GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), retired Justice Claudette Singh, has shot down the possibility of introducing biometrics for this year’s elections, saying the timeline is too tight and significant hurdles remain.

WASHINGTON, DC – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) diplomats at the Organization of American States (OAS) have “strongly” reaffirmed their “unanimous endorsement” of Suriname’s Foreign Minister, Albert Ramdin, as the region’s candidate for the position of  OAS Secretary-General.

BEIJING, China – Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell has welcomed the signing of 13 cooperation agreements with China covering a wide range of areas, including agriculture, energy and the environment, renewable energy, arts, culture and tourism, and the blue economy.

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent – The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Inga Rhonda King, has been appointed to serve as co-facilitator within the United Nations Economic and Social Council and High-Level Political Forum.

PARAMARIBO, Suriname - Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, has received one of Suriname’s highest national awards for her exceptional contribution to the relationship between the two countries, her leadership within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and her commitment to the region.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Government will be introducing a new housing initiative to expand support and improve living conditions for Jamaicans in need.

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti - The former director general of the Haitian National Police (NHP), Mario Andrésol, has been sworn in as the new Secretary of State for Public Security, with Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, saying the “appointment illustrates the government’s desire to address the security challenges of the nation”.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - The small opposition Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) Tuesday said it will not be contesting the general election to be held later this year.

CARACAS, Venezuela – The US Department of State has increased to US$25 million, the reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro who has been charged in a federal indictment for narco-terrorism and drug trafficking-related offences.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The main opposition People’s National Party (PNP) is demanding the immediate resignation of Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck for advising his parliamentary colleagues not to comply with a critical provision in the Integrity Commission Act that requires them to furnish information about their spouses’ earnings to the anti-corruption body.

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – The ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party ABLP) strengthened its slender majority in the Parliament on Tuesday after its candidate, Rawdon Turner won the St Peter by-election.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Energy Minister Stuart Young has received the full backing of his People’s National Movement (PNM) colleagues in the House of Representatives to take over as Prime Minister when Dr. Keith Rowley steps down.