Caribbean RoundUp

Barbados

The new Permanent Representative of Barbados to the Organization of American States (OAS), Victor Fernandes, recently presented his credentials to Secretary General Luis Almagro in a ceremony held at the headquarters of the hemispheric Organization in Washington, D.C.

Ambassador Fernandes said, “The government of Barbados is firm in its commitment to upholding the principles on which the OAS was founded, as enshrined in its Charter: guiding democracy, human rights, multidimensional security, and integral development in the Hemisphere.”

He added that his country “sees the OAS as the premier multilateral Organization in the Americas working to promote peace and strengthening political dialogue.”

Meanwhile, the OAS Secretary General, Luis Almagro, recalled that the Caribbean country “has been part of the OAS since 1967, and it has honored the basic principles of our Organization. These four pillars are interconnected, and one cannot exist without the other.”

He added, “Barbados has played an important role in essential issues at the OAS, such as climate change, natural disasters, gender equality, racial equality, and reparations.”

Ambassador Fernandes held several previous positions, including Chairman of the Barbados National Oil Company, the Barbados National Terminal, and the Barbados Tourism Investment Corporation, as well as Director of the National Petroleum Corporation and the Bayview Hospital.

Caribbean

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is deeply saddened by the death of the Guyanese politician Sir Shridath Ramphal. It describes him as a towering figure in diplomacy, law, and international relations.

It said his legacy as a lawyer, diplomat, and statesman has left an indelible mark on the Caribbean region’s legal and diplomatic landscape.

“Sir Shridath Ramphal was a beacon of wisdom and integrity,” the CCJ said in a statement.

“His leadership and vision were instrumental in shaping the course of Caribbean integration and the development of our regional legal frameworks.”

Sir Shridath died on August 30 at the age of 95.

The regional court added that Sir Shridath’s tenure as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth and his pivotal role as chair of the West Indian Commission underscored his unwavering commitment to regional unity.

It said his vision extended beyond political and economic ties, and he championed the creation of robust legal systems that protected the rights of all Caribbean citizens.

The CCJ noted that his tireless advocacy for establishing a Caribbean final appellate court and a court to interpret the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas was foundational to the CCJ’s inception.

“His passion for justice and equity was evident in everything he did,” the CCJ said.

“Sir Shridath’s work was not just about law, but about ensuring fairness and dignity for every individual in the Caribbean.”

The CCJ extended its deepest condolences to Sir Shridath’s family, friends, and colleagues.

“We share in the profound sense of loss felt by so many. Yet, we also celebrate his life and the extraordinary legacy he leaves behind.”

“His legacy will guide us as we continue to work towards realizing his vision of a united and just Caribbean,“ the CCJ concluded.

Guyana

Guyana’s gross domestic product (GDP), including oil and gas revenues, is estimated to have grown by 49.7 percent in the first half of 2024.

The non-oil economy also saw growth, with an estimated increase of 12.6 percent, compared to 11.7 percent last year.

Guyana’s president, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, announced this on Aug. 30 during Citizens Bank’s new Mandela Branch opening ceremony in Georgetown.

He also said the construction sector had expanded by approximately 43.7 percent, noting that while some industries faced difficulties, the government demonstrated its strategy to improve performance.

The president highlighted the transformation of the banking and financial sector, identifying significant increases in deposits, assets, and credit to the private sector.

However, several waves of financial sector reforms led to a 44 percent increase in credit to the private sector from 2020 to 2023, triggering a ripple effect across various sectors.

“The first wave of reforms included the implementation of policies to improve the efficiency and competition of the financial services sector, policies to strengthen the prudential framework and bank supervision, deepen financial markets, and the modernization of the payment system,“ Ali said.

Non-performing loans, which were at an all-time high in 2019, were reduced by 145 percent in 2023.

Ali also highlighted several initiatives, such as low interest rates for poultry farmers and increased mortgage ceilings, demonstrating his government’s dedication to improving access to financing.

Haiti

The commander of the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support MSS mission, Godfrey Otunge, says the efforts to decisively deal with the criminal gangs in Haiti have just begun.

Otunge said that the MSS and the Haitian National Police (PNH) are conducting clearance operations in Delmas, Bel-Air, Solino, and their environs “to weed out gangs and return normalcy in these zones.“

“Our commitment to decisively deal with the gangs in Haiti has just begun,“ he said, thanking the U.S. government for its continued support by “heeding our call for additional equipment.”

He said the MSS has recently received additional vehicles and equipment, which has led to more successful joint operations between HNP and MSS personnel.

“I wish to reiterate that operations to counter and clear gang activities across the entire Haiti are taking shape while noting that it will be a process and a journey that needs all of us to walk together.”

“Our officers remain committed to their mandate and are professionally adhering to the International Human Rights Law as outlined under the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy. This is to ensure and guarantee that civilian security remains our number one priority.“ Otunge added.

He said that the operations conducted on sea, land, and air would leave no room for the gangs to operate.

“It is incumbent upon the gangs to put down their weapons and surrender to the government to face the rule of law,“ he added.

Jamaica

Former Prime Minister PJ Patterson has urgently called for plans to stage a second Africa Caricom (Caribbean community) Summit to strengthen ties between the two regions.

Marking the third commemoration of Africa Caricom Day, Patterson emphasized the importance of the two regions, linked by historical and cultural similarities and combined with shared social, political, and economic circumstances, to “speak with one united voice“ to address common issues.

“African and Caribbean states comprise more than a third of the membership in the United Nations (U.N.). This significant membership should be maximized as leverage for a more powerful voice of African and Caribbean states on the global stage,“ Patterson, stateman-in-residence at The PJ Patterson Institute for Africa Caribbean Advocacy (Institute), said.

“At the present time, there is the need for global restructuring against the background of wars and ethnic conflicts, global warming, food security, energy, and financial crises. The U.N. Secretary-General has warned that gains made in development and reaching the Sustainable Development Goals are in danger of being eroded,“ he continued, adding, “It is therefore essential that Africa and the Caribbean speak with one united voice and make good on the promise of full collaboration and a single position to address the common issues facing Africa and the Caribbean.”

Against this background, he said Africa and the Caribbean must designate individuals responsible for urgently implementing a second Africa Caricom summit, following the first Summit four years ago, on Sept. 7, 2021, when it was hosted virtually by the Republic of Kenya.

It is not the first time that Patterson has appealed to African and Caribbean leaders to act in organizing the second Summit.

Trinidad and Tobago

State-owned Caribbean Airlines (CAL) confirmed that a recent threat was received at its call center in Trinidad but that the threat was not made against the airline.

Security officials in Guyana have launched an investigation into a bomb threat made against the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and CAL.

In a brief statement, CAL advises that “a threat was received on Sunday, Sept. 1, via its call center in Trinidad.

“However, the threat was not made against the airline. The information received was shared with the relevant authorities, and the matter is being investigated,“ it added.

Police in Guyana have confirmed that an investigation into the threat is ongoing and that the authorities have determined that the call originated from Guyana.

Media reports said that during the phone call, a man, who indicated that he was calling from Guyana, warned of a “life and death situation“ that could take place at the Cheddi Jagan Airport in Guyana and aboard a Caribbean Airlines flight.

It said that the telephone companies operating in Guyana have been contacted to assist with the investigations and a possible trace of the call.

— Compiled by Devika Ragoonanan