In a significant joint operation, authorities in the Dominican Republic, in collaboration with the United States, intercepted a boat carrying approximately 500 kilograms of cocaine off the Dominican coast. The operation, conducted on Saturday, was part of the United States Southern Command’s initiative, Operation Southern Spear, aimed at combating drug trafficking in the region. The National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD) stated that the operation involved extensive efforts by air, sea, and land to capture the suspects and seize the narcotics. Two Dominican nationals were arrested, and 484 packets of cocaine were confiscated from the 27-foot-long boat, which was equipped with two outboard motors. The DNCD emphasized its close cooperation with the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in executing this operation. Operation Southern Spear, announced by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, is part of a broader military deployment in Latin America to target drug-running operations allegedly managed by ‘narco-terrorist’ cartels. Meanwhile, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused US President Donald Trump of planning operations to overthrow his government. Since September, the US has conducted strikes on 21 suspected drug-trafficking boats in the region, resulting in at least 80 deaths. The US has also accused Maduro of leading a drug cartel and has offered a $50 million reward for his capture. On Friday, Trump hinted at having ‘sort of’ decided his next steps regarding Venezuela but provided no further details.
分类： world
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Cuba thanks Venezuela’s support in recovery after hurricane Melissa
In a display of international solidarity, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro have joined forces to address the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in eastern Cuba and Venezuela. Diaz-Canel recently visited Santiago de Cuba, where he commended the tireless efforts of local brigades and national teams working to restore essential services in the hurricane-stricken regions. He highlighted the resilience of communities in El Cristo and El Caney, describing them as ‘full of history and courage.’ Meanwhile, Venezuelan brothers, dispatched by President Maduro, have been actively assisting in recovery operations, symbolizing the strong bond between the two nations. On social media platform X, Diaz-Canel expressed gratitude to the Venezuelan people for their support. Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero also emphasized the importance of solidarity, noting the continuous distribution of national and international donations to vulnerable groups, including pregnant women and underweight children. Provinces and municipalities have prioritized delivering basic food supplies like rice, peas, and oil to the most affected areas. Beyond material aid, Marrero underscored the Cuban people’s intrinsic value of sharing resources, acknowledging the contributions of non-state actors, businesses, and citizens. With key infrastructures severely damaged, Cuban authorities have implemented innovative measures to expedite the restoration of essential services.
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US Principal Officer visits Carriacou and Petite Martinique
Cindy Diouf, the Principal Officer of the US Embassy in Grenada, recently concluded a three-day visit to the sister islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique from October 22 to 24, 2025. This visit underscores the embassy’s unwavering commitment to American Citizen Services (ACS) outreach and infrastructure recovery in regions devastated by Hurricane Beryl, which struck on July 1, 2024, causing catastrophic damage. The hurricane’s aftermath has necessitated sustained US-supported projects and diplomatic engagement to foster recovery and resilience. During her visit, Diouf provided essential ACS services, including passport renewals and notarial assistance, while conducting courtesy visits and inspecting key recovery projects. Highlights of her trip included strengthening disaster preparedness through visits to two Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) donated by the US Southern Command, advancing community well-being with a tour of a containerised health clinic in Dumfries, Carriacou, promoting food security and education via a chicken coop project at Hillsborough Primary School, and enhancing educational infrastructure by reviewing donated library benches in Petite Martinique. Diouf emphasized that the visit was not merely about consular services but also about reaffirming the US’s commitment to supporting infrastructure and resilience initiatives that empower communities. The embassy continues to collaborate with local stakeholders across Carriacou, Petite Martinique, and mainland Grenada to promote education, health, resilience, and citizen services.
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Zachary Phillips Highlights Urgent Climate Realities for Small Island States at COP30 Session
Zachary Phillips, Crown Counsel at the Attorney General’s Office of Antigua and Barbuda and a prominent representative of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), took center stage at the COP30 session titled ‘The ICJ Has Ruled: States’ Obligation to Close the Climate Ambition Gap.’ The session convened global youth leaders, policy experts, and climate justice advocates to dissect the ramifications of the International Court of Justice’s recent advisory opinion on climate responsibilities. Phillips delivered a poignant narrative on the dire realities confronting Small Island Developing States (SIDS), spotlighting the escalating peril of intensifying hurricanes and climate-induced disasters. He illustrated that modern hurricanes often dwarf the combined size of several Caribbean islands, making evacuation unfeasible and endangering entire populations simultaneously. Phillips emphasized that these are not hypothetical scenarios but lived experiences for communities in the region. He highlighted the acute vulnerability of SIDS, where recovery from one catastrophe is frequently disrupted by the next, severely taxing national systems, infrastructure, and economies. Advocating for a paradigm shift in global climate finance, Phillips criticized the reliance on concessional loans, which exacerbate debt burdens for SIDS. Instead, he called for grant-based financing to bolster resilience-building, adaptation infrastructure, and long-term sustainability.
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Ghanaian royal urges direct Africa-Caribbean links to rebuild shared ties
A groundbreaking direct flight from Ghana to Barbados has reignited discussions on establishing permanent transport links between Africa and the Caribbean. The historic journey, which took place earlier this week, was highlighted by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the ceremonial ruler of Ghana’s Ashanti Empire, during a forum titled ‘Reclaiming Our Atlantic Destiny: Connect. Build. Renew’ at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill. The Asantehene emphasized the need for ‘air and sea bridges’ to foster deeper connections between the two regions, which share a profound historical and cultural legacy. He praised Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley for her advocacy in this regard, describing her as a ‘daughter of Africa.’ The Asantehene and his delegation arrived in Barbados on Tuesday aboard the historic flight, ahead of the GUBA 2025 Investment Conference and Awards. He stressed that overcoming long-standing barriers to travel and engagement is essential for meaningful reconnection. ‘A direct flight can take a shorter time and be more convenient,’ he noted, urging greater determination and coordination to transform geographic proximity into genuine connectivity. The Asantehene outlined a broader mission to reconnect Africa and its diaspora through education, culture, and direct engagement. He called for confronting the shared trauma of enslavement, colonization, and racism, while promoting academic exchanges, cultural partnerships, and diaspora-led initiatives in sectors like health, agriculture, and finance. Economic cooperation, he argued, is vital for both regions, with new trade corridors needed to bypass traditional colonial routes. He highlighted the African Union’s 2006 designation of the diaspora as the continent’s ‘sixth region’ and the role of institutions like Afreximbank in supporting development across CARICOM. The Asantehene also pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a catalyst for expanding opportunities. ‘Finance is the oxygen of development,’ he said, urging creative resource mobilization. Concluding his address, he called for unity and long-term cooperation, emphasizing, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ The Ashanti Empire, founded in the late 1600s, remains a symbol of African resilience, with its rich cultural heritage enduring despite colonial challenges.
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Ambassador Ruleta Camacho-Thomas Champions Caribbean Voices on Climate Mobility and Loss and Damage at COP30 in Brazil
At the COP30 Conference in Belém, Brazil, Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador for Climate Change, Ruleta Camacho-Thomas, delivered a compelling address at a high-level event focused on Climate Mobility and Loss and Damage. Her speech shed light on the profound and multifaceted challenges faced by Caribbean communities due to climate-induced displacement. Ambassador Camacho-Thomas emphasized that the displacement caused by climate change extends beyond physical relocation, deeply affecting mental health, community cohesion, and cultural heritage. Drawing from Antigua and Barbuda’s experience with Hurricane Irma and Jamaica’s ongoing struggles after Hurricane Melissa, she illustrated how natural disasters can rapidly dismantle the social fabric of entire populations. The Ambassador stressed the urgent need for access to the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, a critical resource to alleviate the human, economic, and cultural toll of displacement. She asserted that climate mobility is not a distant threat but a present reality reshaping Caribbean life. Ambassador Camacho-Thomas called for a collective response that prioritizes the protection of people, culture, and dignity. Her participation at COP30 highlights Antigua and Barbuda’s leadership in advocating for climate justice, equity, and resilience, particularly for small island developing states on the global stage.
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Türkiye recovers body of last victim of plane crash
Following extensive search operations at the crash site of a military cargo plane, authorities have successfully recovered the body of the twentieth victim, as confirmed in an official press release. The tragic incident involved a C-130 aircraft belonging to the Turkish Air Force, which crashed while returning from Azerbaijan to Turkish territory. The Ministry of Defense had earlier confirmed the deaths of all 20 military personnel on board. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced the retrieval of the aircraft’s black box and the initiation of a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause of the crash. The investigation is being conducted in coordination with authorities from Azerbaijan and Georgia. Official reports indicate that search and rescue teams from both countries located the wreckage in a remote, mountainous area, where technical inspections are currently underway.
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China: Latin Americans promote Global South voice and multipolarity
The Global South Academic Forum, a gathering of over 200 participants from 29 countries, served as a platform for critical discussions on cultural hegemony, global peace, and the challenges facing the Global South. Mexican researcher Ana Esther Ceceña emphasized the necessity of dismantling cultural dominance and fostering inclusive dialogues that engage diverse global voices. She provided a historical analysis of the rise and subsequent structural crisis of U.S. and Western power post-World War II. Randy Alonso, Director General of IDEAS Multimedios in Cuba, echoed these sentiments, advocating for a world rooted in peace and dialogue, while opposing fascism and xenophobia. Alonso highlighted the forum’s role in promoting inclusion and countering the media warfare led by the United States. Tica Moreno, representing the National Coordinating Body of the World March of Women, underscored the importance of shared perspectives on historical and contemporary issues, including the technological rivalry between China and the U.S. in artificial intelligence (AI) regulation. Venezuelan professor Carlos Ron condemned U.S. military actions in the Caribbean, warning of the escalating threat of war in the region. The forum, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory against global fascism, also addressed the post-war international order and the pressing issues confronting the Global South.
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Mexico Cracks Down on Casinos as Belize Reviews Its Own Gambling Laws
In a significant move to combat financial crimes, the Mexican government has closed 13 casinos following a joint investigation by the Ministry of Finance and the national security agency. The probe uncovered suspicious cash operations, international money transfers, and unregulated online gambling platforms suspected of facilitating money laundering. Authorities have frozen accounts, suspended operations, and filed formal complaints with the Attorney General’s Office. President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized the need to modernize Mexico’s outdated casino and digital betting laws, highlighting the growing prevalence of online gambling and its potential misuse for illicit activities. Meanwhile, Belize is also revisiting its gambling regulations. The Senate debated the Gaming and Lotteries Control Bill 2025, aimed at modernizing and consolidating the country’s gambling laws. However, after a heated discussion, senators decided to delay the bill for further refinement. Senator Louis Wade urged caution, citing unresolved issues in the proposed legislation, including loopholes exposed by recent investigations into Caribi Bleu Casino and the ongoing Rima Ray case. Both nations are grappling with the challenges of regulating an evolving gambling industry while addressing concerns of financial misconduct.
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New US strike on alleged drug boat kills four in Caribbean—reports
In a significant escalation of its anti-narcotics operations, US forces have reportedly conducted another strike on an alleged drug trafficking vessel in the Caribbean, bringing the total death toll in the contentious campaign to 80. According to US media reports on Thursday, the latest strike marks the 20th such operation in international waters since Washington initiated the campaign in early September. The exact timing of the strike remains unclear, with conflicting reports from CBS and the New York Times citing unnamed Pentagon officials. The Pentagon has yet to comment on the matter. The UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, recently called for an investigation into the legality of these strikes, labeling them as potential ‘extrajudicial killings.’ However, the US Justice Department maintains that the operations comply with the law of armed conflict, signaling no intention to halt the campaign. Meanwhile, tensions in the region have intensified with the arrival of a US aircraft carrier off the coast of Latin America, prompting Venezuela to announce a ‘massive’ retaliatory deployment. On Thursday, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth unveiled ‘Operation Southern Spear,’ a new phase of the mission aimed at ‘removing narco-terrorists,’ though details of the operation remain undisclosed.