标签： Jamaica

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced on Monday that his government thwarted a false flag operation allegedly orchestrated by local terrorists to plant explosives at the US embassy in Caracas. The alleged plot aimed to escalate tensions between Venezuela and the United States, already strained over drug trafficking disputes. Maduro revealed this during his weekly television program, citing unnamed sources who confirmed the terrorist group’s intentions. Jorge Rodriguez, Venezuela’s chief negotiator in talks with the US, stated that Caracas had alerted Washington about the ‘serious threat’ posed by extremists attempting to place lethal explosives at the embassy. Rodriguez emphasized that security measures at the diplomatic mission had been reinforced. The US embassy in Caracas has been largely vacant since diplomatic ties were severed in 2019, with only a few local staff remaining. Maduro noted that despite ongoing disputes, the embassy remains protected. The US has intensified its anti-drug trafficking efforts in Venezuela, deploying warships and aircraft to the Caribbean and targeting vessels allegedly carrying drugs. President Donald Trump has claimed these actions are significantly reducing drug flows. Maduro, however, accuses the US of seeking regime change. In response to perceived threats, Venezuela has mobilized thousands of troops and civilian militias along its borders. The US has not recognized Maduro’s 2024 re-election, which was widely criticized as illegitimate. During his first term, Trump attempted to oust Maduro by recognizing an opposition leader as interim president and imposing sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector. Despite these pressures, Maduro has maintained power with military backing.

As Jamaica’s Parliament convenes for its first official session this week, political experts and veterans are calling on lawmakers to focus on critical issues such as unfinished legislation, constitutional reform, and enhanced parliamentary accountability. The emphasis is on fostering consensus rather than confrontation in this new term. The session follows the September 3 General Election, with the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) holding a narrower majority of 35 seats against the Opposition People’s National Party’s (PNP) 28. This reduced majority is expected to encourage more balanced debates and rigorous scrutiny of government policies. Former Prime Minister Bruce Golding highlighted the importance of addressing pending legislation from the previous term and translating election promises into actionable policies. He stressed the need for bipartisan cooperation, particularly on constitutional matters, to achieve lasting reform. Political commentator Lloyd B Smith echoed this sentiment, urging progress on Jamaica’s transition to a republic and the adoption of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as the final appellate court. Smith also advocated for fixed election dates, a recall mechanism for underperforming MPs, and reforms to the Integrity Commission to bolster transparency. Both Golding and Smith emphasized the necessity of stricter parliamentary discipline and oversight to restore public trust. Veteran journalist Cliff Hughes anticipates a more dynamic and contentious Parliament, given the Opposition’s increased numbers. He suggested that the government could benefit from sharing committee leadership with the Opposition. Meanwhile, Keith Collister, executive chairman of the ATL Pension Fund, called for doubling legislative output and greater private sector involvement in policy discussions. He also proposed a ‘people’s parliament’ to engage citizens in constitutional reform and stressed the importance of public education on constitutional matters. As the new Parliament begins its work, the focus remains on advancing Jamaica’s development agenda through collaboration and accountability.

The Hollywood Burbank Airport in California experienced a critical shortage of air traffic controllers on Monday evening, as the ongoing US government shutdown continues to disrupt essential services across the nation. Governor Gavin Newsom highlighted the issue, stating that the airport would be without qualified staff in its control tower for approximately six hours, from 4:15 PM to 10:00 PM. In a pointed message on social media, Newsom attributed the situation to the government shutdown, directly addressing former President Donald Trump. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed delays of up to two-and-a-half hours for departures, citing reduced staffing levels. Airport operations were managed remotely by a team in San Diego, though officials assured that flights continued despite the challenges. The shutdown, now in its second week, stems from a political impasse between Republicans and Democrats over funding for government functions, including healthcare subsidies and program cuts. Essential workers, such as air traffic controllers, are required to work without pay, raising concerns about the sustainability of this arrangement. Democrats are withholding support for reopening federal departments until agreements are reached on healthcare provisions, while Republicans argue that these issues should be addressed separately. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that millions of Americans could lose healthcare coverage if the subsidies expire, exacerbating the crisis.

In a sharp rebuke, immigration advocates in the United States have strongly criticized a newly proposed policy by the Trump administration that specifically targets undocumented children from the Caribbean and other regions. The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), a prominent advocacy organization representing over 200 immigrant groups, has raised alarms over what it describes as a planned enforcement operation aimed at unaccompanied minors. According to NYIC President and CEO Murad Awawdeh, leaked details of the policy reveal that children involved in court proceedings to establish their legal right to remain in the U.S. face indefinite detention and immediate transfer to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) upon turning 18—unless they withdraw their cases. Additionally, parents of these children are threatened with arrest. Awawdeh emphasized that over 50,000 unaccompanied children have been reunited with their families in New York over the past decade, underscoring the human impact of such policies. He urged affected individuals to seek immediate legal counsel and called on the Trump administration to abandon the policy, which he argued undermines due process and endangers vulnerable children. Awawdeh also appealed to New York State lawmakers to pass the Access to Representation Act, ensuring legal representation for all immigrants in court. Meanwhile, Caribbean immigrant advocacy groups have expressed concerns over the federal government shutdown’s impact on immigrant communities, citing delays in asylum hearings and visa applications. Awawdeh highlighted the inconsistent responses of immigration courts to the shutdown, which has caused significant disruptions in New York and beyond.