In a sharp escalation of diplomatic tensions, Colombia’s leftist President Gustavo Petro on Thursday intensified his criticism of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s military strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific, while dismissing threats to cut millions in U.S. aid. Petro accused Trump of engaging in “extrajudicial executions” that violate international law, referring to the U.S. strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats. According to U.S. reports, these operations have destroyed nine vessels and claimed at least 37 lives, including a Colombian fisherman who Petro suggested may have turned to trafficking “intermittently” due to poverty. Trump retaliated by labeling Petro a “thug” and drug trafficker, announcing cuts to U.S. aid and threatening tariffs on Colombian goods. These measures, if implemented, could end decades of security cooperation aimed at curbing cocaine flow from Colombia, the world’s largest producer, to the U.S., its biggest consumer. Petro downplayed the impact of aid cuts, arguing that the funds primarily support U.S. NGOs and arms purchases. He also rejected Trump’s decision to blacklist Colombia as an “insult,” asserting that Colombia has been effective in combating cartels despite record cocaine production. Petro accused Trump of being misled by Colombia’s “far right” opponents, who he claimed aim to influence the 2026 presidential election and undermine Colombian progressivism. The rift has deepened with Colombia recalling its ambassador from Washington and calling for dialogue, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio branded Petro a “lunatic.”
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#EyeOnMelissa: NWC says its ready for storm
The National Water Commission (NWC) has reassured the public of its commitment to maintaining uninterrupted water supply during and after Tropical Storm Melissa. Acting President Kevin Kerr emphasized the commission’s proactive measures during a press briefing at Jamaica House on Thursday.
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#EyeOnMelissa: Education Ministry says remote learning to continue on Friday
KINGSTON, Jamaica — In response to the impending threat posed by Tropical Storm Melissa, the Ministry of Education has mandated that all schools across the island maintain remote learning operations on Friday, October 24, 2025. The decision underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of students and staff as the storm approaches.
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Dylan Carter misses out on 50m free final at Swimming World Cup
Trinidad and Tobago’s swimming sensation, Dylan Carter, narrowly missed securing a spot in the men’s 50-metre freestyle final during the third leg of the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Toronto, Canada, on October 23. Competing in lane five of the sixth and final heat, Carter clocked in at 21.36 seconds, finishing fourth, just 0.11 seconds behind Canada’s Ruslan Gaziev (21.25). The heat was dominated by American swimmer Jack Alexy, who secured first place with a time of 20.92 seconds, followed by Estonia’s Ralf Tribuntsov at 21.22 seconds. Overall, Carter ranked ninth out of 51 participants, narrowly missing the eighth and final qualifying spot for the final, which went to New Zealand’s Cameron Gray with a time of 21.30 seconds. Alexy, who recorded the second-fastest time in the prelims, will advance to the final alongside USA’s Chris Guliano (21.02) and Canada’s Josh Liendo, who topped heat four with a blistering 20.87 seconds. Carter’s journey in the World Cup has been a mix of highs and lows. In the first leg in Indiana, he finished fourth in the 50m freestyle final, while in the second leg in Illinois, he clinched bronze. Additionally, he secured a bronze medal in the 50m backstroke during the opening leg on October 11. Despite this setback, Carter remains a formidable contender in the swimming world.
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#EyeOnMelissa: JPS more prepared after lessons learnt from Beryl, says Grant
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hugh Grant, President and CEO of the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), has announced proactive measures to mitigate the impact of Tropical Storm Melissa, expected to hit the island later this week. Speaking at a Jamaica House press briefing on Thursday, Grant emphasized that while power outages are anticipated, the recovery process will be significantly faster compared to the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl in July 2023.
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DJ Khaled to perform at Mavado’s December show
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Renowned American music producer DJ Khaled is set to perform in Jamaica alongside celebrated dancehall artist Mavado at the highly anticipated ‘Return of the Gully Gad’ concert. The event will take place at Plantation Cove in St. Ann on December 27. DJ Khaled announced the collaboration on Instagram, expressing his excitement to join Mavado on stage. ‘I’m on the rock December 27 (JM),’ Khaled posted, referencing Mavado’s hit song ‘I’m On The Rock.’ He added, ‘@mavadogully put the call in so you know I’m there! [Jamaica] let’s make more history! @wethebest all love and respect.’ This concert marks a significant moment for Mavado, whose real name is David Brooks, as it follows his recent return to Jamaica after nearly a decade. Shortly after his arrival, a 2018 arrest warrant against him was dismissed following a meeting with local authorities and his legal team. The event promises to be a historic celebration of music and culture.
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‘Men vs boys,’ Army thumped by Mt Pleasant in 1s leg of Caribbean Cup semis
In a stunning display of football prowess, Jamaica’s Mount Pleasant Football Academy delivered a crushing 5-1 defeat to Trinidad and Tobago’s Defence Force in the first leg of the Concacaf Caribbean Cup semifinals on October 22. The match, held at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, showcased Mount Pleasant’s dominance from the opening whistle, leaving the home team reeling. Despite entering the game with a perfect group stage record, Defence Force was outclassed in every aspect of the game. Mount Pleasant’s relentless pace and tactical precision proved too much for the Trinidadian side, who struggled to contain their opponents. Interim coach Devorn Jorsling admitted his team was outplayed, describing the match as ‘men versus boys.’ Mount Pleasant’s Warner Brown opened the scoring in the fifth minute, setting the tone for a match that saw Raheem Edwards and substitute Shaqueil Bradford adding to the tally. Defence Force managed a consolation goal in stoppage time, but the result leaves them with a monumental task in the second leg. Jorsling remains focused on securing a spot in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, emphasizing the need for improvement and resilience.
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#EyeOnMelissa: Hospitals in emergency mode, clinics to close early as storm approaches
In response to the impending Tropical Storm Melissa, Jamaica’s public healthcare system has activated emergency protocols, effective from 4:00 pm on Thursday. Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton announced the measures during a press briefing at Jamaica House earlier in the day. Under the emergency mode, all public hospitals will remain operational, but outpatient services and elective surgeries will be temporarily suspended to prioritize emergency care. Additionally, visitation rights will be restricted, and families are urged to collect relatives admitted for non-critical conditions to free up bed space for potential emergencies. Dr. Tufton emphasized the need to conserve resources, stating, ‘We have to reserve bed space just in case we need them for emergencies.’ The government plans to provide further updates on the status of health centers on Friday.
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UTC signs eKYC agreement with NPIC-TT, TSTT
In a landmark move towards digital modernization, Trinidad and Tobago has unveiled NOBIS, a national electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) platform. The initiative, a collaborative effort between the Unit Trust Corporation (UTC), the National Payment and Innovation Company of TT (NPIC-TT), and the Telecommunications Services of TT (TSTT), was formalized through a recent agreement signing ceremony. The platform, developed locally by NPIC-TT’s Innovative Centre, aims to revolutionize identity verification and account onboarding processes by replacing traditional manual methods with a secure, efficient, and paperless system. UTC will be the first entity to implement NOBIS for digital onboarding, reflecting its commitment to customer convenience and trust. TSTT will provide the necessary telecommunications and cloud infrastructure to ensure a seamless national rollout. Dawn Nelson, Vice President of the Innovative Centre, emphasized the system’s scalability and security, underscoring its local development as a testament to Trinidad and Tobago’s technological capabilities. Beyond financial services, NOBIS will be extended free of charge to government ministries and state agencies, enabling a unified digital identity for services such as passport renewals, driver’s license updates, and government fee payments. This initiative positions Trinidad and Tobago as a regional leader in secure and inclusive digital services, setting the stage for a fully digital future.
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#EyeOnMelissa: TMC prepares to relocate Trelawny Infirmary residents to shelter
TRELAWNY, Jamaica — As Tropical Storm Melissa looms, the Trelawny Municipal Corporation (TMC) has initiated comprehensive measures to ensure the safety of vulnerable residents, particularly those at the Trelawny Infirmary. Located near Falmouth’s coastline, the infirmary is highly susceptible to storm surges and powerful winds, prompting authorities to relocate its 54 residents to a secure shelter at Hague Primary and Infant School. This precautionary action mirrors last year’s response to Hurricane Beryl, which forced an extended stay at the same shelter due to severe damage to the infirmary. Mayor of Falmouth and TMC Chairman, Councillor C Junior Gager, emphasized the readiness of 42 parish-wide shelters, managed by a dedicated team of 68 shelter managers. Gager assured that all relevant agencies are fully engaged, with shelters operational and staff prepared for the impending storm. Additionally, provisions have been made for the homeless population, who will find temporary refuge at the Falmouth drop-in center until the storm subsides.