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  • Foreign minister evokes Cuban Patriot Antonio Maceo

    Foreign minister evokes Cuban Patriot Antonio Maceo

    Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez has commemorated the 129th anniversary of the death of Lieutenant General Antonio Maceo Grajales, paying tribute to the enduring legacy of the iconic revolutionary figure known as the Bronze Titan. In a public statement delivered via social media platform X, Rodríguez emphasized how Maceo’s principles continue to shape contemporary Cuban diplomacy and national identity.

    Rodríguez characterized Maceo’s extraordinary courage, unwavering revolutionary ethos, steadfast intransigence against oppression, and profound patriotism as perpetual inspirations for Cuba’s diplomatic corps. He specifically noted that these qualities remain foundational to Cuba’s ongoing defense of national sovereignty and independence in the international arena.

    The foreign minister further asserted that Maceo’s spiritual inheritance persists through the resilience and dignified character of the Cuban populace, connecting historical resistance to contemporary national identity.

    Antonio Maceo Grajales, born June 14, 1845, emerged as one of Cuba’s most distinguished military leaders during the independence struggles against Spanish colonial rule. Achieving the esteemed ranks of major general and lieutenant general within the Cuban Liberation Army, Maceo demonstrated exceptional strategic brilliance and combat perseverance across multiple campaigns.

    Beyond his military accomplishments, Maceo became renowned for his uncompromising commitment to justice. This was notably exemplified during the historic Baragua Protest, where he forcefully rejected inadequate peace terms presented by Spanish General Arsenio Martínez Campos, thereby preserving the revolutionary movement’s integrity.

    Maceo’s life ended in combat on December 7, 1896, near San Pedro in what was then Havana province. His remains now rest permanently at the El Cacahual memorial site, located west of modern-day Havana, where they serve as a focal point for national remembrance and historical reflection.

  • EU losses due to sanctions on Russia estimate at 1.6 trillion euros

    EU losses due to sanctions on Russia estimate at 1.6 trillion euros

    In a strongly-worded declaration published on its official portal, Russia’s Foreign Ministry has characterized the extensive economic sanctions imposed by Western nations as fundamentally counterproductive instruments of neocolonial policy. While acknowledging unprecedented economic pressures, the Ministry asserted that Russia has demonstrated remarkable economic resilience and maintained growth trajectories despite these external challenges.

    The diplomatic communique presented a detailed economic assessment, claiming that anti-Russian restrictions alone would inflict approximately €1.6 trillion in losses upon European economies between 2022 and 2025. This projection underscores the Ministry’s central argument that unilateral coercive measures ultimately harm their initiators more than their intended targets.

    Beyond economic considerations, the statement framed these sanctions within a broader geopolitical context, alleging they represent deliberate attempts to undermine the emergence of a multipolar world order. The Ministry accused Western powers of employing restrictive measures as tools to maintain global dominance while deliberately constraining the development of major nations outside their sphere of influence.

    In response to these challenges, Russia announced its commitment to collaborating with like-minded international partners to combat what it termed ‘illegitimate restrictive measures’ and other manifestations of neocolonialism. The Ministry emphasized its determination to establish a more equitable global architecture free from what it described as the dictates of sanction-based diplomacy.

  • NOW takes anti-violence message into communities

    NOW takes anti-violence message into communities

    Barbadian civil society organizations are intensifying efforts to address gender-based violence following the country’s downgrade in the United States’ human trafficking report. The National Organisation of Women (NOW) launched a community outreach initiative during the 16 Days of Activism campaign, bringing critical resources directly to vulnerable populations.

    Recent findings from a national intimate partner violence survey conducted by Jabez House reveal that 62% of Barbadian women have experienced some form of gender-based violence. This alarming statistic has prompted urgent action from advocacy groups and government agencies alike.

    NOW President Melissa Savoury-Gittens emphasized the strategic importance of their mobile outreach program. “Many victims suffer in silence because they lack access to proper guidance,” she stated. “Our motorcade creates visible contact points where trained practitioners can offer immediate assistance and connect individuals with essential services.”

    This year’s campaign specifically highlights the growing threat of digital violence, an emerging concern that Savoury-Gittens believes requires immediate attention. “While physical violence remains prevalent, digital abuse is escalating rapidly with technological advancements, including AI. This exposure reveals significant gaps in our legal protections and support systems.”

    William Warner, Director of the Gender Affairs Unit, confirmed that modernization of Barbados’ response to online harm is underway. “Awareness-building remains our immediate priority,” Warner noted. “We’re planning comprehensive school sensitization programs to help young people recognize early warning signs of both physical and digital abuse.”

    Regarding available resources, Warner outlined current support mechanisms including counseling services and vocational training through the Bureau of Gender Affairs. However, he acknowledged that legislative improvements and criminal justice access require further development.

    The NOW motorcade traveled through multiple communities including Warrens, Cheapside, and Golden Square, with practitioners engaging residents and distributing information about support services. Advocates emphasized the importance of recognizing subtle exploitation patterns that often go unnoticed.

    While the 16 Days of Activism provides crucial visibility, Savoury-Gittens stressed that sustained effort is essential. “Meaningful change requires continuous committee work, strengthened partnerships, and legislative advocacy beyond awareness campaigns. Only through persistent action can we ensure lasting safety for all Barbadians.”

  • Man Shot Dead Inside Home in Orange Walk

    Man Shot Dead Inside Home in Orange Walk

    Orange Walk Town was shaken by a violent homicide in the early hours of Sunday morning, December 7, 2025. Local authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the shooting death of 45-year-old Beris Neemaya Anglin, who was found murdered inside his residence on Progress Street.

    Police units responded to distress calls reporting multiple gunshots at approximately 12:30 a.m. Upon arrival at a white concrete dwelling, officers discovered Anglin’s body lying face down in an extensive pool of blood. The victim had sustained severe gunshot wounds across multiple regions of his body.

    The grim discovery was made by Anglin’s common-law wife, who had just returned from her workplace to encounter the horrific scene. Crime scene investigators documented seven distinct gunshot injuries, including wounds to the facial area, abdomen, right shoulder, back, left foot, and right hand.

    Forensic teams collected substantial evidence from the premises, including multiple discharged 9mm cartridge casings and projectiles. Preliminary reports from neighborhood residents indicate the initial gunfire may have occurred around 11:00 p.m. on Saturday night, suggesting the perpetrator(s) may have remained at the location for some time before fleeing.

    Local law enforcement has intensified patrols in the Orange Walk area while pursuing active leads in this brutal homicide case. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to identify potential suspects and establish a motive for this targeted attack.

  • Saint Lucian athletes level up

    Saint Lucian athletes level up

    In a groundbreaking initiative for Caribbean sports development, twenty-three emerging athletes from Saint Lucia recently completed an intensive career transformation workshop conducted by the Saint Lucia Athletes Commission (SLAC). The program, strategically titled “Power Up Your Future,” was expertly facilitated by Hazel Ann Regis-Buckels, a distinguished two-time Olympian from Grenada and current chair of the Grenada Athletes Commission.

    The comprehensive two-day curriculum, held at Olympic House in La Clery during late November, represented SLAC’s final programming effort for 2025. Day one immersed participants in profound self-discovery exercises across four transformative sessions: Strengths and Values, Interests and Skills, Passion and Impact, and Purpose and Planning. This introspective approach enabled athletes to identify their unique capabilities beyond athletic performance.

    Day two shifted to practical application with an intensive module on “Writing a Winning CV/Résumé.” Regis-Buckels guided athletes through crafting compelling professional documents that effectively showcase their transferable skills, character attributes, competitive experience, and achievement history. She emphasized that “a résumé serves as a persuasive marketing tool to position athletes for success outside competitive sports.”

    The workshop facilitator brought exceptional credibility to the program as both a decorated athlete and certified educator. Regis-Buckels had previously captured gold for Grenada at the 2000 CARIFTA Games and Central American Caribbean Under-20 Championships in the 400m event. She now serves as an official educator with the International Olympic Committee’s Athlete 365 Career+ Programme.

    Reflecting on the workshop’s philosophical foundation, Regis-Buckels explained: “We focused initially on self-discovery because athletes typically concentrate intensely on performance and competition without pausing to contemplate what follows. This workshop helped participants identify their superpowers—understanding their strengths, values, motivators, and transferable skills.”

    She highlighted the critical importance of early preparation: “Recognizing these inner strengths now ensures that when athletes transition—whether through retirement or advancement—they can leverage these skills to secure ideal opportunities. Most crucially, they must understand their personal values and identify organizations that align with those principles.”

    Makeba Alcide, SLAC Chair and former elite track athlete turned sports administrator, declared the workshop an essential initiative for Saint Lucia’s athletic community. “This was a program that urgently needed implementation,” Alcide stated. “Hazel proved an exceptional facilitator, and participant engagement exceeded expectations. Attracting over twenty athletes carried significant meaning for our development goals.”

    Alcide emphasized the program’s broader vision: “Not every athlete sustains long-term sports careers, making alternative pathways imperative. We discovered participants with talents in artistry and entrepreneurship—all at remarkably young ages. Honing these abilities helps them develop personal brands beyond athletics. Personally, I’m committed to providing opportunities I never received during my competitive career.”

    Despite demanding schedules—six hours on day one and four on day two—athletes maintained remarkable engagement throughout. Initial hesitations transformed into profound appreciation for self-understanding and future planning. This workshop marked Regis-Buckels’ second regional facilitation following Grenada, with Trinidad scheduled for December implementation.

    The success underscores the growing collaboration between Athletes Commission Chairs, National Federations, and athletes themselves to maximize newly available resources. Alcide confirmed that Career+ workshops will continue through 2026 alongside athlete development initiatives, coach training programs, and national forums, ensuring sustainable support for Caribbean athletic career transitions.

  • Chinese Army denounces Japanese interference in military drills

    Chinese Army denounces Japanese interference in military drills

    The Chinese military has issued a formal condemnation of Japan’s actions during recent naval exercises in the Western Pacific. Navy spokesperson Colonel Wang Xuemeng revealed that Japanese aircraft repeatedly intruded into designated training airspace despite prior notification of the drills.

    Colonel Wang emphasized that all operations conducted by the Liaoning aircraft carrier strike group were fully compliant with international maritime laws and regulations. The spokesperson characterized Japan’s aerial intrusions as creating significant safety hazards that disrupted normal training operations and compromised flight safety for Chinese naval forces.

    In strong diplomatic language, the Chinese military representative dismissed Japanese accusations as fundamentally disconnected from factual reality. The spokesperson explicitly demanded that Tokyo immediately cease what China characterizes as baseless slander and provocative actions in international airspace.

    The naval official concluded with a firm warning that China reserves the right to take all necessary legal measures to protect its national security and defend its legitimate rights in accordance with international law. This statement represents the latest escalation in ongoing tensions between the two Pacific powers regarding military activities in strategically important waterways.

  • US Peace Plan for Ukraine needs radical changes

    US Peace Plan for Ukraine needs radical changes

    Russian Presidential Advisor Yuri Ushakov has indicated that ongoing diplomatic discussions with the United States require substantial revisions to American proposals, describing the necessary changes as “radical” in nature. In an interview with Rossiya 1 television journalist Pavel Zarubin, Ushakov revealed that American documents presented during negotiations “are constantly changing and being prepared,” suggesting a fluid negotiation process.

    The high-ranking Kremlin official reported improved bilateral understanding following the recent Moscow visit of US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. “Undoubtedly, now the Americans better understand the logic of our position,” Ushakov asserted, indicating a potential shift in diplomatic alignment between the two nations.

    Regarding the possibility of a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, Ushakov clarified that this specific topic remained outside recent discussion parameters. “That specific topic wasn’t even discussed,” the presidential advisor noted, dampening speculation about an imminent leadership meeting.

    The diplomatic exchanges occurred during a December 2 meeting at the Kremlin where President Putin received both Special Envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and founder of Affinity Partners. These discussions centered on the White House’s peace proposal for Ukraine, which reportedly divides 27 negotiation points into four distinct packages for separate consideration.

    Ushakov characterized the Kremlin talks as “very substantive” and confirmed that contacts between Russia and the United States would continue. Notably, the advisor highlighted that Russia’s military achievements in conflict zones have positively influenced both the progression and character of the negotiations, suggesting battlefield developments directly impact diplomatic leverage.

  • Salvadorans express solidarity with Cuba

    Salvadorans express solidarity with Cuba

    In a powerful demonstration of international solidarity, the July 26 Friends Group convened its sixth national gathering in Usulután, El Salvador, drawing nearly 200 participants from across the Central American nation. The organization, which maintains a special facility in Cuban territory dedicated to supporting war veterans and disabled former combatants, organized what activist Raúl Martínez characterized as a profound ‘friendship and brotherhood’ assembly.

    The meeting served as a platform to express unwavering support for both the Cuban people and their government amidst ongoing economic challenges. Participants unanimously condemned the longstanding United States economic embargo against Cuba, identifying its termination as a primary objective of their collective advocacy efforts.

    In a tangible display of their commitment, attendees organized a fundraising initiative specifically designed to alleviate some of the hardships faced by Cuban citizens resulting from the comprehensive trade restrictions. This financial campaign represents the latest in a series of efforts by Salvadoran social organizations to provide material assistance to the Caribbean nation.

    The July 26 Friends Group takes its name from the date of Fidel Castro’s 1953 attack on the Moncada Barracks, a seminal event in the Cuban Revolution. The organization has maintained consistent ties with Cuban institutions for decades, particularly through its specialized care facility for military veterans on the island.

  • Woman Guilty of Meat-Cleaver Attack on Retired Teacher

    Woman Guilty of Meat-Cleaver Attack on Retired Teacher

    A woman has been convicted of wounding with intent following a violent late-night assault on a retired teacher using a meat cleaver. Veyella Peters, in her early 30s, was found guilty in a judge-only trial for the November 28, 2023 attack that left the victim with severe injuries.

    The court proceedings revealed that the two individuals initially met on a bus and subsequently developed an intimate relationship, leading Peters to move into the man’s residence. The situation deteriorated when the victim secured employment at a Christian school and informed Peters she would need to vacate the premises. When she failed to leave voluntarily, he resorted to removing the door to her room.

    According to testimony, the victim awoke to find Peters on top of him before realizing he was bleeding profusely from deep lacerations to his neck and face. Medical evidence presented in court indicated the wounds measured approximately 3cm deep, requiring what a physician described as “severe force” to inflict. During the subsequent struggle, the victim sustained additional injuries while Peters allegedly prevented him from seeking medical attention and falsely claimed to have contacted emergency services.

    Peters provided a contradictory narrative, asserting that the man had previously been her schoolteacher and had behaved inappropriately. She claimed self-defense, stating she had returned home to discover her bedroom door forced open. However, the presiding judge found the victim’s account credible while noting significant inconsistencies in Peters’ testimony, ultimately rejecting her self-defense argument.

    The convicted assailant is scheduled for sentencing on January 30, 2025, where the court will determine appropriate consequences for the grievous assault.

  • Barbados’ diplomat remembers Cuba-CARICOM anniversary

    Barbados’ diplomat remembers Cuba-CARICOM anniversary

    CARICOM member states are preparing to mark a significant anniversary this December 8, celebrating what diplomatic officials characterize as one of the most courageous foreign policy decisions in Caribbean history. The commemoration honors the landmark 1972 joint declaration that defied hemispheric isolation policies against Cuba.

    Ambassador David Comissiong, in a recent social media statement, emphasized that the upcoming observance revitalizes the spirit of the historic October 1972 proclamation. During that pivotal Conference of Heads of Government in Chaguaramas, the prime ministers of four newly independent Caribbean nations—Barbados’ Errol Barrow, Jamaica’s Michael Manley, Trinidad and Tobago’s Eric Williams, and Guyana’s Forbes Burnham—collectively announced their sovereign decision to establish diplomatic relations with Cuba.

    This bold move, described by historians as ‘speaking truth to power,’ represented a direct challenge to the Organization of American States (OAS)-led isolation regime imposed on Cuba. The four youngest independent states in the Western Hemisphere demonstrated remarkable diplomatic autonomy by rejecting external pressures and asserting their right to independent foreign policy.

    The 1972 declaration explicitly affirmed the nations’ ‘sovereign right to establish relations with any other sovereign state’ and articulated their determination to ‘achieve meaningful and comprehensive economic cooperation among all Caribbean countries.’ This principle of regional cooperation and non-alignment continues to inform CARICOM’s foreign policy approach today.

    Ambassador Comissiong recalled Prime Minister Barrow’s seminal 1973 speech in Toronto, where the Barbadian leader declared that the decision ‘demonstrates that developing nations can take initiative. We cannot stand idly by in the Caribbean and expect our strategy to be dictated by the prejudices of people in other countries.’ This statement encapsulated the assertion of Caribbean agency in international relations that continues to resonate through regional diplomacy.