KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent - A former speaker of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines parliament, Jomo Sanga Thomas, says the world and indeed the Caribbean, owes Cuba a “massive debt of gratitude” as the country counters the latest actions of the United States that are fuelling a humanitarian crisis in that Caribbean country.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, says the government’s decision to introduce new taxes this year was a last resort as his administration seeks to present a credible budget.

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent – Opposition Leader Dr. Ralph Gonsalves is expected to lead off the debate in Parliament on Tuesday after Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday presented an EC$1.9 billion to lawmakers on Monday.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Prime Minister Mia Mottley has indicated that her new Barbados Labour Party (BLP)  government will introduce legislation dealing with how legislators cross the floor following a general election.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith says Jamaica has seen little movement towards resuming the immigrant visa processing for the United States after Washington announced a freeze on process for 75 countries in January.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – The extradition matter involving Opposition Leader, Azruddin Mohamed and his billionaire businessman father, Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, was adjourned for a week on Monday after the elder Mohamed was reported to have fallen ill.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Prime Minister Gaston Browne says Ambassador Johann Hesse was dismissed after court filings revealed that a US$450,000 introductory commission had been paid in the United Kingdom in connection with the 2024 sale of the superyacht Alfa Nero.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed said he is not surprised that the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) said Wednesday it had discovered illegal cambio operations at Mohamed’s Enterprise.

NASSAU, Bahamas – The ruling Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) says it will officially launch its campaign for next general election on Monday next week after the party on Monday night completed the ratification process for all of its 39 candidates for the poll likely to be held before the  constitutionally deadline of September this year.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Lawyers representing Opposition Leader, Azruddin Mohamed, and his billionaire businessman father, Nazar “Shell” Mohamed are seeking an order from the Court of Appeal suspending the extradition committal proceedings in the magistrate’s court.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – President Irfaan Ali has been conferred with the Order of Merit Fort Sao Joaquim for his strong leadership in strengthening economic ties between Guyana and the northern Brazilian state of Roraima.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Barbadians go to the polls on Wednesday to elect a new government with political observers indicating that while the ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP) is high favoured to retain power, it will do so without the overwhelming majority it enjoyed in the last  two parliaments.