Natricia Duncan

A ferry carrying 116 people sank off Guyana’s coast, leaving dozens missing as authorities continue an expanded search-and-rescue operation that has so far saved 67 passengers, including 15 children. Officials report the vessel was within legal capacity limits and experienced no mechanical issues, with tides believed to have caused the capsizing. Survivors described escaping the overturned ferry and drifting through the night until rescuers arrived. Families of all recorded passengers have been contacted as authorities work to account for everyone on board.

UK judges at the judicial committee of the privy council are hearing Jason Jones’s appeal against Trinidad and Tobago’s reinstated colonial-era anti-gay law, which criminalises consensual same-sex intimacy. The Trinidadian government argues the case could affect broader constitutional savings clauses that preserve inherited British laws. Activists across the Caribbean are watching closely as several regional countries have recently overturned similar statutes. Jones contends the government has wasted resources defending discriminatory laws, while figures such as Leo Varadkar highlight the persistence of British colonial-era bans in a handful of anglophone Caribbean states despite their repeal elsewhere.

Legal challenges and community activism intensify in response to the privatisation of Jamaica’s coastlines, as locals argue that restricted beach access violates constitutional rights and continues colonial-era inequities. Activists organised under Jabbem rely on longstanding public-use laws to contest exclusive hotel control of shorelines, while emphasising cultural, economic and spiritual ties to beaches. The government defends its position by citing the economic importance of tourism and recent development conditions requiring some public access, though campaigners argue these measures are inadequate. The disputes are expected to continue in court for years, with activists remaining confident in their case.

New research by journalist Leendert van der Valk argues that Dutch enslavement affected between 3.3 and 5.3 million people, far exceeding the widely cited figure of 600,000 used in official apologies. Drawing on demographic work from Radboud University and including overlooked colonies, Indigenous populations, and those born into slavery, the study expands the historical scope to 1595–1914. Scholars state the estimate offers the first indication of total victims across all Dutch colonies and could inform similar reassessments of other empires. The findings coincide with renewed calls for concrete action from the Dutch government following earlier apologies and follow global momentum on reparations, including a recent UN resolution declaring the trafficking of enslaved Africans the gravest crime against humanity.

Jamaican officials will travel to the UK on 6 September to submit a formal petition asking King Charles to seek legal guidance from the privy council on whether Britain is obligated to provide reparations for slavery. Culture minister Olivia Grange said the move advances Jamaica’s reparatory justice mission and highlighted historical atrocities including the Zong massacre and compensation paid to slaveholders in 1834. The effort is supported by Caricom and guided by the National Council on Reparations, whose leaders called the petition a significant milestone. Jamaica’s case is bolstered by a recent UN resolution declaring the trafficking of enslaved Africans a grave crime against humanity. A legal team led by attorney general Derrick McKoy will present arguments, with advocates saying they expect strong international support if the petition is rejected.

More than 200 people have been killed in over 60 US military strikes on alleged drug‑smuggling vessels, leaving families such as that of St Lucian fisherman Ricky Joseph without answers or remains to bury. Relatives insist Joseph had no criminal ties and describe profound grief and confusion amid a lack of transparency from US authorities. Human rights groups and governments condemn the strikes as extrajudicial killings, while investigative reporting shows several victims had no link to drug trafficking. Caribbean officials say Washington has provided no meaningful information, and fishers fear further attacks as media attention declines.

The updated Caribbean reparations manifesto strengthens the moral, ethical and legal case for reparations by reframing the issue as part of a global effort to address racism and the legacy of slavery. It expands the original Caricom plan with a focus on gender‑based violence, the central role of enslaved women in the system of slavery, and the experiences of Indigenous and Asian communities subjected to exploitation. The document emphasizes monetary compensation as part of a broader reparatory framework and highlights historical denials of compensation to enslaved people and newly independent Caribbean states. It incorporates recent UN positions declaring the transatlantic slave trade a grave crime against humanity and asserts that such crimes have no statute of limitations, reinforcing the legal path toward reparatory action.

Caribbean leaders, led by Barbados prime minister Mia Mottley, released an updated reparations manifesto asserting the moral, ethical and legal basis for compensation from former colonial powers. The document expands Caricom’s earlier plan by emphasizing gender‑based violence, the disproportionate impact of slavery on women and girls, and links between climate justice and historical exploitation. It reiterates demands for monetary compensation, formal apologies and broader reparative measures from Britain and other European nations. The plan draws on international human rights law and stresses that crimes against humanity carry no statute of limitations. The initiative follows the UN’s adoption of a resolution declaring the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved Africans the gravest crime against humanity, a vote the UK abstained from.

Community groups in Jamaica are mounting a legal challenge to block further privatization of beaches, arguing that the 1956 Beach Control Act and recent legislation restrict historic access and harm local livelihoods. The Jamaica Beach Birthright Environmental Movement leads five court cases targeting limits placed on beaches across St Ann, Portland, St Andrew, and Montego Bay. Campaigners contend that government policies favor large tourism interests, perpetuate inequity, and erode traditional rights. Government officials counter that tourism supports hundreds of thousands of jobs and that recent development approvals preserve access corridors. A proposed beach access policy and the new National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority Act have drawn criticism for enabling restrictive licensing and concentrating power in the prime minister’s office. The dispute centers on balancing economic development with longstanding public access rights to Jamaica’s coastline.

Communities across Jamaica are challenging the privatization and restricted access of long‑used public beaches, arguing that all‑inclusive tourism development and colonial‑era laws undermine their social, economic and cultural rights. Activists from groups including Jabbem are pursuing multiple court cases to restore access to Mammee Bay, the Blue Lagoon, Little Dunn’s River and other sites, asserting that recent government policies and new legislation centralize power and weaken longstanding public access protections. Government officials defend new development approvals and the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority Act as necessary for economic growth and disaster resilience, while opposition leaders acknowledge that successive administrations have contributed to the crisis. The conflict highlights broader tensions between tourism‑driven development, environmental justice and Jamaica’s colonial legacy.

A Jamaican police officer, Constable Andrew Wilson, has been charged with murder after the fatal shooting of Latoya Bulgin during a protest sparked by another police killing. CCTV footage showing the incident led to public outrage and renewed demands for stronger accountability measures, including mandatory body cameras. Human rights groups and international bodies condemned the use of lethal force and urged a transparent investigation as Jamaica continues to face a high number of fatal police shootings.

A new Jamaican film, Stew Peas, directed by Sosiessia Nixon, explores the country’s outlawed obeah spiritual tradition through a suspense story centered on a detective whose husband is bewitched. The film prompts discussion about the tension between African spiritual practices and Christianity, a divide rooted in colonial suppression and still reflected in Jamaica’s Obeah Act. Cultural scholars and film industry figures highlight the importance of reclaiming African heritage, especially amid challenges such as Hurricane Melissa’s damage to Jamaica’s creative sector. The film is praised as a symbol of resilience and a catalyst for global engagement with Jamaican culture.

The family of Andrew Frederick, a British man found tortured and killed in Grenada, accuses the UK government of failing to provide adequate support after a pathologist ruled the death a homicide. Despite receiving the postmortem findings, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office declined to refer the case to its murder and manslaughter unit, prompting the family to seek external assistance and raise the issue through MP Rupa Huq. Advocacy group Murdered Abroad and policing experts criticise the discretionary nature of UK support for overseas homicides, highlighting systemic gaps. Grenadian authorities have referred the case for a coroner’s inquest while UK officials state they are in contact with local investigators.

A Jamaican MP’s attempt to deliver part of her maiden parliamentary speech in Jamaican sparked immediate interruption and revived long‑running debates over colonial legacies, linguistic legitimacy, and cultural identity. Supporters, including academics and language experts, argue that Jamaican is a fully developed language that deserves recognition in official spaces, while critics emphasize adherence to parliamentary rules requiring English. The incident split public opinion and highlighted tensions between tradition, national identity, and calls for bilingual recognition of Jamaican alongside English.

An investigation was launched in Jamaica after CCTV footage showed police fatally shooting Latoya Bulgin during a protest in Granville, prompting national outrage and renewed scrutiny of police violence. The officer involved was suspended as opposition figures demanded an independent inquiry and highlighted rising fatal police shootings, including the recent killing of 17‑year‑old Tjey Edwardson. Rights advocates criticized the handling of the scene and emphasized the importance of independent footage in ensuring accountability. Indecom urged witnesses to come forward, stressing the need for comprehensive evidence in the inquiry.

Bahamians are set to vote in a competitive three‑way general election shaped by concerns over immigration from Haiti and rising living costs, including high fuel prices linked to conflict in the Middle East. Prime minister Philip Davis argues the Progressive Liberal Party offers stability and economic recovery, while the Free National Movement campaigns on a hard line against illegal immigration and rising expenses. The Coalition of Independents seeks to expand on its previous vote share through a strong social media presence. Party figures and voters emphasize contrasting views on economic progress, sovereignty and public services as polling begins.

Ralph Gonsalves urged that reparatory justice for slavery be placed at the centre of the upcoming Commonwealth summit, citing growing regional and international momentum following a UN resolution recognising chattel slavery as a grave crime against humanity. Caribbean and African nations are advancing coordinated strategies, including conferences in Ghana and regional meetings to update Caricom’s reparations plan. Leaders such as Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Mia Mottley and Olivia Grange were highlighted for their roles in the movement, while Gonsalves expressed hope that King Charles would support a progressive approach as Jamaica seeks legal advice on reparations from the privy council.

Gaston Browne is poised to secure a fourth term as Antigua and Barbuda’s prime minister, with preliminary results showing the ruling Labour party winning nearly all parliamentary seats. Opposition parties struggled amid defections and internal dissatisfaction, leaving Jamale Pringle as the United Progressive party’s only successful candidate, while Trevor Walker won Barbuda for the Barbuda People’s Movement. The campaign unfolded against economic pressures influenced by global instability and US visa restrictions tied to concerns over the country’s citizenship by investment program. Browne’s strategic timing of the snap election and continued support despite US actions contributed to his strong electoral position.

Research estimates that slavery in Barbados resulted in up to $2 trillion in damages, representing 25 million years of stolen life and labour. Led by Coleman Bazelon, the study quantifies unpaid labour and drastically shortened life expectancy under British chattel slavery. Barbados officials describe the findings as a foundation for national dialogue on reparative justice, while experts highlight long-term inequalities perpetuated by compensation paid to enslavers rather than the enslaved. The report aligns with broader international discussions following a UN resolution declaring chattel slavery the gravest crime against humanity, although the UK continues to oppose direct monetary reparations.

US pressure on Latin American and Caribbean governments to end agreements employing Cuban medical personnel has created sudden gaps in healthcare, especially in remote and impoverished communities. Multiple countries have terminated long‑running partnerships with Cuba following tightened measures under Donald Trump’s second term, while Mexico remains the sole holdout. Supporters of the programme argue that the withdrawal leaves vulnerable populations without essential services, while Washington characterises the scheme as coercive labour. Cuban doctors and researchers reject claims of forced labour and emphasise the programme’s importance to both Cuban public services and regional healthcare access. Governments and NGOs are now scrambling to fill staffing shortages, with some warning that Indigenous and underserved groups will be disproportionately harmed.

The government of St Vincent and the Grenadines delayed two constitutional amendment bills aimed at redefining eligibility rules for members of parliament after protests and public criticism. The amendments sought to narrow the definition of allegiance to a foreign power so that dual citizenship with Commonwealth countries would not disqualify officeholders, a change prompted by legal petitions challenging the eligibility of Prime Minister Godwin Friday and another MP. Legal experts and political figures raised concerns over the timing and implications for judicial independence, while supporters argued that parliament must clarify constitutional ambiguities. The dispute reflects broader Caribbean tensions over outdated constitutional frameworks and the increasing prevalence of dual citizenship.