Caribbean RoundUp

Caribbean

The University of the West Indies will award 13 honorary degrees to individuals across the region during its 2024 graduation ceremonies, which will take place between Oct. 12 and Nov. 9.

In a release, UWI said this year’s recipients have had long and impactful careers in advocacy and activism, medicine, tourism, culture, sports, business, education, science, and the music industry.

Sir Curtly Ambrose of Antigua and Barbuda will receive a Doctor of Laws degree for his contributions to cricket.

Ambassador Dr. Walton Aubrey Webson of Antigua and Barbuda will receive a Doctor of Laws degree for his work in human rights advocacy.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Governor General Dame Susan Dougan will receive a Doctor of Laws degree for her public service and work in education.

Barbadian Sir Trevor Hassell will receive a Doctor of Science degree for his contribution to medicine. Hassell has distinguished himself as a regional and international advocate for preventing and controlling non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Barbadian Elton “Baba Elombe” Mottley will receive a Doctor of Letters degree for his contribution to developing culture and the arts.

Ralph Taylor of Barbados will receive a Doctor of Laws degree for his work in the tourism sector. Taylor introduced the all-inclusive concept to Barbados by acquiring the Divi Resort in 1991.

Dr. Maniram Ragbir of TT/Britain will receive a Doctor of Science degree for his work as a plastic/reconstructive surgeon.

Dr. Patricia Rodney of Guyana will receive a Doctor of Science degree for her work as a medical practitioner and human rights defender.

Jamaican Donald Anderson, CD, will receive a Doctor of Laws degree for his work as an entrepreneur, market researcher, and sports administrator.

Jamaican Monte Blake will receive a Doctor of Letters degree for his pioneering work in music.

Jamaican Courtney Campbell will receive a Doctor of Laws degree for his work as an entrepreneur/ philanthropist.

Jamaican Conrad Douglas, CD, will receive a Doctor of Laws degree for his contribution to the development of the bauxite industry.

Grenadian athlete Kirani James will receive a Doctor of Laws degree for excellence in athletics.

Grenada

Grenada’s Opposition Leader, Dr. Keith Mitchell, who is pressured to give up the leadership of the main opposition New National Party (NNP), has conceded that “one day, maybe sooner rather than later,” he will have to do so.

Mitchell, 75, who during the campaign for the last general election, which the then ruling NNP lost to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), said it would have been his last campaign, has nonetheless been holding on to the party’s leadership.

Mitchell recently addressed the NNP Women’s Forum to commemorate the party’s 40th anniversary. He said that the political organization would soon undergo new leadership.

“I am interested in my welfare, I am interested in this party’s welfare, and I am interested in the country; therefore one day, maybe sooner rather than later, I have to give up leadership of this party but let me say this to you: I will not just be giving up leadership; there will be in place someone or persons that cares for you and the people of this country,” he told the forum.

“And as the Lord gives me the strength, I want to be able to walk with that person, hold their hands, and strengthen the New National Party.”

“I will be there, sisters and brothers, holding the hands of the future leaders of the NNP, so you don’t have to worry about me not being in Parliament or something like that; the people of Northwest, St George’s have given me a lot of strength, they have stood tall with me for 40 years, I owe them a lot, I will never be able to forget them,” said Mitchell.

Guyana

The government of Guyana is seeking to expand its current trade and economic activities with the United States to strengthen several key sectors in the country.

Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh recently traveled to the United States to meet with several high-ranking officials. Both countries have been partnering in several areas, such as economic growth, trade and development, and security.

A statement from the Ministry of Finance said Singh met with the deputy assistant secretary of the United States (US) Department of Treasury, Michael Kaplan, where he updated Kaplan on recent economic developments and prospects in Guyana and explored opportunities for the two countries to collaborate on matters of shared interest.

The statement added that Singh also reiterated Guyana’s commitment to facilitate increased opportunities for US companies to do business in Guyana.

Singh also met with Jose W. Fernandez, the United States secretary of state for economic growth, energy, and the environment, and Geoffrey R. Pyatt, the assistant secretary of the Bureau of Energy Resources.

During those meetings, the discussion focused on avenues for closer cooperation in advancing the agenda for economic growth, including in the areas of energy security, human capital development, and pandemic preparedness, in the context of the economic and health dialogue of the Americas.

The government has also been looking to the US EXIM Bank for support on the gas-to-energy project.

Singh also met with the assistant United States trade representative for the western hemisphere, Daniel Watson, where there were discussions on enhancing the trade and investment partnership between the US and Guyana, with Singh emphasizing that the US continues to be one of Guyana’s most significant trading partners, and reiterated Government commitment to maintaining a strong institutional environment, and a favorable macroeconomic environment conducive to US companies doing business in Guyana.

Haiti

The UN Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia, and the Americas, Miroslav Jenča, has ended a visit to Haiti, reiterating the UN’s continued commitment to restoring peace and security in the Caricom country.

Jenča met with the president of the Transitional Presidential Council (PTC), Edgard Leblanc Fils, as well as with Prime Minister Garry Conille and other senior officials, discussing efforts through the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) to restore security, democratic institutions, stability, and development.

He also met with representatives of the Haitian National Police (HNP), the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS), civil society, and various institutions and political parties.

“All of those he met emphasized that security remains the biggest challenge.

While some success has been achieved in anti-gang operations conducted by the Haitian police with the support of the MSS mission in Port au Prince, it is imperative for the international community to urgently and substantially increase its support for the MSS as well as the Haitian national police,” said Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General.

“This is fundamental to improve security and allow progress on the political track and in development,” Dujarric said, adding that Jenča agreed with interlocutors on the critical importance of the expeditious appointment of the Provisional Electoral Council.

The UN will continue to support the government in planning and executing a credible and fair electoral process.

Jamaica

The Integrity Commission (IC), citing insufficient evidence regarding the non-disclosure of four bank accounts in his asset filings, has ruled out criminal charges against Prime Minister Andrew Holness for allegedly making false income declarations.

The ruling, by the IC’s Director of Corruption Prosecutions, Keisha Prince-Kameka, was laid in Parliament and stems from a recommendation by the Commission’s Director of Investigations, Kevon Stephenson.

Stephenson had investigated concerns that Prime Minister Holness owned assets disproportionate to his lawful earnings and omitted four joint bank accounts from his statutory declarations between 2019 and 2022.

The investigation was triggered by a September 2022 referral from the commission’s commissioners, who had flagged the prime minister’s net worth growth of J$51,6 million (J$1 = 0.008 cents) over five years ending December 2021.

But Senate President Tom Tavares-Finson said that the IC had no legal power to refer an individual for investigation by an authority such as the Financial Investigation Division (FID).

The IC had sent a letter asking Parliament to support its referral concerning Prime Minister Holness to the FID.

Speaking after the conclusion of Parliament, Tavares-Finson said the IC is asking the Parliament of Jamaica to support the investigation, and he is satisfied that the Parliament of Jamaica has no such power and for good reason.

“There is nothing in the constitution, in the laws and certainly not in the standing orders of the parliament that would authorise the parliament to refer of support the referral of any member to any agency for investigation.”

“Indeed, if that power were to exist, it would be absurd because it would allow any majority in Parliament for any reason to refer any member to police or any competent authority for investigation,” the Senate President said.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves says he is trying to get information on a plane belonging to Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, which the US Department of Homeland Security seized.

US Attorney General Merrick Garland confirmed that the plane had been seized in the Dominican Republic.

The US government said the plane was bought through a shell company in the Caribbean for Maduro’s use, in violation of sanctions and export control laws.

The US government also claimed the plane had been exported to Venezuela via St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Gonsalves said he had not been given any official information about the issue.

“I’ve seen various reports that the plane came from Miami to St. Vincent and went on to Venezuela. I’m trying to ascertain whether that has actually happened.”

Gonsalves said he was aware of the abundance of information online speculating about the location of the shell company allegedly used to buy and transfer the plane from the US to Venezuela.

“They haven’t said that the plane was registered in St. Vincent. The report said that it was the company which allegedly owned the plane, but I don’t know if that is true either, because that has not been checked.”

Gonsalves said his government would have cooperated if it had been alerted to an issue involving a plane, as it has done in the past.

He added that his government would have shared information with the relevant parties in such circumstances.

Gonsalves said he needed to know what sanction the purchase of this plane is reported to have breached. He added that St Vincent and the Grenadines follows all sanctions set by the UN Security Council because it adheres to international law.

— Compiled by Devika Ragoonanan