The Top 10 Caribbean Passports For 2026

/0 Comments/in /by

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Jan. 8, 2026: As global mobility becomes a strategic asset for investors, business leaders, and internationally mobile professionals, some Caribbean passports remain standout performers – offering a mix of travel access, tax efficiency, dual citizenship options, and personal freedom. The 2026 Nomad Passport Index (NPI), released this week by global citizenship consultancy Nomad Capitalist, ranks 199 citizenships using five weighted factors that go beyond visa-free travel to include taxation, global perception, dual citizenship acceptance and personal freedom.

While European and Middle Eastern jurisdictions dominate the global top 10 globally, with Malta in first place, followed by Greece, Ireland, and Romania near the top — several Caribbean nations continue to represent valuable passport options for those seeking international flexibility and economic opportunity.

Top 10 Caribbean Passport Rankings (2026)

Nomad Capitalist does not publish a dedicated Caribbean subset, but based on their overall 199-country index and broader passport strength data, Caribbean passports typically score solidly when evaluated alongside global benchmarks. Here’s the approximate ranking of Caribbean passports based on their relative strengths within the index and other global passport indices:

Caribbean PassportGlobal Mobility Rank (Visa-free) – Nomad CapitalistBarbados1st regionally (45th globally)St. Kitts and Nevis2nd (50th globally)Bahamas3rd (52nd globally)Saint Vincent & Grenadines4th (55th globally)Trinidad & Tobago4th (58th globally)Antigua & Barbuda5th (60th)Grenada6th (62nd globally)Saint Lucia7th (64th globally)Dominica8th (69th globally)Belize and Jamaica9th (101st globally)Guyana 10th (104th globally)

Caribbean passports have never featured in the global top 10 but their relative strength globally remains notable because:

Caribbean nations do not tax citizens on worldwide income, unlike the U.S., boosting tax efficiency scores.

Many Caribbean islands permit dual citizenship, making them attractive for global citizens.

Several, such as St. Kitts & Nevis, Dominica, Antigua & Barbuda and Grenada, offer Citizenship-By-Investment, (CBI), programs that rank well in investor criteria.

Why Caribbean Passports Matter More Than Ever

As geopolitical uncertainty grows, passports from small but strategic nations — especially Caribbean states with established CBI programs — offer more than travel perks. They are tools for wealth protection, lifestyle diversification, and global business access, particularly for entrepreneurs and investors seeking options beyond traditional Western powers.

The Caribbean’s growing role in the global mobility landscape reflects its synergy of tax-friendly citizenship frameworks, visa flexibility, and strong diaspora networks, making its passports a valuable consideration in the modern era of global citizenship planning.

Over the last 10 years, Anglo-Saxon giants like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia never broke into the elite tier, remaining above average but failing to finish in the top five. The U.S. is currently stuck in 43rd under the weight of citizenship‑based taxation, while the U.K. has slipped to 35th as its non‑domicile regime has disappeared.

Investors and entrepreneurs are more likely to consider the United Arab Emirates and core European Union passports – headlined by Malta this year. The decade ends with a clear “barbell” strategy, as global citizens pair blue‑chip lifestyle passports with one or more efficiency passports or residencies, rather than chasing a single perfect passport.

The NPI was designed to educate aspiring global citizens about the true value of the world’s citizenships. While most indices – and most people – think of a passport only in terms of travel privileges, Nomad Capitalist recognizes that citizens of different countries deal with various requirements to pay taxes, comply with regulations, live freely, and avoid scrutiny when traveling. The NPI speaks to those seeking personal freedom and financial prosperity in a changing world by more deeply analyzing the true value of each passport.

Founded by Andrew Henderson, the original “Nomad Capitalist,” the boutique consulting firm supports over 150 high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals each year, primarily from the United States. Since 2012, Nomad Capitalist has guided more than 1,500 clients – including numerous celebrities – from over 100 countries in obtaining second passports and citizenships, strategically relocating and building offshore wealth, and exploring pathways to legally reduce their tax burdens. 

“Over the last decade, the Nomad Passport Index has empowered the world’s entrepreneurs and investors with the best possible information, so they can find the best possible passports for global citizenship,” said Khatia Gelbakhiani, Chief Growth Officer at Nomad Capitalist. “In 2026, Malta catapulted to the top of the list because of its favorable tax climate, dual citizenship offerings, and robust civil liberties. Year after year, it has become clear that Western countries like the United States and the United Kingdom are lagging behind, as global citizens pursue the barbell strategy and weigh a wide range of attractive alternatives like Malta. Our research shows that holding multiple citizenships and residencies is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity for success in the modern world. The most successful global citizens will go where they are treated best, and Nomad Capitalist will continue to support them every step of the way.”

RELATED: Best Caribbean Passports – 2025

What The U.S.’ 2025 Narco Report Said About Drug Trafficking In The Caribbean

/0 Comments/in /by

News Americas, NY, NY: The United States has killed more than 115 people in boats across the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean by blowing up vessels it identified as carrying drug traffickers. This comes as the United States’ 2025 Narco Report – International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, (INCSR), identified the Caribbean as a central transshipment corridor for drug trafficking in the movement of cocaine from Venezuela to North America – underscoring the region’s growing strategic importance in global narcotics trafficking networks.

A US Air Force F22-Raptor takes off from José Aponte de la Torre Airport, formerly Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, on January 4, 2026. US President Donald Trump threatened Sunday that Venezuela’s new leader will pay a “big price” if she does not cooperate with the United States, after US forces seized and jailed her former boss Nicolas Maduro. If interim president Delcy Rodriguez “doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro,” Trump told The Atlantic in a telephone interview. (Photo by Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo / AFP via Getty Images)

According to the report, cocaine shipments originating in Colombia and Venezuela are routinely moved through Caribbean airspace and territorial waters using go-fast boats, fishing vessels, container ships, and clandestine aircraft before reaching the United States or onward markets in Europe. The Bahamas, Belize, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica were all named as major illicit drug producing and/or drug-transit countries in the Caribbean.

The INCSR warned that trafficking through the Caribbean is sustained not only by geography, but by systemic corruption and weak institutional controls in key transit zones. Traffickers, the report states, often rely on local political protection, compromised security services, and limited enforcement capacity to move drugs with minimal interference.

Of particular relevance amid heightened regional political scrutiny, the report notes that corruption linked to narcotics trafficking frequently extends into political structures along major trafficking routes. While the report does not name Caribbean officials, it explicitly states that cocaine traffickers pay politicians and officials for protection from arrest and operational freedom – allowing drugs to transit the region with impunity.

The Caribbean’s role is described as logistical rather than production-based, but no less critical. Traffickers use the region for storage, repackaging, refueling, and redistribution, increasing cocaine’s value at each stage before it reaches U.S. markets, where demand and prices are highest.

“The Dominican Republic (DR) serves as a transit point for South American cocaine moving through the Caribbean to the United States and Europe,” the report said. “Traffickers rely on direct maritime routes from the Venezuelan and Colombian coasts, using “go-fast” boats to reach remote areas off the DR’s southern coast.”

Additionally, the US report said “D”drug trafficking in the six island nations of the Dutch Caribbean varies in scope.”

“However, the overall area remains significant due to its location as an international drug transshipment point,” the report added.

“Sint Maarten is in the Eastern Caribbean and is a transshipment hub for cocaine and marijuana transiting onward to Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Europe,” the 2025 report stated. “Cocaine and marijuana are primarily transported via different maritime vessels for transshipment to the U.S., other Caribbean islands, Africa, and Europe. In addition, traffickers routinely stage smaller airplanes on the islands for drug runs to Venezuela and Colombia.”

The US said that drugs, “after traveling to cocaine production countries, the aircraft normally fly onward to Central America, Guyana, Suriname, or other Caribbean destinations including the U.S. Virgin Islands and The Bahamas.”

“In addition, all major islands reported maritime vessels of varying sizes involved in the smuggling of narcotics originating from Venezuela with ultimate destination to the United States or Europe,” the report’s authors said. “This open cooperation ultimately allows the United States to deploy enforcement resources more effectively throughout the region to prevent the flow of drugs into the United States.”

On Haiti, the report said “Haiti remains a transit point for cocaine from South American and marijuana from Jamaica en route to the United States,” but noted that “lLocal drug production is minimal, primarily consisting of cannabis cultivation for domestic consumption.”

Focusing on Jamaica, the report said “Jamaica is both a significant producer of illicit drugs and a key transit country for narcotics destined for North America and Europe.”

“Jamaica is the Caribbean’s largest producer of cannabis, which is cultivated in its expansive rural areas,” the report said. “The country is strategically located for cocaine transshipment between South America, especially Colombia, and the United States. Jamaican criminal networks are often linked to transnational organized crime and facilitate drug trafficking via air and maritime routes. Marijuana is widely consumed in Jamaica and the use of psychoactive drugs, such as MDMA, is increasing. Psilocybin is largely unregulated, and a growing commercial industry promotes its use.”

The report also highlighted growing security risks associated with trafficking, including the spillover of organized crime, firearms, money laundering, and gang activity into Caribbean societies. These pressures strain already limited law-enforcement resources and threaten economic stability – particularly in tourism-dependent states.

In addition, the INCSR pointed to increasing use of maritime routes across the southern and eastern Caribbean, including areas bordering Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname. These routes are often harder to monitor and exploit gaps in radar coverage, aerial surveillance, and coast-guard capacity.

While some Caribbean governments cooperate closely with U.S. and regional partners, the report emphasized that uneven enforcement and political sensitivity continue to undermine collective responses. Traffickers, it notes, adapt quickly, rerouting shipments through jurisdictions perceived as less vigilant.

The findings arrive at a moment of intensified regional attention following U.S. indictments tied to Venezuela’s leadership. Those charges have fueled public debate and speculation across the Caribbean and the Diaspora about political exposure along trafficking routes referenced- but not named – in U.S. court filings.

The indictment alleges that politicians operating along what prosecutors describe as a “Caribbean route” were corrupted by cocaine traffickers, accepting payments in exchange for protection from arrest and allowing favored traffickers to operate with impunity as cocaine moved north from Venezuela toward the United States.

While no Caribbean officials are named in the documents, the reference has sparked widespread discussion on social media and in political circles across the region.

Ultimately, the INCSR calls for stronger regional coordination, intelligence-sharing, and institutional reform, warning that without sustained action, the Caribbean risks becoming further entrenched as a strategic bridge in the global cocaine trade.

As U.S. enforcement and scrutiny intensify, the report makes clear that the Caribbean’s role – whether through vulnerability, governance gaps, or corruption – remains central to the hemisphere’s narcotics challenge.

RELATED: Speculation Rife Over Identity Of Caribbean Politicians Named in U.S. Maduro Indictment

Lifetime Achievement Honors For Mr. Vegas, Sly Dunbar and Leroy Sibbles At Reggae Genealogy

/0 Comments/in /by

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. Jan. 7, 2025: Three pillars of Jamaican music – Mr. Vegas, Sly Dunbar and Leroy Sibbles – will receive Lifetime Achievement Awards at Reggae Genealogy® 2026, presented by Island SPACE Caribbean Museum, on Saturday, February 7, in Plantation, Florida.

Island SPACE Caribbean Museum celebrates reggae legends with Lifetime Achievement Awards during its high-impact, multimedia kickoff to Reggae Month on February 7

The annual event, which officially kicks off Reggae Month in South Florida, returns with its most ambitious production to date under the theme “Lights. Camera. Reggae.” Organizers expect more than 3,000 attendees for the large-scale outdoor showcase at Volunteer Park, celebrating reggae’s enduring influence across music, film, television and global pop culture.

The 2026 edition blends live performance, visual storytelling and cultural dialogue, spotlighting reggae’s evolution from Jamaica to the world. The festival is supported by the City of Plantation, Broward County Cultural Division, Florida Power & Light, Grace Foods, and Inner Circle/Bigg Zound.

Three Icons, One Legacy Moment

Mr. Vegas, one of dancehall’s most globally recognized voices, broke through internationally in the late 1990s with hits including “Heads High” and “Nike Air.” Known for his high-energy performances and genre-blending catalog, the MOBO Award winner has maintained chart presence and worldwide touring appeal for nearly three decades.

Sly Dunbar, the legendary drummer and producer behind Sly & Robbie, is among the most influential figures in reggae history. With credits spanning Bob Marley, Junior Murvin, Grace Jones and beyond, Dunbar’s innovations helped define reggae, rocksteady and dancehall rhythms. He is a two-time Grammy Award winner and one of the most recorded drummers in the genre.

Leroy Sibbles, lead singer and bassist of The Heptones, was instrumental in shaping the sound of Studio One during reggae’s formative years. In addition to voicing classics like “Book of Rules” and “Party Time,” Sibbles created foundational basslines that became enduring riddims, influencing generations of artists and producers.

Performance-Driven Celebration

The event opens with a tribute to reggae and film icon Jimmy Cliff, followed by performances from Tifa, Phil Watkis, Roy G and Bobby Rose, backed by Code Red Band. Jamaican actress Audrey Reid (Dancehall Queen) will host the main stage, with music by Bigg G and DJ King Mega and pre-show hosting by Frank!e Red.

Additional programming includes a fireside chat with Leroy Sibbles, Caribbean food vendors, artisan marketplaces, a children’s activity zone and a corporate networking circle.

Gates open at 4 p.m., with the main program beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets are on sale at reggaegenealogy.org/tickets, priced at $30 for general admission, $80 for VIP, and $10 for children.

Extradition Case Against Azruddin Mohamed, Dad Advances Despite Defense Appeal

/0 Comments/in /by

News Americas, Georgetown, Guyana, Jan. 6, 2026: Extradition proceedings against Guyanese businessman Nazar Mohamed and his son, political leader of the WIN party and presumed Guyana opposition leader, Azruddin Mohamed, advanced on today after a Georgetown magistrate declined to suspend the matter, despite the defence filing an appeal to the Full Court.

Presiding at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman ruled that there was no legal basis to pause the committal proceedings, noting that no stay had been granted by a superior court. She subsequently directed the prosecution to begin presenting its case.

Earlier in the proceedings, defence attorneys served the court with a Notice of Appeal challenging a recent High Court ruling by Acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh, which refused an application to halt the extradition process. The defence argued that the magistrate’s court proceedings should be suspended pending the determination of constitutional issues raised in their challenge to Guyana’s extradition framework.

Magistrate Latchman, however, maintained that until a stay is formally ordered by the Full Court or another superior tribunal, the committal hearing must continue. In the absence of such an order, she ruled, the court was legally obliged to proceed.

As the case moves into the evidentiary phase, the prosecution is expected to call its first witness, Sharon Roopchand, Permanent Secretary at Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The ruling followed submissions from the prosecution, led by King’s Counsel Terrence Williams, who argued that the mere filing of an appeal does not automatically suspend ongoing extradition proceedings. The magistrate accepted that position.

The extradition request was initiated by United States authorities, who are seeking the surrender of Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed in connection with federal criminal charges filed in the Southern District of Florida. The allegations relate to purported financial crimes linked to gold exports, including fraud and money laundering offences.

The matter is being heard under Guyana’s Fugitive Offenders Act and an existing extradition treaty between Guyana and the United States. Since late 2025, the defence has pursued multiple legal avenues aimed at delaying or stopping the extradition process, including constitutional litigation.

On Monday, Acting Chief Justice Singh dismissed the application for a stay, clearing the way for proceedings to continue in the magistrates’ court. Although the defence has since appealed that ruling, no order has been issued suspending the extradition hearing.

Both Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed remain on bail, subject to court-imposed conditions, as the committal proceedings continue.

RELATED: Guyana High Court Rejects Bid To Halt Extradition Proceedings Against Nazar And Azruddin

Venezuela’s Crisis Is A Warning: When Ideology Replaces Governance, Nations Fail

/0 Comments/in /by

By Keith Bernard

News Americas, NY, NY: Venezuela stands as the clearest warning of what happens when ideology replaces governance. Caught between neoconservative interventionism and neo-Bolivarian defiance, the country has become less a sovereign state than an ideological battlefield – one its people did not choose.

Hundreds of protesters turned out at the Hands Off Venezuela demonstration in response to the United States of America’s actions in Venezuela on the 5th of January 2026, London, United Kingdom. The US attacked Venezuela on the 3rd of January and captured President Maduro and his wife Celia Flores in a highly controversial military action, which critics have suggested is illegal and in breach of international conventions. (photo by Kristian Buus/In Pictures via Getty Images)

Neoconservatism, as reflected in U.S. policy toward Venezuela, rests on the belief that economic pressure and diplomatic isolation can force democratic change. Years of sanctions and international pressure, however, have failed to dislodge the ruling elite. Instead, they have deepened economic collapse, fueled mass migration, and hardened authoritarian rule. Leverage became punishment, with ordinary Venezuelans paying the price.

The neo-Bolivarian movement, born under Hugo Chávez and sustained by Nicolás Maduro, presented itself as an anti-imperial alternative—one promising sovereignty, equality, and social justice. In practice, it centralized power, dismantled institutions, and reduced accountability. Oil wealth masked mismanagement until it vanished, leaving scarcity, corruption, and repression in its wake. Revolutionary rhetoric became a substitute for policy.

Venezuela exposes the shared flaw of both doctrines. Neo-conservatism assumes coercion produces reform. Neo-Bolivarianism assumes ideology can replace institutions. Both are wrong.

The fallout is regional. Millions of Venezuelans have fled, straining neighbors across Latin America and the Caribbean. Trade has suffered, diplomacy has stalled, and external powers have filled the vacuum left by ideological deadlock.

The lesson is not about choosing the “right” ideology. It is about rejecting ideological certainty altogether. Sustainable democracy is built on credible institutions, economic diversification, political pluralism, and pragmatic engagement—not sanctions alone, and not slogans wrapped in sovereignty.

Venezuela’s crisis is not inevitable. But its warning is unmistakable: when ideology becomes destiny, nations fail – and citizens pay the cost.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Keith Bernard is a Guyanese-born, NYC-based analyst and a frequent contributor to News Americas. 

RELATED: Is Trinidad And Tobago Showing Signs Of A Failing State?

Better Jobs, Not Just More Visitors, Will Shape The Future Of Caribbean Tourism – World Bank

/0 Comments/in /by

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY: For decades, tourism has been the Caribbean’s most powerful economic engine, driving foreign exchange earnings, employment, and growth across the region. But new analysis suggests that the sector’s future success of Caribbean tourism will depend less on rising visitor arrivals and more on a fundamental shift in the quality of jobs it creates.

According to research and analysis from the World Bank, tourism’s role in the Caribbean economy is undeniable. The sector contributes a significant share of regional GDP and supports millions of jobs, making it one of the largest sources of employment across island and coastal economies. Tourism also plays an outsized role in employing women and young people, often serving as the first point of entry into the labor market.

Yet, despite its scale and importance, tourism has struggled to consistently deliver stable, high-quality employment that allows workers to build long-term economic security.

The Job Quality Gap

While tourism creates jobs at a faster pace than many other sectors, those jobs are often characterized by seasonal contracts, income volatility, and limited career progression. As a result, workers may remain economically vulnerable even when employment levels are high.

World Bank analysis examining tourism employment in select Caribbean countries shows that tourism jobs generally outperform those in primary sectors such as agriculture, but often fall short of the quality found in manufacturing and other service industries. In practical terms, this means that tourism workers may have access to benefits and acceptable working conditions, but face weaker job stability and fewer opportunities to advance.

This instability is not evenly distributed. Young workers frequently hold entry-level tourism jobs that offer experience but little security, while women – who make up a majority of the sector’s workforce – continue to face persistent gaps in earnings and job quality. Rural communities and resort-adjacent areas also tend to see lower-quality tourism employment than urban centers, reinforcing geographic inequality.

Lessons From the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the structural weaknesses of tourism-led growth. Border closures and travel restrictions triggered widespread job losses across the Caribbean, leaving hundreds of thousands of workers without income almost overnight. The crisis underscored how heavily tourism jobs depend on global conditions beyond the region’s control.

For policymakers and investors, the lesson was clear: tourism growth that is not paired with workforce resilience can quickly unravel in the face of external shocks.

As the region recovers, the focus is shifting from how many visitors arrive to how tourism revenues are distributed – and whether workers can rely on tourism jobs to support households during both good times and bad.

Rethinking Tourism As A Business Strategy

From a business and economic development perspective, improving job quality in tourism is increasingly seen as a competitiveness issue. Destinations that offer better-trained, more stable workforces are better positioned to deliver higher-quality visitor experiences, adopt digital tools, and pivot toward sustainable tourism models.

The World Bank points to several policy and market-oriented approaches that could help tourism generate better jobs. These include encouraging formal employment through simplified regulations and targeted incentives, expanding vocational and skills-based training aligned with digital and sustainable tourism trends, and strengthening enforcement of labor standards.

Equally important is building stronger linkages between tourism and the wider economy. When hotels, restaurants, and tour operators source more goods and services locally – from farmers and fishers to creatives and service providers—the economic benefits of tourism spread more broadly, supporting jobs beyond the hospitality sector itself.

A Turning Point For Caribbean Tourism

The Caribbean’s natural beauty, cultural assets, and proximity to major markets ensure that tourism will remain central to the region’s economic future. But the World Bank’s findings suggest that the next phase of growth will be defined not by volume alone, but by value – particularly the value created for workers.

For governments, businesses, and investors, the message is increasingly clear: tourism that delivers better jobs is more resilient, more inclusive, and better positioned to support long-term development.

As Caribbean nations rethink their tourism strategies, prioritizing job quality may prove to be the most important investment of all – one that strengthens both the industry and the communities that sustain it.

Guyana High Court Rejects Bid To Halt Extradition Proceedings Against Nazar And Azruddin Mohamed

/0 Comments/in /by

News Americas, Georgetown, Guyana, Jan. 6, 2026: Guyana’s High Court has refused an application by businessmen Nazar Mohamed and his son, leader of the WIN, political party and presumed opposition leader, Azruddin Mohamed, to halt ongoing extradition proceedings in the Magistrate’s Court while their constitutional challenge to the country’s extradition laws is determined.

FLASHBACK – Azruddin Mohamed stands with his lawyers outside the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court during his ongoing US extradition proceedings.

In a ruling delivered today, Acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh, found that the applicants failed to satisfy the high legal threshold required for an interim stay of the committal proceedings, which are currently before Judy Latchman. The extradition hearings are set to continue on Tuesday.

The extradition request was initiated by the United States Government under the 1931 Extradition Treaty between the United States of America and Great Britain. Following an Authority to Proceed issued by Guyana’s Minister of Home Affairs, the Mohameds were arrested on October 31, 2025, and later released on bail pending the outcome of the committal proceedings.

Before the Magistrate’s Court, the applicants challenged the constitutionality of the Fugitive Offenders (Amendment) Act 2009 and sought a referral of constitutional questions to the High Court. That application was rejected by Magistrate Latchman, who ruled that the issues raised were frivolous and vexatious. The Mohameds subsequently filed a Fixed Date Application in the High Court and requested a stay of the extradition process.

In refusing the stay, Chief Justice Singh stressed that the filing of constitutional proceedings does not automatically suspend parallel statutory processes. He noted that stays in extradition matters are “exceptional, not routine,” and outlined three guiding considerations: whether the constitutional challenge raises serious and arguable issues, whether irreparable prejudice would result if proceedings continue, and where the balance of convenience lies between private rights and the public interest.

Addressing the applicants’ arguments, the Court rejected claims that the 2009 amendments unlawfully permit the Minister to bypass judicial oversight. The Chief Justice ruled that the legislation allows the Minister only to determine whether extradition proceedings should commence, while the courts retain full authority over committal hearings. He found no evidence that the Minister had attempted to circumvent judicial scrutiny in this case.

The Court also dismissed arguments that the amendments improperly cure alleged deficiencies in the 1931 treaty, including the absence of an express safeguard against onward extradition to a third state. Chief Justice Singh observed that such protection may exist by implication within the treaty and, in any event, noted that the United States has provided written assurances that the Mohameds would not be extradited to a third country without Guyana’s consent.

On claims relating to access to justice, the Chief Justice found no merit in the contention that the amendments restrict judicial remedies. He pointed out that safeguards such as habeas corpus remain available should the applicants be committed for extradition.

The Court further held that no irreparable harm would arise from allowing the committal proceedings to continue, noting that extradition hearings are preliminary in nature and do not determine guilt or innocence. Chief Justice Singh emphasized that no surrender order is imminent and that the substantive constitutional challenge is scheduled to be heard next week.

Balancing the competing interests, the Chief Justice concluded that the public interest in upholding Guyana’s international obligations and preventing abuse of constitutional litigation outweighed the applicants’ request for interim relief. He cautioned that routinely granting stays in extradition cases could undermine confidence in the administration of justice.

The application for a stay was therefore refused, with costs awarded. The substantive constitutional challenge is scheduled to be heard on January 14, 2026.

Caribbean Remittances By Major Countries: A Lifeline Powering Economies Across The Region

/0 Comments/in /by

By NAN Business Editor

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY: Caribbean remittances remain one of the most powerful – and often overlooked – economic forces shaping the Caribbean today. For millions of families across the region, money sent home by relatives abroad helps pay for food, housing, healthcare, education, and small business survival. At a national level, remittances stabilize economies, boost consumer spending, and act as a buffer during economic shocks.

Windel Pierre, 41, a Haitian cab driver, sends money back to Haiti from Miami, FL. (Photo by Peter Whoriskey /The Washington Post via Getty Images)

According to regional estimates from ‘Remittances-to-Latin-America-and-the-Caribbean-in-2025-Adaptations-in-a-Context-of-Uncertainty,’ by the IDB, Caribbean nations were projected to receive approximately US $20.9 billion in remittances in 2025, underscoring the scale and importance of diaspora support across the region.

Top Caribbean Remittance Recipients

Based on country-specific estimates and global remittance rankings compiled from international development and financial data, several Caribbean nations stand out as the region’s largest remittance recipients:

CountryEstimated Annual Remittances (USD)HaitiUS $4.9 billionJamaicaUS $3.6 billionDominican RepublicUS $11,973 billionTrinidad & TobagoUS $361 millionGuyanaUS $1.4 billionSuriname US $166 millionBelize US $173 million

These figures provide a relative snapshot of remittance inflows rather than precise totals, as reporting methods vary by country. However, they clearly illustrate how deeply Caribbean economies are tied to their global diasporas.

Why Remittances Matter Beyond The Dollar Amount

While total remittance volumes tell one story, their real economic impact becomes clearer when viewed as a share of GDP.

In smaller Caribbean economies, remittances account for a substantial portion of national income. In countries such as Haiti and Jamaica, remittances have historically exceeded 20 percent of GDP, making them among the most remittance-dependent economies in the Western Hemisphere.

This level of dependence means remittances do more than supplement incomes — they help sustain national economic stability.

A Critical Social Safety Net

For Caribbean households, remittances often function as a private social protection system, filling gaps where public services or employment opportunities fall short. Families commonly use remittance income to:

Cover basic living expenses

Pay school fees and education costs

Access healthcare and medications

Repair homes after storms or disasters

Support elderly relatives

In economies where formal job markets are limited or volatile, remittances help reduce poverty and smooth consumption during economic downturns.

Diaspora Ties Drive Regional Resilience

The Caribbean’s remittance flows are rooted in long-standing migration patterns, particularly to North America. The United States remains the largest source of remittances to the Caribbean, accounting for roughly half of all inflows, followed by Canada, which contributes more than 10 percent.

These financial connections reinforce enduring social, cultural, and economic ties between Caribbean nations and their diaspora communities abroad.

A Steady Outlook Despite Global Uncertainty

Recent analyses indicate that remittance growth in the Caribbean has been moderate but steady, even amid global economic uncertainty. As labor markets in the U.S. and Canada continue to stabilize, remittance inflows are expected to remain resilient, providing ongoing support to Caribbean households and economies.

Development economists note that while remittances alone cannot replace comprehensive economic reform, they remain a critical pillar of Caribbean economic survival and resilience.

Looking Ahead

As Caribbean governments pursue growth strategies – from tourism and energy to agriculture and technology – remittances will continue to play a stabilizing role. Policies that reduce transfer costs, expand financial inclusion, and encourage productive investment of remittance income could further amplify their positive impact.

For now, the numbers are clear: the Caribbean’s diaspora is not just connected emotionally – it is economically indispensable.

REMITTANCES TO THE CARIBBEAN IN THE PAST

CARICOM Immigrants Make DHS “Worst Of The Worst” List

/0 Comments/in /by

By Felicia J. Persaud

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Friday Jan. 2, 2026: Caribbean immigrants from the Caribbean Community, (CARICOM), are among those listed on the newly released U.S. Department of Homeland Security “Worst of the Worst,” (WOW) list. The list features non-U.S. citizens arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 2025 following prior criminal convictions.

In total, some 320 CARICOM nationals appear on the list, with Jamaicans accounting for the largest share at 129, followed by Haitians at 103.

Arrests were overwhelmingly concentrated in Florida, followed by New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, mirroring major Caribbean Diaspora population centers. The most common conviction patterns involved weapons offenses, drug trafficking, violent crimes such as robbery and assault, and fraud-related charges, including identity theft.

If nationals from the Spanish-speaking Caribbean were included, the total would rise sharply to 1,797 individuals. Cubans account for the largest group at 1,152, while nationals from the Dominican Republic total 327, according to DHS records.

Kieron Jonas of Antigua And Barbuda; Joseph Thomas Of The Bahamas; Vince Ellis of Barbados; Ernel Chambers of Dominica; Peter Thomas of Grenada; Trevor Bassue of St. Kitts & Nevis; Stanfield Vitalis of St. Lucia; Aaron Sabal of Belize, Robert Savio Panton of Jamaica; Ronald Doodnauth of Guyana; Nathalie Premier of Haiti and Vijai Dube of Trinidad and Tobago. (Montage from DHS images)

JAMAICA – largest of all CARICOM countries excluding Spanish Caribbean

NameCountryArrested (City)Arrested (State)Convictions (as listed by DHS)Robert Savio PantonJamaicaNew YorkNew YorkConspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroinBritney Shenecia JamesJamaicaBrewtonAlabamaMail fraud; ConspiracyDwayne DiasJamaicaWhite DeerPennsylvaniaRobbery; Illegal re-entry (8 USC 1326); Dangerous drugs; Robbery – business (gun)Andre WaltersJamaicaBerlinNew HampshireAggravated assault (non-family weapon); Crimes against person; Possession of weapon; Weapon offense; Weapon traffickingChristopher DixonJamaicaChicagoIllinoisMarijuana – sell; Dangerous drugsAnthony DunkleyJamaicaTampaFloridaMarijuana – possessionConroy Delroy CondecoreJamaicaOrlandoFloridaSex assault; Cruelty toward childFerion SmartJamaicaConwaySouth CarolinaPossession of weaponGeovanie BurkeJamaicaSeviervilleTennesseeAssaultLynroy GayleJamaicaSan BernardinoCaliforniaMoney launderingKevin DuhaneyJamaicaAldenNew YorkAssault; Weapon offense; Possession of weaponOrville WeirJamaicaFort LauderdaleFloridaLewd or lascivious acts with minor; Marijuana – possessionVincent MitchellJamaicaLake CityFloridaBattery; Sex offenseBrandon WoolleryJamaicaChipleyFloridaHomicideNorman Alexander MooreJamaicaFort DixNew JerseyDrug trafficking; Illegal re-entry (8 USC 1326); Marijuana – sell; Dangerous drugsEverton HibbertJamaicaAldenNew YorkHomicide; Weapon offenseAkeem FosterJamaicaJamestownNorth DakotaAggravated assault (non-family weapon); Synthetic narcotic – possession; LarcenyRomualdo HenryJamaicaFlorenceArizonaShoplifting; Dangerous drugsTristan CampbellJamaicaPanama CityFloridaFraud; Illegal use of credit cardsAndre DweyerJamaicaEast ElmhurstNew YorkAssault; Hit and runKemar ParkesJamaicaFairhavenMassachusettsDomestic violenceJohnoi BenjaminJamaicaFort LauderdaleFloridaDrug trafficking; Dangerous drugsRoshawn ColeyJamaicaSeviervilleTennesseeBurglaryGemena GopieJamaicaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaPossession stolen propertyKevon FergusonJamaicaPanama CityFloridaSex assault; Public order crimes; Cocaine – possessionKirk AlfordJamaicaPine BushNew YorkKidnappingNigel BucknorJamaicaMaltaNew YorkPossession of weapon; Dangerous drugs; Cocaine – possession; Cocaine – sellOrville SalmonJamaicaFort George G. MeadeMarylandCarrying concealed weapon; Possession of weapon; Cocaine – possessionEverton MinottJamaicaAtlantaGeorgiaWeapon offense; Cocaine – possession; Identity theft (70AA)Kevin GarrisonJamaicaFort DixNew JerseyCocaine – sell; Dangerous drugs; CocaineAndrew BrownJamaicaBlanchNorth CarolinaDrug trafficking; Drug possession; Cocaine – smuggle/possess/sell; Marijuana – sell/possess; Failure report crimeGarfield CoxJamaicaButnerNorth CarolinaMarijuana – smuggleRomario AndersonJamaicaPanama CityFloridaExploitation of a minor; Obscene communicationSophia SmithJamaicaBruceton MillsWest VirginiaFraudDaffton BloomfieldJamaicaKearnyNew JerseyAggravated assault (weapon); Larceny; Robbery; Possession of weaponLeonard LutonJamaicaOxfordWisconsinMail fraudLova Stewart-JonesJamaicaBirminghamAlabamaCocaine – sell; Contempt of courtShannovan FaceyJamaicaChesterfieldVirginiaPossession of weapon; Marijuana – sellCory GentleJamaicaMiramarFloridaAggravated assault (weapon); BatteryElroy SmithJamaicaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaSex offense against child (fondling); Molestation of minorJudiel WilliamsJamaicaNaplesFloridaResisting officerRondell LevyJamaicaWhite DeerPennsylvaniaFraudDonavan SmithJamaicaMiamiFloridaRobbery; Cocaine – smuggleRayon SamuelsJamaicaMiamiFloridaHomicide; Robbery (street-gun); Burglary; Robbery (residence-gun)Caston BrownJamaicaNorth CharlestonSouth CarolinaHomicide; Possession of weaponDadrique MontequeJamaicaWilmingtonDelawareRobbery; Receive stolen propertyEldin GayleJamaicaBridgetonNew JerseySex offender registration violation; Family offense; Cruelty toward child; Failure to registerPaul Clement MelvilleJamaicaTucsonArizonaAssault; Aggravated assault (weapon); Robbery (residence-gun)Zedike WatsonJamaicaTampaFloridaFailure to register as sex offender; Battery; Lewd/lascivious acts with minorColleen WilsonJamaicaClintonNew JerseyAggravated assault (family-weapon); Marijuana – sell; Illegal re-entry (8 USC 1326); MarijuanaAdrian MorrisonJamaicaChicagoIllinoisRape (strongarm); Sex assault; Aggravated assault (weapon)Hubert DownerJamaicaFort DixNew JerseyHomicide; Possession of weapon; Dangerous drugs; Cocaine – possessionRicardo DoddJamaicaSumtervilleFloridaDrug trafficking; Drug possession; Dangerous drugsPaul SmithJamaicaClaytonAlabamaHomicide; Aggravated assault (non-family strongarm); Marijuana – sellPeter WilkinsonJamaicaFort PierceFloridaHomicide (willful kill-weapon); Robbery; HomicideJunior ReidJamaicaEast ElmhurstNew YorkPossession of weaponKimani BeckfordJamaicaGoshenNew YorkDangerous drugsDerrick BrownJamaicaMarcyNew YorkMarijuana – possessionAndre HamiltonJamaicaAllenwoodPennsylvaniaCarrying prohibited weapon; Resisting officer; CocaineKemar HamiltonJamaicaAldenNew YorkHomicide; Assault; Weapon offense; Smuggle contraband into prisonRomaine CrosdaleJamaicaOcalaFloridaAggravated assault (non-family gun)Sharon YeeJamaicaMiamiFloridaRobbery; Resisting officer; BatteryRasheem MorrisJamaicaCorpus ChristiTexasSex assaultRickey Elmo RobertsJamaicaHoustonTexasAssault; Weapon offenseGarnet Philip SmithJamaicaSpokane ValleyWashingtonAssault; Witness dissuading; multiple aggravated assaults; DV; false imprisonment; terroristic threats; etc.Hopeton FletcherJamaicaAtlantaGeorgiaDrug traffickingEdward Clarke JrJamaicaQuincyMassachusettsAggravated assault (non-family strongarm); Damage property; Drug traffickingRandy RichardsJamaicaLockportNew YorkAssaultTyreke DonaldJamaicaPanama CityFloridaFraudBrian HartJamaicaBelvidereNew JerseyNegligent manslaughter (vehicle); Possession of weapon; Weapon offenseChristopher WilsonJamaicaChesapeakeVirginiaSynthetic narcotic – sell; Drug traffickingMichael McKenzieJamaicaTallahasseeFloridaBattery; AssaultIyenda CampbellJamaicaBeaufortSouth CarolinaMarijuana; Illegal re-entry (8 USC 1326); Marijuana – possessionDevon MorrisJamaicaTucsonArizonaCocaine – sell; Probation violation; Vehicle theft; Illegal entry (8 USC 1325)Deladdo LeckyJamaicaBaltimoreMarylandSynthetic narcotic – sell; Drug traffickingPaul FoxJamaicaFort DixNew JerseyDrug trafficking; Drug possession; Cocaine – sellJason LewisJamaicaAldenNew YorkHomicide; Drug possessionTrevor BellJamaicaMiamiFloridaAggravated assault(s); Trespassing; Battery; Resisting officerDaemien TaylorJamaicaLisbonOhioPossession of weapon; Vehicle theft; Drug trafficking; BurglaryMelkoy MasonJamaicaMiramarFloridaResisting officerRory HarriottJamaicaFort LauderdaleFloridaCarrying concealed weaponDean ClarkeJamaicaHamptonSouth CarolinaAssaultJames Jr JaggonJamaicaLake CityFloridaHomicide (willful kill-weapon); RobberyShemoire PerkinsJamaicaAldenNew YorkWeapon offenseClaudius SmithJamaicaOcoeeFloridaCarrying concealed weaponKevin SpenceJamaicaDoralFloridaAggravated assault (weapon); RobberyKingsley McDonaldJamaicaWest BabylonNew YorkAssault; Marijuana – sellNatalie RuddockJamaicaChantillyVirginiaForgeryDeshaun HowardJamaicaBridgetonNew JerseyArsonVenord Dorn BurrowsJamaicaAtlantaGeorgiaLarceny; Identity theftDavano ConstantineJamaicaFort LauderdaleFloridaRobbery (street-strongarm); Amphetamine – possession; Drug possessionBjon LeeJamaicaTallahasseeFloridaHomicide; Robbery (residence-weapon); RobberyClive BrownJamaicaLake CityFloridaAmphetamine – sell; Cocaine – possessionKemaree ReidJamaicaBellefontePennsylvaniaAggravated assault (non-family strongarm)Wayne WallaceJamaicaFort DixNew JerseyMultiple aggravated assaults; Illegal re-entry; Possession of weapon; Fraud-related offenses; etc.Akeem FearonJamaica(Not listed)FloridaFailure to appearErrol JacksonJamaicaAtlantaGeorgiaMarijuana – sell; Marijuana – possessionCarl McLeodJamaicaWestoverMarylandSexual exploitation of minor; Assault; RapeNixon L GuthrieJamaicaHarrisburgPennsylvaniaAssault; Carrying prohibited weaponCarlton YoungJamaicaStuartFloridaHallucinogen – distribution; CocaineMarvin SalmonJamaicaNewtownConnecticutHomicideCloyd ChambersJamaicaEdisonNew JerseyAggravated assault; Kidnapping; Possession of weapon; Weapon offenseJahmarley McFarlaneJamaicaOakdaleLouisianaFraudMaurice Norman LevyJamaicaAshlandKentuckyCocaine – sell; Wire fraudDadrian DoyleyJamaicaWinchesterVirginiaAssault; Shoplifting; Fraud; Weapon offense; Damage property; LarcenyAndre EtienneJamaicaConyersGeorgiaRape (strongarm); Molestation of minorShamani ThompsonJamaicaDoralFloridaRobbery; Robbery (residence-weapon)Avon ShuttleworthJamaicaAllenwoodPennsylvaniaCocaineKerwin Guilarte-NoahJamaicaLecantoFloridaIllegal re-entry (8 USC 1326)Pete CohenJamaicaOakdaleLouisianaAssault; Property crimes; Larceny; Wire fraudSteven McKenzieJamaicaAtlantaGeorgiaCruelty toward child; Drug possessionIsaiah AlexanderJamaicaAldenNew YorkAggravated assault (weapon)Samorey MillerJamaicaLand O’ LakesFloridaAggravated assault (weapon); Drug possessionBunny HibbertJamaicaJamaicaNew YorkConspiracyDuwayne BaughJamaicaBronxNew YorkWeapon trafficking; Weapon offenseNoel ReidJamaicaMiamiFloridaHomicide; Homicide (willful kill-gun); Cocaine; Cocaine – smuggleRansford LewisJamaicaBellefontePennsylvaniaAggravated assault (family strongarm)Savoy FreebourneJamaicaPinellas ParkFloridaSex offense against child (fondling)Swanie BurnettJamaicaShirleyMassachusettsAggravated assault; Possession of weapon; Aggravated assault (family-gun)Carl ToddJamaicaJamaicaNew YorkRape (strongarm); Dangerous drugsNicolas MendezJamaicaMiamiFloridaAggravated assault (family strongarm); ArsonAlbert NewtonJamaicaAldenNew YorkHomicideDoret JacksonJamaicaOrlandoFloridaCruelty toward child; FraudAndrew KerrJamaicaAldenNew YorkAssault; Selling weaponJovaine ClarkeJamaicaChesterGeorgiaAggravated assault (weapon); Weapon offenseHorace HillJamaicaOkeechobeeFloridaBattery; Burglary; RobberySheldon ThomasJamaicaBronxNew YorkSex assault – carnal abuseAlex HenryJamaicaBennettsvilleSouth CarolinaAssaultWinston JacksonJamaicaJamaicaNew YorkPossession of weapon; Cocaine – possession; Cocaine – sell

HAITI – second-largest

NameCountryArrested (City)Arrested (State)Convictions (as listed by DHS)Silno SilvestreHaitiMuncieIndianaCarrying prohibited weaponFrantz AugustinHaitiLynnMassachusettsAggravated assault – police officer (strongarm)Jean FrancoisHaitiLake CityFloridaRobbery; Robbery – business (weapon); Carrying concealed weaponJolene BoniHaitiHomesteadFloridaCocaine – sell; Narcotic equip – possession; Dangerous drugsMarc James PinardHaitiVictorvilleCaliforniaCarjacking – armedWesley St LouisHaitiNaplesFloridaCocaine – possessionGregory SaintilHaitiLauderdale LakesFloridaAggravated assault – family (strongarm); Cocaine – sellGuidadere CadetHaitiMelbourneFloridaCruelty toward child; Evidence – destroyingJepthe Jean FrancoisHaitiFort LauderdaleFloridaAggravated assault – non-family (strongarm); Drug possession; BurglarySony LundyHaitiHollywoodFloridaFraudTowinsky LericheHaitiMiamiFloridaRobbery – street (gun)Daniel HylandHaitiMiamiFloridaDrug traffickingMarc PaulHaitiLake WorthFloridaCarrying concealed weaponAntoine ElusmaHaitiFort LauderdaleFloridaAggravated assault – non-family (strongarm)Pierre Mary NoelHaitiFort LauderdaleFloridaFraud – impersonating; Cocaine – possessionFranco MillienHaitiGoldsboroNorth CarolinaAggravated assault – police officer (strongarm)Azain VassorHaitiHialeahFloridaPossession of weaponAlberic IsraelHaitiMiamiFloridaAggravated assault – gunRoobens Jean PhilippeHaitiOrlandoFloridaCruelty toward childSon TrompeHaitiDelray BeachFloridaBatteryRichardson NeptuneHaitiIndianapolisIndianaKidnappingDave GermainHaitiWhite DeerPennsylvaniaRobberyFrederic GabrielHaitiOrlandoFloridaLewd or lascivious acts with minorMackenley BaptisteHaitiYorkPennsylvaniaRape (strongarm); Aggravated assault (weapon); Fraud – false statement; Aggravated assault (gun)Wilbert CharlesHaitiNorfolkMassachusettsHomicide; Flight to avoid; Negligent manslaughter (vehicle)James AlexisHaitiAldenNew YorkRobbery; Weapon offenseJames LoiseauHaitiRichmondVirginiaCocaine – sellAnniece PlaisirHaitiTampaFloridaCruelty toward child; LarcenyMarkenson OretienneHaitiBaltimoreMarylandAssaultTimothe MatelHaitiOrlandoFloridaLewd or lascivious acts with minorFabrice DesireHaitiConneautOhioIdentity theft; Receive stolen propertyYvrose CompereHaitiAccomacVirginiaAggravated assault – family (weapon)James ArgantHaitiDoylestownPennsylvaniaBurglary; Shoplifting; Trespassing; Burglary – forced entry; Receive stolen propertyYves Jr CerismeHaitiFort PierceFloridaBattery; Aggravated assault (weapon); Cocaine – sell/possess; Traffic offense; LarcenyJurel JeanHaitiFort LauderdaleFloridaSex assaultKensly LaurentHaitiFort LauderdaleFloridaBatteryWidler DuroseauHaitiColumbusIndianaDUI (liquor)Willie LafranceHaitiWest Palm BeachFloridaAssault; Evidence destroying; Weapon offense; Burglary; Public order crimesMaxo VillierHaitiStuartFloridaAssaultMickens MeranvilleHaitiCrosswicksNew JerseyRobbery – street (gun); Possession of weaponBernard FontusHaitiJacksonvilleFloridaAmphetamine – sell; Drug possession; Cocaine – possession; Narcotic equip – possession; FraudMamadou MbayeHaitiDallasTexasHeroin – possessionSolon RiphinHaitiNaplesFloridaCocaine – sell; Cocaine – possessionHerson OctaviusHaitiSouth BayFloridaBatteryIdovick AlusmaHaitiOakland ParkFloridaBatteryPeter Clayens LauroreHaitiNorth BrunswickNew JerseyAggravated assault – family (strongarm); Cruelty toward childHeesler MerardHaitiKissimmeeFloridaAggravated assault – non-family (gun); BatteryVladimir PerodinHaitiOrlandoFloridaCocaine – smuggle; Cocaine – sellEdreens FlaurentHaitiBrocktonMassachusettsAggravated assault – non-family (weapon)Bianta JosephHaitiFort PierceFloridaRobbery; Hit and run; Robbery – business (gun)Frantz ThernisseHaitiAldenNew YorkWeapon offenseJaheim DeciusHaitiChambersburgPennsylvaniaCocaine – sellJean ConcileHaitiHagerstownMarylandHomicide; Assault; Aggravated assault – gunKendy JosephHaitiBaltimoreMarylandAssault; Weapon offenseTony JosephHaiti(Not listed)FloridaCocaine – sellJude HilaireHaitiLake CityFloridaRobbery; BurglaryLens AltidorHaitiMedfordMassachusettsAggravated assault – police officer (strongarm); Marijuana – sell; Drug trafficking; AssaultAugustin DesgrangeHaitiMiamiFloridaResisting officer; Illegal re-entry (8 USC 1326)Mateo PierreHaitiKissimmeeFloridaAggravated assault – non-family (weapon)Ronald Jean JacquesHaitiAldenNew YorkHomicide; Assault; Possession of weapon; Dangerous drugsNathalie PremierHaitiLecantoFloridaAggravated assault (weapon); Aggravated assault – non-family (weapon)Ephraim JeanHaitiBostonMassachusettsSex assaultMaderson AlricheHaitiSumtervilleFloridaPossession of weapon; Identity theft (70AA); Fraud – impersonatingMcArnold CharlemagneHaitiOakdaleLouisianaFraud by wirePierre SylvestreHaitiMuncieIndianaResisting officer; Obstruct policeBerkendy TheodorisHaitiTallahasseeFloridaAggravated assault (weapon); Possession of weapon; Burglary; Fraud; Resisting officerJunior AlcinHaitiLeesportPennsylvaniaAssault; Weapon offense; Larceny; Terroristic threatsMersedy BlancHaitiOrlandoFloridaSex assaultNatacha PierreHaitiRoyal Palm BeachFloridaFraud – false statement; False citizenshipNesly GuerrierHaitiWewahitchkaFloridaSex assault; Robbery – street (gun); False imprisonmentOrlentz NelsonceHaitiMiami GardensFloridaBattery; Robbery – street (gun); Aggravated assault – gunBernard ErtilusHaitiNorth LauderdaleFloridaDomestic violenceVladimyr MilordHaitiYorkPennsylvaniaFlight to avoidJoseph OliverHaitiTallahasseeFloridaSex assault; Kidnapping; RobberyRaynald RomulusHaitiMiamiFloridaBurglaryRousselet AlphonseHaitiWest Palm BeachFloridaCocaine – sellClaude DesirHaitiBridgetonNew JerseySex assault; Cruelty toward childOdney NorciusHaitiOrlandoFloridaAggravated assault – police officer (weapon)Sounedialie BellegardeHaitiNaplesFloridaCrimes against person; Probation violationFrantzy DorzeneHaitiDoralFloridaAggravated assault – non-family (weapon); BurglaryJimmy FleurissantHaitiDoralFloridaSex assault; Resisting officerVictor GueHaitiOrlandoFloridaCruelty toward childAndy PhilippeHaitiMiamiFloridaLewd or lascivious acts with minor; Neglect childValry ExantusHaitiLouisvilleKentuckyDomestic violence; Crimes against person; Receive stolen property; Flight to avoidHarry MocombeHaitiMiramarFloridaBurglary; Fraud; Stolen property; Larceny; Sale of stolen propertyNadine PierreHaitiAtlantaGeorgiaFraud; LarcenySamuel MarcelinHaitiWashingtonPennsylvaniaAggravated assault – family (strongarm)Emmanuel NogausHaitiTallahasseeFloridaRobberyFrancois BernardHaitiBostonMassachusettsSex assault; Aggravated assault – family (strongarm)Stervenson DemesierHaitiChipleyFloridaSex assault – carnal abuse; Lewd or lascivious acts with minorJamesley AlcenaHaitiDoralFloridaBattery; Burglary; LarcenyRicolson ConstantinHaitiPollockLouisianaAggravated assault (weapon); Aggravated assault – police officer (gun); RobberyStanley ProuHaitiBurlingtonMassachusettsCarrying concealed weapon; Cocaine – sellChristos SaintcyrHaitiKemmererWyomingMarijuana – sellDidy QuetantHaitiOrlandoFloridaRobbery; BatteryScotte CherenfantHaitiThomsonIllinoisWeapon offense; Fraud – false statement; Identity theft (70AA)Bansage CalixteHaitiBelvidereNew JerseyForgery of checks; Receive stolen property; Credit card fraudPierre LajoieHaitiAldenNew YorkSex assaultFritz Gerald BailleHaitiMiamiFloridaDrug trafficking; Synthetic narcotic – sellJames CheryHaitiKissimmeeFloridaDomestic violenceStanley AntoineHaitiNorth Kansas CityMissouriPossession of weapon; Burglary; Stolen vehicleMarc Andre FleurivalHaitiOrlandoFloridaMarijuana – sell; Forgery; Cocaine – possess/sell; Resisting officerYvenson LebrunHaitiCasselberryFloridaBurglary; Sale of stolen property; RICOPatrick CadetHaitiCocoaFloridaWeapon offense; Cocaine – possession; Carrying concealed weapon

BAHAMAS

NameCountryArrested (City)Arrested (State)ConvictionsDeantae RolleBahamasPanama CityFloridaMarijuana – possessionJoseph ThomasBahamasBennettsvilleSouth CarolinaAmphetamine – manufacturing; Cocaine; Cocaine – sellKenthen SwainBahamasPalmettoFloridaAggravated assault – police officer (strongarm); Opium/heroin sales; Hit and runNaaman DavisBahamasThomsonIllinoisSmuggling aliensAntoine StuartBahamasHighspirePennsylvaniaSex assault; Vehicle theft; BurglaryDuzzlie RigbyBahamasMiamiFloridaAssault; Burglary; Carrying concealed weapon; LarcenyIan PorterBahamasOrlandoFloridaRobbery; Robbery – street (gun)Solano LaddusBahamasWest Palm BeachFloridaBurglaryJoshua BrennenBahamasHoustonTexasCarrying concealed weapon; Weapon offense; Firing weaponLavardo John BasdenBahamasAtwaterCaliforniaRobbery; Robbery – residence (strongarm); Stolen vehicleAnthony BrownBahamasMiramarFloridaAggravated assault; Cocaine – possession; Burglary tools; Robbery; Burglary; FraudReko CurryBahamasYazoo CityMississippiHuman trafficking; Smuggling aliensDevon RichardsonBahamasSan DiegoCaliforniaAssault; DUI (liquor); LarcenyJeremy RolleBahamasYazoo CityMississippiSmuggling aliensChristopher JohnsonBahamasWelchWest VirginiaSmuggling aliensKervens GeorgesBahamasMiramarFloridaCocaine – sell; Identity theft (70AA); FraudDarren SimmonsBahamasFort LauderdaleFloridaCrimes against person; Fraud – impersonatingChristopher PrattBahamasBlountstownFloridaHomicide (willful kill, gun); Robbery – street (weapon)Cordero BethelBahamasYazoo CityMississippiSmuggling aliensWilner JosephBahamasMiramarFloridaCarrying concealed weapon; Heroin – possessionLouise GreenBahamasMiramarFloridaCocaine – sellTekito StevensonBahamasJacksonvilleFloridaLarceny; Forgery; Probation violation; Battery; FraudRubin TaylorBahamasPrescottArizonaWeapon offense; Smuggling aliensKeith MerchantBahamasHarlingenTexasSmuggling aliensZion RhodriquezBahamasConwaySouth CarolinaAssaultKendra IngrahamBahamasFort LauderdaleFloridaDrug trafficking; Fraud – impersonatingMichael OlibricesBahamasMiamiFloridaBattery; Robbery; Cocaine possession; Negligent manslaughter (weapon); Evidence destroying; etc.

BELIZE

NameCountryArrested (City)Arrested (State)ConvictionsNestor Alberto CastilloBelizeSturtevantWisconsinCarrying concealed weapon; Trespassing; Larceny; Bail violationsJomo AvilaBelizeVan NuysCaliforniaSex assault; Aggravated assault (family strongarm); Failure to register sex offender; Molestation; Child sex offenseAkeem GarnettBelizeSoledadCaliforniaDomestic violence; Burglary; Illegal re-entry (8 USC 1326)Aaron SabalBelizePhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaPossession of weaponMarlon William BellBelizeSan PedroCaliforniaAssault; Cruelty toward wife; Domestic violence; Aggravated assault (gun)Carlos GomezBelizeWickliffeKentuckyAggravated assault (family strongarm); Crimes against person; AssaultFrancis FlowersBelizeYazoo CityMississippiAssault; Robbery; Battery; Illegal re-entry (8 USC 1326)Shane ArnoldBelizeLompocCaliforniaCarrying concealed weapon; Drug traffickingWinston KnightBelizeChesapeakeVirginiaAssault; Drug possessionKimala HenryBelizeLos AngelesCaliforniaDrug trafficking; Marijuana – sellAshley RiversBelizeMiramarFloridaLarceny; Drug possessionLindon FlowersBelizeHawthorneCaliforniaTerroristic threats; ExtortionTheodore ReneauBelizeButnerNorth CarolinaAggravated assault (non-family weapon); Illegal re-entry (8 USC 1326)Alex MajanoBelizeMineolaNew YorkTraffic offense; DUI (liquor)Jermie ParhamBelizeYorkPennsylvaniaDrug traffickingOrlin Cristobal-ReyesBelizeShreveportLouisianaResisting officerHilbert BethranBelizeAndersonSouth CarolinaWeapon offense; Cruelty toward wife; Illegal re-entry (8 USC 1326)Israel SholBelize(Not listed)(Not listed)Smuggling aliensRennet TillettBelizeMoreno ValleyCaliforniaAggravated assault (gun); Possession of weapon; Carrying prohibited weapon; Weapon offense

GUYANA

NameCountryArrested (City)Arrested (State)ConvictionsKwesi MenezesGuyanaMount HollyNew JerseyAggravated assault – police officer (strongarm)Dwayne WaitheGuyanaNew YorkNew YorkPossession of weapon; Illegal re-entry (8 USC 1326); Marijuana – sell; Drug traffickingMohamed YusufGuyanaAlbanyNew YorkProstitution; Commercial sexRakesh PersuadGuyanaSpringfield GardensNew YorkKidnapping; Robbery; Cruelty toward childRonald DoodnauthGuyanaOrlandoFloridaAggravated assault – family (strongarm); Cruelty toward child; Assault; BurglaryHarinarine RamkissoonGuyanaAldenNew YorkHomicide; DUI (liquor)Deon WatsonGuyanaEast OrangeNew JerseySex offense against child – fondlingVickram MosesGuyanaQueens VillageNew YorkAssaultDaneshwar PersaudGuyanaTallahasseeFloridaAggravated assault – weaponSean AllicockGuyanaChambersburgPennsylvaniaRobbery; Illegal re-entry (8 USC 1326); Stolen propertyMarty ScottGuyanaAnthonyTexasPossession of weapon; Drug trafficking; Dangerous drugsRobert ChapmanGuyana(Not listed)TexasForgery of checksRaymond FergusonGuyanaHuttonsvilleWest VirginiaDrug trafficking; Computer crimesVedoutie HoobrajGuyanaNewberryFloridaFraud by wire

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

NameCountryArrested (City)Arrested (State)ConvictionsAlvin HenryTrinidad & TobagoAldenNew YorkStatutory rape (no force); Rape (strongarm)Michael FlandersTrinidad & TobagoAldenNew YorkWeapon offense; Possession of weaponJohn TeniaTrinidad & TobagoKearnyNew JerseyAggravated assault – family (strongarm); Carrying prohibited weaponNealon HypoliteTrinidad & TobagoRichmondIndianaPossession of weapon; Marijuana – possession; Weapon offense; Negligent manslaughter (weapon)Andrew LoganTrinidad & Tobago(Not listed)New YorkDangerous drugs; Heroin – possession; Public order crimesJoshua Luke PlentieTrinidad & TobagoBellefontePennsylvaniaRapeRicardo WaldronTrinidad & TobagoThomsonIllinoisSelling weaponStephan DavidsonTrinidad & TobagoBronxNew YorkPossession of weaponStephen CampoTrinidad & TobagoOrlandoFloridaLewd or lascivious acts with minorVijai DubeTrinidad & TobagoAldenNew YorkHomicideJohnathan RamnathTrinidad & TobagoKearnyNew JerseyLarcenyLevi RoopchandTrinidad & TobagoPollockLouisianaExplosives – possession; Terrorism; Amphetamine; Drug traffickingJoanna LewisTrinidad & TobagoLithoniaGeorgiaDrug trafficking

SMALLER CARICOM COUNTRIES

Antigua & Barbuda

NameCountryArrested (City)Arrested (State)ConvictionsKieron JonasAntigua & BarbudaOrlandoFloridaSex offense; Drug possession

Barbados

NameCountryArrested (City)Arrested (State)ConvictionsVince EllisBarbadosAldenNew YorkRobbery; Burglary; Weapon offense

Dominica

NameCountryArrested (City)Arrested (State)ConvictionsErnel ChambersDominicaBaltimoreMarylandAggravated assault (non-family weapon); Robbery – street (weapon)Michael WilliamsDominicaTallahasseeFloridaFraud – impersonating; Fraud

Grenada

NameCountryArrested (City)Arrested (State)ConvictionsAkeem TaylorGrenadaMiamiFloridaSmugglingPeter ThomasGrenadaChinoCaliforniaAssault; Robbery; Cocaine – sell; Cocaine – smuggle

St. Kitts & Nevis

NameCountryArrested (City)Arrested (State)ConvictionsPeter Lee Coker JrSt. Kitts & NevisDanburyConnecticutFraud; ConspiracyTrevor BassueSt. Kitts & NevisHoustonTexasRobbery; Dangerous drugs

St. Lucia

NameCountryArrested (City)Arrested (State)ConvictionsIrvin ZephurinSt. LuciaBiddefordMaineAssaultStanfield VitalisSt. LuciaDallasTexasAggravated assault – family (strongarm)Gregory AtkinsSt. LuciaOakdaleLouisianaCarrying prohibited weapon; Cocaine – sellTrevor StephenSt. LuciaLisbonOhioCocaine

Suriname

NameCountryArrested (City)Arrested (State)ConvictionsChanelle MisiedjanSurinameNew CastleDelawareDUI (liquor)

Turks & Caicos

NameCountryArrested (City)Arrested (State)ConvictionsWendy BelizaireTurks & CaicosFort LauderdaleFloridaFraud – swindle; Fraud

Caribbean Immigrant Kamar Samuels Could Lead NYC Schools

/0 Comments/in /by

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Dec. 31, 2025: Incoming New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has reportedly tapped a Caribbean immigrant educator to lead the nation’s largest public school system with Kamar Samuels slated to be named officially as New York City’s next schools chancellor.

Caribbean immigrant Kamar Samuels is slated to be NYC’s next School’s Chancellor.

Samuels will oversee a system serving more than one million students and managing a budget exceeding US$40 billion. Here are seven key things to know about him:

1. Jamaican Roots

Kamar Samuels was born in the Caribbean nation of Jamaica and attended Jamaica College in St. Andrew before migrating to the United States.

2. Strong Academic Foundation

In the U.S., Samuels earned a degree in accounting from Baruch College, City University of New York (CUNY). He later completed a Master of Science in Education in childhood education at Lehman College, CUNY.

3. Experience Beyond Education

Before entering public education full-time, Samuels worked as a finance manager with the National Basketball Association, (NBA), gaining experience in large-scale organizational and fiscal management.

4. From Classroom to Principal

Samuels entered education through the NYC Teaching Fellows program, teaching elementary school in the Bronx for five years. He later moved into school operations, serving as a business manager and data specialist at Gun Hill Road School before becoming principal of the Bronx Writing Academy (PS 323) through the New Leaders for New Schools residency program. While leading PS 323, Samuels implemented reforms including staggered teacher start times, adjusted class lengths, and expanded digital learning through a city-funded technology initiative, according to Chalkbeat.

5. Two Decades in NYC Public Education

Samuels brings more than 20 years of experience across classroom teaching, school leadership, and district-level administration, with a strong emphasis on data-driven decision-making and improving outcomes in urban schools.

6. District-Level Leadership

He served as deputy superintendent of Brooklyn’s District 13 for two years before becoming superintendent in 2019. Currently a Manhattan superintendent, Samuels has promoted racial diversity through school mergers and emphasized the value of an “international education” to help students develop a global perspective. “We here in New York especially are seeing even today why it’s important to understand what’s happening in the rest of the world,” he has said.

7. Deep Diaspora Engagement

Samuels previously served as education chair and later president of JAMPACT, a diaspora-led organization supporting early childhood education in Jamaica. In 2008, he stated that the goal was for Jamaica’s basic schools to become “model early childhood institutions.”