标签： Antigua and Barbuda

In a swift response to the devastating impact of a recent hurricane, the United Kingdom has organized a critical relief shipment from Antigua to support Jamaica. The initiative underscores the UK’s commitment to assisting Commonwealth nations during natural disasters. The relief package includes essential supplies such as food, water, medical equipment, and temporary shelter materials, aimed at addressing the immediate needs of affected communities. The operation was coordinated through the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), in collaboration with regional partners. This effort highlights the importance of international cooperation in disaster response and the UK’s role as a key player in humanitarian aid. The shipment is expected to arrive in Jamaica within days, providing much-needed assistance to those impacted by the hurricane.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic impact on Jamaica, a UK support team stationed in Antigua and Barbuda has taken swift action to coordinate the delivery of emergency supplies to the devastated island nation. Spearheaded by Resident British Commissioner John Hamilton, the team has collaborated with the Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority to transport essential relief goods from Deep Water Harbour to V.C. Bird International Airport, where they will be airlifted to Kingston. This initiative is part of the UK’s broader regional response to aid both British nationals and Jamaica’s recovery efforts. Hamilton emphasized the UK’s unwavering commitment to the Caribbean during crises, stating, ‘The scale of damage in Jamaica is heartbreaking. We’re ensuring vital supplies — water, food, medical kits, and temporary shelters — reach those most in need.’ Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, unleashed winds exceeding 190 miles per hour when it struck Jamaica on Tuesday, resulting in widespread flooding, destruction, and significant loss of life. The parishes of St. Elizabeth, Manchester, and Clarendon bore the brunt of the devastation, with at least three fatalities reported and numerous injuries and displacements. Jamaican authorities have designated several areas as disaster zones as recovery operations persist. The Jamaica Defence Force, alongside volunteers and international partners such as CARICOM, the UK, and USAID, are actively supporting relief efforts. Hamilton reaffirmed the UK’s dedication, pledging continued assistance ‘for as long as necessary’ to facilitate regional recovery.

Leroy King, the former head of Antigua and Barbuda’s Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC), has passed away at the age of 80 while serving a U.S. prison sentence. The exact circumstances of his death—whether it occurred in prison or at a hospital—remain unclear, but authorities have confirmed that it took place during his incarceration. King, who held dual citizenship in Antigua and the United States, was extradited to the U.S. in 2019 after nearly a decade of legal battles to avoid extradition. He later pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction of justice for his role in concealing information from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) during its investigation into financier Allen Stanford’s $7 billion investment fraud. As the FSRC chief from 2002, King oversaw the operations of Stanford International Bank in Antigua. Prosecutors revealed that he accepted over $520,000 in bribes, gifts, and trips in exchange for shielding Stanford’s fraudulent activities. Stanford himself was convicted in 2012 and sentenced to 110 years in prison for orchestrating a massive Ponzi scheme, while several of his associates received prison terms ranging from three to 20 years.