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CDU Press Statement – Belize ICJ Referendum

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April 17, 2019 – The Caribbean Democrat Union (CDU) as part of its mission to advance good governance in the region embarked on an Observation Mission to Belize for the ICJ Referendum. The people of Belize were to decide “Yes” or “No” on whether to take the matter of the long standing border dispute with Guatemala to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Five young professionals were selected to be part of the CDU Observation Team:

· Ms. Kimberley McLeod, Jamaica

· Ms. Sakera Cook, Turks and Caicos Islands

· Ms. Terraine Webster, Anguilla

· Mr. Christopher Grant, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

· Mr. Shadick Bethel, Grenada

The Observer Team arrived on Friday April 6th 2019 and departed Belize on Thursday April 11th 2019.

The following activities took place as part of the CDU Observation Mission:

· Referendum Education Fair, Saturday April 6th

· Cultural Enrichment (Understanding Belizean History), Sunday April 7th

· Meeting with Chief Elections Officer, Monday April 8th

· Meeting with Prime Minster Hon. Dean Barrow, Tuesday April 9th

· Community Engagement, Tuesday April 9th

· Survey in urban and rural areas of Belize on the Referendum, Wednesday April 10th

Due to an injunction filed by the Opposition Party in Belize and upheld by the Court of Appeal, the ICJ Referendum was postponed. However, the CDU Observation Team was still able to carry out and satisfy the objectives of the mission:

 · To assess the effectiveness of the voter education campaign

· To identify motivating factors for persons to participate in the Referendum

This CDU Observer Mission to the ICJ Referendum in Belize was supported through partial funding from the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD).  In addition, permission to observe the ICJ Referendum was granted by the Election and Boundaries Department of Belize and transportation and other logistics were facilitated locally by Ms. Anazette Olivera, Volunteer Coordinator International, Boundaries Unit, Referendum Office of Belize.

The CDU joins with the European Union, United Kingdom and the United States of America in support of the ICJ Referendum in Belize. This is an important decision and the people of Belize have the fundamental right to participate in a free and democratic process to make a final determination on this long standing matter. The CDU hopes that the people of Belize will be given the opportunity to do so as soon as possible.

The CDU thanks members of the Observer Team, the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, the Election and Boundaries Department of Belize, Ms. Anazette Olivera and other local affiliates for making this observation mission possible.

Press Release: CDU

Photo Descriptions:

Header: Observer Team meeting with PM of Belize Hon. Dean Barrow from left to right – Ms. Anazette Olivera (local coordinator), Ms. Terraine Webster (Observer Team Member, Anguilla), Mr. Christopher Grant (Observer Team Member, St. Vincent and the Grenadines), Ms. Kimberley McLeod (Observer Team Member, Jamaica), PM of Belize Hon. Dean Barrow, Mr. Shadick Bethel (Observer Team Member, Grenada), Ms. Sakera Cook (Observer Team Member, Turks and Caicos Islands). 

1st insert: Observer Team Member Sakera Cook conducting survey in the field

2nd Insert: Observer Team Member Shadick Bethel conducting survey in the field

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Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

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Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

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Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

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Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

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Adam Stewart named CNW’s Businessman/Philanthropist of the Year for 2025

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Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts, Adam Stewart, has been named Businessman/Philanthropist of the Year for 2025 by the regional news publication, Caribbean National Weekly (CNW).

The publication recognised Stewart for his leadership in hospitality, his ongoing investments in regional tourism, his steady crisis response and his philanthropic work throughout what it described as a year filled with both remarkable achievements and significant challenges.

CNW highlighted how 2025 saw industry recognition for Stewart, major announcements of multimillion‑dollar developments across his all‑inclusive luxury resort brands and an invitation to join the prestigious Wall Street Journal CEO Council.

But the publication said his impact extended well beyond business milestones.

“In 2025, the Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts didn’t just guide his iconic hospitality empire through crisis – he used its scale and influence to help shape Jamaica’s rebound and lay groundwork for future regional growth,” CNW wrote.

The defining moment, it said, came in late October when Hurricane Melissa caused severe damage to parts of Jamaica’s tourism infrastructure. Stewart responded by leading transparent communication with global travel advisors, partners and team members, and made a landmark pledge, that 100 per cent of Sandals and Beaches employees would remain on payroll and receive Christmas bonuses, even at resorts temporarily closed for extensive restoration and upgrades. The company also committed more than US$3 million in staff recovery aid, providing direct support to families affected by the storm.

CNW further highlighted the work of the Sandals Foundation under Stewart’s guidance, noting record levels of community engagement and targeted disaster‑recovery support in healthcare, livelihoods and the environment.

In response to the honour, Stewart said he was “deeply humbled” to receive the Businessman/Philanthropist of the Year recognition and expressed his gratitude to his teams and partners for their dedication during an extraordinary year.

“This award reflects far more than any one individual. It is a direct result of people showing up every day for their communities and believing business is a force for good. It belongs to the extraordinary teams who carry our shared vision forward – especially the Sandals Foundation, whose work continues to create lasting change across education, health care, disaster relief and environmental stewardship,” Stewart stated.

“To every colleague and partner who helps bring this mission to life – thank you for your commitment, heart and belief.”

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