分类： society

In a dramatic courtroom development, Daniel Alexander Ramirez Poedemo, the primary suspect in a deadly 2025 terrorist bombing in Guyana, has confessed to acting alone and absolved his co-accused of any involvement. The 33-year-old Venezuelan national made his declaration during Paper Committal proceedings at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, presided over by Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty.

The case stems from the October 26, 2025 explosion at the Mobil Fuel Station on Regent and King Streets in Georgetown, which claimed the life of six-year-old Soraya Bourne. Poedemo faces terrorism charges alongside three other defendants—Alexander Bettencourt (44), Jhonny Boodram (27), and Kystal LaCruz (33)—while three additional individuals face related charges in the Leonora Magistrates’ Court.

Through a court-appointed interpreter, Poedemo delivered his unexpected confession, stating: “He wants to admit to everything. He was the person. A Guyanese-Venezuelan or Venezuelan-Guyanese gave him the stuff and he did what he had to do. He placed the stuff where he had to place it.” The defendant emphatically maintained that his co-accused were completely uninvolved and expressed his desire for their exoneration.

Poedemo’s legal representative, attorney Shellon Boyce, initially disclosed her client’s intentions to the court, prompting Acting Chief Magistrate McGusty to seek direct confirmation from the accused regarding his willingness to cooperate fully. Prosecutor Mandel Moore subsequently requested a formal proposal from the defense to present to the Director of Public Prosecutions’ office.

The judicial process has been adjourned until April 20, 2026, pending submissions from both the defense and prosecution teams. Poedemo was originally apprehended days after the bombing when surveillance footage captured an individual—allegedly the defendant—planting the explosive device before fleeing the scene. The precise motivation behind the attack remains undetermined by authorities.

The tragic incident occurred when young Soraya Bourne was traveling in a vehicle with family members at the time of the detonation. The case has drawn significant attention due to its cross-border implications and the severity of the charges involved.

MONTEGO BAY, St James — Jamaica’s education system stands at a pivotal juncture as it develops its 2025–2035 strategic plan, with Montego Bay Community College Principal Dr. Darien Henry advocating for a fundamental reorientation toward systemic resilience and educator support. Speaking at the University of Technology’s Teacher Education Summit, Henry emphasized that resilience must transition from being an individual burden to an institutional responsibility.

Henry drew upon MBCC’s experience during Hurricane Melissa to illustrate how catastrophic events expose structural vulnerabilities, transforming rather than merely interrupting educational operations. He revealed that teachers frequently served as stability anchors amid chaos, often while managing personal crises and operating in suboptimal conditions.

‘The education sector cannot continually expect educators to function as pillars of stability without reinforcing the structures that support them,’ Henry asserted. ‘Resilience encompasses operational, emotional, and profoundly human dimensions that demand policy-level solutions.’

The academic leader detailed MBCC’s crisis response framework, which incorporated remote management protocols, enhanced communication channels, and a two-phase recovery strategy prioritizing stabilization before restoration. These measures, he noted, were consciously designed to mitigate uncertainty and preserve staff welfare.

Henry specifically called for formal policy mechanisms addressing teachers’ psychosocial needs, arguing that well-being must be institutionalized rather than relying on informal collegial support. He positioned educator welfare as a performance indicator directly linked to educational effectiveness and system stability.

As a presidential candidate for the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, Henry’s recommendations align with his broader campaign focus on strengthening professional support systems and elevating educators’ status. He concluded that resilience represents an ongoing practice during reconstruction rather than a destination achieved after recovery.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — Caribbean Community (Caricom) officials have declared micro-credentials a strategic imperative for regional development, positioning them as critical tools for addressing climate vulnerability, economic transformation, and skills mobility. The announcement came during the Commonwealth of Learning’s inaugural planning session for the Caricom Micro-Credentials Sub-Framework Development in Trinidad this Monday.

Alison Drayton, Assistant Secretary-General of Human and Social Development at the Caricom Secretariat, emphasized that these compact learning certifications represent more than educational innovation—they constitute a necessity for the region’s survival and progress. “Our ability to respond effectively to climate crises, build resilience, adapt infrastructure, and transition toward greener economies depends fundamentally on the skills of our people,” Drayton stated before delegates.

The framework under development addresses twin urgent realities: profound economic and social transformation driven by digitalization and climate vulnerability, and the corresponding need for education systems to demonstrate greater agility and relevance. Micro-credentials offer a pathway to redesign how learning is designed, delivered, and recognized across the Caribbean’s diverse education landscapes.

Drayton outlined four critical pillars for successful implementation: coherence and quality assurance to ensure credentials are credible and transparent; portability and regional recognition to facilitate labor mobility; responsiveness to labor market needs in emerging fields like renewable energy and climate-smart agriculture; and equitable access for marginalized populations including out-of-school youth, working adults, and rural communities.

The Assistant Secretary-General cautioned against fragmented regional adoption, emphasizing that the framework must balance national priorities with collective goals. “This consultation is not merely technical—it is foundational to building a new social compact around learning,” she concluded, acknowledging the technical working group’s diligent preparation of the draft framework.

Jamaica has unveiled an innovative work-study initiative designed to transform the educational landscape and address longstanding financial challenges facing tertiary students. The LEAP (Learn, Earn and Prosper) program, announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness during the 2026/27 Budget Debate, represents a groundbreaking collaboration between government authorities and student leadership.

The initiative, developed through the HEART/NSTA Trust, will provide part-time paid employment opportunities for university students across both public and private sectors while they continue their academic pursuits. This strategic intervention directly responds to concerns raised by students regarding education financing and professional development opportunities.

Roshaun Wynter, President of The University of the West Indies Mona Guild, who played a pivotal role in shaping the program, described the student response as overwhelmingly positive. “Students are genuinely excited because this demonstrates that productive partnerships between government and student leadership can generate meaningful change,” Wynter stated, noting a significant shift from traditionally adversarial relationships to collaborative policy development.

The program’s conception emerged from extensive student consultations where financial security and professional training emerged as primary concerns. Wynter developed a comprehensive manifesto based on these consultations, which eventually gained traction with education ministry officials and ultimately received prime ministerial endorsement.

Unlike traditional internship models that require full-time commitment, LEAP offers a specialized part-time framework allowing students to maintain full-time academic status while working 15-20 hours weekly at competitive internship rates. This flexible approach addresses the critical challenge of students juggling full-time work with full-time studies, often compromising academic performance.

Beyond financial relief, the program incorporates HEART’s job-readiness curriculum to enhance workplace preparedness, simultaneously addressing employer concerns about graduates lacking practical experience. Prime Minister Holness acknowledged student leaders Wynter and University of Technology Jamaica Students’ Union President Percival Roberts for their instrumental leadership in developing the initiative.

The LEAP program constitutes a key component of Jamaica’s broader strategy to strengthen the transition from tertiary education to workforce integration—an identified gap in the country’s education and labor systems. Stakeholders anticipate pilot implementation this summer, with full-scale deployment targeted for the upcoming academic year.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A significant urban renewal initiative has commenced at Manor Park’s bustling bus lay-by and commercial vending zone, marking the beginning of a comprehensive modernization project for one of the Kingston Metropolitan Area’s most frequented transportation and economic centers.

Delano Seiveright, Member of Parliament for St Andrew North Central, formally announced the project’s launch, highlighting its dual focus on infrastructure enhancement and socioeconomic improvement for local vendors and commuters. “We are fundamentally transforming Manor Park into an organized, contemporary commercial and transport hub that aligns with Jamaica’s development standards,” Seiveright stated. “After years of suboptimal operating conditions, we’re creating an environment that fosters small business growth, enhances commuting efficiency, and builds community pride through practical, people-centered development.”

The project represents a collaborative effort between public and private entities, with Seiveright leading coordination alongside private sector partner Richard Lake and the Pan Jamaica Group. Additional support comes from key public agencies including the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), with Councillor Susan Senior receiving special recognition for her coordination efforts.

Initial construction activities began with the removal and environmentally responsible disposal of outdated makeshift vending structures. These preparatory works pave the way for installing modern retail kiosks designed to elevate the area’s visual aesthetics, safety protocols, and functional efficiency.

Future development phases will introduce modern restroom facilities, strategic landscaping with integrated signage, and covered waiting areas with seating accommodations for commuters. Subsequent construction stages are scheduled to begin next month as the project advances toward full realization.

The initiative benefits from multi-sector support including contributions from the Lisa Hanna Foundation, Burger King, Popeyes, Wisynco, the Tourism Product Development Company, and the National Solid Waste Management Authority.

This transformation of Manor Park constitutes one component of a broader strategic effort to upgrade community and commercial spaces throughout St Andrew North Central, focusing on infrastructure improvement, micro-enterprise support, and comprehensive urban management enhancements. Phase one construction is expected to continue progressively in the coming weeks, with subsequent phases following accordingly.