分类： politics

Anthony Smith Jr., a dedicated representative of All Saints West, has broken his silence to address the political maneuvers of Harold Lovell, a former Minister of Finance, Tourism, and Aviation. Smith Jr. accuses Lovell of neglecting the constituency during his tenure, despite holding significant governmental power. Lovell, who is now campaigning in All Saints West, is portrayed as an outsider with a history of failing to support the community. Smith Jr. highlights the dismissal of Chandlah Coddington, a fellow UPP member, as a prime example of Lovell’s disregard for local needs. Coddington, who had twice won unanimous victories at the polls, was ignored when he pleaded for basic infrastructure improvements. Smith Jr. emphasizes that he has been working tirelessly for the community, even using personal resources to build roads, long before Lovell’s recent interest in the area. He calls for accountability and prioritization of All Saints West, asserting that the people deserve better than Lovell’s empty promises. Smith Jr. concludes by reaffirming his commitment to the community and urging voters to recognize the true face of Lovell’s leadership.

Retired High Court Judge Stanley John is set to return to Antigua and Barbuda, where he will serve as an acting judge on the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. The Judicial and Legal Services Commission announced that Justice John will be stationed in Antigua from October 4 to December 22, 2025. This marks his second stint in the country, having previously served from 2019 to 2022. Most recently, he acted as a High Court judge in the Virgin Islands. His return follows the departure of Justice Tunde Bakre, who served on the Antigua bench for less than two years. Bakre, a Nigerian-born jurist, was sworn in on September 29, 2023, and presided over several high-profile cases, including Antigua and Barbuda’s first judge-alone murder trial. Bakre has since been appointed to the Supreme Court of the Turks and Caicos Islands, where he was sworn in on October 3, 2025. Justice John’s reappointment underscores the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court’s commitment to maintaining experienced judicial leadership in the region.

In a strongly worded statement at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Friday, China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, expressed grave concerns over escalating tensions in the Caribbean, attributing the instability to recent U.S. military operations near Venezuela. Fu criticized the U.S. for deploying forces in Caribbean waters under the guise of combating drug trafficking, which he argued has led to a series of provocative actions, including the sinking of Venezuelan vessels, the shooting of sailors, and the seizure of fishing boats. These actions, Fu asserted, infringe on the right to life, basic human rights, and the freedom of navigation, while also undermining the sovereignty and security of other nations. He emphasized that such unilateral enforcement operations in international waters violate international law and pose a significant threat to regional peace and stability. Fu called on the U.S. to immediately cease its unlawful activities and urged Washington to pursue international cooperation in combating transnational crimes through established legal frameworks. He reiterated China’s opposition to the use or threat of force in international relations and any external interference in Venezuela’s internal affairs, stressing the need to uphold the principles of the UN Charter.