News Americas, WASHINGTON, D.C., Tues. Jan. 30, 2024: Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley, on Monday engaged in discussions on diplomatic relations with United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, underscoring the significance of their partnership.

Antony Blinken expressed the United States’ recognition of Trinidad and Tobago as a vital partner, highlighting collaboration in areas such as energy security and climate resilience, aligning with the United States-Caribbean Partnership to address the climate crisis. Additionally, they joined forces to combat violent crime and firearm trafficking, prioritizing regional prosperity and opportunity.

Blinken acknowledged the importance of addressing regional challenges in countries like Venezuela and Haiti while emphasizing the strength of their bilateral ties. He commended the partnership’s growth over the past couple of years.

Prime Minister Rowley expressed his satisfaction with the meeting, emphasizing the importance of the relationship between Washington and the wider Caribbean. He recognized the United States as a major trading partner with a substantial Trinidad and Tobago diaspora.

The discussions encompassed various key issues, including energy, education, crime prevention, training, and technical assistance. National security and firearms trafficking were also focal points, with the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative playing a role. The talks briefly touched on Venezuela, energy security, cyber and digital policy, and Haiti’s ongoing instability.

Prime Minister Rowley also met with United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Katherine Tai, to explore opportunities for expanding the bilateral economic partnership, including discussions on the Caribbean Basin Initiative and supply chain management.

The Trinidad and Tobago delegation included Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister, Dr. Amery Browne; Minister of Energy and Energy Industries and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Stuart Young; Minister of Digital Transformation, Assel Bacchus; and Chief of Defence Staff of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, Air Vice-Marshal Darryl Daniel.

NEWS AMERICAS, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. Jan. 18, 2024: As China experiences a decline in its population, its government is starting off the year 2024 by strengthening its partnerships in Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has been invited to visit Jamaica and Brazil from today, January 18th to Jan. 22nd.

Yi’s visit comes fresh off of a visit to Africa where he also met with Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe R, on Jan. 17, 2024. (Photo by Li Yahui/Xinhua via Getty Images)

The choice of Brazil and Jamaica as the destinations for this visit is significant because both countries are major players in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region, both economically and diplomatically. However, diversifying borrowing nations may not be the top priority in this context.

The visit comes as Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with the Dominican Republic’s Chamber of Deputies President Alfredo Pacheco via video link in Beijing on Jan. 17th.

According to data from the Chinese Loans to Latin America and the Caribbean (CLLAC) Database, China’s development finance institutions have been supporting projects in only Brazil and Caribbean nations through sovereign loans since 2019. Brazil ranks second in receiving sovereign loans from the China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China, following Venezuela.

In the Caribbean, Jamaica has been the largest borrower from these institutions. Both countries have important environmental vulnerabilities that China should consider in its future financial engagements. Brazil, for instance, is home to two-thirds of the Amazon rainforest, while Jamaica is a small island nation vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil. Since becoming Brazil’s top trading partner in 2009, the bilateral ties were elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2012.

During the presidency of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brazil, the China-Brazil relationship saw stable development. Lula’s administration implemented transformational social programs like “Bolsa Familia,” which means “Family Allowance,” during his first term, partly thanks to China’s substantial demand for Brazil’s commodities. This demand helped lift approximately 20 million people out of poverty, according to the World Bank. Upon returning to the presidency last year, Lula pledged to further “consolidate” Brasilia’s relations with Beijing.

China and Brazil share a close economic relationship, with Beijing purchasing nearly one-third of all Brazilian exports. According to Brazilian government statistics, bilateral trade between China and Brazil has grown significantly, reaching a record high of $150.5 billion in 2022, up from $3.2 billion in 2001. Beijing has also become a major source of foreign direct investment in Brasilia, particularly in sectors such as power generation, oil extraction, telecommunications, financial services, and industry. Between 2007 and 2020, China invested $66 billion in Brazil, making it the recipient of almost half of all Chinese investments in Latin America.

While the China-Brazil relationship has primarily been economic in nature, Lula envisions expanding this partnership beyond trade. His visit to Beijing in April 2023, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, resulted in 15 agreements and Brazilian Real 50 billion (over $10 billion) in investments from China. This visit signaled the broadening of cooperation into areas such as space collaboration, research and innovation, the digital economy, information technology, the automotive industry, and renewable energy. Lula’s trip not only strengthened the relationship but also challenged claims that Chinese investments in Brazil had significantly declined.

News Americas, GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Mon. Jan. 8, 2024: Daniel P. Erikson, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Western Hemisphere, was set to arrive in Guyana today, January 8th.

Daniel P. Erikson, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense,

He will be in the South American CARICOM country until tomorrow, Jan. 9th. Erikson, who oversees U.S. defense and security policy for a 34-nation region including Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South and Central America, is undertaking this journey to reinforce the United States’ commitment to its defense and security alliance with Guyana, a key factor in regional stability.

During his visit, Erikson will engage in discussions with the Government of Guyana, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), and leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). These talks aim to enhance the U.S. defense and security partnership with Guyana and its regional allies. Marking his first international trip in 2024, Erikson’s visit highlights the significance of the growing bilateral defense and security relationship, emphasizing both immediate military collaborations and long-term advancements in Guyana’s defense sector.

This visit is part of the United States’ broader strategy to fortify global alliances and partnerships, focusing on improving interoperability, expanding information exchange, and orchestrating complex joint and combined exercises with its international allies, the US Embassy said in a statement.

News Americas, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, Weds, Jan 3, 2024: A Virgin Islander City of Tamarac Commissioner has been unanimously voted into the post of vice mayor of the South Florida City.

Morey-Wright is the new Vice Mayor of Tamarac.

The Tamarac District 2 Commissioner, Morey Wright, born in the Virgin Islands to a Virgin Islander mother and a Jamaican father, will serve as vice mayor for a one-year term, with the responsibility of acting as mayor in the mayor’s absence. 

Wright is a University of Florida alumnus who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He also earned two master’s degrees in business and government from Johns Hopkins University.

He was elected to the Tamarac City Commission in November 2022. During his time in office, he has represented the City of Tamarac as a voting delegate for the 97th Annual Florida League of Cities Conference. Wright also served as chair of the auditor selection committee.

“I’m honored to be appointed as Tamarac’s Vice Mayor,” said Wright. “I am excited to continue to work with the Commission, residents and community members to develop meaningful programs and initiatives that will positively impact Tamarac and ensure that our City remains a vibrant and thriving community for all.”

Professionally, Wright is an executive at a South Florida-based e-commerce company. He also owns a small business that consults on digital technology and marketing.

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. Dec. 11, 2023: An American chocolatier is now facing charges following the tragic discovery of a Canadian animator and his partner’s charred remains in a burned car near their Caribbean resort.

Dominican authorities revealed that the burnt bodies of Daniel Langlois, a renowned 3D animator whose company contributed to films like Jurassic Park and Titanic, and his partner, Dominique Marchand, were found last Friday, Dec. 1st, in a burned vehicle, several days after they were reported missing. Their remains were located approximately one mile from the Coulibri Ridge Eco Resort, which they jointly managed. Authorities believe the couple was murdered between November 30 and December 1.

DANIEL LANGOIS and partner murdered in Dominica.

Jonathan Lehrer, the owner of the chocolate company Bois Cotlette Estate, was taken into custody on Wednesday, Dec. 6th in Dominica in connection with the murders, as confirmed by police inspector Fixton Henderson. Additionally, Robert Snider, an American who had been staying on Lehrer’s property, faced charges related to the murders, according to Henderson. Lehrer’s wife and a Dominican man were also arrested in connection with the case but were not charged.

Following a brief court appearance last Wednesday, Lehrer and Snyder are currently detained at the Dominica State Prison.

Sherma Dalrymple, the director of public prosecutions in Dominica, addressed the media in a press conference this week, stating, “We fully understand the public interest which has been generated in respect of this matter. However, we will remain within the confines of the law and err on the side of caution by not disclosing any intrinsic and evidential details of the charges before the court.” She added, “We, however, are permitted to tell you the public that we will strongly do our prosecutorial duties and will work tirelessly to ensure that justice is served in this matter.”

Authorities believe the gruesome slaying may be tied to a long-standing feud between Langlois, 66, and Lehrer, 57, who owns a 53-acre chocolate and coffee plantation adjacent to the animator’s luxury resort.

Court documents reveal that in 2018, Langlois took Lehrer to court over their dispute concerning a public road that passes through Bois Cotlette’s estate. The disagreement began when Lehrer allegedly obstructed public access to the road using boulders, a trench, and metal pipes. Langlois argued that the road’s closure resulted in economic losses. In 2019, a High Court ruled that the road remained public and that Lehrer had no authority to obstruct Langlois’ guests’ right of way. The judge also ordered both men to engage in mediation, though it remains unclear if that process ever took place.