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  • Analysts call for Al-Rawi’s removal

    Analysts call for Al-Rawi’s removal

    A growing parliamentary controversy in Trinidad and Tobago has two leading political analysts publicly calling for major changes to the People’s National Movement (PNM) opposition bench in the Senate, centered on the fate of veteran Opposition Senator Faris Al-Rawi amid a formal privileges investigation.

    The controversy traces back to last Friday, when Senate President Wade Mark launched a Privileges Committee probe into Al-Rawi and first-term Opposition Senator Janelle John-Bates. The investigation was triggered by a motion filed by Government Minister David Nakhid, who accused the pair of improperly assisting former Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh draft a witness statement for the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC), an act that allegedly constitutes interference with parliamentary committee work.

    Currently, Al-Rawi himself sits as a member of the Privileges Committee, which is chaired by Mark and also includes Attorney General John Jeremie, Government Senator Darrell Allahar, and Independent Senator Michael Simon de la Bastide, SC. Ahead of Wednesday’s scheduled Senate sitting, local newspaper the Express has confirmed that an announcement replacing Al-Rawi on the investigating committee is expected, a standard procedural step given that the probe centers on his own conduct. If the committee ultimately finds the two senators culpable of misconduct, it will submit a formal finding to the full Senate for a vote. Under current Senate Standing Orders, any suspension handed down has no fixed term, with the length determined entirely by a plenary resolution.

    Speaking to the Express, two independent political analysts have laid out stark differing but aligned calls for leadership action from PNM leader Pennelope Beckles, who has so far held off on a final decision regarding the pair’s future on the opposition bench.

    Dr. Winford James, a veteran political observer, argued that Al-Rawi, a former Attorney General and Senior Counsel, should be removed permanently from the PNM’s Senate delegation, while John-Bates—whom he described as a political neophyte—should be granted leniency and spared disciplinary action. James framed the ongoing probe as a symptom of growing tit-for-tat polarization between the ruling government and the PNM opposition, which has already levied accusations of bias against House Speaker Jagdeo Singh. He emphasized that as a veteran political and legal figure, Al-Rawi should have recognized the risk his actions posed to John-Bates’ fledgling career. “He has been around a long time and he’s a senior man in the party and in the law. And he should have known better and not imperilled the political career of Ms John-Bates,” James explained. “I’m not saying that she’s guilty or she’s not guilty of some indiscretion. But I think she should be given a second chance because she represents a younger generation in the PNM.” James added that disciplinary action against John-Bates would likely backfire politically for Beckles, while noting that Al-Rawi has already had repeated opportunities in senior political roles. He also pushed back against claims that Beckles’ delay in announcing a decision is a sign of political weakness, framing it instead as a cautious, deliberate approach. Beyond the core controversy, James also highlighted what he called a persistent pattern of sidelining Tobago-based PNM politicians, pointing to the exclusion of Melanie Roberts-Radgman, who was not put forward for a Senate seat by the PNM Tobago Council.

    In contrast, Dr. Maukesh Basdeo argued that retaining both Al-Rawi and John-Bates on the opposition bench is an untenable position for the PNM, pointing to documentary evidence that he says proves both are culpable. Basdeo noted that tracked changes embedded in Deyalsingh’s draft witness statement link most edits directly to Al-Rawi, a fact that was revealed during debate on the PAAC report, and that John-Bates has openly admitted her role in the process. Basdeo added that there is already a clear pattern of disruption stemming from the controversy: the Joint Select Committee (JSC) on National Security has already refused to sit with John-Bates as a member, and senior Government Minister Jearlean John publicly stated last week that government representatives will not participate in committee work alongside Al-Rawi. “This sets a clear pattern now that the operations of the committee system in Parliament will be affected by the Leader of the Opposition’s delayed response on dealing with this matter,” Basdeo warned. He echoed the procedural justification for Al-Rawi’s immediate removal from the Privileges Committee, noting that it is only natural for the senator to step aside given that the investigation concerns his own conduct.

  • Venezuela maintains ICJ does not recognise court in border controversy; says Spain was responsible for Essequibo

    Venezuela maintains ICJ does not recognise court in border controversy; says Spain was responsible for Essequibo

    On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, during ongoing oral proceedings at the United Nations’ highest judicial body, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Venezuela doubled down on its longstanding refusal to recognize the court’s authority to adjudicate a decades-long territorial border dispute with neighboring Guyana centered on the contested Essequibo Region.

    Samuel Moncada, Venezuela’s designated agent to the ICJ, opened his remarks to the court wearing a lapel pin displaying a map of Venezuela that explicitly incorporates the 159,000-square-kilometer Essequibo Region – a move that has already drawn formal concern from Guyana through the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the regional bloc of which Guyana is a member. The appearance comes just two days after Guyana presented its case to the ICJ, calling on the court to issue binding orders requiring Venezuela to remove all official maps labeling Essequibo as Venezuelan territory, and to rescind all domestic laws and constitutional amendments passed following a 2023 Venezuelan national referendum that formalized the country’s claim to the region.

    Addressing the court directly, Moncada emphasized that the 2023 popular referendum “unequivocally reaffirmed” Venezuelan voters’ unanimous rejection of the ICJ’s jurisdiction over the long-running disagreement. “That position has not changed. Venezuela has never consented to submitting this dispute to the jurisdiction of any court or arbitral tribunal,” he told the panel of ICJ judges.

    Moncada argued that any ruling by the court that interferes with the 1966 Geneva Agreement – the bilateral pact brokered by the United Nations that frames the dispute – would block any path to a resolution that satisfies both nations. “The only option is to allow the agreement to fulfill its purpose and objective without impediments,” he added. He accused Guyana of deliberately disregarding the terms of the 1966 accord, which was designed to address the colonial-era “fraudulent” 1899 Arbitral Award that first granted Essequibo to British Guiana, the predecessor to modern Guyana. Unlike judicial adjudication that produces a winner and a loser, Moncada noted, the Geneva Agreement mandates a mutually acceptable bilateral solution to overcome the harmful legacy of colonial border drawing.

    Staking Venezuela’s historical claim to the region, Moncada contended that Essequibo was always part of Spanish colonial territory that later became independent Venezuela. He argued that the Netherlands gained control of territory only east of the Essequibo River under the 1648 Treaty of Munster, in which Spain formally recognized Dutch independence and its territorial claims. This position directly contradicts Guyana’s formal submissions to the court, which have included cartographic and historical evidence showing Spanish colonial forces never established a presence in Essequibo, and that most place names across the region trace back to Dutch colonial settlement.

    Carl Greenidge, Guyana’s agent to the ICJ, laid out his country’s historical case during Monday’s proceedings, presenting maps showing the westernmost Spanish colonial outposts sat more than 650 kilometers east of the Venezuelan border, outside the boundaries of Essequibo. Greenidge also submitted a list of 35 existing place names across the region that retain their original Dutch monikers, tracing Guyana’s colonial history back to the first permanent Dutch settlement in 1598. By 1616, the Dutch had formally established the Colony of Essequibo, built Fort Kykoveral along the Mazaruni River as their administrative seat, and began governing territory stretching west to the Orinoco River, Greenidge explained. The Dutch West India Company took over administration of the colony in 1621, before moving the colonial seat to Fort Zealandia in 1744, he added.

    Moncada closed his remarks by reaffirming Venezuela’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of the dispute, while rejecting reliance on great power influence or outcomes from what he called “rigged international arbitrations.” “This is what led to our tradition of not recognizing the jurisdiction of arbitral tribunals or courts of any kind when it comes to matters relating to our territorial integrity,” he said. “This is why Venezuela does not accept the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, which was erroneously imposed in the 2020 judgment, it respectfully rejects its jurisdiction to hear and decide on this dispute.”

  • Trump: Tijdelijke pauze voor Amerikaanse operatie in Straat van Hormuz

    Trump: Tijdelijke pauze voor Amerikaanse operatie in Straat van Hormuz

    In a significant shift in US policy amid escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf, former President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Washington is temporarily halting its military operation to escort stranded commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. The pause, he says, is intended to create diplomatic space for finalizing a comprehensive peace agreement between the United States and Iran.

    Trump made the announcement via his social media platform Truth Social, noting that the temporary suspension was agreed to “at the request of Pakistan and other nations” following what he called “major progress” in negotiations with Iranian representatives. He clarified that while the existing US blockade on Iranian ports remains fully in effect, the escort mission codenamed Project Freedom will be put on hold to allow negotiators to finalize and sign a formal agreement. As of Wednesday, Tehran has not issued an official public response to Trump’s announcement.

    The announcement comes at a moment of rapidly intensifying friction across the Gulf region. In recent days, the US military confirmed it has destroyed multiple Iranian fast attack boats, cruise missiles, and drones. The United Arab Emirates also reported that its air defense systems have intercepted missile and drone attacks launched from Iran for the second consecutive day, while a commercial transiting vessel said it was struck by an unidentified projectile in the strait.

    In parallel to the military escalations, Iran has rolled out new shipping regulations for vessels seeking passage through the strait. Under the new framework, ships receive updated transit rules via email from the newly established Persian Gulf Strait Authority. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also released a revised map expanding Iran’s declared maritime control area, issuing a warning that vessels must only use Iran-designated shipping corridors or face a “decisive response” if they deviate.

    In Washington, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the US has concluded its offensive military campaign against Iran, codenamed Operation Epic Fury. “We will not open fire unless we are attacked first,” Rubio stated, though he stressed that Iran will still face consequences for its attempts to assert exclusive control over the strategic waterway. “The Strait of Hormuz does not belong to Iran. They have no right to close passage, blow up ships, or lay mines,” he said, adding that allowing Iran to collect tolls for transit would set a dangerous precedent that could be replicated by other countries around the globe.

    The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, carrying roughly one-fifth of global energy supplies. The waterway has been effectively closed to most commercial traffic since large-scale military operations between the US, Israel, and Iran began on February 28. After a ceasefire took effect in early April, the US imposed its own unilateral blockade to prevent vessels from entering or exiting Iranian ports.

    The closure of the strait has already rippled through global markets, disrupting supply chains, pushing up crude oil and fertilizer prices, and stoking widespread fears of a looming global recession and expanded food insecurity.

    Speaking to reporters earlier Tuesday, Trump argued that the combination of US military pressure and economic sanctions has forced Tehran to the negotiating table, despite its public rejection of talks with his administration. “Iran wants to make a deal,” Trump said. “What I don’t like is they talk to me with a lot of respect privately, then go on television and say they won’t talk to the president. They’re playing games. But let me be clear: they want a deal. Who wouldn’t? Their military capability has been destroyed, we can do whatever we want.”

    Trump, who faces growing political pressure from rising consumer prices ahead of November midterm elections, dismissed Iran’s remaining military capacity as nothing more than the firing of “firecrackers.” When asked what actions from Iran would count as a ceasefire violation, he simply said, “They know what they shouldn’t do.”

    Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking from the Pentagon, added that the recent outbreaks of violence in the strait do not constitute a breach of the four-week-old ceasefire. “US forces do not need to enter Iranian territorial waters. We are not seeking a fight, but Iran cannot block innocent nations and their cargo in international waters,” Hegseth said. “The ceasefire is holding for the moment, but we are monitoring it very closely.”

  • New 14-Member Cabinet Sworn In as Government Begins Fresh Term

    New 14-Member Cabinet Sworn In as Government Begins Fresh Term

    Following a decisive landslide win in the April 30 general election that gave the ruling party 15 out of 17 parliamentary seats, Antigua and Barbuda has formally completed the formation of its new government, with 14 cabinet ministers — including Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Attorney General Sir Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin — receiving their official instruments of office during a ceremony held Tuesday.

    Prime Minister Browne and Attorney General Benjamin, who completed their initial swearing-in over the weekend, formally accepted their portfolio assignments at the event hosted at the American University of Antigua. The remaining 12 ministerial appointees took the required oaths of allegiance, office, and secrecy directly before Governor General Sir Rodney Williams, bringing the full constitutional formation process to a successful close. This ceremony also marked the first official use of newly updated oaths that were approved by legislative bodies earlier this year, aligning the process with modernized governance guidelines.

    Under the country’s constitutional framework, the Prime Minister holds full authority to allocate ministerial portfolios and oversee the distribution of government responsibilities. Each newly appointed ministry has been assigned broad, clearly defined oversight of critical national institutions and priority development programs. For example, the Information, Communication Technologies, Utilities and Energy portfolio will supervise the Antigua Public Utilities Authority and lead the country’s ongoing digital transformation agenda. The Ministry of Housing and Works takes charge of national infrastructure development, public housing initiatives, and road maintenance projects, while the Education, Science and Technology ministry oversees the nationwide education system, including the regional University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus.

    The Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, one of the public-facing portfolios highlighted during the formation process, will govern the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, all national public health services, national environmental management, and civil service administrative operations. The newly structured Ministry of Sports and the Creative Industries holds responsibility for national sports infrastructure, cultural programming, the annual Antigua Carnival, and growth support for the broader creative economy, a fast-growing sector for the island nation.

    Two key appointments that will shape core public services and national growth drew particular focus: Michael Joseph takes the helm of the health, environment, and civil service portfolio, while Dwayne George assumes leadership of the sports and creative industries ministry. Other full cabinet appointments include E.P. Chet Greene as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration; Charles “Max” Fernandez leading Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment; Melford Nicholas heading Information, Communication Technologies, Utilities and Energy; Maria Vanessa Browne taking responsibility for Housing and Works; Daryll Matthew leading Education, Science and Technology; Anthony Smith Jr. overseeing Agriculture, Lands and the Blue Economy; and Rawdon Turner heading Social and Urban Transformation.

    To bolster operational capacity across high-priority departments, three additional Ministers of State were appointed to assist senior cabinet ministers: Randy St. Clair Baltimore will support the agriculture portfolio, Michael Freeland will back the tourism team, and Kiz Johnson will assist with social and urban transformation initiatives.

    As the country finalizes its full parliamentary structure, one key position remains unfilled: a Deputy Speaker for the new parliament has not yet been appointed, though Dr. Philmore Benjamin, the newly elected Member of Parliament for St. Mary’s North, is widely expected to be nominated for the role. Upcoming parliamentary proceedings will also see all appointed Senators officially sworn in at 10 a.m. Friday at Government House, marking the final step in establishing the new legislative term.

    In closing remarks at Tuesday’s cabinet ceremony, Governor General Sir Rodney Williams delivered a charge to the newly appointed ministers, urging them to carry out their public duties with unwavering integrity and collective unity. He reminded appointees that holding public office is not a privilege, but a core duty that must be discharged exclusively for the benefit of all citizens of Antigua and Barbuda.

  • Health Ministry Welcomes Michael Joseph as New Minister

    Health Ministry Welcomes Michael Joseph as New Minister

    A new chapter of leadership is set to begin at one of the Caribbean’s most crucial government departments, as the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs has formally announced its warm welcome to incoming Minister Michael Joseph. Joseph’s appointment is scheduled to take official effect on May 5, 2026, marking a fresh term of leadership for the sprawling public agency that oversees three core pillars of national development.

    In an official public statement released by the ministry, leadership and staff extended formal congratulations to the Honorable Michael Joseph, who will step into the top role guiding the institution’s work. The statement emphasized the outsize importance of the ministerial portfolio Joseph is set to lead, noting that it touches nearly every aspect of daily life for citizens across the country.

    Beyond overseeing the delivery of clinical and public health services that keep communities healthy, the ministry is tasked with driving national wellness initiatives, advancing urgent environmental sustainability action, and continually strengthening the country’s entire civil service system. These interconnected responsibilities make the role a central one in the national cabinet, touching everything from public health infrastructure to climate protection to the efficiency of government services for all residents.

    The full ministry team, from frontline public servants to senior leadership, expressed collective eagerness to collaborate with Joseph as he takes on his new responsibilities. “We look forward to working under his guidance and vision to continue delivering high-quality healthcare, promoting national wellness, protecting our environment, and enhancing service delivery across the civil service,” the statement read.

    To close out the official announcement, the entire ministry extended sincere well wishes for Joseph’s tenure, saying: “We wish you every success in this new chapter of service to our country.”

  • Governor General Says Nation Must Move Forward Together After Election

    Governor General Says Nation Must Move Forward Together After Election

    Fresh off the conclusion of Antigua and Barbuda’s April 30 general election, the nation’s top constitutional figure has delivered a stark and unifying message to both newly elected leaders and the public: political divisions must not tear the country apart, and all sectors must work together to advance the shared national interest.

    Governor General Sir Rodney Williams made his call for national healing and collective action during Tuesday’s formal swearing-in ceremony for the incoming cabinet, an event that followed a lopsided election result where the incumbent governing party claimed 15 of the 17 available parliamentary seats.

    In his address to the new ministers and assembled guests, Sir Rodney emphasized that democratic competition, by its nature, produces divergent preferences among voters, but those differences should never fracture the bonds that hold the national community together. “At moments such as this, we are reminded that while elections may divide us in choice, they must never divide us as a people,” he stated. “Once the ballots are counted, we are called to come together—not as supporters of different parties, but as one nation, united in purpose and shared destiny.”

    Beyond his appeal to national unity, Sir Rodney used the occasion to remind incoming cabinet members that public office is a solemn responsibility rather than a trophy for political victory. “Public office is not a prize to be claimed, but a duty to be discharged with humility, discipline, and unwavering integrity,” he argued.

    He stressed that the new government owes representation to every resident of Antigua and Barbuda, not just those who cast ballots for the governing party. “You are now called upon to serve not only those who supported you, but every citizen and resident of this nation,” Sir Rodney said. “In this regard, you are ministers not of a party alone, but of Antigua and Barbuda as a whole.”

    The Governor General also pushed back against the idea that ministerial oaths are empty procedural formalities, noting that the promises carry profound legal and moral weight. “The oaths which you are about to take are not mere formalities. They represent a binding commitment to the Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda, to the rule of law, and to the faithful execution of your duties,” he explained.

    Effective governance, Sir Rodney added, depends on collaborative work rather than individual achievement, urging the new cabinet to prioritize collective purpose. “These are times that demand not only competence, but courage—not only vision, but collaboration,” he said. “The strength of your administration will depend not solely on individual effort, but on collective purpose and shared responsibility.”

    His closing remarks turned to the wider public, reaching out both to supporters of the winning party and to voters who left the election disappointed by the outcome. Sir Rodney encouraged all residents to maintain active, constructive engagement with public life to support the nation’s long-term progress. “I therefore encourage all citizens—those who celebrate today and those who may feel disappointed—to remain engaged, to remain constructive and committed to the advancement of our nation,” he added.

  • PM Browne Warns Cabinet: ‘No Room for Mediocrity’

    PM Browne Warns Cabinet: ‘No Room for Mediocrity’

    Fresh off a decisive landslide win in the April 30 general election, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne has laid out strict expectations for his newly inaugurated Cabinet, drawing a clear line in the sand against underperformance and complacency as the administration kicks off its fourth term.

    Speaking at Tuesday’s official swearing-in ceremony for the new Council of Ministers, Browne tied his administration’s overwhelming electoral mandate—securing 15 out of 17 available parliamentary seats—to a dramatically elevated standard of accountability to the voting public. The Prime Minister stressed that the unprecedented trust voters placed in his party cannot be treated as a given, and all appointed ministers must hold themselves to the highest possible standards of service.

    “You have been entrusted with a tremendous responsibility by the people of this nation,” Browne told the assembled ministers. He went on to urge every Cabinet member to honor the electorate’s confidence and avoid betraying the support that carried the party to a resounding victory at the polls.

    In firm, uncompromising language, Browne made clear that underperformance and mediocre work will not be tolerated in his new administration. He emphasized that his government must be defined by consistent excellence and tangible, on-the-ground delivery for citizens, repeating: “There must be no mediocrity.” All ministers, he insisted, are required to carry out their official duties at the peak of their capabilities.

    Browne also pushed back against the common framing of public office as a privilege, reframing it as a solemn duty to the Antiguan and Barbudan public. He called on all Cabinet members to approach their roles with unwavering discipline, unassailable integrity, and an unrelenting focus on delivering measurable results. “You are here to serve the people of this country,” he said, warning that any failure to uphold this core mission would erode the trust voters have extended to the new administration.

    Beyond individual accountability, the Prime Minister also emphasized the critical need for cross-ministerial unity. Collective collaborative effort, he noted, is the only foundation for hitting the country’s ambitious long-term development targets. “We must work together in unity,” Browne said, encouraging ongoing coordination and partnership between government departments to move forward with the administration’s top development priorities.

    Framing this new fourth term as a period of transformative national progress, Browne highlighted a pipeline of current and upcoming initiatives focused on three core goals: upgrading the country’s core infrastructure, raising overall living standards for all citizens, and positioning Antigua and Barbuda for long-term, sustainable economic growth.

    He also doubled down on the importance of widespread national productivity, noting that meaningful national progress will rely not just on government action, but on buy-in and effort across all sectors of Antiguan and Barbudan society. Repeating his core message—“You cannot accept mediocrity”—Browne reinforced his commitment to delivering tangible, visible outcomes that match the overwhelming mandate the party received from voters.

    Browne’s opening remarks to the new Cabinet have set a clear, results-first tone for the administration’s incoming term, signaling an uncompromising zero-tolerance approach to complacency as the newly sworn-in ministers prepare to begin their official work.

  • Pawiroredjo en Gajadien uiten scherpe kritiek op ingreep president bij Self Reliance

    Pawiroredjo en Gajadien uiten scherpe kritiek op ingreep president bij Self Reliance

    On Tuesday, two leading parliamentary faction leaders from Suriname — Jerrel Pawiroredjo of the National Party of Suriname (NPS) and Asis Gajadien of the Progressive People’s Party (VHP) — delivered pointed, urgent questions to the national government during a sitting of the National Assembly. The inquiry centers on claims of inappropriate political meddling in the operations of state-linked enterprises and the broader domestic financial sector, triggered by recent actions taken by the Surinamese president targeting the Board of Commissioners of the national insurance firm Self Reliance.

    Lawmakers have characterized the president’s move as a deeply troubling development that threatens long-standing principles of good governance and transparent corporate oversight. “Shareholding carries responsibility, not unchecked absolute control,” the parliamentarians emphasized in their questioning. According to unconfirmed reporting from local outlet Starnieuws, the controversial intervention is expected to be reversed in the near term, with all formal correspondence related to the plan also withdrawn.

    A leaked letter from the president to Albert Jubitana, president-commissioner of Self Reliance, reveals that acting on behalf of the Surinamese state, which holds shares in the company, the head of state pushed for an emergency general meeting of shareholders to be convened. A key item added to the proposed meeting agenda is the dismissal of multiple sitting members of the Board of Commissioners. The request specifically calls for a full review of the performance of board members, with an eye toward potentially removing several from their posts.

    In the correspondence, the president cites Article 23 of Self Reliance’s corporate bylaws, which formally grants shareholders the right to request an extraordinary general meeting. The letter also demands the board turn over internal records on ongoing deliberations and disclose the legal basis for recent decisions the board has made.

    Critics of the president’s action have raised serious questions about the appropriate boundaries of shareholder influence, particularly in this case: the Surinamese state does not hold a controlling majority stake in the insurer, instead owning only approximately 40 percent of outstanding shares.

    Beyond the insurer itself, concerns have also been raised about potential political pressure on the Central Bank of Suriname. Observers warn that unchecked political influence could erode the central bank’s regulatory independence, creating significant unneeded risks to the overall stability of Suriname’s financial sector. In their inquiry, the parliamentary leaders have demanded the national government provide full transparency around the intervention, as well as a clear, legally sound justification for the president’s actions.

  • Leisure : Did you know ? #21

    Leisure : Did you know ? #21

    In the 21st installment of HaitiLibre’s popular “Did You Know?” leisure series, published on May 6, 2026, readers are introduced to a little-known ecological treasure of Haiti: Miragoâne Pond. Spanning roughly 25 square kilometers, this unique freshwater body sits adjacent to the eponymous town in Haiti’s Nippes Department, standing out sharply from the country’s better-known Étang Saumâtre, which holds only brackish water. Unlike many of Haiti’s surface water systems that rely on direct rainfall runoff, Miragoâne Pond is nourished by a network of underground natural springs and seasonal mountain runoff, earning it the distinction of being the nation’s largest natural freshwater reserve.

    This ecologically critical site boasts extraordinary biodiversity, serving as a habitat for multiple fish species found nowhere else on Earth and a key resting and breeding refuge for hundreds of types of aquatic migratory and resident birds. Beyond its ecological value, Miragoâne Pond plays an indispensable functional role for the surrounding region: it regulates local hydrological cycles to stabilize adjacent ecosystems, and it supports the livelihoods of thousands of local residents who rely on its waters for small-scale commercial and subsistence fishing. Despite its importance, the pond faces growing environmental threats. Accelerated deforestation on the hills surrounding the water body has led to increased soil erosion and silt buildup in the pond, making long-term protection of the site a pressing priority for Haitian environmental advocates and local authorities. This work to raise public awareness of Miragoâne Pond underscores the rich, under-documented diversity of Haiti’s aquatic landscapes.

    The information featured in this “Did You Know?” entry is pulled from official answer resources for the quiz platform QuizHaitiLibre, HaitiLibre’s free, user-focused general knowledge project that launched earlier this year. The platform was designed to engage audiences of all ages and backgrounds, offering exclusive quiz games that do not require user registration or payment to access. Every quiz on the platform offers three tiered difficulty levels—normal, intermediate, and advanced—to match different user skill levels, and all content is fully available in both French and English to serve a broad global audience of users interested in Haiti and global general knowledge.

    As of the platform’s most recent monthly update completed on May 4, 2026, 30 brand new quiz games have been added to the platform, bringing the total number of available games across all categories to 119. New games are added to the platform on a monthly basis to keep content fresh and engaging for returning users. The platform covers topics ranging from Haitian geography, history, and culture to global current events and general knowledge, with a dedicated expert section for users seeking more challenging questions. Users can access the full suite of quiz games at any time via the official QuizHaitiLibre website.

  • Pesticidenschandaal: DNA hekelt falend toezicht en risico voor volksgezondheid

    Pesticidenschandaal: DNA hekelt falend toezicht en risico voor volksgezondheid

    A major political controversy has erupted in Suriname after the European Union rejected two of the country’s key agricultural export shipments in just four days, triggering fierce criticism of the government’s failed food safety regulation from lawmakers in the National Assembly (DNA).

    The rejected products, red pepper and yardlong bean, failed EU entry checks due to containing pesticide residues that exceeded the bloc’s strict safety limits. Lawmakers from across the political spectrum have warned that this failure is not just an international trade issue, but an immediate threat to domestic public health, with one senior parliamentarian saying the current broken system is actively poisoning the Surinamese population.

    During Wednesday’s public parliamentary session, legislators drew a direct line between the EU rejections and deep, structural flaws in Suriname’s domestic food safety monitoring regime. NDP parliamentarian Jennifer Vreedzaam led the criticism, leveling sharp blame at Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV) Minister Mike Noersalim for the government’s inaction on this long-recognized problem.

    VHP lawmaker Cherryl Dijksteel emphasized that the incident confirms a fundamental breakdown in the country’s food control infrastructure. “If we cannot stop banned substances from entering the supply chain, detect residue limit breaches, or inspect products before they reach markets, we have to ask: does our current system work at all?” Dijksteel said. She pressed the government to answer a series of urgent, detailed questions about the incident, including whether the responsible exporters have been identified, whether products from the same farms are being retested for domestic sale, and how the country can improve product traceability. “You cannot run effective control if you do not know where a product comes from,” she stressed.

    A core unresolved question at the heart of the debate is whether agricultural products are actually tested before they are distributed domestically or exported. If pre-market testing does occur, lawmakers say, the failure to catch the excessive pesticide residues points to major gaps in inspection quality and process. If testing does not occur at all, that indicates a complete failure to deliver the most basic level of consumer protection.

    Vreedzaam and VHP colleague Dew Sharman argued that Minister Noersalim and the broader government cannot be allowed to avoid accountability for this failure. Vreedzaam called for immediate corrective action, noting that no recalls have been issued for potentially contaminated products sold domestically. “Nothing has been done. We haven’t seen any products pulled from store shelves, which means contaminated goods are still sitting there for consumers to buy. That can only mean one thing: we are poisoning our own people,” Vreedzaam said.

    Dijksteel added that the crisis is entirely avoidable: the problem of unsafe pesticide residues has been recognized as a top priority for years in the strategic plan of the National Institute for Food Safety Suriname (NIVS), and global development programs including the STDF project have already mapped out clear solutions. “We know what the problems are, we already have the solutions worked out, but nothing is being implemented,” she said.

    The consequences of this inaction stretch far beyond the two rejected shipments, lawmakers warned. Beyond the immediate damage to Suriname’s reputation as a reliable agricultural exporter, unregulated pesticide residues pose a long-term threat to the health of the domestic population. Dijksteel called the fact that EU inspectors, not local regulators, detected the breaches particularly alarming. “This means our system is failing at its most basic core function: protecting the consumer,” she explained.

    Criticism has centered almost entirely on the LVV ministry, which holds formal responsibility for food safety oversight and enforcement. The demand for immediate government intervention has grown louder, with Dijksteel noting the issue has long outgrown the stage of being a simple technical problem. “This is a governance failure. The question is no longer whether there is a problem, it is why nothing has been done to fix it,” she said.

    Suriname’s government is now facing widespread pressure to deliver concrete, immediate policy changes: strengthening pesticide use monitoring, closing gaps in food safety inspection, protecting public health, and rebuilding trust with both domestic consumers and international trade partners.