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  • Head of IICA visits Brazil to engage officials on advancing agricultural sector

    Head of IICA visits Brazil to engage officials on advancing agricultural sector

    Muhammad Ibrahim, Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), has commenced a significant four-day diplomatic mission to Brazil aimed at reinforcing agricultural development partnerships across the Americas. The Guyanese agronomist, who assumed leadership of IICA in January, will engage in high-level consultations with Brazilian government officials and regional stakeholders during his visit.

    Ibrahim’s agenda features pivotal participation in the Southern Agricultural Council (CAS), the ministerial coordination platform comprising agriculture ministers from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. IICA provides essential technical and administrative support to this consensus-building mechanism that has successfully addressed regional agricultural challenges for over twenty years.

    A central objective of the mission involves presenting the development status of IICA’s Medium-Term Plan (MTP) 2026-2030 to CAS ministers. This strategic framework has been formulated through comprehensive consultations with member states to ensure technical assistance programs align with national agricultural priorities.

    The Director General will conduct bilateral meetings with Uruguay’s Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries Alfredo Fratti and Paraguay’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Carlos Giménez. His schedule also includes participation in the FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, where IICA will host a specialized panel examining challenges within regional agri-food systems.

    Additional high-level engagements feature meetings with Caribbean and Central American ministers, Brazil’s Deputy Foreign Minister Maria Laura da Rocha, and Carlos Antonio Vieira Fernandes, President of state-owned Caixa Econômica Federal bank.

    A particularly significant component of the visit involves strategic discussions with Silvia Massruhá, President of EMBRAPA—Brazil’s preeminent agricultural research organization. Their dialogue will focus on establishing an innovation hub specifically designed to serve Caribbean and Central American nations, leveraging EMBRAPA’s globally recognized expertise in agricultural science and technology.

    Further meetings are planned with Brazil’s Minister of Social Development Wellington Dias, senior Planning Ministry officials, and Senator Tereza Cristina, former Agriculture Minister. The itinerary also includes consultations with leadership from the Brazilian Cooperation Agency, the Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil, the Organization of Brazilian Cooperatives, and corporate representatives from Corteva Agriscience and Toyota.

  • San Ignacio Vendors Cry Foul After Promoted Festival Falls Apart

    San Ignacio Vendors Cry Foul After Promoted Festival Falls Apart

    Small business owners in San Ignacio are facing significant financial setbacks following the abrupt cancellation of a heavily promoted culinary and music event. The ‘Food and Soca Tour,’ scheduled for March 7-9, 2026, has been indefinitely postponed, leaving over sixty vendors who paid participation fees ranging from $50 to $100 without immediate recourse for reimbursement.

    The event organizer, Trinidadian promoter Irwin Denis—previously associated with the Island Run Delivery app franchise—marketed the festival as a major platform for local business promotion through the digital delivery service. Vendors who invested in the opportunity now find themselves in financial limbo after Denis declared that all funds had been exhausted in preliminary event preparations.

    Complications emerged when vendors raised concerns about venue modifications and questioned whether proper official approvals had been secured. Despite these issues, local authorities have indicated that the dispute may fall under civil jurisdiction rather than criminal misconduct.

    In response to allegations of fraudulent intent, Denis maintains that unforeseen financial constraints necessitated the postponement. He has publicly committed to reimbursing all affected vendors once his organization stabilizes its finances. Nevertheless, many small business operators describe the situation as a devastating blow, with some expressing skepticism about ever recovering their investments.

    The broader implications for vendor participation in externally-organized promotional events remain uncertain. This incident highlights the vulnerabilities small businesses face when engaging with third-party promoters and underscores the importance of financial safeguards in event planning partnerships.

  • Solar-powered homes signal new beginning for Chantimelle fire victims

    Solar-powered homes signal new beginning for Chantimelle fire victims

    Five resilient concrete homes now stand in Chantimelle, St. Patrick, representing a remarkable community-led recovery nearly two years after a devastating fire rendered 17 residents homeless in March 2024. The newly constructed residences, equipped with rooftop solar systems designed to eliminate electricity costs, were officially handed over to families on Sunday, marking a transformative milestone in their journey from displacement to secure housing.

    The reconstruction effort was spearheaded by the Chantimelle Fire Victims Relief Fund Committee (CHANTIVIC), chaired by Faith Phillip, which orchestrated an unprecedented mobilization of national and diaspora support. The committee successfully raised over EC$1 million in cash donations and secured an additional EC$77,000 worth of building materials through contributions from the Grenadian government, local financial institutions, private businesses, community members, and overseas Grenadians.

    Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, presiding over the handover ceremony, emphasized the broader context of fire prevention in Grenada, where approximately 50 homes are lost to fires annually—many of which he noted are preventable. He urged recipients to maintain their new homes responsibly and challenged CHANTIVIC to evolve into a permanent community institution addressing future needs beyond the reconstruction project.

    The homes incorporate innovative sustainable technology through the government’s Solar for All initiative. Each property features a 3-kilowatt grid-tied solar system installed under the leadership of the Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy. Leslie Smith, Director of the Renewable Energy Division, confirmed these systems are engineered to dramatically reduce or completely eliminate electricity expenses for homeowners.

    Joseph Andall, Parliamentary Representative for the area who initiated CHANTIVIC’s formation, characterized the project as the culmination of extraordinary collective commitment spanning local and international Grenadian communities. For the five families receiving keys to their new homes, the ceremony represented both closure to a prolonged period of uncertainty and the beginning of a more secure, sustainable future.

  • SLHTA commits to monthly community food drives

    SLHTA commits to monthly community food drives

    The Saint Lucia hospitality sector has launched a groundbreaking monthly food distribution program aimed at addressing food insecurity across the nation. Dubbed “One Can, One Love,” this philanthropic initiative represents a significant expansion of the industry’s community outreach efforts beyond traditional seasonal charity.

    Spearheaded by the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association (SLHTA), the program officially commenced on February 27th with a call to action for all member establishments to contribute non-perishable food items on either a bi-weekly or monthly schedule. These collected provisions will be systematically distributed to identified community groups experiencing the most pressing needs.

    Tamara Amos, SLHTA’s Technical Officer for Community Projects, revealed that the initiative organically developed from the association’s annual December Food Voucher Drive. “Our observations clearly indicated that community support shouldn’t be confined to holiday seasons alone,” Amos stated. “We recognized the potential for creating sustained impact through regular monthly contributions.”

    Sunswept Resorts’ StolenTime property emerged as the inaugural contributor, with Amos describing their donation as “exceptionally generous.” The resort’s corporate director of Human Resources, Genevieve Dixon, emphasized that participation aligns perfectly with their established corporate social responsibility framework, known as the Cares initiative.

    Notably, the collection effort generated remarkable engagement among resort staff members. Dixon reported: “Team members across all departments enthusiastically participated, even initiating friendly inter-departmental competitions to maximize contributions. We distributed promotional materials throughout our staff facilities and witnessed overwhelming support.”

    The SLHTA has announced plans to advance into the next implementation phase, which involves direct collaboration with community organizations for targeted distribution. The association expresses confidence that this sustained effort will generate meaningful long-term impact, with additional community outreach activities already in development for the coming month.

  • Belizean Sisters Challenge Hyrox Competition in Red, White and Blue

    Belizean Sisters Challenge Hyrox Competition in Red, White and Blue

    In a display of national pride and athletic determination, sisters Shari Garbutt and Tashera Bowen represented Belize on the international stage at the Hyrox fitness competition in Taiwan on March 3, 2026. The duo competed in the women’s doubles open category, marking Belize’s inaugural participation in the globally recognized fitness challenge.

    The Hyrox competition represents one of the world’s most demanding indoor fitness tests, combining endurance running with high-intensity functional exercises. Participants must complete eight consecutive rounds, each consisting of a one-kilometer run followed by a challenging workout station designed to push athletes to their physical limits.

    Despite being first-time competitors, the sisters achieved remarkable results, finishing 35th among 520 teams in their category with a completion time of one hour and twenty-five minutes. Their performance demonstrated exceptional preparation and mental fortitude, particularly when overcoming mid-race challenges including muscle cramps that threatened to hinder their progress.

    The athletes intentionally incorporated national symbolism into their appearance, competing in red and blue outfits accessorized with bandanas featuring Belize’s coat of arms. This display of patriotism did not go unnoticed, as competition officials and spectators acknowledged their representation with enthusiastic cheers of encouragement throughout the event.

    In post-competition remarks, Garbutt emphasized the significance of their participation during Women’s History Month, expressing hope that their achievement would inspire more women from Belize and other nations to pursue challenging athletic endeavors. Their groundbreaking participation has generated considerable attention and pride among the Belizean community, both domestically and internationally.

  • Child protection officers suspended for allegedly dragging schoolgirl on road, amidst calls for professionalised agency

    Child protection officers suspended for allegedly dragging schoolgirl on road, amidst calls for professionalised agency

    Two officers from Guyana’s Child Protection Agency (CPA) have been suspended following the emergence of a viral video showing them violently dragging a uniformed schoolgirl by her hands and hair along a public road near Stabroek Market square. The incident has triggered widespread condemnation and intensified calls for comprehensive reform within the child welfare system.

    Human Services and Social Security Minister Vindhya Persaud characterized the footage as ‘appalling’ and immediately suspended the officers pending a police investigation. ‘They will be held accountable for their conduct which runs counter to the values and operational procedures of the Child Protection Agency,’ Dr. Persaud stated, emphasizing her ministry’s commitment to child protection.

    The controversy emerges against a backdrop of systemic concerns within the CPA. Just two days prior to the video’s emergence, former CPA Director Ann Greene had publicly criticized the agency’s ‘apparent lack of training and leadership’ in a letter to Kaieteur News publication. Greene highlighted that individuals were being placed in high positions ‘with not an ounce of training and understanding of their roles, responsibilities and Child Protection laws.’

    Opposition party We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) seized on the incident to demand urgent independent review of the CPA and Probation and Social Services. The party called for transparent disclosure of child protection protocols, particularly regarding teenage mothers and high-risk minors, citing recent cases of 14- and 15-year-olds delivering babies in violation of consent laws.

    Greene’s letter had specifically addressed these cases, noting that medical officers were legally required to report such incidents to the CPA for intervention. She emphasized that proper protection involves placing children and babies in safe care environments while investigating potential statutory rape charges against adult perpetrators.

    The convergence of the violent incident and preexisting concerns about agency competence has created a crisis of confidence in Guyana’s child protection systems. WIN emphasized that ‘when experienced former leadership publicly signals distress about the condition of the agency, immediate and transparent action must be the response,’ demanding measurable corrective plans with clear timelines.

  • Hoogste Franse onderscheiding voor Cynthia Mc Leod

    Hoogste Franse onderscheiding voor Cynthia Mc Leod

    In a prestigious ceremony at the French Ambassador’s residence in Suriname, celebrated author Cynthia Mc Leod-Ferrier was decorated with France’s highest national honor—the Légion d’Honneur. French Ambassador Nicolas de Lacoste presented the distinction on behalf of President Emmanuel Macron, recognizing Mc Leod’s exceptional contributions to literature and historical preservation.

    Ambassador de Lacoste highlighted Mc Leod’s ‘unwavering dedication to history and intergenerational memory transmission, even when confronting dark and painful historical chapters.’ The author accepted the honor with profound gratitude, acknowledging both her personal achievement and its significance for Surinamese cultural identity. ‘This recognition extends beyond me to the entire Surinamese community and the students who encouraged me to document our past,’ Mc Leod stated during her acceptance speech.

    The ceremony, attended by family and close associates, celebrated Mc Leod’s four-decade literary career that began with her groundbreaking 1987 debut novel ‘Hoe duur was de suiker?’ (‘The Cost of Sugar’). This historical work, later adapted into a film in 2013, remains her most influential publication both within Suriname and internationally.

    De Lacoste particularly praised Mc Leod’s pioneering archival research, especially her work on Elisabeth Samson—an eighteenth-century free Black woman who married a white man. ‘No one before you had undertaken such exhaustive research in the archives of former colonial powers,’ the ambassador remarked, noting the ‘astonishing discoveries’ resulting from her meticulous work.

    Beyond her literary accomplishments, Mc Leod was recognized for her community engagement. She has invested book royalties into the Sweet Merodia boat tours, educating youth about Surinamese history through river expeditions. Her philanthropic efforts have also provided school meals for children and support for cancer patients and their families.

    The author drew historical parallels between French influence in Suriname dating back to colonial times—when Huguenots owned more than half of the plantations—and contemporary French investment through TotalEnergies’ offshore oil production. She expressed hope that current economic development would ‘more justly benefit the entire Surinamese community compared to the plantation economy centuries.’

    Established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the Légion d’Honneur represents France’s highest recognition of exceptional service. Mc Leod now joins an exclusive group of Surinamese citizens who have received this prestigious decoration.

  • 15-year-old McIntyre leads Barbados to triathlon success

    15-year-old McIntyre leads Barbados to triathlon success

    A seven-member Barbados triathlon squad demonstrated exceptional prowess at the prestigious Clermont Draft Legal Series in Florida last weekend, with young athlete Laila McIntyre securing dual victories in her category. The team’s performance proved particularly remarkable given that five competitors were experiencing the challenging course for the first time.

    Dr. Garth McIntyre, President of the Barbados Federation of Island Triathletes, emphasized the developmental significance of the event. The youth contingent (13-15 years) featured Sebastian Clarke, Liam Beckles, and Elijah Telford, who finished in consistent order across both competition days. Clarke delivered standout performances with 12th and 11th place finishes, followed by Beckles at 17th and 13th, and Telford at 21st and 22nd respectively.

    Fifteen-year-old Laila McIntyre continued her dominant streak at the event, capturing first place positions on both Saturday and Sunday. In the junior category, Alexis Lashley achieved an impressive 6th place finish among 82 starters, competing against seasoned athletes. The male junior division saw Luke McIntyre and Matthew Lashley place 16th and 44th respectively in a field of 74 competitors, with the latter returning from recent injury.

    The federation president noted the strategic importance of exposing athletes to international competition environments. With the CARIFTA Triathlon Championships relocated to Bermuda in October due to hurricane-related venue changes in Jamaica, athletes are adjusting training schedules accordingly. The federation maintains focus on positive participation, injury prevention, and sustained athlete engagement through events like the USA Triathlon series races running from Easter through July.

  • ‘It’s a miracle’: Vendor recounts stabbing ordeal

    ‘It’s a miracle’: Vendor recounts stabbing ordeal

    In what began as an ordinary Sunday in Grazettes, St. Michael, 70-year-old juice vendor Morgan Nelson found himself at the center of a violent attack that would test his survival instincts and reinforce his spiritual convictions. While conversing with his vehicle washer outside his residence, Nelson was suddenly approached by an assailant in his early twenties who stabbed him in the chest without provocation.

    The septuagenarian’s remarkable response demonstrated extraordinary presence of mind: as the blade penetrated his chest, Nelson grasped the knife with his bare hands, preventing further penetration before scaling two neighboring fences measuring approximately five to six feet in height. Despite significant blood loss and his advanced age, Nelson attributes his physical capabilities during the crisis to divine intervention rather than human strength.

    Following his escape, Nelson witnessed from concealment as his attacker turned on the vehicle washer, stabbing the second victim with such force that the weapon broke within the man’s body. The assailant subsequently beat the helpless man with a shovel until Nelson intervened with countermeasures despite his critical condition.

    The timely arrival of a nurse proved instrumental in securing Nelson’s survival. She administered emergency first aid by packing the chest wound with cotton wool before transporting him to police assistance and ultimately medical facilities. Her vehicular approach simultaneously disrupted the attacker’s continued assault, causing him to flee the scene.

    Medical professionals later informed Nelson that his survival constituted a medical mystery given his age and the proximity of the blade to vital organs. Subsequent revelations indicated the assailant had allegedly committed another fatal stabbing earlier that same day.

    Since the incident, Nelson has received overwhelming community support through visits and calls from well-wishers. While temporarily pausing his beverage business for recovery, his operations continue at Cheapside through employees, as the survivor reflects on what he believes is a divinely ordained purpose for his continued life.

  • Saint Kitts and Nevis PM: Caribbean Leader to join Ghana at 69th Independence Day celebrations

    Saint Kitts and Nevis PM: Caribbean Leader to join Ghana at 69th Independence Day celebrations

    In a significant diplomatic development, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Michael Drew of Saint Kitts and Nevis commenced an official four-day visit to Ghana on March 3, 2026. The Caribbean leader’s itinerary centers around participation in Ghana’s 69th Independence Day celebrations and high-level discussions aimed at strengthening South-South cooperation between the two nations.

    The visit, spanning from March 3 to March 7, represents a milestone in the growing partnership between Ghana and the twin-island nation. According to an official statement from the Presidency Communications Directorate, the Prime Minister’s schedule includes both ceremonial and substantive diplomatic engagements.

    A central moment of the visit will be Dr. Drew’s attendance at Ghana’s Independence Day ceremony on March 6, where he will stand alongside Ghanaian leadership to commemorate the nation’s liberation from colonial rule. This symbolic participation underscores the historical and cultural connections between Africa and its diaspora communities in the Caribbean.

    The diplomatic agenda includes substantive bilateral meetings at the Presidency, where officials from both nations will explore enhanced collaboration in education, healthcare, trade, investment, and technology. The Prime Minister’s meeting with the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana signals potential academic partnerships and educational exchange programs.

    Beyond formal discussions, the itinerary incorporates cultural components with visits to historically significant sites including the W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, and Cape Coast Castle. These locations hold profound meaning for people of African descent worldwide. Additionally, Dr. Drew will pay a courtesy call to Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, the Omanhene of the Oguaa Traditional Area, acknowledging the importance of traditional governance structures in Ghanaian society.

    Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister for Government Communications, emphasized that the visit builds upon existing diplomatic ties between Ghana and Caribbean nations, particularly within the framework of South-South cooperation. For Saint Kitts and Nevis, a Commonwealth nation with approximately 47,000 citizens, Ghana represents a strategic African partner in advancing shared development objectives.

    Observers anticipate the visit will yield concrete agreements in areas of mutual interest, particularly educational exchanges and technical cooperation. The timing of the visit, coinciding with Ghana’s independence celebrations, reinforces the historical bonds between Africa and its diaspora while paving the way for future collaboration between the two nations.