By: ANTONIO DEY | HGP Nightly News|
Jamaica: Cement Shortage Expected to Ease as Rebuilding Demands Surge
KINGSTON, JAMAICA — Industry stakeholders in Jamaica are signaling a light at the end of the tunnel for the nation’s ongoing cement crisis. The Incorporated Masterbuilders Association of Jamaica (IMAJ) reported on Wednesday that Caribbean Cement Company Limited (CCCL) has provided firm assurances that the current supply shortfall will stabilize within the coming weeks.
- Timeline for Recovery: Supply conditions are expected to show marked improvement over the next three weeks, with a full return to normal market levels anticipated by mid-May 2026.
- The “Melissa” Factor: The shortage has been exacerbated by a massive spike in demand following Hurricane Melissa. Reconstruction efforts, including the government’s ROOFS and THARP initiatives, have put immense pressure on existing stockpiles.
- Operational Resilience: CCCL cited recent inclement weather and equipment challenges as primary disruptors but confirmed that teams are working 24/7 to ramp up production and fortify the plant against future climate-related shutdowns.
Trinidad & Tobago: Opposition Leader Beckles Gives Gov’t a Failing Grade
PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD — As the United National Congress (UNC) administration approaches its one-year milestone, Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles has issued a scathing “performance review.” During a Friday morning news conference, Beckles rated Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s government a dismal 3 out of 10.
- Crime and Unemployment: Beckles asserted that the government has failed to “arrest the criminal element” despite the ongoing State of Emergency, even as it presides over a rise in mass unemployment.
- Broken Promises: The opposition highlighted a lack of new housing starts and the collapse of small businesses under current economic policies.
- The Energy Crisis: Beckles urged the public to hold the government accountable for the failure of the Dragon gas deal, arguing that the administration has delivered “firings instead of the promised jobs.”
International: NATO Rejects US Proposal to Suspend Spain Over Iran Stance
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM — The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has moved to quell rumors of an internal rift, confirming there is “no provision” in its founding treaty to suspend or expel a member state. The clarification follows a leaked Pentagon email suggesting the U.S. might seek to punish Spain for its refusal to support the ongoing military campaign against Iran.
- Spain’s Defiance: Madrid has consistently refused to allow the U.S. to use the Rota and Morón air bases for strikes against Iranian targets, citing international law and a commitment to de-escalation.
- The Falklands Threat: The leaked internal memo also suggested the U.S. might review its support for the UK’s claim to the Falkland Islands as a lever against allies who fail to back the Hormuz blockade.
- Trump’s Critique: President Donald Trump has intensified his rhetoric against NATO allies, calling Spain a “terrible ally” and demanding a 5% increase in defense spending, a demand Madrid was the first to officially reject.
