Caribbean RoundUp

The name of Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has emerged as a possible candidate for the next UN secretary-general position. This comes after Chile has called on the 80-year-old UN to elect a woman to head the organisation, suggesting that the person comes from Latin America and the Caribbean.

Other prominent potential candidates include Michelle Bachelet (Chile), Rebeca Grynspan (Costa Rica), and Rafael Grossi (Argentina).

The next UN Secretary-General will serve a five-year term starting in January 2027, after the current chief, Antonio Guterres of Portugal, leaves office.

A representative from Chile told the UN Security Council recently that there is a need for “an open, participatory and gender-inclusive process”, given that no woman has ever held the post.

“After 80 years, the time has come for a woman to lead this organisation; a woman who, with her leadership and vision, can provide the multilateral system with the credibility that it needs to respond to the challenges of our time,” the representative said.

“The principle of regional rotation should be respected as well, and it is the turn of the region of Latin America and the Caribbean to lead this post,” he added.

The UN said that governments will soon submit letters nominating candidates, as the position is traditionally rotated among geographical regions.

The secretary-general is appointed by the General Assembly, the UN’s most representative body, following a recommendation from the council’s 15 members.

Guyana has welcomed the adoption by the UN Security Council of a resolution endorsing President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza.

“As a matter of principle, Guyana voted in favor of the resolution, which will build on the existing ceasefire and advance sustainable peace for the Palestinian people,” President Irfaan Ali posted on his Facebook page recently, adding “we applaud the USA for its leadership in this initiative.”

The Security Council, of which Guyana is a non-permanent member, approved Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, providing a legal UN mandate for Washington’s vision on how to move beyond the ceasefire and rebuild the Gaza Strip.

The US resolution calls for an International Stabilization Force to enter, demilitarize, and govern Gaza. It also proposes a “Board of Peace” to oversee the peace process, although it does not specify the composition of the board.

Guyana has throughout the conflict in Gaza urged a peaceful resolution as President Ali said that ‘power must not triumph over principle.”

Ali called for intensified action by the UN on critical global issues.

He added, “The UN’s noble mission to maintain international peace and security will ring hollow if it allows power to triumph over principle and might to override right in remaining faithful to its charter. The (UN) must ensure that the survival and progress of humanity are not mortgaged to the ambitions of the powerful.”

Ali told the 80th session of the UN General Assembly that Guyana insists on a two-state solution as the only option to resolve the long-lasting Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

He classified the destruction of Gaza not as warfare, but “mass extermination, a systematic slaughter and displacement of Palestinian men, women, and children.”

“We must take urgent action to halt the genocide, return the hostages, and accelerate our efforts towards a two-state solution. We urge Qatar, Egypt, and the US to continue their efforts in this regard,” Ali said.

The leader of the “Viv Ansanm” terrorist gang, Jimmy Cherizier, also known as “Barbecue,” is urging the population to stay indoors as the gang plans to attack law enforcement officials in the capital city.

Cherizier issued a chilling video message warning the population of the Haitian National Police (PNH), reportedly suspending all leave and vacations of police officers from Nov. 16 until further notice.

“This message is addressed to the Haitian people in general. Starting Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, unless absolutely necessary, please refrain from going out. All drivers’ unions, stay home. All public transport drivers, stay home.”

“We are announcing this without taking drastic measures, in order to inform the public about what will happen, to prevent them from becoming victims. Those who don’t need to, do not go out into the streets. Leave the streets to ‘Viv Ansanm’ and the police so that we can confront them,” Cherizier said in his message.

“If you ignore this and go out, we are not responsible for what might happen to you. The time has come, Haitian people, to unite to liberate this country,” he said.

His statement comes after the PNH, the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAD’H), and the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) launched a large-scale joint operation recently against the “400 Mawozo” criminal gang, that led to the seizure of a significant arsenal of weapons and ammunition, as well as a substantial increase in police presence in areas previously under the complete control of the criminal groups.

PNH spokesman, Inspector Garry Desrosiers, said at least seven gang members were fatally wounded and numerous others were injured.

He added that several assault weapons and ammunition were seized and that there were no casualties among the security forces.

The Jamaican government has confirmed an outbreak of leptospirosis on the island, with health authorities saying that six people have died so far.

“The outbreak follows the passage of Hurricane Melissa, which has created conditions that have increased the risk of exposure to contaminated water and soil,” Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton said, adding that there has also been a rise in confirmed and suspected cases across eight parishes.

Leptospirosis symptoms typically begin with flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, and red eyes. Some may also experience vomiting, diarrhea, or a rash. In more severe cases, the illness can progress to a second phase with serious complications like kidney failure, liver failure, jaundice, and meningitis, and can be fatal.

Tufton told reporters that there have been nine confirmed cases, 28 suspected cases and six suspected deaths between Oct. 30 and Nov. 20.

He said leptospirosis is a “significant public health risk,” and the bacteria that cause the disease thrive in water contaminated by infected animals, especially rats, but also cats, dogs, and livestock.

“Leptospirosis can affect anyone who comes into contact with contaminated water, soil or mud, and that includes farmers and persons who engage in clean-up activities, emergency responders and others navigating flood areas.”

The leader of the main opposition United Workers Party (UWP), Allen Chastanet, is encouraging voters to elect his party into government on Dec. 1.

In a national radio and television broadcast, Chastanet, who previously served as Prime Minister from 2016 to 2021, said, “I’m not the same man I was in 2021.”

“I am firm, fearless, and focused, asking the hard questions and finding real solutions to make your lives better.”

“And with the unusually early election. I had to ask: are we really better off today?” Chastanet questioned the move by Prime Minister Phillip J. Pierre to call the general election 11 months ahead of the constitutional deadline.

“As a St. Lucian, despite all that has been said, I understand your struggles. But just like many of you, I did not choose my circumstances. What I have chosen is how I use them. I have chosen to use every blessing, every resource, and every ounce of experience I have to serve the people of St. Lucia,” he added.

Chastanet stated that when his government, the UWP, was in office, several policies and projects were undertaken by his administration that benefited the population and improved the country’s socio-economic development.

“We did these things because we love this country. I love our people. And everything I have ever done in public service has been driven by a desire to make life better for St Lucians. If you doubt my words, I ask you to look at our list of achievements.”

“In contrast, over the last four years under the Labour administration, life has only gotten harder for ordinary St. Lucians. More people feel betrayed by the Philip J Pierre administration today than ever before. And now, with an election called months ahead of time, you have to ask: what are they running from?

“After years of betrayal, corruption, and neglect, is this early election just their final attempt to pull wool over your eyes before the truth finally catches up to them? Is this early election their attempt to get ahead of the outrage before you can ask the real questions?”

Chastanet said that whilst his administration may not have been perfect, “we can all admit that things were better.”