nation within 15 years, grounded in principled policies and a commitment to the people.
分类： politics
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Mira Says Police Have Lost Public Trust
In a candid admission, Belize’s newly appointed Minister of Home Affairs and Enterprise, Oscar Mira, has publicly stated that the Belize Police Department has lost the trust of the Belizean people. Delivering his remarks in a pre-recorded video statement on November 17, 2025, Mira emphasized that restoring public confidence in law enforcement would be a cornerstone of his tenure. ‘There are many things we can do to regain the trust of the Belizean people,’ he asserted, acknowledging the gravity of his new role.
Mira’s appointment follows a recent Cabinet reshuffle by the Prime Minister, a move he initially resisted. Despite his initial reluctance, Mira has now embraced the challenge, describing his role as ‘a way of service to our people here in Belize.’ He acknowledged the complexities of the ministry, stating, ‘I know that this ministry is a challenging one. I never believed it would be an easy road.’
Among his immediate priorities, Mira outlined plans to bolster the forensic department, enhance police infrastructure, and construct new police stations nationwide. He highlighted the relocation of the National Forensic Laboratory to Auan as a key step in improving investigative capabilities. ‘There is a lot of work to do, but we are excited about the various projects we have in store,’ he remarked.
Mira’s appointment and his forthright acknowledgment of the police department’s challenges mark a pivotal moment in Belize’s efforts to reform its law enforcement system and rebuild public trust.
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Benjamin Recommends Senior Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel for Chief Magistrate Post
Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin has formally proposed Senior Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel as the next Chief Magistrate of Antigua and Barbuda. Her nomination has been submitted to the Judicial and Legal Service Commission for approval, following the conclusion of Acting Chief Magistrate Dexter Wason’s interim tenure. Benjamin emphasized that the recommendation was made after “serious considerations,” expressing confidence that Emanuel will be appointed to the role. He praised her as a “professional lady” who has demonstrated exceptional judgment and court administration, describing her as “a great asset to the judiciary.” Benjamin also highlighted her legal expertise, capacity, and distinguished court management. Emanuel, who joined the bench in 2013 and was promoted to Senior Magistrate in March 2024, holds an LLB (Hons) from UWI Cave Hill, a Legal Education Certificate from Hugh Wooding Law School, and an LLM with Merit from the University of East London. Her extensive legal career spans Dominica and Trinidad and Tobago, including six years at Chancery Chambers with Douglas Mendes SC. Since 2017, she has chaired the Child Justice Board. The Chief Magistrate position became vacant in July 2023 after the suspension and subsequent resignation of Joanne Walsh, who faced disciplinary charges. Wason has served as Acting Chief Magistrate since her departure.
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ULP will continue to modernise SVG’s healthcare services — Grace
Grace Walters, the Unity Labour Party (ULP) candidate for North Windward, has outlined an ambitious healthcare agenda aimed at modernizing and expanding services across St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Speaking at the launch of the party’s manifesto for the upcoming November 27 general election, Walters emphasized the ULP’s commitment to ensuring healthcare remains a fundamental right for all citizens. She highlighted plans to construct modern clinics in key areas such as Belair, Byera, and Central Kingstown, alongside the establishment of wellness centers and a geriatric facility. Walters also pledged to enhance mental health services, increase dental clinics, and assign ambulances to every polyclinic. Addressing the issue of medical tourism, she announced plans to formalize agreements with countries like Cuba and Venezuela to provide specialized care for Vincentians. Walters criticized the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) for advocating privatization, which she argued would limit access to healthcare. She also vowed to regulate consultant doctors to prevent exploitation of patients in public hospitals. Additionally, the ULP plans to digitize health records, implement the Pharmacy Act, and improve licensing for private healthcare facilities. Walters underscored the party’s focus on youth, promising to establish health units to address issues like drug abuse and mental health. She also highlighted ongoing projects, including the construction of a modern hospital in Arnos Vale, which she said would create job opportunities and advance healthcare careers. Walters concluded by reaffirming the ULP’s dedication to transforming the healthcare sector, ensuring it remains accessible and equitable for all Vincentians.
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Pierre Rallies SLP for Final Push, Warns of ‘Nastiest Politics’ Ahead
In a vibrant display of political fervor and spiritual unity, the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) hosted its National Gospel Concert last night at the Vieux Fort Recreation Park. With the general election just two weeks away, the event served as both a rallying cry for supporters and a platform to celebrate recent achievements, including the handover of the St Jude Hospital. SLP candidates shared the stage with local gospel artists, delivering impassioned speeches that praised party leader Philip J. Pierre and warned of intensified political rhetoric in the coming days. Lisa Jawahir, the SLP candidate for Castries South-East, emphasized the significance of the hospital handover, stating, ‘This occasion is bigger than politics,’ while expressing her inspiration drawn from Pierre’s leadership and the resilience of the nation. Pierre himself cautioned supporters about the ‘nastiest politics’ expected from the opposition United Workers Party (UWP), which was simultaneously holding its own rally. He urged SLP candidates to intensify their campaign efforts and highlighted key policies, such as the ‘one university graduate per household’ initiative and free preschool education. The SLP is set to unveil its full manifesto on November 25, ahead of the December 1 election.
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Mexican President for talks between the US and Venezuela
In a recent statement, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized her country’s commitment to peace and dialogue, particularly in the context of escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela. Responding to former US President Donald Trump’s comments about potential talks with Venezuela, Sheinbaum reiterated Mexico’s stance against invasions and its support for peaceful conflict resolution. ‘We are a country that always seeks peace, dialogue, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. We are not in favor of invasions,’ she declared during her weekly media briefing at the National Palace. Sheinbaum also affirmed Mexico’s willingness to assist in fostering dialogue between the US and Venezuela, stating, ‘Mexico will always be there to help in any possible way. Dialogue must always take place. We must seek talks and peace everywhere.’ Trump’s remarks coincided with the deployment of the US Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier to the Caribbean Sea, a move widely interpreted as a display of military strength. Additionally, the US initiated provocative military exercises in Trinidad and Tobago, near Venezuela’s borders, while continuing operations against suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s refusal to recognize Nicolas Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate president, maintaining a hardline stance against his administration.
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Bangladesh: Tribunaal veroordeelt afgezette Sheikh Hasina tot de doodstraf
In a landmark ruling, a special tribunal in Dhaka has sentenced Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity. The charges stem from her alleged harsh crackdown on a student-led uprising in 2024, which resulted in hundreds of deaths and the collapse of her 15-year rule. The International Crimes Tribunal also handed down a death sentence to former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan for his role in the violent suppression of protesters. Both Hasina and Khan fled to India last year and were convicted in absentia. A former police chief, who turned state witness against Hasina, received a five-year prison sentence. The tribunal, led by Judge Golam Mortuza Mozumder, announced the verdict in a session broadcast live, drawing mixed reactions from the crowded courtroom. Hasina has condemned the ruling as “biased and politically motivated,” asserting that she acted in good faith to minimize casualties. The verdict comes amid ongoing instability in Bangladesh following Hasina’s ousting on August 5, 2024. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, who now heads an interim government, has vowed to punish Hasina and banned her Awami League party from participating in upcoming elections. The country remains tense, with increased security measures and sporadic violence reported in the lead-up to the verdict. Hasina has the option to appeal the sentence within 30 days, though her return to Bangladesh seems unlikely.
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Cuba congratulates students and remembers Fidel Castro’s message
In a heartfelt tribute on International Students’ Day, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel took to social media to extend his warm wishes to students worldwide. He urged them to revisit the profound words of Fidel Castro, the iconic leader of the Cuban Revolution, delivered two decades ago. Diaz-Canel emphasized the enduring relevance of Castro’s message, stating, ‘His words from then carry remarkable significance and timeless lessons for the future.’ Simultaneously, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez commemorated Castro’s historic speech at the University of Havana on November 17, 2005, marking the 60th anniversary of Castro’s enrollment at the institution. Rodriguez highlighted the speech’s critical warnings about imperialist threats to the Global South and its rallying cry for unity, awareness, and intelligence to safeguard the Revolution’s achievements. He also celebrated Castro’s unwavering optimism, quoting his declaration that dedicating one’s life to the cause made it ‘worth being born! Worth living!’ International Students’ Day traces its origins to November 17, 1939, when Czechoslovakian students bravely resisted Nazi forces in Prague, symbolizing the enduring spirit of youth in the face of oppression.
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Duchess of Edinburgh to Meet Prime Minister Briceno
Sophie Rhys-Jones, the Duchess of Edinburgh, commenced a significant three-day diplomatic visit to Belize, arriving at Philip Goldson International Airport on the evening of November 16, 2025. She was warmly received by a delegation including Governor-General Dame Froyla Tzalam, Ambassador Amalia Mai, and representatives from the Belize Defence Force Honour Guard, underscoring the importance of her visit. The Duchess’s itinerary is packed with engagements aimed at fostering bilateral relations and supporting local initiatives. Her first stop was the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI) in Belize City, where she interacted with the community and highlighted the importance of health and social welfare programs. Later in the day, she is scheduled to hold a pivotal meeting with Prime Minister John Briceño to discuss mutual interests and collaborative efforts. The day will culminate with a formal reception at the House of Culture, featuring an investiture ceremony. The Duchess’s visit emphasizes key areas such as health, the empowerment of indigenous women, and the preservation of Belize’s renowned barrier reef. This visit not only reinforces the strong historical ties between Belize, a Commonwealth realm, and the United Kingdom but also showcases the ongoing commitment to shared values and cooperation.
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Democratic People’s Movement: We move together!
On Sunday, 16 November 2025, Peter David officially launched the Democratic People’s Movement (DPM) in a historic event that marked a turning point for Grenada. Addressing a diverse audience, David declared that the movement is no longer just an idea but a tangible force for change. He emphasized unity, action, and progress as the core principles of the DPM, urging Grenadians to move beyond division and stagnation.
David acknowledged the challenges Grenada faces, including political division, economic struggles, and social inequality. He shared stories from his travels across the country, where he listened to the concerns of citizens—parents worried about their children’s future, business owners battling economic hardships, and a general frustration with the status quo. He framed the DPM as a grassroots movement, born from the shared hope of rebuilding a nation that honors its past while embracing a brighter future.
The DPM’s philosophy centers on the belief that a nation’s strength lies in the participation of all its people, not just a select few. David outlined three key commitments: ‘Work that pays and stays,’ ‘Food that feeds us,’ and ‘Healthcare that reaches you.’ These pillars aim to address unemployment, food security, and healthcare accessibility, ensuring a better quality of life for all Grenadians.
David also highlighted the need for economic resilience, particularly in the face of global challenges that disproportionately affect small island states. He called for strategic partnerships, sustainable investment, and policies that protect Grenada’s sovereignty and dignity. The movement’s Progressive Agenda for Empowerment (PAE) will be unveiled in the coming weeks, focusing on youth empowerment, small business support, and agricultural revitalization.
In a passionate conclusion, David invoked the spirit of unity and courage, urging Grenadians to join the movement and shape its future. He emphasized that the DPM is not about leaders or parties but about ideas, policies, and action. The event concluded with a call to action: ‘First, we question. Then, we organize. Finally, we move forward, together.’