Caribbean RoundUp

Antigua and Barbuda

Prime Minister Gaston Browne praised the quick work of police in apprehending Alexta Francis, who was held in connection with the murder of independent legislator Asot Michael recently, saying they “must be commended for this quick apprehension of this individual, and we want to thank those in the public space who have provided the intelligence that led to the arrest of this individual.”

Francis appeared in a magistrate court last Monday and was charged with the murder of Michael. He has been remanded into custody at the HM Prisons Antigua, and his attorney, Leon Symister, declined to comment after the hearing, which was over before the court’s regular 9 a.m. start. He will re-appear in court for committal proceedings on Feb.5, 2025.

Police arrested Francis, and the murder-related charges stem from Francis’s alleged confession to police, during which he reportedly provided crucial evidence and claimed he acted alone.

The body of the 54-year-old Michael, the member of Parliament for St. Peter, was discovered at his Dry Hill home on Nov. 5. with multiple stab wounds.

Caribbean

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) recently congratulated President-elect Donald Trump, saying the sub-regional grouping looks forward to continuing “highly beneficial cooperation programs and further enhancement of relationships between our countries.”

Trump was elected for a second, non-consecutive term on Nov. 5, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, the nominee for the Democratic Party.

“This election was closely watched by the world, particularly by nationals of the Eastern Caribbean who are some of the USA’s closest physical neighbors. Following this resounding victory, the OECS wishes the president-elect the best in his administration’s preparation to take up the responsibilities of the office,” the OECS Commission said in its congratulatory note.

It added that the OECS and the USA have enjoyed “a long-standing, friendly, and constructive relationship which was formalized in 2011 and has endured many administration changes.

“The OECS and its member states look forward to continuing highly beneficial cooperation programs and further enhancing relationships between our countries. It is an optimistic opportunity to jointly confront common challenges affecting both regions,” it added.

The OECS groups the independent islands of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts-Nevis.

CARICOM

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders have used the ongoing flooding across the region to press their case for climate finance as the third day of COP29 closed in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Several CARICOM leaders, including Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett, and Dominica’s Environment Minister Cozier Frederick, weighed in on the issue.

It came a day after storms wreaked havoc across Trinidad. However, Trinidad wasn’t the only country in the region devastated by flooding on Tuesday. Major flooding was also reported in Grenada, including River Road, Westerhall, Woodlands, and the vicinity of the National Stadium.

Videos posted to social media showed vehicles being washed away on the streets. Another viral video showed students at the T.A.Marryshow Community College in Grenada climbing on top of tables to avoid rising water levels.

Flooding was also reported in Belize, where some roads were reportedly impassable.

As citizens from these Caribbean countries grappled with extreme weather, regional leadership made a case for urgent climate finance at COP29.

Guyana

The Guyana Port Inc. (GPI) recently commissioned its new US$4m cutter suction dredger during a ceremony at its headquarters at Support, East Bank Demerara.

The event, celebrated under the theme “Shaping the Future of Guyana’s Maritime Industry,” emphasized GPI’s commitment to investing in sustainable dredging operations for Guyana’s future.

During the ceremony, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill highlighted the dredger’s importance in Guyana’s evolving maritime landscape.

“This investment demonstrates our commitment to modernizing our ports and ensuring they meet international standards,” Edghill stated. He further emphasized the dredger’s critical role in keeping waterways navigable, facilitating trade, and supporting the rapid growth of the economy. He noted that effective dredging of rivers and creeks is vital for improving shipping efficiency, promoting economic development, and advancing tourism.

Haiti

The transitionary council created to re-establish democratic order in Haiti has recently signed a decree firing interim Prime Minister Garry Conille and replacing him with Alix Didier Fils-Aimé.

The decree marks even more turmoil in an already rocky democratic transition process for Haiti, which hasn’t held democratic elections in years due to the upsurge of gang violence plaguing the French-speaking Caribbean nation.

Fils-Aimé is the former president of Haiti’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry and, in 2015, ran an unsuccessful campaign for Senate. The businessman studied at Boston University and was previously considered for the position as a private sector candidate for the post before Conille took the seat.

Conille, who has worked with the United Nations, served as prime minister for only six months.

The transitional presidential council was established in April. It is tasked with choosing Haiti’s next prime minister and Cabinet, with the hope that it will help quell turmoil in the country.

But the council has been plagued with politics and infighting and has long been at odds with Conille. Organizations like the Organization of American States tried and failed last week to mediate disagreements to save the fragile transition.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves is urging members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to contribute to the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF). He said his administration has always supported the regional integration movement.

The CDF provided at least half of the US$60 million needed to construct the 93-room Holiday Inn Express & Suites, which was recently handed over to the government.

Gonsalves told the ceremony that Vincentians and others have been very impatient about the 15-member regional integration movement, acknowledging, “… we have made very important strides.”

Gonsalves added that although the CARICOM treaty also established the CDF, the funding took some time to become operational.

“…. and every single CARICOM meeting I went to … I say, ‘But the treaty has created a fund to benefit the less-developed territories, and that fund has not yet been created. That fund must be created,” said Gonsalves, who came to office in March 2001.

“And that fund having been created has led to us getting a grant of US$700,000 for this project and a soft loan of 10 million, approximately, close to 50 % of the cost of this facility. It’s about $29 million we got from the CDF, and this project is $60 million.”

The CDF is a CARICOM institution that provides financial or technical assistance to disadvantaged countries, regions, and sectors in the bloc.

— Compiled by Devika Ragoonanan