Or face the prospect of a product boycott CALLS FOR PEPSICO TO RESTORE DEI PROGRAM
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NEW YORK
CARIBBEAN NATIONALS AMONG MIGRANTS
In roundup by ICE in sweeping raid detaining more than 130 peoplethe legality in question
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NEW JERSEY JAMAICAN DAREN MILLER NAMED CEO OF MAJOR CHARITY
In US, Mount Carmel Guild, a 105 year-old non-profit organization
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A&E
SEAN PAUL UK TOUR SET
The dancehall superstar brings together dancehall, reggae and hip hop to the tour
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Booker, Harris and Obama are all bringing messages of resilience and resistance to some of Trump’s policies they feel are affecting the countries TRAVEL Government and the organization are in talks SANDALS GOING TO TOBAGO?
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CaribNews
EDITORIAL
AFRICA WORLD BRIEFS
DR Congo crisis: 41,700 refugees have fled violence to Uganda
OPINION
The History They Fear is the Truth We Carry by Ben Jealous - P 9
HEALTH
Aid Cuts Threaten Fragile Progress in Ending Maternal Deaths, UN Agencies Warn - P 16
SPORTS
Cricket West Indies Invests in Future Talent Women’s Academy HighPerformance Skills Camp - P 20
Some 41,000 refugees have crossed from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) into Uganda since January, many of them having witnessed killings, “sexual violence and other traumatic experience during their flight,” said the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) on Tuesday.
Every day since the end of last month, around 600 Congolese have been crossing the border into Uganda – which hosts the largest number of refugees in Africa – bringing the total sheltering there to nearly 600,000, out of a total of 1.8 million.
This “risks overwhelming the country’s capacity as it also responds to the needs of over 70,000 Sudanese refugees who have arrived fleeing the two-year long war in Sudan,” says UNHCR.
Many of the new arrivals – mostly women and children – come by foot or local transport, while there have been “increasing reports of men traveling separately from their families to avoid being forcibly recruited by armed groups,” said UNHCR.
Children are particularly vulnerable, with many arriving in “a weakened state amidst a high prevalence of malaria and malnutrition.”
Transit is overwhelmed, with Nyakabande, one of the main transit centres, reaching six times its capacity. Critical shortages of bathing facilities and latrines are putting people at dire risk of deadly diseases, with most already suffering poor health.
UN reflects on the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda
The UN Secretary-General called on Monday for commitment to build a world of justice and dignity in honour of the victims and survivors of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
António Guterres joined survivors, diplomats and civil society members for the annual ceremony in the UN General Assembly Hall to mourn the lives lost in this “chilling chapter in human history” and to prevent it from ever happening again. He recalled that the genocide occurred at terrifying speed. The atrocities took place over 100 days, starting on 7 April 1994. Some one million children, women and men were killed. While the overwhelming majority were Tutsi, Hutu and others who opposed the genocide also were slaughtered.
Collective failure to act
“This was not a spontaneous frenzy of horrendous violence,” he said.
“It was intentional. It was premeditated. It was planned, including through the hate speech that inflamed division, and spread lies and dehumanization. And it was the product of a collective failure to act.”
The President of the UN General Assembly, Philémon Yang, also addressed the international community’s inaction.
Gaza: Guterres calls on Israel to ensure life-saving aid reaches civilians
With no aid allowed into Gaza for more than a month, the UN Secretary-General appealed on Tuesday for guaranteed humanitarian access to the enclave.
Speaking to journalists at UN Headquarters, António Guterres also repeated his call for a renewed ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and the release of all hostages still being held inside the shattered enclave.
No food, fuel, medicine and commercial items have entered Gaza since 2 March following the Israeli blockade, and supplies are piling up at crossing points. Meanwhile, the ceasefire announced in January following 15 months of war has collapsed, amid airstrikes, renewed ground operations and rocket launches into Israel by Palestinian militants.
‘An endless death loop’ “As aid has dried up, the floodgates of horror have re-opened,” Mr. Guterres said.
“Gaza is a killing field – and civilians are in an endless death loop.”
He noted that “certain truths are clear since the atrocious October 7 attacks by Hamas,” chiefly that ceasefires work.
Dangers grow for Myanmar quake survivors, health system ‘overwhelmed’
In earthquake-shattered central Myanmar, people are sleeping in the streets in fear of buildings collapsing, facing early monsoon rains and the risk of waterborne diseases, the UN warned on Tuesday.
Ten days after a 7.7 magnitude quake levelled buildings and buckled bridges across central Myanmar, the latest death toll has passed 3,500 and is “likely to rise”, said Titon Mitra, UN Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Representative in the country, speaking from the devastated city of Mandalay.
He said that the response has moved into a “tragic phase” shifting from rescue to recovery efforts.
Well over 4,000 people have been injured in the quakes last week and more than 80 per cent of buildings have been damaged – especially in the major townships of Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway.
“The health system is completely overwhelmed, hospitals are unable to cope with the number of patients they’re dealing with,” Mr. Mitra said, adding that medicines and healthcare items are in “incredibly short supply”.
According to the UN humanitarian affairs coordination office (OCHA), more than 500,000 people across the country have been left without access to life-saving health care.
UNDP’s Mr. Mitra also stressed that the risk of waterborne diseases is very high because urban water pipe systems are broken and water storage facilities are damaged.
“Sanitation is now becoming a big issue as people who have been forced out...
Trump Slaps Highest Tariff Yet on Small African Nation by Stacy M. Brown - P 9
CARIBNEWS
PM Mia Mottley - Impact of the Global Crises on the Caribbean
Barbados Prime Minister and current CARICOM Chair, Mia Mottley, has delivered a pointed response to the newly announced trade tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking on behalf of CARICOM, Mottley reaffirmed the Caribbean’s historic partnership with the United States, stressing that the region is not an adversary but an ally. She urged Caribbean leaders to view this moment as a catalyst for change, calling for bold steps toward reducing reliance on a single market. Mottley emphasized the need to strengthen local production, embrace greater self-reliance, and actively pursue deeper trade relationships with Africa and other emerging markets poised for growth.
Here is her speech below;
Good day.
I speak to all our Caribbean brothers and sisters today, not as the Prime Minister of Barbados, but in my capacity as chair of the Caribbean Community.
Our world is in crisis. I will not sugarcoat it. These are among the most challenging of times for our region since the majority of our members gained their independence. Indeed, it is the most difficult period our world has faced since the end of World War II, 80 years ago. Our planet faces a climate catastrophe that worsens every year. We have a cost-of-living crisis that has been bedevilling us since the disruption of supply chains, when the COVID-19 Pandemic triggered the shutdown of the majority of countries.
Misinformation, disinformation and manipulation are relevant. The mental health crisis is causing hopelessness among many of our young people, and regrettably, crime and fear are on the rise. We’re fighting wars in the Holy Land, in Europe and in Africa. Countries are distrustful of countries and neighbours are distrustful of neighbours. The international order, the international system, my friends, is in great danger of collapse, and now we are on
the precipice of a global trade war.
Our Caribbean economies are largely reliant on imports. Just go to the supermarket or visit the mall or the hardware shop or the electronic store, and you will see that most of the things there are not produced in this Region. Many of those commodities are either purchased directly from the United States of America or passed through the United States of America on their way to the Caribbean region. That, my friends, is a legacy of our colonial dependence. Together with colleague Heads of State and Heads of Government, we have been working to diversify ourselves away from this dependence. We’ve already started to reap some successes, especially in the field of agriculture, for example, but we still have a long way to go. As we do this work, we have to be mindful that those recent announcements that have been made in the last few days will impact us very directly as a Region and as a Caribbean people. We are working and will continue to work to become more self-sufficient, but I want every Caribbean man and every Caribbean woman to hear me. This trade war and the possibility of a US $1 million to $1.5 million levy on all Chinese made ships entering US harbours will mean higher prices for all of us at the corner shop, higher prices at the supermarket, higher prices at the electronic store, higher prices for us at the shop, higher prices for us at the restaurant, higher prices for us at the current dealership and beyond.
A lot of Caribbean people will think that these things that you are seeing on television news or reading about are far away and “They don’t impact on me.” A lot of people think “I’m just a farmer”, “I’m just a schoolteacher”, or “I’m just a mechanic.” They say, “I live in Saint Lucy in Barbados”, or “I live in Portmore in Jamaica”, or Kingstown in St Vincent, or Arima in Trinidad or Basseterre in St Kitts & Nevis, or San Ignacio in Belize.
“These problems are far away from me, and they don’t impact me.” That is what you will hear them say. But the reality, my friends, is that if you buy food, if you buy electronics, if you buy clothes, it will impact you. It will impact each of us.
My brothers and sisters, our Caribbean economies are not very large. So, we are, and have always been, at the whims of global prices. If Europe and China and the U.S. and Canada and Mexico are all putting tariffs on each other, that is going to disrupt supply chains, that is going to raise the cost of producing everything, from the food you eat, to the clothes on your back, to the phone in your pocket, to the car you drive down the road, to the spare parts that you need for critical infrastructure. That means higher prices for all of us to pay, and sadly, yes, this will impact all of us, regardless of what any
of our Caribbean governments will do. We could lower our tariffs to zero in CARICOM, and it will not make a lick of difference, because our economies are small and vulnerable. This crisis, my friends, will impact not only goods, but it may also have a large spillover effect on tourism. We suggest that the region takes steps to sustain the tourism industry as likely worsening conditions and many of our source markets will have negative impacts on people’s ability to travel. We call on our regional private sector and the tourism sector to come together and to work with governments to collaborate for an immediate tourism strategy to ensure that we maintain market share numbers as a region.
My friends, I pray that I’m wrong, and I’m praying that cooler heads prevail across the world, and leaders come together in a new sense of cooperation, to look after the poor and the vulnerable people of this world, and to leave space for the middle classes to chart their lives, to allow businesses to be able to get on with what they do and to trade.
But truly, I do not have confidence that this will happen.
So, what must we do?
First, we must re-engage urgently, directly, and at the highest possible level with our friends in the United States of America. There is an obvious truth which has to be confronted by both sides. That truth is that these small and microstates of the Caribbean do not, in any way or in any sector, enjoy a greater degree of financial benefit in the balance of trade than does the United States. In fact, it is because of our small size, our great vulnerability, our limited manufacturing capacity, our inability to distort trade in any way, that successive United States administrations, included, and most recently, the Reagan administration in the early 1980s went to great lengths to assist us in promoting our abilities to sell in the United States under the Caribbean Basin Initiative.
We will see how these tariffs will impact on that. That spirit of cooperation largely enabled security, social stability and economic growth on America’s third border in the Caribbean, or as we have agreed as recently in our meeting with Secretary of State Rubio, what is now our collective neighbourhood.
Secondly, we must not fight among each other for political gain. Because my dear brothers and sisters, as the old adage goes “United, we stand and divided, we fall.”
Thirdly, we must redouble our efforts to invest in Caribbean agricultural production and light manufacturing. The 25 by 2025 initiative, ably led by President Ali, seems too modest a target now, given all that we are confronting. We must grow our own and produce our own as much as possible. We can all make the decision to buy
healthy foods at the market instead of processed foods at the supermarket.
Fourthly, we must build our ties with Africa, Central and Latin America, and renew those ties with some of our older partners around the world, in the United Kingdom and Europe, and in Canada. We must not rely solely on one or two markets. We need to be able to sell our Caribbean goods to a wider, more stable global market.
My brothers and sisters, in every global political and economic crisis, there is always an opportunity. If we come together, put any divisions aside, support our small businesses and small producers, we will come out of this stronger.
To our hoteliers, our supermarkets and our people, my message is the same. Buy local and buy regional. I repeat, buy local and buy regional. The products are better, fresher and more competitive in many instances. If we work together and strengthen our own, we can ride through this crisis. We may have to confront issues of logistics and movement of goods, but we can do that too.
To the United States, I say this simply. We are not your enemy. We are your friends. So many people in the Caribbean region have brothers and sisters, aunties, uncles, grandmothers, grandfathers, sons and daughters, God children living up in Miami or Queens or Brooklyn or New Jersey, Connecticut, Virginia, wherever. We welcome your people to our shores and give them the holidays, and for many of them, the experiences of a lifetime.
I say simply to President Trump; our economies are not doing your economy any harm in any way. They are too small to have any negative or distorted impact on your country. So, I ask you to consider your decades-long friendship between your country and ours. And look to the Caribbean, recognizing that the family ties, yes, are strong. Let us talk, I hope, and let us work together to keep prices down for all of our people.
My brothers and sisters, there’s trouble in our Caribbean waters, but the responsibility each and every day for much of what we do and what much of what we grow must be ours, if we take care of each other, if we support each other, if we uplift each other, and if we tap into the strength and innovation of our common Caribbean spirit, we will see this through. Our forefathers faced tribulations far worse than we will ever do and yes, they came through it.
My friends, my brothers and sisters, we can make it.
We shall make it.
God bless our Caribbean civilization.
Thank you.
Photo: Mary Kang for Global Citizen
Jamaica - Government Urges Businesses to Explore New Markets in Response to Trump’s Tariff
Jamaica PM Andrew Holness-led administration is pushing local firms to explore new markets in the wake of the Trump administration’s imposition of a 10% tax on Jamaican exports to the United States, even as it seeks “urgent clarification.”
The tax will take effect on April 4, 2024. Holness, addressing the EXPO Jamaica’s opening ceremony at the National Indoor Sports Centre on Thursday, stated that approximately 90% of Jamaican exports to the United States are on advantageous terms.
While formal details about the new tariff’s application, particularly its impact on Caribbe-
an Basin Initiative requirements, are unknown, the government actively engages with US trade representatives “to seek urgent clarification.”
This follows US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent Caribbean trip. Holness noted that his administration is undertaking a technical review to determine the scope of the levy and its consequences for Jamaican trade and industrial policy.
Holness noted, “It is important to emphasize that these developments do not reflect any erosion in the long-standing and strong bilateral relationship between Jamaica and the United States. Rather, it reflects a broader recalibration of US trade policy that is global in scope.”
He further explained, “Still, we will use every available diplomatic channel, including working with our CARICOM brothers and sisters and utilizing the Office of Trade Negotiations, to seek to preserve the positions of export that have been secured over decades of deepening trade ties with the United States.”
Some of Jamaica’s major exports may be free from the new tax, according to preliminary research, and the government is trying to confirm and perhaps increase these exclusions. Holness promoted a proactive and forward-thinking strategy, stressing the significance of seeing possibilities within the tariff obstacles.
“So, to our manufacturers and exporters, we understand the uncertainty this announcement
has created, and we are with you every step of the way. You are not only integral to our economic strategy. You are a national champion of our resilience and ingenuity,” he stated. He continued, “The Government will continue to advocate on your behalf and ensure that your interests are protected in any new global-trade architecture.”
The administration began preparing long ago, according to Holness, who claimed the government was aware that the levy may have long-term effects.
“… I play chess, not draughts. Maybe a decade ago, the word ‘disruptive’ would have been an inherently bad thing. In today’s world, you require disruption of systems for there to be innovation and new opportunities. So while as we see the downside of the disruptive global order that we have known, we are not going to sit by and wait.”
“There are opportunities that must be had. There are prospects to be uncovered, and so I urge my manufacturers – my business people – before you start to look at the negative, also look for the opportunities. Don’t just sit down and say, you know, complain about all the things that’s going on and all the things that’s going bad, expecting that the Government is going to solve all the problems for you. Be the entrepreneur, be the one who is the risk taker, be the one who is looking for the opportunity,”
he noted.
Economist Keenan Falconer has concluded that the 10% import taxes imposed on Jamaican exports will make it more costly for US importers to import Jamaican goods into their nation. According to him, in this case, Jamaican exporters might choose to cut prices or export quantities to be competitive in the US market. However, he stated that the anticipated decline in export earnings can be lessened based on how elastic the exported goods are.
According to Falconer, the American market for food and beverage exports consists of many diasporic Jamaicans who are prepared to buy products for reasons other than price, such as cultural and quality concerns or the absence of appropriate alternatives.
Falconer explained, “Therefore, those products could be said to be price inelastic and would hold up well against the imposition of tariffs. Jamaican non-food exports may be a little more price elastic, and consumption could shift away from them to alternatives from other countries.”
He further noted, “However, I think the new tariff regime opens opportunities to consider further diversification away from the American market, both for exports and engaging directly with countries for imports without the US as an intermediate destination.”
Caribbean Countries React to Trump’s Tariff Imposition
Caribbean countries were on Thursday sizing up the magnitude of the sweeping tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump on their respective economies, with some indicating that they would be seeking to hold talks with Washington on reducing the impact of the new taxes.
Trump on Wednesday announced far-reaching new tariffs on nearly all US trading partners ranging from a 34 per cent tax on imports from China and 20 percent on the European Union, among others, in a move economists and other traders say is designed to dismantle much of the architecture of the global economy and trigger broader trade wars.
In the case of the Caribbean, Trump announced a 10 percent tariff on most regional countries, while in the case of Guyana, the tariff is as high as 38 percent.
Trump said that the tariffs were designed to boost domestic manufacturing, used aggressive rhetoric to describe a global trade system that the United States helped to build after World War II, saying “our country has been looted, pillaged, raped and plundered” by other nations.
The Guyana government said it is engaging the United States on the 38 percent reciprocal tariffs with Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh saying “the government of Guyana has taken note of the reciprocal tariffs announced by the US government… our Government is closely engaged with our US partners to better understand the issue and have it addressed as appropriate”.
The Private Sector Commission (PSC) warned that Guyana would be severely affected by the protectionist measure.
“The United States remains Guyana’s largest
trading partner, making it imperative for us to carefully assess the implications of this recent tariff,” PSC Chairman, Komal Singh said, adding “a comprehensive review is necessary to identify common ground and ensure that bilateral trade continues to thrive as our economy expands”.
Guyana’s major exports to the US include crude oil, gold, rum, sugar and seafood and Singh cited the need for Guyana and the US to hammer out a resolution to the brewing trade dispute. The Trinidad and Tobago government said it intends to negotiate responsibly with the Trump administration.
Prime Minister Stuart Young, speaking at a public meeting of the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) on Wednesday as it prepares for the April 28 general election, told supporters that they could trust the PNM to act responsibly to negotiate its best interest in light of new tariffs imposed by the US.
Young said he is “prepared to sit across the table and negotiate regardless of who is on the other side”.
Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister, Dr Amery Browne, said, “we are concerned that spiraling instability in global trade and economic policy will have significant negative repercussions, particularly for smaller nations.
“Our country, and much of CARICOM, fortunately, is in a relatively low tariff bracket and the government, as always will be consulting and working with all key stakeholders as together we navigate the challenges of our times,” he told the Newsday newspaper.
Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne, noting the new tariffs by Washington, posted on his Facebook page a newspaper article that read “under the arrangement, Antigua
and Barbuda maintains its existing 10 percent tariff on US goods, while receiving a matching 10 percent discounted reciprocal tariff from the United States”.
Minister in the Ministry of Finance in Barbados, Ryan Straughn said the reality is that everything, including goods, will be impacted by the tariff increase.
He said producers will now have to find the most efficient way to produce their products, “which could mitigate the increase in tariffs or take the bold step and move as a cooperative to be able to invest directly in the United States … in order to avoid paying the tax.
“The options are available now and I suggest to persons that we have to utilize the full global supply chain in relation to our responding to issues like this, but equally we must ensure that we look at other markets,” Straughn told the state-owned CBC television.
Straughn said that CARICOM countries should seek to take further advantage of intra-regional trade, particularly given the fact that the Common External Tariff (CET) provides for “mostly
duty-free” entry in regional markets among member states.
“We have put these tariffs in place as a measure to protect domestic and regional businesses as we try to ensure that issues relating to food security as well as jobs…and therefore to the extent that CARICOM, as a body, as a group in relation to these matters we have the Common External Tariff in place of which the United States would be one of those countries that apply as one of those countries out of CARICOM and therefore I think from a regional perspective we all will have to ensure that we focus on how do we get support for our producers in being able to access the full global supply chain and be able to start to do more trade with each other”.
Straughn said within that context “I say to Barbadians, the government of Barbados and CARICOM, we have engaged actively with the Afreximbank, the African Export-Import Bank to be able to do more trade with Africa and therefore to the extent we can enhance our production capacity then it means that the impact of these products coming into the United States…we work hard not only to enhance trade within CARICOM itself but more trade with Africa” He said CARICOM should also not miss looking at the Latin American market.
Economists say that the action by the United States amounts to a historic tax hike that could push the global order to a breaking point.
Trump said he was acting to bring in hundreds of billions in new revenue to the US government and restore fairness to global trade.
“Taxpayers have been ripped off for more than 50 years,” he said. “But it is not going to happen anymore.” (CMC)
Haiti – Thousands Took to the Streets to Protest Increasing Gang Violence
On April 2, 2025, thousands of Haitians protested in Port-au-Prince against armed gangs that dominate practically all of the capital and neighboring areas, as well as the government’s unwillingness to stop them.
Violent armed gangs have banded together to form the Viv Ansanm alliance, forcing over 1 million people from their homes, contributing to economic stagnation, and fueling widespread hunger. They are also accused of extortion, mass rape, and murder.
Gangs are still advancing nearly a year after the transitional government was established alongside a weakened U.N.-backed security mission.
Residents in Port-au-Prince protested with banners, palm fronds, machetes, and weapons, but the originally peaceful rally was cut short by gunfire. Protester Joseph Mackendy told reporters, “Today, Haitian people will fight to be free
already. We are free. Those men today cannot frighten me.”
Julien David, another protester, voiced his opinion, “We, the residents of the Solino neighborhood, we want to return home, and we will
Haiti – Nuns Killed by
Two nuns were among several people killed when an armed gang ran riot near the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, on Monday, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Port-au-Prince, Max Leroy Mésidor, has confirmed.
The nuns belonging to the Order of Saint Teresa have been identified as Evanette Onezaire and Jeanne Voltaire, and their deaths come as the Vivre Ensemble coalition, a group uniting the country’s most powerful gangs, launched an offensive in a bid to take control of the country.
Media reports said that they had sought refuge in a house as the gang attacked the prison and other public buildings in Mirebalais, 30 miles northeast of the capital.
Gang members found the Sisters’ hiding place and shot them dead. A young girl sheltering with them received gun wounds to her chest.
In a message to the Catholic Charity Aid to the Church in Need (CAN), Archbishop Mésidor wrote, “Several murders took place during this attack, including two Sisters from the local congregation of the Little Sisters of Saint Thérèse.” Director of projects at ACN (International), Marco Mencaglia, said “We ask that God grant [Sisters Onezaire and Voltaire] eternal rest and we pray for their families and the safety of the congregation.”
go home.”
Critics have linked the government’s poor performance against gangs to corruption and suspected coordination with armed organizations and their supporters, which the government denies. Haiti’s history of corruption and a paralyzed court system in the face of violence persists, and the protest comes after a major jailbreak in Mirebalais.
The United States recently imposed 10% duties on Haiti and several countries on Wednesday, dealing a blow to the destitute Caribbean Island, which exports hundreds of millions of dollars in items such as textiles, spirits, and cosmetics.
“One more problem for a suffering country,” tweeted economist Enomy Germain, the chairman of consultancy ProEco Haiti. Last year, the United States had a trade surplus of $598 million with Haiti.
Violent Gangs in the Country
Mencaglia added that the charity remains committed to supporting the Haitian Church, issuing “an urgent call for prayer in the face of the increased violence and its devastating impact on the community”.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had earlier this week condemned the attack by heavily armed gang members on the town of Mirebalais, 30 miles northeast of the capital.
The authorities said that during the attack, the gang members burnt several houses and vehicles, and fired automatic weapons.
The United Nations Security Council in 2023 passed a resolution for the Kenya-led MSS mission, aimed at combating gang violence and restoring stability in the country. Criminal gangs are seeking to take complete control of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and have launched several attacks, killing women and children among others.
MSS spokesman, Jack Ombaka, confirmed that two Kenyan officers were seriously injured during the latest gang attack and evacuated to the Dominican Republic for medical treatment.
“As in any mission, casualties are sometimes inevitable,” he said, without providing further details.
The killings of the two nuns recall the murder of Sister Luisa Dell’Orto in 2022 and the abduction of six religious sisters in January 2024, who were later released.
The recent offensive is seen as a retaliation against the Transitional Presidential Council’s (TPC) crackdown on criminal groups.
According to United Nations data, more than 4,200 people have been killed in Haiti between July 2024 and February 2025, while another 6,000 have been forced to flee their homes. The crisis continues to deepen as calls for urgent international intervention grow increasingly urgent. (CMC)
Rubio – Law-Abiding Permanent Residents, Visa Holders
“Will
Be Fine”
United States (US) Secretary of State, Hon. Marco Rubio, says his country will continue to enforce its immigration rules, assuring that law-abiding permanent residents or visa holders have nothing to fear.
He said that over the last few years, approximately 15 million people entered the US unlawfully and irregularly.
“If tomorrow Jamaica announced that anybody who wants to come can come in, you’re going to get a lot of people too and it’s going to be very disruptive. So, we need to have immigration laws and we need to enforce them, and that’s what the President is doing,” he noted.
The US Secretary of State was responding to a question posed during a press conference following bilateral talks with Prime
Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, at the Office of the Prime Minister in St. Andrew on March 26.
He noted that Jamaica is not a major source of illegal migration. “It’s not even in the top 10 or top 20 for that matter, I don’t think,” he pointed out.
Meanwhile, Secretary Rubio warned that severe measures will be imposed on individuals who abuse their visa status or engage in violent activities.
“If you’re a green card holder, you’re legally in the United States unless… you’re some student visa holder who is a sympathiser of some terrorist organisation and is running around in our streets like a lunatic, burning down buildings and attacking students at universities,” he said.
He said that the US will not allow certain categories of individuals to stay in the country.
“If you had told us, I’m going to America, not just to study at your university but to tear up your campus, we would have never let you in, and if you do that once you come into the United States, we’re going to kick you out,” he warned.
“If you’re one of these violent gang members that’s coming to the United States, then we’re going to kick you out. The President’s very committed to that, but if you’re a green card holder and you’re not any of these things, you’re going to be fine,” he said. (JIS)
Rev. Sharpton Urges PepsiCo to Restore DEI Program
Rev. Al Sharpton has given PepsiCo three weeks to meet with him or face a boycott, urging the company to reinstate its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. In a letter to CEO Ramon Laguarta, Sharpton expressed his “profound disappointment” over the decision, emphasizing the importance of these commitments in building the brand and fostering customer trust. You can read more about it.
The removal of DEI recruiting and retention targets and the disintegration of community connections with minority organizations are blatant indications that political pressure has trumped principle, Sharpton stated in the letter, saying, “You have walked away from equity.”
In January, Sharpton, the founder and president of the National Action Network, declared that the civil rights group will boycott two businesses within the following ninety days for breaking their DEI commitments.
According to a PepsiCo representative, the company had not received the letter and
could not respond.
One of the biggest food and beverage corporations in North America is PepsiCo. Among its brands are Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Doritos, Gatorade, and Lay’s potato chips.
Laguarta stated that the firm will no longer establish targets for minority participation in its supplier base or managerial positions in a February message to staff members. U.S. government agencies, businesses, and educational institutions have rushed to review policies and initiatives aimed at boosting diversity among their workforces and decreasing discrimination against women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and members of minority groups since President Donald Trump returned to the White House earlier this year.
Trump has threatened schools to follow suit or face losing federal funding, and he has terminated DEI initiatives inside the federal government. Since Trump entered office, major stores like Walmart and Target have likewise gradually discontinued their DEI programs.
The foundation for what is now known as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion movement in the workplace was established in the 1960s by several laws and executive orders that followed decades of agitation and demonstrations by underrepresented groups. Affirmative action policies were implemented, employee resource groups began to form, and companies started offering diversity training in the 1970s because of the new rules and regulations. Minorities and women were hired at higher rates as a result.
New research started emphasizing the financial benefit of creating inclusive workplaces by the 1980s. The emphasis moved from following the law to “creating an environment where everybody feels that they can achieve their highest
goal,” according to diversity and organizational development author and strategist Mary-Frances Winters. “This was really about looking at changing demographics,
looking at who was coming into the workforce, and also looking at how people with different backgrounds can lead to greater innovation,” Winters stated.
U.S. Tariffs Threaten Caribbean Stability — Friends Deserve Fairness
For decades, the United States and the Caribbean have shared a bond rooted in history, culture, and mutual respect. Ours is a relationship built on trust, kinship, and economic interdependence. Families stretch across Miami, New York, Kingston, and Bridgetown. Trade flows both ways, bolstering businesses and livelihoods on both sides. Yet today, that longstanding friendship is being tested by a wave of new U.S. tariffs that threaten to destabilize already fragile Caribbean economies.
The recent announcement of sweeping tariffs by the Trump administration has sent ripples of concern through the Caribbean region. These tariffs, aimed at correcting trade imbalances with major global players, may inadvertently penalize some of America’s most loyal and least threatening economic partners. Caribbean nations are not competitors to the United States. We are allies, small economies with limited leverage, yet deeply intertwined with the American market. To treat us as if we were trading adversaries is not only misguided—it’s deeply unfair.
The Caribbean is heavily reliant on imports to meet the needs of its people. In many countries, more than 80 percent of food is imported. Medicines, building materials, fuel, vehicles, and electronic goods are mostly brought in from overseas, much of it via U.S. ports or companies. The imposition of new tariffs will raise the cost of these essential goods, triggering a rise in the cost of living for millions across the region.
In island nations where wages have not
kept pace with global inflation, such increases are not just inconvenient—they are destabilizing. The corner shop in St. Lucia, the supermarket in Antigua, the pharmacy in St. Vincent — all stand to feel the effects. And it won’t be corporations that suffer. It will be everyday people. Families, pensioners, young workers. People who have no say in U.S. trade policy but bear the consequences all the same.
Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, speaking on behalf of CARICOM and the wider Caribbean, struck the right tone when she reminded the world that “we are not your enemy… we are your friends.” Her statement was not a plea for pity, but a call for perspective. The Caribbean has long supported American exports. We buy far more from the U.S. than we sell in return. In trade terms, the United States enjoys a significant surplus with our region. Tariffs, in this context, punish the very partners who are helping to sustain American jobs and industries.
From Antigua to Jamaica, leaders and economists have warned of the broader economic and social implications of these tariffs. Price increases won’t stop at food and fuel — they’ll impact infrastructure development, tourism, education, and healthcare. Countries working hard to rebound from the pandemic, climate-related disasters, and rising debt burdens will now face yet another headwind. Some countries are better positioned to weather the storm. Guyana, for example, has invested heavily in domestic agriculture and energy. Belize has made strides in
soybean production. Jamaica has reported record agricultural output in recent years. But even these gains are not enough to shield the region from the cascading impact of rising import costs, especially when so many supply chains run through the United States.
This moment also underscores a broader truth: the need for greater Caribbean self-reliance. Regional leaders have long called for a shift away from import dependency. The current crisis only reinforces the urgency of that goal. Local food production, regional trade agreements, and intra-Caribbean investment must be priorities if we are to protect our people from global market shocks.
Still, none of this absolves the United States of its responsibility to treat its neighbors fairly. The U.S. cannot afford to alienate its closest partners in the hemisphere. Policies that fail to account for the economic realities of small, developing states risk eroding trust and undermining progress made over generations.
This is not the first time the Caribbean has been caught in the crossfire of global economic maneuvering. But this time, there’s a clear path forward—dialogue, respect, and cooperation. The U.S. administration must engage with Caribbean leaders in good faith. Exemptions, adjustments, or targeted relief must be considered for nations that pose no threat to American industry but face very real hardship from decisions made far from their shores.
To our regional governments, now is the time for solidarity. Speak with one voice.
KARLISA RODNEY VICE PRESIDENT
Coordinate responses. Push forward with initiatives that reduce our vulnerability and increase our resilience. The unity of the Caribbean must be more than symbolic—it must be strategic, consistent, and unapologetic.
To the American public and policymakers, we ask you to remember: this region has stood with you. Through hurricanes and pandemics, through security cooperation and trade, through migration and shared cultural ties, we have shown up. We have bought your goods, supported your businesses, and welcomed your tourists. Friends do not impose hardship on friends without cause or consideration.
Let this be a moment not of rupture, but of renewal. Let this challenge serve as a reminder of the need to deepen—not diminish—our partnership. The Caribbean is not asking for special favors. We are asking for fairness, for recognition, and for the chance to protect our people from the unintended consequences of a global trade strategy that was never meant for us. Caribbean nations are not economic powerhouses. But we are resilient, proud, and determined. And we are clear-eyed about what is required of us. At Carib News, we will continue to advocate for the region’s voice to be heard, for policies that reflect mutual respect, and for an enduring friendship that is not sacrificed on the altar of political expedience.
CARIBOPINION
The History They Fear is the Truth We Carry
The last living link of my family’s story of origin in antebellum Southern Virginia died at age 105 a few years ago.
My grandmother, Mamie Todd, was born in 1916. Her grandparents were born into slavery. She fought Jim Crow. She stood up for Black teachers and students in a segregated school system in which she taught in her early career. She supported my mom when, at 12, she signed on as a named plaintiff in one of the feeder cases to Brown v. Board of Education. And she stood by mom every step of the way when three years after that, my mom helped desegregate her high school.
That’s the kind of strength I come from. That’s the kind of history it seems the Trump administration now wants to erase.
The Washington Post and other outlets are reporting that the Trump administration’s scorched-earth campaign to purge diversity, equity, and inclusion from every corner of our federal government has now spread into the heart of the National Park Service. Web pages about slavery and the Underground Railroad have been edited to downplay the brutal reality of bondage and the contributions of Black leaders. The photo of Harriet Tubman that for years greeted visitors to an NPS page about the Underground Railroad has been deleted.
A webpage about the Niagara Movement – a precursor to the NAACP founded in 1905 by
W.E.B. Du Bois – was rewritten. A statement about the group’s “renewed sense of resolve in the struggle for freedom and equality” was shortened simply to a “renewed sense of resolve.”
Heroic Americans gave their lives fighting for freedom and equality. Now, the Trump administration is trying to edit those very words out of the official American story.
Some say these changes are minor. I say they are surgical. They are subtle, yes – but profoundly damaging. As one historian put it, these edits suggest that racism no longer needs to be confronted in America. And that’s the point.
This is not about saving space on a government website. It is about shrinking the story of who we are as a people.
Some Park Service employees who edited the websites say they made the changes out of fear. Others were simply guessing what the administration wanted. When workers are deleting key figures and events in Black history without being told, just to stay safe in their jobs, we are in dangerous territory.
We’ve seen this before. Last month, we learned that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s DEI purge at the Pentagon included deleting photos and posts about the Tuskegee Airmen. That hit home. Two of my grandfather’s first cousins were Tuskegee Airmen. Those men risked
everything for a country that treated them as second-class citizens – and now this administration is reluctant to give them even a photo and a caption.
They even removed a webpage about Jackie Robinson’s military service. They later said it was a “mistake.” But when you see how wide this purge has spread, it starts to look less like a mistake and more like a mission.
A recent executive order from President Trump set its sights on the Smithsonian. They are targeting the very museums created to tell the full story of our country. What does this mean for the very existence of the National Museum of African American History and Culture? Or the National Museum of the American Indian? What happens to truth when it is inconvenient to power?
We cannot rely on oral tradition alone. Our history deserves permanence. It deserves pages and plaques and national monuments and memorials. It deserves official recognition, not redaction.
I think of my family’s own story – the parts that were buried for generations. I’m descended from the main Black leader of the Readjusters, a multiracial political movement that briefly, but very successfully, governed post-Reconstruction Virginia. They were left out of the history books for more than a century. Not because they were not important, but because
by Ben Jealous
they were. History is power. That’s why they are going after it.
The Trump administration’s attacks are not about race-blind policy. They are about racebased erasure. They support monuments to those who fought to preserve slavery while censoring stories of resistance. That’s not color-blindness. That’s complicity.
It should not have to keep being said over and over again, but we will not let them diminish our communities’ contributions or deny our place in the American story. We are still here. And like the men and women of the Niagara Movement, we renew our sense of resolve. Our resolve is real. And it is rising.
Ben Jealous is the Executive Director of the Sierra Club and a Professor of Practice at the University of Pennsylvania.
Trump Slaps Highest Tariff Yet on Small African Nation
by Stacy M. Brown
President Donald Trump has announced sweeping new tariffs on dozens of nations, including a record-setting 50% reciprocal tariff on the tiny southern African mountain kingdom of Lesotho — the highest levy imposed on any sovereign country by the United States. Trump’s move targets at least 60 countries with duties starting at 10%, with Lesotho and other African nations bearing some of the heaviest hits. The White House said the tariffs are aimed at addressing what it described as long-standing trade imbalances that hurt American manufacturers. In the case of Lesotho, the administration cited a 99% tariff on U.S. goods and a $264 million trade surplus in the kingdom’s favor as justification for the steep penalty. Lesotho, which exports diamonds and apparel to the U.S., imported only $8 million in American goods in 2022, according to the Tralac Trade Law Centre in South Africa.
The U.S. government’s action also appears to signal the impending death of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a landmark trade deal from the Clinton administration that allowed duty-free access to the U.S. market for many African exports. The pact will expire in September, but trade experts say the tariffs effectively end AGOA months ahead of schedule. “The reciprocal trade announcement policy will pull the AGOA rug from under our feet,” said Adrian Saville, an economist and professor at South Africa’s Gordon Institute of Business Science. “That will be gone. It will replace AGOA; you don’t have to wait for September.” Other African nations are also reeling. Madagascar faces a 47% tariff, Mauritius 40%, Botswana 37%, and South Africa — the continent’s largest exporter to the U.S. — 30%. For several of these countries, the tariffs could not come at a worse time as they struggle with se-
vere poverty, natural disasters, or public health crises. Lesotho, for example, has one of the world’s highest HIV/AIDS infection rates and relies on South Africa for 85% of its imports. “African countries are being penalized for having trade surpluses, some of them achieved by pursuing export-driven development policies, as advised by the U.S.,” Bloomberg Africa economist Yvonne Mhango wrote. “Lesotho exports apparel to the U.S., a product that until recently enjoyed duty-free access and helped create jobs for the youth that migrates in large numbers to neighboring South Africa. One of Trump’s arguments for these tariffs is to bring back manufacturing jobs to the U.S. Slapping high tariffs on Africa is not going to help this narrative.” Lesotho now joins Saint Pierre and Miquelon — a French archipelago off the coast of Canada — as the only other territory to face a 50% reciprocal tariff from the Trump
administration. While acknowledging the setback, the South African presidency said the tariffs make it even more important to reach a new agreement with the U.S. “The tariffs affirm the urgency to negotiate a new bilateral and mutually beneficial trade agreement with the U.S., as an essential step to secure long-term trade certainty,” the South African government said in a statement.
New York Stands Firm Against Trump Administration’s Order to Abandon Diversity in Schools
New York City and state officials refuse to comply with the Trump administration’s demands to dismantle public school diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. In a move that defies federal threats to withdraw critical education funding, state education leaders insist that the federal government has no legal authority to dictate how schools approach diversity. On Thursday, the Trump administration issued a sweeping directive requiring K-12 schools across the country to certify within ten days that they are ending what the administration calls discriminatory DEI practices. The administration said compliance would be necessary to continue receiving federal education dollars,
including Title I funds that support schools in low-income communities. “Federal financial assistance is a privilege, not a right,” said Craig Trainor, the acting assistant secretary for civil rights at the U.S. Department of Education. He accused public schools of violating federal law by allegedly favoring one group of students over another through DEI policies. New York State responded with a letter from Daniel Morton-Bentley, counsel and deputy New York State Education Department commissioner. In the letter, dated Friday, Morton-Bentley wrote that federal officials are misinterpreting civil rights law and lack the authority to impose such conditions. “We un-
by Stacy M. Brown
derstand that the current administration seeks to censor anything it deems ‘diversity, equity & inclusion,’” he wrote. “But there are no federal or State laws prohibiting the principles of DEI.”
He noted that the state has already certified its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and sees no need to submit a new demand based on a faulty legal premise. “Given the fact that you are already in possession of guarantees by NYSED that it has and will comply with Title VI, no further certification will be forthcoming,” he stated. The Trump administration has not responded to requests for comment.
The New York City Department of Education,
which operates the largest school system in the country, said it remains committed to creating and supporting learning environments that reflect the city’s diversity. Officials made clear that all students—regardless of race, religion, gender identity, immigration status, home language, or ability—deserve schools that are inclusive, supportive, and reflective of their experiences. In a city where Black and Hispanic children make up 70 percent of the student population, the DOE’s Equity and Excellence for All initiative has worked to increase access to high-quality education while addressing deep-rooted disparities. The plan includes strategies to reduce economic stratification,
HCCI Announces Our Let’s Break Bread Together Gala
Honoring Their Community Leaders
New York, NY – Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, Inc. (HCCI) proudly announces its Let’s Break Bread Together Gala, set to take place on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at the elegant Marina del Rey, located at 1 Marina Drive in Bronx, NY. This year’s theme, “Empowering Communities,” underscores HCCI’s unwavering commitment to fostering sustainable growth and positive change in Harlem and beyond.
The evening will feature a distinguished lineup of honorees who have demonstrated exemplary leadership and dedication in their respective fields:
- Canon Frederick Boyd Williams Community
Service Award - Bishop Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood, Pastor, Mount Pisgah Baptist Church
- Business Leadership Award - Rev. Dennis Dillon, Publisher/CEO, Christian Times Publications
- Corporate Leadership Award - Nichol King, Executive Director – Community Banking, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
- Healthcare Leadership Award - Victoria Ngo, Ph.D.,
Associate Professor, Department of Community Health and Social Sciences; Director, Center for Innovation in Mental Health; Director of Global Mental Health, Center for Immigrant, Refugee, and Global Health; CUNY Graduate
School of Public Health & Health Policy
The Let’s Break Bread Together Gala serves as a platform to highlight HCCI’s ongoing efforts in community development, affordable housing, economic empowerment, and social justice initiatives. The event will bring together civic leaders, corporate partners, and community advocates for an inspiring evening of celebration and support.
Dr. Malcolm A. Punter, President and CEO of HCCI, emphasized the importance of this year’s theme, stating, “Empowering communities is at the core of everything we do at HCCI. Through strategic partnerships and grassroots initiatives, we continue to uplift Harlem and
ensure that residents have access to the resources they need to thrive.”
Rev. Dr. Keith W. Roberson, Board Chair of HCCI, echoed this sentiment, adding, “This gala is not just a celebration of our honorees but a testament to the collective power of our community. We are honored to recognize leaders who embody the spirit of service and commitment to progress.”
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now available. Secure your place today by visiting www.hcci.org.
Celebrating 50 Years of Faith & Service: Grace Baptist Honors Pastor Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson
Mount Vernon, NY – The pews overflowed with gratitude on Sunday as Grace Baptist Church celebrated Pastor Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson’s remarkable 50 years of spiritual leadership and community impact. The threehour jubilee—filled with stirring choir performances, dance ministry tributes, and heartfelt speeches—became a testament to a legacy that has shaped both a congregation and a city. Surrounded by generations of parishioners, Dr. Richardson credited his flock for his enduring
impact: “To be able to have a congregation that is so devoted and so committed has made me much more effective than I could have ever been.”
The celebration drew bipartisan praise from New York’s highest offices like NYS Attorney General Leticia James who shared: “In times when we desperately need hope and clarity, you’ve met the needs of this church and community with unwavering purpose.” Rep. George Latimer was also in attendance.
He said, “What you’ve built over 50 years—we all see it. We all admire it.”
Other notable attendees incluuded Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, and Mount Vernon Mayor Shawn Patterson-Howard.
Even after five decades, Dr. Richardson remains focused on service. His vision? To deepen community activism while shepherding the congregation he’s nurtured since 1974.
JUNE 5, 2025 6:00 PM El Caribe
HONOREES
Hon. Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn NYS Assemblywoman & Kings County Democratic Leader
Hon. Genine D. Edwards Administrative Judge for Civil Matters, NYS Supreme Court, Kings County
Carl Forbes, Esq. Founder & Managing Attorney, CFJ Law, PLLC
Rudyard Whyte, Esq. The Cochran Firm - New York
Purchase tickets at www.cala-nyc.org/gala Inquiries at calagalabrooklyn@gmail.com
In an era of transient leadership, Richardson’s half-century tenure stands as a rare beacon of consistency—proving that faith, when rooted in love and action, can transform neighborhoods for generations.
As the celebration proved, some legacies aren’t just measured in years, but in lives uplifted. And for Mount Vernon, that legacy wears Dr. Richardson’s name.
New Jersey - Jamaican Daren Miller Named CEO of Major US Charity
At 33, Daren Miller, a distinguished Jamaican communications strategist and former public servant, has made history as the youngest and first Black executive director of Mount Carmel Guild, a 105-yearold non-profit in New Jersey, USA. His achievement underscores Jamaican excellence on the global stage.
Miller moved to the US two years ago from Linstead, St. Catherine. He has held top positions in the private sector, such as executive chairman of Kingston-based logistics business BluShip Cargo and Freight Limited, and was also a communications director in Jamaica’s public sector. His strong dedication to social impact and national growth characterized his efforts in both government and industry.
Miller has advanced swiftly through the ranks since joining Mount Carmel Guild in 2023, first as director of external affairs,
then as assistant executive director, and finally as the organization’s top leader.
Serving thousands of people and families annually, the charity specializes in home health nursing, hunger relief, and comprehensive assistance for vulnerable groups in one of the most underprivileged communities in New Jersey.
Miller remarked, “I carry my Jamaican roots with pride, and I bring that spirit of resilience and community everywhere I go.” Adding, “This role is not just about administration, it’s about transforming lives, restoring dignity and ensuring that everyone, from the elderly to the hungry, feels seen and supported.”
With a distinct and pressing vision, Miller is taking on the post as state and federal cuts to social services loom large.
“We are not backing down,” he noted.
“There is great need even here in the Unit-
ed States and every person who turns to us for help deserves to be met with dignity, not bureaucracy.”
Chair of the organization’s Board of Trustees, Jane Chrnelich, stated, “Daren brings both a local and global perspective to this work. His leadership is marked by integrity, innovation and heart. We are confident that his vision will lead Mount Carmel Guild into a new era of impact.”
Miller honors his Jamaican heritage, which influenced his ideals, leadership style, and commitment to justice, as he takes on this leadership position.
He expressed, “I was raised to believe that service is one of the highest callings.” He concluded his statement, noting, “Whether in Jamaica or the United States, the mission remains the same — to uplift, to empower and to serve with love.”
Jamaican Centenarian Lucille Bradnock Laid to Rest
A funeral service celebrating the life of Lucille Agatha Bradnock, 103, was held on Friday, April 4th, 2025 at St. Albans Congregational Church United Church of Christ Linden Blvd Queens NY.
Surrounded by loved ones and members of her community, the service honored a woman remembered for her deep devotion to family, unwavering determination, and warm, spirited nature.
A lifelong Congregationalist, Lucille’s faith was a guiding light throughout her life. Known for her quiet strength and sharp wit, she touched many with her kindness, humor, and grace. She led a life rooted in purpose—always focused, family-oriented, and driven by a strong sense of integrity.
Eulogized by Rev Jennifer T. Heron, who described the magnificent matriarch of the Bradnock family as a women with mustard
seed faith transplanted from Jamaica WI and took roots in NYC where the roots of her faith expanded and grew with Distinction, Dedication and Devotion. Her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren were in attendance, a powerful testament to the generations she helped shape and inspire. Their presence added warmth and meaning to the service, reflecting the lasting impact of her life and love. Those in attendance found comfort and joy in remembering Lucille, with many reflecting on the service not only as a farewell, but as a heartfelt celebration of a long, meaningful life. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of those who knew her, and her presence will be dearly missed.
Connecticut – Jamaican Man Charged with Fraud
United States (US) officials have revealed that a Jamaican guy living in Georgia is being prosecuted for allegedly running a multistate sweepstakes scam that defrauded four elderly ladies out of thousands of dollars.
According to the US Attorney for the District of Connecticut, a federal grand jury indicted Jimmy Smith, 30, on accusations of money
T&T
laundering, conspiracy to conduct mail and wire fraud, and unlawful financial activities. A 30-year-old Georgia citizen named Keshelski Bates entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to conduct mail fraud and was freed on $100,000 bond pending sentencing.
According to the allegations, the victims, who are from the states of Connecticut, New York, Texas,
Michael Blake Against Dropping Eric Adams’ Case
Jamaican American New York City Mayoral Candidate Michael Blake on Wednesday condemned a United States federal judge’s dismissal of corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Manhattan Federal Judge Dale Ho on Wednesday dismissed “with prejudice” the sweeping public corruption charges against Adams, ruling that, “There may or may not be good reasons to drop this prosecution. But the reasons articulated by the Department of Justice (DOJ), if
taken at face value, are inconsistent with a decision to leave the charges in the indictment hanging like the proverbial sword of Damocles over the mayor.”
But Blake, the son of Jamaican immigrants, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that, “the dropping of the charges against Eric Adams doesn’t change the obvious. Eric Adams likely broke the law with an illegal campaign donation pay-to-play scheme”.
– Government in Talks about Sandals Resorts for Tobago
The Trinidad and Tobago government said Thursday discussions will be held early next week with the Jamaica-based Sandals Resorts International to build a property in Tobago, six years after it pulled out of a similar project.
Prime Minister Stuart Young, speaking at the weekly post Cabinet meeting, told reporters that a few weeks ago, his pre-
decessor, Dr Keith Rowley, had indicated he held talks with the chairman of the Sandals Group, Adam Stewart, and that “I am happy to tell the population…that Mr Stewart has agreed to come and speak with myself, (Tobago House of Assembly) Chief Secretary Augustine Farley and other stakeholders in Tobago on Monday, the seventh.
“People of Tobago in particular, this is a fabulous opportunity. We need to learn from the mistakes of the past and not allow a few misguided naysayers to stop the potential development of the economy of Tobago.”
In January 2019, Sandals Resorts International announced that it was pulling out of the Tobago project, one which was
expected to be the biggest ever undertaken by the resort group.
The Sandals Resorts was expected to be a 750-room hotel on the controversial Buccoo Estate, popularly known as No Man’s Land.
The government had acquired the land as part of its efforts to recover a TT$15 billion debt owed by CL Financial.
CARIBHEALTH
Aid Cuts Threaten Fragile Progress in Ending Maternal Deaths, UN Agencies Warn
Women today are more likely than ever to survive pregnancy and childbirth according to a major new report released today, but United Nations (UN) agencies highlight the threat of major backsliding as unprecedented aid cuts take effect around the world.
Released on World Health Day, the UN report, Trends in maternal mortality, shows a 40% global decline in maternal deaths between 2000 and 2023 – largely due to improved access to essential health services. Still, the report reveals that the pace of improvement has slowed significantly since 2016, and that an estimated 260 000 women died in 2023 as a result of complications from pregnancy or childbirth – roughly equivalent to one maternal death every two minutes.
The report comes as humanitarian funding cuts are having severe impacts on essential health care in many parts of the world, forcing countries to roll back vital services for maternal, newborn and child health. These cuts have led to facility closures and loss of health workers, while also disrupting supply chains for lifesaving supplies and medicines such as treatments for haemorrhage, pre-eclampsia and malaria –all leading causes of maternal deaths. Without urgent action, the agencies warn that pregnant women in multiple countries will face severe repercussions – particularly those in humanitarian settings where maternal deaths are already alarmingly high.
“While this report shows glimmers of hope, the data also highlights how dangerous pregnancy still is in much of the world today despite the fact that solutions exist to prevent and treat the complications that cause the vast majority of maternal deaths,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). “In addition to ensuring access to quality maternity care, it will be critical to strengthen the underlying
health and reproductive rights of women and girls – factors that underpin their prospects of healthy outcomes during pregnancy and beyond.”
The report also provides the first global account of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on maternal survival. In 2021, an estimated 40 000 more women died due to pregnancy or childbirth – increasing to 322 000 from 282 000 the previous year. This upsurge was linked not only to direct complications caused by COVID-19, but also widespread interruptions to maternity services. This highlights the importance of ensuring such care during pandemics and other emergencies, noting that pregnant women need reliable access to routine services and checks as well as round-the-clock urgent care.
“When a mother dies in pregnancy or childbirth, her baby’s life is also at risk. Too often, both are lost to causes we know how to prevent,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Global funding cuts to health services are putting more pregnant women at risk, especially in the most fragile settings, by limiting their access to essential care during pregnancy and the support they need when giving birth. The world must urgently invest in midwives, nurses, and community health workers to ensure every mother and baby has a chance to survive and thrive.”
The report highlights persistent inequalities between regions and countries, as well as uneven progress. With maternal mortality declining by around 40% between 2000 and 2023, sub-Saharan Africa achieved significant gains – and was one of just three UN regions alongside Australia and New Zealand, and Central and Southern Asia, to see significant drops after 2015. However, confronting high rates of poverty and multiple conflicts, the sub-Saharan Africa region still counted for approximately 70% of the global burden of
maternal deaths in 2023.
Indicating slowing progress, maternal mortality stagnated in five regions after 2015: Northern Africa and Western Asia, Eastern and South-Eastern Asia, Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand), Europe and North America, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
“Access to quality maternal health services is a right, not a privilege, and we all share the urgent responsibility to build well-resourced health systems that safeguard the life of every pregnant woman and newborn,” said Dr Natalia Kanem, UNFPA’s Executive Director.
“By boosting supply chains, the midwifery workforce, and the disaggregated data needed to pinpoint those most at risk, we can and must end the tragedy of preventable maternal deaths and their enormous toll on families and
societies.”
Pregnant women living in humanitarian emergencies face some of the highest risks globally, according to the report.Nearly two-thirds of global maternal deaths now occur in countries affected by fragility or conflict. For women in these settings, the risks are staggering: a 15-year-old girl faces a 1 in 51 risk of dying from a maternal cause at some point over her lifetime compared to 1 in 593 in more stable countries. The highest risks are in Chad and the Central African Republic (1 in 24), followed by Nigeria (1 in 25), Somalia (1 in 30), and Afghanistan (1 in 40).
Beyond ensuring critical services during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period, the report notes the importance of efforts to enhance women’s overall health by improving access to family planning services, as well as preventing underlying health conditions like anaemias, malaria and noncommunicable diseases that increase risks. It will also be critical to ensure girls stay in school and that women and girls have the knowledge and resources to protect their health.
Urgent investment is needed to prevent maternal deaths. The world is currently off-track to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal target for maternal survival. Globally, the maternal mortality ratio would need to fall by around 15% each year to meet the 2030 target – significantly increasing from current annual rates of decline of around 1.5%.
Members of The Links, Incorporated from left: Eastern Area International Trends and Services Chair Kaprece James, Central Area International Trends and Services Chair Lizzie Ngwenya Scoburg, National Director of International Trends and Services Sharon Wilson, National President Ethel Isaacs Williams, NGO
Chair Thelma J. Day.
CARIBA&E
Vanessa James Media Announces the Return of Food, Wine, and Fete: Miami’s Premium All-Inclusive Soca Fete
Miami, FL - Vanessa James Media Productions is thrilled to announce the triumphant return of Food, Wine, and Fete, powered by LunaLite Drone Technologies, Miami’s premier Caribbean all-inclusive beachside Soca Fete experience, set for Saturday, May 17th, 2025, from 5-11 pm at the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park’s Grand Pavilion, celebrating its momentous 80th anniversary! Prepare for an immersive journey into the heart of Caribbean culture, a sensory explosion that will have you immediately craving an island getaway.
Now in its third year, Food, Wine, and Fete showcases the diaspora’s most visionary chefs, innovative mixologists, and trendsetting tastemakers, alongside a curated selection of popular wines and spirits of the Caribbean. This is where culture breathes, where every sip and every beat connects you to the heart of the Caribbean.
Miami, FL - Vanessa James Media Productions is thrilled to announce the triumphant return
of Food, Wine, and Fete, powered by LunaLite Drone Technologies, Miami’s premier Caribbean all-inclusive beachside Soca Fete experience, set for Saturday, May 17th, 2025, from 5-11 pm at the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park’s Grand Pavilion, celebrating its momentous 80th anniversary! Prepare for an immersive journey into the heart of Caribbean culture, a sensory explosion that will have you immediately craving an island getaway.
Now in its third year, Food, Wine, and Fete showcases the diaspora’s most visionary chefs, innovative mixologists, and trendsetting tastemakers, alongside a curated selection of popular wines and spirits of the Caribbean. This is where culture breathes, where every sip and every beat connects you to the heart of the Caribbean.
Plus spinning live, our Soca DJ Lineup includes:
Team Soca’s own DJ Spice, LL Cool Blaze, DJ Eternal Vibes, DJ Sinister
Sean Paul Set to Blaze on UK Tour
Hold onto your hats, UK—dancehall legend Sean Paul is about to set stages on fire with his ‘Bring It’ tour, and he’s bringing R&B queen Ashanti (plus a special Fat Joe cameo in London) for what promises to be one of the most electrifying concert runs of the year.
What to Expect: A Genre-Blazing Spectacle
When & Where: Kicking off April 9 in Belfast, rolling through 12 cities, and closing out April 24 in Bournemouth (with a bonus Dublin warm-up on April 8).
The Vibe: High-energy dancehall meets smooth R&B, backed by Sean Paul’s live
band, fiery choreography, and non-stop hits.
Special guests will include Fat Joe. Get ready for a “What’s Luv?” throwdown— expect pandemonium.
The setlist wiill include a nostalgic + fresh mix.
Fans will get the full experience of Sean Paul’s dancefloor destroyers (“Temperature,” “Gimme the Light,” “Like Glue”) and Ashanti’s R&B classics (“Always On Time,” “Rock Wit U”). But these isn’t just the only bangers. Paul’s been dropping heat lately, like the Tyla-assisted “Push to Start” remix and “Let It Talk to Me” with INNA.
Sean Paul isn’t just performing—he’s celebrating three decades of global dominance. “It’s three hit artists bringing greatness,” he says. “Fans can expect energy, love, and a blend of genres that’ll keep them moving.”
For him, live shows are sacred.
He says, “Performing is my direct line to the fans—it’s how I stay hungry.”
And with new music like the Dutty Showtime Riddim)still flowing, this tour proves dancehall’s king isn’t slowing down.
Co-hosted by Barrie Hype and Giselle the Wassi One
And, by overwhelming popular demand, our esteemed sponsor, LunaLite Drone Technologies, returns to close the fete with a breathtaking drone show, illuminating the Miami skyline.
“As we prepare to celebrate 80 years of all things Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, we are excited for the return of Food, Wine & Fete to host an incredible experience celebrating Caribbean culture through its chefs, artists, and community. Through this partnership, we look to celebrate the diverse cultures of South Florida with a focus on community engagement, promoting local tourism and economic growth through the support of international culinary artisans,” says Athalie Edwards, Executive Director/ CEO of the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust.
Food Wine & Fete has also added a philanthropic arm of the event to support Caribbean creatives, chefs, and businesses of the diaspora, by partnering with the Miami Foundation, the organization has created the VJMedia x FWF Culture and Caribbean Leadership Fund through the Miami Foundation. This is our community fund that serves as the platform to highlight the cultural creatives of South Florida.
“It’s a shared experience, where we all come together as one Caribbean family. From the
moment you arrive, you’ll be part of something truly special, an interactive celebration that ignites the spirit of our culture. And most importantly, get ready to FETE – to dance, wine, taste, and celebrate the boundless energy that makes us who we are - one incredible diaspora!” said co-founder Marcos Rodriguez. Tickets are available for purchase on Eventbrite starting at $125 and $185 for VIP. The festival has partnered with Hilton Garden Inn Miami Brickell South to provide reduced group rates for those visiting from out of town or South Florida who want to make a weekend out of the experience.
Participating sponsors include: Vanessa James Media, LunaLite Drone Technologies, LaFete Rose Wine, Bajan 1966 Rum, DonDadda Tequila, Duke and Dame Whiskey, Carib Beer, Caribe, The Montpelier Hotel Nevis, The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, Best Dressed Plate, and more.
Food, Wine, and Fete offers a unique opportunity for brands to tap into an affluent, well-traveled, and highly motivated diverse community and showcase their offerings. Partnership and press opportunities allow brands to stand out amid a sea of motivated patrons. For more information about partnership opportunities, sampling opportunities, and press inquiries, visit www.foodwineandfete.com. Follow the Food, Wine, and Fete fun on Instagram and Facebook.
Delta Adds St. Vincent and Grenada, Expands Caribbean, Mexico and Central America Leisure Flying
Get ready to vacation under the warm Latin sun this winter as Delta launches its largest-ever schedule to Latin America and the Caribbean, including two new nonstop destinations from Atlanta: St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVD) and Grenada (GND). Delta customers can travel to over 52 nonstop destinations across the entire region from its global hub at ATL, inspiring travel to new escapes and longtime favorites.
“With two brand-new destinations in the Eastern Caribbean, Delta is expanding its offering in the region, with even more seats to Latin America and the Caribbean this winter,” said Paul Baldoni, Senior Vice President of Network Planning at Delta. “Customers across the U.S. will also benefit from more flights to top destinations from hubs in the Midwest and Northeast, as well as new direct service from key cities like Austin, Nashville and Raleigh-Durham.”
Delta will become the only U.S. carrier to offer nonstop service to St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVD) and Grenada (GND) from Atlanta. These new additions will make these previously hard-to-reach islands more accessible than ever.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines offers stunning
beaches on the many alluring islands waiting to be discovered. Those looking for adventure are in luck as the islands are one of the best places in the world for sailing and yachting, with countless islands and cays to explore.
Regardless of your interests, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a haven for those looking to slow down and relax in the warm Caribbean sun.
Grenada, known as the “Spice Island,” beckons travelers with its unmatched natural beauty, rich culture and incredible food offerings. A visit to St. George’s Market awakens the senses with the aroma of spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and cocoa, staples of Grenada’s authentic cuisine. Meanwhile, adventures await at Grand Etang National Park and atop Mount Qua Qua, where visitors can enjoy breathtaking island views and spot monkeys, tropical birds and lush rainforest flora.
Both routes will be operated on Delta’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft equipped with First Class, Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin.
Delta is the leading carrier to Latin America and the Caribbean from Detroit (DTW) and will continue to grow with new Saturday service to Grand Cayman (GCM) and expanded flight options to Nassau (NAS) and Cancun (CUN) this winter. Delta will expand on our
#1 position in Minneapolis (MSP) with a new destination — Nassau (NAS). Detroit-Grand Cayman and Minneapolis-Nassau will be served seasonally on Saturdays from December 2025 – April 2026 and give customers direct access to a warm escape from the Midwest winter. In Boston, Delta will serve St. Thomas (STT) with daily nonstop service throughout the holiday season. This new service will provide customers with the unique opportunity to spend the holidays in the Caribbean with passport-free travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Delta
will also add a second daily flight during the holiday season to Cancun, the most popular Mexico destination from Boston. These investments, together with our leading domestic U.S. and Trans-Atlantic network, expand on Delta’s position as the #1 carrier in Boston.
Delta is also expanding nonstop access to top Latin and Caribbean destinations from several other U.S. cities this winter. In Austin, Delta is adding daily nonstop service to Cancun. For the holidays, nonstop service to Cabo (SJD) will operate daily from late December to early January. These additions provide Austin customers even more international options and makes travel to Mexico even more convenient. In Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Delta is adding Saturday service to San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU). This new flight provides RDU customers with direct access to the Caribbean in just a few hours.
In addition to Raleigh and Austin, Delta is adding new Saturday service to Cancun (CUN) from Nashville (BNA), Kansas City (MCI) and Indianapolis (IND). These flights will allow residents of these cities to quickly and easily access Cancun, the most preferred Latin leisure destination.
Jamaica Tourist Board Celebrates 70th Anniversary
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) is celebrating its landmark 70th anniversary this month with a series of events and activations across the island to commemorate its history and accomplishments of advancing Jamaica as a leading Caribbean travel destination. Founded on April 1, 1955, the Board’s festivities kick off on April 6th with a commemorative church service and will continue with an Anniversary Awards Gala which will highlight the contributions of former employees. The occasion will also be marked by a 70th anniversary documentary and a virtual online exhibition by the Clive Taffe library that showcases the organization’s history and success, exploring the Board’s promotional campaigns from 1955 to present day with vintage advertising posters, commercials, and marketing. The Board will also have special engagements with the Tourism Action Clubs, a program designed by the organization to educate secondary and tertiary students about tourism and its importance to Jamaica’s economy.
“Jamaica was an emerging island destination when the Jamaica Tourist Board was first established, welcoming just over 100,000 visitors annually,” said Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica. “By end of 2025, we anticipate welcoming nearly 5 million visitors—a remarkable achievement that speaks to the unwavering dedication of the Jamaican people across generations. We have seen unprecedented growth in our investments, infrastructure and earnings and I thank our workers and partners for their hard work and passion that have transformed Jamaica into a global tourism powerhouse.”
Since its founding, the JTB has been committed to showcasing Jamaica’s beauty, culture, and warm hospitality to travelers worldwide. Its efforts have helped establish the island as a premier Caribbean destination, attracting millions of visitors each year and driving significant economic growth for its people.
“As we proudly celebrate 70 years of the Jamaica Tourist Board, we are inspired to build upon our incredible legacy and shape an even brighter future,” said Donovan White, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism. “We are also leveraging digital innovations, targeted campaigns, and strategic partnerships to drive even greater awareness and demand worldwide. This marks the beginning of a new era for Jamaican tourism, and we are committed to its continued growth.”
For more information on visiting Jamaica, go to www.visitjamaica.com.
NY – Caribbean Nationals Among 130 Illegal Immigrants Nabbed
Caribbean nationals were among 133 illegal immigrants apprehended during an enhanced targeted enforcement operation focusing on illicit criminal immigration offenders and other immigration violators in western, central, and northern New York in the United States.
The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency said that nationals from Trinidad and Tobago and the Dominican Republic were among Caribbean immigrants arrested in the operation that spanned March 24 to 28. ICE said among those arrested during the enhanced targeted operation were a 49-year-old illegal immigrant from Trinidad and Tobago convicted of murder; a 66-year-old illegal immigrant from the Dominican Republic convicted of coarse sexual conduct with a child; and a 70-yearold illegal immigrant from the Dominican
by ICE
Republic convicted of manslaughter and criminal sale of controlled substances.
“By leveraging our federal partnerships and intelligence-driven investigations, ICE continues to carry out its mission in a way that best serves national security, public safety and border security,” said Philip Rhoney, acting deputy field office director, ICE enforcement and removal operations in Buffalo.
“I am grateful for the professionalism, dedication and support from all of our partners during this week-long operation to remove dangerous alien offenders from our New York communities,” he added.
ICE said while it and US federal partners concentrated their efforts in and around the Buffalo, New York area, the operations extended throughout western and upstate New York.
Operations led to the arrest of 84 illegal
immigrants from the Buffalo and Rochester areas, and 49 illegal aliens from Syracuse, Albany, Rouses Point, and Massena, ICE said.
“The success of this enhanced enforcement operation underscores the importance of utilizing a whole-of-government approach when protecting the public from criminal aliens and dangerous individuals living in our western, central, and northern New York communities,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Buffalo Special Agent in Charge, Erin Keegan.
ICE said of those arrested, 20 had criminal convictions or charges, including three who were convicted for murder.
Nine of the arrests were of immigrants who had been previously removed from the United States, ICE said. (CMC)
Booker, Harris, and Obama Increase Resistance Against Trump’s Policy
As Kendrick Lamar asked during his powerful Super Bowl performance, “Are we really about to do it?” That question now echoes in the political arena as former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Kamala Harris have entered the public fray, joining voices like New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker and Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett in confronting President Donald Trump and his administration’s sweeping changes head-on. After months of relative silence following her defeat to Trump last November, Harris returned to the spotlight Thursday during a rare appearance at the Leading Women Defined conference at a seaside resort in Dana Point, California. According to The Los Angeles Times, she didn’t mention Trump by name but spoke forcefully about the anxiety many Americans are experiencing under his new
administration.
“There is a sense of fear that is taking hold in our country, and I understand it,” Harris said. “These are the things that we are witnessing each day in these last few months in our country, and it understandably creates a great sense of fear. Because, you know, there were many things that we knew would happen, many things.”
“I’m not here to say, ‘I told you so,’” she continued. “I swore I wasn’t going to say that.” The appearance marked a shift in tone for Harris, who has been weighing a potential run for governor of California in 2026 or waiting until 2028 for another shot at the presidency. Still, she clarified that her political silence hasn’t equated to surrender. “We can’t go out there and do battle if we don’t take care of ourselves and each other,” Harris told the crowd. “I’ll see
you out there. I’m not going anywhere.” Obama, meanwhile, broke his silence during an appearance at Hamilton College in New York, offering one of his sharpest public critiques yet of Trump’s second administration. He condemned Trump’s attempts to reshape the federal government, stifle dissent, and punish those who oppose his policies. “So, this is the first time I’ve been speaking publicly for a while,” Obama said. “I’ve been watching for a little bit.” “Imagine if I had done any of this,” Obama added. “It’s unimaginable that the same parties that are silent now would have tolerated behavior like that from me or a whole bunch of my predecessors.” While calling Trump’s proposed tariffs bad for America, Obama said his larger concern lies with what he described as the White House’s alarming overreach. “I’m more deeply concerned with a federal government that threatens universities if they don’t give up students who are exercising their right to free speech,” he said. “The idea that a White House can say to law firms, if you represent parties that we don’t like, we’re going to pull all our business or bar you from representing people effectively. That kind of behavior is contrary to the basic compact we have as Americans.” Obama, who campaigned for Harris during the final stretch of the 2024 election, had warned that a second Trump term would endanger the nation’s democratic norms. “Just because [Trump] acts goofy,” Obama said at the time, “doesn’t mean his presidency wouldn’t be dangerous.” With Trump’s second term underway, the voices of resistance are growing louder.
Sen. Cory Booker added fuel to the movement by making history on the Senate floor. He delivered a 25-hour, 5-minute filibuster that broke the record previously held by segregationist Sen. Strom Thurmond. Thurmond’s 1957 filibuster—lasting 24 hours and 18 minutes—was aimed at blocking the Civil Rights Act. Booker used his record-breaking speech to denounce what he called a deliberate dismantling of government at the hands of Trump, Elon Musk, and Congressional Republicans. “It always seemed wrong,” Booker said, referring to the Senate room still named after Thurmond. “It seemed wrong to me when I got here in 2013. It still seems wrong today.”
The New Jersey senator, a descendant of both enslaved people and slave owners, framed his marathon speech as a moral plea, reading letters from Americans affected by deep cuts and policy threats to Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and SNAP. “This is a moral moment,” Booker declared. “It’s not left or right; it’s right or wrong.” With Booker’s record-setting stand, Harris’s reemergence, and Obama’s warning shots, what once felt like fragmented frustration among Democrats may now be coalescing into something more deliberate: a resistance that is finally, visibly, on the move. “I’ll see you out there,” Harris said. “I’m not going anywhere.”
(Black Press USA)
Cricket West Indies Invests in Future Talent Women’s Academy High-Performance Skills Camp
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) launched a dedicated Women’s Academy High-Performance Skills Camp on 18 March, at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua, bringing together the region’s most promising female cricket talent.
The nine-day intensive program, which ran from 18 to 27 March, saw 15 Academy and franchise-contracted players working alongside an experienced coaching team led by West Indies Senior Women’s Head Coach Shane Deitz. The camp officially opened with a ceremony at Coolidge Cricket Ground, where Leon Kuma Rodney, Chair of CWI’s Women’s Cricket Transformation Committee, addressed attendees alongside Enoch Lewis, Chair of CWI’s Cricket Development and Performance Committee; Dwain Gill, Cricket West Indies High-Performance Manager; and Women’s Head Coach Shane Deitz.
The initiative brought together twelve CWI
Academy-contracted players and three franchise-contracted players: Earnisha Fontaine (Dominica), Nerissa Crafton (St. Lucia), and Sheneta Grimmond (Guyana).
Additionally, eight CWI Pathway Coaches from across the region will participate in the camp, along with Sam Kirnon, a coach from Dominica, who was specially nominated by the Windward Islands Cricket Board to attend.
Ryan Austin, West Indies Senior Women’s Assistant Coach, has also lend his expertise to support the technical development of both players and pathway coaches.
CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe hailed the initiative, saying:
“This Women’s Academy High-Performance Camp focuses on alignment. It represents a crucial investment in the future of West Indies cricket by uniting our most promising talent and regional coaches with the Women’s Head Coach, establishing a cohesive approach to
player development that aligns with the senior team brand.”
“The technical skills these young women will develop here are important, but the ability of our regional coaches to support our women players in their territories is equally valuable. Our vision is to build a sustainable pathway that consistently produces world-class cricketers capable of competing at the highest level, and initiatives like this are fundamental to that strategy.”
The training schedule focused on several key areas, divided between specialist batting, bowling, and fielding sessions. Players engaged in scenario-based training to improve decision-making under pressure, game awareness, and tactical play. There were also strength and conditioning sessions designed to improve fitness and prevent injuries.
The camp aimed to develop technical cricket abilities as well as the mental resilience and
tactical understanding needed to succeed at higher levels of competition.
Pathway coaches were exposed to progressive training methodologies as they provided targeted skill development for the players.
It was a collaborative environment where coaches and players engaged in mentorship and knowledge-sharing, with the common goal of enhancing the developmental pathway that will benefit women’s cricket across the region for years to come.
The camp concluded with competitive internal matches on 26 and 27 March, allowing players to apply their training in match situations while giving coaches the opportunity to assess their progress. Players and coaches arrived in Antigua on 18 March and departed on 28 March following the camp’s conclusion.
Eight More Grand Slam Track Champions Confirmed in Kingston
Eight more Grand Slam Track champions were crowned on the third and final evening of action at the inaugural Grand Slam Track event in Kingston on Sunday (6).
US duo Dylan Beard and Tia Jones, who came into Grand Slam Track as late additions, were in pole positions to collect the US$100,000 top prize for the ‘short hurdles’ categories. Both only needed to secure top-two finishes in the 100m flat after winning the sprint hurdles the previous day. However, they found sprinting without hurdles to be another obstacle.
Jones, who finished sixth, watched helplessly as Danielle Williams sped to victory in 11.54 seconds (-3.4m/s) to the delight of her home crowd, who waited three days to see a Jamaican Grand Slam champion. “I’m happy I could pull it out for them (the home crowd),” said
Williams. “I just channelled my mind to beat everybody because I have a lot of speed and it was a fun run.”
Beard was trimmed down to size in the men’s equivalent after finishing third to France’s Sasha Zhoya, who burst through the pack to win in 10.55 (-2.0m/s), giving him a winning score of 20 points.
“I was on the blocks and thinking about all the athletes that raced here before me,” said Zhoya.
“Shelly-Ann, Usain, Asafa was here today as well, and I was like, ‘I gotta show up, I can’t be lacking on a track where all the greatest come from’. So I had to run fast. It’s a pleasure, honestly, it’s a pleasure.”
In the ‘long hurdles’ men’s 400m, Chris Robinson ran the race of his life and was on his way to victory when Alison dos Santos clawed
his way from fourth to overtake Robinson just before the line, winning in 45.52 to Robinson’s 45.54 PB.
Dos Santos, the long hurdles Grand Slam champion, had high praises for the format. “I think this feels more like a championship. Of course, there are different races, but in the meantime this is more like a championship,” he said. “You need to compete one day, but you need to stay locked in because you need to compete again. That’s the big difference for me. The difference is that this feels more like a championship than a meet.”
World 800m champion Marco Arop of Canada, back on familiar territory with the 800m, took charge from the first lap and never relinquished the lead, winning in 1:45.13. Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi, who finished second
in 1:46.44, took the overall ‘short distance’ Grand Slam prize thanks mainly to his earlier win in the 1500m.
Elsewhere, Grant Fisher and Ejgayehu Taye were crowned the long distance Grand Slam champions.
Olympic 100m bronze medallist Melissa Jefferson-Wooden claimed the sprint double in the women’s short sprints category. The US sprinter battled a strong headwind (-4.7m/s) to win in 23.46 with Jenna Prandini 0.10 behind.
Just as she did on the opening night in the 400m hurdles, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was in cruise control throughout the women’s 400m in the ‘long hurdles’ category. She crossed the finish line in 50.32 to cap off a successful weekend. (World Athletics)
