As she cares for her mother while supporting Biden as Press
Page 12 PERSONAL BURDEN OF KARINE JEAN-PIERRE
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Is how Pastor Dottin describes the situation in the country - criminals, businesses, and gang leaders are being protected SEA OF CORRUPTION
Page 5
GUYANA
JONESTOWN TOURS IN OPERATION
Memorial tour of tragic occurrence of 1978 where hundreds died
Page 7
HAITI TRUMPS POLICY CATASTROPHIC FOR NATION
Says Leslie Voltaire, President of the transition government - freezing programs and deportations
Page 3
GRENADA
Economic and technical support for several projects CHINA TO PROVIDE EC$40 MILLION IN AID TO COUNTRY
Page 6
A&E
Appointed by government of Jamaica - holds highest literary title in the country PROF. KWAME DAWES POET LAURAETE
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CaribNews
EDITORIAL
President Trump Will Raise Your Energy Bills by Ben Jealous - P9
AFRICA WORLD BRIEFS
Darfur: ICC Prosecutor urges immediate action to address atrocities
The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday called on the UN Security Council to act decisively to address the worsening atrocities in Sudan’s Darfur region.
As Attacks Against DE&I Heighten, Costco and Apple Prove Inclusion Remains Good Business by Stacy M. Brown - P9
WELLNESS
NYC H+H/Woodhull Receives Toothbrushes, Toothpastes, and Toys Donated by Kings County Civil Court Judges - P 16
SPORTS
2025 Concacaf Women’s U-17 Qualifiers Round One Starts Off With Many Goals - P 20
Briefing ambassadors, Karim Khan highlighted the urgent need for justice and accountability as violence and humanitarian suffering escalate.
“Criminality is accelerating in Darfur. Civilians are being targeted, women and girls are subjected to sexual violence, and entire communities are left in destruction,” he said.
“This is not just an assessment; it is a hard-edged analysis based on verified evidence.”
Violence in Darfur has displaced thousands of families and devastated the region, with vital civilian infrastructure attacked, civilians killed and communities suffering from famine and disease.
Deepening crisis
The gravity of the situation in the wider region was underscored by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who condemned a 24 January attack on the Saudi Teaching Hospital in El Fasher, North Darfur.
At least 70 patients and their relatives were reportedly killed, and dozens more injured.
The Secretary-General reiterated that international humanitarian law mandates the protection of medical facilities and personnel.
DR Congo: Battle for Goma continues as ‘volatile’ crisis unfolds
As fighting intensifies between the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group and Congolese forces, UN chief of Peace Operations
Jean-Pierre Lacroix underscored the critical state of the battle for eastern DRC’s regional capital Goma, describing the crisis as “volatile and dangerous”.
In a briefing on Monday, Mr. Lacroix told journalists in New York that some staff from the UN’s Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) was forced to seek shelter for a few hours due to the ongoing conflict.
He explained that this had “limited their ability to have the full level of information that they would have gotten if they had not been sheltering”, making it difficult to assess the fast-evolving situation.
Mr. Lacroix said that peacekeepers remain in their positions but noted that safety was “paramount” for non-essential personnel and their dependents, who have been relocated away from Goma.
He confirmed that MONUSCO personnel would continue to deliver on their mandate to the best of their ability, including protecting civilians and disarming combatants in accordance with international humanitarian law.
“The fate of the millions of civilians living in Goma or having been displaced is really the priority, along with the safety and security of UN personnel,” Mr. Lacroix said.
Guterres calls on US to exempt development and humanitarian funds from aid ‘pause’
The UN Secretary-General on Monday called on the US Government to consider “additional exemptions” to a directive which pauses nearly all foreign aid for 90 days.
President Trump’s executive order a week ago called for all foreign aid to be re-evaluated to ensure that it complies which his new foreign policy priorities.
The immediate scope of the order was not clear but on Friday, according to news reports, the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued an order putting any new funding on hold, pending review.
The State Department directive reportedly clarifies that funding for existing programmes is also suspended until it has been reviewed.
The only exceptions were reportedly for military assistance to Israel and Egypt and emergency food aid.
Concern over aid freeze
“The Secretary-General notes with concern the announcement of a pause in US foreign assistance,” said the statement issued on behalf of António Guterres by his Spokesperson.
“The Secretary-General calls for additional exemptions to be considered to ensure the continued delivery of critical development and humanitarian activities for the most vulnerable communities around the world, whose lives and livelihoods depend on this support.
Syria: Rights probe reveals systematic torture and detention of Assad regime
A report from UN human rights investigators for Syria released on Monday has laid bare the systematic use of arbitrary detention, torture and enforced disappearances by the deposed Assad regime. The findings from the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria detail crimes against humanity and war crimes that left a legacy of trauma for countless Syrians, representing some of the worst violations of international law committed during more than a decade of brutal conflict.
“We stand at a critical juncture. The caretaker government and future Syrian authorities can now ensure these crimes are never repeated,” said Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chair of the Commission.
“We hope our findings from almost 14 years of investigations will help end impunity for these patterns of abuse.”
The report, titled Web of Agony: Arbitrary Detention, Torture and Ill-Treatment in the Syrian Arab Republic, draws on over 2,000 testimonies, including accounts from more than 550 survivors of torture.
Torture chambers, mass graves
The fall of the Assad regime last month and subsequent release of prisoners have been pivotal for many Syrians, but for tens of thousands of families, the agony persists.
Haiti - Leaders Declare Trump’s Plan a Catastrophe for the Country
Leslie Voltaire, the head of Haiti’s interim presidential council, declared that the Trump administration’s actions to halt aid, deport migrants, and bar refugees would be “catastrophic” for Haiti. The remark was made by Voltaire in an interview with The Associated Press in Rome during a Vatican meeting with Pope Francis. To request assistance for Haiti, he went to the pope and said, “I’m knocking on the doors of people who love Haiti. The pope loves Haiti, and he
is eager to help.”
Voltaire talked about the awful situation of affairs in Haiti, where gangs have killed citizens and are allowed to operate without consequence. Losing humanitarian aid will make the situation worse for Haiti’s 11.4 million people, half of whom are already hungry. He pointed out that gangs are harassing the population and that thousands of individuals are deported from the Dominican Republic every week. “The situation will be catastrophic” with the new US policy.
President Donald Trump questioned why the United States would admit immigration from Haiti and “shithole countries” in Africa during his first term in office, using foul language. Although the White House did not refute his remarks, it did add that Trump is in favor of immigration laws that accept “those who can contribute to our society.”
According to Voltaire, around 150,000 Haitians are accepted under the “Temporary Protection System,” out of the approximately 1.5 million Haitians living in the United States. Haiti cannot manage the surge, Voltaire added, adding that Trump has stated that he will evict everyone.
According to a report by the United Nations migration agency, gang violence has been
a major factor in the threefold increase in internal displacement in Haiti over the past year, which has already surpassed one million individuals. Food insecurity has gotten worse due to “relentless gang violence” in Port-au-Prince, which has caused a near-doubling of relocation and the collapse of healthcare and other services, according to the International Organization for Migration.
Approximately 200,000 individuals, primarily from the Dominican Republic, have been forcefully repatriated to Haiti in the past year.
Even though strong gangs control 85% of the metropolis, Voltaire and his transitional administration want to take the nation to general elections by November of next year. He thinks that Haiti may have elections this year provided they increase the number of personnel in their international police force by several thousand. With more than 600 policemen, Kenya leads the international police force, falling short of the 1,000 officers promised. The force is still below its expected number of 2,500 officers, despite the arrival of an extra 150 Guatemalans and eight Salvadorean soldiers. Benin has promised an extra 2,000 troops, according to Voltaire.
“We have to do a referendum on a new constitution and also the election at the end of November. I say that we can do the elections because we have like eight departments, like 80 percent of the country. We can do the election.”
Since President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in 2021, gangs have become more powerful in Haiti. Although some gangs have expressed a desire to participate in politics, Voltaire ruled down the idea, stating, “I don’t think they should be around the table.” They seem like crooks to me.
Last year, over 5,600 persons were reported dead in Haiti, a more than 20% increase in fatalities over 2023. Without more international assistance for the national police, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that gangs might soon take over Port-au-Prince, resulting in a total collapse of governmental authority.
Voltaire requested that a worldwide congress of solidarity for Haiti be organized by the pope. On a piece of paper, the Pope scrawled “international conference,” and Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin stated that the Vatican would attempt to persuade Canada and Mexico to contribute to the financing of a meeting in Haiti.
Grenada - To Launch Citizenship by Invitation Program
As several European nations start to tighten their so-called golden visa policies, one Caribbean nation is adopting a different strategy and launching the first official “citizenship by invitation” program in history.
Grenada intends to recruit “hand-picked investors” to introduce entrepreneurial innovation to the nation when the program begins. Because most citizenship by investment schemes are exclusive by nature, interested parties must usually pay hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more, to get citizenship or accelerated residency. Grenada’s latest offering, however, is even more impressive. The press release introducing the program states that “the concept of ‘citizenship by invitation’ is sure to revolutionize the way that investment is channeled into communities.” Adding, “It will empower governments such as Grenada to tailor their citizenship programs and attract hand-picked investors with the talent, experience, and capital to make an impact.”
It coincides with the end of well-liked golden visa schemes in nations like Portugal and Spain. Grenada is intensifying its efforts as those nations take steps to restrict the number of affluent investors who may get residence and eventually citizenship.
Forbes Global Talent and Arton Capital, a global citizenship financial advisory services company that created the initiative in collaboration with the Grenada government, are
nominating and screening investors “who will bring the most value to the Caribbean Island.” There are several ways for investors to become citizens after being formally invited: They may use the pre-existing company or real estate investment schemes, or they could donate something non-refundable to the sovereign.
According to Armand Arton, president of Arton Capital, the initial round of invites will be sent out on February 1. According to Arton, the citizenship procedure is “extremely efficient and smooth in comparison to other investment migration programs worldwide,” and recipients should acquire their citizenship three to four months after applying.
Arton states that he has concrete plans to start a program that like in the United Arab Emirates, “We think this model is a valuable way for countries to attract the investment and expertise they require.”
According to the press release, the carefully chosen high-net-worth investors will become citizens of Grenada and constitute the Global Citizen Council, which will also advise the Grenadian government on “how to drive innovation” in various industries. An annual two-day advising session with Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell will be accessible to the investors via private plane.
Mitchell stated in the recently released
statement, “The people of Grenada are set to welcome a new wave of investment and innovation to our shores.”
Getting a second (or third) passport has several advantages, and among the world’s ultra-wealthy, it is a status symbol. Citizens and residents of European Union countries are particularly valued since they can live and work in other member states. However, other nations have taken advantage of the good thing too much: well-known travel destinations like Spain and Portugal are restricting their programs because they claim that the popularity has made homes more expensive for residents and made their housing crises worse.
Pedro Sánchez, the prime minister of Spain, declared earlier this month that he intended to impose a tax of up to 100% on properties bought by non-EU purchasers. Purchasing real estate is a common way for Americans and other rich purchasers, many of whom are Chinese or Russian citizens, to get residence in the Mediterranean nation. For 500,000 euros, they might purchase property and have the freedom to live, work, and study there. Additionally, Spain declared its intention to terminate that initiative. When it comes to these kinds of initiatives, there are several worries regarding money laundering in addition to rising housing expenses.
Immigration – Rights Advocates Challenge Trump’s
Birthright Citizenship Policy
Caribbean immigrants’ rights advocates have filed a lawsuit against the Donald Trump administration over his executive order that seeks to strip babies born in the United States (US) of their citizenship.
The case was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), ACLU of New Hampshire, ACLU of Maine, ACLU of Massachusetts, Asian Law Caucus, State Democracy Defenders Fund, and Legal Defense Fund on behalf of organizations with Caribbean and other members whose babies born on US soil will be denied citizenship under the order.
“Denying citizenship to US-born children is not only unconstitutional; it’s also a reckless and ruthless repudiation of American values,” said Anthony Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union.
“Birthright citizenship is part of what makes the United States the strong and dynamic nation that it is. This order seeks to repeat one of the gravest errors in American history, by creating a permanent subclass of people born in the US who are denied full rights as
Americans,” he added.
“We will not let this attack on newborns and future generations of Americans go unchallenged.
The Trump administration’s overreach is so egregious that we are confident we will ultimately prevail,” Romero said.
The ACLU said Birthright citizenship is the principle that every baby born in the United States is a US citizen. It said the Constitution’s 14th Amendment guarantees the citizenship of all children born in the United States — with the extremely narrow exception of children of foreign diplomats — regardless of race, color or ancestry.
Specifically, the 14th Amendment states that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside”.
The ACLU noted that the 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868, overturning the Dred Scott decision that denied Black Americans the rights and protections of US citizenship.
In 1898, the US Supreme Court confirmed in United States v. Wong Kim Ark that children born in the United States to Caribbean and other immigrant parents were entitled to US citizenship, said the ACLU, adding that “the principle has remained an undisturbed constitutional bedrock for over a century”.
“Birthright citizenship is guaranteed in our constitution and is absolutely central to what America stands for,” said Cody Wofsy, deputy director of the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project and lead attorney in this case.
“Denying citizenship to babies born on US soil is illegal, profoundly cruel and contrary to our values as a country.”
Theo Oshiro, co-executive director of Make the Road New York, said: “Birthright citizenship is a cornerstone of our democracy.”
“Our members, who come from all over the world, have created vibrant communities, and loving families, and built this country over generations. To deny their children the same basic rights as all other children born in the United States is an affront to basic values of
fairness, equality, and inclusivity.
“We are grateful for the bravery of our members who have taken on this case, and are prepared to fight alongside them,” Oshiro added. The ACLU said the order will also stigmatize and send a message of exclusion not only to children directly impacted by the order but many others who will have their citizenship questioned because of their race or who their parents are.
“Excluding people born here will also create a permanent underclass of those who have never been to another country and may be rendered stateless,” it added.
On Tuesday, New York Attorney General, Letitia James said that she and a coalition of 18 states, as well as the City of San Francisco, are challenging President Trump’s executive order. They have filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts seeking to stop the president’s “unlawful action, which violates the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution and will harm American children.
Belize - Unveils New Banknote Designs, Removes British Monarchy
In a historic move toward modernization and cultural celebration, the Central Bank of Belize has unveiled a stunning redesign of its national currency. The updated five, ten, twenty, fifty, and hundred-dollar bills, introduced during an event this evening, mark a significant departure from tradition by no longer featuring the British Monarchy. Instead, the new designs honor two of Belize’s national heroes: The Right Honorable George Cadle Price and The Honorable Philip Goldson, recognizing their instrumental roles in Belize’s independence and development.
Developed in partnership with De La Rue International Limited, a global leader in polymer banknote technology, the new currency combines advanced security features with artistic depictions of Belize’s cultural and natural heritage. Each denomination boasts holographic stripes, intricate watermarks, and Mayan numeral graphics to enhance counterfeit protection. Adding a unifying touch to the design, the black orchid, Belize’s national flower, is prominently featured across all notes.
Speaking at the unveiling, Kareem Michael, Governor of the Central Bank of Belize, highlighted the importance of creating secure yet culturally significant currency:
“We are mindful of the increasing use of debit cards, digital transactions, and other forms of payment, which improve the ease of doing business in all areas of the economy. At the same time, we recognize the significant reliance Belizeans place on banknotes for everyday transactions—from the food vendor to the corner shop, on the bus, or in a taxi. These new notes are designed to not only safeguard against counterfeiting but also to celebrate Belize’s rich heritage and the enduring pride of our people.”
Prime Minister John Briceño echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the redesign reflects Belize’s forward-thinking approach. He reassured the public that the value of the Belize dollar, pegged at two Belize dollars to one US dollar, remains unchanged. More importantly, the redesign represents a step toward decolonization, symbolizing Belize’s sovereignty and cultural identity.
“This initiative is more than a technological and aesthetic upgrade—it’s a reflection of our nation’s growth, independence, and deep respect for our history. These notes tell a story of where we’ve been and where we’re going.”
Attendees at the unveiling were particularly struck by the visual and thematic elements of the new banknotes. Reporters on-site captured the excitement and pride of Belizeans, many of whom saw the redesign as a bold step forward. The vibrant notes, color-coded for convenience, will soon enter circulation, with the rollout expected later this year. As Belize prepares to welcome this new era of currency, the redesign stands as a testament to the nation’s commitment to security, progress, and cultural celebration.
T&T – A Sea of Corruption Asserts Pastor
Dottin
Seventh-Day Adventist preacher, Clive Dottin, asserts that the nation’s officials are shielding corrupt multimillion-dollar businesspeople, gang leaders, and killers.
Dottin, age 75, stated that even in the event of a State of Emergency (SoE), crime will only be affected if white-collar criminals are also pursued during the T&T Scrap Iron Dealers’ Association (TTSIDA) Crime Talks and Hamper Drive held on January 22, 2025, at the Marabella Basketball Court adjacent to the former train line.
Dottin urges the attention of major political leaders to root out corrupt officials within the system’s upper hierarchy, stating, “We cannot have parliamentarians fraternizing with gang leaders, crooks, and demons. That has to stop. I call upon the political leaders of the two major political parties in the country. You cannot have people in your ranks who engage in activity that affirms gangs and drug dealing. That is wrong.”
He remarked, “You cannot fight crime and protect assassins. You cannot fight crime and take money at election time for campaign promotions … And that is what is hurting us.”
According to the pastor, when the topic of crime comes up, people often exclusively talk about “poor fellas,” or blue-collar criminals. But to reduce crime, he stated, “We must have a vision one day to be able to arrest the white-collar criminals. Those who bringing in the cocaine are not the poor boys on the train line bringing in the cocaine and those who bringing in the guns.”
He claimed to have interviewed two state security experts about white-collar criminals, those who smuggle in cocaine and AK-15s—and they informed him they were untouchable.
Dottin said the army and coast guard were infected with the corruption virus. “So we are surrounded by a sea of corruption, and I tell people anytime you see a corrupt police or soldier or coastguard man, you will discover that behind him is a lawyer, behind him is a businessman, and sometimes a politician.”
In response to state prosecutor Randall Hector’s murder on December 31, 2024, he stated, “I am saying this without any fear of contradiction, the Government did not provide any security for that guy and he is a guy prosecuting gang leaders.”
T&T – Kamla Welcomes Trump, Blasts Biden
In addition to congratulating US President Donald Trump, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the leader of the Trinidad and Tobago opposition, delivered a scathing critique of the former Joe Biden administration, calling it a “disaster for the American people and the world.” Coach Smythe anticipates “business as usual” from Douglas at the NY indoor meet.
The Trinidad and Tobago opposition leader, Persad-Bissessar stated, “They focused on pushing a woke, extreme left-wing agenda that offended basic common sense and morality, overturned the norms of civ-
ilized public life, disoriented and mutilated children, censored and canceled dissenting views, disparaged religious and conservative values, fueled wars around the world, weaponized the judicial system against political opponents and increased nepotism, corruption, crime, poverty, homelessness, and wealth inequality.”
Persad-Bissessar expressed her admiration for Republican Leader Trump, saying, “I salute President Trump’s resilience, commitment, and fighting spirit. He has survived assassination attempts, political persecution, and years of personal attacks, but he triumphed in the end.” She also stated that she is now anticipating “significant and dramatic changes in international cooperation, diplomacy, foreign affairs, and bilateral relations.”
Persad-Bissessar has subsequently backed down from her remarks after coming under fire. The former prime minister celebrated the return of meritocracy and emphasized the “profound and essential connections at many levels”. The former prime minister noted that Trinidad and Tobago and the United States of America had “profound and essential connections at many levels” and celebrated the return of meritocracy. However, after coming under fire, Persad-Bissessar has subsequently backed down from her remarks.
Due to their membership in the Caribbean Religious Liberty Association, Dottin claimed to have known Hector for ten years.
Dottin claimed, “You notice up to now since he has died, not a Government representa-
tive, they did not come to the funeral and has not said one word about him. Let me tell you why…We are protecting assassins in the country who have political and business connections and that is why the state has not said one word about my church member Randall Hector, who was prepared to die.”
According to him, Hector felt that God had called him to change this culture, therefore even though he understood that prosecuting gang leaders would endanger his life, he embraced the risk.
Insp. Mark Mohammed of the Marabella Police Station also spoke at the event, bemoaning the absence of love in society.
“The police want to work with law-abiding citizens, but criminals need to be wary,” he stated, assuring the inhabitants that the police were not against them.
Mohammed declared, “We are coming for you.”
TTSIDA president Allan Ferguson once more urged the government and business sector to assist him, promising to keep traveling to and helping people in different places.
Grenada – EC$40 Million From China in Financial Aid
The government of China has agreed to provide Grenada with gratuitous aid of 100 million yuan for mutually agreedupon projects. This financial support was signed in an agreement for economic and technical cooperation during Grenada’s prime minister’s recent official visit to China, two other government ministers, and several supporting staff.
Although the agreement was signed on January 13, it was disclosed during a special news conference on Thursday attended by China’s Ambassador to Grenada Wei Hongtian.
“These 100 million Chinese yuan is equivalent to US$13.7,” said Wei as he reiterated that this visit to China was an official visit by the Government of Grenada in observance of the 20th anniversary of both states resuming diplomatic ties.
Since resuming diplomatic relations, China has provided Grenada with millions in grants for capital and social projects.
These include the building of the athletic and cricket stadium, repairs to roads as
well as university scholarships and training for hundreds of young professionals.
Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell who headed the delegation was the first Head of Government to visit China in 2025.
He was accompanied by Ministers Lennox Andrews and Joseph Andall who hold ministerial posts of Economic Development and Foreign Affairs respectively.
“The aid shall be used for implementation of mutually agreed projects,” said the ambassador. The projects that will be covered by that agreement are yet to be disclosed.
“Both sides will set up an apparatus to decide how and when the grant will be distributed,” said the foreign affairs minister who pointed out that Grenada will have to present a plan showing how the money will be utilized.
The financial aid from China is equivalent to EC$40 million.
“This is a significant sum which can go a long way in aiding in the development of Grenada,” said Andall. Andrews, who is also the minister for
UN – Panama Reminds Trump of Treaty Obligations
U.S. President Donald Trump’s inaugural speech, in which he pledged that the United States would retake the Panama Canal, has been reported to the United Nations by Eloy Alfaro de Alba, Panama’s ambassador to the UN, who stated that nations “shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state” as stipulated in the original UN Charter.
The 15-member Security Council received the letter, which was written to Antonio Guterres, the secretary-general of the
United Nations. For 2025–2026, Panama will be a member of the council, which is tasked with upholding global peace and security.
Trump doubled down on his pre-inauguration threat to retake U.S. control of the canal, accusing Panama of reneging on its 1999 commitment to finalize the transfer of the strategic waterway and handing it over to China. The Panamanian government has vehemently refuted these accusations.
Trump declared shortly after taking the oath of office for a second four-year term,
“We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back. We didn’t give it to China.”
Alfaro de Alba concurred with Jose Raul Mulino, the president of Panama, who denounced Trump’s comments.
“Dialogue is always the way to clarify the points mentioned without undermining our right, total sovereignty, and ownership of our Canal,” Mulino stated.
For many years, the United States controlled the area around the passage and constructed most of the canal. However, two agreements struck in 1977 between the US and Panama cleared the path for the canal to be fully returned to Panamanian authority. Following a phase of shared management, the United States turned it over in 1999.
agriculture, said an agreement was also signed about a study in the area of agriculture.
“For the past years we have had an MOU in which China will provide agricultural assistance to the Government and people of Grenada, we are now completing the eighth agreement and we are about to sign the ninth agreement,” he said, adding that once that ninth agreement is signed, it will
be implemented.
Besides the agreement for financial aid, Grenada signed other documents which were either a memorandum of understanding or a memorandum of agreements and they cover a wide range of areas, including agriculture, energy and the environment, renewable energy, arts, culture and tourism, and the blue economy. (CMC)
Guyana – Jonestown Tours Now in Operation
One of the most catastrophic incidents in Guyanese and American history, the 1978 People’s Temple tragedy, was explored on Wanderlust Adventures GY’s first Jonestown Memorial Tour, which was successfully concluded.
The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) announced in a news statement that the tour operator had seven participants, including one of its staff, two locals, two foreign journalists, a Norwegian visitor, and a Californian.
While interacting with Port Kaituma residents, including a witness who lived close to the scene during the tragedy, the participants examined the Jonestown historical site. A visit to the Port Kaituma Market, a pause for introspection at the rapids, and an evening meal and reflection session are some of the tour’s other main features. A visit to Kaieteur was also skillfully included in the program. GTA stated in the announcement that although this is not on the official schedule, it increased the allure of Guyana’s travel options.
The statement states that Torkil Mogstad, a Norwegian participant, commended the experience: “When I recently googled Jonestown, I came across Wanderlust Adventures tour. I was lucky enough to join their first official tour. It was an unforgettable experience that allowed me to reflect on the
events in a very respectful way.”
The California participant, Stephen Matthews, described the excursion as an emotionally intense event. Equally significant is the fact that Wanderlust Adventures GY allowed him to finally enjoy this experience after seven years of trying.
Roselyn Sewcharran, Wanderlust Adventures
GY’s owner, explained, “This tour is not just about history; it’s about understanding, reflection, and connecting with the profound lessons of the past.”
Adding, “We are honored to provide a respectful platform for this important story and to welcome guests from around the world to experience Guyana’s unique history and culture.”
According to GTA, the Jonestown Memorial Tour has generated a lot of attention from across the world, including questions from American tourists, former military personnel, and travel bloggers. International media sources including CNN, The New York Times, NBC News, The Washington Post, and even The Guardian have acknowledged it and through carefully planned events like the Jonestown Memorial Tour, Wanderlust Adventures, an officially recognized tourist company, stated that it will keep collaborating with the GTA to promote Guyana’s history, culture, and scenic beauty.
Guest Editorial: Trump’s First Week Back in Office
Marked
by Racist Actions, Rollback of Worker
Protections
by Stacy M. Brown
For members of the African American community, women, Latinos, LGBTQ, and even some marginalized white men, the buyer’s remorse has been swift and the sense of betrayal gut-wrenching. President Donald Trump wasted no time in using his first week back in the White House to enact policies that critics have called overtly racist, discriminatory, and regressive among the most controversial actions: mass deportations, a push to end birthright citizenship, and the revocation of key worker protections for minorities, women, and other marginalized groups.
The latest executive order, targeting the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) rule, is poised to dismantle decades of progress in workplace equity. The rule, which required federal contractors to take affirmative action to ensure workers are not discriminated against based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, was a crucial safeguard against systemic inequities. Now, with its removal, Black Americans, other minorities, women, and LGBTQ individuals face heightened vulnerability to workplace discrimination.
A Step Backward for Civil Rights
The EEO rule held federal contractors accountable for creating equitable workplaces, covering everything from hiring and promotions to pay. It also empowered the Department of Labor to enforce these standards. By rescinding the rule, Trump
has significantly weakened the government’s ability to combat workplace discrimination, leaving marginalized groups with fewer avenues for recourse.
“Revoking this rule not only undermines workplace equity but signals to private employers that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are no longer a priority,” said Alex Hontos, a partner at the law firm Dorsey & Whitney and an expert on government contracting. Hontos added that Trump’s executive orders will likely extend beyond federal contractors, targeting private companies through enforcement actions and public scrutiny of their DEI efforts.
Ripple Effects Beyond Federal Contractors
The chilling effect of rescinding the EEO rule could reach private employers, many of whom have already begun scaling back DEI programs in response to political and legal pressures. Corporations such as Meta, Ford, McDonald’s, and Walmart have rolled back DEI initiatives following the 2023 Supreme Court decision banning affirmative action in college admissions. Critics warn that this trend and Trump’s executive orders threaten to undo years of progress toward workplace equity.
For Black Americans, who already face systemic barriers in employment, the loss of these protections exacerbates long-standing disparities. Women, particularly women of color, will likely see even more significant hurdles in hiring, pay,
and promotions.
Hypocrisy Within the MAGA Movement
While Trump’s base includes supporters from across various demographics, his actions reflect the MAGA movement’s increasingly hostile stance toward LGBTQ individuals. Notably, Trump’s supporters include Caitlyn Jenner, a trans woman and high-profile conservative figure. However, after the administration’s executive orders targeting LGBTQ rights, many in Trump’s circle have strongly suggested they will only refer to Caitlyn as “Bruce,” her former name, before transitioning. The action signals a clear disregard for transgender identities, even among those who have been loyal to Trump’s agenda. “This is the hypocrisy of the MAGA movement,” noted one LGBTQ advocate who, like so many others, doesn’t want to be identified for fear of Trump and his band of worshippers. “They claim to have diverse supporters, but their policies and rhetoric are unapologetically discriminatory.”
Weakening Enforcement, Discouraging Complaints
Under the now-revoked rule, the Department of Labor had the authority to investigate and address workplace discrimination. Without it, federal contractors may feel less pressure to ensure fair practices, and workers may hesitate to report discrimination, fearing that their cases will not be taken seriously. That’s especially concerning for marginalized communities that already face disproportionate challenges in accessing legal recourse. “Workers who believe they’ve been treated unfairly could find themselves with fewer options to fight back,” a labor expert warned. Several labor experts fear the rollback of these protections could embolden employers to ignore diversity and inclusion goals, further marginalizing those already disadvantaged.
A Broader Conservative Agenda
Trump’s actions align with those of a broader conservative movement against DEI initiatives. The executive order’s directive for attorneys general to scrutinize private-sector DEI efforts has raised alarm among civil rights advocates, who see it as an attempt to dismantle diversity
KARLISA RODNEY
programs across all sectors. Hontos noted that this “stepwise approach” will likely chill DEI initiatives even in companies not directly tied to federal contracts.
The impact of these measures is compounded by other actions taken by Trump during his first week in office, including mass deportations and his move to end birthright citizenship. Critics have described these policies as part of a calculated effort to erode the rights of minorities, immigrants, and women while emboldening his base with overtly racist and exclusionary rhetoric.
Widening Inequities
The rollback of the EEO rule comes at a time when racial and gender inequities remain deeply entrenched in the U.S. workforce. By eliminating proactive measures to ensure equity, Trump’s actions risk normalizing discriminatory practices. Combined with the Supreme Court’s ban on affirmative action in college admissions, these developments create a hostile environment for those seeking equal opportunities. “This is a direct attack on the progress we’ve made as a nation,” civil rights advocates have argued. “It sends a message that diversity and inclusion are no longer valued and that discrimination will not be meaningfully addressed.”
A Return to Jim Crow-like Policies?
For many, Trump’s actions signal a return to an era where the rights of marginalized groups were openly disregarded. Black Americans stand to lose hard-won gains in workplace equity, with women and LGBTQ individuals facing similarly dire consequences. The broader implications of these policies, including their impact on private-sector companies, could reverse decades of progress in creating fair and inclusive workplaces. As Trump’s first week in office draws to a close, the question remains: how much damage will these policies inflict on the most vulnerable populations in America? The stakes could not be higher for those who have fought for civil rights and workplace equality. “We cannot afford to go backward,” said another labor advocate. “This is a fight for the soul of our nation.”
As Attacks Against DE&I Heighten, Costco and Apple Prove Inclusion Remains Good Business
by Stacy M. Brown
Under President Donald Trump’s Project 2025, the administration has launched an unprecedented effort to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) programs. Federal agencies are now prohibited from observing Black History Month, and employees involved in DE&I initiatives have been terminated. Critics argue these measures represent a full-on attack on marginalized communities and signal a clear directive for corporations to follow suit. Trump’s administration, which has no diversity in its ranks, has been accused of setting a dangerous precedent. Some companies, however, remain committed to their DE&I efforts. Organizations like Costco, JPMorgan Chase, Delta Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Apple continue to view diversity as a cornerstone of their workforce strategies, refusing to back down despite mounting pressure from conservatives and the White House.
Corporations Holding the Line Costco’s board of directors recently rejected the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR) proposal that sought to force the company to publish risks associated with its DE&I programs or eliminate them entirely. The board reaffirmed the company’s commitment to inclusion ahead of a January 23 shareholder vote.
“Our success at Costco Wholesale has been built on service to our critical stakeholders: employees, members, and suppliers,” the board said in a statement reported by Forbes. “Our efforts around diversity, equity, and inclusion follow our code of ethics. These efforts remind and reinforce with everyone at our company the importance of creating opportunities for all.”
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has also resisted calls to retreat from diversity programs. “We will continue to reach out to the Black community, the Hispanic community, the veterans community, and LGBTQ. We have teams with second chance initiatives — governors in blue states and red states like what we do,” Dimon said in an interview with CNBC. Apple’s leadership has similarly rejected proposals to scale back DE&I, labeling such measures as attempts to “micromanage” the company’s operations. The board stated, “The proposal is unnecessary as Apple already has a well-established compliance program,” as reported by Tech Xplore.
Walmart’s Retreat Draws Outrage Walmart, by contrast, joined corporations like Meta, McDonald’s, Ford Motor Co., and Molson Coors in rolling back its DE&I initiatives. In response, long-term
shareholders representing $266 billion in funds wrote a letter to CEO Doug McMillon on January 14, expressing their disappointment.
“Seeing the company retreat from its stated values and the business opportunities associated with a diverse and inclusive workforce is very disheartening,” the letter, organized by the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, stated. Caroline Boden of Mercy Investment Services, a signatory of the letter, added, “DEI initiatives aren’t just ‘nice to have,’ they are essential to breaking down systemic inequities hindering our economy and preventing society from fully thriving. Inequity is bad for business and, ultimately, investors.”
A coalition of 14 attorneys general, including Maryland’s Anthony G. Brown, also sent Walmart a letter urging reconsideration. Speaking to CBS News, Brown said, “When major companies roll back their commitments to these efforts, they signal to smaller businesses that it is acceptable to do the same, creating a ripple effect that inflicts lasting harm across our State and nation.”
Advocates Warn of Long-Term Consequences Leaders in DE&I initiatives continue challenging corporate rollbacks, warn-
ing of the harm such decisions could cause. Tinisha Bookhart, co-founder and director of IT and DE&I at Primary Talent Partners, described the move to abandon diversity programs as deeply troubling. “When implemented correctly, DE&I solutions aim to provide opportunities to qualified individuals who, due to conscious or unconscious bias, might not otherwise have them. Abandoning DE&I altogether is a grave misstep that only serves to perpetuate existing disparities in the workforce,” she said.
In an interview with CWS 3.0, Omni Inclusive CEO Perry Charlton said corporations like Costco and Apple serve as shining examples of why DE&I matters. “Diversity in the contingent workforce is not just a moral imperative — it’s an essential driver of innovation, growth, and long-term success. Abandoning these efforts now undermines progress and jeopardizes the future of equitable work environments,” Charlton said.
President Trump Will Raise Your Energy Bills
by Ben Jealous
Rate payers, beware. President Donald Trump’s eagerness to enrich his fossil fuel industry allies with a “drill baby drill” and “export baby export” agenda will raise energy costs for American households.
Burning fossil fuels is deadly on many levels. Pollution from burning coal, oil and gas contaminates air and water, harming and killing people. Extracting and transporting fossil fuels also has fatal consequences.
Moreover, the climate crisis, fueled by these practices, has led to extreme weather events — heat waves, wildfires and hurricanes — that cost lives and damage ecosystems.
Just as our continued reliance on fossil fuels kills people and entire ecosystems, slowing down our transition to clean energy kills jobs. Thanks to President Biden’s legislative achievements — the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and
the CHIPS and Science Act — more than 406,000 new clean energy jobs have been created. These include jobs in manufacturing solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles and batteries, bringing entire supply chains back to the United States. Despite these gains, the Trump administration and its allies in Congress threaten to reverse this progress. By slowing the clean energy transition, they jeopardize economic opportunities while driving up energy costs for consumers. Energy from solar and wind is already less expensive and more resilient than fossil fuels — and the cost keeps dropping.
Policies aimed at undoing the IRA or similar measures would result in higher energy bills for households. Claims that increased fossil fuel production and supply lower energy costs are misleading, especially with liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The U.S. is the world’s leading LNG
exporter. While LNG is marketed as a cleaner alternative, its life cycle — from fracking and transport to burning — releases harmful methane emissions and drives up domestic energy prices.
The Department of Energy confirmed that expanding LNG exports would increase costs for American consumers. Big Oil and Gas prioritize profits over household energy burdens. Companies exporting LNG to countries like China risk not only higher domestic prices but also national security concerns.
President Trump has openly courted the fossil fuel industry, promising them favorable policies in exchange for campaign contributions. At one fundraiser, he encouraged oil and gas executives to collectively contribute $1 billion to his reelection, describing it as a “deal” for them.
Beyond LNG, Trump’s proposed policies, such as tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, could raise gas prices by 35 to
75 cents per gallon, according to industry analysts. His attacks on energy-efficient appliances also threaten utility savings for millions, particularly low-income families who spend a disproportionate share of their income on energy bills.
While Trump talks about lowering energy prices, his policies are more likely to increase costs for consumers. Americans need relief from high energy bills, not policies that prioritize fossil fuel profits over their needs.
The writer is the executive director of the Sierra Club and a professor of practice at the University of Pennsylvania.
NYC – Mayor Adams Has No Plan for Trump’s Immigration Action says Council Speaker
]In response to Mayor Eric Adams’ “no plan” to deal with the Trump administration’s deportation attempts, New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams asked him to join legal battles against the president’s executive order to revoke birthright citizenship. According to her, “the most perverted views of our past are indeed returning today,” as several other cities prepared for this government and for the events that were anticipated in advance.
The order was declared “blatantly unconstitutional” by a court, but President Trump promised to fight. “This city should join the legal challenge to this unconstitutional action,” Speaker Adams said, adding that no president has the authority to alter constitutional amendments by executive order.
New York City has not filed a lawsuit over the directive, but more than two dozen states and two localities have. “The administration of New York City, like so many other cities, had no plan to prepare for the situation,” said Speaker Adams, expressing dissatisfaction at the mayor’s lack of preparation.
At a town hall meeting, Mayor Adams encouraged New Yorkers to go about their everyday lives and assured them that “we are going to continue to stand up for all New Yorkers, documented or undocumented.” It is our responsibility to ensure that everyone in our city receives the services they are entitled to.
NY – Attorney General James Vows to Limit Federal Immigration Enforcement
New York Attorney General Letitia James released the following statement on a memorandum issued by the U.S. Department of Justice addressing state and local law enforcement agencies and federal immigration enforcement:
“This is an attempt by the President to force state and local governments to carry out his mass deportations. New York will not be bullied into breaking the law to fulfill a campaign promise. We will not sit idly by and allow the Constitution to be
undermined.
“In New York state, we have laws that protect immigrants and limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts. Those laws should continue to be followed by all New York law enforcement and officials.
“As Attorney General, I will always uphold our laws and protect the rights of all New Yorkers, including the rights of immigrants.”
Karine Jean-Pierre, Biden’s Press Secretary, Shares Personal Burden
Speaking up about her mother’s fight with colon cancer, Joe Biden’s press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre disclosed that she was essentially working “two full-time jobs” while taking care of her mother when she was at the White House.
Jean-Pierre kept her mother’s health fight a secret from most people, but she later disclosed in Vanity Fair that the then-president was one of the individuals she confided in.
“Every weekend I could, I would drive to New York to see my mom,” the 50-year-old
said, returning late at night to get “a few hours of sleep” before heading back to the White House.
Jean-Pierre revealed that she has been “silently working a second full-time job, which is navigating my mother’s care.”
She acknowledged that her mother, who is a very private person, had begged her not to disclose her illness to “anyone,” particularly the president, but that wasn’t the only reason she kept the heartbreaking news to herself.
Jean-Pierre highlighted her impressive accolades, “I’m the first Black press secretary. The first person of color press secretary. The first openly queer press secretary. The first Haitian American immigrant press secretary. The first press secretary to be all of the above.”
She continued, “Being a first meant that my responsibilities were beyond those in the job description, the load heavier. I bear a certain responsibility to the communities I represent.”
According to Jean-Pierre, she was aware that she never wanted her mother’s illness to be misinterpreted as “an excuse” for her
absence from work.
Noting, “Society doesn’t allow women of color to be vulnerable at work. When you’re a first, you don’t get the benefit of the doubt.”
After an arduous and protracted fight with cancer, her mother’s disease is currently in remission.
In December 2022, Jean-Pierre accompanied the press secretary for a state dinner with the Bidens, recalling one of the final occasions she “recognized [her] mother as the woman I grew up with.”
For the first time since COVID, she said, it seemed safe to have a big dinner party, and her mother was overjoyed to be invited.
Jean-Pierre heard her mother describe it as “the happiest day of my life.”
Jean-Pierre believes this is an excellent moment to explain “what I’ve been through, and what it’s like to come from where I come from and sit in the public eye.” She has no regrets about handling her sorrow in private.
Jean-Pierre spent many minutes praising her family, coworkers, and the president at her last news briefing of the Biden admin-
istration. She also mentioned that this was the administration’s 537th and her 306th briefing.
Her prominent, conspicuous position, she added, should serve as an ‘inspiration to many young girls out there.’
Despite Jean-Pierre’s repeated claims that he had no such plans, she received a lot of criticism last month when Biden pardoned his son, Hunter.
However, she maintained that the president was a sincere individual who made his choice just the same weekend he announced it.
Jean-Pierre remarked, “First of all, one of the things that the president always believes is to be truthful to the American people.”
Even though the legal system had failed his son, Jean-Pierre frantically attempted to maintain the claim that Biden still had trust in it.
She stated, “Two things could be true.” Adding, “The president believes that his son was politically singled out, and he also believes in the justice system and the Department of Justice.”
The Discovery Orchestra Sets Date for Special Black History Month Concert
SUMMIT, N.J. — The Discovery Orchestra (TDO), the Emmy Award-nominated and Telly Award-winning orchestra, which has introduced millions around the world to the rewards of classical music listening through its Discovery Concerts™, will present a special Black History Month performance this February. The program, Discover Angelitos Negros (Little Black Angels), will feature the vocal prowess of soprano Cheryl Warfield with prize-winning pianist and composer Patricio Molina. A dramatic exploration of folk music, opera and spirituals showcasing the musical traditions of Black and Latino cultures, the event will feature an interactive exploration by TDO Founder and Artistic Director George Marriner Maull. The free concert, which takes place at Grace Episcopal Church in Newark, New Jersey, on Sunday, February 23, at 3 p.m., will be followed by a reception. A soprano who has performed lead roles in New York and Europe and appeared on Broadway in Hal Prince’s Tony Award-winning revival of Show Boat, Warfield is the founder of the Manhattan Opera Repertory Ensemble (MORE Opera), a New York City-based nonprofit opera company. Also performing will be Molina — an acclaimed Yamaha Artist — serving as music director and collaborator for the special concert, as well as MORE Opera soloists and musicians from the community. TDO is known for its teaching Discovery Concerts™ — musical performances featuring an interactive exploration segment that helps participants focus on specific details of the work — on stage and on the small screen. The Orchestra also presents
community engagement programs in collaboration with its educational partners for underserved audiences in six New Jersey counties.
Angelitos Negros is a concert series launched in 2021 by MORE Opera to collectively serve Black and Latino communities severely impacted by the pandemic. The program was based on a poignant moment in the 1948 Mexican film of the same name in which a young child asks why there are no paintings by the great masters of Black angels. An acclaimed second iteration of Angelitos Negros was presented in December 2023, with composer-pianist Patricio Molina as musical director. The upcoming concert will feature a rousing rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson song known today as the Black National Anthem, in honor of its 125th anniversary; and a Discovery Concert exploration of “Hay una Antilla en Medio del Mar Caribe,” the traditional Dominican poem set to music, arranged by Molina.
“We are very happy to present and participate in this collaboration with MORE Opera, Cheryl, and Patricio,” said Maull. “There is so much music written by Black and Latino composers that is largely unknown to most classical music listeners. We hope to introduce just a tiny portion of this repertoire to our audience and, as usual, help them to listen more perceptively to some of the aspects of one of the compositions featured in the program.”
Sponsored by Sandra Braddy-Hall, Dyan Bryson, and Robert &
Sandra Brown Sherman, Discover Angelitos Negros is free with registration at https://discoveryorchestra.org/angelitos-negros/. Groups wishing to attend should contact TDO Executive Director Rick Kaller at rick@discoveryorchestra.org. The concert snow date is Sunday, March 2 (at 3 p.m.). Grace Episcopal Church is located at 950 Broad Street in Newark.
Colgate Women’s Games Returns for the 49th Season
Founded in 1974 by legendary Brooklyn track coach Fred Thompson, with the support of Colgate-Palmolive, Colgate Women’s Games has promoted the transformational power of athletics, mentorship and education to thousands of young female competitors through organized sport. Participating athletes have the opportunity to win one of more than 100 education scholarships awarded by Colgate-Palmolive each year, in $2,000, $1,000, and $500 denominations based on order of finish in the finals.
“Colgate Women’s Games is more than just a competition; it’s a testament to the power of sport, mentorship, and education to advance the health and wellbeing of all people – and reflects on our Company’s purpose and values of being Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous,” said Sally Massey, Chief Human Resources Officer, Colgate-Palmolive. “The Colgate Women’s Games community cares about each other, welcomes one another with open arms, and supports girls and women as they courageously pursue their dreams. We are incredibly proud of our nearly 50 years of support for this tightknit community, and look forward to cheering our athletes on.”
For nearly 50 years, the Colgate Women’s Games has provided girls and women with opportunities to pursue their educational goals and achieve their potential both on and off the track. As a result, the Colgate Women’s Games has supported thousands of young women in developing successful careers as world-class athletes, doctors, lawyers, teachers, and entrepreneurs. Many standout high school competitors have earned athletic scholarships that enabled them to pay for college. The event has produced over 25 athletes who have competed in renowned world-class championships and has bolstered the careers of hundreds of agegroup, collegiate, and National Champions. “For decades, Colgate Women’s Games has fostered talented leaders both on and off the track and inspired thousands of female athletes with
a focus on mentorship and creating educational pathways that can lead to brighter and healthier futures,” said Cheryl Toussaint, world-class championship medalist and Meet Director, Colgate Women’s Games. “I know the 49th Season will build on our legacy of helping the next generation of girls and women to achieve their dreams.”
This season’s events will be held indoors and include two preliminary meets, a semi-final competition, and a final meet where the top competitors in each event will have the chance to receive educational scholarships and trophies. All girls in grades one and above who are enrolled in and attending school, including women in college and beyond, are eligible to participate in two events at each preliminary meet. Events include: the 55-meter dash, 55-meter hurdles, 200-meter dash, 400-meter dash, 800-meter run, 1,500-meter run, high jump, and shot put, depending on grade division. Medals and ribbons are awarded to top place finishers in each event at preliminary meets, and trophies and medals are awarded to semi-finalists and finalists.
All Season 49 events will be held at The Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory, located at 216 Fort Washington Ave, New York, New York 10032. Key dates for athletes, coaches, parents, and fans to mark in their calendars are as follows:
November 30, 2024: Registration Day. Participants will pick up their complimentary Competitor’s Packet, which includes a competitor’s shirt and bib number (both required to compete), as well as a free family care package of Colgate-Palmolive’s essential health and hygiene products.
December 29, 2024 & January 5, 2025: Preliminary Meets. **Registration for the series closes on January 5, 2025. January 19, 2025: Semi-Finals February 1, 2025: Finals
For more information and to sign up for updates, visit www.colgatewomensgames.com.
CARICOM – To Observe the Trinidad and Tobago General Election
he Guyana-based Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat has accepted an invitation from the Trinidad and Tobago government to send observers to the country’s next general elections, likely to be held in August this year.
“The Secretary-General of CARICOM, Dr Carla Barnett, has accepted the invitation extended to the CARICOM Secretariat by Dr the Honorable Keith Rowley, prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, to deploy an election observation mission to oversee this year’s general elections,”
Trinidad and Tobago’s Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) said in a statement.
It said that Rowley had promised to invite a CARICOM delegation to observe the poll whenever it was called, when he addressed Parliament on December 9 last year.
The OPM said that the “correspondence was sent” to the CARICOM Secretariat on December 11, 2024, and that Barnett in a January 13, 2025, letter, accepted the invitation.
UWI – St. Augustine Campus Lecturers on Strike Over Salary
The West Indies Group of University Teachers (WIGUT) says it intends to continue protest action throughout the semester in support of the ongoing salary dispute with the authorities.
On the first day of the new semester, WIGUT members marched through the university compound warning that there would be a withholding of students’ grades if there was no resolution to the 24 percent salary increase being demanded.
Last November, Finance Minister Colm Imbert said that WIGUT’s demand for the salary increase with back pay amounting to TT$701 million (one TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) was unsustainable as it would place a significant burden on taxpayers.
The union has rejected the government’s offer of a two percent salary increase for the 2015-2017 period, arguing that members were still earning 2014 wages.
St. Kitts/Nevis – Prosecutor Charged with Assisting Murder Suspect Evade the Law
A prosecutor in St Kitts-Nevis has found herself on the wrong side of the law, facing charges for allegedly helping a murder suspect flee the country to evade capture.
Crown Counsel Shantrice Dorset was slapped with six charges related to the assistance she gave to the man suspected of murdering 29-year-old Akeem Archibald.
Archibald was shot with a high-powered automatic rifle on July 20, 2024.
Dorset was denied bail when she appeared in the Magistrates Court and is currently on remand.
In a statement in which the charges were announced “with profound regret”, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)
said Dorset had helped the main suspect in Archibald’s killing, Khyron Philip, leave the country, by sea. He remains at large.
“Some time ago, upon receiving intelligence and being briefed on the matter, the Director of Public Prosecutions commissioned a special criminal investigation into Crown Counsel Ms. Shantrice Dorset.
Following an extensive police investigation into the murder and efforts to apprehend the fugitive, Ms. Shantrice Dorset has been formally charged,” the statement read. She faces three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice and one count each of accessory after the fact to murder, misconduct in public office...
CARIBWELLNESS
NYC H+H/Woodhull Receives Toothbrushes, Toothpastes, and Toys Donated by Kings County Civil Court Judges
A group of eight Kings County Civil Court Judges has made a significant contribution to the dental and oral care of the community, donating 1,500 toothbrushes, 300 tubes of toothpaste, and toys to support the oral health of local children at NYC Health + Hospitals/ Woodhull. Honorable Brian L. Gotlieb, Judge of the Civil Court of the City of New York, County of Kings, alongside the Dentistry department staff, was present to distribute the items to children attending their early morning appointments at the Pediatric Dental Clinic. Motivated by a desire to give back, the group of Kings County Civil Court Judges came together to honor and recognize National Children’s Dental Health Month. Originally observed as “Children’s Dental Health Day” in February 1941, this annual celebration, sponsored by the American Dental Association (ADA), emphasizes the importance of children’s dental and oral health. Judges Ellen Edwards, Jill Epstein, Pamela Fynes, Brian Gotlieb, Edward King, Delsia Marshall, Javier Ortiz, Dweynie Paul, and Lola Waterman are donating over 9,000 toothbrushes and 2,000 tubes of toothpaste to pediatric dental clinics throughout Brooklyn. “On behalf of NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull, we sincerely thank the Kings County Civil Court Judges for their generous donation of toothbrushes, toothpaste, and toys,” said
Gregory Calliste, Chief Executive Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull. “Their support enhances the dental health of children in our community and raises awareness about the importance of oral care.”
According to Judge Gotlieb, who has donated supplies to the clinic at NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health for several years and spearheaded the drive, “The people of Brooklyn have honored us with their trust and support. It is a privilege to join with my colleagues to play a small part in helping our neighbors throughout Brooklyn fight childhood tooth decay and develop a lifetime of good dental health,” said Honorable Brian L. Gotlieb, Judge of the Civil Court of the City of New York, County of Kings.
“Judge Gottlieb’s distribution of toothbrushes, toothpaste, and toys to the patients of our pediatric dental practice was an incredible experience. The expression on the children’s faces when receiving gifts from Judge Gottlieb was priceless. The parents and staff were all quite appreciative. It’s events like this that make a world of difference to so many. We look forward to continuing this partnership with Judge Gotlieb on this and other initiatives in the years to come,” said Dr. Steven Gounardes, Program Director, General Dentistry & Special Care, NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull.
NY – Renee Hastick-Motes Named CEO of Joseph Addabbo Health Center
Renee Hastick-Motes has been the CEO of the Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center for eight years after she led St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in a transformational capacity.
Since 2016, Hastick-Motes has served as the senior vice president and chief external affairs officer at Episcopal Health Services (EHS), reversing years of disinvestment and enhancing the quality of care at St. John’s. She established the St. John’s ICARE Foundation to assist the hospital’s efforts and obtained money for significant
projects, such as a new LDRP unit. Her vision and dedication to improving healthcare in the Rockaways were commended by the ICARE Foundation. Hastick-Motes began working at the Addabbo Family Health Center on January 6 and provided full services to more than 20,000 patients. She said she was eager to keep helping the Rockaways and to broaden her work in Red Hook and Southeast Queens. Hastick-Motes, who has more than 20 years of expertise in healthcare management, is poised to improve the center’s influence and community health results. She was greeted by the board chair, who emphasized her dedication to community health, inventiveness, and in-depth knowledge of healthcare dynamics. Hastick-Motes has a Master of Public Administration from Long Island University, is an adjunct lecturer, and supports women in leadership roles in the healthcare industry. She has demonstrated leadership by forming strategic alliances, managing teams, and expanding access to high-quality medical care. Hastick-Motes is dedicated to improving healthcare equity and access for marginalized groups as she begins her new position.
“We are very grateful for this generous donation for our pediatric dental patients. These items will help us to continue to raise dental health awareness and educate our patients on the importance of maintaining healthy oral hygiene,” said Tania Desgrottes, Associate Executive Director Ambulatory Care, NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull.
“I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Honorable Brian L. Gotlieb and the dedicated group of Kings County Civil Court Judges for their heartwarming initiative. Their generous contribution to the community is a powerful reminder of the positive impact we can all make when we come together in support of a
shared
The Department of Dentistry at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull offers comprehensive, high-quality dental and oral health care for patients of all ages. With state-of-the-art facilities and a wide range of services—including pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, and dental surgery— the team is committed to providing excellent care. Services are available seven days a week, and most dental insurance plans are accepted, with reduced fees for patients with limited resources. For appointments, please call 718-963-8308 or 8309.
cause,” said Jessica Arocho, Director of Community Affairs, NYC Health + Hospitals/ Woodhull.
Jamaica – Prof. Kwame Dawes New Poet Laureate
Kwame Dawes is the author of numerous books of poetry and other books of fiction, criticism, and essays. At an investiture ceremony held at King’s House on January 22, 2025, acting Governor-General Steadman Fuller successfully pinned Professor Dawes as the most recently appointed Poet Laureate of Jamaica serving between the years of 2025-2028. In his acceptance address, Dawes, began with a poem, “because we are, as it happens, celebrating poetry.”
Neville Dawes is the author of the poem “Acceptance”, which is “written by a great Jamaican poet … a poem of great skill and beauty and a poem that I have considered my lodestar as a poet.”
As the son of the late Neville Dawes, Kwame’s poetry invokes his presence at King’s House, which is a fitting approach to honor the man he chose to honor.
The poem was undoubtedly “poeming,” as Gen Z would say, as it celebrated the pleasures of rural living in a language that only poets could create.
“At the heart of this poem is praise and praise is the gesture of the poet [who] I want to honor this morning,” the professor said. Dawes, who has the highest literary title in the country, went poetic in his succinct and passionate address. He guided listeners through the complexities of being named Jamaica’s
Poet Laureate while reaffirming poets’ status as “chroniclers of their time” and the custodians of memories that some people would want to forget.
Dawes remarked in his address, “They [poets] are not historians in the strictest term but do something even more critical, they leave evidence of the human feeling … the human imagination … the quotidian human life in the world and if they allow themselves to do so they chronicle the natural world that has shaped them.”
Dawes said that his talent to transform prose into poetry, “We know that society can conspire to silence and even erase the voices of whole swathes of humanity. We know that it is possible to leave a people bereft of their knowledge of who they are and where they have come from. To silence poets … to deprive poets of the freedom and the means to make and share poems is, in essence, to deprive society of the memory of its most intimate selves … its most vital self.”
He went on to say, “And I consider my role one of affirming this nation’s desire to resist that erasure, to facilitate and make possible room in which anyone caught in the dream and desire and compulsion to talk dem talk, to articulate experience with the beautiful execution of language to remain available to them.”
“Stimulate a greater appreciation for Jamaican
poetry while aiming to develop mass appeal for poetry as an art and a medium for disseminating our cultural heritage” is the main goal of the Poet Laureate Program. The most renowned and successful poets in a nation are often chosen to serve as the Poet Laureate. Public votes provided on a predetermined form are used to make nominations. A nine-member committee then evaluates those who fit the specified requirements, and a secret ballot is used to choose the winner. Following independence, Mervyn Morris, Lorna Goodison, and
Olive Senior were the previous Poet Laureates. In a recent interview with a local newspaper, Dawes stated, “I think this is very exciting, but most of all I am looking forward to the work that we are going to do. And we are going to do really exciting work … and we have three years to make it happen. Most of what we want to do is solidify opportunities for writers in Jamaica for poets and to create institutions that will have a long-lasting impact on preserving writing and celebrating writings. And I have some plans in that direction.”
Born to Jamaican parents in Ghana and raised in Jamaica, Dawes is presently a professor of literary arts at Brown University in the United States and a lecturer in Pacific University’s Master of Fines Arts program. He stated that although he is not based in Jamaica, he “will be here very often, back and forth.”
He was taken aback by the presence of his alma mater at the event, having previously attended Jamaica College (JC). He concluded by asking his listeners to “give thanks to di JC man dem.”
A branch of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport, the National Library of Jamaica, organized the event. Olivia Grange, the portfolio minister, was among the presenters. NLJ officials, including national librarian Beverley Lashley, gave remarks.
Bob Marley’s “Legend” Achieved 15X Platinum in the UK
Bob Marley & The Wailers’ timeless album “Legend” continues to cement its legacy, earning an impressive 15X Platinum certification in the UK, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) announced. This milestone reflects over 4.5 million sales and streams in the region, up from 14X Platinum (4.2 million units) in August 2022.
Originally released by Island Records in 1984, three years after Marley’s passing, “Legend” remains one of the most beloved albums worldwide. Packed with classics like “Three Little Birds,” “Is This Love,” and “Could You Be Loved,” the album has captivated generations with its blend of reggae, soul, and activism. It includes tracks from Marley’s time with The Wailers, featuring Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, as well as his solo career.
Currently in its 1,169th week on the UK Albums Chart, sitting at No. 58, “Legend” holds one of the longest chart runs in history—second only to ABBA’s Gold: Greatest Hits, which boasts 1,184 weeks. With this latest certifi-
cation, Legend is tied with Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Dire Straits’ Brothers in Arms as the sixth best-selling album in UK history. Leading the rankings is Queen’s Greatest Hits (23X Platinum), followed by ABBA’s Gold (22X Platinum), and Adele’s 21 and The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (18X Platinum each).
The tracks on “Legend” are a testament to Marley’s enduring influence. The album features 10 of his top 40 UK singles, including: Three Little Birds: Certified 3X Platinum (1.8 million units), making it the best-selling track from the album.
Is This Love and Could You Be Loved: Both certified 2X Platinum (1.2 million units each).
Platinum-certified hits include “No Woman, No Cry,” “One Love/People Get Ready,” “Jamming,” and “Buffalo Soldier” (600,000 units each).
Gold certifications (400,000 units each) include “Redemption Song,” “Stir It Up,” and “Waiting In Vain.”
Silver-certified tracks (200,000 units each) include “Exodus,” “I Shot The Sheriff,” “Get Up Stand Up,” and “Satisfy My Soul.”
Beyond the UK, “Legend” has achieved remarkable success worldwide. It is certified 18X Platinum in the United States, Diamond in France, Platinum in Germany, 6X Platinum in Australia, 20X Platinum in New Zealand, and has multi-Platinum certifications in Belgium, Argentina, and Canada.
“Legend” is more than an album; it’s a cultural touchstone. Its success speaks to Bob Marley’s ability to unite people across borders with messages of love, resilience, and social justice. Decades after its release, the album continues to inspire and resonate, ensuring Marley’s legacy lives on in the hearts of listeners around the world.
Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Partners with AUA Rohrman Trail & Swim Fest
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority proudly announces its partnership as a Gold Sponsor of the 11th annual AUA Rohrman Trail & Swim Fest, taking place on April 19-20, 2025. This groundbreaking event not only showcases Antigua and Barbuda’s potential as a world-class sports tourism destination but also highlights the twin-island’s unique natural beauty and capacity to host international endurance athletes.
Over the past decade, the AUA Rohrman has welcomed hundreds of participants from dozens of countries across the globe. This year athletes from as far as France, Canada, the USA, the UK, Jamaica, Trinidad, and Barbados have already registered, solidifying the event’s reputation as one of the premier endurance festivals in the Caribbean.
Colin C. James, CEO, at the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, emphasized the
importance of this partnership: “The AUA Rohrman Trail & Swim Fest is an extraordinary opportunity to position Antigua & Barbuda as a top-tier sports tourism destination. By welcoming athletes and their families from across the globe, this event contributes to our local economy, celebrates our stunning landscapes, and fosters international camaraderie. We are proud to support this world-class event.”
Rory Butler, Director of the Rohrman Sports Association, added:
“The Rohrman has always been about showcasing the very best of Antigua & Barbuda—our natural beauty, our welcoming spirit, and our ability to host elite athletes and adventurous amateurs alike. The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority’s partnership enhances our ability to share this with the world. We are thrilled to welcome participants from so many countries to our shores this year.”
Global Athletes, World-Class Competition
Since its inception in 2012 as a half-ironman triathlon, the AUA Rohrman has grown into a multifaceted festival featuring some of the world’s top endurance athletes. Past participants include:
Andrea Hewitt, a three-time Olympian with three top-10 finishes in the Olympics and a regular contender in the World Triathlon Series. David Hauss, who returns this year after placing 4th in the triathlon at the London 2012 Olympics and transitioning to trail running dominance with victories in events like Le Grand Raid de la Réunion.
Benjamin Sanson, a French swimming legend undefeated in swimming events in Antigua since 2012.
This year’s edition promises to continue the tradition of high-caliber competition, with elite athletes competing in events such as the 25KM
Trail Challenge and 4KM Open Water Swim. A Showcase of Antigua & Barbuda’s Beauty
The AUA Rohrman Trail & Swim Fest offers a uniquely immersive experience, combining competition with exploration of the islands’ stunning natural landscapes. The event includes:
Trail Routes: Pass through iconic locations like Winter Hill, Cade Peak, Rendezvous Bay, Sugar Loaf, and Tucks Point, offering athletes breathtaking views of Antigua’s rugged terrain. Open Water Swims: Starting at Carlisle Bay and finishing at Morris Bay, the 2KM and 4KM swim courses offer participants an unparalleled experience of Antigua’s pristine waters.
Family-Friendly Events: Kids Triathlons and a 5K Walk/Run ensure there’s something for every age and ability.
Continued online at www.nycaribnews.com
Guadeloupe Islands Shine at the New York Travel & Adventure Show
The Guadeloupe Islands Tourism Board (GITB) recently captivated audiences at the New York Travel & Adventure Show, one of North America’s premier travel events. The highly anticipated event, which draws over 25,000 attendees annually, provided the perfect stage for the Guadeloupe Islands to showcase their breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural heritage as a premier French Caribbean destination. At the heart of the delegation’s presence was an immersive 40-square-meter booth that offered visitors an authentic taste of Guadeloupe. A key highlight was the **Memorial ACTe**, a world-renowned cultural and historical center praised by Reverend Jesse Jackson as “the most phenomenal museum of its kind in the world.” Attendees learned about the museum’s profound exploration of the transatlantic slave trade and the African and Caribbean diaspora, underscoring Guadeloupe’s commitment to preserving and sharing its history.
One of the event’s most celebrated announcements was the renaming of Guadeloupe’s main airport to Guadeloupe International Maryse Condé Airport in honor of the internationally acclaimed novelist. “Condé’s remarkable storytelling
has brought the richness of Guadeloupean culture to the global stage,” said Alain Bièvre, Chairman of the airport’s Board.
“It was deeply meaningful to share this milestone with attendees, particularly in New York, where Condé once taught at Columbia University.”
Another standout moment came with live performances honoring Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, the legendary Guadeloupean violinist, composer, and fencer. A string quartet enchanted audiences with two sessions, offering a preview of the upcoming Festival International de Musique Saint-Georges, scheduled for November 2025 in Guadeloupe.
Visitors were also treated to a sensory journey through Guadeloupe’s culinary heritage, sampling local delicacies such as artisanal fruit jellies and traditional coconut confections. Travel experts from partners like La Clef des Îles and CaraSouls were on hand to assist attendees in planning their dream trips to the islands, highlighting curated vacation packages and personalized travel services.
“The U.S. market, particularly the East Coast, remains a strategic focus for the Guadeloupe Islands,” said Rodrigue Solitude, Acting General Director of the GITB. “We continue to see growing interest from American travelers, who are drawn to our destination’s authentic culture, natural beauty, and vibrant spirit.”
The Guadeloupe Islands’ participation at the New York Travel & Adventure Show was a resounding success, leaving attendees inspired by the islands’ turquoise waters, lush rainforests, and unique blend of French and Creole influences. For those who visited, the event marked the beginning of their journey to discover the unparalleled charm of Guadeloupe.
CARIBLIFESTYLE
Charmaine Wilkerson Unveils “Good Dirt”
Charmaine Wilkerson, the acclaimed author of the award-winning “Black Cake”, has returned with her highly anticipated new novel, “Good Dirt”, published today by Penguin Random House. With her signature blend of lyrical storytelling and rich, layered narratives, Wilkerson once again delves into themes of family, identity, and the secrets buried beneath the surface of our lives. “Good Dirt” is set to captivate readers with its powerful exploration of heritage and resilience, cementing Wilkerson’s place as a literary voice that contin-
ues to resonate on a global scale.
“Black Cake” was featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Good Housekeeping, Marie Claire, Essence, Parade, PEOPLE magazine, WWD, W magazine, BookPage, InStyle, BBC News, British Vogue, Grazia, Times Sunday Magazine, Town & Country, Vulture & others, and was adapted for the screen by Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Films, award-winning screenwriter/creator Marissa Jo Cerar, and Kapital Entertainment
About The Book
When ten-year-old Ebby Freeman heard the gunshot, time stopped. And when she saw her brother, Baz, lying on the floor surrounded by the shattered pieces of a centuries-old jar, life as Ebby knew it shattered as well.
The crime was never solved—and because the Freemans were one of the only Black families in a particularly well-to-do enclave of New England—the case has had an enduring, voyeuristic pull for the public. The last thing the Freemans want is another media frenzy splashing their family across the papers, but when Ebby’s high profile romance falls apart without any explanation, that’s exactly what they get.
Ebby flees to France, only for her past to follow her there. And as she tries to process what’s happened, she begins to think about the other loss her family suffered on that day eighteen years ago—the stoneware jar that had been in their family for generations, brought North by an enslaved ancestor. But little does she know that the handcrafted piece of pottery held more
than just her family’s history—it might also hold the key to unlocking her own future.
In this sweeping, evocative novel, Charmaine Wilkerson brings to life a multi-generational epic that examines how the past informs our present.
The New York Times had this to say: “Engrossing . . . Wilkerson masterfully weaves these threads of love, loss and legacy through Old Mo’s journey as well as the ongoing mystery of Baz’s murder. The result is a thoroughly researched and beautifully imagined family saga, with a moving and hopeful ending.”
About Charmaine
Charmaine Wilkerson is a CaribbeanAmerican writer who has lived in Jamaica and Italy. Her newest novel is Good Dirt. Her debut novel Black Cake is a New York Times bestseller, a #ReadWithJenna book club pick, and the basis for the Hulu/ Disney+ screen series of the same name. Charmaine is a former news and communication professional whose award-winning short fiction has appeared in various anthologies and magazines.
New York Fashion Workers Act Signed Into Law
New York is taking a major step in regulating the fashion industry with the passage of the New York State Fashion Workers Act signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul. Set to take effect on June 19, 2025, the Act introduces strict oversight on model management companies (MMCs) and clients—including designers, retailers, and media companies—to ensure fair treatment, transparency, and workplace protections for fashion workers.
Key Changes Under the Act:
Mandatory Registration: MMCs must register with the New York Department of Labor and comply with financial and transparency requirements.
Contract & Payment Protections: Clear agreements, timely payments, and wage protections, including overtime pay for models working beyond eight hours.
AI & Digital Replica Rights: Written consent is required before creating or using a model’s AI-generated likeness.
Workplace Safety & Ethics: New standards on harassment prevention, liability insurance, and financial disclosures to protect models from exploitation.
Enforcement & Legal Rights: Models can now take legal action against MMCs for violations, with potential penalties for non-compliance.
Key Definitions and Expansions Under the Act
The Act introduces critical definitions for terms not previously covered in the Labor Law, including “Model,” “Modeling Services,” “Model Management Company,” “Client,” and “Digital Replica” (Section 1031). These definitions clarify the scope of the law and the roles
it seeks to regulate.
Client: A broad category that encompasses retail stores, designers, manufacturers, photographers, publishing companies, or any other person or entity that receives modeling services from a model, directly or through intermediaries. (Section 1031(1)).
Model: An individual, regardless of the individual’s status as an independent contractor or employee, who performs modeling services for a client and/or model management company or who provides showroom, parts, or fit modeling services. (Section 1031(2)).
Model Management Company: Any individual or entity that is in the business of managing models, procuring employment or engagements for models, or provides counseling services to models. It expressly excludes entities that are licensed as employment agencies under Article 11 of the General Business Law. (Section 1031(3)).
Modeling Services: Any appearance by a model in photographic sessions or the engagement of a model in live runway, live, filmed, or taped performances, including on social media platforms, requiring the model to pose, provide an example or standard of artistic expression or to be a representation to show the construction or appearance of some thing or place for purposes of display or advertising, including the provisions of castings, fittings, photoshoots, showroom, parts or fit modeling services, and the use of digital replicas. (Section 1031(4)).
Digital Replica: Computer-generated or AI-enhanced representations of a model’s likeness, requiring written consent for creation or use. (Section 1031(7)).
While this law strengthens protections for fashion workers, it also raises concerns about joint-employer liability, making it essential for MMCs and clients to review their compliance strategies before the law takes effect.
This groundbreaking legislation positions New York as a leader in setting new industry standards for fairness, transparency, and ethical business practices in the fashion world.
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2025 Concacaf Women’s U-17 Qualifiers Round One Starts Off With Many Goals
MIAMI – The 2025 Concacaf Women’s U-17 Qualifiers got underway with the opening matchday in Round One, featuring the first bouts in Groups A, B, C, and D on Monday.
Hosts Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago got off to winning starts in Groups A and B, each starting in first place. Panama and El Salvador were the most effective teams on the scoresheet to take the lead in Groups C and D, respectively.
Group A - Puerto Rico 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0
The first game of the new format kicked off with Group A hosts Puerto Rico winning 3-nil against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at Estadio Centroamericano in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.
Gabriella Garnett started the goal count in the 3’ with a left-footed shot in the penalty area. Garnett secured her brace in the 7’ with a left-foot shot from outside the area.
Selymar Centeno scored the third of the day in the 21’ with a right-footed hit from the right side of the area.
Bermuda 2, Cayman Islands 0 Bermuda earned a 2-nil victory over the Cayman Islands in Group A at Estadio Centroamericano in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.
Daley Outerbridge struck a brace to lead Bermuda to victory, with her first goal coming in the 44’ on an assist by Milan Gibbons-Thomas. Outerbridge struck a loose ball in the area in the 53’ to seal her brace and her team’s first three points.
Group B - Honduras 2, Belize 0
Honduras opened Group B action with a 2-nil win against Belize at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago. The first goal for La H came in the 6’, as Jazlyn Sanchez controlled a cross in the right side of the box and found the back netting with a right-footed shot.
Alexandra Merriam extended the lead for Honduras in the 90 ‘+2, being at the right place to help her nation seal its first three points.
Trinidad and Tobago 5, U.S. Virgin Islands 0
Group B hosts Trinidad and Tobago started its campaign with a 5-nil win against the U.S. Virgin Islands at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago.
Orielle Martin gave the Soca Warriors the advantage with a left-footed shot in the 27’. Martin scored the second goal of the evening in the 29’ with a long shot on the edge of the line and earned her hat-trick in the 60’. A fourth goal came from Martin’s boots in the 66’ from a long volley outside the area.
Nikita Gosine closed the night with her first and fifth goal for Trinidad and Tobago when she took a right-footed strike in the box to the lower left corner of the goal.
Group C - Cuba 2, Guyana 1 Cuba defeated Guyana 2-1 to begin play in Group C at Estadio Olímpico Félix
Sánchez in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Yaiselis López opened the scoring in the 44’ after a great collective play that allowed her to face the goalkeeper in a one-on-one
situation.
Alexaudria Chasles hit a volley from midfield into the net to tie the match in the 56’.
Cuba regained the lead off a free kick in the 64’ from Aneilis Calvo, a goal that would become the match-winner.
Panama 9, Turks and Caicos Islands 0 Panama won 9-nil against Turks and Caicos Islands in Group C at the Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Analía Arosemena gave Las Canaleras an early lead in the 3’ with a long-range shot. Kelly Zapata got the second goal of the evening in the 30’.
Alison Onodera kept the tally going with Panama’s third in the 38’ with a shot from outside the area. Onodera got her second goal, and fourth for Panama, in the 54’ with a right-footed shot from the left side of the box.
Thelma Montenegro struck a fifth goal for the Central American side in the 68’ by striking a right-footed volley from outside the area.
Xianna Yee got the sixth of the night in the 77’ with a right foot banger from outside the area.
Shaday Mow earned a brace to score Panama’s seventh and eighth goals in the 79’ and 86’. Stacy Montenegro opened her account for Panama’s ninth and final goal in the 90’+1.
Group D - El Salvador 9, Anguilla 0 El Salvador won 9-nil over Anguilla in Group D at Estadio Nacional in Managua, Nicaragua.
La Selecta began its goal count in the 6’
with a right-footed shot from Angelina Carrillo. The second goal came two minutes later, in the 8’, from a left-footed hit from the edge of the area by Abigail Salgado.
Maya Buerger scored a superb volley from outside the area in the 30’ for the third goal. The fourth for El Salvador came in the 34’ from the boots of Ava Rodriguez. Buerger got her brace and the fifth goal for El Salvador in the 36’, originating from a corner kick play. Abigail Salgado added another to her name in the 40’ to score the sixth goal.
Las Cuscatlecas kept their tally going in the second half, with Angie Alvarenga scoring the seventh goal of the evening in the 48’, striking a banger from outside the area.
Buerger converted for her hat-trick, and eight for her team, in the 54’ with a right-footed shot in the box. She got her fourth and ninth goals for her team in the 81’, controlling a ball near the goalkeeper’s line to put a bow on a perfect debut for El Salvador.
Guatemala 3, Curaçao 1 Guatemala earned a 3-1 victory against Curaçao in Group D at Estadio Nacional in Managua, Nicaragua.
Allison Mayorga struck in the 2’ to place Guatemala in the lead. Jeandrelys Alexandre pulled one goal back for Curaçao in the 15’ with a header from a corner kick. Linda Galindo recovered Guatemala’s advantage in the 32’ via penalty kick, putting the ball in the right side of the net. Waleska Franco closed the victory for La Bicolor in the 88’ with a free kick shot from outside the area.
