Caribbean News

Jamaica Leaders’ Debate Heats Up ahead of Wednesday’s Nat’l Vote

Published

1 month ago

August 29, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

Jamaica, August 29, 2025 – The much-anticipated leaders’ debate between Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Opposition Leader Mark Golding turned combative Thursday night, as the rivals clashed over integrity, financial transparency, and the rising cost of living. The second national debate of the campaign season drew sharp barbs, leaving no clear winner but plenty for voters to digest ahead of elections.

Integrity on the Line

Holness, facing renewed scrutiny over his financial declarations, forcefully defended his record. He reminded viewers that the Integrity Commission has certified his annual declarations as proper and stressed that there were “no findings of corruption” against him.

“I am thoroughly transparent … I am not currently under any investigation. There were no findings of corruption or charges. The leader of the opposition continues to weaponize issues because that is the only crutch he has to stand on.”

Holness went further, pointing to an earlier report from the Contractor General that raised questions about Golding’s own business dealings. He accused the opposition leader of hypocrisy, saying the report showed Golding’s operations “benefited from public resources in an irregular way.”

The Prime Minister also hit back at suggestions that he had improperly influenced oversight bodies, noting that his appointments were above board and accusing Golding of distorting facts to score political points.

Golding countered, accusing Holness of hiding behind technicalities while under the cloud of an Integrity Commission referral to the Financial Investigations Division. He pressed the case that Jamaicans could not fully trust a leader facing unresolved questions.

Cost of Living Pressures

In one of the evening’s most relatable exchanges, a question from a social media viewer brought the debate home to kitchen-table issues: the cost of living.

Holness highlighted his government’s record on job creation and social infrastructure, boasting that 280,000 jobs had been created, the minimum wage had been tripled, and hundreds of thousands of Jamaicans had gained access to water and electricity.

“More Jamaicans have income … 350,000 Jamaicans now have access to water, and we will ensure 900,000 more get reliable supply. We have expanded rural transportation and reduced the GCT on electricity — all without adding new taxes.”

Golding shot back that the government’s numbers masked real hardship. He argued that unemployment statistics understate the number of Jamaicans left out of the labor force and pointed to international data showing 55 percent of Jamaicans suffer from food insecurity.

“Statistics don’t tell the full picture. Several hundred thousand Jamaicans are outside the labor force. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization says 55% of Jamaicans are not getting adequate nutrition — that is not consistent with prosperity.”

The opposition leader promised targeted relief, including a proposed $10,000 subsidy per rural schoolchild to help families manage transportation costs, one of the major drivers of absenteeism. He also criticized electricity rates, claiming they had nearly doubled under Holness’s leadership.

No Clear Winner

The Jamaica Debates Commission does not declare a winner, and media reaction was mixed. Party surrogates each declared victory, while commentators noted the exchanges underscored two starkly different approaches: Holness leaning on growth, infrastructure, and his integrity defense, and Golding focusing on social equity, cost of living, and accountability.

What is certain is that the fiery tone of the August 28 debate left Jamaicans with a vivid contrast in leadership styles and priorities — and sharpened the stakes for the election ahead.

Related Topics:#andrewholness #jamaicaleadersdebate #magneticmedianews #MarkGolding

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Deandrea Hamilton

Caribbean News

Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts celebrate a night of wins, and take home a total of 16 titles at the 32nd Annual World Travel Awards

Published

3 days ago

October 8, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

~Sandals Resorts hosts the 32nd Annual World Travel Awards Caribbean and The Americas Gala & celebrates its 32nd consecutive win as The Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand~

MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA, October 8, 2025 – Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts have been honoured with 16 awards at the 2025 World Travel Awards Caribbean and The Americas, underscoring their continued leadership across the hospitality landscape.

The Gala Ceremony held at Sandals Grande St. Lucian honoured the visionaries and trailblazers shaping the travel and tourism industry. The evening united government leaders and hospitality professionals for a night of celebration, recognition and inspiration.

Among celebratory toasts, Sandals Resorts International was named the Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand for the 32nd year in a row. Beaches Turks and Caicos also celebrated its 18th win as the Caribbean’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort, a recognition that comes ahead of the debut of its Treasure Beach Village, the resort’s $150 million expansion set to open spring 2026.

Other key wins include Sandals Dunn’s River, recognized as the Caribbean’s Leading Luxury All-Inclusive Resort for the third year in a row after opening its doors in 2023 and Sandals South Coast, awarded the Caribbean’s Most Romantic Resort.

The 16 awards won under Sandals’ portfolio are:

Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand 2025: Sandals Resorts International
Caribbean’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort 2025: Beaches Turks & Caicos
Caribbean’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2025: Sandals Montego Bay, Jamaica
Caribbean’s Leading Dive Resort 2025: Sandals Royal Curaçao
Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Resort 2025: Sandals Grande St. Lucian
Caribbean’s Leading Luxury All-Inclusive Resort 2025: Sandals Dunn’s River, Jamaica
Caribbean’s Most Romantic Resort 2025: Sandals South Coast, Jamaica
Bahamas’ Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2025: Sandals Royal Bahamian
Curaçao’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2025: Sandals Royal Curaçao
Grenada’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2025: Sandals Grenada
Jamaica’s Leading Adult-Only All-Inclusive Resort 2025: Sandals Negril
Jamaica’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort 2025: Beaches Negril
Jamaica’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2025: Sandals Montego Bay
Jamaica’s Leading Resort 2025: Sandals Royal Caribbean
Saint Lucia’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2025: Sandals Grande St. Lucian
Saint Vincent & The Grenadines’ Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2025: Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Surrounded by the beauty of Gros-Islet, St. Lucia, the peninsula location of Sandals Grande St. Lucian created the perfect backdrop for World Travel Awards’™ guests to enjoy an unforgettable dining experience and breathtaking island views.

“At the heart of every Sandals and Beaches vacation is pure, inviting Caribbean soul, paired with world-class hospitality experiences for all our guests. The recognitions bestowed to our brands tonight are truly meaningful. They serve as a testament to the incredible passion and dedication of our talented team members,” said Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts. “It is yet another reminder of why we will never stop evolving, listening to our customers and refining our experiences year after year.”

For more information about these award-winning resorts, please visit www.sandals.com and www.beaches.com. For more information on the World Travel Awards™, please visit https://www.worldtravelawards.com/.

Caribbean News

Caribbean Powerhouses to Inspire at CaribCon in the Turks and Caicos Islands

Published

5 days ago

October 6, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Dr. Terri-Karelle Johnson is the keynote speaker at CaribCon

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (October 6th, 2025) – CaribCon, the Caribbean conference celebrating culture, innovation, and creativity, will welcome some of the region’s most influential voices to its inaugural edition in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The event, set to be a dynamic gathering of thought leaders and cultural icons, will feature impactful panel discussions, inspiring and intimate fireside chats and a flow of knowledge from some of the Caribbean’s brightest and best in the creative sector.

Elizabeth “Lady” Montano

Jamaica’s own Dr. Terri-Karelle Johnson, celebrated communications specialist, media personality, and global keynote speaker, will headline CaribCon as the official keynote speaker. Known for her ability to connect authentically and inspire audiences worldwide, Dr. Reid will share her insights on Caribbean identity, storytelling, and the power of representation in shaping global narratives. Another highlight of CaribCon will be the presence of Elizabeth “Lady” Montano, mother and former manager of soca superstar Machel Montano. Lady will launch her award-winning book, King of Soca, in which she is positioned as the ultimate insider, chronicling the evolution of one of the Caribbean’s most iconic entertainers. She will also share her invaluable experiences on nurturing talent, building a brand, and sustaining longevity in the competitive music industry in an intimate fireside chat. Adding further star power to the event is Simon Baptiste, CEO of Question Mark Entertainment, co-founder of ODOS, a global collective network spanning over 1000 professionals in 35 countries, film director, talent manager and creative strategist. Baptiste will bring his expertise to conversations on shaping the region’s creative sector and talent.

Simon Baptiste

“CaribCon is where the Caribbean’s voices, ideas, and creativity converge,” says Omega Simmons, founder of CaribCon and CEO of SOS Media. “Having leaders like Terri Karelle, Lady Montano, and Simon Baptiste share their stories and expertise truly embodies the spirit of this event. Their presence reinforces the power of Caribbean culture to inspire and influence on the world stage.” CaribCon will take place at the Shore Club in Providenciales, the Turks and Caicos Islands, from October 23^rd to 26^th. Attendees can look forward to networking opportunities, panel discussions, and meaningful dialogue to foster an ecosystem that develops the region’s creative sector and propels it onto the global stage.

Sponsors are:

Signature Experience Partners: Ministry of Tourism, Experience Turks and Caicos, and The Shore Club.

Other sponsors: PPID, Invest TCI, InterCaribbean Airways, Subtronic Sounds, Spotlight Communications.

Hotel partners: Ocean Club Resorts, Waterloo Hotel Management, The Somerset on Grace Bay and Ports of Call Resort.

For more information, tickets, and updates, visit www.caribcon.co or follow @caribconhq on all social media platforms.

For more information please email: contact@caribcon.co

Caribbean News

Guyanese Scholar and Olympian Arrested in Iowa ICE Crackdown

Published

2 weeks ago

September 27, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

September 27, 2025 – In a shocking breach of public trust and institutional oversight, Ian Andre Roberts, superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, who is a citizen of Guyana, was arrested on September 26 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under a string of serious offenses that raise troubling questions about hiring practices, accountability, and public safety.

Roberts, born in Georgetown, Guyana, is a former Olympian and accomplished scholar. According to online reports, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Coppin State University after transferring from St. Francis College in Brooklyn, where he played soccer. He holds two master’s degrees—from St. John’s University and Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business—attended an Executive MBA program at MIT Sloan School of Management and earned a doctorate in education with a focus on urban educational leadership from Trident University.

Despite these accomplishments, Roberts was living and working without legal authorization. ICE reported that he fled a traffic stop and abandoned his school-issued vehicle. At the time of his arrest, he was reportedly in possession of a loaded handgun, a fixed-blade hunting knife, and $3,000 in cash. He also has a prior weapons-related charge.

ICE officials questioned how Roberts could hold such a prominent role while subject to a final deportation order issued in May 2024. The school district said they were unaware of his immigration status, noting that he had undergone background checks and completed an I-9 form confirming work authorization. Roberts was placed on administrative leave pending further investigation.

This case highlights vulnerabilities in systems meant to safeguard public institutions and underscores the challenges ICE faces in identifying individuals operating outside U.S. immigration laws while in positions of authority.

For many, Roberts has become a near-literal poster child for these enforcement gaps.