Caribbean RoundUp
Barbados
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has received one of Suriname’s highest national awards for her exceptional contribution to the relationship between the two countries, her leadership within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and her commitment to the region.
President Chandrikapersad “Chan” Santokhi presented the Barbadian leader with the Grand Cordon in the Order of the Palm, one of Suriname’s highest honors, during a ceremony at the Presidential Palace.
President Santokhi praised Mottley for her visionary leadership, unwavering dedication, and steadfast adherence to the principles of the Caribbean Community since taking office in 2018.
He noted that she is the first female leader of the ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP) and prime minister of her country. Her term in office has significantly advanced Barbados and strengthened regional ties.
Santokhi also added that Barbados has transformed into a republic under her leadership, demonstrating her commitment to sovereignty and self-determination.
He called her leadership a “beacon of progress and inspiration,” adding that her commitment to regional integration is visible in her role as head of government within CARICOM.
Santokhi said further that Mottley’s efforts have been crucial in promoting economic cooperation, free movement, and shared prosperity in the region and that the relationship between Suriname and Barbados has significantly improved under her leadership.
CARICOM
The CARICOM diplomats at the Organization of American States (OAS) have “strongly” declared their “unanimous endorsement” of Suriname’s Foreign Minister, Albert Ramdin, as the regional candidate for the OAS secretary-general position.
Ramdin, a former deputy OAS secretary general, will face Ruben Ramirez Lezcano of Paraguay in the March 10, 2025, election.
The CARICOM Caucus of Ambassadors at the OAS said, “He has extensive experience in navigating the complex realities confronting hemispheric governments, including those in Latin America and the Caribbean. His deep understanding of these issues positions him uniquely to lead the OAS during this pivotal time.”
They said Ramdin is deeply committed to reforming the OAS in collaboration with member states, addressing financial and administrative challenges while enhancing its relevance and impact.
The diplomats said there has never been any Secretary-General from the Caribbean region despite CARICOM comprising 44% of the OAS membership, and “Ramdin’s election would mark a historic recognition of the region’s contributions while ensuring the OAS is guided by a leader with the vision, experience, and diplomatic expertise to reinvigorate the organization and address the needs of all member states.”
“The CARICOM Caucus of Ambassadors strongly believes Minister Ramdin’s election will strengthen the OAS and benefit the Entire Western Hemisphere. We urge all OAS member states to support candidacy.”
Ramdin’s candidacy, officially endorsed by CARICOM leaders, was reaffirmed by the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) last year. The diplomat said the endorsement “reflects CARICOM’s united commitment to advancing strong and effective leadership within the OAS.”
Meanwhile, Suriname’s President Chandrikapersad “Chan” Santokhi said earlier this week that Ramdin has sufficient support to be elected to the top OAS position.
Grenada
Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell has officially signed 13 cooperation agreements with China covering a wide range of areas, which include agriculture, energy and the environment, renewable energy, arts, culture and tourism, and the blue economy.
Mitchell said the agreements represent his government’s gratitude and commitment to maintaining our connections with the People’s Republic of China for over two decades.
“The 20th anniversary demonstrates growth; the seed that was planted back in 2005 has blossomed into a tree that is bearing fruit for both the people of Grenada and China through agriculture, infrastructure, cultural exchanges, and healthcare.
“Through these agreements, we continue to build a stronger bridge of collaboration that will bring tangible benefits to our people, creating new opportunities for growth and development,” said Prime Minister Mitchell.
A government statement in St George’s said that the 13 cooperation agreements “not only mark the 20th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations, but they also solidify China’s commitment to supporting the economy and people of the tri-island state.”
“The signing of these agreements serves as a testament to the strength and depth of our partnership, the achievements we have realized together, and the promising future that lies ahead.”
Earlier, China said it is willing to align development strategies with Grenada and expand cooperation in areas such as new energy, the digital economy, and the blue economy to enhance China-Grenada mutually beneficial cooperation.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang made the following suggestions in talks with Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell: “China encourages qualified Chinese enterprises to invest and start businesses in Grenada.”
He added that China is ready to assist Grenada and other Caribbean countries in climate adaptation to promote the full and effective implementation of the UN’s Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement.
Li said China will work with Grenada to safeguard the interests of the Global South and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Guyana
Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat said that Guyana recorded a considerable increase in crude oil lifts from the Stabroek Block last year.
He said that 225 lifts of crude oil were recorded in 2024, an increase from 142 lifts recorded the previous year, with each lift adding up to one million barrels of oil.
He said 28 lifts were sent to the Guyana government: 11 from the Liza Unity Floating Production Storage Offloading (FPSO) vessel, seven from the Liza Destiny FPSO, and 10 from the Prosperity FPSO.
Bharrat said that, depending on the market price, this translates to a significant amount of revenue for the country, which can be used to fund critical development projects.
“(This is) mainly because of the third project coming into production and the full optimization of the FPSOs in 2024 compared to when it started out in 2023,” Bharrat said.
Regarding the revenue earned from the lifts, it was explained that the government is verifying these details, and Bharrat maintained, “There is no fixed price for a lift. It depends on the market price.”
He said that for the first time since the country began producing oil. Guyana is receiving a premium of over one US dollar from the crude marketed from the Liza Destiny FPSO.
“When we started out in 2020, we were paying Shell to market our crude…now we have two companies that are paying us a premium to offtake our crude,” he said.
“I don’t think there are many countries in the world, especially small producers, that can actually attract a premium as Guyana,” he added.
Jamaica
Jamaicans now have free access to an online course designed to educate them about human trafficking and equip themselves with the tools to recognize and report the crime while protecting themselves and others from falling victim.
The course, launched by the Office of the National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, is available at www. onrtip.gov.jm.
Jamaican Minister of National Security, Dr. Horace Chang, in a speech delivered by the minister of state in his ministry, Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, said it was vital for every Jamaican to be able to identify and help combat human trafficking.
Recent alarming statistics indicate that the main perpetrators of child trafficking in Jamaica are parents and guardians. It is essential, therefore, to sensitize and train relevant officials and others on strategies to curb this crime.
“When we spread awareness by providing the relevant information, we are able to prevent individuals from falling victim to being trafficked. It can happen in any community, and victims can be of any age, race, gender, or nationality, so prevention is a key pillar in combating human trafficking.
“Prevention is defined as an activity that is geared towards trafficking in persons from happening and, therefore, it involves preventing nonvictims from victimization and trafficked persons from re-victimization. With this online course, we will be able to reach a wider demography and enhance their knowledge on the heinous activity with just a click of a button.”
Chang said his ministry had been working tirelessly to combat human trafficking and that significant strides had been made in preventing the crime, protecting victims, and prosecuting offenders, and the efforts would continue.
Meanwhile, national rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons Diahann Gordon Harrison said the free course aims to create a robust network of prevention and protection for vulnerable individuals. It is divided into three modules, each of which includes a self-test to ensure that participants understand the material.
St. Lucia
Prime Minister Phillip Pierre says St. Lucia continues to partner with fellow CARICOM member states, recognizing that some aspects of the crime and violence must be tackled regionally, including adopting a public health approach.
St. Lucia recorded 77 murders last year, the highest ever in the country’s history, surpassing the 2023 figure of 75 killings.
“The issue of crime has been a concern for all governments in the region. In St. Lucia, this administration remains resolute and unwavering in its commitment to making this country a more secure place. That is why we have adopted a multi-dimensional approach as we continue to fight this scourge in our communities,” Pierre said.
He told St. Lucians that a major component of it has been strengthening the government agencies directly responsible for dealing with crime. He added that in the last three years, the Royal St. Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has consistently been provided with the human, physical, legislative, and operational resources to improve its capacity, with new legislative support, to deter, detect, and prosecute criminal activity.
He said the police’s working environment is also being improved, and the Drug Unit and the Custody Suites will be opened in 2025.
Pierre said that while the government would be working with its regional colleagues to try to stem criminal activities, citizens must play their part in combating the scourge of crime in the country.
— Compiled by Devika Ragoonanan
