The Immigration Department of Antigua and Barbuda is set to organize a community engagement session tailored for the Hispanic community on Friday, October 24, at 5:00 p.m. The event will take place at the Multipurpose Cultural Centre, offering an interactive platform to discuss residency and citizenship procedures in the country. Chief Immigration Officer Ms. Katrina Yearwood, alongside other senior immigration officials, will lead the presentations, providing detailed guidance and addressing queries from participants. The Hon. Sir Steadroy Benjamin, Attorney General and Minister responsible for Immigration, will also deliver a speech, highlighting the government’s dedication to fostering inclusivity and maintaining open communication with all resident communities. This initiative is a joint effort between the Embassy and Consulate of the Dominican Republic and the Antigua and Barbuda Immigration Department, designed to enhance bilateral relations and improve awareness of immigration processes within the Hispanic community.
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National Parks and the Ministry of Agriculture Conducted Gardening and Landscaping Training
In a bid to bolster sustainable landscaping and plant care practices, the National Parks Authority and Grounds Department recently hosted a comprehensive gardening and landscaping training workshop. This initiative, conducted in partnership with the Plant Protection Unit and the Forestry Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, took place on October 21 and 22, 2023. To ensure maximum participation, the workshop was repeated on the second day to accommodate different employee groups.
The training was spearheaded by Mrs. Camellia Wallace-Tonge and Mr. Sebastian Cochrane from the Forestry Department, alongside Mr. Jahmol Colbourne of the Plant Protection Unit. Mrs. Wallace-Tonge led sessions on botanical and propagation techniques, emphasizing plant taxonomy, identification, and the critical role of species selection in landscaping. Mr. Cochrane provided hands-on demonstrations of grafting and air layering, essential methods for enhancing plant survival and reproduction.
Mr. Colbourne’s segment focused on pest and disease management, addressing common plant pests, invasive species, and practical control strategies. He stressed the importance of prioritizing natural pesticides, biological controls, and pest trapping over chemical solutions, which can harm beneficial insects like ladybugs. Participants were also trained in the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize chemical exposure and mitigate long-term health risks.
Additional discussions explored the cost-effectiveness of organic versus synthetic fertilizers, with organic options proving more sustainable by improving soil health and supporting multiple crop cycles. The training also highlighted the importance of cleanliness and monitoring to prevent pest spread, recommending immediate removal and burning of severely infected plants to curb disease transmission.
This collaborative effort underscores a broader commitment to enhancing landscape management practices across government departments while fostering inter-agency cooperation and environmental stewardship.
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ASONAHORES: Labor Ministry restricts restaurant operations to deliveries amid Storm Melissa
In response to the escalating threat posed by Tropical Storm Melissa, the Dominican Republic has enacted stringent operational restrictions across multiple sectors. The National Association of Hotels and Restaurants (ASONAHORES) has confirmed that restaurants in provinces under red alert will be limited to delivery services only, with dine-in facilities closed to the public. This decision follows directives issued by the Ministry of Labor aimed at ensuring public safety during the storm. Additionally, shopping malls will only permit the operation of essential services such as supermarkets, pharmacies, and commercial banks, while all other businesses must remain shuttered until weather conditions stabilize. Government authorities have underscored the critical importance of adhering to these measures, reiterating that safeguarding human life is their foremost priority. Citizens and businesses are encouraged to stay updated through official channels, including the Emergency Operations Center (COE), as the nation continues to grapple with the storm’s impact.
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Armed Forces on maximum alert as Storm Melissa hits the country
The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Defense (MIDE) has declared a state of maximum alert for the nation’s Armed Forces in response to the imminent threat posed by Tropical Storm Melissa. Specialized military units have been strategically positioned to execute search and rescue operations, evacuations, and humanitarian missions across the country. In close collaboration with the Emergency Operations Center (COE), rapid response teams from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Specialized Corps for Security and Disaster Mitigation (CESMED) have been activated to safeguard lives and assist communities grappling with torrential rains and powerful winds. All military personnel remain on standby, prepared to deploy swiftly to areas most vulnerable to the storm’s impact. The Dominican Air Force has also mobilized its air fleet, which includes AgustaWestland AW169, Bell UH-1H II, OH-58 Kiowa helicopters, and CASA C-212 aircraft. These assets are equipped to conduct rescue missions, medical evacuations, and humanitarian transport, even under challenging weather conditions.
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Dominican Consulate in Barcelona joins global leaders at World in Progress 2025
Barcelona, Madrid – The Consulate General of the Dominican Republic in Barcelona played a pivotal role at the World in Progress Barcelona (WIP) 2025, an international forum orchestrated by the Prisa Group. This prestigious event convened political, diplomatic, academic, and business luminaries, including Spain’s King Felipe VI, to deliberate on pressing global challenges and sustainable solutions. Now in its second iteration, WIP Barcelona has emerged as a crucial platform for addressing geopolitical, energy, social, and environmental issues that are shaping the future of Europe and Latin America. Antonio Gómez, the Dominican Consul General, underscored the nation’s unwavering commitment to bolstering its diplomatic presence and forging strategic alliances. He highlighted that participation in such forums underscores the Dominican Republic’s steadfast dedication to democracy, cooperation, and sustainable development. The forum featured an impressive lineup of speakers, including European Commission Vice President Teresa Ribera, Josep Borrell, Matteo Renzi, Édouard Philippe, and Juan Manuel Santos, among others. The discussions spanned a wide array of topics, from energy transition and governance to inequality, organized crime, and the formulation of new social contracts. The presence of high-ranking officials from both Europe and the Americas solidified WIP Barcelona’s status as one of the most significant global events fostering cross-regional collaboration and policy dialogue.
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Sportcentrum SOSIS opnieuw opengesteld voor publiek; JOS neemt beheer terug
The Willebrod Axwijk Sports and Youth Center, commonly known as SOSIS, located at the intersection of Coesewijne and Marowijne streets, has officially reopened to the public. The Ministry of Youth Development and Sports (JOS) has reclaimed management of the complex after its gates were previously blocked by third parties. Through a bailiff’s writ, the Florentina Vyent Foundation was ordered to immediately cease all management activities, open the gates, and remove all illegally constructed structures on the SOSIS premises within five days. The foundation cited a contract signed under the previous administration, but the current ministry leadership claims that several terms of the agreement were not upheld. In the public interest and in alignment with government objectives for sports development, JOS decided to terminate the earlier contract, stating that it did not serve the broader sports community and hindered free public access to the complex. The ministry has begun assessing the sports facilities within the SOSIS complex to ensure safety and usability. For now, the center remains closed to the public during evening hours pending further safety and management measures. This move underscores the ministry’s commitment to keeping state-owned sports infrastructure accessible to all citizens, particularly the youth, for whom sports and physical activity are vital for development and community cohesion. The ministry has urged all sports clubs and organizations using SOSIS facilities to register with the director’s office via phone at 472872 or email at dirsportsenj@gmail.com.
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Eco-Atlantic says Hammerhead may fuel heavy oil build out offshore Guyana
Eco Atlantic Oil & Gas has indicated that the recent sanctioning of the Hammerhead project by ExxonMobil could pave the way for significant heavy oil development offshore Guyana. The US$6.8 billion seventh phase of the Stabroek block has demonstrated the economic viability of heavy oil extraction, according to Eco Atlantic’s President and CEO, Gil Holzman. In an interview, Holzman emphasized that this development has prompted a reevaluation of the Jethro-1 discovery, which holds an estimated 1 billion barrels of oil, located in the neighboring Orinduik block where Eco Atlantic holds a 100% working interest. The company is now in discussions with the Guyanese government to potentially revisit the non-commercialization notice issued by Tullow, the previous operator of Orinduik. Holzman also noted that the extended farmout process for Orinduik was influenced by the shift in focus from light Cretaceous oil to heavy oil development. Additionally, Eco Atlantic maintains a stake in the Canje block, which borders Stabroek, further solidifying its presence in Guyana’s burgeoning oil sector.
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DLP crime commission: Barbados ‘ripe for a full reset’
Barbados is grappling with a profound social crisis, as highlighted by Verla De Peiza, Chair of the Democratic Labour Party’s Crime Commission. Recent police data revealing hundreds of young people charged with serious crimes underscores the urgency of the situation. De Peiza emphasized that the island nation is ‘ripe for a full reset’ to address these systemic issues.
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Column: De digitale vuilnisbelt van de politiek
Social media platforms are increasingly flooded with so-called news sites that peddle opinions and political propaganda under the guise of journalism. These platforms, often masquerading as legitimate online news outlets, lack any journalistic foundation. They are the digital weeds in the political garbage dump: noisy, toxic, and deadly to the quality of public discourse. These sites proliferate across Facebook, TikTok, and WhatsApp, spreading not news but misinformation—deception packaged as information. They operate without editorial oversight, physical addresses, or identifiable authors, ensuring no one is held accountable for their content. To appear credible, they occasionally mix in ‘normal’ news stories, but their primary output is an endless stream of politically biased, strategically driven opinions. Their goal is not to inform but to infect. Behind the scenes, shadowy groups pull the strings—political actors sowing chaos, promoting division (often along ethnic lines), and eroding public trust in legitimate media. Their fake news consists of fabricated quotes, doctored photos, outdated images presented as current, and so-called ‘revelatory’ stories without a single verifiable source. Their message is like poison in honey: enticing but deadly to public trust. The societal damage is immense. Misinformation undermines the foundation of democracy, replacing dialogue with polarization and threatening to drown honest journalism in a sea of lies. Facts are manipulated, emotions are exaggerated, and citizens can no longer discern truth from falsehood. What appears to be freedom of expression is, in reality, organized deception. Combating this digital pollution requires decisive action—not censorship, but accountability. It falls to genuine media and professional journalism to expose these ghost platforms and arm the public against their influence. This is not about limiting freedom but protecting it. Freedom of speech and press freedom are enshrined in constitutions and international treaties like the BUPO Convention and the Inter-American Convention on Human Rights. However, freedom is never absolute; it exists within the boundaries of truth, responsibility, and ethics. Dutch scholar H.A. Visser, in his research on the future of journalism, argues that true press freedom can only be guaranteed by independent editorial teams operating within professional and moral frameworks. This is the line between freedom and abuse. What is urgently needed now is transparency: a public list or index of accredited news media that adhere to verifiable sources, editorial responsibility, and journalistic codes. Those who operate outside these standards do not belong in journalism. Real journalism demands time, effort, and professionalism—dedication, integrity, and accountability. Fake news costs nothing but the trust of society. Society itself also has a role to play. Citizens must relearn what news is, who produces it, and what standards it should meet. They should scrutinize publishers, check sources, and avoid sites that scream, accuse, or incite without ever correcting themselves. Freedom of expression is not a license for chaos. For those who poison the news, poison democracy.
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The OECS and Direct Relief Strengthen Vector Control and Surveillance in Antigua and Barbuda
In a landmark initiative to bolster national health systems, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission, supported by the Direct Relief-funded Enhancing Health Infrastructure and Resilience (EHIR) project, delivered critical resources to the Ministry of Health of Antigua and Barbuda on August 29th, 2025. The donation included two vehicles, thirty laptops, and ten tablets, aimed at enhancing vector control and epidemiological surveillance efforts. These resources are expected to significantly improve the Ministry’s capacity to monitor disease trends, coordinate rapid responses, and implement targeted interventions to curb the spread of vector-borne and communicable diseases. The vehicles will provide essential mobility for health teams in field operations, while the laptops and tablets will streamline data collection, analysis, and reporting for surveillance programs. The handover ceremony, held at the Ministry’s headquarters, was attended by key officials, including the Minister of Health, Sir Molwyn Joseph, and senior representatives from the OECS Commission. Sir Molwyn Joseph highlighted the growing impact of climate change on the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses and stressed the importance of continued vigilance. He expressed profound gratitude to the OECS, Direct Relief, and PAHO for their partnership, emphasizing the power of solidarity in addressing public health challenges. Dr Roxanne Brizan-St. Martin, Programme Director for Health, Social Inclusion, and Social Protection at the OECS Commission, underscored the project’s alignment with OECS Strategic Priority 4, which focuses on building resilience by strengthening communities, systems, infrastructure, and people. She framed the event as a celebration of collaborative solutions and regional cooperation, stating, ‘A victory for one is indeed a victory for all.’ This initiative underscores the OECS Commission’s commitment to fostering resilience and improving health outcomes across the region.