By Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News|
U.S. Strike Kills Three in Caribbean; St. Lucian Fishermen Feared Dead
A “lethal kinetic strike” conducted by the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) on Friday has ignited a firestorm of anger and fear across the Eastern Caribbean.
- The Incident: American forces targeted a vessel in the Caribbean Sea, claiming the occupants were “narco-terrorists” involved in high-level drug trafficking.
- The Fallout: While the U.S. maintains the strike was a security necessity, two of the three deceased are believed to be St. Lucian fishermen. No public evidence has yet been provided to support the narco-terrorism claims.
- Regional Anxiety: Since September 2025, U.S. operations in the region have reportedly killed 133 individuals. In St. Lucia, members of the fishing sector are expressing “anger and anxiety,” with many reporting they are now too terrified to venture out to sea.
Barbados: PM Mia Mottley Swears In New Cabinet
Following her recent electoral victory, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley officially confirmed her post-election leadership team during a ceremony at CARIFESTA House on Monday.
The Cabinet Composition: The 28-member team features a strong focus on “experience and renewal,” including seven women in key ministerial roles:
- Santia Bradshaw: Deputy Prime Minister.
- Senator Lisa Cummins: Minister of Health.
- Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight: Minister of Agriculture.
- Marsha Caddle: Minister of Economic Affairs.
Senior Assignments: Portfolios have been distributed to tackle the island’s most pressing challenges, with Ryan Straughn returning as Finance Minister and Kerrie Symmonds overseeing the critical Energy and Business sectors. The administration has vowed to prioritize economic growth and social reform in this new term.
Havana: Trash Piles Up Amid U.S. “Oil Chokehold”
The streets of the Cuban capital are facing an environmental and public health crisis as a severe fuel shortage halts garbage collection.
- Broken Fleet: Reports indicate that only 44 of Havana’s 106 rubbish trucks are currently operational. The rest are grounded due to a lack of fuel.
- The “Chokehold”: The shortage is the direct result of a hardened stance by the Trump administration, which has sanctioned vessels shipping oil to the island.
- Supplier Flight: Major suppliers like Venezuela and Mexico have halted shipments following U.S. threats of tariffs and sanctions.
- Community Impact: Residents in Havana are now circumventing massive heaps of waste, while rationing measures for food and medicine continue to tighten across the country.
As the Caribbean navigates these military, political, and economic shifts, the need for regional diplomacy and transparency has never been higher.
