News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. June 2, 2025: In a striking omission, the White House has failed to issue a proclamation for National Caribbean American Heritage Month (CAHM), marking the first time in two decades that the federal observance has gone unrecognized at the presidential level.

June 1st, 2025 marked the 20th anniversary of CAHM – a milestone year that should have been celebrated widely. Yet, while proclamations were issued by the Trump White House on May 16th for both Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month, the Caribbean American community has so far received no such acknowledgment.

Traditionally, proclamations recognizing CAHM are released on or before May 31st. As recently as last year, the Biden administration had celebrated the month, emphasizing the vital role that Caribbean immigrants have played in shaping the United States. That 2024 proclamation praised the “diverse cultures” and “unwavering contributions” of Caribbean Americans who helped uphold America’s “most sacred values of opportunity and freedom.”

The inaugural proclamation establishing Caribbean American Heritage Month was issued on June 5, 2008, by then-President George W. Bush. In it, Bush declared: “Our Nation has thrived as a country of immigrants, and we are more vibrant and hopeful because of the talent, faith, and values of Caribbean Americans.”

But today, as the Trump administration intensifies its rollback of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies, the month appears to have been sidelined. The silence comes just days after a controversial U.S. Supreme Court decision on May 30th allowed the administration to move forward with revoking humanitarian parole protections for over 500,000 migrants from Haiti, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela – many of whom are Caribbean nationals.

The ruling has left countless immigrants in legal limbo and deepened the anxiety already rippling through the Caribbean diaspora, particularly among those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Haitians and Cubans now face the threat of deportation come August and September, respectively, despite escalating violence and unrest in their home countries.

Still, the demographic footprint of Caribbean Americans remains undeniable. Caribbean immigrant Alexander Hamilton, born in Charlestown, Saint Kitts and Nevis, was a U.S. Founding Father and the nation’s first Secretary of the Treasury. A key architect of America’s financial system, Hamilton served under President George Washington from 1789 to 1795. He also co-founded the Federalist Party and the African Free School, and played a pivotal role in shaping the early United States. Hamilton was married to Elizabeth Schuyler and was tragically killed in a duel in 1804. His legacy as a Caribbean-born visionary and American statesman endures.

Meanwhile, according to 2020 U.S. Census data – the first decennial survey to allow respondents to write in their Caribbean ancestry – some 4.6 million people in the U.S. identified as having roots in the Caribbean. The majority hailed from three nations: Jamaica (1,047,117), Haiti (1,032,747), and Trinidad and Tobago (194,364).

Geographically, Caribbean Americans are most heavily concentrated in Florida (30%), New York (25%), and New Jersey (6%). The data also show that most Caribbean Americans fall within the 45–64 age range, reflecting a well-established and mature population.

Caribbean presence in the U.S. dates back centuries. Historians like Jennifer Faith Gray of the Scottish Centre for Global History note that enslaved Africans were brought from the Caribbean to the U.S. as early as the 1660s, with one-third to half of enslaved persons in the Carolinas during the colonial era coming directly from the Caribbean. Harvard University, among others, profited from Caribbean slave labor through financial instruments and loans.

One of the most notable acts of Caribbean American resistance in U.S. history came in 1822, when Denmark Vesey, a Caribbean-born former slave, led a planned slave revolt in Charleston, South Carolina – one of the largest of its time.

Despite this rich and complex legacy, the lack of White House recognition in 2025 leaves many in the Caribbean American community asking: where is the respect, and who will stand up for us now?

As Caribbean American Heritage Month proceeds in silence from the nation’s highest office, one thing remains clear – this community’s history runs deep, and its contributions continue to shape the American story, with or without the fanfare.

News Americas, New York, NY, May 29, 2025: Guyanese businessman and presidential hopeful Azruddin Mohamed has been granted bail in the sum of GYD $500,000 following his arraignment on two criminal charges related to alleged tax evasion and fraudulent declarations to the Guyana Revenue Authority, (GRA).

Sanctioned Guyanese billionaire Azruddin Mohamed gets bail on tax charges as he kicks off his 2025 presidential campaign ahead of Guyana’s elections.

Appearing before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court today, Mohamed pleaded not guilty to both charges. The first charge alleges that on December 7, 2020, he knowingly caused a false declaration to the GRA by significantly undervaluing the purchase price of a luxury vehicle – a Lamborghini Aventador. The second charge accuses him of being involved in the fraudulent evasion of taxes through the same undervaluation. It is alleged that the vehicle was purchased for US$695,000, contrasting with the US$76,000 figure declared by Mohamed.

Represented by Attorneys Siand Dhurjon, Damian Da Silva, and Darren Wade, Mohamed was described as a 39-year-old businessman and father of five, residing at Lot 17 Houston Estates. His legal team argued for his release on his own recognizance, citing his status as a well-known figure with no prior convictions. However, the court imposed bail of $250,000 on each charge, totaling $500,000. The matter is scheduled for further proceedings on June 26.

These charges come in the wake of U.S. sanctions imposed in June 2024 by the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Mohamed, his father Nazar, and their company, Mohamed’s Enterprise. The sanctions were based on allegations of corruption and tax evasion, including underreporting over 10,000 kilograms of gold and evading more than US$50 million in taxes.

Despite these legal challenges, Mohamed has officially declared his candidacy for the presidency in Guyana’s upcoming general and regional elections scheduled for September 1, 2025. In a video statement, he outlined his vision for a “new Guyana,” emphasizing equality, trust, and unity. He pledged to build a nation grounded in integrity and public service, welcoming international election observers to ensure democratic oversight.

Mohamed’s campaign focuses on addressing economic disparities and promoting inclusive development. He criticized government extravagance amid rising living costs, stating, “Eggs have become too expensive for egg-fry, meat too costly for pepper pot.” He advocates for leadership that serves all citizens equally, aiming to lift people out of poverty through genuine efforts rather than superficial displays.

As Guyana navigates a period of rapid economic transformation driven by its oil and gas sector, Mohamed’s candidacy adds a new dimension to the political landscape. The upcoming elections are poised to be a defining moment for the nation’s democracy and global standing.

The legal proceedings against Mohamed continue, with the next court date set for June 26. Under applicable laws, a conviction could result in fines ranging from $10,000 to