Author: Times Staff

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has initiated a significant policy shift regarding the distribution of diplomatic passports in Trinidad and Tobago following concerns about widespread misuse.

Investigations revealed that nearly one thousand individuals currently hold these documents despite failing to meet the necessary eligibility requirements.

Consequently, former leaders Dr. Keith Rowley and Stuart Young have been ordered to surrender their diplomatic credentials in exchange for official passports.

While Young has characterized the move as victimization, the Prime Minister maintains that the changes are a necessary corrective action prompted by requests from foreign governments.

The new system aims to distinguish clearly between state representatives granted international immunity and other officials performing administrative duties.

Caribbean Airlines has abruptly terminated its long-standing partnership with Blue Waters, a prominent beverage supplier, after fifteen years of service.

This sudden operational shift follows the legal detention of the water company’s owners, who are currently being investigated regarding an alleged criminal conspiracy against government officials.

In response to the crisis, the national carrier has transitioned to serving Dasani water across its entire flight network.

The former suppliers maintain their innocence, arguing through their legal representatives that the state’s actions are unconstitutional and based on personal or political motives.

This switch has caused immediate logistical challenges for airline crews, who had to manually obscure old branding before new supplies were secured.

Cricket West Indies recently announced a formal partnership with the global advisory firm Teneo to spearhead a comprehensive organizational and financial transformation.

This strategic collaboration aims to optimize operational performance and bolster the commercial viability of the West Indies cricket brand.

By leveraging Teneo’s international expertise in sports consultancy, the governing body intends to refine its current cost-saving initiatives and long-term business strategy.

This initiative is a core component of the organization’s 2024-2027 Strategic Plan, which focuses on institutional sustainability and governance reform.

The partnership seeks to capitalize on the region’s iconic sporting identity to ensure future growth and stability for the sport.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) is currently exploring a strategic partnership with the People’s Republic of China to enhance regional sports infrastructure.

This collaboration focuses on the development of a world-class High-Performance Center at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, which will serve as a hub for elite training and administration.

The project seeks to utilize Chinese expertise in construction, design, and equipment supply to create a premier environment for player advancement.

Furthermore, the initiative aims to support the growth of cricket within China, allowing international stakeholders to utilize the new campus.

This move aligns with the “The Long Run” strategic plan, which prioritizes modernizing Caribbean cricket facilities through global investment.

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to fostering international cooperation and achieving long-term excellence in the sport.

Martinique officially took its seat for the first time in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) during the opening ceremony of the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government, held from July 5-8 in Saint Lucia.

This first participation gives tangible expression to Martinique’s accession as an Associate Member, which entered into force on June 16, 2026, following the signing of the accession agreement onFebruary 20, 2025 in Bridgetown and the ratification of the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of CARICOM. During the opening ceremony, CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett, officially welcomed Martinique as the Community’s seventh Associate Member.

“It took many years for us to be accepted into CARICOM. This shows how difficult it can be to belong to two institutional frameworks at once. But today, we are here,” said President of the Executive Council in Martinique, Serge Letchimy.

“This should not be seen as an end in itself. It is only the beginning. We must now move into action. Businesses, financing and investment must now come on board.”

Outgoing Chair of CARICOM, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrance Drew, said Martinique’s arrival illustrates the organisation’s core purpose: bringing the countries and territories of the Caribbean together around a concrete integration project that serves its people.

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda informs the public of a formal communication received from the European Union (EU) regarding the country’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme.
In a letter dated 25 June 2026, signed by Commissioner Magnus Brunner and addressed to Prime Minister the Right Honourable Gaston Browne, the European Commission formally requested that Antigua and Barbuda phase out its CBI Programme by 1 June 2028.
The EU grounded its request in a revised Visa Suspension Mechanism adopted by the Union on 31 December 2025. Under this new framework, the mere operation of a CBI programme — regardless of how well it is managed — is now a self-standing ground for suspending visa-free access.
The Commission’s letter offers a 24-month transition period and proposes the implementation of specific interim measures. These measures include the full exclusion of individuals subject to EU restrictive measures as well as reinforced vetting procedures for all nationalities, to be in place no later than September 2026.
The EU has also indicated it will reflect Antigua and Barbuda’s response in its Visa Suspension Mechanism Report planned for December 2026.
Prime Minister Browne advises the public that this development does not come as a surprise. As he communicated to the nation on Saturday, 20 June 2026, the Government had advance knowledge that such letters were forthcoming and had already begun consultations at the regional level. He further points out that this EU decision is not directed at Antigua and Barbuda alone, but to all OECS member states with active CBI programmes. The other 4 countries, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts-Nevis and St Lucia have received similar correspondence from the European Commission.
The Antigua and Barbuda Government’s position is clear: the CBI Programme is a critical pillar of Antigua and Barbuda’s non-tax revenue base, and it cannot simply be abandoned without viable, concrete, and credible replacement revenues being made available. Prime Minister Browne has stated unequivocally that the CBI Programme will continue, and the Government will not be pressured into a unilateral phase-out that would cause irreparable harm to the national economy and the welfare of our citizens.
In this connection, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda will continue to engage the European Commission in a principled and constructive dialogue, consistent with the spirit of our longstanding partnership under the Samoa Agreement. We welcome the EU’s expressed commitment to supporting Antigua and Barbuda’s sustainable development through the Global Gateway Investment Agenda and other mechanisms. However, the Government notes that none of these offers from the EU are quantified, binding, or explicitly framed as replacement revenues for the CBI income stream.
Over the years, the CBI Programme has funded hospitals, schools, infrastructure, and disaster recovery efforts. It represents necessary income for a small island developing state with limited fiscal space and acute vulnerability to climate change and external economic shocks.
Consequently, the Government will reiterate to the European Commission that any agreed path forward must include tangible EU assistance in generating equivalent replacement revenues to offset the economic impact of any transition. The government will exercise its sovereign right to pursue economic development strategies that serve the best interests of its people while continuing to give full regard to the security of all other countries. In the latter context, as an act of good faith towards the EU, the Government will continue to exclude from its CBI Programme any individuals subject to EU restrictive measures; reinforce vetting for all other nationalities applying to the programme; and give full attention to any additional safeguards which may be required to satisfy EU security standards.
The public is reassured that the Government is pursuing all available diplomatic avenues — bilaterally and through OECS and other channels — to protect Antigua and Barbuda’s national interests.
Further updates will be provided as discussions with the European Commission progress.