US Denies Existence of Draft Travel Ban List Amid CARICOM Concerns

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News Americas, New York, NY, March 18, 2025: The United States has denied the existence of a draft travel ban list, following concerns raised by several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nations over reports suggesting potential travel restrictions.

US Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce dismissed the claims, stating, “There is no list. What people have been looking at in recent days is not something that exists here or is being acted on.” She clarified that there is an ongoing review under President Trump’s executive order regarding visa policies and national security.

The New York Times had reported that six Caribbean nations—St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Cuba, and Haiti—were included in a proposed list of countries facing possible travel restrictions. The reported proposal categorized countries into three levels: a “red” list barring entry, an “orange” list imposing restrictions, and a “yellow” list allowing 60 days for compliance.

In response, Antigua and Barbuda formally requested clarification from the US via a diplomatic note, expressing “deep concern” and stating that the government had received no prior notice regarding such a list. Other CARICOM nations, including St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, and St. Lucia, have also sought official clarification.

These nations emphasized their commitment to tightening their Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs, working closely with the US to prevent misuse by criminals. Antigua and Barbuda reaffirmed that all applicants undergo rigorous screening, including INTERPOL vetting, to uphold the program’s integrity.

Stranded Pygmy Whale Rescued And Released In This CARICOM Nation

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News Americas, New York, NY, March 18, 2025: A stranded pygmy whale found in the rural village of Buxton, East Coast Demerara, in the oil-rich CARICOM, South American nation of Guyana, was successfully rescued and returned to the sea earlier today through a collaborative effort involving the University of Guyana, the Ministry of Agriculture, and public-spirited residents.

The young whale was discovered at the Buxton Foreshore, requiring urgent intervention to ensure its survival. Responding swiftly were Chief Fisheries Officer Denzil Roberts; Fisheries Officers Kadeem Jacobs and Phillip Williams; Marine Biologists and Biologists Mark Ram, Eric Stoll, and Rovindra Lakenarine; and Elford Liverpool from the University of Guyana’s Department of Biology and the Centre for the Study of Biological Diversity (CSBD). Local community members also played a critical role in the rescue mission.

The team carefully assessed the whale’s condition, identified its species, and took steps to minimize stress and risk to the animal. They used wet cloths and water to keep the whale stable and hydrated before safely transporting and releasing it via the Demerara River Estuary at the Maritime Administration Department, (MARAD) in Georgetown.

The successful rescue was the result of a coordinated effort among multiple agencies, including the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Guyana Police Force, and MARAD. Their swift response not only saved the whale’s life but also highlighted the collective commitment to marine conservation in Guyana.