The State Of The Union And The Trajectory Of The Trump2 Era

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By Ron Cheong

News Americas, TORONTO, Canada, Sat. Feb. 28, 2026: This is the most norm-disruptive periods in the postwar Western democratic order.

Not because tanks are rolling across continents or nuclear superpowers are at the brink of direct confrontation, but because the internal guardrails of democratic governance are under sustained stress.

Trump has up ended just about every long held value: he attacks everyone with personal insults including supreme court justices,  forcefully uses the military, relishes in the punishment of Cuba, has armed and aggressive agents ICE personnel deployed in American cities, launched his chaotic tariff wars, issues questionable pardons including for drug traffickers, seemingly uses every opportunity to enrich himself including suing his own government, and is antagonistic towards Panama, Greenland, Canada and others.  In addition, while officials in other countries have come under scrutiny or have been arrested as a result of revelations from the Epstein files, he seemingly sails through.

The Durability Of His Base

Despite the relentless controversy, and reports of polling decline in the press, his core support base appears mostly unchanged; as these supporters prioritize: Immigration enforcement, trade protectionism, cultural politics, and resistance to what they see as government overreach over his other counterproductive actions.

With a highly polarized electorate, his committed minority in the mid-30 percent range can represent a formidable political base.  There is no doubt it is intense. The question is whether it is expandable – can he recapture the 2025 numbers?

The record suggests that the durability of such movements ultimately depends on economic performance. Prosperity stabilizes. Recession destabilizes. 

Thus, the trajectory of the Trump era is likely to be determined by two forces:

Economic stability or instability, and

Electoral erosion or reinforcement in the midterms – (assuming those elections proceed as planned.)

The Economy: SOTU Rhetoric Vs. Indicators

The President’s State of the Union painted a picture of rebound and restored momentum – using his premise that if you repeat it loud and often enough, people will come to take it as truth.  However, the broader economic indicators suggest something more nuanced.

Growth has moderated rather than accelerated. Inflation, while off its peak, remains sticky relative to central bank targets. Employment remains historically strong, but job creation has softened. Forward-looking indicators signal caution rather than breakout expansion.

In other words: the economy is not collapsing, but neither is it surging.

This matters politically. Voters tend not to reward “technical stability.” They respond to felt conditions: Are prices meaningfully lower, are wages outpacing costs, is financial anxiety receding?

If the public mood remains one of cost pressure and fragility, even moderate macroeconomic stability may not translate into political strength for Trump.

The Mid-term Outlook

Historically, the president’s party almost always loses ground in midterm elections, particularly when approval ratings sit below 50 percent. Structural headwinds include: Turnout patterns that favor the opposition, economic dissatisfaction, fatigue with executive dominance.

Current polling trends suggest a competitive environment with a plausible path for opposition gains, especially in the House.

Should the administration lose House or both chambers, its agenda would shift from expansion to defense. His retaliatory investigations would intensify. Legislative ambitions would narrow. Executive action would become the primary tool – and flashpoint.

Thus, erosion of power through the midterms is a more plausible constraining mechanism than dramatic institutional collapse.

The Question Of Distraction

Trump is well known for drowning one controversy out of the headlines with an even more outrageous controversy.  Others have engineered the “rally ’round the flag” effect by involving the US in external conflict.

A limited strike or sudden confrontation might produce a temporary surge. However large-scale military excursions are unpredictable and institutionally constrained. They are extraordinarily costly gambits. In today’s economic environment, a conflict that raises prices or destabilizes markets could just as easily accelerate political decline.

In short, a limited external distraction might momentarily consolidate support. A prolonged or economically damaging conflict would likely do the opposite.

The Larger Dynamic

The Trump era sits at the intersection of three forces:

Norm disruption in democratic governance.

Polarized but durable minority support.

Economic fragility rather than boom.

If growth meaningfully accelerates and inflation subsides, the movement consolidates.
If stagnation deepens or recession emerges, the coalition frays.
If midterms shift congressional control, institutional or at least congressional constraints tighten; and the system itself: courts, states, elections, constitutional term limits – remains intact.

The greater risk is not sudden collapse but prolonged strain.

Will Tariffs Be The Final Miscalculation?

Trump entire second term was implicitly built around tariffs.   It looked to returning manufacturing to the states, reducing trade deficits, and achieving other geopolitical goals – which would result in greater American prosperity.  But he undervalued the reciprocal benefits to the US of trading partners in the intertwined global supply chain. And his erratic heavy handed threats against allies and trading partners has caused many countries including Canada, Australia and members of the EU to seek alternatives to the US – not an overnight decoupling but certainly a rebalancing over time and a serious blow to relations with allies – while not making any headway against competitors like China.  Not only has this gambit seriously backfired, but just before The State of the Union the US Supreme Court struck down the legality of the broad authority Trump used to levy tariffs – a blow to the central element of his second term.

In modern democracies, movements weaken when prosperity fades, when costs rise, and when voters decide stability requires recalibration.

The decisive variable is unlikely to be scandal, rhetoric, or even international confrontation. It will be economic performance, and whether electoral mechanisms translate public unease into Trump constraint.

The coming mid-terms may not end the Trump era. But barring the unlikely possibility that his efforts to alter the electoral process somehow actually come about, the midterms will reveal whether his era is consolidating, or has reached its limits.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Ron Cheong is a frequent political commentator and columnist whose recent work focuses on international relations, economic resilience, and Caribbean-American affairs. He is a community activist and dedicated volunteer with extensive international banking experience. Now residing in Toronto, Canada, he is a fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto.

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 “A” – Alien Registration And The Weight Of The Letter

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By Nyan Reynolds

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Feb. 27, 2026: It was Saturday, January 24th, and my niece was hired for her first job. At seventeen years old, she stood on the edge of something new. Her first paycheck. Her first taste of independence. Her first official entry into the workforce. There is something sacred about that moment. It is a quiet declaration that childhood is slowly giving way to responsibility.

She asked me to help her fill out her I-9 and tax documents. Not because she could not do it herself, but because she wanted to make sure everything was right. That she would be compensated properly. That she would not make a mistake. I sat beside her, and together we moved through the paperwork line by line.

Then we reached a section that asked for either a passport number or an A number.

She paused.

“What’s an A number?” she asked.

I told her, “It means Alien Registration Number.”

She laughed lightly.

“Alien?” she said. “Like aliens?”

There was innocence in her question. The kind of innocence that only comes from not having to think about such things. For her, the word alien belonged to science fiction. To movies. To creatures with large heads and distant galaxies.

I explained to her that she does not have an Alien Registration Number because she was born here in the United States. But I do. Her mother does. Many of our loved ones do. We were born elsewhere. We came through the immigration system. And when we did, we were assigned a number.

That number begins with the letter A.

It struck me in that moment how casually the term is used. How normalized it is. How bureaucratic language has made something deeply human feel technical and sterile. But there is nothing sterile about the word alien. It carries weight. It carries history. It carries implications: Alien.

In its most common understanding, it means foreign. Not from here. Other. Sometimes even strange. Unfamiliar. Separate.

And yet that word is stamped across documents that define millions of lives.

The Alien Registration Number follows you from the moment you enter the immigration system. It appears on your green card. It appears on immigration notices. It is part of your permanent file. And even when you become a naturalized citizen, when you stand in a room full of strangers and raise your right hand and take the oath of allegiance, that number does not disappear.

You surrender your green card. You receive your naturalization certificate. You walk out as a citizen of the United States.

But your “A” number remains.

Often printed clearly on the very certificate that declares your new status.

There is something paradoxical about that. You are now fully American in the eyes of the law. You have pledged loyalty. You have been sworn in. You have become part of the nation’s civic fabric. And yet the document that confirms your belonging still carries the identifier that once marked you as an outsider.

A lifelong alien in America.

That phrase lingers in my mind.

What does it mean to be an alien for life, even after you become a citizen?

It means that your journey into this country is permanently recorded. It means that your identity contains a layer that those born here may never have to confront. It means that, in some quiet corner of a federal database, you will always be someone who arrived.

For some, that is not painful. It is simply administrative. A number. A file. A record.

But for others, it is deeply symbolic.

Because immigration is not merely paperwork. It is a sacrifice, it is departure. It is leaving behind language, food, culture, and familiarity. It is stepping into a place where your accent may be noticed before your intelligence. Where your name may be mispronounced before it is understood. Where your story is summarized into a category: Alien.

Today, immigration dominates headlines. Debates rage about borders, about enforcement, about who belongs and who does not. But rarely do we pause to reflect on the emotional weight of the system itself. On the quiet psychological reality of carrying a label that suggests foreignness long after you have pledged allegiance.

When I took my oath, it was one of the proudest days of my life. To stand there and affirm loyalty to the Constitution, to become a citizen of a country that had given me opportunity, education, and growth, meant something profound. It was not casual. It was not transactional. It was sacred.

And yet, printed on my naturalization certificate, in clear text, was my Alien Registration Number.

It did not invalidate my citizenship. But it reminded me that my path here was different.

There is humility in that reminder, gratitude too. Because I know what that number represents. I know the paperwork. The waiting. The uncertainty. The interviews. The fees. The documentation. The hope that everything will be approved.

And I know that somewhere, someone is still praying for that same opportunity.

For millions worldwide, an Alien Registration Number is not an insult. It is aspiration. It is evidence that they have entered the system. That they have a foothold. That they are visible to the law instead of invisible to it.

People risk their lives for that visibility.

They cross deserts. They board overcrowded boats. They leave behind family. They endure detention. They wait in limbo. All for the chance to one day receive documentation that begins with A.

So perhaps the weight of the letter depends on perspective.

To some, it sounds dehumanizing.

To others, it sounds like hope.

But what unsettles me is not the administrative necessity of a number. Governments require systems. Systems require identifiers. I understand that. I respect the structure.

What unsettles me is how easily language can shape perception.

When you call someone an alien, even in official terminology, you subtly reinforce the idea that they are not fully from here. That their belonging is conditional. That their identity contains an asterisk.

And over time, those subtle signals matter.

They influence how we see one another. They influence policy debates. They influence whether we approach immigration with empathy or suspicion.

My niece laughed when she heard the word alien. She had never thought about it before. Why would she? She was born here. She has a Social Security number. She checks the box labeled “citizen” without hesitation.

But that conversation gave me an opportunity to explain something deeper. To explain that many of us carry stories that begin elsewhere – that America is filled with people whose first documents here included that letter; that behind every A number is a journey.

And that we must not take that journey lightly.

There is also a quiet strength in being someone who came from somewhere else and built a life here. To adapt. To learn. To contribute. To serve in the military. To pay taxes. To raise children who will never have to think twice about their status.

Perhaps that is the hidden beauty of the lifelong alien. Not the label itself, but the resilience it represents.

Because once you become a citizen, you are no less American than anyone else. The Constitution does not rank citizens by birthplace. The oath does not contain an asterisk. The law recognizes you fully.

But emotionally, you may still carry awareness of where you began.

You remember the first time you held your green card.
You remember the anxiety before an interview.
You remember the relief of approval.
You remember the pride of naturalization.

And you remember that number.

It follows you not as a scar, but as a reminder.

A reminder that belonging can be earned.
A reminder that citizenship can be chosen.
A reminder that identity can expand.

When I think about the thousands and millions who are still dreaming of that opportunity, I feel gratitude. Gratitude that my family navigated the system properly. Gratitude that I was able to stand in that room and take that oath.

And I feel responsibility.

Responsibility to speak carefully about immigration. Responsibility to teach younger generations what these terms mean. Responsibility to humanize what bureaucracy can sometimes flatten.

Because at the end of the day, an Alien Registration Number is not a creature from outer space.

It is a record of arrival.
It is proof of process.
It is a marker of transition.

And for those who carry it for life, it is a testament to a journey that reshaped everything.

My niece will never have that number. She will move through forms and applications without pausing at the letter A. And that is a privilege I am grateful she has.

But I hope she always remembers the conversation we had; I hope she remembers that some of us began our American story with that letter. I hope she understands that immigration is not abstract. It is personal.

Because somewhere tonight, in another country, someone is filling out paperwork and praying for approval. Someone is hoping to receive that number. Someone is risking everything for the chance to one day hold a certificate that still carries the mark of where they started.

And if they succeed, they too will become lifelong aliens in America.

Citizens. Voters. Workers. Parents. Neighbors.

With a story that began with A.

 EDITOR’S NOTE: Nyan Reynolds is a U.S. Army veteran and published author whose novels and cultural works draw from his Jamaican heritage, military service, and life experiences. His writing blends storytelling, resilience, and heritage to inspire readers.  

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Here’s What Marco Rubio Offered CARICOM Leaders At St. Kitts Summit

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News Americas, BASSETERRE, St. Kitts and Nevis, Weds. Feb. 25, 2026: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio used his appearance at the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government in St. Kitts to signal what he called a “reinvigorated” U.S. focus on the Caribbean and Western Hemisphere.

Speaking at the St. Kitts Marriott Beach Resort, Rubio framed his visit – the first by a U.S. Secretary of State to a CARICOM heads meeting in a decade – as evidence that Washington is prioritizing the region after years of relative neglect.

But beyond the rhetoric of partnership, what exactly did Rubio put on the table?

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio participates in a family photo with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) heads of government in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, February 25, 2026. Rubio is meeting with Caribbean leaders seeking a common line on Venezuela and pressure on Cuba. He’s also addressing President Donald Trump’s priorities, including combating illegal immigration, drug trafficking and regional security. (Photo by Jonathan Ernst / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

Here’s a breakdown.

1. Expanded Security Cooperation

Rubio identified transnational criminal organizations – particularly narcotics trafficking networks – as the most urgent shared threat facing the Caribbean and the United States.

He warned that these groups now possess funding and military-style weaponry that rival the power of some states. He acknowledged that many illegal firearms flowing into the region originate in the U.S. and said Washington is working to curb that pipeline.

Rubio pointed to recent U.S. actions designating violent groups as terrorist organizations and imposing sanctions on individuals who support them, including in Haiti. He also cited the heavily armed drug cartels operating in Mexico as an example of the scale of the threat.

What this means:
The U.S. is signaling deeper law enforcement coordination, intelligence sharing, and security alignment with Caribbean governments.

What was not announced:
No new regional security fund. No specific dollar commitments. No named initiative or timeline.

2. Energy Partnership and Economic Growth

Rubio emphasized energy development as a pathway to prosperity for CARICOM states. He acknowledged that several countries are exploring oil, gas, and renewable energy projects and said the United States wants to be a partner in responsible energy expansion.

“Energy is critical for every economy in order to prosper,” Rubio said, noting that safe and responsible resource development can generate wealth and stability.

He also encouraged efforts to make the region more attractive for U.S. investment, saying American businesses should play a role in Caribbean economic diversification.

What this means:
Washington is encouraging U.S. private-sector engagement in Caribbean energy and infrastructure sectors.

What was not announced:
No new trade agreement. No financing package. No development bank program or grant funding was unveiled.

3. Venezuela Policy Shift

Rubio devoted a significant portion of his remarks to Venezuela, saying the country is “better off today than it was eight weeks ago” following political changes there.

He cited the release of political prisoners, the closure of the Helicoide prison facility, and renewed oil revenues directed toward public services as signs of progress. He confirmed that the U.S. has reopened its embassy in Caracas.

Rubio said Washington’s immediate priority after Nicolás Maduro’s capture was preventing instability, migration flows, and regional spillover violence. He added that fair democratic elections will ultimately be necessary for long-term legitimacy.

He positioned a stable, democratic Venezuela as a potential future energy partner for the Caribbean and a reduced source of regional instability.

4. A “Reinvigorated” Relationship

Rubio stopped short of calling the moment a “reset,” instead describing it as a reinvigoration of longstanding bilateral and regional ties.

“The stronger, safer, more prosperous and more secure that all of your countries are, the stronger, safer and more secure the United States is going to be,” he told leaders.

His central message was clear: U.S. security and prosperity are intertwined with the Caribbean’s.

The Bottom Line

Rubio offered strategic engagement, security alignment, and energy partnership. He signaled sustained diplomatic attention and personal commitment during his tenure.

What he did not offer were concrete funding commitments, new regional programs, or specific economic packages.

For CARICOM leaders marking their 50th regular meeting, the message was one of renewed political attention – with the details of implementation still to come.

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Willie Colón: A Voice For Latinos In America Is No More

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By Madelyn Herrera

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Wed. Feb. 25, 2025: The American-born, Puerto Rico-roots artist Willie Colon, who helped design the sound and swagger of New York, the Caribbean, and Latinos around the world, has died from health complications at age 75. Colón didn’t just break boundaries for a genre that had yet to enter the U.S mainstream; he also championed Hispanic political and social causes.  

Willie Colón performs live during his Idilio Sinfónico concert with Orquesta Filarmonica de Puerto Rico at Coca-Cola Music Hall on August 9, 2025 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Gladys Vega/Getty Images)

His achievements extend far beyond best-selling albums and collaborations with Salsa legends. Colón’s music often carried political messages, but that was just the tip of the iceberg. He didn’t just sing about social issues; he actively engaged with his community, paving the way for many Puerto Ricans and Latinos.

His Awards and Achievements

So influential was his career that he even performed for U.S president Bill Clinton at his inauguration ceremonies in 1993. Over time, his interest in activism grew, leading him to take on leadership roles in various cultural and humanitarian organizations. His music addressed poverty, masculinity, immigration, life in the barrio, and other pressing social issues.

Colón’s journey began at 15, when he was signed to Fania Records, the record label that had other salsa legends like Celia Cruz and Rubén Blades. By 17, he had sold over 300,000 copies of his debut album. He started with a trumpet but later switched to the trombone, creating a sound that reflected the energy of New York. Drawing on styles from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil and Africa, he transformed traditional Cuban music into something that resonated with his Bronx community.

His Activism

His activism first gained national recognition when, in 1995, he became the first minority to serve on the board of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). This milestone opened doors for emerging Latin artists across the U.S, helping them step forward in a historically challenging industry. Colón also served with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, a nonprofit that creates opportunities for Latino students,

In 1989, his song “El Gran Varon” made a significant impact on the LGBTQ community by confronting the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. The song tells the story of Simon, who moves to the U.S, transitions, and eventually dies, presumably of AIDS, neglected by a father who did not accept him. Colón’s advocacy extended beyond music; he served with the Latino Commission on AIDS and the United Nations Immigration Foundation. He used his platform to support those affected by AIDS< as well as the homeless and vulnerable. He broke the silence in the Latin community around LGBTQ issues and the AIDS crisis.

His Legacy

For his contribution to music and activism, Colón received many awards and honors. In 2004, he earned the Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award from the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. In 2015, Billboard Magazine named him one of the 30 most influential Latin artists of all time.

For more than 50 years, Colón has shaped Latin music and inspired generations of artists. His work transformed salsa into a genre that remains vibrant today, infused with Caribbean, African and Latin roots. He will be remembered not only for his groundbreaking music but also for his tireless activism, which paved the way for the Latin music we know today.

Specific funeral arrangements have not been publicly detailed as of press time.

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From The Stage To Strength: Miss Jamaica Universe Recovery Becomes A Story Of Resilience

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News Americas, KINGSTON, Jamaica, Tues. Feb. 26, 2026: Three months after a devastating fall at the Miss Jamaica Universe preliminary competition in Thailand, Miss Universe Jamaica 2025 Gabrielle Alexis Henry is no longer defined by the moment that stunned global audiences. Instead, her journey has evolved into a powerful story of resilience, recovery, and Caribbean strength.

Miss Universe Jamaica Gabrielle Alexis Henry’s recovery continues in hospital in Jamaica, three months later.

Henry suffered a fracture and intracranial hemorrhage after tumbling from the stage during the evening gown segment in November, 2025, forcing her to withdraw from the competition immediately. The incident, captured on international broadcast, left supporters across Jamaica and the Diaspora in shock.

But today, the narrative is shifting.

In a recent Instagram update, Henry shared glimpses of her recovery process – from hospital care to physical rehabilitation – including a photo of herself working steadily on a stationary bike in rehab. Her words reflected determination rather than despair.

“At a time when I wanted only to represent Jamaica at my fullest, I faced the most unexpected injury of my life,” she wrote. “My greatest strength has been in choosing to rise, even while I am still on the journey.”

For many Jamaicans, Henry’s recovery speaks to something deeper than a pageant setback. It mirrors a broader Caribbean ethos – one rooted in endurance, faith, and the quiet resolve to rebuild after unexpected blows.

Her gratitude toward neurosurgeons, neurologists, nurses, and physiotherapists in both Thailand and Jamaica also highlights the cross-border collaboration that often supports Caribbean nationals competing on global stages.

Henry, who is also an ophthalmology resident, has not yet returned to medical practice, according to her legal representatives. For now, her focus remains on healing – physically and emotionally.

In a region that celebrates beauty, culture, and achievement, her comeback story resonates as a reminder that representation is not only about crowns and titles. It is also about courage under pressure.

As she continues her recovery, Henry’s message has become one of restoration and renewal – not simply for herself, but for young Caribbean women who see in her the embodiment of grace beyond glamour.

The fall may have ended her Miss Universe run. But in many ways, it has elevated her into something even more meaningful – a symbol of strength in the face of adversity.

Guyana: A Decade In Review On The 56th Anniversary As A Republic

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 By Ron Cheong

News Americas, TORONTO, Canada, Mon. Feb. 23, 2026: Memories are short in Guyana as elsewhere.  In the daily churn of corruption allegations, political theatrics and partisan outrage, perspective is often the first casualty. But a country on the cusp of historic transformation cannot afford amnesia – especially as another charade unfolds, with the leader of the official opposition trying to block the US government’s extradition request on charges of fraud and gold smuggling.

The New Demerara River Bridge commissioned on Sunday, October 5, 2025 in Guyana. (DPI image)

So even as development is progressing at a whirlwind pace, it is worth pausing deliberately and unsentimentally to look back at the calamity avoided – to examine the past decade and the country’s remarkable comeback. Guyana could have continued along the 2015–2020 trajectory of stagnation, fiscal contraction, stalled growth and political deadlock. Instead, beginning in 2020, the country pivoted aggressively toward expansion, social investment, housing acceleration, infrastructure build-out and unprecedented economic output.

The difference is not rhetorical. It is measurable. 

The Years Of Stagnation And Regression

The coalition government was in power when oil production began in December 2019. The contract was inked on its watch – Guyana entered the petroleum age on its watch.

But even that milestone later revealed a failure of leadership that let down the Guyanese People’s interests.

The administration was resistant and unprepared to answer legitimate public concerns about the oil contract and revenue management. The creation of the Natural Resource Fund was necessary, but its structure left unresolved questions about transparency. When citizens demanded clarity, they received defensiveness.

From 2015 to 2020, when not inert, governance was ineffective.  Infrastructure expansion was modest. Social reform was limited. The controversial closure of sugar estates displaced workers without delivering a credible economic transition plan. Fiscal conservatism may have reflected limited pre-oil revenues, but strategic imagination does not require surplus cash.

Then came the defining failure.

The 2018 no-confidence vote and the protracted 2020 election crisis were not minor political scuffles. They severely tested the country’s democracy.  For five months, Guyana’s reputation teetered. At the exact moment when oil required institutional strength and investor confidence, the country projected instability and constitutional brinkmanship.  The conflict was finally resolved through the intercession of CARICOM countries, including Mia Mottley – Barbados, Ralph Gonsalves -St. Vincent, and Keith Mitchell – Grenada, the US, the UK, the EU and others.

Oil did not destabilize Guyana. Politics nearly did.

By the time the coalition left office, production had begun, but trust had eroded. The country had entered the oil era, but the government was without a plan or a strategic vision.

A Remarkable Recovery

When the current administration returned to office in 2020, it inherited both oil revenues and institutional strain. Unlike its predecessor, it did not hesitate.

From 2022 onward, Guyana recorded the highest GDP growth rates in the world – over 60 percent in one year, above 30 percent in another, and more than 40 percent in 2024. Oil production surged from under 100,000 barrels per day in 2020 to well above 600,000 barrels per day within a few short years.

But numbers alone do not tell the story.

The difference was visible. Roads expanded. Bridges rose. Housing schemes multiplied. Hospitals were commissioned. Pensions increased. Cash transfers were rolled out. Scholarships widened access to education. Public investment moved at a speed that would have seemed implausible during the previous administration.

This was not reticent governance. It was an assertive deployment of government potential.

Critics rightly warn about inflation and procurement oversight.  Oil wealth, if poorly managed, can distort institutions as easily as it builds infrastructure. But even critics concede the obvious: execution under the 2020-2025 administration has been faster, more coordinated, and more ambitious.

The Ali government did not merely preside over oil production. It operationalized it.

Yes, there are thorny issues to deal with on an everyday basis:  There is systemic corruption, the country is caught between a rock and a hard place geopolitically, the coast which is under sea level is even more prone to flooding with climate change, and the country is challenged by the large influx of Venezuelans fleeing their country and elements of associated crime – to name some of the issues.

Also, despite record GDP growth, poverty remains stubbornly high. Entire communities, particularly in rural and hinterland regions, still struggle. Oil has expanded the state’s balance sheet faster than it has equalized opportunity – an indictment of how difficult structural transformation truly is.  But the administration is working on these gritty issues.

Competence Is Not Partisan

Strip away party loyalties and the contrast is stark. The earlier period was marked by:  Historic opportunity met with limited strategic boldness, political instability that shook democratic credibility and Institutional inactivity bordering on paralysis

The latter period has been marked by: Aggressive scaling of production and spending, visible infrastructure transformation and decisive executive action

One government seemed reluctant to move. The other has moved rapidly. History will not treat these periods as equal.

The first government will be remembered for ushering in oil. It will also be remembered for allowing political miscalculation to overshadow that milestone.

The second government will be remembered for converting oil revenue into visible transformation. It will also be judged on whether that transformation becomes sustainable and equitable.  

Learnings That Inform Future Prosperity

Guyana’s first oil decade has revealed something uncomfortable: economic destiny can change faster than political culture.

Oil did not make Guyana great. Governance determined whether oil translated into momentum or mismanagement.

Between inertia and acceleration, the country has seen both the fragility and the force of political power. The lesson of 2015–2025 is that leadership matters. Guyana now stands richer than ever before. The question is no longer whether the country can grow. It is whether its leaders, present and future, can continue to build institutions and govern competently

The 2015-2020 experience and the current political distractions reinforce and make clear that democracy, competence, and people-centered governance are the crucial bedrock for the country’s continued development and prosperity.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Ron Cheong is a frequent political commentator and columnist whose recent work focuses on international relations, economic resilience, and Caribbean-American affairs. He is a community activist and dedicated volunteer with extensive international banking experience. Now residing in Toronto, Canada, he is a fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto.

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EU Blacklist: What It Signals For Caribbean Investment Risk & Capital Access

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News Americas, NY, NY, Sun. Feb. 22, 2026: Last week, the European Union updated its list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes, adding the Turks and Caicos Islands back to on the EU blacklist while removing Trinidad and Tobago. Anguilla and the U.S. Virgin Islands also remain on the EU’s list of jurisdictions that have not fully met agreed international tax standards.

“The Turks and Caicos Islands were included in Annex I of the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes following concerns raised by the OECD forum on harmful tax practices regarding the enforcement of economic substance requirements in the jurisdiction,” the EU said.

“The list is part of the EU’s efforts to promote tax good governance worldwide. It is composed of countries which fail to comply with agreed international tax standards or did not fulfil their commitments on tax good governance within a specific timeframe,” an EU statement said. The other countries on the list are American Samoa, Guam, Palau, Panama, Russia, Vanuatu, and Vietnam.

The changes follow the OECD’s Forum on Harmful Tax Practices (FHTP), assessment, which flagged shortcomings in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ enforcement of its economic substance rules. For regional stakeholders, this update is more than a technical compliance adjustment – it carries real implications for investment risk, capital flow, and cross-border financial activity.

Being on the EU tax blacklist can invite enhanced scrutiny from international banks and investors, who are increasingly cautious about jurisdictional reputational risk and regulatory alignment. Blacklisted territories may face higher due-diligence costs, slower transaction reviews, and, in some cases, restrictions on access to international funds or incentives tied to EU markets. For Caribbean governments, businesses, and investment hubs, the message is clear: global capital allocators are placing greater emphasis on transparency, enforcement, and measurable regulatory compliance as conditions for engagement.

The Turks and Caicos government has acknowledged the listing and stressed that the FHTP findings are centered on technical improvements rather than deliberate non-cooperation. Authorities have already commenced revisions to economic substance reporting tools, expanded enforcement powers for regulators, and strengthened compliance monitoring capacity. These steps signal a proactive intent to align with international standards and protect the jurisdiction’s standing as a credible financial center.

“The Government remains fully committed to meeting and exceeding global regulatory expectations. The identified enhancements form part of a continuous improvement process that demonstrates the jurisdiction’s proactive and cooperative approach to compliance,” a statement said. “The Turks and Caicos Islands values its reputation as a responsible international financial centre and will continue to work constructively with international partners to ensure full alignment with Economic Substance requirements and best regulatory practices.”

For investors and project sponsors active in or entering the Caribbean, this development is a timely reminder to factor regulatory risk into capital planning and due diligence. Jurisdictional assessments – particularly those affecting tax and financial reporting standards – can materially influence financing terms, partner selection, and risk pricing. Entities operating in the region should update compliance frameworks, engage with local regulators on evolving requirements, and consider how policy shifts may affect capital access over the next 12–24 months.

Ultimately, the EU tax update underscores a broader global trend: capital flows are increasingly tied to regulatory certainty and international cooperation. Caribbean markets that adapt swiftly and transparently to these expectations are better positioned to attract long-term institutional investment and reduce the friction that can stall growth capital.

BACKGROUND

The EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes was established in December 2017. It is part of the EU’s external strategy on taxation and aims to contribute to ongoing efforts to promote tax good governance worldwide.

Jurisdictions are assessed based on a set of criteria laid down by the Council. These criteria cover tax transparency, fair taxation and implementation of international standards designed to prevent tax base erosion and profit shifting. The Council updates the list twice a year. The next revision of the list is scheduled for October 2026.

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Beyond Words, Beyond Fear: What Caribbean People Expect From CARICOM In Basseterre

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By Dr. Isaac Newton

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Feb. 20, 2026: How will the Caribbean secure a future where our children, our workers, and our communities thrive within the region instead of seeking opportunity elsewhere? On February 24, 2026, the Fiftieth Regular Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government will convene in Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis. Citizens across the region are seeking commitments that translate into stronger families, resilient economies, and improved daily lives.

In every island, a teacher in Kingston wonders if she can continue educating her students without leaving for employment abroad. A nurse in Bridgetown faces a similar choice. A fisherman in St. Lucia worries that his livelihood will be lost to environmental decline. Immigration systems must provide certainty and fairness. Leaders should implement structured labour mobility agreements, expand professional and student visa pathways, and establish a permanent migration review council that publishes regular reports. Citizens require frameworks they can rely on and opportunities they can plan for with confidence.

Security demands transparency and accountability. Criminal networks exploit maritime corridors and digital systems, leaving small states to bear the social and economic consequences. Cooperation must rest on enforceable protocols and shared responsibility. Investment in coast guard capacity, forensic expertise, and judicial institutions is essential to protect citizens and reinforce governance.

Climate change poses immediate risks to homes, food supply, and water systems across the Caribbean. Hurricanes and rising seas place enormous pressure on national budgets and livelihoods. Governments must secure reliable climate financing, simplify access to concessional funds, and establish joint platforms for renewable energy, resilient water systems, and adaptive agriculture. Engagement with Haiti and Cuba is critical, and any approach involving Venezuela must protect regional stability while preserving sovereignty. Citizenship by Investment programmes must operate under strict oversight and transparency to ensure schools, hospitals, and infrastructure reach communities that need them most.

Economic transformation must be deliberate, measurable, and inclusive. The Orange, Blue, and Green economies present concrete opportunities. A Caribbean Creative Innovation Fund can support cultural enterprises that preserve heritage and generate revenue. A Blue Economy Accelerator can scale sustainable fisheries and maritime technologies. A Green Infrastructure Pact can deploy energy, water, and agricultural systems built for climate resilience. Connecting research institutions, private capital, and local communities ensures that each initiative generates employment, strengthens supply chains, and produces outcomes that are verifiable and lasting.

Integration should empower citizens directly. Mobility for students, entrepreneurs, and creators should be seamless, fostering collaboration, skills development, and knowledge sharing. Caribbean identity can be strengthened through four guiding pillars: peace, public health, paradise, and prosperity. Peace reflects political stability and respect for sovereignty. Public health emphasizes resilient healthcare systems and preparedness for crises. Paradise embodies environmental stewardship, cultural richness, and the beauty of our islands. Prosperity represents innovation, economic opportunity, and inclusive growth. These pillars attract investment, nurture talent, and reinforce cohesion across the region.

Citizens are observing progress carefully. Success will be evident in enforceable policies, implemented projects, and tangible results. Basseterre is an opportunity to demonstrate that the Caribbean can act with precision, implement with focus, and deliver improvements that transform communities.

As Caribbean folklore reminds us, “One hand cannot clap alone, but many hands can lift a mountain.” Meaningful progress requires governments, communities, and citizens to act with purpose, responsibility, and unity.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Isaac Newton is a globally experienced thought leader, Harvard, Princeton, and Columbia-trained strategist, and advocate for social justice and leadership excellence. With over thirty years of experience bridging cultural, economic, and ideological divides, he translates strategy into measurable results. His work spans governance, economic development, and public policy, consistently delivering initiatives that create employment, strengthen institutions, and advance sustainable growth across the Caribbean.

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Antigua’s Sir ‘Red’ Robin: Fifty Years of Leadership, Vision And Unmistakable Trust

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By Dr. Isaac Newton

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Feb. 20, 2026: Few public officials anywhere in the world and the Caribbean hold the trust, respect, and admiration of their people for fifty years. Fewer still do so without pursuing it as a personal goal. Antigua & Barbuda’s Sir Robin Yearwood achieved this quietly, shaping a legacy built on purpose and service rather than recognition.

Sir Robin Yearwood has resigned as Member of Parliament for St Phillip’s North, Antigua and Barbuda.

I first met Sir Robin during my college and post-university years. For more than thirty years, I watched a man whose leadership was guided by character, informed by conviction, and measured by attention to the lives of those he served. Whether in opposition or government, he acted with intelligence, courage, and attentiveness. He encountered challenges that might unsettle most, yet he faced them with calm deliberation, careful judgment, and firm  responsibility.

Sir Robin was more than a politician. He was a mentor, a guide, and a steady presence in his community. I remember his words, spoken in his own dialect with clear, deliberate force: “Dr Newton, always care for the people. Do not let them unsettle you. Never be so distant in principle that you cannot connect with them or serve them.”

He lived by these words. His home welcomed everyone. He attended funerals, graduations, weddings, and baby christenings without distinction. He stood as godfather to children of every faith and shared in both the successes and struggles of his constituents. His presence offered calm and reassurance. He turned leadership into a space where authority met humanity.

Sir Robin’s life offers three lessons for those who seek to lead.

The first is to lead with both heart and mind. Leadership is measured in presence, in listening, and in responding with thoughtfulness. Sir Robin built trust not only through speeches and initiatives but through relationships and deliberate acts that made people feel acknowledged, supported, and understood.

The second is to serve with integrity rather than ambition. His fifty years of service were never an exercise in titles or prestige. They showed that influence arises from steady commitment and moral clarity. Leaders who act from principle leave a mark far beyond the transient rhythms of politics.

The third is to remain grounded while anticipating the future. Sir Robin nurtured the soil of his own community while shaping the broader landscape of his nation. From supporting agriculture and animal husbandry to introducing innovations such as free incoming calls on APUA cell service, he combined careful stewardship with vision that embraced possibility. Leadership requires this balance between tending to what exists and guiding what can be.

Throughout his career, Sir Robin embodied strength and subtlety in equal measure. He was expansive in understanding, deliberate in manner, resolute in conviction, patient in approach, fearless in pursuit, generous in spirit, and discerning in judgment. His humor, humility, and faith deepened his leadership, making it both effective and human.

Fifty years of public service, countless offices held, initiatives advanced, and lives affected. Yet Sir Robin remains, first and foremost, a man connected to the people he serves. His legacy endures far beyond power and position. He constructed a life in which leadership and humanity were inseparable.

Those who aspire to lead can learn from him that service demands attention, that authority requires integrity, and that enduring impact requires navigating the needs of today while shaping the possibilities of tomorrow. Sir Robin Yearwood has shown that the measure of leadership is both in recognition and in the depth of transformation it brings to others.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr Isaac Newton is a globally experienced thought leader, Harvard, Princeton, and Columbia trained strategist, and advocate for social justice and leadership excellence. With over thirty years of experience bridging cultural, economic, and ideological divides, he brings a nuanced perspective to complex issues shaping global and regional landscapes.

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The Cuban Revolution Holds Out Against US Imperialism

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By Vijay Prashad

News Americas, WASHINGTON, D.C., Thurs. Feb. 19, 2026: In January 2026, US President Donald Trump declared Cuba to be an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to US security – a designation that allows the United States government to use sweeping economic restrictions traditionally reserved for national security adversaries. The US blockade against Cuba began in the 1960s, right after the Cuban Revolution of 1959, but has tightened over the years. Without any mandate from the United Nations Security Council, which permits sanctions under strict conditions, the United States has operated an illegal, unilateral blockade that tries to force countries from around the world to stop doing basic commerce with Cuba. The new restrictions focus on oil. The United States government has threatened tariffs and sanctions on any country that sells or transports oil to Cuba.

Members of the Association of Cuban Residents in Mexico A.C. “Jose Marti” prepare humanitarian aid in front of posters of Argentineborn Cuban revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara and Cuban leader Fidel Castro at a collection center set up in Plaza El Zocalo in Mexico City on February 17, 2026, as part of a collection campaign in solidarity with Cuba. (Photo by Yuri CORTEZ / AFP via Getty Images)

On 3 January, the United States attacked Venezuela and kidnapped President Nicolás Maduro Moros and National Assembly deputy Cillia Flores. As 150 US military aircraft sat above Caracas, the United States informed the Venezuelan government that if they did not concede to a list of demands, the US would essentially convert downtown Caracas to Gaza City. The remainder of the government, with no leverage in the conversation, had to effectively make a tactical compromise and accept the US demands. One of these demands was that Venezuela cease to export oil to Cuba. In 2025, Venezuela contributed about 34 percent of Cuba’s total oil demand. With Venezuelan oil out of the picture in the short run, Cuba already anticipated a serious problem.

But this was not all. Mexico supplied 44 percent of Cuba’s imported crude oil in 2025. Pressure now mounted from Washington on Mexico City to cease its oil exports to Cuba, which would then mean that almost 80 percent of Cuba’s oil imports would disappear. In a phone call between Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum and Trump, he claimed that he told her to stop selling oil to Cuba, but she denied that, saying that the two presidents only talked in broad terms about US-Mexico relations. Either way, the pressure on Mexico to stop its oil shipments has been considerable. Sheinbaum has stressed that Mexico must be permitted to make sovereign decisions and that the Mexican people will not buckle under US pressure. Cutting fuel to Cuba would cause a humanitarian crisis, so Sheinbaum said her government would not accept the Trump demand.

Trump’s savage policy has effectively cut off much of Cuba’s oil imports, which has created a major energy crisis on the island of eleven million people. There are rolling blackouts, fuel shortages for hospitals, water systems, and transportation, and rationing of electricity. Due to the lack of aviation fuel, several commercial airlines – such as Air Canada – have stopped their flights to Havana.

The United Nations has warned that the US pressure campaign – especially the policy to target fuel – threatens Cuba’s food and water supplies, hospitals, schools, and basic services. UN officials, including the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Cuba, have condemned the US tightening of the blockade as a measure that directly harms ordinary citizens. They pointed out that restrictions make it harder for hospitals to obtain essential medicines, dialysis clinics to operate, and medical equipment to reach patients, worsening the health crisis on the island. The Special Rapporteur described the policy as “punitive and disproportionate,” emphasizing that it violates international law and deepens socio-economic hardships. The UN has urged the United States to lift sanctions and prioritize humanitarian exemptions, stressing that dialogue and cooperation—not coercive measures—are necessary to protect Cuban lives and human rights.

A group of United Nations human rights experts condemned Trump’s executive order as a “serious violation of international law” and “a grave threat to a democratic and equitable international order.” They argued that Trump’s order seeks to coerce Cuba and third states by threatening trade sanctions, and that such extraterritorial economic measures risk causing severe humanitarian consequences. Their statement made it clear that no right under international law permits a State to impose economic penalties on third States for lawful trade relations, and they called on the Trump administration to rescind the illegal order. The UN General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly against the blockade every year since 1992, often with only the US and Israel opposed.

The Blockade by the US has had a grave impact on Cuba’s development paradigm. Since the start of the Blockade over sixty years ago, the US has cost Cuba $171 billion or if adjusted for the price of gold, $2.10 trillion. Between March 2024 and February 2025, the Cuban government estimates that the Blockade caused about $7.5 billion in damages, a 49 percent increase since the previous period. If you take the $171 billion number, the Cuban people lose $20.7 million per day or $862,568 per hour. These losses are grievous for a small country that attempts to build a rational society rooted in socialist values.

Response from Havana

Cuba’s President Miguel Díaz-Canel has strongly condemned the tightened US measures as an ‘economic war’ and has argued that the US policy is designed to weaken Cuba’s sovereignty. The government calls this an “energy blockade” and emphasises that the shortages on the island are a direct result of US coercive policies. In reaction, the Cuban Revolution has implemented emergency plans, including fuel rationing to prioritise essential services such as hospitals, water systems, and public transportation. Cuba has also announced state directives to manage diminished energy supplies, including shifts toward alternative and renewable energy sources where feasible. The Chinese government has donated equipment for large-scale solar parks to be built in Artemisa, Granma, Guantánamo, Holguín, Las Tunas, and Pinar del Río. In the long-term, China will assist Cuba to build 92 solar farms to add 2,000 megawatts of solar capacity. To assist households in remote areas, the Chinese government has sent 5,000 solar kits for rooftop energy harvesting. Fuel from Mexico and Russia, as well as other countries is now on the way to Cuba. Trump’s policy of isolation has not fully succeeded.

The Cuban government said it is in touch with Washington but has not yet held direct high-level talks. President Díaz-Canel has said that his government would speak to the United States but only under three important conditions. First, that the dialogue will be respectful, serious, and without pressure or preconditions. Second, the dialogue must respect Cuba’s sovereignty, independence, and political system. And finally, the Cuban government is unwilling to negotiate the Cuban Constitution (recently revised in 2019) or Cuba’s commitment to socialism. If the United States insists on a discussion on any of these three issues, there will be no dialogue. The Cuban Revolution’s defiance on these issues is rooted in its history, since the Revolution itself was an act of defiance against the US claim to control the Western Hemisphere through the 1823 Monroe Doctrine (now renewed by Trump in 2025 with his Corollary). This defiance has been contagious, building a Latin American resistance to US imperialism from the 1960s to the present – including at the heart of the Bolivarian process in Venezuela.

The Angry Tide

Latin America is going through a rapid and dangerous transformation. Country after country – from Argentina to El Salvador – have elected to power political formations from the Far Right of a Special Type. These are leaders who have committed themselves to strong conservative social values (rooted in the growth of reactionary Evangelical Christianity across the Americas), to a ruthless attack on the poor through a war on crime (shaped by a theory that calls for the arrest of any potential criminals and their incarceration, a policy pioneered by El Salvador’s Nabil Bukele), and by a sharply turn toward Western Civilisation that includes an orientation towards the United States and against China (this sentiment oscillates from a celebration of Western culture to a hatred of communism). The emergence of the Far Right of a Special Type appears as if it will be in charge for a generation if it can erase the left from power in Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (in Brazil, this Right has already taken charge of the legislature).

The parallel attacks on Venezuela and Cuba are part of the United States’s contribution to this rise of the Angry Tide across the Americas. Trump and his cronies would like to install their kind of leaders – such as Javier Milei – across the Americas as part of the Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. It is this that revives the idea of sovereignty in the Americas. When the Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny ended his performance at the US Super Bowl with a celebration of all the countries in the Americas, and when he named each of them, that gesture was itself part of the battle over the idea of sovereignty.

The Cuban Revolution holds out against US imperialism, but under great pressure. Solidarity with Cuba is for the Cuban people, for the Cuban Revolution, for the reality of sovereignty across the Americas, and for the idea of socialism in the world. This is now the frontline of the fight against imperialism.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Vijay Prashad is an Indian historian and journalist. He is the author of forty books, including Washington Bullets, Red Star Over the Third World, The Darker Nations: A People’s History of the Third World, The Poorer Nations: A Possible History of the Global South, and How the International Monetary Fund Suffocates Africa, written with Grieve Chelwa. He is the executive director of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research, the chief correspondent for Globetrotter, and the chief editor of LeftWord Books (New Delhi). He also appeared in the films Shadow World (2016) and Two Meetings (2017).

SOURCE: Globetrotter