By Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News
United States
The U.S. Pentagon has ordered the deployment of American naval forces to the southern Caribbean Sea to counter threats from Latin American drug cartels, two sources confirmed on Thursday. Few details of the operation have been disclosed, but former President Donald Trump had previously pushed for the military to target Latin American drug gangs designated as global terrorist organizations. The move is part of a broader strategy to crack down on drug trafficking, limit migration, and secure the U.S. southern border. In recent months, at least two U.S. warships have already been deployed in regional security and anti-trafficking operations.
Caribbean Region
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Regional Nursing Body (RNB) has raised alarms over a critical shortage of nurses in the region, largely due to migration to wealthier countries offering higher salaries and better benefits. The shortage, they warn, threatens the quality of healthcare across CARICOM member states. The issue was a key topic at the RNB’s 52nd Annual General Meeting, held August 12 in Barbados. The three-day meeting includes developing an action plan to address health worker migration, reviewing the 2025 State of the World’s Nursing report, and assessing the April 2025 nursing registration exam results. Barbados’ Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Jerome Walcott, urged the RNB to lead the transformation of the nursing profession.
Trinidad and Tobago
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has revealed that she has installed a panic button in her private home for personal safety and is urging other homeowners to consider similar measures. Speaking during a public consultation on the proposed Stand Your Ground legislation in Penal, the Prime Minister described the device as an affordable and effective security tool. She said the ongoing state of emergency is working, but acknowledged it will take time to fully address crime. Residents attending the consultation shared their own experiences and measures taken to protect themselves.
