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  • Belize Loses Second Airline in Months as JetBlue Exits

    Belize Loses Second Airline in Months as JetBlue Exits

    On Wednesday, May 21, 2026, low-cost U.S. carrier JetBlue completed its final commercial departure from Philip Goldson International Airport, ending its popular direct route connecting New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Belize City. This move delivers a second heavy blow to Belize’s tourism-reliant economy in just a few months, following closely on the heels of Spirit Airlines’ decision to terminate all Belize-bound service earlier this year.

    JetBlue’s exit was not an unforeseen development. Back in February 2026, the airline publicly confirmed it would cut the Belize-New York route as a core component of its company-wide “JetForward” restructuring initiative. The strategic overhaul is designed to streamline the carrier’s route network, cut unnecessary operational costs, and guide the airline back to consistent profitability after a period of post-pandemic financial volatility.

    For Belize, whose national economy depends heavily on international tourism and counts affordable, accessible air travel as one of its most critical infrastructure assets, the loss of two low-cost carriers in such a short timeframe has created tangible strain across the tourism ecosystem. Efrain Perez, president of the Belize Tourism Industry Association, highlighted the severity of the challenge in comments to reporters, noting that consistent growth in airlift capacity is directly tied to increases in tourist overnight stays, the primary driver of revenue for hotels, tour operators, local businesses and hospitality workers across the country.

    “The departure of any airline is very critical for the tourism industry. We depend on increasing our airlift so that we can create more overnight stays,” Perez explained.

    Despite the obvious concerns, Perez was careful to put the setback in context, emphasizing that Belize still maintains robust air connectivity with North America and broader global markets through a roster of established major international carriers. These include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Copa Airlines and Air Canada, all of which continue to operate regular routes to Belize. Perez also pointed to a recent positive development: Air Canada launched a new direct route from Montreal to Belize City, a connection that opens up convenient same-day travel options for passengers coming from multiple European destinations, expanding Belize’s access to the key European tourism market.

    Perez added that both the Belize Tourism Board and the national Ministry of Tourism are currently working around the clock to court new air carriers, with the goal of replacing lost low-capacity routes and expanding overall airlift to the country. In a parallel move to offset the impact of reduced air access during the upcoming low travel season, national tourism authorities have launched a new targeted “green season” marketing campaign. The initiative encourages local hoteliers and hospitality providers to offer discounted accommodation rates to international visitors, with the aim of boosting booking volumes and softening the revenue dip that typically comes during the low-travel period.

  • Job Opportunity: Project Manager

    Job Opportunity: Project Manager

    The Government of Grenada has launched a call for applications from experienced, highly qualified professionals to fill a critical Project Manager position within the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) for its high-priority Project Polaris. This newly opened role sits at the center of cross-team coordination for the multi-component initiative, serving as a key link between the PIU and the project’s dedicated corporate body, Polaris Development Company Ltd (PDCL).

    Unlike frontline operational roles that carry direct contractual, financial or on-the-ground construction risk responsibilities, this Project Manager position centers on structured coordination, consistent monitoring and centralized stakeholder reporting. The core mandate of the role is to ensure full alignment across all of Project Polaris’ key workstreams, which span construction oversight, financial management, regulatory compliance, and phased implementation sequencing.

    Breaking down the role’s key responsibilities, the first core area is integrated project controls and performance monitoring. The successful candidate will be tasked with maintaining a unified master project schedule that tracks all critical milestones, updating and managing the centralized project risk register, and regularly assessing whether PDCL’s delivery outputs align with the Government of Grenada’s overarching strategic objectives for the initiative. They will also be responsible for tracking key performance indicators and flagging any deviations from the approved project timeline.

    Second, the role carries primary accountability for governance and official reporting. This includes preparing formal submissions for the national Cabinet and its sub-committees, consolidating cross-functional technical, financial and performance reports from multiple workstreams, and developing high-level executive dashboards, stakeholder briefing notes, and summary reports for senior leadership. The position also requires maintaining organized decision logs and centralized documentation registers to ensure full institutional accountability.

    Third, the Project Manager will lead strategic integration and implementation sequencing. They will support coordinated alignment of procurement, financing and construction timelines, map and track interdependencies between all workstreams, and ensure that all government actions are synchronized with on-the-ground project delivery milestones.

    Fourth, the role covers proactive risk escalation and issue resolution. The incumbent will be expected to identify emerging risks to project delivery early, escalate policy-sensitive issues to relevant senior stakeholders in a timely manner, and monitor progress on all agreed corrective actions to ensure resolution.

    Finally, the role requires upholding rigorous documentation and institutional governance standards. This includes maintaining structured document control systems, enforcing clear version control for all official Cabinet submissions, and supporting the development of standardized reporting templates and formal governance protocols for the project.

    To be considered for the position, candidates must demonstrate a proven track record of strong project management and reporting capabilities, advanced analytical and risk-tracking skills, and high-quality written communication skills tailored for executive and government stakeholder briefings. The ideal candidate must also be able to navigate complex multi-stakeholder environments, demonstrate exceptional organizational skills, strict attention to accuracy, and sound discretion when handling sensitive government information, and have working familiarity with infrastructure and public sector governance frameworks.

    Formal educational and experience requirements include a bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Public Administration, Business, Construction Management, or a related field, plus a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience. Candidates with prior experience working on infrastructure or capital projects, or in government program coordination, and with a background preparing official documentation for Cabinet or board-level governance bodies will be prioritized. Prior experience working with public-private partnerships (PPP), special purpose vehicles (SPV), or structured project financing environments is considered a strong added advantage.

    On the technical side, candidates must show advanced proficiency in the full Microsoft Office Suite, prior hands-on experience working with standard project scheduling tools such as Microsoft Project or Smartsheet, demonstrated ability to build custom performance dashboards and consolidated reports, and a proven skill for synthesizing complex, multi-source data into clear, actionable insights for stakeholders.

    For candidates interested in applying, applications must include a formal cover letter outlining relevant experience and a detailed curriculum vitae. Submissions should be sent via email to [email protected], with copies copied to [email protected] and [email protected]. All emails must use the subject line “PDCL Application — Project Manager” to be correctly routed and considered. The closing deadline for all applications is 31 May 2026. The Government of Grenada notes that while all expressions of interest are appreciated, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for subsequent stages of the recruitment process.

    A disclaimer from NOW Grenada, the platform hosting the vacancy announcement, notes that the outlet is not responsible for the views, statements or content shared by contributing entities, and provides a channel for users to report any abusive content related to the posting.

  • Hon. Kerryne James advocates for inclusive energy integration

    Hon. Kerryne James advocates for inclusive energy integration

    The Africa Energy Technology Conference 2026, one of the continent’s leading gatherings focused on sustainable energy innovation and integration, recently hosted a high-stakes Ministerial Session centered on harmonizing cross-border policy frameworks for continental energy cooperation. Hon. Kerryne James, Grenada’s Minister of Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy, joined the event as a featured distinguished panellist for the session, titled “The Policy Bridge: Harmonising Frameworks for Continental Integration”.

    This closed-door high-level dialogue brought together top policymakers, regulatory leaders and senior energy industry executives from across Africa and beyond, all gathered to address long-standing regulatory and policy barriers that have slowed progress on regional and continental energy trade and collaborative infrastructure development. Attendees agreed that fragmented national rules have long blocked the seamless flow of energy across borders, making it far harder to build the resilient, interconnected energy systems that are critical to expanding access and meeting climate goals. Session discussions centered on the urgent need to align divergent national legal frameworks, tariff structures, industry regulations and core energy policies, with a shared focus on how coordinated action can accelerate progress toward universal energy access, environmental sustainability and inclusive economic growth across the continent.

    During her interventions, Minister James drew attention to the unique position that small island developing states (SIDS) like Grenada occupy amid the global energy transition, highlighting both their disproportionate climate vulnerability and their untapped potential to lead on innovative renewable energy solutions. She emphasized that equitable global partnerships, adaptive regulatory structures, and accessible, inclusive financing models are non-negotiable to enable SIDS to fully engage in and benefit from emerging regional and international energy markets.

    Beyond policy and financing, Minister James used the high-profile platform to push for greater representation and meaningful leadership opportunities for women and youth across the global energy sector. She argued that inclusive progress cannot stop at token representation; instead, women and young people must be centered in core decision-making processes, elevated to senior leadership roles, and given direct access to deploy cutting-edge clean energy technologies.

    “Women and young people must not only be viewed as beneficiaries of the energy transition, but as innovators, leaders, and active contributors shaping the future of sustainable energy systems,” James told the gathered participants.

    She further added that targeted investments in human capacity building and intentional creation of accessible pathways for youth engagement are foundational to delivering a just, inclusive energy transition—especially for vulnerable developing economies that face the steepest barriers to climate action.

    Grenada’s presence at the 2026 Africa Energy Technology Conference underscores the Caribbean nation’s ongoing commitment to strengthening cross-border and global climate partnerships, scaling up domestic renewable energy deployment, and contributing valuable perspectives from small island states to global conversations about building sustainable, climate-resilient energy systems for all.

  • OM eist 20 jaar gevangenisstraf in zaak dodelijk schietincident Van Idsingaweg

    OM eist 20 jaar gevangenisstraf in zaak dodelijk schietincident Van Idsingaweg

    A high-profile criminal case involving a serving police officer accused of a fatal shooting has moved a step forward in Suriname’s judicial system, with public prosecutors formally requesting a 20-year unconditional prison term for the defendant identified as M.A.I. The sentencing demand was submitted to the Cantonal Court on May 21, stemming from the deadly shooting that occurred at an apartment complex on Van Idsingaweg in the Nickerie district back in October 2025.

    According to case details laid out by the Public Prosecution Service (OM), the defendant, who was an active police officer at the time of the incident, is accused of fatally shooting the victim, A.W.J., using his official service weapon during a confrontation at the residential location. Prosecutors have laid out a body of evidence collected during the investigation to support their charges, including witness testimonies, forensic analysis, and other verified investigative findings. These materials confirm that the victim was unarmed and seated inside his personal vehicle when the shooting took place.

    Further ballistic and forensic testing conducted by investigators links the bullet casings recovered at the crime scene directly to the service weapon issued to the defendant, a connection that prosecutors call highly probable. After reviewing all evidence, the OM has concluded that the legal threshold for a proven manslaughter conviction has been met beyond a reasonable doubt. Prosecutors have ruled out a more severe murder charge, however, noting that premeditation cannot be conclusively proven with the evidence currently available.

    When determining the length of the requested sentence, prosecutors incorporated multiple aggravating circumstances that they argue warrant the severe 20-year demand. A key factor is the defendant’s misuse of his official police-issued service weapon, a tool provided to him to protect public safety rather than to engage in lethal violence. The prosecution also highlighted the extreme severity of the violence used, the fact that the killing unfolded in a quiet residential neighborhood, and the profound harm the incident has caused to the victim’s surviving family members and nearby residents. Additional factors that pushed for a harsher sentence include the defendant’s position of public trust as a law enforcement officer, and his failure to accept responsibility for his actions or demonstrate any insight into the harm he caused.

  • Job Opportunity: Finance Manager

    Job Opportunity: Finance Manager

    Polaris Development Company Ltd (PDCL), the special purpose entity created to deliver Project Polaris — one of the government’s flagship infrastructure initiatives — has launched a search for a seasoned, highly qualified Finance Manager to lead its financial operations.

    As the company’s senior financial lead, the appointed Finance Manager will hold end-to-end responsibility for PDCL’s entire financial management function, spanning core activities from financial administration and accounting integrity to comprehensive budgeting, active cash flow oversight, and strict adherence to both lender stipulations and government statutory requirements. A core mandate of the role is embedding robust financial governance, transparent reporting protocols, and disciplined internal control systems across every phase of the project’s lifecycle. The role reports directly to PDCL’s Chief Executive Officer and provides critical analytical and reporting support to the company’s board of directors through accurate financial disclosures and proactive risk management.

    The position is structured around seven key responsibility areas. First, in financial planning and budget management, the successful candidate will develop and oversee capital expenditure budgets and financial forecasts, track ongoing spending to deliver variance analysis and early expenditure warnings, and contribute to long-term planning for the company’s financial sustainability.

    Second, for lender administration and compliance, the Finance Manager will oversee all drawdown processes aligned with the terms of existing financing agreements, guarantee full compliance with all lender conditions, financial covenants, and mandatory reporting requirements. They will also prepare required compliance certificates, formal financial reports, and drawdown requests, and maintain consistent, structured communication with lending partners, facility agents, and external auditors.

    Third, in accounting and internal controls, the role requires building and maintaining rigorous accounting systems and internal control frameworks, ensuring all financial records are maintained in a permanent audit-ready state and meet all statutory compliance standards, and overseeing all tax and regulatory reporting activities.

    Fourth, for payment and cash flow management, the Finance Manager will review payment applications submitted by project contractors, lead cash flow forecasting and liquidity planning to maintain stable operations, and ensure all fund disbursements are completed accurately and on schedule.

    Fifth, in financial reporting and board support, the appointee will prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual full financial statements, deliver tailored financial insights and reports to the CEO and board of directors, and identify emerging financial risks while proposing actionable mitigation strategies.

    Finally, the role carries dedicated risk management responsibilities, including ongoing monitoring of core financial risks such as potential cost overruns and covenant exposure, supporting financial assessments related to project claims, and maintaining structured regular reporting on the company’s financial risk profile.

    To be considered for the role, candidates must demonstrate advanced expertise in infrastructure finance and project-specific accounting, a solid working knowledge of public-private partnership (PPP) frameworks and PDCL’s unique financial structure, and prior experience managing lender compliance and complex financing arrangements. Candidates are expected to hold high professional standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability, paired with strong analytical, forecasting, and reporting capabilities, and the ability to translate complex financial data into clear insights for senior leadership and board stakeholders.

    Minimum educational and professional requirements include a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a closely related field. An active professional accounting designation such as CPA, ACCA, CA, or an equivalent global qualification is strongly preferred. Candidates must also have a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, with prior work on infrastructure projects, PPP frameworks, or project-financed operational environments. Previous experience working with international lenders or development finance institutions is considered a valuable added asset for candidates. Technical requirements include advanced proficiency in financial modeling and Microsoft Excel, strong working knowledge of the full Microsoft Office Suite, and prior experience with accounting and project cost management systems is a preferred qualification.

    For candidates interested in applying, application packages including a detailed curriculum vitae and a tailored cover letter must be submitted via email to [email protected], with copies sent to [email protected] and [email protected]. All applications must use the subject line “PDCL Application — Finance Manager” to be correctly routed. The closing deadline for all submission is 31 May 2026. PDCL notes that while all applications are appreciated, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further recruitment steps.

    This posting was published with a disclaimer from NOW Grenada, which states that the outlet is not liable for the opinions, statements, or third-party content shared by contributors, and provides a channel for users to report any abusive content related to the posting.

  • Coaches urged to better communities

    Coaches urged to better communities

    A new initiative to strengthen grassroots cricket development across Barbados kicked off this month at the Wildey Gymnasium, bringing together nearly 30 aspiring community cricket coaches for an intensive two-week certification workshop. Hosted through a collaborative partnership between the Ministry of Sports and Community Empowerment, the Barbados Olympic Association (BOA), and the National Sports Council – which collectively cover all program costs – the training session will run from May 18 to May 29, equipping participants with both technical and soft skills critical for community-focused coaching.

    In his opening address to the cohort, Sports and Community Empowerment Minister Charles Griffith laid out a clear vision for the program, emphasizing that community coaches carry far more responsibility than just teaching cricket techniques: they are positioned to be transformative forces in the lives of young people across the island. Griffith urged attendees to center empathy in their coaching practice, noting that many participants in community sports programs face unforeseen personal or financial hardship off the pitch. “Don’t shout at your charges because you don’t know if someone just left home and came to this programme without eating or what difficulties they experienced prior to coming here,” he told the group.

    Beyond emotional intelligence, Griffith encouraged coaches to commit to continuous professional growth, urging them to adopt international best coaching practices to maintain high standards, regardless of whether they go on to coach locally, regionally, or globally. He stressed that excellence in coaching must always go hand in hand with connection to the communities and young people they serve, reminding the cohort that the program will be updated and expanded over time to remain aligned with evolving community needs.

    A core priority of the initiative, Griffith noted, is unlocking untapped cricket talent across Barbados’ neighborhoods. Instead of waiting for aspiring athletes to seek out coaching opportunities, the minister urged coaches to take a proactive approach to talent identification, starting with primary and secondary schools as key access points for young people. He also emphasized that talent scouting and programming must be fully inclusive of all genders, noting that expanded community coaching is a key tool to drive positive life outcomes for both young men and young women across the country. “It must be unisex in terms of identifying talent for coaching, but do what you have to do at the community level to better Barbados,” Griffith added.

    For participants who successfully complete the full two-week training, the workshop offers formal, recognized accreditation: coaches will earn both the Caribbean Coaching Certification and a specialized training certification from the National Sports Council. The curriculum covers core cricket technical skills, including batting, bowling, catching, fielding, and athlete performance evaluation. To round out the training, specialized sessions are led by external partners: the Barbados Red Cross delivers first aid training, while child safeguarding instruction is facilitated by Maressa Raghobar, a sport and exercise psychology trainee and member of the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences.

    The cricket coach workshop is just the first in a planned series of community coaching development programs from the Ministry of Sports and Community Empowerment. Similar initiatives focused on netball, football, basketball, and volleyball are already scheduled to launch in the near future, as the government works to build out a robust network of trained, community-focused coaches across multiple sports to support youth development across Barbados.

  • ABCAS Advances School of Agriculture Transformation Ahead of September Opening

    ABCAS Advances School of Agriculture Transformation Ahead of September Opening

    In a scheduled Cabinet meeting held Wednesday, senior leadership from the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS) delivered a detailed progress update to government officials on the multi-phase refurbishment and institutional restructuring of the country’s new School of Agriculture, being developed at the site of the decommissioned Glanvilles Secondary School.

    The initiative, which is on track to welcome its first cohort of students for the 2026 September academic term, aims to convert the underused former secondary campus into a fully modernized, industry-leading agricultural training hub that aligns with the nation’s long-term food security goals. ABCAS’s head outlined the full scope of infrastructure upgrades underway, covering core learning and operational spaces alongside specialized agricultural support facilities. Currently active construction and renovation work includes the refurbishment of six general classrooms and the campus auditorium, installation of impact-resistant security louvre windows, structural repairs to hurricane-rated shutters, application of durable epoxy flooring, and initial outfitting for a dedicated food science laboratory and on-site storage areas.

    Additional planned and ongoing upgrades go beyond basic infrastructure to support advanced scientific training: the project includes a full refurbishment of an existing chemistry laboratory and the construction of a new state-of-the-art biology laboratory, both fitted with upgraded water, gas, and electrical systems to meet modern research and teaching standards. Broader campus improvements include a full electrical system overhaul, installation of energy-efficient LED lighting across all buildings, repairs and upgrades to aging roofing and drainage systems, full exterior and interior painting, and the addition of extra air conditioning units and specialized ventilation infrastructure for laboratory spaces to ensure safety and functionality.

    Beyond classroom and lab upgrades, the project includes agricultural-specific external development: plans are in place to construct two purpose-built poultry demonstration pens to give students hands-on experience with commercial small livestock production. The master plan also calls for a full reconfiguration of several existing campus buildings to house dedicated student support services, additional research labs, modern conference facilities, improved staff amenities, a full student cafeteria, and expanded climate-controlled storage for agricultural supplies and research samples.

    Following the presentation, Cabinet members issued public commendation for the work completed to date, praising ABCAS leadership, faculty, technical construction teams, and participating students for their commitment to advancing accessible, high-quality agricultural education and strengthening national food sovereignty. Officials emphasized that the ongoing development of the School of Agriculture is a core component of the national government’s broader strategy to expand technical and vocational education opportunities across the country, encourage greater youth engagement in the agricultural sector, and boost national economic and climate resilience by increasing the volume of locally produced food. Cabinet also confirmed it is fully satisfied with the current pace of work and reaffirmed its unwavering financial and policy support for the project to ensure it is fully completed in advance of the first academic term in 2026.

  • Job Opportunity: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

    Job Opportunity: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

    Polaris Development Company Ltd. (PDCL), a purpose-built special entity created to advance Project Polaris — one of the government’s highest-priority flagship infrastructure initiatives — has opened applications for a highly qualified Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead delivery of the project’s core new hospital development.

    Reporting directly to PDCL’s Board of Directors, the successful candidate will hold full executive accountability for every stage of the new hospital’s delivery, tasked with ensuring the entire project aligns strictly with pre-approved scope, budget timelines, technical specifications and binding financing agreements. As the top executive, the CEO will own ultimate responsibility for corporate governance, financial integrity, contractual performance and enterprise-wide risk management, while leading coordinated engagement with the national government, project lenders and all other key stakeholders.

    The role’s core responsibilities span five key functional areas. First, in strategic and governance leadership, the CEO will roll out the Board’s approved strategy and delivery framework, ensure full adherence to financing covenants and legal statutory requirements, uphold robust governance structures, transparent reporting protocols and strong internal controls, and provide expert guidance to the Board on emerging risks and strategic directional decisions.

    Second, for contractual and delivery oversight, the CEO will supervise all major project contracts, including agreements with design-build-maintain contractors, third-party consultants and key suppliers, hold contractors accountable for meeting technical specifications, cost targets and schedule milestones, oversee end-to-end contract administration, change control processes and timely risk escalation, and ensure all commissioning and operational readiness milestones are met on schedule.

    Third, in terms of financial accountability, the role requires oversight of overall project financial performance, compliance with lender requirements and capital drawdown processes, ongoing monitoring of capital expenditure and emerging cost risks, and maintenance of full audit readiness and financial transparency across all operations.

    Fourth, for risk and compliance, the CEO will maintain and refine a comprehensive enterprise risk management framework, lead enterprise-wide claims management and proactive dispute mitigation, and ensure unwavering compliance with national procurement regulations and global anti-corruption standards.

    Finally, as the primary stakeholder engagement lead, the CEO will act as the main point of contact for the government, lending institutions and project partners, prepare regular Board reports covering financial performance and risk updates, and lead high-stakes strategic negotiations with key external parties.

    To be considered for the role, candidates must demonstrate a proven track record of senior leadership in large-scale infrastructure or public-private partnership (PPP) projects, deep specialized expertise in project finance, contract management and corporate governance, advanced enterprise risk management capabilities, exceptional negotiation and C-suite communication skills, and uncompromising standards of integrity, sound judgment and decisive decision-making.

    Preferred qualifications include a master’s degree in engineering, finance, business administration or a related field. Candidates must hold a minimum of 15 years of senior leadership experience, have a verifiable history of successfully delivering large-scale infrastructure projects valued at $100 million or more, and prior experience working with special purpose vehicles (SPVs), PPP structures or board-governed entities. Previous experience collaborating with international lenders or development finance institutions is considered a significant added advantage.

    Interested eligible candidates are required to submit a complete application package, including a personalized cover letter and detailed curriculum vitae, to [email protected], with copies sent to [email protected] and [email protected]. All applications must use the subject line “PDCL Application — Chief Executive Officer” to be considered. The closing deadline for submission of applications is 31 May 2026. PDCL notes that while all applications are appreciated, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further stages of the recruitment process.

  • Childbirth Services to Return to Barbuda After Nearly a Decade

    Childbirth Services to Return to Barbuda After Nearly a Decade

    Nearly a decade after Category 5 Hurricane Irma ripped through the Caribbean and upended everyday life on the small island of Barbuda, local officials are moving forward with long-awaited plans to bring critical maternity care back to the island’s Hannah Thomas Hospital. The policy initiative was formally announced this Thursday at a post-Cabinet press briefing by Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications, following a detailed presentation to the government body from Health Minister Michael Joseph.

    When Irma made landfall in 2017, it flattened much of Barbuda’s critical infrastructure, including the island’s only public hospital’s maternity ward. In the years since the storm, all expectant residents of Barbuda have been required to travel across the water to Antigua, the larger sister island of the Antigua and Barbuda nation, to give birth at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre. For many low-income families and people without consistent access to cross-island transportation, this requirement has created significant financial, logistical and emotional barriers to prenatal and obstetric care.

    As Merchant explained, the move to rebuild and reopen the Hannah Thomas Hospital maternity department is a core component of the administration’s broader agenda to expand equitable access to essential healthcare for Barbudans. “The restoration of maternity services there forms part of government’s broader commitment to ensuring that residents of the sister island have greater access to essential healthcare services closer to home,” Merchant said during the briefing.

    Maternity care is not the only service set for an upgrade at the facility. Cabinet has also signed off on additional improvement projects, including the launch of on-site laboratory testing services. The new lab will boost the hospital’s diagnostic capacity and eliminate the current requirement for Barbudans to make the trip to Antigua for routine blood work and other common medical screenings.

    To further streamline care for island residents, the Ministry of Health will partner with the Ministry of Information Technology to roll out a new centralized pre-booking system. The platform will allow Barbuda residents to schedule appointments for specialized diagnostic services, including MRIs and X-rays, at Antiguan facilities before they travel, cutting down on wait times and logistical confusion for off-island care.

    When pressed about whether the long-term restoration plan includes capacity to treat high-risk pregnancies on Barbuda, Merchant confirmed that accommodating all types of childbirth is the ultimate end goal. “That is part of the plan to ensure that all matters in relation to childbirth can be dealt with on Barbuda,” he said.

  • Jamaican fugitive wanted for murder in Saint Lucia jailed in US

    Jamaican fugitive wanted for murder in Saint Lucia jailed in US

    A cross-Caribbean manhunt that spanned years reached a key milestone this Tuesday, as 33-year-old Jamaican national Orville Andrew Pernell — a suspect in a Saint Lucian murder who escaped custody twice before entering the U.S. under an assumed identity — was sentenced to nearly three years in federal prison on firearms charges. Following the completion of his sentence, U.S. authorities confirmed Pernell will be extradited to Saint Lucia to face the original murder charge that first put him on law enforcement radars across the region.

    Pernell’s long history of flight from justice traces back to August 2020, when residents of Gros Islet, Saint Lucia reported hearing gunshots that led to the discovery of 45-year-old Cleus Alfred’s body. Two months later, local prosecutors officially charged Pernell with Alfred’s murder. He was first held at the Babonneau Police Station, where investigators say he used a sharp implement to cut through steel cell bars and escape alongside three other detainees, fleeing across the Caribbean to Jamaica.

    Jamaican authorities recaptured Pernell in July 2021 via the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s elite Fugitive Apprehension Team, holding him at the Central Police lock-up to await extradition back to Saint Lucia. But just five months later, in December 2021, Pernell escaped custody a second time, remaining at large for nearly a year before attempting to enter the U.S.

    U.S. Border Patrol first intercepted Pernell in December 2022 at the San Ysidro, California port of entry, where he presented himself for entry under the false name Oneil Christopher Reid. With immigration proceedings still pending, he was granted temporary entry and released on parole. Over the next two years, Pernell would run afoul of U.S. law enforcement multiple times: first in July 2023, when he was arrested for evading police, speeding, driving without a valid license, and possession of a stolen motorcycle and stolen 9mm handgun. He posted bail and was released within two months, only to be apprehended again in April 2025 in Hinesville, Georgia. A search of his Georgia residence turned up a second stolen handgun and a high-powered assault rifle equipped with a loaded high-capacity magazine.

    By April 2025, the St. Lucia Times had already reported that Saint Lucian law enforcement was coordinating with U.S. authorities to secure Pernell’s extradition once he was taken into custody. On February 11, 2026, Pernell entered a guilty plea to one count of illegal firearm possession by an undocumented alien, the charge that led to this week’s sentencing. District Judge Tiffany R. Johnson handed down a 33-month prison term, a sentence that federal prosecutors say fits the gravity of Pernell’s repeated endangerment of U.S. communities.

    In an official statement released the same day as the sentencing, U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertberg emphasized the scope of Pernell’s criminal trajectory. “After he was charged with murder, Pernell escaped custody twice in the Caribbean, entered the United States under a different identity, and then repeatedly endangered our community through his possession of stolen and high-powered firearms,” Hertberg said.

    Law enforcement officials also noted that even while in pretrial federal custody, Pernell continued efforts to escape, repeatedly damaging his cell walls in an apparent attempt to break free. Senior agency leaders framed the conviction and sentencing as a victory for transnational law enforcement cooperation. ATF Atlanta Division Assistant Special Agent in Charge Ryan Todd highlighted the role of federal firearms investigators in removing dangerous offenders from American communities, saying “This case highlights ATF’s critical role in tracing illegal firearms, disrupting trafficking networks, and ensuring dangerous offenders are removed from our communities.”

    Steven N. Schrank, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations for Georgia and Alabama, echoed that commitment to accountability. “No one who flees justice abroad and threatens public safety in the United States will escape accountability,” Schrank said. “Through the coordinated efforts of HSI and our partners, Pernell has been apprehended, convicted, and when his sentence concludes, will be returned to face murder charges in Saint Lucia.”