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‘MOM CRIED FOR HELP - BUT NO ONE CAME’ Darville vows full probe as daughter tearfully describes her mom’s final moments By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net HEALTH and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville yesterday vowed that his ministry would “do everything in its power” to investigate the death of Clanesha Adderley, as her family renewed calls for accountability after allegedly finding her lifeless in a hospital ward, tear-streaked and seemingly “trying to call for help”. Clanesha’s 16-year-old daughter, Shamyah Adderley, broke down in tears as she described the trauma of discovering her mother’s body, recalling that she was cold, unresponsive, with her oxygen mask dislodged. “Dried tears on her face,” the teen said. “It shows that she probably was trying to call for help, but no one came. My grammy ran out of the room to call the nurses, and I was trying to wake her up.” NEGLIGENCE - SEE PAGE TWO CLANESHA Adderley’s daughter Shamyah speaks to the media yesterday. Photo: Shawn Hanna
BOUNDARIES COMMISSION EXPECTED TO 90 percent of Port Lucaya PROPOSE SPLITTING TWO CONSTITUENCIES merchants ‘struggle to survive’ By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net THE Boundaries Commission is expected to table its long-awaited report in Parliament in the coming
days, according to sources familiar with the matter, with proposals that include combining Bimini and the Berry Islands into a single constituency. The Tribune understands the report also recommends
creating a new seat in western New Providence by dividing Killarney, a move this newspaper has previously reported. The proposed constituency CHANGE - SEE PAGE FOUR
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net NEARLY 90 percent of business owners at Port Lucaya Marketplace are struggling to survive, with
several stores closing in recent months and others “hanging for dear life,” as merchants press the property’s owner for a temporary rent reduction amid declining foot traffic and stalled redevelopment.
Never Smith, president of the newly formed Port Lucaya Marketplace Association, said the financial strain has already forced several businesses to shut DECLINE - SEE PAGE FIVE
Tensions boil over at PLP meeting for Southern Shores By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net TENSIONS nearly boiled over outside the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) headquarters last night as members of the Southern Shores branch gathered for a meeting to express their views on potential election candidates Clint Watson and Obie Roberts. The situation came close to
physical confrontation as the meeting ended, with several men stepping in repeatedly to prevent a fight and calm the heated exchanges among supporters. Attendance at the meeting was restricted to branch members and media were not permitted inside. However, participants later shared concerns about the process and the con- Tempers flared outside PLP headquarters last night as duct of the meeting. members from Southern Shores clashed after a meeting disussing candidate choices. CLASH - SEE PAGE FIVE Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
Daughter finds dead mom PAGE 2, Tuesday, January 6, 2026
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Shamyah said she found her mom with “dried tears on her face. It shows that she probably was trying to call for help, but no one came. My grammy ran out of the room to call the nurses, and I was trying to wake her up.” NEGLIGENCE from page one She said the nurse who arrived appeared frightened and addressed her mother by her first name instead of her surname. “They ran everyone off the ward after that,” she added. Speaking at a press confernce with her grandparents Vernitta and Clay Adderley by her side, Shamyah added: “Honestly, I’m just trying to hold up and stay strong. This is my last stretch in high school, and I’m trying to make her proud.” As the family announced they would be pursuing legal action, Dr Darville expressed condolences and said that if any findings implicate Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) or its staff, the matter would be addressed appropriately and with full transparency. His comments followed The Tribune’s report on the family’s claims of negligence and inadequate care, which they believe contributed to Clanesha’s death. The case sparked widespread public reaction yesterday and prompted health officials to convene
three emergency meetings to determine the circumstances surrounding her death. Dr Darville confirmed that medical notes and records are now in his possession. “A lot of investigations are ongoing,” he said. “It is a bit premature to go into the details, but I want to assure the family and the Bahamian people that we take these allegations very seriously and will do everything in our power to get to the facts.” Clanesha, 36, was admitted to the Female Medical-Surgical East ward on November 1 after experiencing persistent pain that did not subside with medication. Her family said her condition worsened over several days, with no clear diagnosis provided. In her final days, Clanesha sent voice notes begging her family to hire a lawyer and transfer her to another hospital. She also raised concerns that medication was being administered without her consent or knowledge. On November 14, the day of her death, relatives said they found her cold and unresponsive, with
CLANESHA ADDERLEY
SEE PAGE THREE
Above: Clanesha Adderley’s daughter Shamyah and her parents Clay and Vernitta Adderley speak with the media about her death at Princess Margaret Hospital. Photos: Shawn Hanna
with ‘dried tears’ on face
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NEGLIGENCE from page two hospital staff allegedly unaware of her condition. The family is now demanding answers and accountability. Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) Managing Director Dr Aubynette Rolle said yesterday that the family has the right to pursue litigation if they choose.
Tuesday, January 6, 2026, PAGE 3
She said the hospital would not interfere with that decision and would instead conduct a transparent investigation and provide documentation to the family. “What is in the notes cannot be changed,” Dr Rolle said. “Everything is recorded in sequential order, and those notes, along with
our findings, will be provided. If the family decides to pursue that route, the PHA will be prepared.” Relatives described Clanesha as full of life and said she had been looking forward to her only child’s 17th birthday this month and her graduation later this year.
Have you experienced serious issues at the PMH? Contact: newsroom@tribunemedia.net
“A lot of investigations are ongoing. It is a bit premature to go into the details, but I want to assure the family and the Bahamian people that we take these allegations very seriously and will do everything in our power to get to the facts.” - Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Michael Darville
CLANESHA Adderley’s daughter Shamyah and her mother Vernitta Adderley speak with the media yesterday. Photo: Shawn Hanna
Officials await autopsy reports after New Year child death tragedies By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net AUTOPSY reports for the deaths of three children over the New Year holiday remain pending, health officials confirmed yesterday, as investigations continue into the separate incidents that occurred over a three-day period at the turn of the year. Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) Managing Director Aubynette Rolle said that while one autopsy was underway, it had not yet been completed, and another could not proceed until the formal identification of the child is finalised. Dr Rolle said several meetings had been held to address concerns raised with the PHA. “I’ve met with family members today about some concerns expressed with a real, definitive way forward,” she said, adding that officials have also spoken with the pathologist. She noted that once
the other child is formally identified, the autopsy can proceed. Dr Rolle said families will receive autopsy findings before any information is released publicly. “Once we have that, that is laid over to the family members first before that even goes out to the public. That is the way we have to do it to respect the privacy and dignity of patients first, and then we’ll be able to release that, because it then becomes public documentation,” she said. Addressing the case of a 10-year-old boy in Eleuthera who died after collapsing at a playground, Dr Rolle said the child’s body remains on the Family Island and may fall under the jurisdiction of that island’s coroner. Minister of Health and Wellness Michael Darville described the death as a “sad situation” and referenced a separate report of a child who was brought to Accident and
Emergency “in a very difficult state”. Dr Darville stressed that the three deaths are unrelated. “There was a scenario that was ongoing as if there was something in the air that is a direct result. I want to address that head on and indicate very clearly that these are separate instances,” he said. “It’s important for the general population to know that the cases are unrelated, and so it is important for us to get all of the pathological information, the pathology reports, so that we can begin to speak definitively to each case.” Dr Darville added that the death of a child is a matter of deep concern, not only for families but also for healthcare professionals. “It’s very unfortunate when you have any paediatric case that presents to our Accident and Emergency in circumstances that are of great concern. Social services are involved, and it’s a
collaborative effort to get to the bottom of one or two of the cases, but the case where a child was playing and collapsed is something that needs full investigation to root out any sort of pre-existing illnesses or whatever,” he said. The update comes after three young children died in separate incidents over the New Year holiday,
prompting police investigations and widespread public concern. The deaths included a three-year-old girl who became ill at a home in Nassau Village and later died at Princess Margaret Hospital, a 10-year-old boy who collapsed while playing at a park in Blackwood, Eleuthera, and a seven-year-old girl who died on New Year’s Day
after reportedly ingesting a food product at a residence in Pinewood Gardens. Police have previously said autopsies will be conducted in all three cases to determine the causes of death. Meanwhile, PHA officials said a five-day-old infant found last week in the trunk of a car is stable and doing well.
PAGE 4, Tuesday, January 6, 2026
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$20,000 reef fine still unpaid after Abaco barge grounding “The “TheDEPP DEPP went went out out therethere and found and found significant damagewent to the “The DEPP significant reef that we determined out there and found damage to the was a significant direct result of the damage reef that we bargeto running the reefaground.” that we determined was - Dr Rhianna Neely-Murphy, director of the a direct result ofDEPP
The container barge The Brooklyn Bridge seen as it was stuck on a reef near Nunjack Cay in North Abaco. By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net THE government is still awaiting payment of a $20,000 fine from the owners of the Brooklyn Bridge barge after it ran aground off Abaco last November, damaging a coral reef. Additional penalties could still be imposed as environmental assessments of the site continue. The grounding became a national flashpoint after
dozens of residents in small leisure craft looted containers from the barge. Individuals forced open units and removed food, appliances, electronics, medical supplies and other goods before police intervened. Trailer Bridge, the vessel’s operator, has said an estimated 90 percent of its containers were compromised. Dr Rhianna Neely-Murphy, director of the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP), told
The Tribune that assessments conducted by her team confirmed damage to the coral reef at the grounding site, prompting the fine. When contacted yesterday, Dr Neely said the barge owners had not yet paid the fine, to her knowledge. She said officials have been in contact with the owners’ attorneys, who are cooperating with the government. She said the affected reef remains largely functional, though not undamaged. Plans are under way to reattach and replant corals
where possible. Dr Neely said the government is reviewing a proposal from a local company to carry out remediation work and expects progress before the end of the month. Under the Environmental Planning and Protection (Amendment) Act 2024, the spot fine for damaging a coral reef is $20,000. Dr Neely said further penalties could be assessed as evaluations continue. “The DEPP went out there and found significant
damage to the reef that we determined was a direct result of the barge running aground,” she said. “There was also significant damage in areas where the barge was not immediately grounded, which has presented some complications. We are looking at all of the damage to determine how we will assess the payment of any damages.” The barge was reportedly being towed by the Southern Dawn from Jacksonville, Florida, to San Juan, Puerto Rico, when its steel tow
line snapped during bad weather. The vessel subsequently drifted onto a reef near Nunjack Cay in North Abaco in November. While the looting dominated public discussion at the time, residents and environmental advocates also raised concerns about the environmental impact of the grounding. On November 15, the Ministry of Energy and Transport confirmed that the Brooklyn Bridge had been refloated and removed from the reef.
FOAM expands shelter project into 24-hour WeCare relief facility By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net AS many people begin the new year barely scraping by or unsure where their next meal will come from, Families of All Murder Victims (FOAM) is expanding its shelter project into a 24-hour WeCare facility aimed at providing round-the-clock support to the most vulnerable. The organisation, led by president Khandi Gibson, broke ground in January 2025 on a housing and shelter project on Carmichael Road West, just past Bacardi Road. The initiative was initially designed to provide housing, shelter and resources for families in need, including victims of violence and hardship. However, Ms Gibson said that while assisting single mothers, the unemployed, married couples and others struggling to make ends meet, it became clear that the original plan would not meet growing demand.
She said the expanded 24-hour WeCare building will offer counselling, pastoral care, a restaurant-style kitchen providing free meals, portable showers, a children’s play area, a clothing section, a bookstore and a mini grocery area for essential items. “If persons get evicted at the wee hours of the night, they can come and get a portable shower for themselves and their children for the next morning,” Ms Gibson said. “Sometimes the shelters are full, but at least families can bathe and get a free meal.” She noted that while many support services operate between 9am and 5pm, crises often occur outside those hours. “Where can people go at night for a free meal or a last-minute outfit for an early morning interview?” she asked. Work on the project began in August, with site preparation and official architectural drawings completed. Ms Gibson said additional documents are
now being submitted to secure full approval to build on the property. However, with the project’s expanded scope, she said the approval process will need to restart. The WeCare facility is now projected to cost $4.8 million, up from the original housing project estimate of $2.5m. Ms Gibson said many Bahamians remain under financial and emotional strain as the year begins, recalling calls received during the holiday season from families seeking food, clothing, petrol or temporary shelter. “It’s overwhelming — people need help,” she said. “After 5pm, the crisis still continues. So where do families go? Where do persons go if they need a hot meal, help with a résumé, or somewhere safe to be?” Ms Gibson is urging members of the public to support the initiative through donations of funds, essential items or services to help make the 24-hour WeCare facility a reality.
Constituency report recommends new seat in western New Providence CHANGE from page one would reportedly incorporate several existing areas, combining multiple communities under a single electoral boundary. Killarney MP Dr Hubert Minnis has previously voiced support for splitting the constituency to reflect population growth, insisting the change would not weaken his electoral prospects. Sources said the report could be tabled as early as tomorrow, when the House of Assembly returns
following the Christmas break. Several meetings have already been held this month to finalise the document. Changes are also expected across several New Providence constituencies, including St Barnabas, Tall Pines, Centreville, Freetown and Garden Hills, which could see polling divisions added or reduced. Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, who sits on the commission, has told reporters that the body is analysing constituency boundaries with a focus on achieving a fairer
distribution of voters. Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis last year acknowledged that voter numbers are out of balance in “one or two” New Providence constituencies, saying the matter requires “an anxious look” to determine whether boundaries should be redrawn. While the law does not prescribe a fixed number of voters per constituency, the Constitution requires that boundaries reflect population size and that significant disparities be justified by clear practical considerations.
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Tuesday, January 6, 2026, PAGE 5
Heated exchanges as PLP begins Southern Shores candidate selection PLP Chairman Fred CLASH Mitchell from pagewas oneseen entering the headquarters for the meeting, while the sitting Member of Parliament, Leroy Major, was absent. Supporters of both Watson and Roberts arrived wearing campaign paraphernalia, with a large number of Roberts supporters arriving early and Watson supporters appearing closer to the meeting’s start. As attendees exited the building, tensions escalated. What began as complaints about the meeting quickly turned into heated verbal exchanges among supporters, though it was unclear which individuals supported which candidate. Despite the intensity of the exchanges, several persons called for unity, reminding those present that they were members of the PLP. “Dumb sh*t, all y’all from Southern Shores,” one person shouted as others urged calm. Merbin Darling, a Watson supporter, said there was no question-and-answer period during the meeting, though both candidates were allowed to present their visions for the constituency. “Both persons presented their views and plans, which was accepted by
everybody,” he said, before arguing that Watson’s proposals were more practical. “Clint Watson has an effective living agenda,” Mr Darling said. “He’s talking about helping poor and needy people, building homework centres, addressing crime and security — the things people at the kitchen table talk about every day.” Mr Darling also alleged irregularities within the branch, including the presence of what he described as ineligible or “fake” members and the holding of branch elections outside the constituency. “We got kicked out because we’re not on that registry,” he said. “What you’re looking at there is a kangaroo branch. That does not reflect the Southern Shores PLP membership.” He accused Mr Mitchell of facilitating what he described as a hijacking of the process, claims that were disputed by Roberts supporters. Monique Paul, another Watson supporter, described the meeting as “favouritism” and accused party officials of “sabotage”. “Clint Watson did an excellent presentation,” she said. “Obie didn’t know what he was saying. His presentation wasn’t in
order.” Among Watson’s supporters was professional boxer and former Olympian Tureano Johnson, who said he was backing the veteran journalist but cautioned that the process itself mattered. “This process will speak to the morality and ethics of a political party,” he said. “If things aren’t going according to protocol, that’s a problem.” However, Wellington Porter, a Roberts supporter, said only financially up-todate members were eligible to vote and defended the process. “Mr Roberts has a track record in the PLP,” he said. “He’s done the work, from Golden Gates to now.” Another Roberts supporter, Tevin Ferguson, also rejected claims of wrongdoing. “Mr Roberts has always followed the party’s constitution,” he said, citing his progression from vice-chairman to deputy chairman. “He is transparent, fair, and committed to unity,” Mr Ferguson added. Both Watson and Roberts declined to comment, while Mr Mitchell did not respond to questions from reporters.
Business owners ‘hanging for life’ at Port Lucaya Marketplace DECLINE from page one their doors. “We’ve had, since the association started, a handful of companies that have actually had to close up shop and leave because they just didn’t have the business to cover their overheads,” Mr Smith said, naming Tropical Gyro, Luxe Deli and Island Divas among those affected. Many others, he added, are barely holding on. “You have a few who are just hanging for dear life, and they’re not sure how much longer they can do it,” he said. “I would say 90 percent of the business owners out there are struggling really badly to cover basic overhead costs.” Against that backdrop, merchants, through the association, are calling on owner Peter Hunt to meet with them and consider a temporary reduction in rent as businesses grapple with low foot traffic following the closure of the Grand Lucayan Resort and amid plans to redevelop the Port Lucaya Marina. Mr Smith is among more than 150 tenants at the marketplace. He noted that the nearby Grand Lucayan had historically generated significant foot traffic before closing in 2016 after sustaining severe damage during Hurricane Matthew. According to Mr Smith, tenants have been waiting
months for direct engagement with the property owner. “Right now, we’re hoping that we could sit with him very soon so that we could better understand what the plans are for the short and long term concerning the development of Port Lucaya,” he said. “He has given updates to other stakeholders in the community, but hasn’t done so with his tenants as yet.” The association, which has been in existence for almost six months, represents roughly 170 merchants, the majority of whom are straw vendors. Mr Smith said non-food businesses, including retail stores, have been hardest hit by declining sales. “We’re still in a bad state of affairs as far as our revenue as business owners out there,” he said. “People feel very discouraged and frustrated with the lack of traffic and how inconsistent it is.” While the Grand Bahama Port Authority has provided some relief through discounted business licence fees, Mr Smith said merchants are also seeking assistance from marketplace ownership. “When it comes to the ownership of Port Lucaya Marketplace, we’re asking for a temporary reduction in rent until these developments take shape,” he said. Last week, Mr Smith spoke publicly about the challenges facing merchants
during a Facebook Live, highlighting poor foot traffic and the association’s inability to secure a meeting with Mr Hunt. He said businesses selling souvenirs, jewellery, clothing and other nonfood items are feeling the impact most, while food and beverage outlets have been less affected. Straw vendors, despite paying lower rent, are also struggling due to weak sales. Mr Smith said outreach efforts are ongoing, including engagement with the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce. “I am a director of the Chamber, and when I released the live on Facebook, I had a conversation with the Chamber President shortly after,” he said. “He reached out to Mr Hunt, who shared some insight on plans for the marina and surrounding properties.” However, Mr Smith said the lack of direct dialogue with tenants remains a major source of frustration. “A big part of our frustration is he refuses to speak with us,” he said. “As simple as a 30-minute or 45-minute courtesy meeting, we haven’t been able to get that.” The association plans to continue speaking out publicly and engaging community leaders in an effort to bridge the gap. Mr Smith said Rupert Hayward, co-chairman of the GBPA, has been assisting in those efforts.
PLP Meet to discuss potential nominees for the seat of Southern Shores in next election at PLP headquarters yesterday. Nominations are between Obie Roberts and Clint Watson. Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr
PAGE 6, Monday, Tuesday, January 6, 2026
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Thorny decisions for Bahamas Since US troops swooped into Venezuela and took its president, Nicolás Maduro, off to appear in court in New York, a question has not only lingered, but been fuelled by comments by US President Donald Trump – will somewhere be next? Since Maduro’s detention, Trump has pointed comments towards several countries. He has warned Colombia’s President, Gustavo Petro, that his country could be next to face military action, telling reporters on Air Force One: “Colombia is very sick too, run by a sick man, who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States, and he’s not going to be doing it very long.” When asked whether the US would carry out a military operation, he said: “It sounds good to me. You know why? Because they kill a lot of people.” Not content with that, Trump has warned that Mexico “has to get their act together” or “we’re going to have to do something”. Where next on this tour? Well, of Greenland, he said: “We do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defence.” This despite Greenland being a self-governing Danish territory. Then there is Iran. Again on Air Force One, Trump told reporters: “If they start killing people like they have in the past, I think they’re going to get hit very hard by the United States.” But perhaps closest to our own shores is the warning that came from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has warned that Cuba “is in a lot of trouble”, adding: “I don’t think it’s any mystery that we are not big fans of the Cuban regime, who by the way are the ones that were propping up Maduro.” For Trump’s part, he said that Cuba gets its income from Venezuelan oil and without it, “Cuba literally is ready to fall”. That is quite the world tour of warnings – and the Cuban situation is of particular concern as we here in The
Bahamas have seen our government go to and fro between Cuba and the US over the issue of Cuban workers. Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Michael Darville has given an update on the matter in today’s Tribune – saying that talks are ongoing with the US Embassy in New Providence. He says discussions are “moving quite well” and hopes they will be finalised by the end of the month. There is of course a lengthy discussion that can be had over seeking approval from a third party, the US, over a contract between The Bahamas government and Cuban workers. That matter becomes all the more unsure given the changing tides surrounding Cuba in the wake of the Venezuela action. Meanwhile, Dr Darville also said that progress is being made over the deal with China over the proposed new hospital in New Providence. Given that the hearing in the US Senate for the approval of the new US Ambassador to The Bahamas, Herschel Walker, heavily featured questions about combatting Chinese influence in The Bahamas, that too could see more changing tides before long. Decision-making thrives on stability – something which we might not be short of in the international diplomatic landscape. As a nation, we need to make our own choices. Some of those choices can be better informed – to make sure for example that the Cuban workers we do hire benefit directly rather than receiving a fraction of the pay while the Cuban regime benefits instead. And we want to have confidence that our closest geographic major ally is a sure and steady partner as we face the world. We face thorny decisions in these unstable times. We hope our leaders do so with all the wisdom and courage they will need.
A new year and a new hope EDITOR, The Tribune. AS we celebrate the start of 2026, I wanted to express my heartfelt appreciation for the vibrant Junkanoo celebrations that lit up our streets on New Year’s Morning. The energy of the One Family Junkanoo Group, who took top prize with their theme “No Matter What, We Gern to Church! So, What’s Your Reason”, was truly infectious. They had the crowd going wild on Bay Street. And that is coming from a staunch Saxon. A big thank you to Ms Shanta Knowles, Commissioner of Police, and the entire police force they’re comparable to any in the world, if you ask me! Their outstanding efforts in managing the crowds and keeping everyone safe during the festivities were top-notch. Their professionalism and dedication to keeping the peace were evident,
and I’m sure they deserve a round of applause for minimising trouble and ensuring everyone had a great time. Junkanoo is more than just a celebration - it’s a time for families to come together, for churches (Yes, churches had their rush out) to showcase their spirit, and for our community to bond over our shared heritage. It’s a testament to the resilience and creativity of Bahamians. And let’s give it up for One Family Junkanoo Group on their two-straight. Congrats on those back-to-back wins! But let’s be real, as a diehard Saxon fan, I am sure we will be back fa we tings—Saxons for life. It would be such a wonderful thing if The Bahamas and the world at large would come together in such a harmonious way, all year round, the way we do on Christmas. Kudos to Minister Mario Bowleg and the
National Junkanoo Committee for promising to tackle the issue of long delays between groups - let’s hope the changes make future parades even more enjoyable for all. On a more serious note, let’s hope for a massive decrease in crime and a safer, more prosperous Bahamas for all. As we begin this new year, 2026, let’s hope our government and unions can work together in the same spirit of cooperation and progress. With collaboration and unity, I have no doubt we can overcome our challenges and build a brighter future for all Bahamians. A big thank you to all participants and organisers for making Junkanoo happen. Wishing our community a fantastic 2026! God bless us all, and God bless the Bahamas ANTHONY PRATT Nassau, January 3, 2026.
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Davis should push Nigeria’s exit from Commonwealth EDITOR, The Tribune. IN light of all of the selective outrage over President Donald Trump’s removal of the alleged drug dealing Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro from office, my desire is to bring attention to an urgent matter that mirrors the Jewish Holocaust in Hitler’s Germany. This is a matter far more important than Marduro being incarcerated. I would like to petition our government to assist the bealeagured Christian community in the African country of Nigeria. Like The Bahamas, Nigeria is a member of the Commonwealth -- along with 20 other African countries. In total, there are about 56 countries in the Commonwealth with a population of 2.7 billion. About a year before his transition, Nassau Guardian columnist Philip Galanis labeled Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis as an internationalist. This might have been a subtle defense of his well-publicised traveling at the outset of his term in office. Davis is an articulate, well-informed politician who obviously keeps abreast of news abroad. It would be surprising if he’s unaware of the ongoing genocide in Nigeria. According to the International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law, which is headquartered in Eastern Nigeria, 52,250 Christians have been murdered by Islamic extremists between 2009 and 2023. Between 2015 and 2023 -- a period which coincided with the administration of the late President Muhhamadu Buhari -- 32,250 Christians were murdered. Buhari was himself a radical Muslim. The current president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is also a Muslim. Buhari, who went on to his eternal reward in 2023, was tone deaf to reports of 18,000 Christian churches and 2,200 Christian schools being burned down by Muslim extremists. Even moderate Muslims are not immune to the killings. Over 34,000 of them have been butchered. These killings are being carried out by Boko Haran, Islamic State and Fulani adherents. There are over 90 million Christians in Nigeria,
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net which has the largest population on the continent of Africa of over 230 million. The 50 million believers in Northern Nigeria are facing jihadist threats, with 14 million being uprooted and displaced. There are five million Christians living in camps -- which has created a humanitarian crisis. Nigeria accounts for 89 percent of Christian martyrdoms worldwide. The continent of Africa has a total of over 730 million Christians -- twice the size of the US population. The church has grown by leaps and bounds due to the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, while the growth of Islam is mainly due violence and births. The Koran allows Muslim men to have up to four wives. The ongoing genocide in Nigeria was the reason behind the US decision in December to strike the Islamic State terrorist group in that Africa country. What I find interesting is that Islamic countries such as Iran, who have railed at President Donald Trump for removing Maduro from office, have said absolutely nothing about the slaughter of Christians in Nigeria. Equally hypocritical is South Africa, also a member of the Commonwealth, which has condemned Israel for the alleged genocide in Gaza. But as far as I’m aware, South Africa has done nothing to stop the ongoing genocide in its own backyard; in Nigeria that is. In addition to the killings, many Christian girls have been kidnapped, enslaved and sexually violated by these Muslim jihadists. In Islam, women are subhuman and “infidels” have little to no rights. There’s no such thing as tolerance in Muslim dominated jurisdictions. I believe the Nigerian church has done itself a grave disservice by not being politically engaged. This political apathy has created a vacuum that the Muslim community has been all too willing to fill. It is truly tragic that the
world has stood on the sidelines while this genocide in Nigeria continues to unfold unabated. The Bahamas is a predominantly Christian country. We have more churches than one can shake a stick at. We have sitting Parliamentarians who are professing Christians. All of our state funerals are conducted by the church. And the Bahamas Christian Council still has some influence within the political and governmental structure, although it is waning. And Davis, who I believe is either Catholic or Anglican, attends church. In this regard, the Progressive Liberal Party government should have some empathy with the Nigerian Christian community. Davis has some relationship with King Charles III, who is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, the headquarters of the Anglican communion of The Bahamas. Assuming Davis is Anglican, this is all the more reason for him to lobby King Charles on behalf of Nigerian Christians. What’s more, King Charles is also the official head of the Commonwealth of Nations. Surely, he too must know what is going on in Nigeria. The government should use its status and membership within the Commonwealth of Nations and call for the immediate expulsion of Nigeria from this august body. Leaders love to quote from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Charter. But apparently the principles outlined in this document aren’t applicable to evangelical Christians. Membership to the Commonwealth of Nations is completely voluntary. Expelling Nigeria won’t directly impact the Tinubu administration. But it will bring attention on the international stage the genocide, while helping to prod President Trump to take further action. It will also embarrass the Nigerians to act. KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama January 5, 2026.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, January 6, 2026, PAGE 7
Mitchell: Caribbean ‘zone of peace’ fractured by US action in Venezuela By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said the Caribbean’s long-standing status as a “zone of peace” was “fractured” by the announcement that a United States military operation in Venezuela resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Mr Mitchell said the region’s response is constrained by “asymmetries of power,” leaving limited scope for practical action. The minister made the comments in an audio statement on Sunday, a day after Maduro’s arrest. “It’s the 12th day of Christmas, the peace of the season. However, the zone of peace in the Caribbean was fractured by the announcement that the United States carried out a military operation in Venezuela and captured its president and his wife to face criminal charges in New York,” Mr Mitchell said. “There is a history of this in our region and elsewhere by the United States — 1965, the Dominican Republic; 1983, Grenada; Panama, 1989; Iraq, 2003; Haiti, 2004. The US, under its last Secretary of State John Kerry, had promised that these interventions were at an end in the hemisphere, but there is now a new doctrine.” Mr Mitchell referenced a statement issued by CARICOM as well as responses from the wider international community.
He added: “The ministers of CELAC, which is the Community of Latin American States, met and apart from the ritual condemnations, given the asymmetries of power, there does not appear to be much that can be done on a practical level.” “The Bahamas stands, however, on the principle of territorial integrity and self-determination. A small state can only rely on the rule of law and must uphold that principle.” Following the US operation, the Bahamian government advised citizens not to travel to Venezuela. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said it had raised concerns through diplomatic channels regarding the safety and security of a Bahamian national who is currently being “unlawfully detained” in Venezuela. While the ministry did not name the individual, The Tribune understands the detainee to be Oran Munroe, a Bahamian pilot who has been in Venezuelan custody since 2021. Munroe was initially reported missing in July 2021 after departing The Bahamas aboard a private aircraft. The Royal Bahamas Police Force issued a missing person bulletin stating he was last seen on July 24, 2021. Police later confirmed the aircraft had been reported stolen and crashed in Venezuela after leaving Abaco. Venezuelan authorities subsequently informed Bahamian officials that Munroe and a Colombian national were in custody after seeking medical treatment for injuries sustained in the crash.
FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell.
Bahamas and US to finalise talks on hiring Cuban health workers By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net DISCUSSIONS between The Bahamas and the United States government on the direct hiring of Cuban healthcare workers are expected to be finalised by the end of the month, health officials said yesterday, as the country continues efforts to address staffing shortages in the public health system. Minister of Health and Wellness Michael Darville said talks were ongoing with the United States Embassy in New Providence, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Yes, we are in discussions with the American government, particularly the embassy here in New Providence, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. That is moving quite well, and that should be finalised, hopefully by the end of this month,” Dr Darville said. The update came as officials outlined a broader, multi-track approach to addressing workforce shortages across the health sector, particularly among nurses. Dr Darville said the government was balancing short-term international recruitment with longerterm investments in local training, adding that preparations were under way to recruit a second batch of nurses from Africa, which he described as a good match for the country’s needs. He said expanded local training pipelines were
also being used to help address staffing gaps across the health system. Dr Darville noted that the most recent graduating class from the PHA Academy included additional trained clinical nurses, while ongoing programmes with institutions in Grand Bahama and at Bahamas Baptist University College are focused on training both nurses and allied healthcare professionals to meet short-, medium- and long-term workforce needs. “The Bahamas still have shortages of health care professionals, and this is not unique to the Bahamas. It’s a regional issue and more than likely global,” he said. Questions were also raised about whether locally trained nurses were experiencing delays in being hired as foreign recruitment expanded. Public Hospitals Authority Managing Director Aubynette Rolle said she was not aware of substantial barriers affecting Bahamian nurses and had not received documentation from the Bahamas Nurses Union indicating that vetting was preventing local hires. “I can say, as the Managing Director, that we have not had any substantial issues or hurdles with local Bahamians,” Dr Rolle said. “I have yet to receive any documentation from the president of the Bahamas Nurses Union of that being a barrier so that we can work together to resolve that locally.” Dr Rolle said delays had largely affected expatriate workers who had not met professional council
or licensing requirements, stressing the need to maintain standards of care. She added that due to shortages in key specialties — including physicians, nurses, pharmacists and laboratory staff — critical hires were now being handled directly through her office. “What has happened now, because of the critical nature of certain specialties, they come directly through my office for critical hires,” she said. Dr Darville further revealed that Cabinet had approved the rehiring of more than 41 retired Bahamian nurses who had expressed interest in returning to the system. “I have finally carried a paper to Cabinet and got it approved, and very shortly, many of those nurses who are expressing interest to come back into the system, we are prepared to do so in short order,” he said. Dr Rolle later clarified that some retired nurses faced administrative delays related to pensions, gratuities and pre-retirement leave. “You cannot be on the pay sheet twice,” she said, noting that the issue was procedural rather than policy-driven. Addressing concerns about police vetting timelines, Dr Rolle said the PHA used multiple vetting agencies and that there had been no systemic delays in recent recruitment exercises. “We’ve also recruited up to 300-plus persons at one time in 2023, and there were no delays in the hiring of those individuals,” she said.
Specialty hospital loan document sent to Beijing, says Health minister By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net THE Ministry of Health says progress continues on the proposed specialty hospital, with a key financing document now sent to Beijing for finalisation. Minister of Health and Wellness Michael Darville said a document from the Export-Import Bank of China was received by the
Ministry of Finance over the holiday period, signed, and returned to Beijing. “I’m pleased to report that the document, the final document from the ExIm Bank, was FedExed to the Bahamas, signed and forwarded back to Beijing for finalisation,” Mr Darville said. He said once the document is returned, remaining details associated with the project will
be completed. Mr Darville added that he intends to table a communication in the House of Assembly outlining the parameters of the agreement once finalised. “I’ve made it very clear in the House of Assembly that I would bring a communication where I would lay on the table all of the parameters associated with that contractual signing,” he said.
MINISTER of Health and Wellness Dr Michael Darville speaks during a press conference at PMH yesterday. Photo: Shawn Hanna
THE TRIBUNE
PAGE A8, Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Why aren't we all doing more of the heavy lifting for humanity?
Ivoine Ingraham facing Reality IN A LOUD world, the quiet givers still hold the nation together There is something profoundly unsettling about the age we live in. Never before have so many people had so much to say about themselves, and so little to say about service. We live in a time when success is measured not by impact, but by visibility, where the loudest voice, not the most generous heart, commands attention. And yet, beneath the noise, there exists another Bahamas. It’s not flashy, doesn’t trend, and doesn’t announce itself. It’s carried quietly by men and women who give without cameras, without hashtags, without applause. They volunteer their time, their skills, their money, and their emotional labour, not because it makes them look good, but because it feels right. They understand, instinctively, that a society cannot survive on selfinterest alone. These are the people who still believe that service is not a favour, it’s a responsibility. The Bahamas we criticise vs. The Bahamas that serves We complain endlessly about what is wrong with The Bahamas: Crime. Attitudes. Politics. Youth behaviour. Declining values. We dissect problems with surgical precision, yet too often absolve ourselves from any obligation to help fix them. It’s easy to point fingers. It’s harder to offer hands. And yet, all across this country, there are Bahamians who quietly do the work many complain about but never contribute to. They are the volunteers in churches, who cook and distribute meals. The civic club members who raise scholarship funds. The mentors, who take time to guide young men and women away from trouble. The professionals, who give their expertise freely because they remember when someone once helped them. They’re not celebrities, or influencers, or chasing validation. They’re committed to the idea that if you have benefited from this country, you owe it something in return. Civic organisations: the unsung backbone of community For decades, organisations such as
Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, Zonta Club, the Pilot Club and others--and numerous churchbased outreach groups--have been quietly filling gaps that neither government nor market forces can fully address. They fund education. They support healthcare initiatives. They invest in youth development. They respond when families fall through the cracks. These organisations don’t exist for glamour. Meetings aren’t exciting. Fundraising is often exhausting. The work is slow, sometimes thankless, and almost always invisible to the broader public. Yet without them, many communities would be poorer, not just economically, but morally. In a country where too many people ask, “What can I get?” These groups still ask, “Who needs help?” Having vs. hoarding There’s a difference (one that must be said plainly) between “having” and “hoarding.” Some Bahamians come from very little and rise through discipline, opportunity, and hard work. When they succeed, they remember. They share. They mentor. They sponsor. They understand that success does not sever responsibility, but, rather, deepens it. Others, however, achieve a measure of comfort and immediately close ranks. They boast about the size of their homes, advertise their vehicles, and speak endlessly about where they live now and who they know now. When it comes time to support a cause, assist a struggling family, or contribute to national uplift, however, they disappear. In a country that educated them, protected them, and gave them space to thrive, they give back precious little. That’s not ambition. That’s amnesia. And amnesia, when it becomes cultural, is dangerous. Christmas excess and everyday indifference Every Christmas, we see it clearly: tables overflow; plates are stacked; food goes to waste. Yet just beyond the glow of holiday lights, people are sitting on sidewalks, in doorways, at bus stops, hungry, invisible, ignored. The question is not whether poverty exists. The question is whether our conscience still works. How many of us, after eating far more than we needed, dared to step out of our comfort zone and share with someone who had nothing? Not as charity theatre, but as human recognition. Too often, we’re generous with our opinions and stingy with our actions. You brought nothing in—you’ll take nothing out You brought nothing into this world, and it’s certain that you’ll take nothing out. This is not philosophy. It’s fact. Not your house, your car, your bank balance, not your titles. So why live as though accumulation is the purpose of life? Why cling to possessions, while neglecting the opportunity to leave behind something far more enduring, like character and contribution? History doesn’t remember who had the biggest house. It remembers who made the most significant difference. Service as a path to inner peace There’s a quiet truth many discover only later in life: giving is therapeutic. It steadies the mind. It calms the spirit. It reduces bitterness and envy. Service forces perspective. It reminds us that our problems, though real, are not unique. It pulls us away from negative circles—people who complain endlessly, blame everyone, and go nowhere—and places us in environments
Photo: Vecteezy where purpose replaces pettiness. Those who serve often speak of a peace that money cannot buy, a satisfaction that no social status can provide. It’s the peace that comes from living in harmony with one’s values. If discipline fails, join something bigger than yourself Many people struggle with discipline and don’t wake up naturally motivated to give. That’s precisely why structure matters. If self-motivation isn't enough, join a civic group. Join a church outreach. Become part of an or-
ganisation that demands consistency, accountability, and service. Let the community pull you toward purpose. Service is not about perfection. It’s about participation. A national reckoning If we want a better Bahamas—safer, kinder, more responsible—it won’t come from complaining alone. It will come from citizens deciding that success carries obligation. Government matters. Policy matters. Leadership matters. But civic issues of conscience matter just as much. A nation is not sus-
tained by what it consumes, but by what it gives. And in a loud, self-absorbed world, it’s the quiet givers—the volunteers, mentors, organisers, and helpers—who are still holding the moral centre together. They may never trend or be celebrated. But without them, the Bahamas we criticise would be far worse. Perhaps the question for this new year is not, “What more can I get?” But instead, “Who can I help?” The answer may settle your spirit—and help pay the nation, too.
Healthy-sounding buzzwords could be hiding sugar in plain sight By ALBERT STUMM Associated Press MANY consumers feel pride in avoiding the glazed pastries in the supermarket and instead opting for "all natural" granola that comes packed with extra protein. Same goes for low-fat yogurts "made with real fruit," organic plant-based milks and bottled "superfood" smoothies. Buyer beware: Healthy grocery buzzwords like those often cover up an unhealthy amount of sugar. Added sugars are difficult to quickly spot because many companies use clever marketing to distract consumers, said Nicole Avena, a professor of neuroscience and psychiatry at Mount Sinai Medical School and Princeton University who has studied added sugars. Avena said while some health-forward brands know people are starting to become aware of the hazards of added sugars, "a lot of the bigger brands don't worry so much about people's health." Here's how to spot hidden sugars and what to do about it. What to look for Along with saturated fat and salt, eating excess sugar is linked to heart disease, obesity, diabetes and other health risks. The average American consumes 17 teaspoons of added sugar a day, which adds up to 57 pounds (26 kilograms) per year, according to the American Heart Association. About half of that comes from beverages, but much of the rest is sneaked into cereal, salsa, prepared sandwiches, dairy products, bottled sauces and baked goods, including many brands of whole-grain bread.
To help control sugar intake, start by checking the nutrition label. Since 2021, food companies have been required to list the quantity of added sugars separately from total sugar content. But the plan backfired, Avena said. Companies reduced common sweeteners like refined beet sugar and high-fructose corn syrup but added alternatives, such as monk fruit and the sugar alcohol erythritol, which aren't considered "added sugars" under FDA regulations. "Now our foods are even more sweet than they were back in 2020," Avena said. What should you do? Collin Popp, a dietitian and professor at NYU Langone Health, said the current FDA recommendation allows for some flexibility. People should get no more than 10% of their calories from added sugar, which amounts to about 50 grams per day if eating 2,000 calories, or a bit more than what's in a typical can of soda. But that might be too flexible, Popp said. "I would actually like to see that be less than 5%, and closer to zero for some, if they have diabetes or prediabetes," he said. The key is to be mindful of what you're eating, even if the product seems healthy or if the package is labelled organic, Popp said. Roasted nuts, plantbased milks and wasabi peas, for example, can include a surprising amount of added sugars. So can English muffins and Greek yogurt. One Chobani black cherry yogurt, for example, has zero grams of fat but 9 grams of added sugar, or more than 2 teaspoons. Silk brand almond milk has 7 grams per cup.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, January 6, 2026, PAGE 9
Up to 200 cataract surgeries planned under Brightness Action Initiative By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net UP to 200 cataract surgeries are expected to be carried out as the Brightness Action Initiative enters a new phase, with continued support from the People’s Republic of China. Patients from New Providence and 11 Family Islands are expected to benefit from the initiative, with several Family Island patients already in New Providence undergoing prescreening ahead of surgery. According to Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Michael Darville, approximately 200 surgeries are anticipated following prescreening and examinations. Planning for the current phase of the programme took between eight and nine months and was
Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Michael Darville speaks during a press conference at PMH announcing the next phase of the Brightness Action Initiative - a partnership between The Bahamas and the People’s Republic of China. Photo: Shawn Hanna carried out in collaboration with the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA), the Chinese government and the Chinese Embassy. A seven-member ophthalmology team from Central South University
of Hunan Province travelled from China to join the initiative. The delegation includes four ophthalmologists, two ophthalmology nurses and a biomedical engineer, who will work alongside
local eye surgeons at Princess Margaret Hospital to restore sight to patients across the archipelago. Dr Lee, clinical lead of the Chinese delegation, praised the hospitality of Bahamians, saying it continues to motivate the team’s return. “They’re working right now in the theatre, so we are about to do prescreening and examination on 200 to 250 patients. Hopefully we can do surgery for 200 patients, if everything goes smooth,” Dr Lee said. Asked about the cost of the initiative, Dr Darville said the programme is a gift from the Chinese government, noting that a single cataract surgery typically costs between $5,000 and $8,000. “These are complicated cases,” the minister said, adding that many patients
suffer from chronic non-communicable diseases and other serious medical conditions. “The Chinese initiative has proved to be very beneficial for many of the patients who are not really mobile,” he said. “We have patients who are on dialysis and have other major medical illnesses who would not be able to travel abroad to have this specific surgery without the involvement of other medical specialties.” PHA Managing Director Dr Aubynette Rolle said the initiative also allows patients who were unable to participate in previous cataract programmes to now receive treatment in-country. “The PHA would have just received funding to upgrade the eye ward and the theatre, and what this has done is allow us to
start off freshly,” she said. “Because of our partnership, the Chinese have also allowed us to retain the equipment they have brought, which helps the government from a cost-savings perspective.” The Brightness Action Initiative builds on earlier collaborations between The Bahamas and the People’s Republic of China aimed at expanding access to ophthalmological care within the public health system. Dr Darville has previously said cataracts and glaucoma remain among the leading causes of vision loss in The Bahamas, particularly among patients living with chronic non-communicable diseases, and that the programme is intended to reduce longstanding surgical backlogs while delivering care locally.
COURT GRANTS BAIL IN ATTEMPTED MURDER ACCUSED WARNED OVER CURFEW BREACH ELEUTHERA RAPE, HARM CASE BY PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A 53-YEAR-OLD man accused of raping a 27-year-old woman in Eleuthera last week was granted bail yesterday. Derek Ingraham was granted bail in the sum of $9,900 on charges of rape and causing harm before Justice Neil Braithwaite. Prosecutors allege that Ingraham had sexual intercourse with the woman
without her consent and intentionally caused her harm in Lower Bogue, around December 28, 2025. As a condition of bail, Ingraham will be fitted with an electronic monitoring device. He must also sign in at the Harbour Island Police Station three times a week before 6pm. Stanley Rolle represented the accused. Members of the defendant’s family were present in court for the bail hearing.
BISHOP NEIL ELLIS TO RECEIVE MLK FREEDOM AND JUSTICE AWARD
BY PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN awaiting trial on multiple attempted murder charges was ordered to be of good behaviour yesterday after admitting to breaching his court-ordered curfew. Jeremy Dames, 33, pleaded guilty to violating his bail conditions after breaching his nightly curfew
around 11.50pm on January 2. He appeared before Assistant Chief Magistrate Shaka Serville, where he also expressed remorse for the breach. At the time, Dames was on Supreme Court bail in connection with four counts of attempted murder, two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and two counts of accessory after the fact.
Prosecutors allege that Dames attempted to kill Corporal 3333 Precious Lewis and Superintendent Dwight Smith with a black and blue .40 calibre pistol near Quakoo Street on January 19, 2020. He is also accused, along with accomplices, of attempting to kill Antonio Glinton and Marcia Thompson with a handgun in New Providence on June 9, 2022.
After warning the defendant to take the conditions of his bail more seriously, Magistrate Serville ordered that Dames be of good behaviour for six months, failing which he will serve six months in prison. Dames is expected to return to court for a report on May 27. Inspector Cordero Farrington was the prosecutor.
MAN ACCUSED OF ATTEMPTED ARMED ROBBERY AT SERVICE STATION BY PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN was accused yesterday of attempting to steal a motorcycle at gunpoint near a service station at Old Trail and Robinson Roads last November. Prosecutors allege that Shadrach McKenzie, 21, while armed with a black Glock 9mm pistol, attempted to rob Demargio
Thurston of his white 2024 Yamaha XTZ motorcycle while the victim was stopped at a service station around 10pm on November 24, 2025. During the attempted robbery, Thurston reportedly managed to disarm his assailant. McKenzie was allegedly shot in the groin and leg during the struggle. The accused was taken to hospital for treatment,
while Thurston later turned the firearm over to police at the Wulff Road Police Station. McKenzie was not required to enter a plea to charges of attempted armed robbery and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley. He was informed that the matter will proceed
to the Supreme Court by way of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI) and advised of his right to apply for bail through the higher court. McKenzie was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services pending service of the VBI on May 19. Elsworth Johnson represented the accused, while Inspector Deon Barr was the prosecutor.
TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS JAIL FOR $15,000 LIQUOR STORE HEIST BY PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN was sentenced to two and a half years in prison yesterday after breaking into 700 Wines and Spirits on Shirley Street and stealing more than $15,000 worth of inventory in the run-up to Christmas.
BISHOP NEIL C ELLIS BISHOP Neil C Ellis will be honoured on an international stage later this month when he is recognised as the 2026 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Freedom and Justice Awardee at the 33rd Annual Dr Martin Luther King Jr Scholarship Breakfast in Miami. The event, hosted by the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, is scheduled for Monday, January 19, at 8.30am at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Bishop Ellis, the Founding Pastor of Mount Tabor Church, will also serve as the keynote speaker. Founded in 1993 by Congresswoman Frederica S Wilson, the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project is nationally recognised as a leading mentoring initiative for minority boys aged nine to 19. The programme operates in more than 130 schools in Miami-Dade County and has expanded to other parts of Florida, as well as Michigan and California. Through more than 30 programme components, participants are exposed to academic, professional and life-skills development. Activities include college
tours, leadership training, financial literacy education, health and wellness programmes, violence prevention initiatives and youth summits focused on civic responsibility and personal growth. Organisers say the annual scholarship breakfast remains the project’s primary fundraising event. Over the past 33 years, approximately $50m in scholarships has been awarded to young men who may not otherwise have had access to post-secondary education. The breakfast has grown into the largest MLKthemed scholarship event of its kind in the United States, drawing a broad cross-section of elected officials, educators, business leaders, faith-based organisations and volunteer mentors. Bishop Ellis’s recognition as the 2026 Freedom and Justice Awardee places him among a long line of distinguished honourees and speakers associated with the event, which organisers describe as both a celebration of Dr King’s legacy and a platform for investing in the next generation of leaders.
Ernest Charlton, 49, along with accomplices, broke into the store and stole $15,859.50 worth of alcohol and cigarettes on December 14 at around 6.28am. Charlton also caused approximately $1,800 in damage to the store’s wall and a digital video recorder (DVR) during the incident.
He was arrested near the scene, where police recovered a jackhammer believed to have been used in the break-in. Charlton pleaded guilty last Wednesday to charges of shop-breaking, stealing and damage before Assistant Chief Magistrate Shaka Serville. Inspector Cordero
Farrington, the prosecutor, urged the court to impose a four-year prison sentence, citing the scale of the offence. Charlton pleaded for leniency during mitigation. He was ultimately sentenced to two and a half years at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.
PAGE 10, Tuesday, January 6, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
Reactions around the globe Cuba faces uncertain to Maduro’s capture by US future after US topples Venezuelan leader Maduro By DÁNICA COTO and ANDREA RODRÍGUEZ Associated Press CUBAN officials on Monday lowered flags before dawn to mourn 32 security officers they say were killed in the US weekend strike in Venezuela, the island nation’s closest ally, as residents here wonder what the capture of President Nicolás Maduro means for their future. The two governments are so close that Cuban soldiers and security agents were often the Venezuelan president’s bodyguards, and Venezuela’s petroleum has kept the economically ailing island limping along for years. Cuban authorities over the weekend said the 32 had been killed in the surprise attack but have given no further details. The Trump administration has warned outright that toppling Maduro will help advance another decades-long goal: Dealing a blow to the Cuban government. Severing Cuba from Venezuela could have disastrous consequences for
its leaders, who on Saturday called for the international community to stand up to “state terrorism.” On Saturday, Trump said the ailing Cuban economy will be further battered by Maduro’s ouster. “It’s going down,” Trump said of Cuba. “It’s going down for the count.” Many observers say Cuba, an island of about 10 million people, exerted a remarkable degree of influence over Venezuela, an oil-rich nation with three times as many people. At the same time, Cubans have long been tormented by constant blackouts and shortages of basic foods. And after the attack, they woke to the once-unimaginable possibility of an even grimmer future. “I can’t talk. I have no words,” 75-year-old Berta Luz Sierra Molina said as she sobbed and placed a hand over her face. Even though 63-year-old Regina Méndez is too old to join the Cuban military, she said that “we have to stand strong.”
“Give me a rifle, and I’ll go fight,” Méndez said. Maduro’s government was shipping an average of 35,000 barrels of oil daily over the last three months, about a quarter of total demand, said Jorge Piñón, a Cuban energy expert at the University of Texas at Austin Energy Institute. “The question to which we don’t have an answer, which is critical: Is the US going to allow Venezuela to continue supplying Cuba with oil?” he said. Piñón noted that Mexico once supplied Cuba with 22,000 barrels of oil a day before it dropped to 7,000 barrels after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Mexico City in early September. “I don’t see Mexico jumping in right now,” Piñón said. “The US government would go bonkers.” Ricardo Torres, a Cuban economist at American University in Washington, said that “blackouts have been significant, and that is with Venezuela still sending some oil.”
“Imagine a future now in the short term losing that,” he said. “It’s a catastrophe.” Piñón noted that Cuba doesn’t have the money to buy oil on the international market. “The only ally that they have left out there with oil is Russia,” he said, noting that it sends Cuba about 2 million barrels a year. “Russia has the capability to fill the gap. Do they have the political commitment, or the political desire to do so? I don’t know,” he said. Torres also questioned whether Russia would extend a hand. “Meddling with Cuba could jeopardize your negotiation with the US around Ukraine. Why would you do it? Ukraine is far more important,” he said. Torres said Cuba should open its doors to the private sector and market and reduce its public sector, moves that could help prompt China to step in and help Cuba. “Do they have an alternative? I don’t think they do,” he said.
Venezuelan Wiliana Flores celebrates Maduro’s capture in Madrid. Photo: Bernat Armangue/AP
Venezuelans celebrate the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Lima, Peru. Photo: Martin Mejia/AP
Maduro says ‘I was captured’ as he pleads not guilty to drug trafficking charges By MICHAEL R SISAK, LARRY NEUMEISTER and ERIC TUCKER Associated Press A DEFIANT Nicolás Maduro declared himself “the president of my country” as he protested his capture and pleaded not guilty Monday to federal drug trafficking charges that the Trump administration used to justify removing him from power in Venezuela. “I was captured,” Maduro said in Spanish as translated by a courtroom reporter before being cut off by the judge. Asked later for his plea to the charges, he stated: “I’m innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man, the president of my country.” The courtroom appearance, Maduro’s first since he and his wife were seized from their home in a stunning middle-of-the-night military operation, kicked off the US government’s most consequential prosecution in decades of a foreign head of state. The
criminal case in Manhattan is unfolding against a broader diplomatic backdrop of an audacious US-engineered regime change that President Donald Trump has said will enable his administration to “run” the South American country. Maduro was led into court along with his co-defendant wife just before noon for the brief legal proceeding. Both put on headsets to hear the English-language proceeding as it was translated into Spanish. The couple was transported to the Manhattan courthouse under armed guard early Monday from the Brooklyn jail where they’ve been detained since arriving in the US on Saturday. As a criminal defendant in the US legal system, Maduro will have the same rights as any other person accused of a crime — including the right to a trial by a jury of regular New Yorkers. But he’ll also be nearly — but not quite — unique.
The stakes were made clear from the outset as Maduro, who took copious notes throughout the proceedings and wished a Happy New Year to reporters in court, repeatedly pressed his case that he had been unlawfully abducted. “I am here kidnapped,” Maduro said. “I was captured at my home in Caracas.” US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, a 92-year-old jurist who was appointed to the federal bench in 1998 by Bill Clinton, interrupted him, saying: “There will be time and place to go through all of this.” Hellerstein added that Maduro’s attorney could do so later. “At this time, I just want to know if you are Nicolás Maduro Moros,” which Maduro confirmed that he was. Maduro’s lawyers are expected to contest the legality of his arrest, arguing that he is immune from prosecution as head of state. Barry Pollack, a prominent Washington lawyer whose clients have included
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, said Maduro is “head of a sovereign state and entitled to the privilege” that the status ensures. He also said the defence would raise “questions about the legality of his military abduction.” Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega unsuccessfully tried the same immunity defence after the US captured him in a similar military invasion in 1990. But the US doesn’t recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate head of state — particularly after a much-disputed 2024 re-election. Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty on Monday. She had bandages on her forehead and right temple, and her lawyer said had she suffered “significant injuries” during her capture. A 25-page indictment accuses Maduro and others of working with drug cartels to facilitate the shipment of thousands of tons of cocaine into the US They could face life in prison if convicted.
Activists of Communist Party of India burn an effigy of Donald Trump during a protest in Kolkata, India. Photo: Bikas Das/AP
A woman defaces the facade of the US Embassy with red handprints in Mexico City. Photo: Marco Ugarte/AP
Among other things, the indictment accuses Maduro and his wife of ordering kidnappings, beatings and murders of those who owed them drug money or undermined their drug trafficking operation. That included a local drug boss’ killing in Caracas, the indictment said. Outside the courthouse, police separated protesters of the US military action from pro-intervention demonstrators. Inside the courtroom, as Maduro stood to leave with federal officers, a man in the audience stood and began speaking forcefully at him in Spanish, calling him an “illegitimate” president. The man, 33-year-old Pedro Rojas, said later that he had been imprisoned by the Venezuelan regime. As deputy US marshals led Maduro from the courtroom, the deposed leader looked directly at the man and shot back in Spanish: “I am a kidnapped president. I am a prisoner of war.” The US seized Maduro and his wife in a military operation early Saturday, capturing them in their home on a military base. Trump said Saturday the US would “run” Venezuela temporarily and reiterated Sunday night that “we’re in charge,” telling reporters aboard Air Force One that “we’re going to run it, fix it.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio had tried to strike a more cautious tone on Sunday morning talk shows, saying the US would not govern the country day-today other than enforcing an existing “ oil quarantine.” Before his capture, Maduro and his allies claimed US hostility was motivated by lust for Venezuela’s rich oil and mineral resources. Trump has suggested that removing Maduro would enable more oil to flow out of Venezuela, but oil prices rose a bit more than 1% in
Monday morning trading to roughly $58 a barrel. There are uncertainties about how fast oil production can be ramped up in Venezuela after years of neglect, as well as questions about governance and oversight of the sector. Venezuela’s new interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, has demanded that the US return Maduro, who long denied any involvement in drug trafficking — although late Sunday she also struck a more conciliatory tone in a social media post, inviting collaboration with Trump and “respectful relations” with the US Rodríguez was sworn in on Monday by her brother, National Assembly leader Jorge Rodríguez. “I come with sorrow for the suffering inflicted upon the Venezuelan people following an illegitimate military aggression against our homeland,” she said with her right hand up. “I come with sorrow for the kidnapping of two heroes.” Maduro’s son and Venezuelan congressman Nicolás Maduro Guerra warned on Monday that his father’s capture could set a dangerous precedent globally and demanded that his parents be returned. “If we normalize the kidnapping of a head of state, no country is safe. Today it’s Venezuela. Tomorrow it could be any nation that refuses to submit. This is not a regional problem. It is a direct threat to global political stability,” Maduro Guerra said Also Monday, the United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting, with the top UN official warning that America may have violated international law with its unilateral action. The world body also spotlighted the profound humanitarian needs in Venezuela. Its people have endured a yearslong, complex economic crisis.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, January 6, 2026, PAGE A11
Top students recognised at Merit Scholars awards
Photos: Min of Education
Consolidated Water supports PACE Foundation students with donation By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net
By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net OUTSTANDING student achievement took centre stage at the annual All Bahamas Merit and National Merit Scholars Awards Ceremony, which recognises academic excellence at the national level. The ceremony honours recipients of the All Bahamas Merit (ABM) Scholarship, the ABM Runner-Up award and the National Merit Scholarship, all of which provide financial support to students pursuing tertiary education based on academic performance. Aidan Hanna, a graduate of St Augustine’s College, was named the 2025 All Bahamas Merit Scholar, becoming the 31st recipient of the prestigious four-year scholarship valued at $140,000. He is currently enrolled at Harvard University, where he is majoring in molecular and cellular biology. Katherine Armstrong, a graduate of Queen’s College, was named the 2025 ABM Runner-Up, receiving a four-year scholarship valued at $100,000. She is attending Brown University, where she is
pursuing a major in psychology and neuroscience. In addition to the ABM awards, 19 students received the 2025 National Merit Scholarship, recognising strong academic performance and supporting their continued studies at the tertiary level. Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Training Glenys Hanna Martin encouraged award recipients to remain focused on their goals and to express gratitude to those who supported them throughout their academic journey. St Augustine’s College was recognised as the top-performing school at this year’s ceremony. Principal Marici Thompson urged recipients to “be proud, but not arrogant,” and encouraged them to let their conduct and achievements reflect positively on The Bahamas. The ceremony celebrated the achievements of outstanding students across the country and underscored the value of hard work, dedication and academic excellence. Through the ABM and National Merit Scholarships, recipients are being supported to pursue higher education and prepare for future contributions to their communities and the nation.
STUDENTS enrolled at the PACE Foundation are set to benefit from additional learning resources following a recent donation from Consolidated Water (Bahamas) Ltd (CWCO), aimed at strengthening continued education and student support services. PACE supports students who continue their education after becoming pregnant, providing a structured learning environment alongside academic, vocational, counselling and social ser-
vices tailored to the needs of young mothers. CWCO general manager Henderson Cash said the company made the donation in recognition of the importance of continued education and the long-term impact of supporting young parents. “At CWCO, we are committed to supporting organisations that change futures,” Mr Cash said. “PACE stands as a beacon of hope for young mothers, and we are proud to support a programme that gives these young women the opportunity to continue their education and step confidently into stronger futures.”
FROM left: Consolidated Water (Bahamas) Ltd. (CWCO) General Manager, Henderson Cash; CWCO Board Member, Ethan Adderley; PACE Foundation Board Member, Claudette A. Rolle; CWCO Board Member, George Watson and CWCO Accounts Manager, Welliya Cargill.
Want to read more in 2026? Try reviving your love of books by doing this By ADITHI RAMAKRISHNAN AP Science Writer NEW YORK (AP) — People stop reading in adulthood for lots of reasons. But it's never too late to turn the page on old habits and start again. Curling up with a good book can reduce stress, increase creativity and boost empathy. A recent analysis of U.S. government data found that the percentage of Americans who read for pleasure during an average day has fallen to 16% in 2023 from 28% in 2004. That includes not just books but audiobooks, e-books and periodicals like magazines. Some people say they're fatigued from years of assigned reading in school. Others don't have the time or would rather zone out by doom-scrolling on social media. And many just got out of the habit. "It's difficult for people who
are really tired and busy to think about getting into reading if it's not something they're used to," said Jacqueline Rammer, director of Menomonee Falls Public Library in Wisconsin. For those looking to set reading goals or resolutions in 2026, here's how to get back into the habit. Choose the right book When picking your next book, avoid dense nonfiction or a 500-page doorstop. "Your first book should be something that you think will be joyful," said Jocelyn Luizzi, a software engineer from Chicago who blogs about books. Everyone's taste is different, so get recommendations from a variety of places including friends, booksellers and online communities like BookTok. Rammer and her staff ask library visitors: What was the last book, TV show or movie that you really enjoyed? Then,
A WOMAN reads a book in the afternoon sun on a bench outside South Station in Boston, on Friday, May 31, 2024. AP Photo/David Goldman they look for similar genres or themes. Many libraries offer access to a service called NoveList which suggests "read-alikes" for various books and authors. Set a reading routine To create a habit that sticks, "start by
scheduling reading into your day," said Gloria Mark, an attention span expert with the University of California, Irvine. Read five pages during a lunch break or right before bed. If you're reading a physical book, Mark said to avoid distractions by keeping phones and laptops out of sight. But experimenting with other formats can make reading more convenient. Ebooks are portable and audiobooks are a good candidate to accompany chores or the morning commute. You can likely access both for free by downloading an app called Libby and signing in with a library card. Try to read in a quiet setting, but don't be afraid to make it a social activity. Many cities in the U.S. and around the world host silent book clubs where people read their own books together in coffee shops and libraries. Setting a reading goal for the year or joining a local library's winter reading challenge can help with motivation — but if it feels like added pressure, don't do it. Shannon Whitehead Smith, a book blogger from the Atlanta area who also works in marketing, says scrolling through lists of other people's reads on
social media and trackers like StoryGraph encourages her to keep the habit. "Seeing all these other people reading motivates me to put my phone down and pick up this book that's sitting beside me," she said. Feel free to skip a read If a book feels particularly sluggish, it's OK to put it down and start another. Reading "shouldn't feel like a burden," said Jess Bone with University College London, who analysed the survey data about American adults reading for pleasure. Routine readers say the habit helps them stay curious and release the stress of the day. Rammer, the library director, reads mysteries rife with twists and turns, and romances that cycle through roller coasters of emotions. Most of all, she likes books that end with a "happily ever after." "I think the guarantee of knowing that things are going to end up OK is really reassuring," Rammer said.
THE TRIBUNE
PAGE A12, Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Images from Sunday's Annual Garden Ceremony
Tribune Staff Photos: Shawn Hanna