标签： Dominica

Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has issued a stark warning about the future of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), stating that the regional bloc risks imploding if leaders continue to interfere in the domestic affairs of member states. Her comments came in response to allegations made by St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, who accused financiers of Trinidad’s ruling United National Congress (UNC) of funding the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) ahead of the November 27 general elections in Kingstown. Gonsalves claimed that UNC operatives were actively involved in St Vincent, motivated by access to lands and economic opportunities. Persad-Bissessar vehemently denied the allegations, calling them baseless and challenging Gonsalves to provide evidence or cease what she described as ‘gaslighting’ his citizens. She also highlighted ongoing investigations into how members of Gonsalves’ family acquired luxury apartments in Trinidad, questioning the legality of the transactions. The controversy has exacerbated tensions between the two nations, with Trinidad’s Housing Minister Anil Roberts suggesting the matter be referred to the police. Gonsalves defended his family, asserting that they followed proper procedures and received no special treatment. Persad-Bissessar, however, broadened her critique, emphasizing that CARICOM’s credibility is at stake if leaders persist in meddling in each other’s politics. She stressed that the choice of leadership in any member state should be left to its people, warning that continued interference could lead to the bloc’s collapse.

The United Workers Party (UWP) is set to hold its 10th Town Hall Meeting today in Roseau Central, Dominica. The event will commence at 5:00 p.m. at the Public Service Union (PSU) Building on Valley Road. Glenroy “Soso” Cuffy, the Public Relations Officer of the UWP, emphasized the importance of the meeting during a recent Q-95 Radio broadcast, urging citizens to attend in large numbers. He highlighted that the gathering would serve as a platform for the party to present its development strategies for Dominica. Cuffy stressed the need for public participation, stating, “You need to turn out in large numbers to hear some of the things we have planned for Dominica and to hear how it is we are going to make sure things are happening.” He also addressed criticisms of the party’s inactivity, asserting that the UWP has already conducted nine similar meetings nationwide, engaging directly with citizens. The Roseau Central meeting is expected to be a significant event, with Cuffy expressing confidence in a strong turnout. Additionally, Cuffy encouraged the public to participate in the ongoing Voter Confirmation Process, emphasizing the importance of ensuring citizens’ right to vote. He remarked, “We need to support the movement of unity and we need to move forward expeditiously to get everybody confirmed and to have the government out.” Cuffy underscored the necessity of decisive action if elections are called, stating that Dominicans deserve a trustworthy government. He elaborated on the party’s vision, saying, “It is important that every Dominican should be impacted by the policies of a government going forward and to benefit from the country. This is why we talked about shared prosperity, we talked about the 10-pillar plan.” The Roseau Central Town Hall Meeting is part of the UWP’s broader effort to communicate its policies and vision to the nation.

From November 2 to 5, 2025, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) conducted a significant awareness-raising mission in Suriname, focusing on its Original Jurisdiction and referral procedures for legal professionals. The initiative was led by the Honourable Mr. Justice Winston Anderson, President of the CCJ, who also engaged in courtesy visits with key Surinamese officials, including the Honourable Mr. Harish Monorath, Minister of Justice and Police, and the Honourable Mr. Justice Iwan Rasoelbaks, President of Suriname’s Court of Justice. The educational workshop, supported by the European Union’s 11th European Development Fund (EDF), aimed to deepen understanding of the CCJ’s role in interpreting and enforcing the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC), which governs CARICOM. The session covered critical areas such as the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) framework, the integration of the CCJ’s dispute resolution mechanisms into national law, and practical aspects of practicing within the Court’s Original Jurisdiction. As part of the engagement, President Anderson presented the Court’s Original Jurisdiction Rules 2024, translated into Dutch, to Surinamese officials, symbolizing the CCJ’s commitment to enhancing cooperation and improving access to justice within its jurisdiction. This event marked the culmination of a two-year public awareness campaign that had previously been conducted in several other Caribbean nations.