Home Blog

Doh dig nutten

Caribnews
-
0
Doh dig nutten

By Johnny Coomansingh

Some gravediggers in Trinidad tend to be somewhat loud, angry and difficult. Without a six-foot deep hole in the cemetery, no coffin could be lowered for burial. There was this time that two gravediggers demanded a bottle of spirituous liquor from the undertaker. While walking away, the undertaker told them, “Doh dig nutten.” He assumed that the belligerent gravediggers would have understood that their bottle of rum would be sure. When the undertaker returned with the corpse, he saw the two fellows idly leaning on a tomb with their digging implements at their side. Astonishingly, he asked the two gravediggers: “Where is the hole for this coffin?” They replied, “Ent yuh tell we doh dig nutten?”

Against this well-worn statement, “Doh dig nutten,” my objective is to portray Trinidad and Tobago as the most doh dig nutten place in the world. I don’t know if any other Caribbean country has this ‘trait.’ In Trinidad and Tobago , doh dig nutten could be translated as, ‘Doh worry nah,’ ‘Take it easy nah man,’ ‘Doh beat up,’ ‘Wuh yuh getting on so for?’ ‘Wuh yuh quarrelling so for?’

Despite the fact that governments come and governments go, things tend to remain the same, especially when members of a new political party are sworn in as leaders in parliament. These new members of parliament would constantly blame the opposition for squandering taxpayers’ money. They would swear by all the gods of heaven that there is no money in the treasury and chide the other side with what’s inside their chalices of corruption, chaos and confusion. As one politician said, the whole day is “…yeng, yeng, yeng.” Nevertheless, doh dig nutten…take it easy nah, we go fix everything bhai.

Johnny Coomansingh

Now let me be clear. Since I was five years old, the citizens of this country have been pleading and begging the governments, every one of them, for a regular potable supply of water. A few lines from the lyrics of my calypso titled ‘No Water’ will elucidate my sentiments:

“Mih toilet ah cannot flush…No water!

Look ah have tuh use di bush…No water!

No water tuh make some tea…No water!

No water, ah cannot pee…No water!

So ah ask tantie Kamla tuh fire the minister

And all dem big boys up in WASA.

Dey say ah smelling stink…No water!

Mih life is on the brink…No water!

Ah cannot brush mih teeth…No water!

Dem tong gyul ah cannot meet…No water!

All rong mih mouth is wahpia, like ah went and wuk obeah

Is nutten more than ah disaster.”

Take a close look at this excerpt of what I wrote and published in Caribbean News Global  “Coughing Spigots” –

“In 1995 I left the Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago (PETROTRIN). I studied in the state of Kansas for eight years, and there was not one day that I heard a coughing spigot. Not one day! Kansas is in the rainshadow of the Rocky Mountains, a place that is arid: “…where the skies are not cloudy all day.” We even had a swimming pool in our backyard. The area of Kansas is 80,000 square miles. Trinidad is a dot on the map with about 2000 square miles. It means that Trinidad could fit into Kansas 40 times. So why is Trinidad and Tobago in such dry and dire straits? I moved from Kansas and then to Missouri, no problem with water. I went up to North Dakota, no problem. I lived in Delaware and still no problem. I guess Trinidad and Tobago is now relegated to fourth or fifth world status because of the unreliability of a daily potable water supply. Many would want to argue that our country is a rainbow country, a land of festivals, a location on the map where wining and jammin’ is never in short supply, and that “God is ah Trini” with more hoopla than we could take. I have come to terms with the eternal and everlasting problem. WASA continues to advertise, “Take Shorter Showers,” but if there is no water, if our spigots are constantly coughing, WASA should focus on a ‘Doh Bathe’ philosophy.”

Trinidad and Tobago is in Amazonia, a rainforest-type climate, where rain falls to flood the country several times over, yet many are there that would like a couple drops of that water. ‘Mister parliamentarian,’ don’t tell me that things eh so bad. Don’t tell me that things could be worse. Don’t tell me that we have to ration the water because we are in the ‘dry season.’ Don’t tell me ‘El Nino’ is here. A senator recently inferred that there is enough rainfall in Diego Martin to flood the whole of Trinidad. He said that we have to seriously look at the collection, storage, and distribution of our water, but doh dig nutten, hold strain ah little nah…we go fix dat!

I did not want to get into this diatribe, but the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) keeps digging! The mantra is doh dig nutten, but WASA is ah ‘tattoo’ (armadillo). It could be that WASA has to dig, but why the hell can they not fix the damn road after their digging activities?

On matters concerning the deplorable nature of our roads, how long should we, the citizens, wait before our roads are of the quality suitable for good and peaceful driving? Note carefully, Trinidad and Tobago has 99 acres of asphalt! We have all kinds of road-building materials in this little country, including pitrun gravel, washed gravel, quartz, bluestone, dolomite, red sand, and white sand, yet we suffer; there is an infestation of potholes, lumps, bumps and humps everywhere! The leaders then tell us, especially on the election hustings, that they will make sure we get good roads.

One day before the April 28, 2025 general elections, the then government cut ribbons to open the Elmina Clarke-Allen Highway. This highway is far from being complete. They made us understand that the highway, like the ANR Robinson airport terminal in Tobago and the addition of the 12-storey Central Block of the Port of Spain General Hospital were “practically complete.” What a crock of horse manure! Once again, doh dig nutten…wait and grind ah little nah.

While we are waiting on the roads to be fixed, our health system is in shambles! There is some real bacchanal occurring with regard to the registration of 365 pharmaceuticals with only one recorded instance of the Drug Advisory Committee (DAC) being involved. Verdel Bishop in her Daily Express (August 06, 2026) article, ‘So no one knows how these 365 pharmaceuticals were registered,’ reported:

“The issue surfaced during the 12th meeting of Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) yesterday, which examined the State’s acquisition of pharmaceuticals and the processes governing their importation and approval…Committee chairman, Jagdeo Singh, questioned officials on how hundreds of pharmaceuticals could have been registered without what he described as the statutory body responsible for guiding the approval process… He added that some pharmaceuticals, which were allowed into the country through special permission, were never registered. ‘What is even more alarming to me…is that some of them were permitted to be imported by way of special permit; we now realise that some of them were never registered and have not been registered up to today,’ he said.”

Much more than that, the hospitals in Trinidad and Tobago need serious attention. Sometimes there are no beds for patients, no medicines, delayed X-rays, MRI and CT Scans. Appointments for specialist care are distant. It takes months that morph into years for cataract surgery. The lines are long, and waiting on care seems like forever. If you don’t have money to pay for private medical practice, then heaven help you. By now, everyone understands the doh dig nutten mantra in the health system.

Business entrepreneurs continue to be unscrupulous. Sometimes there are no price tags to identify the real price of items on the shelf. Rotten produce, for example, avocado, are packaged and sold. Customers lose their precious dollars every day! In the most subtle ways, prices keep going up and up but doh dig nutten because citizens have no choice but to accept the crimes committed by the groceries.

On the ever-present subject of crime and criminal activities, Trinidad and Tobago will never heal! In a place where racial discrimination is rife, could there ever be peace and safety? There is a long-standing war between the two dominant races that is politically stoked. I believe that this war will never end. Home invasions, auto theft, banditry in all its forms, gun slinging and daily murders continue.

Last night, Ian Alleyne’s Crime Watch reported 232 murders to date. Law adding citizens live in fear. Nevertheless, doh dig nutten because 30 new ‘mobile’ police posts are being installed at strategic points throughout Trinidad and Tobago to help quiet the crime. But wait! It’s not one or two or even three police officers that are presently on suspension for who knows what. There are over 250 officers on suspension right now! Even members of the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (TTDF) are sometimes caught engaged in illicit activities.

Cleaning up Trinidad and Tobago is a Herculean task. Both the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) and TTDF) need to be purged. I challenge anyone if they could find enough ‘Senna and Epsom salts’ to clean the Augean Stables of the protective services. I guess everyone knows that there is an ‘Environment Management Authority (EMA) in Trinidad and Tobago. Maybe it’s an armchair authority. Is such an authority actually on the ground seeing what is happening all over Trinidad? I don’t have to read and spell for the EMA, but I look at the mess we have on our beaches, roads, verges, rivers, waterways, and drains.

Last Sunday, August 09, my birthday, I went to Manzanilla Beach just after the Nariva River mouth. The seawall walkway was full of litter, beer bottles, and miscellaneous plastic ‘bottles.’ The garbage containers were overflowing. Almost everywhere was littered with garbage, plastic bottles, beer bottles and trash! Again, it’s possible that the citizens would like a la basse everywhere they go. Maybe the EMA is saying doh dig nutten because the heavy rains and floods will eventually wash everything out and deposit the trash on the seashore.

What can I say again? I could cry blood but the government would tell me doh dig nutten. Live with it. Live with the crime, road hogs, hate, garbage, destruction of our environment, squatting, malfeasance in public office, poor service at banks and public institutions, corruption, nepotism, and all the noise around. Don’t complain. Don’t even try to explain. Try to close your eyes. Stuff your ears with cotton buds or earplugs. Believe what Bob Marley said: “Everything gonna be alright,” and doh dig nutten. It dey, dey good so.

Caribbean governments need an AI decision record before they scale public automation

Caribnews
-
0
Caribbean governments need an AI decision record before they scale public automation

Gleb Tsipursky

By Gleb Tsipursky

Caribbean governments are moving from experimenting with artificial intelligence toward using it in real public workflows. Caribbean News Global has described AI agents as a potential new operational layer for digital government, while its coverage of Trinidad and Tobago has focused on using AI to improve public-sector productivity and citizen outcomes. The Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s first regional AI Forum, held in July, also put governance, harmonisation, resilience, and digital skills at the center of the region’s AI agenda.

The next step should be operational accountability. Before governments scale AI-assisted decisions, they should require a short AI decision record for high-impact public workflows.

A decision record would travel with an AI-assisted action. It would identify the service involved, what the AI recommended or executed, any known data limitation or uncertainty, the official who approved or overrode the result when human authorisation is required, the reason for a material override, and the route for review or appeal. Personal or security-sensitive information would remain protected. The record would give agencies a usable audit trail instead of forcing them to reconstruct one after a complaint or failure.

This matters because public-sector AI can create a misleading sense of efficiency. A tool may process applications faster while shifting difficult cases to employees. An agent may reduce routine clicks while creating new verification work. A model may flag an unusual transaction correctly most of the time but still require judgment when the consequences for a citizen are substantial. Without a decision record, managers can see throughput while missing how much human work keeps the system accurate and fair.

The record should stay lightweight. Governments do not need a new form for every trivial automated task. They can reserve it for workflows where an AI output can materially affect access to a service, a permit, a payment, an enforcement action, a procurement choice, or another consequential government decision.

Caribbean institutions are already building the skills needed for this approach. Caribbean News Global reported on an AI Academy for public-sector professionals built around practical, responsible use in a secure sandbox, with participants developing prototype use cases. A decision-record requirement would give those prototypes a common governance layer from the beginning.

It could also advance regional coordination. The CTU forum called for greater harmonisation around Caribbean AI governance. A shared decision-record template would give governments something concrete to harmonise without demanding identical laws, systems, or procurement contracts. Each country could preserve its own legal rules while using a common structure for documenting how AI participates in consequential public work.

That structure would also help leaders compare vendors and projects. Instead of asking only how many transactions an AI system processed, an agency could ask how often staff overrode it, why they did so, which data gaps appeared most often, and how many cases required citizen review. Those measures reveal whether automation is genuinely reducing friction or merely relocating it.

For citizens, the same logic can support trust. When appropriate, agencies could provide a concise notice explaining that AI assisted a decision, what role it played, and how a person can request human review. That turns transparency from a broad promise into a specific service feature.

The Caribbean has an opportunity to build public-sector AI around regional realities rather than import governance after systems are already entrenched. A simple decision record would not solve every problem. It would give public managers, auditors, employees, and citizens a common account of what the technology actually did.

Before governments ask AI to make public administration faster, they should make sure they can still explain how important decisions were made.

ExxonMobil’s Artificial Intelligence breakthrough signals new era of digital exploration in Guyana

Caribnews
-
0
ExxonMobil’s Artificial Intelligence breakthrough signals new era of digital exploration in Guyana

– As artificial intelligence transforms upstream decision-making, Guyana’s energy sector continues to attract investment and innovation ahead of the Caribbean Energy Week 2027 In-Country Launch in Georgetown on 1 September 2026

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – ExxonMobil’s announcement that artificial intelligence has identified four new exploration opportunities within Guyana’s prolific Stabroek Block marks a significant milestone in the country’s digital transformation. By applying AI to historical discoveries, drilling results and subsurface data, the company is demonstrating how advanced analytics, machine learning, high-performance computing and next-generation seismic imaging can accelerate exploration, reduce costs and improve discovery success rates.

The breakthrough comes as Guyana targets crude oil production of 1.3 million barrels per day by 2027 and 1.7 million barrels per day by 2030, underscoring the growing role of digital technologies in maximising resource development alongside continued investment in drilling and infrastructure.

Against this backdrop, the Caribbean Energy Week (CEW) 2027 Guyana In-Country Launch, taking place on 1 September 2026 at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, will bring together operators, technology providers, geoscience companies, investors and regulators to examine the latest developments shaping Guyana’s energy sector and build momentum ahead of CEW 2027 next July. Returning for its second edition, CEW provides a premier platform for advancing investment, showcasing new projects and highlighting the technologies driving the country’s next phase of upstream growth.

Momentum behind AI adoption continues to build. In May 2026, ExxonMobil vice president of Exploration John Ardill confirmed the company was expanding its use of deep learning, machine learning and high-performance computing to analyse seismic data and identify hydrocarbon-bearing prospects that were previously more difficult to evaluate.

The company is simultaneously advancing an ambitious offshore drilling program. This month, ExxonMobil commenced new drilling activities in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone, including the Whiptail development well and Rockhead-1 exploration well. Earlier this year, the company also sought environmental authorisation for the Haimara gas-condensate development and has proposed a 35-well drilling campaign between 2028 and 2033, reinforcing confidence in Guyana’s long-term exploration potential.

These developments are creating growing opportunities for AI developers, digital technology providers, seismic specialists, engineering firms and oilfield service companies that can support increasingly data-driven exploration and field development activities.

As the first official milestone on the road to Caribbean Energy Week 2027, the Georgetown launch will provide a platform for industry leaders to examine the technologies, partnerships and investment strategies driving Guyana’s next phase of growth while strengthening collaboration across the Caribbean energy sector.

Dominic Smith receives CANTO Ministerial Award for ICT Leadership and Digital Transformation 2026

Caribnews
-
0
Dominic Smith receives CANTO Ministerial Award for ICT Leadership and Digital Transformation 2026

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Trinidad and Tobago senator, Dominic Smith, minister of public administration and artificial intelligence, has been awarded the CANTO Ministerial Award for ICT Leadership and Digital Transformation 2026.

The regional award recognises exceptional ministerial leadership in advancing ICT and digital transformation and celebrates ministers whose vision and stewardship have contributed to meaningful national and regional progress.

Minister Smith’s recognition comes just over a year after assuming responsibility for the portfolio, during which he has championed an ambitious agenda focused on modernising public administration, accelerating digital transformation and advancing the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence across government.

Under his leadership, the ministry has pursued a whole-of-government approach to transformation, with emphasis on strengthening digital governance, improving the delivery of public services, expanding digital inclusion, developing the country’s technological capacity and building the foundations for a more connected and citizen-centred government.

The ministry has also placed significant emphasis on positioning Trinidad and Tobago to respond effectively to

the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, with a focus on strengthening the policy and institutional environment for responsible AI adoption and deepening collaboration with regional and international partners.

Minister Smith’s regional and international engagements have supported Trinidad and Tobago’s continued participation in discussions surrounding digital government, artificial intelligence, innovation and the future of public administration.

Commenting on the award, minister Smith said:

“I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition from CANTO. I accept it with tremendous gratitude and, importantly, on behalf of the dedicated team at the ministry of public administration and artificial intelligence and our many partners who continue to contribute to Trinidad and Tobago’s digital transformation. Our work is ultimately about people.

“We are building a government that is more modern, connected and responsive, leveraging the opportunities created by technology and artificial intelligence to deliver better services and meaningful benefits for our citizens.

“This award reinforces our commitment to that mission and encourages us to continue working towards a digitally empowered Trinidad and Tobago that can lead, innovate and contribute meaningfully to the Caribbean’s digital future.”

The CANTO Ministerial Award for ICT Leadership & Digital Transformation recognises leadership across key areas, including digital policy and governance, inclusive digital empowerment, integrated national transformation, regional and global influence, and digital investment and infrastructure.

Minister Smith was congratulated by the ministry of public administration and artificial intelligence on this significant regional recognition, as he “remains committed to advancing the government’s digital transformation agenda and building a modern public service that harnesses technology and innovation to better serve the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”

Catholic legal group criticises Trump’s birthright-citizenship order as bishops plan to monitor

Caribnews
-
0
Catholic legal group criticises Trump’s birthright-citizenship order as bishops plan to monitor
    • The Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) criticised an executive order targeting birthright citizenship. The US Catholic bishops are reviewing and monitoring the order.

By Tyler Arnold

A Catholic legal group criticised president Donald Trump’s executive orders to restrict birthright citizenship, and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is reviewing and monitoring them.

The executive orders issued August 6 direct the government to stop allowing foreign visitors to enter the United States on short‑term visas for the purpose of giving birth and impose a narrower limit on birthright citizenship after the US Supreme Court struck down a broader attempt to end citizenship for children born to people in the country temporarily or unlawfully.

One executive order would end automatic birthright citizenship for the children of parents who are not US citizens and engage in a commercial transaction or fraudulent activity to ensure the mother is inside US territory to give birth. It also would end birthright citizenship for a child born of a parent considered an “alien enemy,” including members of terrorist organisations.

A second executive order titled “Ending Birth Tourism” authorises federal departments to implement rules that prevent the entry of pregnant foreign women seeking to give birth in the United States and allow removal if they enter the country. The order refers to noncitizens entering the US for the purpose of giving birth on American soil and efforts from a foreign national to coordinate such entries.

Under existing State Department guidance, consular officers can deny a B‑1/B‑2 visitor visa if they believe the applicant’s primary purpose is to give birth in the US to obtain citizenship for the child.

Anna Gallagher, executive director of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), criticised the birthright citizenship executive order in a statement to EWTN News.

“The Supreme Court has already spoken: birthright citizenship is guaranteed by the Constitution,” Gallagher said.

“This latest attempt by the Trump administration to circumvent settled law only creates needless fear and uncertainty for immigrant families,” she added. “Catholic social teaching calls us to uphold the dignity of every person and welcome the stranger — not seek new ways to exclude them.”

The USCCB has not taken a clear position on the executive orders yet, but it is monitoring how they are enforced and potential judicial proceedings.

“The USCCB supports the application of constitutional principles and the rule of law in a manner consistent with the God-given dignity of every human person,” USCCB spokesperson Chieko Noguchi told EWTN News.

“We’re reviewing the executive orders and will continue to monitor for administrative actions taken and possible judicial proceedings concerning their implementation,” she said.

In June, the Supreme Court ruled the 14th Amendment of the Constitution protects automatic birthright citizenship with few exceptions. The protection extends to children who are born to people who are in the country unlawfully.

Although the majority opinion did not directly address “birth tourism,” it did clearly say birthright citizenship applies to the children of parents who are “unlawfully or temporarily present” in the country.

The “birth tourism” concern appeared in the dissents authored by both Justice Samuel Alito and Justice Clarence Thomas.

Alito, in his dissent, wrote that he believed the majority’s opinion protects birthright citizenship to “the children of ‘birth tourists,’” though saying he does not agree with the ruling.

Thomas wrote in his dissent that people have taken advantage of birthright citizenship through “birth tourism” and said there are companies that “collect large fees from wealthy foreigners to facilitate their trips to give birth in the United States.”

However, in the majority opinion, chief justice John Roberts wrote that words like “temporary” and “lawful” do not appear in the citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment: “For a simple reason: they did not matter.”

Ashley Feasley, a legal expert for the Immigration Law and Policy Initiative at The Catholic University of America, told EWTN News she believes the executive orders are “an attempt to undermine” the Supreme Court.

“Although they will almost certainly face legal challenge, in the interim they will place a profound burden on some of the most vulnerable migrants, pregnant women, and on the officers who work diligently to defend our borders,” she said.

“Requiring Department of Homeland Security officials to interrogate women, many of whom have legal visas, about their pregnancies, even turning them away from ports of entry without clearly defined criteria for doing so, risks harming both woman and unborn child and diverts DHS officers’ attention from the vital missions of border security and trade facilitation,” Feasley said.

Legal challenges have not yet been filed.

Africa’s 2026 Sustainable Development Report sets priorities to fast-track progress to 2030

Caribnews
-
0
Africa’s 2026 Sustainable Development Report sets priorities to fast-track progress to 2030

AFRICA – The 2026 Africa Sustainable Development Report (ASDR 2026) is setting the direction for accelerated action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, as countries and partners intensify efforts in the lead-up to 2030.

African leaders, development partners, and experts gathered in New York on 15 July, on the margins of the 2026 high-level political forum, to present the 2026 Africa Sustainable Development Report (ASDR 2026), a key milestone that continues to shape policy dialogue and action across the continent.

Produced jointly by the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the African Development Bank, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the ASDR remains the only publication systematically tracking Africa’s progress on both the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.

The 2026 edition focuses on five priority SDGs under review (SDGs 6, 7, 9, 11, and 17), highlighting their central role in driving structural transformation, climate resilience, and inclusive growth. It identifies both progress made and persistent gaps, offering practical policy options to accelerate implementation across sectors.

Findings from the report show that while Africa has achieved measurable gains, progress remains uneven and below the pace required to meet 2030 targets. Financing constraints, climate shocks, rising debt vulnerabilities, and institutional capacity gaps continue to slow delivery, pointing to the need for scaled-up investment, stronger systems, and more coordinated action.

Released at a critical moment of heightened global uncertainty, the ASDR 2026 underscores the importance of renewed global partnerships, a more responsive international financial architecture, and stronger alignment between global commitments and national realities.

More than just taking stock, the report serves as a practical tool for policymakers, development partners, researchers, and civil society. As the follow-up to its release continues, the ASDR 2026 is helping to anchor a shared focus: translating commitments into tangible results and ensuring that Africa’s development pathway remains inclusive, resilient, climate-smart, and firmly grounded in its priorities.

The report is already informing policy discussions and partnerships emerging from the 12th session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, including priorities around expanding clean energy access, strengthening infrastructure and sustainable cities, deepening regional integration, and enhancing data and implementation capacity.

  • Download the report here.

The art of the long game: Trinidad and Tobago and Caribbean statecraft at the United Nations

Caribnews
-
0
The art of the long game: Trinidad and Tobago and Caribbean statecraft at the United Nations

By Andy Knight and Winston Dookeran

In the days following Trinidad and Tobago’s overwhelming election to the United Nations Security Council, much attention has been paid to the result. Yet the more interesting story lies not in the 181 votes cast for the twin island state at the UN General Assembly in New York on 3 June 2026, but in the years of diplomacy that made those votes possible. Security Council campaigns are not won in a day. They are won through what we might call the art of the long game – the patient cultivation of trust, credibility, reciprocity and strategic partnerships. Far from being a surprise, Trinidad and Tobago’s election is the latest chapter in a long Caribbean tradition of multilateral statecraft and the enduring influence of small states in global affairs; this is a tradition both of us have had the privilege to observe from close quarters.

Indeed, Trinidad and Tobago’s election to the apex UN body is neither unprecedented nor accidental. Forty-one years after its first Security Council term in 1985–1986, the country is returning to the horseshoe table. Its election is the latest chapter in a broader Caribbean story. Jamaica has served four terms on the Council (1963–64, 1979–80, 2000–01, and 2015–16), as has Cuba (1949–50, 1960–61, 1990–91, and 2008–09). The Dominican Republic has also held four terms, while Haiti has served three. Barbados, Guyana, Saint Lucia and, more recently, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have likewise demonstrated that small Caribbean states can earn the confidence of the international community and contribute meaningfully to the Security Council’s central task: the maintenance of international peace and security.

But how did Trinidad and Tobago accomplish this particular feat? The answer lies in a little-understood feature of multilateral diplomacy. Elections to the Security Council are not won through last-minute lobbying campaigns. They are the culmination of years of relationship-building, reciprocity and cooperation within regional groupings. In the case of Latin America and the Caribbean, these dynamics are particularly evident within the Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC), whose members have long relied on consultation, cooperation, and informal understandings to manage candidacies for senior UN positions.

Natural disasters, Caribbean diplomacy and developmental introspection
Caribbean response to COVID-19: a regional approach to pandemic preparedness and resilience

Although no formal written rotation principle exists for Security Council elections within GRULAC, a tradition of consultation and accommodation has evolved over time. Caribbean and Latin American states have generally respected each other’s aspirations for representation in key multilateral institutions. The result has been a diplomatic culture built on trust, reciprocity and long-term engagement rather than short-term transactional politics. This is diplomacy understood as statecraft: the strategic use of relationships, ideas and institutions to advance national and regional interests in a complex international environment.

For small Caribbean states, influence is rarely derived from military strength or economic dominance. It is earned through credibility, consistency and the ability to build coalitions with Latin American partners. Caribbean diplomacy has historically relied on these assets. Whether advocating for decolonisation, development, climate resilience or international law, Caribbean states have often found influence through persuasion rather than coercion.

Recent experience demonstrates that small states do more than simply occupy seats. They can shape debates. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ tenure on the Security Council illustrated what one of us has elsewhere described as a diplomatic ‘door kicker’ – opening space for issues and perspectives that might otherwise be overlooked, including climate security. Small states may not possess vetoes, but they can influence agendas, frame discussions and remind the Council of concerns that larger powers sometimes neglect.

For decades, Caribbean leaders and diplomats have argued that small states can punch above their weight in multilateral institutions. The historical record suggests they were right. Repeated elections to the Security Council demonstrate that influence in world politics is not determined solely by population size, economic strength, or military power. Rather, it often depends on credibility, consistency, coalition-building and the ability to cultivate trust over time.

The repeated success of Caribbean states at the United Nations is not limited to Security Council elections. In 2023, Trinidad and Tobago’s ambassador Dennis Francis was elected president of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, one of the most prestigious leadership positions in the multilateral system. His election reflected not only his personal diplomatic credentials but also years of patient engagement within GRULAC, where support for major candidacies is built through consultation, reciprocity and long-term relationship-building. Such outcomes are best understood not as isolated victories but as the fruits of sustained diplomatic investment and strategic statecraft.

Trinidad and Tobago assumes its seat in 2027 at a particularly consequential moment. The rules-based international order that emerged after 1945 is under increasing strain, yet no stable replacement has emerged. Great-power competition, geopolitical fragmentation, climate insecurity, technological disruption and declining confidence in multilateral institutions have created a period of profound transition and uncertainty. Caribbean and Latin American states are witnessing this rupture in the multilateral order firsthand.

Heightened tensions surrounding Cuba, Venezuela and Haiti, together with growing challenges to principles of sovereignty, non-intervention and international law, and concerns about the existential threat of global warming to the region, have placed renewed pressure on the multilateral system. For countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, the challenge will be to navigate these turbulent waters while remaining faithful to principles that have historically guided Caribbean diplomacy.

[This is an excerpt from an article in The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs and Policy Studies. Opinions do not reflect the position of the editorial board.]

  • Andy Knight is with the Department of Political Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and the Institute of International Relations, The University of the West Indies and Winston Dookeran, a former Foreign Affairs Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, is with the Diplomatic Academy of the Caribbean and the Institute of International Relations, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago.

Air Canada extends Air Transport Agreement between Canada and Nigeria

Caribnews
-
0
Air Canada extends Air Transport Agreement between Canada and Nigeria

MONTRÉAL, Canada – Air Canada today welcomed the government of Canada’s announcement of an expanded Air Transport Agreement between Canada and Nigeria. Air Canada intends to launch scheduled service to Lagos in 2027 and is starting the process to obtain the necessary government approvals to operate commercial flights to Nigeria.

“We welcome this expanded Air Transport Agreement and look forward to obtaining the necessary government approvals to begin service to Lagos, Nigeria in the coming year,” said Mary-Jane Lorette, vice president, revenue management, partnerships, and international affairs at Air Canada.

“By expanding our air transport agreements, we are creating new opportunities for Canadian airlines and giving travellers more choice. The newly expanded Canada-Nigeria Air Transport Agreement will strengthen our economic ties, support tourism and trade, and making it easier for people and businesses in both countries to connect,” said Steven MacKinnon, minister of transport.

“This expanded agreement creates a direct link between Canada and Nigeria. It means more choice for travellers, stronger ties between our people, and new opportunities for businesses to expand trade in both directions,” stated Maninder Sidhu, minister of international trade for the government of Canada.

“I have met many Canadians of Nigerian descent who have long called for greater connectivity between Canada and Nigeria, and I know more flight options will be welcome news. Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest economies. A direct connection to Lagos brings Canadian exporters closer to that market while also bringing families, communities, and partners closer together.”

Details including schedules and aircraft will be announced in due course and remains subject to receipt of government approval and completion of applicable processes to operate in Nigeria.

Guyana’s offshore basin attracts new wave of exploration investment – beyond Stabroek

Caribnews
-
0
Guyana’s offshore basin attracts new wave of exploration investment – beyond Stabroek
    • As ExxonMobil advances appraisal activity in Stabroek and new operators target frontier acreage, Guyana is attracting global capital and building a diversified offshore portfolio designed to sustain long-term growth

GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Guyana’s transformation into one of the world’s fastest-growing oil producers is entering a new phase, with a growing network of IOCs expanding exploration activity across the country’s offshore basin. Beyond the landmark discoveries that first put Guyana on the global energy map, new drilling campaigns and licensing partnerships are creating a broader exploration ecosystem designed to support long-term production growth.

At the center of this momentum is ExxonMobil’s continued exploration and appraisal activity in the prolific Stabroek Block. The company has submitted a proposal for a 35-well exploration and appraisal drilling campaign, expected to run from 2028 through 2033, pending regulatory approval. The program would build on more than 30 commercial discoveries already made in the block, with drilling activity focused on evaluating new prospects and appraising existing discoveries to support future development opportunities.

Exploration activity is also extending into Guyana’s frontier acreage, with ExxonMobil advancing drilling operations at the deepwater Canje Block. The company has deployed the Noble Stena Carron drillship for exploration activity, highlighting continued industry interest in evaluating Guyana’s underexplored offshore potential beyond the established Stabroek Block.

Guyana’s strong exploration outlook comes as the country’s economy continues to benefit from rapid oil sector expansion, with hydrocarbons expected to remain a key driver of exports, government revenues and economic growth. As production scales up, attracting additional investment across exploration, services and infrastructure will be critical to supporting the next phase of development.

That momentum is being reinforced through partnerships established under Guyana’s 2023 offshore licensing round. A consortium comprising TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy and Petronas is advancing exploration activities in Block S4 under a five-year production sharing agreement signed with the government in late 2025. The award represents one of the first major outcomes of the licensing round and demonstrates continued international confidence in Guyana’s offshore resource potential.

Beyond the largest operators, a diverse group of companies is also expanding activity across Guyana’s offshore basin. Eco Atlantic is advancing exploration at the Orinduik Block; CGX Energy and Frontera Energy are progressing work in the Corentyne Block; Occidental is evaluating opportunities in the Roraima Block; while Ratio Guyana and Cataleya Energy hold interests in the Kaieteur Block. Together, these partnerships are broadening Guyana’s exploration landscape, increasing competition for acreage and creating opportunities for future discoveries.

As Guyana transitions from an emerging producer to a global energy hub, the next challenge will be converting exploration success into sustainable investment, local value creation and regional growth. These opportunities will be explored at Caribbean Energy Week 2027, held under the theme “Unlocking the Caribbean Energy Corridor: Oil, Gas, LNG & Investment for a New Global Hub.” Bringing together governments, IOCs, investors and technology providers, the event will examine how Guyana’s expanding partnerships can accelerate offshore development, strengthen regional energy cooperation and attract the capital needed to support the Caribbean’s evolving energy landscape.

BVI third fastest-growing cruise destination in the Caribbean – 29.3 percent growth  

Caribnews
-
0
BVI third fastest-growing cruise destination in the Caribbean – 29.3 percent growth  

By BVI Ports Authority

TORTOLA, BVI – The British Virgin Islands is making significant strides in Caribbean cruise tourism, ranking third among the 10 fastest-growing cruise destinations in the Caribbean, according to new Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) data highlighted by Caribbean Journal.

The Territory welcomed 493,397 cruise passenger arrivals between January and March 2026, representing an impressive 29.3 percent increase over the corresponding period last year. This equates to approximately 112,000 additional cruise passenger arrivals in just three months.

The BVI’s performance places it among the strongest-growing destinations in a highly competitive Caribbean cruise market, behind only the US Virgin Islands, which recorded 68 percent growth, and Puerto Rico, with 51.6 percent growth. The recognition comes at a time when the Caribbean cruise industry continues to experience strong growth, with destinations competing for larger vessels, expanded itineraries and increased passenger arrivals.

Caribbean Journal notes that the BVI’s cruise activity centered around the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park have helped transform the Territory into one of the Caribbean’s busiest small-island cruise ports. Beyond the port, the publication recognises the unique advantage of the Virgin Islands’ close-knit archipelago, where visitors can experience Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and the surrounding islands within a single visit offering an authentic blend of pristine beaches, world-renowned sailing, rich culture, and unforgettable excursions.

While larger destinations may benefit from greater passenger volumes, the British Virgin Islands continues to distinguish itself by delivering a premium visitor experience that emphasises authenticity, accessibility and natural beauty. This unique offering continues to make the Territory an attractive port of call for cruise lines and an unforgettable destination for visitors from around the world.

The British Virgin Islands Ports Authority remains committed to working closely with the government of the Virgin Islands, the BVI Tourist Board & Film Commission, Tortola Pier Park, cruise partners and the wider tourism industry to strengthen the Territory’s cruise product, enhance the visitor experience and support sustainable growth across the sector.

As the global cruise industry continues its upward trajectory, recognition by respected travel publications such as Caribbean Journal reflects the continued confidence in the British Virgin Islands as a destination that successfully competes with some of the Caribbean’s most recognised cruise ports while maintaining the charm, authenticity and exceptional experiences that define the Virgin Islands.

Recommendations from the OECD for agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean

Caribnews
-
0
Recommendations from the OECD for agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean

By Nelson Larrea

CARACAS, Venezuela – Recently, the OECD and Peru’s Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (MIDAGRI) released the report ” Policies for the Future of the Agriculture and Food Sector in Peru,” as part of the country’s accession process to the international organisation. The same sectoral analysis was conducted in 2015 for Colombia in preparation for its 2020 accession and for Argentina in 2019 in response to its ongoing candidacy. Part of the OECD’s methodological framework includes its indicators supporting agriculture, which the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has incorporated into its Agrimonitor platform, making its analysis available for various countries. Based on the application of these tools, what are the main trends and strategic recommendations that stand out from the OECD’s perspective for agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC)?

To begin, the OECD classifies the types of support for the sector into: ‘Estimated Producer Support’ (EAP), ‘Estimated Consumer Support’ (EAC), and ‘Estimated General Services Support’ (EASG), which together comprise the ‘Estimated Total Support’ (EAT). The EAP consists of market price support, direct transfers, and the estimate of unrealised costs, all measured at the primary production level. The EAC reflects the burden—an implicit tax—borne by consumers due to market price support mechanisms. General services are those that are key to promoting sectoral competitiveness, such as various public goods and services (infrastructure, research, extension, etc,). The balance of investments in these categories reveals whether a country is prone to greater or lesser protectionism versus an institutional framework capable of structuring and delivering specialised services that strengthen the productive base, although it does not measure or assess the effectiveness and impact of specific investments.

According to Agrimonitor (2023 data), Argentina, Chile, and Paraguay stand out as countries providing the most support through general services, with EASG (Agricultural Support for General Services) of 41.3 percent, 54.7 percent, and 53.9 percent, respectively, highlighting their investments in agricultural research, health services, productive infrastructure, and innovation systems. Likewise, Chile and Paraguay—along with Brazil—also have the highest levels of EAP (Agricultural Promotional Equity)—25.2 percent, 22.4 percent, and 19.1 percent, respectively—representing mainly direct transfers to the primary sector. Argentina registers a negative EAP (-19.3%), reflecting a net transfer from producers to other sectors of the economy, with an EAC (Agricultural Contribution Account) of 21.9 percent, and is the only country with a negative EAT (Agricultural Transactional Equity) (-1.9%), meaning the net effect of policies penalises the sector. In contrast, Costa Rica shows the highest EAT (3.15% of GDP), followed by Colombia (1.1%). Regarding the EAC (Economic Cost Index), the countries with the most significant negative levels are Peru (-33.7%), Paraguay (-30.6%), and Mexico (-23.1%), indicating that consumers are penalised by higher prices due to cost transfers to producers. Even though changes may have been made to the direction of these policies in our countries since 2023, the data reflect the heterogeneity of agricultural policy orientations in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Based on these analyses, the OECD proposes a significant boost to national research institutes and innovation in digitalization/Agtech and digital extension services. Good news in this regard is that, according to the Agtech Radar (IICA, EMBRAPA, SP Ventures, Homo Ludens – 2026), there are 2,656 technology-based startups in the sector. The highest concentration is in Brazil (2,075 companies), followed by Argentina (158), Mexico (110), and Colombia (79). However, the level of development of public institutions dedicated to R&D&I for agriculture is quite heterogeneous in Latin America and the Caribbean, with Brazil’s EMBRAPA standing out as one of the best-positioned cases.

The international organisation also highlights the importance of investments in irrigation and drainage to improve water efficiency—a crucial factor in the context of the El Niño phenomenon, particularly in drought-stricken areas and those prone to flooding, which continue to face drainage, conveyance, and storage challenges. It also emphasises the need to improve quality infrastructure, particularly in traceability and laboratories—key aspects for complying with international trade regulations stemming from environmental concerns such as the European “Zero Deforestation” directive, as well as maximum residue limits for pesticides, food safety standards, and related regulations. Among other factors, rural roads and market access, logistics, and cold chains are essential for addressing critical climate change scenarios and reducing food loss. In terms of information, agricultural censuses, statistical systems and observatories – such as the ILACC -CAF observatory for climate and competitiveness aspects and the OPSAA-IICA observatory for sectoral policies – are key to making forecasts and guiding business decisions and those of national authorities.

Finally, in their joint OECD-FAO report ‘ Agricultural Outlook 2025-2034,’ various scenarios are described, concluding that if investments in technologies that increase agricultural productivity by 15 percent materialise, global undernourishment could be significantly reduced during that period, which in turn could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 7 percent if these technologies are climate-smart.

  • Nelson Larrea is Senior Executive of the Private Sector Technical Analysis and Evaluation Directorate at CAF.

MOEA promotes food products from Paraguay, Guatemala, Belize

Caribnews
-
0
MOEA promotes food products from Paraguay, Guatemala, Belize

TAIPEI, (TaiwanToday) – The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) has announced an upcoming series of promotional activities throughout Taiwan for food products from Paraguay, Guatemala and Belize.

According to the MOEA, the press event was attended by deputy minister Cynthia Kiang; Ambassador Darío Filártiga Ruiz Díaz of Paraguay; Ambassador Katherine Meighan of Belize; Carlos Matus, commercial counsellor of the embassy of Guatemala; and representatives of participating local restaurants and retailers.

Kiang said Taiwan and the three Central and South American allies maintain close long-term trade relations through economic cooperation and free trade agreements, adding that their food products are gaining popularity among domestic consumers.

The promotional activities aim to help the allies expand the market presence of their products while offering more diverse choices for Taiwanese consumers, she added.

The MOEA said the allies’ attending diplomats thanked the government of Taiwan for helping advance agricultural development in their countries and its people for supporting their food products.

The long-lasting cooperative ties and steady supply of food products to Taiwan underscore the complementary strengths between Taiwan and their countries, they said, expressing hope that the upcoming promotional activities will enhance bilateral trade relations and people-to-people exchanges.

Running from August 17 to October 25 at restaurants, retailers and hypermarkets throughout the country, the promotional activities feature beef from Paraguay, coffee and white shrimp from Guatemala, and lobsters from Belize, according to the ministry.

Unhappy Anniversary

Caribnews
-
0
Unhappy Anniversary

By Ron Paul

This month marks 55 years since president Richard Nixon closed the “gold window,” severing the last link between the US dollar and gold. Under the 1944 Bretton Woods agreement, foreign countries pegged their currencies to the US dollar, which was then pegged to a fixed value of gold. Foreign countries could exchange their dollars for gold at a rate of 35 dollars per ounce.

In the late 1960s, concerns about the dollar’s stability increased because of president Lyndon Johnson’s spending on the war in Vietnam and “the Great Society.” This spending, which continued under president Nixon, was responded to by an increase in foreign countries converting their dollars into gold. Concerns that the US gold reserve was being drained led President Nixon to close the gold window.

Closing the gold window left the US with a pure fiat currency. The results have been disastrous.

The dollar has lost over 97 percent of its purchasing power since the Federal Reserve was created in 1913, with most of the dollar’s decline occurring since 1971. Fiat money is the real cause of the affordability crisis.

Fiat money encouraged the growth of federal spending. By severing the last link between the dollar and gold, President Nixon enabled the Fed to monetise an ever-increasing amount of federal debt. The federal debt was around 400 billion dollars when president Nixon closed the gold window. Just ten years later, the federal debt reached a trillion dollars. Today, the federal debt exceeds 39 trillion dollars and increases by a trillion dollars every three to five months.

The expanding national debt puts pressure on the Fed to keep interest rates low. This is because a small increase in the national debt substantially raises the government’s debt payments.

The average American’s paycheck is not keeping up with inflation. The American people’s eroding standard of living is making them wary of Republicans like pesident Trump who claim the solution to the people’s economic problems includes big economic interventions including tariffs, more spending, and government “investment” in private business. Some Americans are finding appeal in self-described democratic socialists who promise to solve problems with more government spending.

Of course, expanding government, whether done by Republicans or Democrats, will only make the economic problems worse by increasing government debt. The increased debt will increase the pressure on the Federal Reserve to monetise the debt, further eroding the dollar’s purchasing power and lowering the people’s standard of living. Eventually, the dollar’s erosion will lead to a major economic crisis, likely involving a rejection of the dollar’s world reserve currency status.

The closing of the gold window inspired me to run for Congress and increase my involvement in educational and advocacy organisations. In 2021, my Institute for Peace and Prosperity sponsored a conference concerning the fiftieth anniversary of Nixon closing the gold window.

CARICOM IMPACS and partners disrupt transnational smuggling and seize USD 54.5 million in illicit assets

Caribnews
-
0
CARICOM IMPACS and partners disrupt transnational smuggling and seize USD 54.5 million in illicit assets

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), in coordination with regional and international partners, has successfully completed Operation Eclipse.

Executed during the month of May 2026, the intensive, intelligence-led maritime operation disrupted multi-jurisdictional smuggling loops and stripped transnational organised criminal groups (OCGs) of an estimated US$54.5 million in illicit assets and contraband.

Supported by the United States’ (US) Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), the operation combined the regional forces of 14 CARICOM member states, 7 associate members, as well as key international allies, including Canada, Colombia, France, the United Kingdom (UK), the US, and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) to dismantle transnational trafficking networks across the Caribbean region.

Operation Eclipse tracked maritime threats in real time by coordinating through a central fusion cell established at CARICOM IMPACS’ Joint Regional Communications Centre (JRCC). The four-week interdiction phase yielded substantial results, with authorities generating 82 active intelligence cases, monitoring 59 distinct vessels of interest, processing 17 critical intelligence reports, and executing 24 successful seizure operations. A breakdown of the total operational seizures is as follows:

  • Narcotics: Seized 5,222.59 kg of cocaine (worth over USD 44 million) and 1,848 kg of marijuana (worth over USD 6.84 million) from go-fast boats, yachts, and inter-island cargo ships.
  • Contraband: Confiscated over 6,100 cases of illegal alcohol, 191 cartons of cigarettes, and 22 cylinders of banned refrigerant gas, with a combined value of over USD 1.58 million.
  • Weapons and Assets: Interdiction teams seized two firearms along with 65 rounds of ammunition, as well as 13 vessels and three vehicles utilised by smuggling networks.
  • Human Smuggling: Intercepted 59 irregular migrants moving through multi-point transit routes across air and sea corridors.

Contraband smuggling constituted the highest volume of activity, accounting for 32.9 percent of active maritime cases, with cocaine trafficking following closely at 23.2 percent. Enforcement efforts targeted the Eastern Caribbean, Guyanese waters, and transatlantic routes. Intelligence also revealed a growing trend of clandestine aircraft dropping narcotics near borders for maritime pickup, which was tracked and disrupted using partner technology. Biometric and document verification across the 99 records processed aboard intercepted vessels revealed an extensive international network, with the majority of individuals originating from Canada, China, Cuba, and Syria.

In addition to financial disruption, Operation Eclipse validated and refined the application of critical maritime frameworks, including the Treaty of San José and bilateral Shiprider agreements. Establishing CARICOM IMPACS as the principal regional centre for maritime domain awareness created an adaptable template for future joint security efforts. Participating countries are now utilising the intelligence gathered during the post-operational review to shape long-term border policies and target persistent illicit networks in the Caribbean.

Commenting on the strategic success of the operation, Lt. Col. Michael Jones, executive director, CARICOM IMPACS, emphasised that regional unity was the ultimate weapon against sophisticated criminal syndicates.

“Operation Eclipse proves that when our countries and partners pool their intelligence and operational capabilities, we can effectively dismantle the financial engines driving transnational crime. This multi-million-dollar disruption sends a definitive message to illicit networks that the Caribbean Sea is not a safe haven for criminal enterprises. We are not just seizing contraband; we are actively securing our communities, protecting our youth, and building a fortified, intelligence-led defence system across the entire region,” he said.

A state department official noted that “INL recognises that our shared security challenges mean that Caribbean security is American security. Collaborative regional efforts like Operation Eclipse demonstrate the effectiveness of strong information sharing, which leads to coordinated interdiction and enforcement actions and ensures that transnational criminal organisations are not able to benefit from their illicit activities.”

123...2,315Page 1 of 2,315