Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – A 19-year-old French national was apprehended at Las Américas International Airport (AILA-JFPG) following the discovery of ingested cocaine. The arrest was executed by the National Directorate of Drug Control (DNCD) and the Specialized Airport Security Corps (CESAC) during a coordinated inspection with the Public Ministry. After standard immigration protocols, anomalies were detected in his digestive system. He was subsequently transported to the Central Hospital of the Armed Forces, where he expelled 141 small latex-wrapped packets of cocaine, weighing a total of 1.06 kilograms, as confirmed by the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF). The individual is now under the custody of the Santo Domingo Public Prosecutor’s Office and will be prosecuted under Law 50-88, which governs drugs and controlled substances. Authorities are delving deeper into the case, suspecting it to be part of an extensive international drug trafficking network that employs ‘mules’ from various countries to transport narcotics to the United States and Europe.
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Trump shift could limit access to IMF, World Bank funds, expert warns
Caribbean nations may soon encounter heightened challenges in accessing financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, as the Trump administration pushes for a shift away from funding climate resilience and social development initiatives. This warning was issued by Professor Don Marshall, Director of the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES) at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, during his analysis of recent reforms proposed by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
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Security: Monitoring of the latest targeted operations of the GSF (ex MSS)
In a concerted effort to combat gang violence and restore public safety, Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force (GSF), alongside the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Haitian Armed Forces (FAD’H), has executed a series of targeted operations across key regions. Over the past week, the GSF focused on clearing the Petite-Rivière–Liancourt–Pont Sondé route in the Artibonite Department, ensuring the safe transportation of PNH officers and essential supplies to St. Marc. These actions aim to bolster security in the area and protect local communities from gang-related threats. A significant operation took place on October 17, 2025, from 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM, during which the joint forces successfully cleared the main road between Pont Sondé and Verret. Despite resistance from the Gran-Griff gang, which included barricades, trenches, and Molotov cocktail attacks, the GSF and PNH units neutralized the threats and secured the delivery of armored vehicles to local police stations. These vehicles are expected to significantly enhance the region’s security infrastructure. The GSF also refuted false social media claims regarding the death of a Kenyan officer during the operation, expressing gratitude for the Haitian population’s cooperation. In Port-au-Prince, joint patrols continued across multiple neighborhoods, including Kenscoff, Downtown, and the airport area, with objectives ranging from intelligence-led counter-gang operations to securing critical infrastructure and combating arms trafficking. The GSF praised the dedication of its officers, emphasizing their commitment to restoring peace and stability in Haiti.
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Tsang: Strijd tegen corruptie is ook een strijd van licht tegen duisternis
During the Divali celebration at the Kwatta Sports Complex, Minister Stephen Tsang of Public Works & Spatial Planning delivered a powerful message on behalf of President Jennifer Simons, emphasizing the government’s unwavering resolve to eradicate the ‘darkness of corruption and fraud.’ Drawing parallels between the festival’s symbolism of light overcoming darkness and the administration’s fight for justice and transparency, Tsang declared, ‘We will dispel this darkness with the bright light of accountability.’
The event, marked by vibrant festivities, included two Divali processions along the Kwattaweg, culminating at the sports complex. Attendees were treated to spectacular fireworks, live music, and a vegetarian feast, creating a festive atmosphere. Tsang underscored the broader significance of Divali, stating that its light could illuminate not only homes but also national governance, provided there is collective political and societal will.
Addressing the deep-rooted issue of corruption, Tsang acknowledged the government’s relentless efforts to revitalize the economy, public services, and state institutions. However, he stressed that success hinges on the active participation of every Surinamese citizen, calling for responsibility and love for the country. He also issued a cautionary note on the fragility of national unity, warning against the rising polarization in the multi-ethnic, multicultural, and multi-religious society.
Concluding his speech, Tsang invoked a quote from former minister Soewarto Moestadja: ‘It is time to move from unity in diversity to diversity in unity,’ urging a collective commitment to harmony and progress.
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Man slain in highway gun attack, second killing in 24 hours
Barbados has been shaken by two fatal shootings within 24 hours, pushing the island’s annual murder count to 38. The most recent incident occurred on the ABC Highway at St Barnabas, St Michael, where a man was fatally shot during an altercation near the pedestrian crossing at the junction with Mount Friendship Road. Police reported that the shooting took place around 10:45 am, and the victim, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds, was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital but later succumbed to his injuries. The deceased has been identified as 20-year-old Shaquan Renaldo Chandler-Wray, a resident of Mount Friendship, St Michael.
This tragedy follows another fatal altercation on Sunday afternoon in Graeme Hall, Christ Church, where a man died after a violent confrontation. Authorities have launched a full investigation into the latest incident, with Acting Inspector Ryan Brathwaite urging witnesses or anyone with information to contact CrimeStoppers or the local police. At the scene, law enforcement officers and members of the Barbados Defence Force were seen securing the area, which lies near St Barnabas Anglican Church.
The back-to-back incidents have raised concerns about public safety and escalating violence on the island. Inspector Brathwaite emphasized the importance of community cooperation in solving these crimes, calling on residents to come forward with any relevant details.
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King presents first term report card
Retired educator and incumbent MP Curtis King has outlined his accomplishments and future initiatives as he campaigns for re-election in West St. George. Speaking at a Unity Labour Party (ULP) rally in Calliaqua, King emphasized his commitment to community development and education. Among his key achievements, he highlighted the allocation of land to residents of Upper Queens Drive at a nominal rate of 50 cents per square foot, addressing a decades-long issue. He also transformed the Gomea mineral spring into a community-integrated project, fostering small business opportunities. King’s focus on education was evident in the establishment of a food preparation laboratory at West St. George Secondary School, aimed at equipping youth with skills for the expanding tourism sector. Additionally, he underscored ongoing infrastructure projects, including the construction of a hospital in Arnos Vale and upgrades to the Belair Health Clinic. King also celebrated the recent lighting of the Arnos Vale Playing Field, a long-awaited development for sports enthusiasts. Looking ahead, he pledged to continue advancing projects like the Daphine and Dorsetshire Playing Fields. King concluded by urging voters to register and support the ULP, emphasizing the party’s vision to elevate St. Vincent and the Grenadines to first-world standards.
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Mother and Son Perish in Alleged Arson Attack in San Felipe
A devastating arson attack in San Felipe Village, Orange Walk, has left a community in mourning after a mother and her young son perished in a house fire early Monday morning. Thirty-five-year-old Angelita Magaña and her six-year-old son, Tishan Godoy, were among four individuals asleep in the home when the blaze erupted. Angelita’s daughter and her common-law husband, Miguel Novelo, narrowly escaped, but Angelita and Tishan tragically did not survive. Authorities have identified the prime suspect as Angelita’s former common-law husband, Francisco Godoy, who was found injured at the scene and is now in police custody. Godoy had recently been released from custody after serving time for domestic violence charges against Angelita. Neighbors recounted the harrowing moments as flames engulfed the home, with one individual, Leon, hailed as a hero for saving Angelita’s daughter. The Ministry of Public Service, Governance, and Disaster Risk Management has extended condolences to the family, while the community rallies to support funeral expenses and medical care for the injured daughter. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
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Santa Elena Man Found Shot, Dies Hours Later
In the early hours of Sunday, October 12, 2025, police officers patrolling the Bradley Bank area in Santa Elena discovered a man lying in the street with severe head injuries. The victim, identified as 42-year-old Shawn Hertular, was immediately transported to San Ignacio Hospital for emergency treatment. Despite medical efforts, Hertular succumbed to his injuries hours later. A postmortem examination confirmed that he died from a gunshot wound, marking another tragic chapter in a life marred by violence. Hertular had a notorious criminal history, including a 2024 acquittal for the 2021 murder of Miguel Zaiden, a Belize City resident who was stabbed multiple times while attempting to flee on his motorcycle. Prior to that, Hertular had served a 20-year prison sentence for another homicide. Authorities have now identified a person of interest in connection with his death, and the investigation remains ongoing.
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Life Sentence Challenged in Tamales Vendor’s Murder Case
In a case that sent shockwaves across Belize in 2018, the brutal murder of 68-year-old Martha Gonzales, a dedicated tamales vendor, has resurfaced in the legal spotlight. Gonzales, who traveled daily from Orange Walk to Pomona Valley in Stann Creek to sell tamales, cheese, and clothing, met a tragic end during one of her routine trips. Her body was discovered in a latrine on the property of Christopher Bradley, then 21 years old. Investigators revealed that Gonzales had been stabbed in the chest, wrapped in a tarp, and concealed in the latrine. The case took a chilling turn when Bradley allegedly took her bucket of tamales home, fed his mother, and gifted Gonzales’ chain to his girlfriend. In 2021, Bradley was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole for 28 years. However, he has now returned to court, appealing both his conviction and sentence. His defense attorney contends that critical evidence, including the chain and blood found at Bradley’s residence, should have been excluded. The prosecution, on the other hand, maintains that the evidence was robust and the sentence justified. A panel of three judges heard arguments today, and the outcome of this high-profile appeal remains pending.
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FLASH : «The battle will go to the end» says the leader of the Bel-Air gang
Kempès Sanon, the 46-year-old leader of the Bel-Air armed gang, one of Haiti’s most notorious and violent groups, has vowed to continue the fight against the Haitian system until it is overthrown. In a recent interview with EFE, the world’s largest Spanish news agency, Sanon declared, “The battle will go to the end. Even if they launch drones at us, the battle will not stop.” The Bel-Air gang, part of the “Viv Ansanm” terrorist coalition led by former police officer Jimmy Chérizier (aka “Barbecue”), has been accused of numerous attacks on public institutions and civilians. The United States recently sanctioned Sanon and Chérizier, with a $5 million reward offered for the latter’s capture. Sanon accused the U.S., Canada, and France of undermining Haiti’s interests, claiming their actions have perpetuated the country’s insecurity and poverty. He argued that the gangs’ fight aims to bring about change and development, asserting that the Haitian state has failed its people. Sanon also criticized the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT), labeling its members as “thieves” who exploit insecurity for personal gain and prolonged power.