Cops in Saint Lucia are giving a final chance to hand in illegal guns before a major crackdown. The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force announced a brief amnesty program, allowing people to surrender firearms and ammunition at stations across the island during designated days. Assistant Commissioner Luke Defreitas called it part of a new zero-tolerance push against gun violence.
Individuals must contact their nearest station first to arrange the surrender. Weapons need to be unloaded and secured in a carrier for transport directly to the police. Authorities stressed this is not a cash for guns program or a grant of immunity from prosecution.
All surrendered items will undergo ballistic testing. Firearms linked to past crimes could still...
Two government workers got busted trying to fly a huge coke haul out of Sangster International Airport. Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division officers intercepted the man and woman during a security check for a New York flight. A search found around nine kilograms of cocaine hidden in false luggage compartments, with an estimated street value of over five million dollars.
Authorities also seized a stash of US currency from a handbag. Follow-up raids at the suspects' homes netted a Glock pistol, ammunition, and more cocaine. One suspect told investigators he had swallowed over seventy drug pellets, leading to his hospitalization under police watch.
FNID Director Superintendent Patrae Rowe said the operation highlights efforts...
IMF drops over four hundred million in emergency cash after a hurricane wallops Jamaica. The funding, approved through a natural disaster relief instrument, aims to cover the immediate balance of payments needs. Hurricane Melissa caused widespread infrastructure damage and a sharp drop in tourism revenue, creating a major strain on the island's finances.
The destruction placed significant pressure on public resources despite Jamaica's strong disaster planning and economic reform history. Authorities are working to restore essential services and focus reconstruction on supporting vulnerable communities. The government remains committed to long-term fiscal responsibility and debt goals after addressing the immediate crisis.
IMF Deputy...
A new party called Reform Barbados is throwing its hat in the ring ahead of the approaching general election. Founder Steve Prescott, an employment law consultant, launched the group as an alternative to the established political players. He aims to contest all parliamentary seats, confirming he will run himself, likely in the Christ Church area connected to his family.
The party enters a field currently occupied by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley’s Barbados Labour Party, which has finalized its full candidate slate. The Democratic Labour Party under Ralph Thorne and the People’s Party for Democracy and Development led by Joseph Atherley are also competing. Parliament will be dissolved to facilitate the national poll.
Prescott, who...
Political musical chairs continue as Dominica’s opposition leader gets her old job back. Jesma Paul-Victor is again the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Assembly. The Salisbury constituency representative was reappointed after a request from the only other opposition member, Marigot MP Anthony Charles.
The two entered parliament as independents. With just two non-government members, neither could initially command majority support. They agreed to a power-sharing arrangement, planning to alternate the leadership role. Paul Victor served first under this deal.
Her resignation to enable Charles’s turn hit a constitutional snag. The appointment requires a joint submission from all opposition MPs, which was not provided. Charles...
Guyana ramped up border patrols after political trouble flared next door. Prime Minister Mark Phillips confirmed the military moved to a heightened alert status following unrest in Venezuela. The Guyana Defence Force maintains deployments along borders with Venezuela, Suriname, and Brazil, but readiness increased immediately.
Phillips, a retired army chief, traveled to the Barima Waini region for security talks. He met defense officials, local leaders, and residents to improve monitoring and intelligence gathering. Improved internet access helps border communities stay aware of developments, he noted.
Authorities report only routine movement across the Venezuela border currently. The Prime Minister warned against complacency, stating...
A Guyana agriculture expert steps into the top role at a major hemispheric institute. Muhammad Ibrahim is the new Director General for the Inter American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture. He promised to lead the organization for every region in the Americas, pushing for smarter and more competitive food systems.
The handover ceremony included officials from over thirty countries. Costa Rica’s Vice President Mary Munive Angermüller attended, alongside foreign ministry representatives from that nation. Guyana’s Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and Brazil’s Deputy Agriculture Minister Cleber Soares were also present. Outgoing head Manuel Otero formally passed leadership to Ibrahim.
Cleber Soares, representing the chair of...
Travel to the States took a hit as folks decided it wasn't worth the hassle. Arrivals dropped significantly, linked to tougher visa rules, higher fees, and general safety worries. This decline affected travel from several Caribbean locations and other traditional source markets.
Jamaica, Barbados, Aruba, The Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Dominican Republic all saw fewer travelers heading north. Chile also followed this trend away from U.S. visits. Industry watchers blame lengthy application processes and increased costs for making short trips less appealing.
Many Caribbean travelers are instead choosing destinations in Europe, Latin America, or regional spots. These locations are viewed as having simpler entry rules. The shift...
Jamaica's bobsleigh team is heading back to the Olympics with a full set of sleds. The squad is locked in qualification for the upcoming Winter Games, sending entries in three events. This matches their presence from the previous Olympics, secured through rankings on the international circuit.
Mica Moore earned the women’s monobob spot with steady results. Pilot Shane Pitter will drive both the two-man and four-man sleds for the men’s team. His two-man crew rotates with Nimroy Turgott, Joel Fearon, and Junior Harris.
The four-man unit features Andrae Dacres, Harris, Tyquendo Tracey, and Fearon. Their qualification followed consistent performances against top winter sports nations. A North American Cup gold medal for the four-man team...
