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Key Points: Budget 2026-27

Sherrylyn Clarke
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Key Points: Budget 2026-27

Key Points of the 2026-27 Budgetary Proposals and Financial Statement as delivered by Minister of Finance Ryan Straughn on March 16, 2026.

  • This is the first Budget being presented by this Government while not in an IMF programme. Barbados has regained control of its economic future. The country is on a stronger economic footing.
  • Barbados remains in a stand-by arrangement with the IMF.
  • Debt to GDP ratio was at 99.8% at October 2025; at January 2026 now 93.3%.
  • Barbados is now off everybody’s lists – it meets international standards for transparency and financial regulation.
  • Adjustments were made to Budget to respond to current global challenges – for example, corporation tax assumptions reduced by $200 million.
  • Unemployment rate at all-time low of 6.1% at end of December 2025.
  • Central Bank expected to report next month 19th consecutive quarters of growth.
  • $728.5 million spent in fuel imported last year.
  • In past two weeks Brent crude has risen from US$64 per barrel to just under US$106.
  • Over next 3 months, hedge for Bajans with oil price locked in at US$92 per barrel – 80 000 barrels per month.
  • From April 1, Government will absorb 50% of increase in Fuel Clause Adjustment for next 3 months. It will cost Government $7.9 million.
  • Government cutting VAT and excise tax caps on fuel. From April 1, cumulative reduction of 15 cents per litre at the pump.
  • They are not permanent but to deal with the current crisis.
  • To businesses: Identify your energy wastage and fix it.
  • During COVID-19 in 2020, country imported $519m in fuel. Last year it imported $728.5m.
    • From April 1 to March 31, 2027:
  • To extend Excise and CAT holiday on electric vehicles
  • Cost of replacement batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles will be eligible for the five-year personal income tax deduction
    • Shipping bunker surcharges:
  • For 20-foot containers – from US$200 per container to US$700
  • For 40-foot containers – from US$400 per container to US$1400
  • From April 1, Customs and Excise Department to cap value of 20-foot container at US$3000 and US$6000 for 40-foot container.
  • Reverse tax credit to increase from $1300 to $1700 from April 1 for those earning up to $25000 per year.
  • Eligibility threshold to increase to $35000 and those beneficiaries will receive $750 in reverse tax credit.
  • Two dedicated Gun Courts coming – one dealing with offences committed in the last year and the other with the backlog of cases.
  • All purchases of GPS and dashcams systems for vehicles to be duty- and VAT-free on importation to Barbados for one year.
  • Customs duties and VAT to be removed for one year from importation of CCTV/security systems.
    • Goods imported for personal use through registered couriers:
  • • Tax-free amount raised from $60 to $150
  • • From $150.01 to $199.99, duty-free and only VAT payable
  • • Anything over $200 in value, Customs duty and VAT apply
  • Excludes items like alcohol, cannabis products, cigars and cigarettes
  • A $500 fine for false declarations or under-invoicing
  • Government announced the launch of the Green Industrial Gateway Advantage (GIGA) – to create thousands of new, high-value jobs.
  • This is projected to raise the country’s foreign earnings from US$700m to between US$4-6 billion annually within a decade.
    • Multi-birth cash grant:
  • • $300 per month for twins (up to age five)
  • • $600 per month for triplets and more (up to age five)
    • Barbados Republic Child Wealth Fund
  • • $5000 in trust per child born after November 30, 2021.
  • • The just-concluded Estimates have set aside $52.1m to cover current amounts. It is estimated to cost $10m-$12m per year going forward

DLP General Council suspends Steve Blackett

Sherrylyn Clarke
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DLP General Council suspends Steve Blackett

The General Council of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) tonight voted unanimously to suspend general secretary Steve Blackett.

The announcement was made by assistant general secretary, Pedro Shepherd, whose elevation to fill the post, was also confirmed at the same meeting.

In a statement issued from the George Street, St Michael headquarters, Shepherd said the General Council “unanimously moved and adopted a motion to refer complaints regarding the general secretary Mr Steve Blackett to the Disciplinary Committee of the party. Mr Blackett has been suspended from his office of General Secretary, pending the conclusion of the investigation”.

A call to political leader, Ralph Thorne, who is also Opposition Leader, was unanswered. 

On April 21, Blackett moved a motion of no-confidence in Thorne and one of confidence in president Dr Ronnie Yearwood.

“This party existed and was making good way for the past six years and we did not have a political leader. This party can exist without a political leader but it can’t exist without a president, or I dare say, a general secretary,” Blackett said at the time.

“I will not stand idly by and allow Mister Ralph Anthony Thorne to continue to drag our party down. His presence here has brought nothing positive to this party. All it has brought to this party is confusion, destruction, turmoil and conflict.”

The Nation understands Blackett did not attend the meeting, while Yearwood reportedly left and it was suspended without completion of the other items on the agenda. Yearwood also did not answer a call after

Ralph Thorne crosses the floor and is new Opposition Leader

Sherrylyn Clarke
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Ralph Thorne crosses the floor and is new Opposition Leader

Government backbencher Ralph Thorne has crossed the floor to become Leader of the Opposition in a stunning move.

The Christ Church South Member of Parliament visited the President of Barbados yesterday and declared his intention in a development that comes two years after the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) was returned to office in another clean sweep of the 30 parliamentary seats.

Reacting to questions from this newspaper on the development, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, who was at the helm of the BLP’s historic wins in 2018 and 2022, simply stated: “Easy come, easy go.”

She confirmed what reliable sources had told the Saturday Sun, saying that the President had written her indicating that Thorne visited her and informed her he was no longer sitting with the Government and would become the Opposition Leader. (AC)

Subscribe now to our eNATION edition for the full story.

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Rowe removed as Deputy Speaker

Sherrylyn Clarke
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Rowe removed as Deputy Speaker

Member of Parliament for St Michael North West, Neil Rowe, has been removed as Deputy Speaker.

Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of Government Business, Santia Bradshaw, moved the motion moments ago in the House of Assembly.

It was passed and he was replaced by MP for St Thomas, Cynthia Forde.

MP for St Philip North, Dr Sonia Browne, rose to query the motion, saying they had “all of 0.2 seconds to respond”.

However, Speaker Arthur Holder said the only thing up for consideration was the selection of Forde.

Rowe is before the courts, charged with rape. He has been committed to stand trial. (SAT)

Shooting incident at The Pine

Nationnews Desk
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Shooting incident at The Pine

Police have confirmed a shooting of a man at Regent Hill, The Pine, St Michael.

Police are on the scene and the man was said to be unresponsive. 

More details to come.

Matthews steers WI Women to win

Nationnews Desk
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Matthews steers WI Women to win

DUBLIN – Hayley Matthews delivered a captain’s innings of authority and elegance as the West Indies Women stormed to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Ireland Women in the opening match of the Women’s Tri-Series yesterday.

The Barbadian all-rounder produced an unbeaten 82 from just 44 balls to lead a clinical chase after the West Indies bowlers dismantled Ireland for a modest 103 in 17 overs. The visitors wasted little time in completing the assignment, racing to 104 for two in only 11.3 overs to open the series in commanding fashion.

Matthews, who combined controlled aggression with calculated stroke play, ensured there would be no hiccups after two early wickets briefly gave the home side hope. Her innings included a rapid halfcentury off 34 deliveries and underlined why she remains one of the most dangerous players in world cricket.

Earlier, Ireland found themselves in immediate trouble after being sent in to bat. The West Indies bowlers attacked relentlessly from the outset and reduced the hosts to 36 for three during the powerplay, leaving the innings struggling for momentum.

Captain Orla Prendergast tried to rebuild with a top score of 25, while Leah Paul chipped in with 21, but Ireland never managed to establish any meaningful partnerships against disciplined bowling and sharp fielding from the Caribbean side.

Left-arm spinner Qiana Joseph emerged as the chief destroyer, producing outstanding figures of three wickets for eight runs from just two overs. Her accuracy and variation proved too much for the Irish middle order as wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals.

Key contributions

Zaida James and Jahzara Claxton also made key contributions with two wickets each, ensuring Ireland never recovered from the early collapse. The West Indies fielders complemented the bowling effort superbly, holding eight catches as pressure mounted on the Irish batters to force attacking shots.

Ireland’s total always looked below par, but the hosts struck twice early in the chase to provide a glimmer of resistance.

Veteran all-rounder Deandra Dottin, appearing in her 300th international match, fell cheaply for three after being caught in the deep off Ava Canning.

Joseph, who had starred with the ball, followed soon after for six, also dismissed by Canning, leaving the West Indies on 35 for two just before the end of the powerplay.

However, Matthews quickly extinguished any thoughts of an Irish comeback.

Displaying her full range of strokes, the captain punished anything short or overpitched and dominated the bowling with trademark confidence. She found an experienced ally in Stafanie Taylor, whose calm presence allowed Matthews to dictate the tempo of the innings.

The pair ensured there were no further alarms as the West Indies accelerated towards victory with remarkable ease. Matthews finished unbeaten on 82, guiding her side home with more than eight overs remaining and securing a dominant start to the tri-series campaign.

The convincing performance highlighted the West Indies’ strength in both departments and sent an early warning to the other teams in the competition. With Matthews leading from the front and the bowling attack firing in unison, the Caribbean side could hardly have asked for a more impressive opening display.

(CMC)

Steady decline in birth rates for six decades

Tonisha Rock-Yaw
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Steady decline in birth rates for six decades

Barbados is confronting a deepening demographic crisis marked by falling birth rates, an ageing population and looming labour shortages.

Senior officials gave that warning yesterday as Government opened a two-day workshop aimed at developing an implementation plan for the Barbados Population Policy 2023-2040.

Speaking during the opening ceremony of the Capacity Building Workshop for the Development of an Implementation Plan for the Barbados Population Policy 2023-2040 at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Development, Jennifer Hunte, revealed that Barbados has recorded a steady decline in birth and fertility rates for more than six decades.

“The main findings of this 2021 report indicate Barbados has had a consistent decrease in birth and fertility rates since 1960. The fertility rate has been below replacement rate since 1980. Most CARICOM countries are facing similar declines in birth and fertility rates,” Hunte said.

She explained that findings from the Population Situational Analysis Report painted a troubling picture for the island’s long-term economic and social sustainability.

“Barbados has one of the lowest population growth rates at 24 per cent in CARICOM between 1960 and 2018. In 2018, Barbados had the highest population density of the CARICOM member states. Migration via the CARICOM Single Market and Economy has not significantly increased the population of working age,” she said.

Hunte warned that the country’s ageing population was expected to place severe pressure on health care systems, social services and the labour force over the coming decades.

“Over the next 30 years, the dependency ratio will grow to nearly two dependents per person of working age with a higher presence of elderly dependents by 2050. Care of the elderly currently accounts for just under 20 per cent of total health expenditure and is expected to nearly double in demand for financing,” she noted.

Hunte added that the report projected “an eventual decline in those of working age and rate of labour force participation, workforce shortages as retirees outnumber new entrants to the workforce, decline in savings rates as older persons draw down on their assets to support themselves, decline in productivity and innovation and increased burden of care not only for family members, but also for the state through social security and social protection programmes.”

She said projections previously suggested Barbados’ population would peak at approximately 290 000 people between 2029 and 2030 before declining, but the 2021 Population and Housing Census showed contraction had already begun with an estimated 269 090 people.

She explained that Government subsequently introduced the Barbados Population Policy 2023-2040 to provide a framework to address the country’s demographic challenges in a coordinated way.

She said the workshop, held in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund, was aimed at turning policy into action.

“This workshop is a critical step in converting policy into action and ensuring it integrates with other policies and programmes of Government. It is our hope that through collaboration and consultation with our partners, by the end of the next two days, we are able to move towards execution with a realistic and actionable implementation plan,” she stressed.

Director of the Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean at the United Nations Population Fund, Harold Robinson, commended Barbados for taking proactive steps to confront demographic changes affecting the region.

“Population trends are not simply demographic matters, they are key development drivers. Who we are as a population, how many we are, where we live, how we age, how families evolve and how people move across borders, all of these shape a country’s future trajectory,” Robinson said.

He said declining fertility rates, population ageing, changing dependency structures and labour force pressures were already reshaping Barbados’ social and economic landscape.

“These trends are not unique to Barbados. Many countries across the Caribbean are facing similar transitions. However, Barbados is among the leaders in the region in asking the critical question how do we prepare today for the demographic realities of tomorrow?” he said.

Robinson stressed that demographic resilience required countries to anticipate and adapt to changing population patterns.

“Demographic trends are not destiny. With strategic investments and evidence-informed planning, countries can shape outcomes and create opportunities. A shrinking labour force can be addressed through investments in skills and managed migration. Population ageing can stimulate innovation in the care economy. Family well-being policies can strengthen resilience across generations,” he said.

He added that the workshop was intended to create a practical roadmap for implementation.

“This workshop is not simply about creating another planning document. It is about translating evidence into action. It is about moving from diagnosis to delivery,” Robinson said. ( TRY)

Push to protect farms

Josue Ramirez Nelson
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Push to protect farms

Praedial larceny and the scourge of monkeys are some of the systemic issues plaguing agriculture and a multi-pronged approach will be required to safeguard farmers’ livelihoods and get more people into production.

Minister of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Security Dr Shantal Munro-Knight said a number of long and short-term plans were being utilised, including public sensitisation campaigns, tracing of crops, and extended coverage of praedial larceny patrols.

During the launch of the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC) Agricultural Statistics Platform at the Ministry’s Conference Room, Graeme Hall, Christ Church, yesterday, she said addressing praedial larceny was a challenge.

Organised

“I’ve visited a number of farms since I’ve come in to the ministry. I remember going on pretty large farms with cameras and invested in heavy security and still they confront praedial larceny in a major way, because it’s organised,” she noted.

“This is not just people that we think are just running about and saying ‘Let me go into somebody’s ground’; this is organised. People come with vans and its whole groupings of people,” she said.

Calling crop theft a societal challenge that must be confronted on several fronts, Munro-Knight said it would persist as long as there was a market for stolen goods.

While efforts have been made to crack down on the market of stolen goods via the presentation of permits and the issuing of receipts for commercial quantities of agricultural produce, the minister proposed a transition to digital receipts for easier tracking.

“I want to make sure that we have vendors who are going to the market, not just with a permit, but you’ve got to be able to tell me you’re coming in my market to sell and where your produce is coming from. So I want to close that loop as well, even in our markets, so that this ministry is right-size when it comes to that.

“We’re talking about how we make all of the receipts electronic and more accessible for the police to be able to use them. People have to show them on the phone, whatever it is. So we’re looking at that suite of solutions for those issues,” she added.

Plans are under way for a public education campaign to shed light on the impact that theft has on farmers, especially smaller operations.

Patrols

Praedial larceny patrols, held in collaboration with the BADMC and the Barbados Police Service, have already yielded positive results, and talks are ongoing regarding its expansion to other districts, Munro-Knight said.

Additionally, a meeting with stakeholders will be held in the second week of June and will call for reflection on action plans for the prevailing issues as well as how technology can be incorporated into security measures and cost effective options for farmers.

Concerning the impact of monkeys on livestock, Munro-Knight said her ministry was looking to collaborate with the Ministry of Environment, National Beautification and Fisheries on additional solutions to the problem.

An increase in the bounty on monkeys from $15 a tail to $25 was introduced in 2024, however Munro-Knight indicated that other efforts were needed to face the challenge.

“We would have increased the bounty as well on those that are involved in the culling of the monkeys, but we also as well are a humane society, and I don’t know if those efforts at scale are going to be able to tackle the pervasiveness of what we have now with that particular challenge,” she said. (JRN)

Kenya court halts opening of US Ebola quarantine facility in the country

Nationnews Desk
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Kenya court halts opening of US Ebola quarantine facility in the country

A Kenyan court has suspended US plans to open an Ebola quarantine facility for American citizens in the country that has sparked public concern about cross-border infection risks.

The 50-bed isolation centre is to be staffed by US medics and was due to begin operations on Friday, according to an American official. The Kenyan government has not directly commented on the plan.

In its court petition, rights group the Katiba Institute warned that the arrangement posed “grave and imminent risks” to public health.

A High Court judge barred the operation of any Ebola facility in Kenya by any foreign government until the case is heard.

The exact location for the US treatment centre was not disclosed by the American authorities, but lawmakers from Laikipia county, central Kenya, have raised objections after reports emerged that it would be established in their area.

MPs called on the government to be clear about the details, saying they saw “no logic” in Kenya or Laikipia hosting the medical facility.

The US isolation centre is intended to treat US citizens believed to have been exposed to the virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, according to US officials.

The current Ebola outbreak, which is centred in the the east of DR Congo, is suspected to have caused at least 220 deaths and more than 900 infections so far, the Congolese authorities say. There have also been seven cases and one death in Uganda.

Referring to plans to staff the treatment centre in Kenya a US official said “the first group has deployed. These individuals received extensive training in the use of PPE [personal protective equipment], in the use of proper quarantine techniques”.

“We’re going to be ready to take care of our citizens as needed,” the official added.

Kenya was selected because of “its proximity [to the location of the outbreak] and to ensure Americans can be treated in a timely matter”, the official said.

But in its ruling, the court in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, specifically restrained government agencies and officials from “establishing, operationalising, facilitating, approving or permitting” any Ebola-related quarantine, isolation or treatment centre tied to arrangements with the US or any foreign government in Kenya.

Justice Patricia Nyaundi barred authorities from admitting into Kenya anyone exposed to or infected with Ebola under the proposed arrangement.

The Katiba Institute argued that there was an imminent threat to life if the plans proceeded without safeguards.

The court agreed that public interest justified issuing interim orders while the matter was heard.

This comes amid heightened public concern and widespread criticism following reports that the US could send Ebola-exposed individuals to Kenya for observation or treatment.

The reports have triggered anxiety online, with many Kenyans questioning whether the country has sufficient containment capacity to safely manage such cases.

Kenya’s largest doctors’ union accused the government of engaging in “backdoor negotiations” and demanded the immediate release of any bilateral agreements underpinning the plan.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) questioned why Kenya was allegedly selected to host a quarantine facility for exposed US citizens, despite not being at the epicentre of the outbreak.

Kenya, East Africa’s largest economy, had not recorded any Ebola cases as of Friday.

The union said it was “utterly disgusted” by what it described as the government’s willingness to compromise Kenya’s national biosecurity in exchange for foreign aid.

“If it is too dangerous for America, it is too dangerous for Kenya,” the union stated, referencing what it claimed was Washington’s refusal to allow Ebola cases on to US soil.

Davji Bhimji Atellah, KMPDU’s secretary general, said the union “will not sit back and watch Kenya be treated as a containment colony for a lethal pathogen that we did not generate.”

The union also objected to reports suggesting that the facility could be staffed by the US officials instead of Kenyan healthcare professionals.

“We will not tolerate an apartheid healthcare model on Kenyan soil,” KMPDU warned.

The medical group gave the Kenyan government a 48-hour ultimatum to disclose details of the negotiations or risk nationwide industrial action.

“Kenya is a sovereign republic, not a geopolitical isolation ward,” it added.

But in a statement after meeting foreign diplomats in Nairobi on Thursday, Kenya’s President William Ruto said: “We agreed on the importance of cooperation and avoiding isolationism, recognising that public health threats do not respect borders and require coordinated regional and global action.

“Kenya will continue to act transparently, responsibly, and decisively to protect lives while contributing to regional and global health security,” Ruto added.

He did not, however, directly refer to the US plans to establish the Ebola treatment centre.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also spoke with Ruto on the telephone on Thursday, Rubio’s spokesperson said in a statement, adding that Washington intends to provide $13.5m (£10.7 m) in aid to fund Kenya’s Ebola preparedness efforts.

The amount is part of a larger $112m US commitment for the regional response to the outbreak. (BBC News)

Caribbean to benefit from closer collaboration with Europe and Central America

Nationnews Desk
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Caribbean to benefit from closer collaboration with Europe and Central America

The Global Gateway Coordination forum for the Caribbean Basin has ended here with the delegates from the Caribbean, Central America and Europe agreeing in principle to join forces in strengthening the provision of meteorological and climate services.

The collaboration meeting was one of the segments of the overarching 2026 Wet/Hurricane Season Caribbean Climate Outlook forum (CariCOF) stakeholder forum which ended here on Thursday.

During the forum on the provision of these services, the regional and international experts representing the areas of climate change, meteorology, natural hazards and emergency management, took the common position and committed to working together to ensure the dissemination of accurate forecasting and monitoring of weather and climate phenomena, communicating risks and essential information to the early warning systems (EWS).

Principal of the Barbados-based Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH), Dr David Farrell, announced a proposal by his agency to send groups of young potential scientists to Europe this year as part of an initiative to upgrade their skills and competencies for improved outcomes.

Farrell said he agreed to a suggestion made to him by the executive secretary for the United States-based Regional Water Resources Committee, Maximilliano Campos Ortiz,, to extend the collaboration and consultations beyond the English and Spanish-speaking Caribbean to include the Dutch and French.

“When we started this conversation last April discussions on collaboration started last April, this is kind of where we wanted to get…this level of agreement for collaboration, peer-to-peer in medits (Medical Information Technology Services]. I know Shawn Boyce (of CIMH) will be going over to JRC in a week’s time. And as part of his initial in medits step…we had some people over in January or December last year.

“But,“I also want to put an offer on the table. We’ve got the embedded offer on the table if you are going to exploit itt. I also want to put an offer on the table that I send a number of young people to Europe. They are going to owe me big at the end of this. Let me be very clear what I expect on the issue…that they come back with the knowledge of doing things with regard to their thesis work,” Farrell said.

The CIMH’s principal explained that this is how knowledge will be built in the region, to have these young people go and see and build a relationship.”

He said he was looking forward to sending three people from the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) in Jamaica as well as three others from the CIMH center in Barbados.

“You can go to Europe for a week, two weeks, whatever it is, and learn, and build a relationship that can inform your thesis…because, at the end of the day, what I would like to see that this has not been a research agenda, but the people’s thesis.”

Farrell reasoned that if he could get others to build on this at scale that matters to this region, it would have achieved what he envisioned.

He said he believes this opportunity would be “extremely” useful to these young people to get exposure at this critical part of their education, and then to use exposure to build something beneficial.

The scientist thinks if three or four out of six of them were to grab the opportunity and succeed, it would be a major outcome and that the CIMH is sending a third person to study in Germany later this year.

“I think this is the pathway to helping us to build that support system internally, and building products and services on top of what exists that scale to this level, as part of a peer project.”

Farrell said he hoped the decision to work together at the regional and Central American levels would not be a one-off effort, especially since “we share similar challenges, maybe at different scales, but similar challenges in terms of capacity, and in the types of tropical storms and other climate hazards required to make decisions and challenges with tropical storms.

“We can make this into a much bigger collaboration relating to benefits when we can share resources. We should really have Central America in this discussion because we share a lot of the similar challenges,” he added.

The European Union officials who sat on the Global Gateway panel discussion accepted Farrell’s proposal and said they looked forward to welcoming those who would be going there with Ortiz also agreeing to collaborate with the Caribbean.

In fact, the common refrain at almost every panel discussion and from the lips of the various other speakers, was the need for collaboration between the Caribbean, its wider Latin American neighbours and the global arena.

The two-day meeting here was hosted by The Bahamian government in association with the CIMH, the EU, the World Meteorological Organisation, the Caribbean Meteorological Organisation, Climate Services and Related Applications Programme (ClimSA), and the Construction Recruitment External Workers Services (CREWS). (CMC)

Loving mother describes daughter’s struggle with Methylmalonic Acidemia

Maria Bradshaw
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Loving mother describes daughter’s struggle with Methylmalonic Acidemia

Twenty years ago, the headline was about desperation. A four-year-old girl, fighting a rare and debilitating disease, was being denied vital medication by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Her mother, Theresa Small, was locked in a battle for her daughter’s life.

Today, the narrative has shifted dramatically.

Thalisa Williams-Waithe is now 24 years old. She recently stood before an audience in Miami, Florida, reading a speech at her graduation from the Florida Education Institute – a moment her mother describes as nothing short of a miracle.

Thalisa Small-Waithe showing off the diploma which she received from the Florida Education Institute in culinary arts.(GP)

“It brought tears to my eyes when Thalisa read her speech and her thank you,” Theresa told the Sunday Sun during a recent interview. “She was not even able to read years before that. To see her now . . . .”

Vitamin B12 injection

Two decades have passed since this newspaper first highlighted Thalisa’s struggle with Methylmalonic Acidemia (MMA), a rare metabolic disorder. At that time, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) was refusing to dispense a crucial Vitamin B12 injection needed to fight infections. Thalisa’s medical condition was also the first of its kind in Barbados.

Theresa recalls those early years as a blur of hospital stays and medical crises.

“Thalisa spent most of her life in the hospital. When she did come home, she would spend a day or two before she’d go back again,” Theresa said, as she recalled the many seizures which left her always wondering if her daughter would survive.

The illness took a heavy toll on the family. Theresa’s son, Christopher, struggled with the attention his sick sister required, often fearing he would lose her. Doctors had given a grim prognosis, but Theresa refused to give up. She pursued nursing to better understand her daughter’s care, eventually becoming a certified nursing assistant.

Life took an unexpected turn in 2024 when Theresa, then working in the Immigration Department, was reassigned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She was appointed as a diplomat to the Barbados Consulate in Miami heading the accounts section.

It was a massive transition, but one Theresa knew she had to take as a package deal. Along with her husband, she took Thalisa and her ten-year-old granddaughter, Ariyah, to the United States.

The move offered Thalisa a fresh start. After attending the Ursuline Convent and the Derek Smith Vocational Centre in Barbados, she enrolled in the pastry and baking programme at the Florida Education Institute.

On April 29, Thalisa graduated, showcasing a menu that paid homage to her roots: Bailey’s Cheesecake, Red Velvet Cookies and Coconut Sweetbread.

“She wanted to do a Bajan tradition,” Theresa said proudly. “She ended up teaching them her methods. Their bread is not like our bread – she had to teach them about the cherries and the kneading.”

Despite the cap and gown, the future remains a careful balancing act. Thalisa’s condition still dictates her limitations. Previous attempts at employment in Barbados ended in seizures triggered by strenuous physical labour.

“The work was so strenuous . . . she kept getting seizures on the job,” Theresa recalled. “I have to be very considerate about what job she seeks. I don’t want what happened in Barbados to happen over here.”

While Thalisa has successfully transitioned off her daily injections – now managing her B12 orally – and has stopped the seizure medication, the realities of her condition persist.

“She’s 24 now, but she’s not in a situation where she can be fully independent,” Theresa admitted. “That is my number one concern every day of my life. If something happens to me tomorrow, is she ready?”

Crocheting business

Interestingly, Thalisa’s passion may lie beyond the kitchen. She has discovered a talent for crocheting, crafting placemats, napkins and intricate designs.

“I want to continue doing my crocheting business,” Thalisa stated. Her mother agrees that this quieter, skilled craft might be the sustainable path for her daughter, allowing her to work without the physical strain that exacerbates her MMA.

Yet Theresa is proud of all the milestones which her daughter has made despite her condition. From being able to read at 16 and getting five Caribbean Examinations Certificates at grade five. “I was proud of her and I congratulated her because she had spent so many days away from school.”

Theresa’s journey from a worried mother pleading for medication at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital to a diplomat managing her daughter’s care in Miami is a testament to resilience. She credits the support of the Erdiston Special Needs Unit, the Derek Smith Vocational Centre, and Dr Sean Bullen for the support given to them.

As Theresa, now 54, navigates the complexities of diplomatic life and securing dependent status for Thalisa in the US, the fear remains, but it is now outweighed by pride.

“I think this is my reward or my acknowledgement,” Theresa reflected on her career progression. “Notwithstanding all that has been going through with my daughter . . . she made it. And she is thriving.” (MB)

IDB Invest increasing funding to Barbados

Shawn Cumberbatch
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IDB Invest increasing funding to Barbados

Barbados is in line to benefit from up to US$100 million a year in funding from IDB Invest.

James Scriven, chief executive officer of the entity, which is the private sector arm of the Inter-American Development Bank Group, said his institution saw several opportunities to help Barbados, including in the improvement of its physical infrastructure.

This includes enhancing ports of entry, improving access to water and sanitation and expanding housing opportunities.

He was speaking in an interview on Wednesday at Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord’s Castle where IDB Invest held its three-day Sustainability Week 2026 event .

“We’ve been growing significantly in Barbados. Historically, we maybe were doing US$4 to US$10 million a year, last year we did US$80 million. This year we plan to do something similar,” he said.

“So, in general, we’re growing to the likes of between US$80 and US$100 million a year, and . . . historically that is a record high.”

Deep conversations

Scriven saw major opportunities to help Barbados fortify its physical infrastructure.

“We know that there are conversations about the airport. We know we’re in conversations about expansions of ports, separating the container ports [from] the cruise ships, for example,” Scriven shared.

“We’re in deep conversations about water and sanitation, those are areas that are extremely important to the island. We’re in deep conversations about housing, as another example. These are some areas that we are in exploration, . . .and we recently signed a few deals in the financial sector.” Barbados for the first time hosted Sustainability Week this year.

“We felt that the Caribbean was the right place . . . for a number of reasons. We’re moving away from small fragmented islands to a land of opportunities and we felt bringing in investors to understand better the market was a big objective,” he explained.

“So in a sense creating size [and] regional integration but more importantly the level of innovation that is actually happening today in the Caribbean, we felt it was a place to be able to do it.”

Inequality

Scriven said Sustainability Week being here also signified “how important Barbados has been”.

“So this is not only about the Caribbean but even more importantly about Barbados. Your Prime Minister has become a big voice, a voice of many areas of inequality but more importantly, she coined the word climate crisis and we did feel that the Caribbean is disproportionately affected by the effects of climate and we did feel that a big event . . . to understand the effect of climate is an important one,” he noted.

“You sit in front on the beach, everybody was expecting a beautiful beach, but they see Sargassum, that’s an [effect on] climate and that is affecting Barbados and across the Caribbean.”

Scriven said IDB Invest felt it was important to bring more than 800 people to the island, with others participating online, to “see the effects of climate and the potential of the Caribbean”.

“We felt it had to be in the Caribbean and we felt that Barbados was the right place for that,” he added. ( SC)

West Indies Women named for 2026 T20 World Cup in England and Wales

Nationnews Desk
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0
West Indies Women named for 2026 T20 World Cup in England and Wales

Cricket West Indies (Cricket West Indies) has announced its 15-member squad for the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled for June 5 to July 5 in England and Wales.

The squad announcement follows an extended preparation phase that included a training camp in Wales and competitive exposure in the Evara Women’s International Tri-series in Ireland against Ireland and Pakistan.

Head coach Shane Deitz said the group was selected with clear tactical intent for English conditions, particularly focusing on powerplay batting, middle-overs control and finishing depth.

“We know that in these conditions, strong powerplay batting and sustained scoring through the middle overs will be critical to winning games. Our analysis showed that when we score positively in the powerplay, particularly getting beyond that 45-run mark, we give ourselves a much stronger opportunity to control matches,” Deitz said.

He added that the bowling unit was built for flexibility and discipline under pressure.

“We’ve therefore selected a group with flexibility at the top of the order, players who can handle both pace and spin effectively, and importantly, batters capable of maintaining intent regardless of wickets lost, along with ensuring depth in the batting so we can continue attacking deep into the innings,” he said.

Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe said the preparation programme was designed to mirror tournament conditions and strengthen team cohesion.

“The camp in Wales was designed to immerse the players in conditions similar to what they will experience throughout the World Cup,” Bascombe said.

He added that the Ireland tri-series provides vital match practice ahead of the tournament. (CWI)

West Indies Women’s Squad (Tri-nation Series & ICC World Cup)

  1. Hayley Matthews (Captain)
  2. Chinelle Henry (Vice-Captain)
  3. Aaliyah Alleyne
  4. Shemaine Campbelle
  5. Jahzara Claxton
  6. Deandra Dottin
  7. Afy Fletcher
  8. Jannillea Glasgow
  9. Shawnisha Hector
  10. Zaida James
  11. Qiana Joseph
  12. Mandy Mangru
  13. Ashmini Munisar
  14. Karishma Ramharack
  15. Stafanie Taylor

Evara Women’s International Tri-series: West Indies x Ireland x Pakistan

(All matches played at Castle Avenue, Dublin)

Match 1: May 28 – Ireland vs West Indies
Match 2: May 29 – Pakistan vs West Indies
Match 3: May 31 – Ireland vs Pakistan
Match 4: June 1 – Ireland vs West Indies
Match 5: June 3 – Pakistan vs West Indies
Match 6: June 4 – Ireland vs Pakistan

All matches during the Evara Women’s International Tri-series will be streamed live on ICC TV beginning at 11 AM (AST) / 10 AM (JA).

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Warm-up Matches (England)

  • June 8: West Indies vs India
  • June 10: West Indies vs Australia

Group Stage Opener

  • June 13: West Indies vs New Zealand

Two left homeless after St Lucy house fire

Nationnews Desk
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Two left homeless after St Lucy house fire

Two people lost their home and all their possessions in a fire at Checker Hall Development, St Lucy, today.

The homeowners declined to speak, but a neighbour told The Nation she heard an explosion. She called the Barbados Fire Service, which dispatched one tender and nine officers to the scene.

Despite the efforts of the community, nothing was saved as the wooden home was quickly engulfed. (Nation News)

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