Barbados
Barbadian businessman Charles Charlie Spice Lewis files a $50 million lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc.
Lewis and his digital company, Spice Holdings, seek compensation for Facebook and WhatsApp’s suspension and deletion of key business accounts, which significantly disrupted global operations.
The affected accounts were related to InstaJobs Live, a platform connecting job seekers with employers and recruiters. The lawsuit is represented by Inn Chambers in Barbados.
“This action by Meta has also affected other platforms owned by Spice Holdings Inn-Pos.com and KotoExchange.com,” Lewis said.
Meta is being sued for various allegations, including tortious interference with prospective economic advantage, breach of implied contract and good faith, unfair and deceptive trade practices, and negligent infliction of economic and reputational harm.
“Meta’s actions have caused severe disruption to a lawful enterprise, resulting in serious financial loss, reputational damage, and emotional distress,” said M Adrian King KC, lead counsel for the plaintiffs.
“Our clients’ commercial success and credibility were tied to their presence on Meta platforms, which were taken down without cause, warning, or due process.”
Lewis made multiple unsuccessful appeals to Meta; no explanation or reinstatement has been provided.
A legal notice dated July 1, 2025, requires Meta to respond in writing within 14 days.
Lewis mentioned that if Meta does not engage within the specified time frame, legal proceedings will proceed in a US federal court or another competent jurisdiction.
CARICOM
Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness emphasizes cooperation as crucial for CARICOM’s future and the central importance of unity.
“CARICOM has embodied the region’s response to our shared historical experiences and common challenges as Small Island Developing States,” Holness said in a message marking CARICOM Day.
Holness, who takes over the chairmanship of the 15-member grouping at the 49th regular meeting of the heads of government in Montego Bay from today, said, “…our future lies in cooperation, working together to secure peace and prosperity for the people of the Caribbean”.
He said that CARICOM has been a beacon of regional integration and cooperation and has grown to include 15 member states and six associate members, symbolising a diverse group of nations with a unique Caribbean identity and a shared ambition for a sustainable and prosperous future.
CARICOM, particularly the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), facilitates the free movement of goods, skills, labor, and services within the region, illustrating successful collaboration for the greater good.
Holness described the CSME as “a powerful vehicle for advancing regional economic integration,” offering new opportunities, boosting competitiveness, enhancing resilience, and fostering inclusivity.
He emphasizes the need to drive intra-regional trade, movement of skills and capital, and foster economic growth.
He recognized the significant role played by regional institutions like CARPHA, CXC, CDEMA, and the UWI in enhancing the quality of life for Caribbean citizens.
The importance of collective efforts in addressing new challenges, including climate change, climate financing, food and energy security, transnational organized crime, and resilience to external shocks.
Under Jamaica’s leadership, CARICOM is committed to supporting Haiti in achieving lasting peace and stability and a secure and sustainable future through united efforts.
“As chair of CARICOM, Jamaica reaffirms its commitment to advancing the work of the community. A secure and sustainable future for our region can only be achieved through united, coordinated efforts.”
He ended his message by extending greetings to CARICOM nationals within the region and in the diaspora, calling on them to celebrate the progress made and recommit to the journey ahead.
Grenada
Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell has acknowledged financial corruption related to building new houses after Hurricane Beryl in Grenada, although it is not pervasive.
The prime minister mentioned that while mistakes and issues may arise in government programs, there is no widespread or systematic corruption in these cases.
The acknowledgment of corruption came during the Prime Minister’s weekly Tuesday DMs with the PM interactive talk show.
“I am sure that with any government programme from time to time you may have mistake or you may have issues that need addressing but as far as I am aware there is no widespread read corruption, no systematic corruption in any of these instances,” Mitchell said during his weekly Tuesday DMs with the PM interactive talk show.
Challenges with contractors stem from financial mismanagement of fixed-term contracts issued by the Ministry of Mobilisation, Implementation, and Transformation, as mentioned by Mitchell.
Mitchell pointed out that many contractors lack the necessary financial literacy to manage funds allocated for the projects effectively.
Mitchell emphasized that the issue of financial mismanagement has been recurrent, with no specific details provided regarding the wrongdoings.,
The Minister of Finance, Dennis Cornwall, announced audits into contractors who failed to complete houses under the Hurricane Beryl Response initiative.
The Ministry of Mobilisation was allocated EC$15 million under the 2024 supplementary budget to help rebuild homes, where each house had EC$50,000 allocated for its construction.
The Finance Minister stressed the importance of accountability for all government funds and warned against the misuse of public money.
Guyana
President Irfaan Ali denies using government resources to target political opponents through a US lobbying firm, dismissing allegations of hiring the firm for US$50,000 a month.
The US-based lobbying firm, Continental Strategy LLC, disclosed its contract with the Guyana government and shared “draft tweets” targeting sanctioned businessman and presidential candidate Azruddin Mohamed, linking him to the Venezuelan government.
U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar expressed concerns about individuals sanctioned for illicit activities jeopardizing the Guyana-US relations and undermining democracy in Guyana, emphasizing the need for leaders who uphold democratic values.
Republican U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez raised alarms about Venezuela attempting to influence Guyana’s internal affairs through Azruddin Mohamed, sanctioned by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Azruddin Mohamed refuted claims by Gimenez, accusing the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) of orchestrating the allegations and asserting his commitment to Guyana’s sovereignty amid the controversy.
President Ali defended hiring the lobbying firm as a precaution against threats from Venezuela, despite allegations of targeting opponents, ahead of the upcoming elections, where Azruddin Mohamed is expected to challenge Ali and others for the head of state position.
Nomination Day for the elections is set for July 14, as tensions between political candidates, allegations of foreign interference, and concerns about maintaining democratic principles escalate in the Guyanese political landscape.
Haiti
The US urges its citizens in Haiti to prioritize their safety before considering leaving the country by commercial or privately available means due to criminal gangs targeting airports and potential risks associated with non-commercial flights, as these gangs are seeking to overthrow the government.
US government personnel are restricted from traveling on commercial flights in or out of Port-au-Prince due to Federal Aviation Administration restrictions and safety concerns related to air traffic.
The embassy said, “The US government does not endorse private or commercial carriers,” urging Americans not to travel to the troubled country.
“If you are a US citizen in Haiti, depart Haiti as soon as possible by commercial or other privately available transportation options. Avoid crowds (and) monitor local media for updates and avoid areas where violence, demonstrations, or disruptions are reported to be happening”.
The embassy also urges Americans in Haiti to keep a low profile, be “prepared to shelter in place for an extended time period,” and avoid being out after dark.
The UN reported a significant increase in violence against children in war zones in 2024, with Haiti experiencing high levels of grave violations, linked to powerful, well-armed gangs operating with impunity in the absence of an effective government response.
Jamaica
Jamaica is currently experiencing a significant decrease in violence, with weekly murder counts consistently staying below 15 for 14 consecutive weeks since March 2025, marking the most extended period of reduced violence in 25 years.
Deputy Prime Minister and National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang projects that the current quarter, from April to June, will have the lowest number of murders since the Jamaica Constabulary Force began collecting data 25 years ago.
Speaking during the opening ceremony for the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) “Transformations People, Quality and Technology Expo 2.0” recently, Chang said: “Based on current projections, Jamaica is expected to close this year with a murder rate of approximately 24 per 100,000 population. This would represent the lowest rate since 1991. To put this in perspective, it means that more than half of our population, people 34 years old and younger, is now living in a Jamaica that is safer than at any other time in their lifetime.”
Dr. Chang commended the efforts of the police force across Jamaica, highlighting a substantial 75% reduction in murders, especially in St. James and the wider Area One Police Division. In May, only one homicide was reported in the entire St. James Division.
The significant reduction in murders and crime is not just numbers but represents a pivotal change in Jamaica’s public safety scenario. These milestones indicate a shift towards a safer Jamaica after years of grappling with crime and violence.
Under Dr. Chang’s leadership, the government has implemented purposeful policies and interventions to modernize Jamaica’s national security apparatus, making it more intelligence-driven and community-focused.
Compiled by Devika Ragoonanan
