ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – The Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) is denying reports of unauthorized American military activity on the island, saying that the presence of Canadian military officials are a result of the planning process for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to be held here next year.

ROSEAU, Dominica – Dominica will be observing its 47th anniversary of political independence from Britain on Monday, with the government saying despite being a small nation it has “a mighty spirit, tested by storms and trials, yet steady in faith and determined in hope.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – President Irfaan Ali has held talks in with Saudi Arabia with that country’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud on Monday as the two countries seek to deepen their relations, according to a government statement issued here

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, Tuesday called for the Caribbean to remain a zone of peace, warning against the impact of the military build-up by the United States ostensibly to deal with drug traffickers in the region.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett, has praised Antigua and Barbuda’s role on the regional and international stage as the country marks its 44th anniversary of political independence on Saturday.

CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuelan legislators are on Tuesday expected to debate a motion declaring the Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad- Bissessar persona non grata as the rift between the two governments over the presence of United States military presence off the coast of the South American country widens.

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent – When voters in this Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country cast their ballots in the November 27 general election, the outcome could determine the future survival of the country’s two major political parties.

ST.  GEORGE’S, Grenada – Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell says he will make a statement to Parliament next Tuesday on the request by the United States to temporarily install a radar at the Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA) and the deployment of US military assets on or near Grenada.

KINGSTON, St. Vincent – The Director General of the St. Lucia-based Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Dr.  Didacus Jules, Monday extended congratulations to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as the member state of the sub-regional grouping celebrates its 46th anniversary of political independence from Britain.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad –  The Trinidad and Tobago government on Friday said it has taken note “of the current heightened sense of anxiety and concern”  in the country based on what it described as “false news reports suggesting that there will be an imminent  change in the status of  the national and regional  security environment”.

WASHINGTON, DC —International human rights watchdog Amnesty International on Wednesday urged the US Congress to stop airstrikes in the Caribbean .

CARACAS, Venezuela – President Nicolas Maduro has announced the “immediate”  suspension of energy agreements with Trinidad and Tobago, a few hours after his Vice President, Delcy Rodríguez, said a formal proposal had been submitted to him to suspend the Energy Cooperation Framework Agreement with Port of Spain.