Political leaders in the Eastern Caribbean (EC) have “largely failed” to address concerns of official corruption, according to a report released by the United States State Department.
It said the seven Eastern Caribbean countries – Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines – host abundant transshipment points for illicit narcotics primarily from Colombia and Venezuela destined for North American, European and domestic Caribbean markets.
“Local and international law enforcement believe traffickers increasingly make use of yachts for drug transit, though “go-fast” boats, fishing trawlers, and cargo ships continue to be used. Drug transshipment through the Eastern Caribbean increased in 2013,” said the document titled “2014 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report”.
I am not one of those who believe that the message is separate from the messenger, rather I firmly believe that the credibility and integrity of the messenger, is what gives credence to the message, therefore while I am of the view that the US generally lacks the moral authority to lecture any country on drug trafficking, while some states are legalizing cannabis (without taking into consideration its ability to lower ones IQ), while the federal government maintains cannabis as an illegal substance; I also know that the institutions established to address corruption are working very effectively, and the legal system does not discriminate in dealing with any and all those convicted of corruption.
The security forces, not devoid of some spats of corruption, is effective in apprehending investigation, and prosecution of corruption.
In the case of the countries cited in the article, I cannot speak to the state of whatever institutios they have if any, to address corruption, but in Dominica, either the institution(s) are either non-existent, undermined and/or rendered impotent. In other words there appears to be no cure, or even rremedy to relieve the symptoms of this dreaded disease that has infected these islands over the last decade, and has struck Dominica in particular, with such devastation, that even if the institutions existed, the care providers have been so infected that they cannot even accept the existence of this plague.Imagine a President of the US resigned for covering up a petty crime of breaking into an office of the opposing party, and another impeached for alleged lying about a sexual relationship.
But in Dominica, we see attempts to cover up the attempt on the life of two senior citizens, by members of the administration, we see evidence of alledged money laundering of over 2.6 million dollars, we have the Senior Counsel rendering the IPO imponent so that it cannot ask questions of the prime minister and so on and so forth.
Corruption has eaten away at the very foundation of Dominica’s democracy, it has infiltrated the very pillars of our democracy including the judiciary and the Electoral Commission, yet The silence of CARICOM, CSME, OECS, ECCB, and our churches, as well as labour Unions is deafening, but all of these aforementioned keeps talking about their new weapon to control the people CCJ.
“Dominica passed several new laws in 2013 that will assist in prosecuting narcotics cases and transnational organized crime, including the region’s first comprehensive civil asset forfeiture law. The law established a dedicated forfeiture fund, requiring that forfeited funds be channeled to support police, prosecutors, RSS contributions, victim restitution, and drug abuse prevention and treatment.
Using the new forfeiture law, Dominica made its first civil cash seizure in September when two Venezuelan nationals were arrested with $17,433 in their possession as they attempted to depart the island. The pair did not contest the seizure, and a judge ordered the forfeiture shortly thereafter.”
INCSR 2014 Volume 1, Page 156, Paragraph 1.
The report further stated, “The United States further encourages the seven nations to pass legislation to modernize their criminal codes—making use of regional best practices in fighting transnational organized crime—and lauds Dominica and St. Lucia in their progress in this area.
The United States draws special attention to the need to implement civil forfeiture provisions to turn the proceeds of crime into a weapon against traffickers and applauds Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines for enacting such legislation.” INCSR 2014 Volume 1, Page 157, Paragraph 5.
Prime Minister of Dominica, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, has pledged to “lead the charge for a safer Dominica”.
A lot of people did not read or did not understand the article. Dominica was one of the few who got any kind of praises for their efforts in combating the drug trade. I am wondering why, all of a sudden there are so many anti-American sentiments mostly by the ones who understood the full article?
I don’t care about those issue at all.
Waste of time.
The US is the alrgest consumer of illegal drugs. fact, not speculation, but fact. so the US wants the rest of us to enact laws to save them (US) from themselves?
America is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, the harlot of the world. The drugs(man made substances) that passes through d/a is such a tiny fraction and I know its not destined for the US. They r the ones who has this elicit drug trade thriving coz they r the beneficiaries. C.I.A (cocaine import agency), open your eyes people and don’t let the US manipulate your minds. They need the drug trade, they r the ones who outlawed all those substances in the 1st place, planned to perfection to run and uphold their system.
So before some of u flap your gums get to know truth behind why drugs and other substances r illegal.
I don’t like America, they r so dirty and corrupt.
I am not endorsing that this type of crime should not be addressed. However, the U.S. authorities are hypocritical. How do they get the drug which is sold for medicinal purposes? Some US States legalized marijuana and whatever else.
I hope Canada does not put its mouth into this. They, too sell drugs for medicinal purposes.
The former, late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau’s son who is the Quebec Leader of the Liberal Party wants to legalize marijuana if he wins the election as the Canadian – Federal PM.
God help us and help the world.
The US sue the EU to stop buying our bananas so guess what we selling something else, we have to eat
You see dat again dem fellas drinking all d milk and day not even feed d cows and dem
You see them fellas doing the same thing over and over again they drinking all the milk and they are not even feeding the cows
Just last month Skerro accused UWP of using drug money to finance their campaign. Well Skerro, look you are getting a perfect opportunity to kill UWP. Just take this advise from the USA and address that drug thingy man. But then again if you do that boy you will be in serious trouble you know because of what the general public knows
Did you read the article? Please read and understand.
when i read a statement so,i have to wonder what america thinking,that you can give us money to protect your country from drug bootlegging,but you can not give us money for development,the banana market,you rather buy from the esraelis and other south american countries or whatever,but not us,well here’s what it is,one hand can’t clap
I don’t know to whom this is news, but surely not to me and many others including the opposition in Dominica.. How can the public expect meaningful actions to address the problem when some of these politicians are funded by some of these drug traffickers. It is alleged that there are politicians that have interest in go-fast boats engaged in the trade, how then can effective measures be taken, compounded by an increasing corrupt security forces.
The whole system of justice in that regard is broken. We see small poor children been literally slaughtered by the courts, while the heavy hitters are given free passes, and most of the cases involving these young people is related to cannabis.
But this corruption does not end with drug smuggling and dealing, a much more serious problem, which makes these islands a security risk to the rest of the global community, is the sale of Diplomatic passports, to crooks and criminals from some of the most dangerous parts of the world, including countries defined as terrorist states, as well as states that harbor terrorism.
There is indeed a problem in that regard. But do we hear from CARICOM, CSME, OECS, or any of these lofty names sounding organization? They have heads of government meetings in the last decade more than some of the local parliaments meet, yet the people of the region, are yet to hear from these supposed regional leaders of the rampant corruption, that has engulfed the region, worse than the black plague in its time, and the HIV virus currently.
Alas! We mourn the loss of leadership in the region. The old guard have gone on and our institutions of learning have set their sights on creating a mendicant society, with their socialist hog wash, that has never or will ever be able to create wealth, and opportunities for our people to move out of the poverty trap, created by politicians, with the help of some academia to keep the people loyal to them, much like Papa Doc did with the Haitian people.
It is good that the US is paying some attention, but unless the people in the region, wake up and realize that these new breed of political parasites that inhabit the region are only sucking the life blood from the people while they get fat and store their ill-gotten gains in offshore banks from Bangkok to Cayman, nothing of any material significance will be done to curb this fatal epidemic of corruption that has suddenly infected these Islands, and Dominica in particular.
The pot telling the kettle its behind Black! WE all in this together. When America sneeze all the So called small Islands catches the Flu.
com on is Dominica in the eastern Caribbean? is it?
You see people, do you think all of this surprise you? didn’t you all know all of this is happening? and why a we surprise? Don’t you know of the level of operation we have in Dominica? and the question is, what are we prepare to do about it? how a we going to change it? should we wait till the next General Election can you guarantee me you will wine? can you?? it’s all question people!!! freedom is not given it’s taken just remember that.
People i have so so so many question to ask to we the PEOPLE of Dominica let me say to us. we all remember the line in the poem with Arandale Thomas
IF DOMINICA COULD TALK??? do you remember???. Sorry but it simply means, IF DOMINICANS COULD/ CAN TAlK?? AND THAT’S THE QUESTION we need to asked our self. Or maybe that’s all we can do just talk. Don’t,you think, we are at a point where we should act on all the thing we know about, that is wrong in our country? do we really care about the land/Dominica? or we just using it for our own selfish reason.. The moto in Dominica is, if i am ok it is allallall right and i do not care about the next person. Please tell me? HOW can we GROW as a people and a Nation HOW can we people????
To the Editor. of this news site can you please place this comment to the top of the listing so every body can read it. Please sir/madam you would make me a very happy person if you do. thank you god bless.
But wait Nuh Is not mista dem dat have an open door policy with the Mexican Federalist to transship Drugs through the TEXAS, ARIZONA and CALIFORNIA boarders???
Mista dem looking for excuse to tighten some Sanctions on Dong-Island People,,,
Whomever Come up wiff dat report from US State department tell dem to Go follow d Money and see who bringing in the Drugs from MEXICO and leave Dong-Island people fix their own issues,,,
Don’t get Marn wrong yeh Nuff Stuff Coming through little island ports and waters but More coming through MEXICO than Little Island so if something need to be done it need to be Done on the MEXICAN/US boarder first!!!
I would like to hear DLP response on coruption. Skerro has addressed all non essential issues but staying clear of coruption.
The U.S is tightening its grip on the caribbean. So take note my friend.
The US needs to stop since they have more corruption than any other country. Who have more drugs than the US. Just look at Chicago for instant and see how many people getting killed because of violence due to what????? DRUGS. US clean all you eyes before all you do statistics on the caribbean islands. My too sense.
The U.S is telling us , don’t do what I do, but as I say.
Our territorial waters have become a trans-shipment path for Venezuelan and Colombian drug traffickers. Both these countries are Skerro’s best friends.
This is the kind of press about Dominica which people like Hactor John seeks and appreciate, like downing Dominica is going to make him win a General Election. Truth is, this is no news in Washington or the UN, these bull— stories aren’t headlines on the world stage, so really Dominica hasn’t a thing to worry about. And finally, what the hell do we get from America?, visa denials and student visa denials
You mean to tell me UWPWI still fishing for stories like this off of unrecognized sites like likileaks. Malaysia Business news, tell me what the !@#$ they got to do with the Eastern Cariibbean, Malaysia got enough of high science drugs to combat themselves, like opium etc.
@we demand to know. Yes, they dont want the base in this area because many of their so call boys who they had given instruction to be issued with a firearm license is one of the kingpin in immediate area. Hence, there will always be resistance. Oh my. What has this country of ours come. Oh god, put a helping hand.
I’m totally against drugs of all types. Where MaryJane is concerned in the US it’s ‘medical’ which is legal, outside the US it’s a ‘narcotic’ which is illegal? The US really expects the ‘drug’ trade to stop with these double standards?
well tell us somethgin that we dont already kno
Pray for Dominica.
I feel so embarrassed. The U.S. Govt. gave us U.S.$.2 million in assistance two years ago, including two fast patrol boats with the lates surveillance equipment that are now sitting on dry land at the coast guard base in Fond Cole. We were also going to build an extra base near the Cabrits to control the norther part of our waters. But instead we closed a police station in the very same north the land earmarked for the new naval base is now part of Skerrit’s new “citizenship financed” hotel project proposed by questionable developers.
And who can forget the P.M. insulting the U.S. Ambassador’s man hood by making him a present of a bottle of bwa bande making crude comments that were supposed to be funny?
the article never said Dominican Republic it said Dominica
“The United States further encourages the seven nations to pass legislation to modernise their criminal codes-making use of regional best practices in fighting transnational organized crime-and lauds Dominica and St. Lucia in their progress in this area.” Washington said it was drawing special attention to the need to implement civil forfeiture provisions to turn the proceeds of crime into a weapon against traffickers and applauded Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines for enacting such legislation.
What does America really want???
They are confused politicians – government. US is finished. It is quickly going down slippery slopes, if it has not already arrived. Listen to the US politics and news.
To ALL the NAYSAYERS please read this excerpt from the full story!!!!!
“The United States further encourages the seven nations to pass legislation to modernise their criminal codes-making use of regional best practices in fighting transnational organized crime-and lauds Dominica and St. Lucia in their progress in this area.” Washington said it was drawing special attention to the need to implement civil forfeiture provisions to turn the proceeds of crime into a weapon against traffickers and applauded Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines for enacting such legislation.
Big up Dominica for your efforts. Praised by the US in two categories. I can only conclude that when Thomson Fontaine went to the diaspora and made all those claims about the state of affairs in Dominica he was clearly lying. Dominicans in the diaspora who came down for carnival, how do you all feel? Now you can judge for yourselves. Thomson and Linton, bringing down your country is no way to win an election. This only shows that you do not care about your country you are only in it for yourself.
I would not listen to those people; would not waste my God-given precious time to attend their meeting and listen to their propaganda. Only gullible people will believe them.
The USA is the biggest drug consumers in the world. If all the drugs used in all other countries of world collectively, was compared with the USA ,the usa would still be the biggest consumer.USA vs THE WORLD. Look at the efforts of mexico to control this problem .The USA is doing nothing. In fact weed is being legalized in the USA. The only thing that the USA and the US press can do is to criticize what they call the “TINY” islands. The USA is the biggest criminal empire in the world . they invented corruption .
They recently caught a Mexican drug cartel who was on the run for 13 years. They tried catching him but could not do it on their own with all their intelligence. They got help from one of the man’s security, saying he was a trusted person of this man.
I find that the US has heart to be talking about corruption when it is the teacher and upholder of political corruption in the western hemisphere. hypocrisy in a systematic way.
nothing new, unless politicians are not jailed nothing will stop.
after 27years my zeal and energy has been drained by those corrupt politicians who time after time involved themselves in certain cases with regards to drug dealers and their children..
EVEN ORGANISING FIREARMS LICENSE FOR THOSE MEN.
But didn’t my Pm, Mr. Skerrit have a ground breaking somewhere in the Cabrits area for a coast guard base which would better assist us in the fight against drugs?
And last month that same site was identified for s hotel..
I thank the Almighty for choosing Dominica as the land of my birth, however, I must say thank you to the United States for all the opportunities available. The US is blessed with a magnitude of resources to combat many ills plaguing the world. Unfortunately, most Caribbean Islands do not share that privilege. We must work together to tackle the war on drugs, however, the US must demonstrate to the lesser developed countries its willingness to assist in other critical areas, such as poverty reduction, human rights etc. As a leading Nation, the US must prove to these Islands that it is not only interested in protecting its borders. This approach will continue to produce results which are unsatisfactory to the US. Needless to say, God bless the USA. As someone hailing from Dominica, it has been great to me.
The United States further encourages the seven nations to pass legislation to modernise their criminal codes-making use of regional best practices in fighting transnational organized crime-and lauds Dominica and St. Lucia in their progress in this area.” Washington said it was drawing special attention to the need to implement civil forfeiture provisions to turn the proceeds of crime into a weapon against traffickers and applauded Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines for enacting such legislation.
The United States further encourages the seven nations to pass legislation to modernise their criminal codes-making use of regional best practices in fighting transnational organized crime-and lauds Dominica and St. Lucia in their progress in this area.
Washington IS NOT doing enough to discourage DRUG USAGE and THAT IS THE PROBLEM. I wonder why DRUG DEALING was almost unheard of when CASTRO RULED THE ROOST? Criminality like THE DRUG TRADE should NOT be treated with POWDER PUFF GLOVES. Washington is being HYPOCRITICAL. The US biggies are into this up to the steps of THE WHITE-HOUSE, hence the LAXITY in addressing the DRUG TRADE on the US side.
They have Mexico drug traffickers as their neighbor, right under their noses. They are influential in transporting drugs to the US from many areas in Mexico to various US States.
Ever saw some programs where tunnels are built from Mexico to the US, also to transport illegals?
Strengthening laws do not make it successful without enforcement.
So screw the US.
Until they give those islands some posh marine anti-Narcotics vessels, then they will always be snorting everything up the nostrils.
The US is fast becoming the “POT HEAD” capital of the World. They’ve got bigger problems to worry about.
Inform yourself before talking. The U.S. gave us two state of the art boats but they are sitting dry on land doing nothing.
You can introduce all the laws you want but that means nothing if you don’t enforce them. Everywhere in Dominica it have signs saying “No dumping , fine $5,000” but I have never heard anyone going to court and paying that fine but people dumping garbage all the time. We always looking for someone to give us something even if we can;t use it or don’t want to use it. What are we doing to help ourselves? We have very good coast guards but they frustrated too.
I just read the article and Dominica was never mentioned. Don’t mistake us with Dominica republic
learn to read
Read and understand, Dominica is part of the Eastern Caribbean, Dominican Republic is not. It said the seven Eastern Caribbean countries – Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines – host abundant transshipment points for illicit narcotics primarily from Colombia and Venezuela destined for North American, European and domestic Caribbean markets.
If not mentioned, this is not to say that Dominican Republic may also not be involved and some other countries. Colombia is another one.
You deserve Dominica’s highest honour for your ignorance.
AGREED
Idiot it said dominica ur fool
If you truly read the article you would seen multiple references to Dominica made. Although Dominican Republic is a known hub for drug traffickers, the article made mention of an applause given to Dominica in respects to its effort in trying to deal with the situation. You see, not all written about DCA is bad.
As reported on DNO and as I have read and so do some of you, if not all of you, through the years Dominican authorities, the police have arrested some drug traffickers. Under the circumstances, the authorities are doing their best.
I suppose the US wants those governments to be vocal (or more) on the issue of drug trafficking that they must not keep silent about it.
Anonymous .
Hello and good morning to you. Please I know you are smarter than that so please read the second paragraph and tell us if Dominica was mentioned and documented.
Thank you Anonymous. It is so easy for people to believe the negative things written about Dominica
When we recognize Cuba all hell broke loose in the US press even calling Rosie Douglas a militant. Now USA have made Venezuela public enemy # one , and this have made the Eastern Carribbean targets in its sight. All this is because the oil lobby is not making the multy billions in Venezuela in oil money.Itis all about the oil dollars.
Yes it does say DOMINICA and the Dominican Republic. The news item comes from Bernama, the news agency of the Govt. of Malaysia and they know the difference between the two countries.
Well, no one will mistake you for a literate individual, then, since no less than the second sentence of the linked article contains the following: “It said the seven Eastern Caribbean countries – Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines – host abundant transshipment points for illicit narcotics primarily from Colombia and Venezuela destined for North American, European and domestic Caribbean markets.”
I suggest you go back to primary school and learn how to read again.
Political leaders in the Eastern Caribbean (EC) have “largely failed” to address concerns of official corruption, according to a report released by the United States State Department.
What a politely formulated statement by the US administration. Personally, I would replace the word largely with completely and I believe we are much closer to the truth.
The DLP in particular it’s leaders and advisors need to be investigated thoroughly sooner rather than later to find out what damage this corruption and all secret deals with other countries (China, Venezuela) have done to the country.
But Fontaine might be investigated first.
And there goes the BROKEN RECORD.
This is a serious concern that needs attention. We have seen what drugs has done to countries like Mexico, Columbia and other South American countries …Judges, Lawyers, politicians and civilians have been executed … yet our greedy politicians are turning a blind eye due to greed….this must stop!!!
bro you have to know that bees wont fight against honey…drug trafficking is the part of Eastern Caribbean economy…
I agree that this must stop. The only single way it will stop is for the USA to stop the use and importation of drugs and stop legalizing its use.
If the USA wanted to stop the drug trade they would have done it already. The only big country who is trying to do something about the drug trade is MEXICO. How is the USA pretending to help … by legalizing weed and arresting the small peddlers
Dude nothing wrong with Mary Jane man. I actually applaud Americas foresight with regards to that.. We should learn from them, Israel,holland, canada etc. Free up the TREEZ man.. Dashweh(throw away) the cocaína..
You tend to believe that our politicians are the ones turning a blind eye to this drug trade. My friend…the US government institutions such as the DEA and the CIA are the biggest drug pushing and money laundering organizations in the world. No other country surpasses their operations.
Try to Google these organizations connection to organize crime, drug running and money laundering in the Caribbean and Latin America and you will get a glimpse of what is really going on.
The Americans only wrote this report, because some other group in cutting in on their profit making margin operation in the Caribbean.The CIA and DEA are masters in drug trafficking, gun running and money laundering.
Don’t take my word at face value…use Google and do your own research then come to your own conclusion on this report.
Mem bet mem pwelle
Again, we would like to know what is the latest about the coast guard base that was supposed to be constructed just north of Portsmouth?
Yes, the same base they had ground-breaking ceremony for….
Yes, the same base the Americans provided the money to fund…
What has happened to that coast guard base? DNO, do you guys know what’s the latest on that base in terms of its construction?
Is someone afraid of a coast guard base in the north of the island? If so, who is afraid of a coast guard base in the north and why are they afraid?
Come on DNO do your job and let us know .OR are you afraid. Or will you be put in the balance and found wanting.
I agree with demand to know. You can even have a pol.