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  • United Progressive Party leadership calls for greater transparency on international airport project

    United Progressive Party leadership calls for greater transparency on international airport project

    As Dominica pushes forward with construction of its new flagship international airport, scheduled for completion in 2027 under the leadership of lead developer Montreal Management Consults Development Ltd (MMC), the country’s main opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) is intensifying calls for full governmental transparency around the megaproject’s long-term financial outlook.

    Led by party head Joshua Francis, the UPP has stressed it does not oppose infrastructure expansion that would boost the island nation’s global connectivity and support economic growth. Instead, the opposition says Dominican citizens deserve full access to details about the potential fiscal risks of a project of this scale, particularly given the unique economic vulnerabilities small island developing states face.

    In a formal press release outlining its concerns, the UPP flagged a suite of interconnected global economic headwinds that could threaten the airport’s ability to operate without ongoing public funding: persistent global inflation, rising aviation and operational overhead costs, volatile post-pandemic tourism demand, and systemic economic fragility common to small island nations. The party warned that without sustained, robust economic growth across Dominica’s key sectors, local taxpayers could ultimately be forced to cover ongoing operational shortfalls through public subsidies.

    To underscore its argument, the UPP pointed to the well-documented experience of Argyle International Airport in neighboring St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a similar large-scale infrastructure project built to drive tourism growth. Originally designed to handle between 1.2 million and 1.5 million annual passengers, Argyle has consistently fallen far short of its traffic projections. Official data from the airport’s early years shows just 185,224 passengers in 2017, 189,324 in 2018, and 203,465 in 2019, and the UPP says recent numbers remain a tiny fraction of the airport’s intended capacity. The opposition added that public records and government budget documents confirm St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ government has repeatedly allocated public funds to cover the airport’s maintenance and operational gaps.

    Against that regional precedent, the UPP says the Dominican government must answer critical unaddressed questions before moving further with construction. These include how ongoing operational costs for the airport — including staffing, maintenance, runway repairs, security, and debt repayment — will be covered if passenger volumes fail to hit projections, whether covering those gaps will lead to higher taxes, increased user fees, or expanded national public debt, and whether a comprehensive independent feasibility assessment and long-term cost-benefit analysis have been completed and made available for public review.

    The opposition emphasizes that Dominican residents must receive clear, unambiguous answers before the country commits future generations to what could be crippling, unsustainable long-term financial obligations. The UPP holds that all large-scale national infrastructure projects should be rooted in transparent planning, prudent fiscal management, realistic growth projections, and guardrails that protect taxpayers from excessive debt exposure.

    To enable informed public debate around the project, the UPP is formally requesting the Dominican government publish a full set of key planning documents, including the complete economic feasibility study, long-term operational cost estimates, passenger and tourism demand projections, debt-servicing schedules, projected annual subsidy requirements, and contingency plans for scenarios where revenue falls short of forecasts.

    In closing, the UPP stated that national development initiatives should be guided by evidence-based economic planning and public accountability, not short-term political priorities. The party reaffirmed its commitment to responsible infrastructure development, greater government economic transparency, and protecting Dominica’s long-term fiscal stability.

  • Training in Guatemala Helps Belizean Farmers Improve Cattle Farming

    Training in Guatemala Helps Belizean Farmers Improve Cattle Farming

    In a collaborative regional push toward more environmentally responsible agriculture, a delegation of cattle farmers, conservation leaders and government officials from Belize traveled to Guatemala’s Petén region in early June 2026 to gain hands-on training in a forest-friendly cattle raising method. The knowledge-sharing exchange was organized by The Nature Conservancy’s Belizean branch, bringing together cross-sector stakeholders from across the Selva Maya region to address shared challenges in the livestock industry.

    Participants from Belize included representatives from the Belize Maya Forest Trust, the Belize Livestock Producers Association, the country’s Forest Department, and independent local cattle producers. Together, they gathered to study silvopasture, an innovative regenerative agricultural approach that diverges from the conventional practice of clearing all trees to create open grazing pastures.

    Unlike traditional cleared grazing systems, silvopasture integrates native tree cultivation directly into cattle grazing lands. This model delivers multiple ecological and economic benefits: trees naturally boost soil fertility by cycling nutrients and preventing erosion, protect critical watershed habitats from runoff, extend the productive lifespan of grazing land, and cut down on deforestation pressure by reducing the need to clear intact forest for new pasture. During the training, Petén-based farmers who have already adopted silvopasture on their own ranches opened their properties to the visiting delegation, walking attendees through real-world implementation, outcomes and problem-solving for the system.

    For Belize, sustainable cattle farming is a matter of urgent economic and ecological importance. The livestock sector remains a cornerstone of rural livelihoods across the country, contributing heavily to the national agricultural economy. However, years of conventional grazing practices have left many grazing lands degraded, and the sector is increasingly strained by the growing impacts of climate change, from prolonged droughts to unpredictable rainfall. At the same time, unregulated clearing of forest for new pasture has put increasing pressure on Belize’s ecologically critical Selva Maya forest system, one of the most biodiverse intact tropical forest landscapes left in Central America.

    Organizers of the exchange emphasized that the cross-border training program represents a new model of regional cooperation for conservation. The initiative demonstrates how Belize and its regional neighbors are working together to build a more sustainable future for both livestock production and forest conservation in the Selva Maya, aligning economic development for rural communities with long-term environmental protection.

  • Derde helft WK 2026: Team Engeland, kan Tuchel het beste uit Kane en Bellingham halen?

    Derde helft WK 2026: Team Engeland, kan Tuchel het beste uit Kane en Bellingham halen?

    Sixty years have passed since England lifted their only men’s FIFA World Cup title on home soil, and as the 2026 tournament approaches in North America, the Three Lions enter the event as one of the pre-tournament favorites – but not without lingering questions surrounding their squad selection, tactical direction, and big-game form that have left fans and pundits divided.

    England made history during qualifying, becoming the first European nation to secure their World Cup spot with two group matches still remaining, wrapping up their campaign with a perfect eight wins from eight matches and not conceding a single goal along the way. The comfortable qualification run cemented their place among the top contenders, currently sitting 4th in the official FIFA world rankings. That smooth progress, however, has done little to quiet growing concerns: their qualifying group was widely regarded as one of the weakest in the European bracket, and recent friendly results – including back-to-back losses to Senegal and Japan at Wembley Stadium – have sparked public dissatisfaction with the team’s performances against elite opposition.

    At the center of the current debate is German head coach Thomas Tuchel, who took over the national side following the departure of Gareth Southgate. Southgate, despite frequent criticism for his cautious, risk-averse playing style and controversial tactical choices, led England to back-to-back European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final appearance in 2018. Since taking charge, Tuchel has yet to deliver the dynamic, attacking football many fans expected, with the team often producing slow, hesitant displays. Tactical experiments, including shifts to a false nine system and a double playmaker setup, have failed to yield consistent positive results so far.

    Tuchel’s 26-man squad for the 2026 tournament has triggered major controversy, after he omitted several longstanding regular starters and surprising included a number of uncapped or out-of-form players. Two of England’s most creative attacking talents, Cole Palmer of Chelsea and Phil Foden of Manchester City, were left out after underwhelming club seasons. Veteran defender Trent Alexander-Arnold and former starter Harry Maguire also missed out on selection. In their places, Tuchel gave a spot to Saudi Arabia-based striker Ivan Toney, who has played limited competitive minutes since moving to the Middle East. Other controversial inclusions include Tottenham defender Djed Spence, 35-year-old Brentford midfielder Jordan Henderson, and uncapped Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah. Overall, nine of the 26 selected players will be making their debut at a major senior international tournament.

    Tuchel has defended his selection choices, emphasizing team chemistry over individual talent in his approach. “We are not trying to pick the 26 most talented individual players in England,” he explained. “Our goal is to build the best possible team. Tournaments are won by cohesive teams, not collections of stars – everything depends on group chemistry.” Despite early skepticism about a foreign coach leading the national side, Tuchel has made it clear his ambition is to end the nation’s 60-year trophy drought and bring the World Cup title back to England.

    One of the biggest individual storylines surrounding the side is the form of captain and all-time record goalscorer Harry Kane, who already has 78 international goals to his name heading into the tournament. Kane has a history of failing to hit his best form at major tournaments for England, even after claiming the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup, often arriving at the competition fatigued or carrying minor injuries following a long club season. This year, however, Kane comes into the tournament off the back of a career-best club campaign with Bayern Munich, where he scored an incredible 61 goals in 51 matches across all competitions. A fit and in-form Kane is just two goals away from equaling England’s all-time record of 10 World Cup goals set by Gary Lineker, and he will be counted on to lead the line if England is to make a deep run.

    Another key talking point is the position of Real Madrid midfield star Jude Bellingham, one of the most talented young players in European football. Bellingham endured a difficult season at club level, disrupted by injuries and inconsistent form, which has opened the door for Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers to challenge for a starting spot. Bellingham is capable of playing in a deeper central midfield role, but that position is already widely expected to be filled by established starters Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson, leading to speculation that Bellingham could start the tournament on the bench.

    One bright spot for England is the emergence of 21-year-old Manchester City left-back Nico O’Reilly, who has enjoyed a breakout season. O’Reilly scored seven Premier League goals this term and played a key role in City’s League Cup final victory, and many observers believe he could become the first world-class left-back England has produced since Ashley Cole. While he is still developing his game, he brings elite pace, solid defensive fundamentals, and strong positional awareness to the side.

    England have been drawn into Group L, a challenging group that will test their credentials from the opening match. Their tournament kicks off on June 17 in Arlington, Texas against 11th-ranked Croatia, the same side that knocked England out of the 2018 World Cup at the semi-final stage. They will then face Ghana in Foxborough, Massachusetts on June 23, before wrapping up group play against Panama on June 27 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. While Panama is ranked 33rd in the world, they earned a surprise final spot at the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League after beating the United States, and 74th-ranked Ghana boasts dangerous attacking talent in the form of Antoine Semenyo and Mohammed Kudus, making them a dangerous dark horse in the group.

    Full 2026 England World Cup Squad:
    Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Manchester City)
    Defenders: Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), John Stones (Manchester City), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United)
    Midfielders: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)
    Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Noni Madueke (Arsenal)

  • 75-Year-Old Carl Noel Lashley Found Dead on Lower All Saints Road

    75-Year-Old Carl Noel Lashley Found Dead on Lower All Saints Road

    On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, law enforcement authorities in Antigua and Barbuda opened an official investigation into the unexpected passing of 75-year-old Carl Noel Lashley, a man with no fixed permanent address, according to an official media statement released by the Office of Strategic Communications of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda.

    Lashley’s unresponsive body was located just after 1:00 p.m. local time near the Pillars of Saints New Testament Church of God, situated along Lower All Saints Road. First responding officers confirmed that the deceased was found lying on a public sidewalk, wearing identifiable clothing: a black outer sweater layered over a green shirt, long black trousers, and a pair of black Crocs footwear.

    Preliminary examinations carried out at the scene by responding police personnel found no obvious outward marks of trauma or signs of foul play on Lashley’s body. Following the initial law enforcement check, a licensed medical professional attended the site to conduct an official assessment, and formally pronounced Lashley dead at approximately 2:35 p.m. the same day.

    As of the release of this statement, active investigative work to determine the exact cause and context of Lashley’s death remains ongoing. In a statement of compassion included with the release, the leadership of the Royal Police Force extended its deepest and most sincere condolences to Lashley’s immediate family, extended relatives, and close friends as they navigate this period of loss.

  • Farmers sign on as $84.4m crop drive begins to cut food imports

    Farmers sign on as $84.4m crop drive begins to cut food imports

    Barbados is moving forward with a bold new agricultural strategy designed to shrink its heavy annual food import bill, with government officials confirming this week that the island nation has begun signing participating farmers onto a targeted 16-crop development programme. Chief Agricultural Officer Paul Lucas disclosed in an interview with Barbados TODAY Wednesday that final contract negotiations with participating growers are currently wrapping up, marking the official launch of the coordinated public sector initiative.

    The programme is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Agriculture’s technical teams, its specialized strategic planning unit, and the state-run Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC), with a long-term goal of strengthening the island’s domestic agricultural sector and delivering sustained economic benefits to local farming communities. According to Lucas’s projections, the initiative is on track to generate approximately $84.4 million in wholesale value once fully operational, a milestone that would make significant progress toward the government’s core objective of cutting Barbados’ annual food import bill, which currently sits between $80 million and $100 million.

    “Our calculations, based on current wholesale market pricing, put the total projected value at around $84.4 million,” Lucas explained. “In the long run, this programme will help us cut unnecessary national spending, and our overarching goal is to keep reducing our reliance on foreign food imports as much as possible.”

    A key pillar of the strategy is prioritizing crop varieties that are naturally well-adapted to Barbados’ tropical climate and soil conditions. Among the 16 selected crops, four already boast robust domestic production that has already pushed import volumes for these products to minimal levels: cucumber, cassava, sweet potato, and yams. Lucas noted that these staples have long been traditional crops for Barbadian farmers, who have honed generations of expertise growing them successfully in local conditions.

    To remove common barriers to entry for small and medium-scale growers, the Ministry of Agriculture is providing critical production inputs and infrastructure support ahead of the upcoming planting season, including a network of new water storage tanks to help growers manage inconsistent rainfall. Additionally, all farmers joining the programme are guaranteed a fixed buyer market for their harvested produce, eliminating the risks of volatile market price swings and post-harvest uncertainty that have long discouraged expanded production in the sector.

    “For growers who want the security of a guaranteed market for their crops when harvest time comes, we can deliver that security,” Lucas said. “They don’t have to worry about finding a buyer or absorbing marketing losses, because that side of the operation is already handled through the programme.”

    This targeted support has already sparked a notable resurgence of interest in onion production, a crop that struggled to gain traction among farmers due to post-harvest challenges. BADMC’s new dedicated onion drying facility has addressed a longstanding pain point: inconsistent tropical weather made traditional open-air curing a high-risk process that often left farmers with significant post-harvest losses. Lucas reported that since the facility and the broader programme were announced, farmer interest in growing onions has risen sharply.

    “Before this infrastructure was in place, farmers always worried they would lose entire crops during the drying stage because weather conditions were never predictable,” he said. “Now that that risk has been removed, we’ve seen a real renewed appetite to expand onion production.”

    The initiative is rolling out amid broader climate concerns, however, as meteorologists have forecast an upcoming El Niño pattern that brings elevated risks of drought and increased pressure on soil health across the Caribbean. Despite these potential headwinds, the Ministry of Agriculture says it has put in place robust technical support to help farmers adapt to challenging conditions and meet production targets. Officials are also urging Barbadian consumers to back the initiative by prioritizing locally grown produce when shopping for groceries.

    “When you choose to buy local, you’re improving lives and strengthening livelihoods across our farming communities, and helping our whole society build a more resilient food system,” Lucas emphasized. “We all benefit from fresher, healthier local food, more sustainable agricultural systems, and we’re supporting working families and helping rural communities grow. Choosing local is an investment in building a stronger Barbados.”

    The full breakdown of the 16 priority crops and their projected annual production volumes (in kilograms) is as follows: 127,055 kg of beets, 1,295,255 kg of butter squash, 298,897 kg of cabbage, 226,093 kg of cantaloupe, 510,719 kg of carrots, 672,093 kg of cassava, 1,342,641 kg of cucumber, 662,238 kg of lettuce, 1,020,696 kg of onion, 625,121 kg of hot pepper, 878,460 kg of sweet pepper, 294,546 kg of pumpkin, 2,897,083 kg of sweet potato, 803,682 kg of tomato, 1,051,496 kg of watermelon, and 924,789 kg of yam.

  • Will Businessman Be Charged for Assaulting Minor?

    Will Businessman Be Charged for Assaulting Minor?

    In a developing story that has ignited fierce public discourse across the nation, a viral video depicting a local business owner physically assaulting a teenage boy suspected of shoplifting has prompted official pushback from the country’s leading child welfare agency, which is calling for non-violent alternatives to youth discipline. The disturbing footage first circulated on social media platforms this Monday, quickly splitting public opinion over the longstanding debate around when — if ever — physical punishment is acceptable for children who break rules.

    Public reaction to the video has been sharply divided. One camp of online commentators has rallied behind the shop owner, arguing that when parents fail to teach children basic respect for others’ property and the law, outside adults are justified in stepping in to administer corrective discipline. The opposing side has condemned the attack outright, emphasizing that the individual targeted is a legal minor, and that no adult has the right to inflict physical harm on a child, regardless of the alleged offense.

    On Wednesday, the Ministry of Human Development, Family Support and Gender Affairs issued an official statement reaffirming its unwavering opposition to violence against children in all contexts. Ministry CEO Adele Catzim‑Sanchez told local outlet News 5 that vigilante action has no place in addressing youth misconduct, urging business owners who encounter theft or other trouble involving minors to contact law enforcement immediately and secure surveillance evidence rather than taking matters into their own hands.

    “We have to have options that go beyond violence,” Catzim‑Sanchez emphasized in her remarks.
    The CEO also noted that viral social media footage rarely captures the full context of an incident, and stressed that the government already maintains a robust network of evidence-based support programs designed to address problematic youth behavior without resorting to force. Through the Ministry’s Community Rehabilitation Department, young people who run afoul of the law can be referred to prevention and mentorship initiatives via either police or court diversion programs, tailored to the specific circumstances of each case.

    The core intervention is a structured four-month program that works holistically with each participant: it explores underlying personal and family challenges that may contribute to harmful behavior, provides professional mental health counseling, offers support for school engagement when needed, and connects families with basic support such as food assistance if that is identified as an unmet need.

    “Our philosophy is that incarceration or institutionalisation should be an action of last resort,” Catzim‑Sanchez explained.
    In response to the common argument that physical discipline has long been an accepted part of child-rearing in many communities, the CEO argued that it is past time to move beyond the automatic reflex to meet misbehavior with force. She acknowledged that business owners have a clear and legitimate right to protect their property from theft, but noted that long-term public good requires investing in proactive prevention programs rather than reacting to every incident with violence.

    With primary and secondary schools across the country now closed for the annual summer break, Catzim‑Sanchez also issued a targeted advisory to families, urging parents and guardians to enroll their children in structured, positive summer programs. She noted that historical data shows a consistent seasonal spike in youth involvement in law enforcement interactions during the summer months, when unsupervised free time can increase the risk of negative behavior. Keeping young people engaged in constructive, supervised activities, she said, is one of the most effective proactive steps families can take to prevent trouble before it starts. At the time of publication, no official charges have been filed against the shop owner, and authorities have not announced a timeline for a decision on potential prosecution.

  • Eulogy for Dr. Cuthwin Lake Delivered at his funeral today by son George Lake

    Eulogy for Dr. Cuthwin Lake Delivered at his funeral today by son George Lake

  • Five-car smash damages water main, closes Black Rock

    Five-car smash damages water main, closes Black Rock

    A major multi-vehicle crash brought one of Barbados’ busiest arterial roads to a complete halt on Wednesday afternoon, after a collision between five passenger cars damaged a critical local water main and left the busy route impassable. As of the publication deadline, emergency officials have confirmed that no life-threatening or severe injuries have been recorded from the incident, which unfolded near popular local retail outlets just after noon.

    Charmaine Sandiford, a station officer with the Barbados Fire Service, shared details of the rapid emergency response with local outlet Barbados TODAY, confirming that the first emergency call came into service at 12:21 p.m. The initial report to dispatch described a four-car crash in the immediate vicinity of the Little Caesars outlet, located near the northern entrance of the Carlton Supermarket on Black Rock Main Road. When first responders arrived on scene, however, they confirmed that five separate vehicles were involved in the pileup rather than four.

    The emergency operation was overseen by Divisional Officer Marlon Small, with a total of nine fully trained firefighters and two dedicated water tenders deployed to the crash site. Beyond the extensive damage to the vehicles involved, responders found that one vehicle had veered off the roadway and struck an underground water main, rupturing the pipeline and creating additional hazards for the area. Sandiford noted the crash triggered widespread travel disruption for both commuters and commercial traffic, as the entire corridor had to be closed to all vehicles while crews secured the crash site and conducted an initial damage assessment.

    Local photojournalist Shamar Blunt captured imagery of two of the five damaged vehicles at the scene for Barbados TODAY. While the impact of the collision left multiple vehicles heavily damaged and knocked out the local water line, emergency management teams have not reported any serious injuries among drivers or passengers involved in the crash as of press time. Local law enforcement officials have confirmed that investigations into the root cause of the collision remain ongoing, with updates to be released as more information becomes available.

  • Multiple Firearm Seizures Across Belize; One Gun Leads to Five Charges

    Multiple Firearm Seizures Across Belize; One Gun Leads to Five Charges

    In a series of coordinated anti-crime enforcement actions carried out across three districts of Belize, law enforcement agencies have seized multiple unregistered firearms and ammunition, leading to the arrest and criminal charging of nine individuals in separate incidents dated through early June 2026.

    The first operation unfolded in Punta Gorda, where officers conducting routine anti-crime patrol spotted two men traveling on a motorcycle. When police signaled for the vehicle to stop, the driver accelerated away at high speed, prompting a law enforcement pursuit. During the chase, 23-year-old passenger Rozaun Vairez, a resident of Punta Gorda Town, fell from the motorcycle and attempted to escape on foot before officers quickly detained him. A search of Vairez’s backpack uncovered a loaded pistol fitted with a magazine holding 18 live rounds of ammunition. He now faces two formal charges: possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of unlicensed ammunition.

    A second separate search operation in the Cayo District town of Unitedville led to an even larger group of charges. After executing a search warrant at a local residence, police recovered a .22 caliber pistol loaded with five live rounds. Five people who were present at the property – Calvin Garcia, Sydney Forbes, Kareem Garcia, Bernadine Myers, and Kevin Trapp – were all taken into custody and jointly charged in connection with the illegal weapon.

    The third incident stems from a violent alleged assault reported on May 31, 2026, in Maskall Village. According to official police accounts, a male complainant told investigators he had entered a vehicle driven by 45-year-old Virgil Vasquez. When the complainant noticed an unsecured firearm inside the vehicle and tried to leave the car, Vasquez allegedly grabbed the weapon and pointed it directly at him. The complainant managed to run away from the scene without suffering physical injury. Officers later located and detained Vasquez, seizing a .40-caliber pistol from his possession. Vasquez now faces two charges: aggravated assault and possession of an unlicensed firearm.

    The string of seizures comes as Belizean law enforcement continues to prioritize cracking down on illegal gun trafficking and unregistered firearm possession, which remain key contributors to violent crime across the country. The series of interconnected operations across three geographically separate districts demonstrates the ongoing, cross-regional focus of local police on removing illegal weapons from communities before they can be used to harm civilians.

  • Bonanza Stables owner alleges Government wrongly euthanised imported horses

    Bonanza Stables owner alleges Government wrongly euthanised imported horses

    A controversial decision to euthanize two imported horses in Grenada less than 12 hours after their port arrival has ignited public outrage, drawn criticism from veterinary experts, and thrown a spotlight on gaps in the country’s animal import regulation process. The animals, owned by Bonanza Stables proprietor Royan Smith, tested positive for Babesia, a common tick-borne pathogen that affects equines, before being put down under orders from the Ministry of Agriculture.

    In a post-incident interview, Smith painted a picture of bureaucratic delay and unfair treatment that led to the preventable loss of his animals. He claims he had repeatedly sought the required import permit from ministry officials for months ahead of the horses’ arrival from St. Lucia, but that repeated promises to process his application never came to fruition. “I’ve been trying to get a permit from the ministry. The guy kept putting me off,” Smith alleged.

    According to Smith’s account, the two pregnant horses tested negative for all regulated diseases before they embarked on their voyage to Grenada. It was only while they were held at sea waiting for import approval that the animals were bitten by ticks and contracted Babesia. Despite the positive diagnosis, Smith stressed that the infection is widely considered manageable with standard veterinary care, and did not justify immediate culling. He added that veterinary authorities from St. Lucia reached out to Grenadian regulators ahead of the horses’ arrival to propose a compromise: allow the animals to enter the country to be quarantined and treated, rather than destroyed. This account could not be independently verified as attempts to reach St. Lucia’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Sharmine Melville-Edwin went unanswered.

    Smith has personal experience treating the disease: he previously oversaw a full recovery from Babesia in another of his horses in just 10 days of treatment. After learning his permit application would not be approved before arrival, Smith escalated the issue to Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary Javan Williams, hoping to negotiate a solution. But instead of accommodation, Smith says Williams directly ordered the horses not be allowed to disembark, and warned they would be euthanized immediately upon landing. Smith offered multiple alternative solutions, including housing the horses in private quarantine facilities and temporary mobile stables, but all proposals were rejected by officials. With no way to arrange for the horses to be transported back to St. Lucia, the animals were held at the Port of St. George’s after arriving at 8 a.m., and were euthanized by 6 p.m. the same day.

    For Smith, the loss is both financially ruinous and emotionally devastating. One of the horses, a rare white animal, had already been booked to appear at upcoming wedding events, and both were intended to support his equine tourism operations. “Right now, they put me out of business,” Smith said. He added that he was in the process of preparing a legal injunction to stop the culling when the order was carried out, and formal legal action against the ministry is still on the table. “It’s a shame on the government of Grenada, shame on the Ministry of Agriculture to kill my animals because of this,” he said, insisting the disease posed no meaningful public or animal health threat that justified the quick action.

    Prominent local veterinarian Dr. Kenrith Carter has echoed Smith’s criticisms, raising formal concerns about whether the ministry followed established protocol for dealing with a positive diagnosis. In a public statement shared on social media, Dr. Carter questioned why proper steps including quarantine, confirmatory retesting, consultation with equine disease experts, and exploration of treatment options were skipped entirely before the culling order was issued.

    Dr. Carter explained that Babesia is not the uniformly deadly pathogen regulators appeared to treat it as: the disease encompasses a wide range of strains, most of which are species-specific and treatable with appropriate medication. While some strains can jump between animals and humans, he noted that transmission only occurs through a tick bite, meaning there is no risk of direct spread from horse to human contact. He also added that Babesia has already been documented in local livestock populations in Grenada in previously published scientific research, making the extreme response even more puzzling. His primary outstanding question echoes the core of the controversy: why were the horses not placed in quarantine while the situation was resolved?

    Under Grenada’s current Animals (Diseases and Importation) Act, all birds, reptiles, and insects are barred from entry without an explicit license issued by the Minister of Agriculture. Any animal imported without proper authorization can be legally seized and destroyed by authorities. Outreach to the Ministry of Agriculture for comment on the controversy has so far gone unanswered: Permanent Secretary Williams confirmed receipt of a request for comment Monday, but as of the time of this reporting, no response has been provided to questions about the import delay, the decision to forgo quarantine and treatment, and the legal basis for the immediate euthanasia order.