By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News
BARBADOS
Chad Blackman Wins St. James North By-Election in Landslide
Barbadian diplomat-turned-politician Chad Blackman scored a decisive victory in the St. James North by-election on Wednesday night, replacing his mentor Edmund Hinkson in Parliament. Blackman, representing the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), received 2,723 votes—far surpassing his closest rival, Felicia Dujon of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), who secured 468 votes.
Other candidates:
- Stephanie Williams (Community Empowerment Party): 21 votes
- Alex Mitchell (Bajan Free Party): 7 votes
Out of 8,538 registered voters, only 3,231 valid ballots were cast. Twelve were deemed spoiled. Blackman, who previously served in Geneva as a diplomat, campaigned on a platform of youth empowerment and modern governance.
SAINT LUCIA
Dr. Kenny Anthony Retires from Politics Ahead of 2026 Elections
Three-time former Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Dr. Kenny Anthony, announced he will not contest the 2026 general elections or endorse any successor for his Vieux Fort South seat. Anthony, who served from 1997 to 2006 and again from 2011 to 2016, addressed constituents in a heartfelt farewell, urging them to evaluate candidates based on their plans, commitment to the St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP), and ability to connect with the people.
Anthony’s exit marks the end of an era for one of Saint Lucia’s most influential political figures.
UNITED STATES
US Supreme Court Allows Trump Administration to Lift TPS for Venezuelans
The U.S. Supreme Court has allowed the Trump administration to move forward—at least temporarily—with ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nearly 350,000 Venezuelan immigrants. The unsigned order, typical for emergency applications, means deportation proceedings could resume pending further legal appeals.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson indicated she would have rejected the move. The Court did, however, leave room for legal challenges by individuals who had previously obtained documentation under TPS protections.
TPS had shielded Venezuelans fleeing political and economic instability from deportation, a policy expanded under President Biden but now in legal limbo amid ongoing immigration reform debates.
