The current government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is facing mounting criticism as citizens demand a shift in leadership. Many Vincentians argue that the administration has failed to prioritize the needs of ordinary people, particularly those in vulnerable communities like North Leeward. Families are grappling with escalating challenges, including the rising cost of education, transportation, and basic necessities, while a select few continue to benefit disproportionately. The stark contrast between the struggles of the majority and the privileges of a minority has sparked outrage and calls for accountability. Dr. Shallow’s efforts to highlight these disparities have been praised as a vital step toward transparency. Critics argue that the current leadership is disconnected from the realities of everyday Vincentians, focusing instead on enriching a small inner circle. The growing sentiment is clear: SVG deserves leaders who genuinely care about its people, address systemic inequalities, and work to uplift communities. As economic hardships intensify, the call for change grows louder, urging citizens to demand better governance for the sake of future generations.
分类： politics
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Dominican Republic hosts PAcCTO 2.0 congress on illicit asset recovery
In a compelling address at the Regional Seminar on Organized Crime and Asset Forfeiture in Santo Domingo, Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso underscored the critical need for efficient and real-time international cooperation to tackle the escalating threats of cybercrime and transnational criminal networks. Reynoso emphasized that outdated bureaucratic processes are ill-equipped to counter the agility of modern criminal groups, which operate seamlessly across borders. She highlighted the Dominican Republic’s significant strides in combating organized crime, citing over 30 major operations since 2020 targeting drug trafficking, corruption, cybercrime, human trafficking, and arms smuggling. A notable success was the recovery of over 2 billion pesos from a corruption case, funds now being reinvested into community sports centers. The seminar, organized by EL PAcCTO 2.0 with EU support, convened 80 representatives from 17 Latin American and 5 European countries. Discussions focused on asset recovery best practices, legislative updates to the Palermo Convention, and emerging threats like cryptocurrency-based money laundering. Reynoso emphasized the Dominican Republic’s strategic Caribbean location as a pivotal hub for fostering regional security alliances and strengthening cross-border collaboration.
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Caribbean customs officials meet in Santo Domingo
In a significant move to bolster regional security and economic stability, customs representatives from twelve Caribbean nations convened in the Dominican Republic. The meeting, organized under the Caribbean Council for the Application of Customs Laws (CCALA/CCLEC), aimed to enhance institutional capacity, develop human resources, improve border security, and expand the exchange of customs information. The event brought together English-, French-, and Dutch-speaking customs administrations, alongside representatives from the Dominican Republic and Cuba.
Eduardo “Yayo” Sanz Lovatón, Director of Dominican Customs, highlighted the government’s commitment to ratifying the 2019 agreement signed in Cuba. This agreement, which requires approval from at least ten member states, seeks to transform CCLEC into the Caribbean Customs Organization, a more robust and unified entity.
During the discussions, participants reviewed past initiatives and outlined future strategies in areas such as regional intelligence, cybersecurity, capacity building, and information sharing. These measures are critical in combating smuggling and other transnational crimes that threaten the region. The meeting was led by CCLEC President Roderick Lionel Croes and Permanent Secretary Claude Paul, who emphasized the importance of coordinated customs efforts for safeguarding regional security and fostering economic growth.
The gathering included officials from Aruba, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, the Netherlands, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, and the Dominican Republic. This collaborative effort underscores the Caribbean nations’ shared commitment to addressing common challenges through enhanced cooperation and strategic planning.
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El Toque is a tool of manipulation designed to undermine the Cuban economy
Cuba’s economy has long been plagued by structural imbalances, impacting critical sectors such as production, energy supply, logistics, and access to foreign currency. Compounding these challenges are internal missteps and the enduring effects of the U.S. blockade, which stifles foreign income, escalates financial burdens, and restricts international trade. Amid this adversity, the El Toque platform has emerged as a destabilizing force, exacerbating economic disruptions and fostering reliance on informal markets, ultimately harming the Cuban populace.
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Cuba and Vietnam: mutual support even in difficult times
In a significant meeting that underscores the enduring friendship between Cuba and Vietnam, Roberto Morales Ojeda, a key member of Cuba’s Political Bureau and head of the Political-Ideological Work and Party Organ of the National Defense Council, welcomed a high-level delegation from the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). The delegation, led by Vu Thanh Mai, deputy head of the CPV’s Propaganda, Education, and Mass Mobilization Commission, visited Cuba as part of preparations to commemorate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations on December 2nd. The meeting highlighted the deep-rooted bond forged by historic leaders Fidel Castro and Ho Chi Minh. Morales Ojeda expressed solidarity with Vietnam following recent devastating floods in its central region, while also thanking Vietnam for its support in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in eastern Cuba. This exchange of mutual aid underscores the resilience of their bilateral relationship. The discussions also revisited agreements made during recent high-level visits, including the September 2024 trip by CPV General Secretary To Lam to Cuba and Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel’s visit to Vietnam in September 2025. Both sides emphasized the importance of continuing the dialogue initiated at the 6th Theoretical Seminar held in Havana earlier this year, with plans to convene the next seminar after their respective party congresses. Morales Ojeda praised Vietnam’s preparations for its 14th Congress in January, drawing parallels to Cuba’s preparations for its 9th Congress in April. He also thanked Vietnam for its steadfast support in Cuba’s fight against the U.S. blockade and its opposition to Cuba’s inclusion on the list of state sponsors of terrorism. Vu Thanh Mai conveyed warm greetings from Vietnam’s top leaders, and the delegation held productive meetings with Cuban economic and social sector departments, as well as the Ñico López Party University.
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President Ali brushes aside use of cash grant recipients’ personal data for electioneering
President Irfaan Ali has firmly rejected claims that his People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) exploited personal data from cash grant recipients for election campaigning. The allegations stem from a report by the European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM), which highlighted concerns over the misuse of government-held data during the September 1 general and regional elections. In a Facebook Live commentary, President Ali acknowledged that all political parties, not just the incumbent, had made personalized calls to beneficiaries. However, he neither confirmed nor denied his party’s involvement in using the data for soliciting votes. The EUEOM report emphasized the need to operationalize the 2023 Data Protection Act to prevent such practices in the future, citing politically motivated doxing and misuse of personal data for electoral gains. President Ali also criticized the report for its perceived bias and lack of analysis, arguing that it primarily reflected complaints from opposition parties. He defended his government’s campaign focus on delivering past promises, such as infrastructure projects and subsidies, and called for a fair evaluation of the report’s narratives. Additionally, he mentioned that election campaign financing reforms would be addressed through the Constitutional Reform process, which the EUEOM report allegedly overlooked.
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Security : Bahamian military visit to Haiti
In a significant move to bolster regional security, Commodore Floyd Moxey, Commander of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF), led a high-level delegation to Haiti last week. The delegation included Jerusa Ali, Ambassador and Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Commander Julian Smith, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Bahamas Embassy in Haiti. Accompanied by additional Bahamian military personnel, the group joined the Gang Repression Force (FRG) operations, aiming to combat organized crime and restore stability in Haiti. They were warmly received by Godfrey Otunge, Force Commander, and Vladimir Paraison, Director General of the Haitian National Police (PNH).
Commodore Moxey reiterated the Bahamas’ unwavering commitment to the FRG mission, highlighting the deployment of a third Bahamian contingent. While the exact size of the contingent remains undisclosed, Moxey praised the FRG officers for their professionalism and resilience in the face of challenging operational conditions. He emphasized that Haiti’s security is intrinsically linked to the stability of the entire Caribbean region, citing risks such as human displacement, illicit arms trafficking, and transnational crime. ‘Haiti’s instability poses a threat to us all,’ Moxey stated.
Jerusa Ali expressed deep gratitude to the Haitian National Police and international partners from Kenya, Jamaica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and the Bahamas for their courage and teamwork. She underscored the Bahamas’ commitment to supporting Haiti through security, political engagement, and diplomacy. Ali also announced plans to open a new Chancery in Port-au-Prince, signaling the Bahamas’ long-term dedication to Haiti’s recovery. She highlighted the transition from the MMSS to the FRG under UN Security Council Resolution 2793 as a pivotal moment for regional collaboration.
In a joint address, Vladimir Paraison and Commander Otunge reaffirmed the FRG’s determination to dismantle gang networks, restore security, and protect the rights of the Haitian people. They vowed to prevent criminal groups from regaining influence and emphasized the importance of cooperation between Haitian authorities, local communities, and international partners. ‘Impunity is over,’ they declared, asserting that all resources are now aligned under a unified strategy to combat crime on land, sea, and air.
The Bahamian delegation concluded their visit by interacting with deployed troops at LSA1 before departing Haiti, leaving a strong message of solidarity and resolve.
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Former Senator Malaka Parker Rejoins the United Progressive Party
In a significant political development, former senator and prominent community activist Malaka Parker has announced her return to the United Progressive Party (UPP) after a two-year hiatus from active politics. Parker, who left the UPP following a contentious leadership dispute in 2016, emphasized her decision as a response to the urgent need for political renewal and accountability in Antigua and Barbuda. She criticized the current administration, the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP), for fostering what she described as a ‘decaying political culture’ marked by corruption, economic mismanagement, and public disillusionment. Parker highlighted the ABLP’s failure to deliver on its promises of economic prosperity, pointing to rising inequality, escalating living costs, and a bloated public sector as evidence of systemic failures. She called for a collective effort to rebuild the opposition, restore public trust, and champion inclusive, people-centered governance. Parker’s return to the UPP underscores her belief in the party’s potential to lead national renewal and address the pressing challenges facing the country. She urged citizens to join her in rejecting the current administration’s perceived disregard for public welfare and to work towards a brighter future for Antigua and Barbuda.
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Security : «The time of gangs is over» says Commander Otunge
In a bold declaration, Commander Godfrey Otunge of Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force (GSF) announced a significant shift in the nation’s security landscape. Otunge emphasized that the transformation from the MSSM to the GSF represents more than a mere rebranding—it is a comprehensive overhaul of Haiti’s security apparatus. This reorganization integrates the resources, personnel, and intelligence of all national forces under a unified mission: the eradication of gangs that have long plagued the country. Collaborating closely with the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd’H), the GSF has implemented a robust, sustained security strategy. This includes targeted, intelligence-driven operations and persistent patrols in critical areas, aimed at dismantling gang networks and restoring public safety. Otunge underscored the mobilization of all operational assets—land, sea, and air—to achieve the clear objective of restoring peace and ensuring Haitians can live without fear. He dismissed recent gang threats as acts of desperation, signaling their decline. The joint forces are advancing relentlessly, disrupting networks, seizing weapons, and neutralizing armed elements. Otunge assured the Haitian people of the security forces’ unwavering commitment to dismantling terrorist networks and upholding the rule of law. He called for public cooperation, emphasizing that together, they are closing a dark chapter in Haiti’s history and paving the way for stability and peace.
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Dr Mitchell: Gift of vehicles to MPs is abuse of privileges
In a heated session of the Lower House on November 19, 2025, former Prime Minister and Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Mitchell criticized the Government’s decision to purchase and distribute vehicles to Members of Parliament (MPs), labeling it as an abuse of parliamentary privileges. Dr. Mitchell, a seasoned legislator since 1984, argued that MPs already benefit from a 100% concession on vehicles, making the additional provision unnecessary. He emphasized the dire economic conditions faced by constituents and suggested that the funds allocated for these vehicles could be better utilized to address pressing community needs. ‘I will not accept any vehicle from the taxpayers of this country,’ Dr. Mitchell declared, urging the Government to sell the vehicles and redirect the funds to support the North-West constituency. His stance was echoed by other Opposition MPs, who questioned the necessity of the initiative. However, Joseph Andall, MP for St. Patrick West, defended the decision, stating that the House Committee, comprising members from both the Government and Opposition, had unanimously agreed in 2024 to provide vehicles to each constituency. Andall clarified that the vehicles were intended to facilitate MPs’ duties rather than for personal use. Following the adjournment of the session, Government MPs were presented with the keys to their constituency vehicles by Speaker Leo Cato. The debate underscores the ongoing tension between the Government and Opposition over resource allocation and parliamentary privileges.