Bahamas Blog International

Michael Pintard is the Free National Movement (FNM) Problem!

2026-05-31T18:41:49.304-04:00

The FNM Has a Michael Pintard Problem!!!!

By James Julmis

The Free National Movement has many problems, but one sits at the centre of them all: Michael Pintard.

After another national rejection, the FNM can no longer pretend that its problem is messaging, timing, money, or machinery. Those things matter in politics, but leadership sits above all of them. A party can recover from bad strategy. A party can recover from poor campaign planning. A party can recover from division. What it cannot easily recover from is a leader the public has already decided against.

That is the political burden Michael Pintard now carries.

The Bahamian people have listened to him. They have watched him. They have measured him. They have seen him in Parliament, on the campaign trail, in press conferences, and in moments when serious leadership was required. Their answer has been clear. They have declined to follow him.

That is the hard truth the FNM must now face.

Pintard has struggled to connect with ordinary Bahamians because he often sounds like a man speaking at people rather than with them. His politics feels rehearsed, distant, and overly calculated. He talks about the people, but he has failed to make the people feel that he truly knows their daily lives, their pressures, their fears, and their hopes.

Politics is about trust. It is about whether people can look at a leader and say, “That person understands me.” With Pintard, too many Bahamians see performance without connection. They see volume without warmth. They see criticism without comfort. They see ambition without a clear reason to believe.

This is why the FNM has a Pintard problem.

The party may want to blame the PLP. It may want to blame the timing of the election. It may want to blame the media, the voters, or the national mood. But none of that changes the result. The public looked at the choice placed before them and decided that Michael Pintard was unready to lead the country.

That judgment cannot be brushed aside.

The FNM must ask itself a serious question: if Michael Pintard could not persuade the country after years in opposition, after repeated opportunities to define himself, and after a campaign built around removing the government, what evidence is there that the public will suddenly see him differently?

There comes a point when a party must stop protecting a leader from political reality.

Pintard’s weakness is deeper than one election cycle. It is about temperament, image, connection, and credibility. He has never found a language that reaches beyond the FNM base. He has never fully settled the question of who he is as a national leader. He has never made Bahamians feel that he carries the emotional weight of the country.

That is why he remains limited.

The Bahamian people may disagree with the government on issues. They may complain about the cost of living, crime, bureaucracy, and the pressure of daily life. But disagreement with the government does automatically become support for the opposition. The FNM assumed public frustration would be enough. It was wrong.

People may want better. That does not mean they want Pintard.

This is the central failure of his leadership. He has been unable to turn public concern into public confidence. He has been unable to turn criticism of the government into belief in himself. He has been unable to make the FNM feel like a government-in-waiting.

That is a personal political failure.

The FNM must now decide whether it wants to keep managing Pintard’s image or begin rebuilding the party. It cannot do both. A party serious about renewal must be honest about why the public pulled away. It must listen to what the country has already said.

Bahamians have made their judgment.

They do not see Michael Pintard as the answer.

And until the FNM accepts that, it will continue to confuse movement with progress, noise with leadership, and opposition with readiness.

The FNM has a Michael Pintard problem.

The longer it denies it, the longer it will remain exactly where the Bahamian people have placed it: in opposition.

Source / Comment

Dr. Andre Rollins for FNM leader

2026-05-18T08:02:16.061-04:00

The Free National Movement (FNM) needs New Leadership!

Rolling with Rollins for FNM Leader

By Dennis A. Dames

The blessed smoke of the 2026 general election in The Bahamas has officially cleared, and a lot about it is being heard quietly and vociferously here, there and everywhere.

The opposition Free National Movement (FNM) has some bold and popular adjustments to make - no doubt. The main one concerns the party’s leadership moving forward to the next general election. In my view, the entire present leadership of the FNM has got to go.

I have been intensely contemplating the question about the next leader of the FNM - the one whom I feel is the most fit and qualified among the elected members of the party.

I must testify that the good Lord moves in mysterious ways, as I wondered how Dr. Andre Rollins got that Long Island FNM nomination. Now I have the gut feeling that Dr. Rollins is best fit for the new leader of the FNM.

Dr. Andre Rollins should be crowned FNM leader as soon as possible; and the official campaign for the next general election should immediately follow.

Indeed, search for and welcome more Lincoln Deal and Michaela Barnett-Ellis in the FNM front-line fold - and dump the dead weights without mercy and delay.

The Timing Question of The Bahamas 2026 General Election

2026-04-12T20:07:00.002-04:00

THE BAHAMAS GENERAL ELECTION 2026 - CONSTITUTIONAL TIMING & POLITICAL REALITY: WHY NOW?

By Craig F. Butler

Let’s deal with this clearly and honestly.

If the House of Assembly first sat on 6 October 2021, then the constitutional position is straightforward:

• Five-year life of Parliament: ends around 5 October 2026

• Election window after that: up to 90 days

• Absolute constitutional outer limit: early January 2027

So let’s kill the noise:

- There is no requirement to call an election now.

- The Prime Minister had time well into late 2026, and even beyond into the constitutional window.

So why call it now?

This is where politics meets timing. The national budget cycle is the real driver.

• Budget must be presented before July 1

• That means budget debate occupies June

• And budget debate is not light work—it is a full exposure of:

– Government spending

– Overruns

– Travel expenditure

– Consultant usage

– Programme delivery vs promises

In short:

A budget debate forces the government to account for everything.

The Strategic Calculation

If you:

• claim hundreds of promises delivered, and

• have areas of pressure (cost of living, crime, healthcare), and

• carry visible overruns (travel, operational spending, etc.),

then the last thing you want is a full month of structured parliamentary scrutiny immediately before an election.

Because that debate would not be campaign rhetoric.

It would be:

- numbers

- line-by-line exposure

- hard questioning on delivery vs claims

So the timing makes sense. Calling the election before the budget cycle does three things:

• Avoids a prolonged public dissection of government finances

• Prevents the opposition from weaponizing budget details

• Keeps the campaign on narrative, not forensic accounting

Bottom Line

This is not about constitutional necessity. This is about political timing.

The Constitution allowed more time. The calendar created pressure. The budget would have created exposure.

So the election is called before the numbers take center stage.

Understand the Constitution. Understand the calendar. Then understand the decision.

Sunday April 12 2026

Time 12:01 AM EST

Source / Comments

Voting Rights in The Bahamas

2026-04-08T20:23:00.000-04:00

VOTING IN THE BAHAMAS: THERE IS NO ENGLISH-LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT TO VOTE

By Craig Butler, Esq.

Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas

There appears to be continued public confusion, and in some quarters active political misstatement, concerning whether a person must be able to speak English in order to vote in The Bahamas.

Let this be stated plainly:

There is no provision in the Constitution of The Bahamas requiring a voter to speak English in order to vote. Voting rights in this jurisdiction are tied to legal eligibility, not language proficiency.

Under the constitutional and statutory framework, the relevant qualifications concern citizenship, age, and proper registration on the electoral roll. A qualified voter must be a citizen of The Bahamas, at least eighteen years of age, and duly registered in accordance with the electoral law. There is no separate constitutional or statutory condition imposing English-language ability as a prerequisite to the franchise.

That distinction is important.

The right to vote is not made dependent upon eloquence, accent, literacy style, or spoken fluency in English. Any suggestion to the contrary is not a statement of Bahamian law. It is political rhetoric masquerading as legal rule.

The Constitution does not condition citizenship-based franchise rights on language ability. Nor does the Parliamentary Elections framework create such a bar. The legal question is eligibility. It is not linguistic preference.

Accordingly, any public claim that a Bahamian citizen must speak English in order to vote should be recognized for what it is: misinformation, political spin, or constitutional illiteracy.

This matter should not be clouded by emotion or opportunistic nationalism. If there is to be public debate about changing the law, let that debate be honest and explicit. But until such a change is lawfully made, the law remains what it is.

And what it is, is this:

Voting in The Bahamas is not language-based. It is citizenship-based, age-based, and registration-based.

That is the legal position. That remains the constitutional position. And the public deserves clarity, not confusion.

Key Points for the Public

• There is no English-speaking requirement for voting in The Bahamas.

• Voting rights are tied to citizenship, age, and voter registration.

• Claims that English proficiency is legally required are false.

• Political opinion is not constitutional law.

Tuesday, 7 April 2026

10:18 PM

Source / Comment

The Corrupt Nature of Bahamian Politics in The Bahamas

2026-04-03T05:19:00.001-04:00

Election Politics in The Bahamas: Who gets to eat - and who doesn't

By Craig Butler:

Bahamian elections are too often not about governance. They are about access.

Access to contracts. Access to appointments. Access to the Treasury. That is the sickness.

The winning party does not merely win office. It gains control over how roughly $1 billion in public contracts is distributed.

And too often the real contest is not over policy; it is over who gets fed.

That is not nation-building. That is budget politics dressed up as democracy.

Source / Comment

More Haitians in The Bahamas Arrested for Possession of Fraudulent Bahamian Passports, National Insurance Board Cards, and Voters Cards in 2026

2026-03-04T17:41:00.001-05:00

TWO MORE HAITIAN NATIONALS ARRESTED WITH FRAUDULENT BAHAMIAN PASSPORTS AND VOTERS CARD.

Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas: An 18-year-old Haitian man accused of fraudulently obtaining a Bahamian passport and voter’s card was remanded to prison yesterday after prosecutors said they used the documents at the Lynden Pindling International Airport.

Max Veve Pierre and Gersey Pierre, 59, are accused of agreeing on December 23, 2024, to fraudulently obtain a Bahamian passport.

Prosecutors allege the pair secured a passport in Max’s name from the Passport Office on February 3, 2025.

Authorities further allege that Max uttered the fraudulent passport at the Parliamentary Registry on January 23 to obtain a Bahamian voter’s card. He is also accused of presenting the same passport to immigration officers at LPIA on February 24, where the alleged scheme unravelled.

Max was charged with three counts of possession of a false document, two counts of uttering a false document and fraud by false pretences.

Both men face additional charges of fraud by false pretences and conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretences.

The accused, both construction workers, pleaded not guilty before Senior Magistrate Anishka Isaacs.

They were remanded to The Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until their trial begins on May 21.

Inspector Timothy Bain was the prosecutor.

This brings the total to 23 Haitian nationals arrested and charged in The Bahamas with possession of fraudulent passports, NIB cards and voters card so far for the year 2026.

Source / Comment

Marvin Dames is Still Standing Strong and Smiling

2026-02-24T20:10:00.000-05:00

Marvin Dames' Still standing... Still smiling

I am deeply grateful to those who continue to stand with me, trust me, and believe me, while believing in me. I am filled with emotion and sincere appreciation for the group of people I sit before today. Though they represent just a microcosm of our beautiful Mt. Moriah community, they have become family. They have stood beside me through every single season.

Most importantly, they have loved me and cared for me from the very beginning of my political journey, and for that, I owe them more than words can express.

With that said, we will not be deterred. We will not be distracted. We have a country to fix, and we will remain steadfast in that mission.

I love you. I love you. I love you, Mt. Moriah. ❤️

Source / Comment

Serious Concerns about Election Readiness in The Bahamas

2026-02-17T18:29:00.000-05:00

Dr. Duane Sands, Chairman of the Free National Movement: New Boundary Register Flaws Deepen Concerns Over Election Readiness

After reviewing the updated voters list issued after recent boundary changes, the Free National Movement (FNM) has identified serious new problems that raise fresh concerns about election readiness. These findings add to issues previously raised that have yet to be addressed. The FNM has formally written to the Parliamentary Registration Department outlining these discrepancies, which are not minor clerical errors but significant flaws requiring urgent correction.

In its review, the FNM found polling divisions with no voters assigned, including Killarney Polling Division 3, Southern Shores Polling Division 4, and Tall Pines Polling Division 4. It is not normal for polling divisions to be skipped in this manner.

The party also identified what appear to be residual or improperly transferred records following the Constituency Unit Transfer process. These issues affect Central and South Eleuthera, MICAL, North Eleuthera, Free Town, North Abaco, Tall Pines, and Golden Isles. The discrepancies suggest incomplete or flawed data migration after the boundary adjustments.

Additionally, the FNM documented cases where first-time voters were improperly turned away despite presenting valid Bahamian passports. Voters who registered or transferred months ago do not appear on the electronic register. Duplicate entries across constituencies and deceased individuals remaining on the National Register were also observed, along with inconsistent application of registration rules.

To date, these issues have not been addressed, and additional irregularities continue to emerge.

A credible general election depends on a registration system that is orderly, accurate, transparent, and consistently applied. The voters register is the foundation of electoral integrity. If that foundation is unstable, the entire system is called into question.

For that reason, the FNM is calling for:

• A full audit and reconciliation of the revised register following the Boundary Commission changes

• Immediate correction of polling divisions with missing assignments

• A comprehensive review of the Constituency Unit Transfer process

• Public clarification on all previously identified irregularities

Protecting the vote is not a partisan issue; it is a constitutional responsibility owed to every Bahamian citizen.

The FNM has requested an urgent response from the Parliamentary Registration Department and stands ready to meet without delay to resolve these matters.

The integrity of the voters register must be beyond question.

Jeffrey Epstein Expressed Interest in Long Island Science Centre, The Bahamas

2026-02-06T12:02:00.000-05:00

Epstein Expressed Interest in Long Island Science Centre, Emails Reveal

By The Long Island Runner News

Newly released U.S. Justice Department documents show that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein once expressed interest in funding a proposed physics research centre on Long Island, The Bahamas, near the Stella Maris Resort.

The emails, part of millions of Epstein-related documents released last week, reveal that in 2015, approximately seven years after serving jail time for crimes involving underage girls, Epstein was approached about helping finance The Bahamas Centre for High Energy Physics, Astrophysics, Gravitation and Cosmology. The centre was intended to bring advanced scientific research and graduate-level physics education to The Bahamas for the first time.

The initiative came from Professor Eduardo Guendelman of Israel’s Ben-Gurion University, in collaboration with Professor Thomas Curtright of the University of Miami. Both scientists have maintained strong ties to Long Island, where they allegedly continue to host annual academic events at the Stella Maris Resort under The Bahamas Advanced Study Institute and Conferences (BASIC) banner.

In one February 2015 email, Professor Guendelman described the vision for the Long Island centre: a permanent staff of five senior researchers, ten post-graduate students, and ten doctoral students, offering high-level research opportunities and drawing international attention to the island.

Guendelman also suggested that the centre could boost tourism and local economic activity by hosting scientific conferences.

Epstein responded positively within days, writing simply: “Yes, I would be interested.” Guendelman quickly suggested the centre could be officially linked to the University of Miami, thanks to Professor Curtright’s involvement.

The emails detail ongoing discussions, including possible video calls with Epstein, interest from physicists worldwide, and potential funding from organizations such as the Lyford Cay Foundation. A local developer, Richard Keyworth, reportedly offered discounted land near Stella Maris and assistance in securing government support.

The project faced setbacks, including Hurricane Joaquin, which damaged parts of northern Long Island in late 2015. Guendelman argued that the hurricane could strengthen the case for government support, presenting the centre as both a scientific initiative and a way to boost the island’s economy.

Despite Epstein’s initial interest, the Long Island physics centre was never built. The Stella Maris Resort, which was mentioned in alleged discussions as a potential site, remains for sale today. However, Professors Guendelman and Curtright allegedly continue to bring international attention to Long Island through their annual BASIC conferences, which attract academics and researchers to the island.

The documents highlight Epstein’s attempts to engage with high-profile scientific projects even after his criminal convictions, and shine a light on Long Island’s potential as a hub for education, research, and international collaboration.

Long Island is not just a tourist destination, but also has the allure to attract and host world-class academic initiatives.

Source / Comment

Corruption in Bahamas Immigration?

2026-01-19T07:34:00.000-05:00

Immigration Corruption in The Bahamas?

By James Julmis

Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas

It has been brought to public attention, including via a circulated voice note, that an Immigration Officer allegedly attempted to extort the sum of $500 from a Haitian national. According to the allegations, the individual was only able to provide $150, after which the officer allegedly issued threats to conduct raids on the homes of other Haitian nationals in the area should the remaining amount not be paid. Even more concerning, the voice note allegedly contains statements in which the officer boasts about “protecting” Haitian nationals in exchange for monetary payment.

If substantiated, these actions would amount to gross misconduct, corruption, abuse of public office, intimidation, and possible criminal extortion, all of which severely undermine public trust in law enforcement and immigration institutions.

Given the gravity of these allegations, I respectfully but firmly request the following:

1. An immediate and impartial investigation by the relevant authorities, including the Immigration Department and THE RBPF.

2. Identification and suspension (pending investigation) of the individual heard on the voice note, should the authenticity be confirmed.

3. Protection for the alleged victim(s) and witnesses, particularly members of the Haitian community who may fear retaliation.

4. A formal update to the public or relevant stakeholders on the status and outcome of the investigation, in the interest of transparency and accountability.

5. That, if the allegations are proven, the individual responsible be held fully accountable under the law, including disciplinary and criminal proceedings where appropriate.

No public officer should be permitted to exploit vulnerable individuals or use the authority of the State as a tool for personal enrichment or intimidation. Failure to address such conduct decisively risks normalizing corruption and eroding confidence in national security and immigration enforcement.

Source / Comment

Police Corruption Live and in Color in The Bahamas

2026-01-14T07:17:00.000-05:00

Corruption in The Bahamas

By Franklyn Robinson

What makes that video so damaging is not only what was said, but what it signaled: the ease, the confidence, and the procedural choreography of a roadside stop being turned into a private “arrangement” — “can’t be too obvious,” “too much people around,” “go out of the view.” That is not the language of lawful enforcement; it is the language of a shakedown. And the public outrage is justified because the scene described in the reports was not a lone officer acting in isolation — it was a staffed roadblock with multiple officers stopping multiple vehicles near St Matthew’s Anglican Church off Shirley Street.

If the Royal Bahamas Police Force wants the public to believe this is “not reflective of standards,” then the response cannot be generic. The Force has already confirmed it is investigating the matter after reviewing the circulating video.

Now the burden is transparency, not slogans. The public should be shown the written operational order that authorised that specific roadblock: who ordered it, what lawful purpose it served, the time window, the command structure on scene, and the enforcement output (warnings/tickets issued, vehicles seized, arrests made). Because without that, the reasonable conclusion in the public mind is exactly what the video communicates: an organised environment where leverage is created in public and monetised in private.

And it gets worse when you widen the lens. The tourist in the footage said he rented a scooter near the cruise port and produced a contract, while the officer raised concerns about the scooter being damaged.

That is not a minor side issue — it is a second corruption channel sitting beside the first: unsafe or improperly regulated rentals being put onto Bahamian roads, and then tourists (and Bahamians) being trapped between defective equipment and discretionary enforcement. If a vehicle is unroadworthy, then the system’s priority should be safety and compliance — not extracting money to “make it go away.”

If a rental operation is legitimate, it should be licensed, traceable, insured, and operating vehicles that are demonstrably fit for the road. The Road Traffic (Vehicle Inspection) Regulations are explicit that vehicles must have a valid certificate of inspection, owners must present the vehicle for further inspection before expiry, and inspection certificates are not to be transferred between vehicles.

In addition, the Road Traffic Department’s own published guidance for public service vehicles states inspections are conducted twice per year (May and October). A tourist rental scooter being on the street in questionable condition, tied to an informal rental source near the cruise port, is a flashing sign that regulation and enforcement are not being applied consistently.

This is why the “bad apple” framing fails. A roadblock is not a private one-on-one interaction; it is an operation.

The moment an officer can tell someone to step out of view and “work something out,” the question becomes systemic: what supervision was present, what culture is tolerated, what discipline is actually enforced, and why so many Bahamians recognise the script immediately. The Tribune report itself notes the clip triggered widespread condemnation, precisely because the public read it as brazen, familiar misconduct — not as an unimaginable anomaly.

The political dimension cannot be ducked either. When this kind of conduct becomes normalised, it is not only a policing problem; it is governance decay.

It seeps into licensing, inspection, enforcement discretion, and the quiet tolerance of “small corruption” as if it is harmless. It is not harmless. It is reputationally catastrophic for a tourism economy, corrosive to public trust, and financially predatory to ordinary Bahamians who cannot afford to buy their way out of inconvenience. And every time leadership responds with vague statements rather than hard disclosures, it reads like protection of the institution over protection of the country.

So, yes: the encounter is shameful — not merely because it embarrasses The Bahamas internationally, but because it reflects an out-of-control culture where too many people believe government-facing systems can be navigated by side-payments, favours, and quiet arrangements. If the country is serious about cleaning it up, the standard must be simple and public: publish the roadblock authorisation trail, disclose the command accountability, identify the rental operator pathway that put that scooter on the road, and show enforcement outcomes that match the gravity of what the public saw and heard — not “investigation” as a holding pattern, but consequences that make the next officer think twice before trying to turn a public duty into a private hustle.

Source / Comment

Brittany Harris writes the Canadian Prime Minister on the Appointment of Mr. Clayton Fernander; The Bahamas Consul General to Canada

2026-01-09T10:03:00.000-05:00

I wrote the Mark Carney Prime Minister of Canada 🇨🇦and the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Dear Prime Minister,

I am writing as a concerned member of the public to respectfully request that the Government of Canada undertake an appropriate review and investigation into the appointment and presence in Canada of Mr. Clayton Fernander, former Commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, who is currently serving as Consul General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in Canada.

This request is made in the interest of transparency, public confidence, and the integrity of Canada’s diplomatic and national security standards.

Mr. Fernander resigned from his position as Commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police Force in December 2024. His resignation followed significant public controversy surrounding serious criminal matters that arose under his leadership and are now before the courts.

During Mr. Fernander’s tenure as Commissioner, the following documented and factual events occurred:

- United States federal indictments were issued against senior officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force for drug and firearms trafficking, with those officers arrested and prosecuted in New York. These matters are before the United States courts and occurred while Mr. Fernander was Commissioner.

- Chief Superintendent Michael Johnson, then head of the Criminal Investigations Unit, was removed from his position following the public release of voice recordings involving the bribery of a known criminal figure connected to a million-dollar armoured truck robbery. This matter is also before the courts.

- The killing of Mr. Azario Major, an unarmed Bahamian man who was shot and killed by police officers. This incident has been the subject of public inquiry, judicial proceedings, and documentary examination, and has significantly impacted public trust in law enforcement leadership during that period.

In addition to the above, I wish to clearly distinguish the following as allegations, which I respectfully ask Canadian authorities to independently assess:

- There have long been allegations within Bahamian and Canadian law-enforcement and community circles regarding a close relationship between Mr. Fernander and Daran Neely, also known as “Monster,” an alleged gang leader associated with the so-called “Dirty South Gang.”

- This gang has been linked to violent criminal activity, including a serious robbery-murder in Windsor, Ontario, involving Bahamian nationals.

- It has been alleged that Mr. Neely benefited from protection during Mr. Fernander’s tenure as Commissioner. Following Mr. Fernander’s resignation, that protection allegedly ceased, and Mr. Neely was later killed. These points are presented strictly as allegations for the purpose of requesting independent review.

It is also a matter of public record that Mr. Fernander maintains a close personal relationship with the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, the Right Honourable Philip Edward Davis. Despite Mr. Fernander’s resignation amid public outcry and ongoing court matters involving senior officers under his leadership, he was subsequently appointed to a senior diplomatic post in Canada.

In light of the seriousness of these facts and concerns, I respectfully request:

1. A review of the vetting and acceptance process that led to Mr. Fernander’s appointment as Consul General in Canada.

2. An assessment by appropriate Canadian authorities of whether his presence and role are consistent with Canada’s standards for diplomatic engagement, public safety, and the rule of law.

3. That relevant national security, law-enforcement, and foreign-affairs agencies be permitted to independently examine the court records, indictments, and public materials related to the above matters.

This letter does not seek to assert guilt, but rather to request due diligence, accountability, and transparency. Canada’s reputation for upholding democratic values and the rule of law makes such a review both reasonable and necessary.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I trust this matter will receive the seriousness it warrants.

Respectfully,

Brittany Harris

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Source / Comment

It's Every Bahamian Duty to Keep The Bahamas Safe

2026-01-04T15:36:00.000-05:00

Bahamians Demand and Deserve a Safer Bahamas

Dr. Duane Sands, Chairman of The Free National Movement: The Duty to Keep Bahamians Safe Endures

Last year’s reduction in murders is welcome news in a country that has felt the heavy toll of violent crime. Any reduction in murder matters, and every life saved matters. But no Bahamian believes that a single statistic means the work is done.

We can acknowledge progress and still be clear-eyed about reality. Bahamians want to feel safe walking home, sending their children to school, and going about their daily lives without fear. That remains the standard by which success must be measured.

A decline in murders, while important, does not on its own mean we have a safer society. Crime trends can shift quickly if the underlying system remains weak.

Even the Minister of National Security has acknowledged the need to study where crimes occur, when they occur, and who is affected. That analysis must lead to action because public safety is built on execution, not explanations.

What Bahamians are asking for now is clarity and follow-through: clear priorities, clear timelines, and clear results. Too often, crime plans are announced but not fully delivered, leaving communities frustrated and victims underserved.

That is why the Free National Movement has put forward a comprehensive 10-point plan to address crime. Our plan is not a slogan and not a copy.

It is a correction, and focuses on tougher, smarter policing, faster justice, and a public health approach that works to prevent violence before it spreads. It calls for stronger enforcement against gangs and illegal firearms, improved intelligence-led policing, modern forensic capacity, and real accountability across the justice system.

Any serious crime strategy must also confront sexual violence head-on. Reported sexual offences continue to rise, disproportionately affecting women and children. Protecting them must be central to national security.

Laws alone are not enough. Survivors must be supported, believed, and protected, and cases must move quickly through the system. The continued absence of a national forensic lab, leaving victims waiting months for DNA testing, is unacceptable.

Public confidence also depends on capacity. Visible policing, adequate manpower, modern tools, and an efficient court system are essential if gains are to be sustained. Without them, progress risks being temporary.

Bahamians do not want a victory lap. They want solutions. If murders are trending down, that is a positive step. But safety cannot be seasonal, and it cannot depend on short-term measures. The duty to keep Bahamians safe endures, and it demands serious leadership, real investment, and decisive action.

A National Agenda for The Bahamas

2025-12-20T21:13:00.000-05:00

Deo Adjuvante, Non Timendum

“With God as My Helper, I Have Nothing to Fear”

By Dr. Kevin Turnquest-Alcena

Nassau, The Bahamas

“The price of greatness is responsibility.” — Winston Churchill

The Bahamian drums are beating, the cowbells are ringing into 2026. The year 2026 represents more than another election cycle; it is a national crossroads.

As Bahamians often say, when “the fat lady sings and gives you the price of the fish,” the debate ends, and reality begins—someone must govern. The true challenge is not only who wins, but what agenda will guide the nation forward. While elections bring speeches and promises, words alone do not deliver progress. The country now requires a people-centered agenda rooted in discipline, accountability, and long-term development.

Reducing the national debt must be a top priority. High debt limits investment in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social services.

As Warren Buffett once said, “Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.” The government must commit to transparent budgeting, responsible borrowing, and improved tax collection.

Auditing government programs, prioritizing high-impact projects, and leveraging public-private partnerships are essential steps toward fiscal sustainability and ensuring every dollar borrowed produces measurable value for the nation.

Crime remains one of the most urgent challenges facing The Bahamas. It threatens public safety, tourism, investment, and social confidence.

Addressing it requires a comprehensive approach including intelligence-led policing, strengthened border security, judicial reform to reduce court backlogs, community policing, youth intervention programs, and rehabilitation services. As Marcus Tullius Cicero said, “The safety of the people shall be the highest law.” Treating crime as both a social and security issue ensures safer communities and stronger national cohesion.

A National Service Programme could further strengthen the nation by promoting discipline, civic responsibility, and workforce readiness among young Bahamians. Participants could serve in disaster response, healthcare, environmental protection, agriculture, technical trades, and community safety. Mahatma Gandhi wisely noted, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Beyond providing skills, the program would reduce youth unemployment, foster civic pride, and build social unity.

Education reform is central to national development. Priorities include early childhood education, teacher training, curriculum updates, and accountability measures. Nelson Mandela emphasized, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” A literate, skilled population drives productivity, innovation, and economic competitiveness, laying the foundation for sustained national growth.

Preparing Bahamians for the digital economy is equally vital. Integrating coding, robotics, AI, and digital entrepreneurship into schools equips students for modern careers and entrepreneurship. Bill Gates observed, “The advance of technology is based on making it fit in so that you don’t really even notice it.” Partnering with tech firms, universities, and online platforms can provide mentorship and access to advanced resources, ensuring long-term competitiveness.

Public health and wellness must also be prioritized. The Bahamas faces challenges such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Preventive healthcare, nutrition education, community fitness initiatives, and mental health services are critical. Gandhi reminded us, “It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.” A healthier population reduces healthcare costs, improves productivity, and enhances quality of life.

Economic empowerment requires land reform and effective land management. Clear land titles, efficient approvals, and transparent administration encourage investment, reduce disputes, and support sustainable development, particularly in the Family Islands. Aristotle once said, “Land is the basis of all wealth.”

An efficient and accountable public sector is essential. Digitization, performance-based management, retraining programs, and rationalizing structures improve service delivery. As Peter Drucker stated, “Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things.” These reforms ensure taxpayers receive value while government operations remain sustainable.

Raising the minimum wage addresses rising living costs and improves social equity. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s principle, “A fair wage for a fair day’s work,” reflects the importance of fair pay in improving living standards, stimulating domestic consumption, and reducing inequality.

Supporting Bahamian investors and entrepreneurs strengthens local ownership and economic resilience. Simplifying investor registration, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, offering tax incentives, and providing mentorship foster innovation and job creation. As Peter Drucker said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” A thriving business sector reduces dependence on foreign investment and drives national prosperity.

Economic diversification is critical to reduce vulnerability. While tourism remains important, expansion into financial services, captive insurance, renewable energy, agriculture, digital services, and the creative economy is necessary. Miguel de Cervantes’ wisdom, “Do not put all your eggs in one basket,” highlights the need for multiple growth sectors to ensure stability and opportunity.

Affordable housing and cost-of-living relief remain urgent. Government-subsidized programs, construction incentives, and policy reforms ensure working families can afford safe homes. As an unknown author noted, “A house is made of walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams.”

Modern infrastructure drives national development. Roads, bridges, ports, airports, inter-island transportation, and broadband connectivity enhance trade, mobility, and quality of life. Lily Tomlin’s observation, “The road to success is always under construction,” underscores the ongoing need for investment in infrastructure.

Climate resilience and disaster preparedness are essential. As a small island nation, The Bahamas is highly vulnerable to climate change. Coastal protection, flood mitigation, resilient infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and community awareness safeguard lives and property. The Native American proverb reminds us, “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.”

Finally, good governance and anti-corruption measures underpin national success. Transparency, accountability, and strong institutions ensure public trust. Kofi Annan stated, “Good governance is less about structure and more about behavior.” Ethical leadership and citizen oversight are critical for maintaining confidence and ensuring fair use of national resources.

Countries such as Singapore demonstrate that discipline, efficiency, education, and long-term planning can transform a nation. While The Bahamas cannot replicate another nation entirely, adopting these principles can guide national development and sustainable growth.

As 2026 approaches, the national agenda must move beyond promises and focus on execution, accountability, and measurable results. Addressing crime, debt, education, health, wages, investment, and national service is essential to securing the future of The Bahamas.

A Christmas Message to the Bahamian People: As the year ends, warm wishes go out to the people of The Bahamas. May this season bring peace, reflection, and renewed hope. Merry Christmas, and may the coming year bring unity, progress, and national renewal.

December 20, 2025

Source / Comment

Rick Fox is not hiding in The Bahamas

2025-12-16T17:35:00.000-05:00

The Future of The Bahamas

Bahamians Deserve More Than Silence

Many have asked: Which party are you joining None. Not yet.

Not because I'm undecided but because silence is still masquerading as governance.

People Are Worried

An estimated 350,000 Haitian nationals face the termination of Temporary Protected Status in the United States in the coming months.

People are already worried. They're just afraid to ask.

When decisions of that scale are announced, nations in the region have a right to ask what preparedness looks like. Not because panic is inevitable, but because planning is responsible.

What does the US Government know that they aren't telling us?

What does The Bahamas Government know that they haven't shared?

Why the rush? Why the silence? What's coming?

These questions don't undermine national security. They strengthen public trust.

Urgency Without Explanation Breeds Distrust.

Last week, Parliament passed a Smuggling of Migrants Act at lightning speed.

Urgency? Absolutely. Sovereignty matters. Preparedness matters. But transparency matters too.

We are a nation of 400,000 citizens. What happens when 350,000 asylum seekers need a place to go? When does enforcement begin? What are the routes? What guarantees that The Bahamas won't become a spillover zone?

What troubled many Bahamians - was not that action was taken, but that it was taken with minimal public briefing, no visible capacity assessment, and little dialogue about downstream impact.

When governments move quickly but refuse to explain their thinking, citizens have every right to ask why. That silence doesn't calm people. It unsettles them.

The Pattern Is Repeated With Our Elections.

This same silence appears again most troublingly in how we approach our elections.

Since the by-election, I have asked every party the same questions. We are still waiting.

Will you commit to a National Day of Voting so no Bahamian has to choose between democracy and survival?

Will you increase transparency in ballot handling and counting so trust is earned, not demanded?

Will you guarantee secret, secure, verified votes? One person, one vote, one time.

Will you commit to addressing these issues before calling the next general election?

These aren't partisan requests.

They are baseline requirements for trust.

What is concerning is not disagreement on their part, it is refusal to even engage - on borders and on ballots. On what matters most their silence can no longer be the answer.

Why I Haven't Chosen a Party?

I won't offer loyalty to a system that treats transparency as a threat. I won't choose sides when neither side is willing to state its position.

This is not avoidance - it is accountability.

I have been open about my interest in serving. I have been honest about my questions, my values, and the seriousness with which I am approaching this moment.

I am not hiding. I am listening. I am learning.

And I am doing this the way I have approached every arena I've competed in sports, business, entertainment:

Be open. Be honest. Be inquisitive. Be willing to learn how to win without losing your principles.

A New Path Forward

Today, I am launching The Bahamas Future Movement. Not a political party. A civic platform - nonpartisan and uncompromising.

One mission: forcing transparency where silence has taken hold.

We will:

1. Give Bahamians a voice loud enough to be heard

2. Hold every party accountable before votes are cast

3. Make transparency the price of seeking power

I am investing one million dollars of my own money to build this movement.

No donors and no strings; accountable only to the Bahamian people.

The Challenge

To every political party and leader:

Tell us where you stand on election integrity.

Tell us your plan for border preparedness.

Tell us what you know and what you don't.

Publicly - clearly and now.

The moment any party answers these questions in good faith, I will listen and I will engage. I will work together for the future of our country.

When I do choose, it will be where transparency has the best chance to lead.

Until then, I stand with the people demanding answers not with a system that hides behind silence.

Join Us

If you are ready to serve, to ask hard questions, and to help build a future rooted in trust join us.

Our leaders can break their silence, or citizens will build something strong enough that silence no longer works.

The Bahamas Future Movement Starts Now

https://www.bahamasfuturemovement.com

Source / Comment

The Bahamas Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs L. Ryan Pinder, KC on the Smuggling of Migrants Bill, 2025

2025-12-05T19:20:00.004-05:00

The purpose of the Smuggling of Migrants Bill 2005 is not to change who is allowed to stay in The Bahamas. Its purpose is to give us sharper tools to go after the criminal smugglers who profit from exploiting desperate people and who add to the number of people in our country, The Bahamas - without a legal right to be here...

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs L. Ryan Pinder, KC

Smuggling of Migrants Bill, 2025

4 December 2025

As many of you know, several weeks ago, on October 15th, a bill to strengthen our country’s fight against human smuggling was tabled in the House of Assembly.

The proposed legislation has been publicly available online since it was tabled, as is standard for this administration.

With the bill due to be debated in the coming days, discussion regarding the legislation has increased, and we thought it might be helpful, in advance of the debate, to provide Bahamians with information about the changes proposed in the bill, as well as the context and rationales for those changes.

The clear and unequivocal goal of the bill is to reduce human smuggling activity in our country and to thereby reduce the number of migrants in The Bahamas, by criminalizing and increasing penalties for a wide range of activities associated with smuggling.

Migrant smuggling is a heinous crime that exposes vulnerable individuals to deception, abuse, and dangerous conditions. Without a strong legal framework, criminal networks and enterprises operate with impunity, placing lives at risk and undermining our national security. The Bill strengthens our ability to hold smugglers accountable as it introduces stiff penalties for those who would exploit the vulnerable for profit.

Under the new law:

...if you procure false documents for migrants;

...if you assist with their entry into our country;

...if you help them pass through our country;

...if your boat or plane is used to transport them;

....if you hide them;

....if you help them stay here;

...if you facilitate or benefit from human smuggling in any way...

...you will be more likely to face prosecution and more likely to suffer significantly harsher consequences.

Every individual who seeks to profit from human suffering and smuggling - while endangering our country and our people - should know that the odds that engaging in the smuggling business will ruin their lives are about to increase dramatically. New penalties include fines of $300,000 and prison sentences of 15 years.

Until now, prosecutors pursuing smuggling charges have been forced to patch together different provisions from the Penal Code and from Customs and Immigrations laws – the new law closes gaps and loopholes and provides a clearer and more robust set of rules to establish illegality and to increase punishment.

Strengthening and updating the tools we use to better fight criminal networks is something we’ve had to do nearly continually throughout our history.

Our country occupies not only the most beautiful stretch of ocean in the world, but one of the most strategic – for at least five hundred years, these hundreds of thousands of square miles of waters have included vital shipping routes, linking peoples and nations and empires. The same geography that makes us a critical corridor for legitimate trade and travel has also made us vulnerable to illicit activity.

With more than 700 islands and cays, and hundreds of thousands of miles of territory – but a small population, with limited resources – surveillance and enforcement have long been a challenge.

But all Bahamians should know that we have made historic progress in recent years, under the Prime Minister’s leadership -- he has prioritized substantial investments in new technology, in surveillance and enforcement assets, in robust recruitment and professional training, and in strengthening critical partnerships.

I note that the Prime Minister has skillfully strengthened our strategic and operational partnerships while still standing up for our sovereignty; at the 2022 Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, he resisted considerable pressure to sign a declaration that 20 countries in our region did sign, because he insisted our country could not bear the burden of accepting migrants or refugees.

The progress we’re making now is the result of great effort and coordinated collaboration. The Commodore, and the Commissioner, and the men and women they lead, have made the most of their expanded capabilities, and significantly strengthened our borders – we have seen, for example, a dramatic increase in the apprehension of smugglers and migrants before they make landfall. It is notable that our gains have come even as economic, political, and humanitarian crises in Haiti, Cuba, and Venezuela have led, in recent years, to an extraordinary number of their citizens attempting to flee, with many attempting to reach the United States via our waters.

This brings us to another critical reason for the new bill – the new bill improves our capacity to partner with the Trump Administration and the United States, and with other regional partners, including:

• New ways (via Protocol) to share information quickly about smugglers and suspicious boats;

• Clear legal authority for our officers to work with partners at sea, including on foreign-flag boats;

• And - guidance for how our Defence Force and Police can safely stop, check, and even take control of boats when smuggling is suspected – even outside our own waters, in some circumstances.

The passage of this Bill will put us among respected international partners, like the United States and other nations, who recognize the urgency of addressing the crime collectively and responsibly, and will strengthen both our national response and our global partnerships and standing in the world.

Smugglers work across borders, so law enforcement has to as well – the new law makes it easier to team up, share evidence, and run joint patrols with our partners.

As I conclude, I want to address some concerns that have been raised.

I know some Bahamians are asking – what does this mean for our country? Are the rights of migrants changing? These are fair questions, that deserve clear answers.

The bill we tabled did not give migrants any new right to enter The Bahamas, to remain in The Bahamas, or to receive any legal status in The Bahamas. It did not take away any power that we have under the Immigration Act to arrest, detain, charge, or remove people who are here in breach of our laws.

The purpose of the bill is not to change who is allowed to stay. Its purpose is to give us sharper tools to go after the criminal smugglers who profit from exploiting desperate people and who add to the number of people in our country without a legal right to be here.

The bill does make clear that migrants should not be treated as smugglers under this law, just because they are on the same boat. Without more evidence, we would not charge the migrant with smuggling.

But they can still be detained, charged with immigration offences, and deported in accordance with our existing immigration laws. Nothing in the bill removes or weakens those powers.

The bill says that migrants are entitled to humane treatment – entitled to safety, dignity, and nonrefoulement—which means not sending people directly back into serious harm. This has caused some people to ask whether new “rights” are being created.

That is not the case. To reiterate - these provisions do not give anyone a right to be granted status or to remain in The Bahamas.

What they do is say that when we intercept a vessel or process a group of migrants, our officers must ensure:

• that people are not subjected to inhumane or degrading treatment;

• that vulnerable persons—such as children, pregnant women, and people with serious medical needs—are identified and handled with care; and

• that returns and repatriations are carried out in an orderly and safe manner.

This is not about changing who can stay. It is about how our officers conduct themselves while enforcing the law.

We can enforce our laws without abandoning our basic humanity on the high seas or in our detention facilities. That balance is not new; it has been the practice of our Defence Force for years.

The legal guidance we received is that this articulation of how migrants should be treated, which is consistent with obligations that already exist, does not grant any new rights or entitlements. But we understand that the concerns that it does are sincere.

This is not difficult to address. We intend to amend the bill to remove any ambiguity or uncertainty on the point.

We all pray that conditions in other countries improve, and that the flow of migrants slows – but while we pray for the best outcome, we prepare for the worst, and that includes not only expanding our technical and resource capacity but strengthening our laws so we can better prosecute and punish those participating or assisting in any way with the terrible crimes associated with human smuggling.

The bill provides stronger tools for law enforcement, and harsher punishment for criminals – if you want fewer people in our country illegally, you will want to support this bill.

Growing Suspicion and National Doubt over The Bahamas Government Smuggling of Migrants Bill

2025-12-03T17:28:00.000-05:00

Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas - Put that Smuggling of Migrants Bill on Hold!

HOLD THE BILL!!!

There are some questions emanating from the press release issued by the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in relation to the intention of the Government to debate and pass the "Smuggling of Migrants Bill".

In its own press statement the Government is quoted as saying, "The clause being circulated by Mr Bain deals with smuggled migrants as victims and witnesses of this crime. It simply prevents a victim from being charged under this new anti-smuggling law for acts that arise directly from being smuggled, such as illegal entry of possession of a fraudulent document supplied by the smuggler".

There are a number of questions that begs a clear and concise answer considering that someone being smuggled may not to be the same as a person being trafficked. According to The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR )"Human smuggling is when people called smugglers (sometimes referred to as "Coyotes"), help persons cross borders irregularly, typically with their consent, in return for money or other material benefit:

The UNHCR further defines Human Trafficking as the exploitation of people for profit such as forced labor or sexual exploitation".

So the Government needs to explain how can smuggled migrants qualify as victims and witnesses - as well as for short term humanitarian care, if by the UNHCR definition these individuals are typlically smuggled with "their"consent and usually by paying the smuggler money or by other material means?

So this begs the question, if the individuals being smuggled do not fall under the category as persons being kidnapped and trafficked to engage in forced labor and or for sexual exploitation, how do these individuals end up in a proposed Smuggling and Migrants bill in the Commonwealrh of The Bahamas as "Victims" and not "Criminals?

How will the Government determine from a boat or plane load of migrants who qualifies as smuggled persons (someone who paid to be brought to The Bahamas illegally) from trafficked persons (someone kidnapped and forced against their will)?

If the purpose of this bill is designed to put teeth into the law to punish smugglers, it cannot at the same time serve to exonrate those being smuggled as victims and witnesses, shielded from arrest and prosecution. The probability is that both smuggled migrants and smuggler are on the same vessel for the same purpose.

The general understanding with these kinds of smuggling operations is the individuals desiring to be smuggled to a destination illegally, "pay" a smuggler to smuggle them to said destination. This would mean that smuggled individuals are not victims, as nothing was done to them nor were they forced to make the journey. Second the smuggled migrant is indeed a witnesses but a witnesses to a crime and a crime that they are more than likely an accessory to.

There appears to be a section in the bill under the heading "Immunity from prosecution of smuggled migrants" - that says in part "A smuggled migrant cannot be liable to criminal prosecution under this Act in respects of

(A) illegal entry into the receiving country

(B) remaining illegally in the receiving country or transit country or

It would be important for the Government to confirm if the above is true and what is their true intent when it comes to these smuggled migrants. There are many more questions. I was informed that it was the intent of the Government to debate and pass this bill today, Wednesday December 3rd 2025 or by tomorrow Thursday December 4th 2025.

I would strongly recommend Director of Communications Latrae Rahming encourage the Government to put the brakes on debating and passing this bill until there can be wide spread national consultation and input by the Bahamian people including members of the legal fraternity, the Church and Civil Society. I was just sent a copy of the bill and like many Bahamians, I have not had sufficient time to read it and I suspect neither have many other citizens.

Bills are comprised of serious legal language and the wrong language used in a bill could result in a wrong or devastating outcome. Bills tabled in the House of Assembly usually become the law of the land and so every bill should include the correct language, which should be very clear. However from the looks of things so far, this particular bill doesn't appear to be very clear and could open the door to suspicion and national doubtsuspicion and national doubt. Just my thoughts.

Kevin Harris

Wednesday December 3rd 2025

Source / Comment

Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas: ABOUT THE SMUGGLING OF MIGRANTS BILL

2025-12-03T09:57:00.000-05:00

Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas - STATEMENT ON FALSE CLAIMS ABOUT THE SMUGGLING OF MIGRANTS BILL

This is the first time that a Government of The Bahamas is putting a clear, stand alone crime of migrant smuggling into our law. At present, our Penal Code does not give prosecutors a direct charge for smuggling of migrants. They must piece together charges under the Penal Code and the Customs and Immigration Acts, which leaves much of the behaviour and methods used by smugglers outside the reach of the courts.

This Bill closes that gap and gives prosecutors and enforcement agencies a strong, modern legal tool to fight the smuggling of migrants and, with it, illegal immigration.

Against this background, the Government of The Bahamas rejects the false and reckless claims being made by Lincoln Bain about the Smuggling of Migrants Bill, 2025. His comments mislead Bahamians about what the Bill actually does and create unnecessary fear about the safety of our borders.

The Bill leaves the Immigration Act fully in place. Illegal landing, overstaying and related breaches of immigration law remain criminal offences. Immigration officers keep their full authority to detain, process and remove people who enter or remain in The Bahamas in breach of our laws.

The purpose of the Bill is to go after the criminal networks that organise and profit from moving people illegally across borders. Under section 5, a person who commits the offence of smuggling migrants is, on summary conviction, liable to a fine up to S100,000 or imprisonment up to seven years, or both.

On conviction on information, that person is liable to a fine up to $200,000 - imprisonment up to ten years, or both. Where the smuggling involves aggravated conduct such as endangering life, violence, exploitation, abuse or similar acts, section 5(5) increases the penalties.

In such aggravated cases, on summary conviction the court may impose a fine up to $250,000 or imprisonment up to seven years, or both. On conviction on information the court may impose a fine up to $300,000 or imprisonment up to fifteen years, or both.

In addition, where the offender owns the aircraft, vessel or vehicle used in the crime, that asset is liable to seizure and forfeiture and the court may impose a further fine up to three thousand dollars for each migrant smuggled.

The clause being circulated by Mr. Bain deals with smuggled migrants as victims and witnesses of this crime. It simply prevents a victim from being charged under this new anti-smuggling law for acts that arise directly from being smuggled, such as illegal entry or possession of a fraudulent document supplied by the smuggler.

Immigration authorities remain free to act under the Immigration Act, including detention and removal. There is no wording in the Bill that grants permanent residence, citizenship, or any fast-track to Bahamian status.

The Bill requires only basic, short-term humanitarian care for people in state custody, such as food, shelter and urgent medical attention. That standard reflects our Constitution, our Christian faith and our international obligations.

It does not create long-term welfare benefits and it does not interfere with removal procedures.

Irregular migration and border control demand serious, honest leadership. The Government of The Bahamas remains firmly committed to strong borders, tough penalties for smugglers and humane treatment of every person in our custody.

Bahamians can be confident that the Smuggling of Migrants Bill strengthens national security and gives our law enforcement officers stronger tools to break the smuggling networks that threaten our country.

December 2, 2025

Commonwealth of The Bahamas

The Bahamas: From Majority Rule to a Minority Mentality

2025-11-27T23:58:00.000-05:00

From Majority Rule to a Minority State of Mind

The Bahamas, a nation born from the triumph of Majority Rule, is now being quietly governed by minority participation. The very principle that defined our national identity—rule by the many—has weakened into a habit of rule by the few.

By Rick Fox
Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas

In the days following the Golden Isles by-election, Parliamentary Commissioner Harrison Thompson admitted officials were “baffled” by what they witnessed. More than 4,000 registered voters stayed home—four thousand Bahamian voices absent from the democratic table.

This isn’t normal. This isn’t healthy. And this certainly isn’t The Bahamas our parents and grandparents fought to build.

It is a warning.

We once fought to break away from minority governance. Now, by apathy, we are drifting right back into it.

The Grandfathers of the Nation

Honored, Respected, But Wrong About Today

Few leaders have shaped modern Bahamian democracy more than Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis—affectionately known as “Daddy”—and former Prime Minister Hubert Alexander Ingraham, the nation’s “Papa.” They governed in a time when Bahamians turned out in large numbers, when the civic spirit was alive, when Majority Rule felt like an inheritance that could never be lost.

Their leadership deserves respect. But respectfully, they are applying yesterday’s confidence to today’s crisis.

Papa Ingraham recently said, “You can’t steal an election in The Bahamas.” Daddy Davis has projected similar assurance, confident that all is steady; that all is well.

But the numbers tell a different story.

With 4,000 voters staying home and only 25% of the electorate determining a parliamentary seat, it is clear that everything is not fine. Elections today are not being stolen by corruption, they are being stolen by apathy.

The people are not being silenced. The people are silencing themselves. That is a threat unlike anything our national fathers ever had to confront.

The 25% Problem and The Quiet Collapse of Majority Rule

In Golden Isles, a candidate did not need half the votes to win. They only needed a quarter.

Imagine four people sitting at a table, and only one person deciding whether the other three get to eat. That is not democracy. That is Minority Rule by default, disguised in the shell of a Majority Rule system.

Apathy made the decision. Apathy filled the seat. Apathy now shapes our future more than the electorate does.

If nothing changes, apathy will steal the 2026 General Election—boldly, openly, and without resistance.

The Biblical Consequence of Not Showing Up

Exodus 20:12 instructs us: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land the Lord your God gives you.”

This is more than a household command. It is a national one.

Our mothers and fathers, the generation who delivered Majority Rule paid a price so that the many could decide. But when thousands stay home and a minority chooses for the majority, we dishonor that sacrifice. We weaken the foundation they built. We shorten the lifespan of the society they secured. Not by curse, but by consequence.

No nation survives when its people stop showing up for it.

The Bahamas Calls Itself a Christian Nation. But Where Is Our Discipline?

Every Bahamian child knows this line: “Get ready—you're going to church.” Church was not optional. It was discipline, Duty and Expectation. That same discipline is now needed in our democracy.

Voting must become cultural again. Voting must become expected. Voting must become a mandate of service, rooted in the same values that shaped us in church.

A democracy cannot stand on 25%, and a nation cannot survive on silence.

A Call to the Pastors of the Nation

When nations face danger, their spiritual leaders must speak, not to endorse parties, but to awaken responsibility. Isaiah 58:1 says: “Cry aloud, spare not.”

This is such a moment. Pastors must call on Daddy, Papa, and all political leaders to stand together, not in competition, but in unity before an election date is set, and address this crisis at its root.

This is not politics. This is stewardship.

The Path Forward: Restore Majority Rule in Practice, Not Just in Memory

If we want the Bahamas to remain a nation governed by the many, not the few, we must modernize and reinforce our democratic practices.

1. Stream the Vote

Let every Bahamian watch the process in real time. Transparency builds trust. Trust builds turnout. Turnout restores Majority Rule.

2. National Civic Duty Day

A once-every-five-year paid holiday for voting. A day dedicated to civic responsibility, just as Sundays were dedicated to church. A day that transforms voting from an inconvenience into an expectation.

Make voting a habit. Make voting a duty. Make voting Bahamian.

The Grandchildren Must Grow Up, and show Up

Here is the truth: We are the grandchildren of Majority Rule. We didn’t march for it. We didn’t fight for it. But we inherited it.

And now it is slipping, not because someone took it, but because we have stopped showing up to protect it.

If we want a Bahamas worthy of the next generation, and if we want a future we can proudly claim there is only one path forward:

We must grow up. We must stand up. We must show up now.

Our vote is not merely a right - it is our inheritance. It is the last piece of power placed directly into our hands by the generation that fought before us.

Every time we stay home, we hand that inheritance away.

Our grandparents carried this country. Daddy and Papa fought their battles. Now it’s our turn.

No more waiting. No more watching. No more wishing someone older would fix what is now ours to repair.

Grow up, stand up, and show up. This is our generation’s responsibility - our generation’s Majority Rule moment.

Final Call:

Reject the Minority Mindset and restore the Bahamian Majority.

Apathy is winning. Apathy is shrinking our democracy. Apathy is reversing what our ancestors built.

But we can stop this. We have the duty, we have the power, and we have the moment - for our fathers, mothers, children; and for the future of The Bahamas.

The Bahamas will belong to all Bahamians, but only if all Bahamians show up.

Source / Comment

U.S.A. Lifts Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti

2025-11-26T15:53:00.000-05:00

Allowing Haitian nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is inconsistent with U.S. national interest

The Department of Homeland Security today posted a Federal Register notice on the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Haiti. After consulting with interagency partners, Secretary Noem concluded that Haiti no longer meets the statutory requirements for TPS. This decision was based on a review conducted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, input from relevant U.S. government agencies, and an analysis indicating that allowing Haitian nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is inconsistent with U.S. national interests.

The termination of the Haiti Temporary Protected Status designation is effective February 3, 2026. If you are an alien who is currently a beneficiary of TPS for Haiti, you should prepare to depart if you have no other lawful basis for remaining in the United States. You can use the CBP Home mobile application to report your departure from the United States. This secure and convenient self-deportation process includes a complimentary plane ticket, a $1,000 exit bonus, and potential future opportunities for legal immigration to the United States.

Find more information about TPS at uscis.gov/tps. For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on X(formerlyTwitter, Instagram , YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn

11/26/2025

Your voice carries weight, Mr. Rick Fox

2025-11-24T18:28:00.000-05:00

Most people don’t know how much courage it takes to speak honestly in The Bahamas

By Conchalay Conchalar

Rick Fox, let me speak to you directly.

I read your letter. I studied every word. And I want you to hear me clearly:

Bahamians who stand up for truth are rare… and you have joined that fight.

Your voice carries weight, Mr. Fox — not because of entertainment, not because of fame, but because you are speaking from a place of love, integrity, and concern for the very nation that raised you.

And let me tell you something that the public may not fully understand:

When a Bahamian with international influence speaks truth, it shakes the whole system.

Most people don’t know how much courage it takes to speak honestly in this country. They don’t know the backlash. They don’t know the pressure. They don’t know how quickly people try to silence you the moment you step outside the script.

But you stepped out anyway. And I respect that.

Rick, I am watching your journey carefully. And I want you to know this:

Every time you speak… I amplify it. Every time you write… I respond. Every time you raise a point… I carry it around the world.

Because while many people know you from the NBA, or from Hollywood, or from the spotlight — the world I deal with is different.

I speak with people in Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, South America — people who don’t watch TV, who don’t follow celebrities, who don’t subscribe to systems. They only pay attention to truth, justice, and people who defend their homeland.

And just like my environmental stance made my message global, your stance is now doing the same.

You are stepping into a new chapter — a chapter of purpose. And let me say this directly, with no hesitation:

The Bahamas needs men who speak boldly. The Bahamas needs men who carry integrity. The Bahamas needs men who refuse to bow to political pressure. The Bahamas needs men who speak for the people, not for the system.

Rick Fox — continue your journey. Continue your voice. Continue your stand.

Because the more you speak, the more I will lift your message. And the more I lift it,

the more the world sees exactly what you stand for.

This is not entertainment. This is not politics.

This is about the soul of a nation. And you, my brother, have stepped into the arena.

Keep going. The Bahamas is watching. And the world is listening.

Source / Comment

The Bahamas Ailing Healthcare System

2025-11-10T06:48:00.000-05:00

The Failing Healthcare System of The Bahamas

Dr. Duane Sands, Chairman of the Free National Movement: "Silencing Truth in Healthcare"

Last week, I was deeply disturbed to learn that Nurse Pearl Williams, a respected healthcare professional with more than four decades of service at Princess Margaret Hospital, was suspended for doing what too many are afraid to do: speak the truth.

After 44 years of caring for Bahamians, Nurse Williams went public with an emotional plea to Prime Minister Philip Davis, describing the dire state of our nation's main public hospital: leaky roofs, rodent infestations, medical supply shortages, and exhausted staff stretched far beyond their limits. Her message was not one of politics but of pain; the pain of seeing the system she has served her entire life collapsing around her.

Rather than confront the truth, the Public Hospitals Authority chose to suspend Nurse Williams.

But the problems Nurse Williams spoke of did not appear overnight. They are the result of years of neglect under this PLP administration, a government that came to office promising to fix healthcare but has failed to deliver.

While facilities across the country crumble, the Davis Administration has chosen to borrow more than $200 million from the Chinese to build a new hospital instead of repairing and upgrading the ones we already have. Theychase ribbon-cuttings and photo opportunities while nurses work double shifts, supplies run short, and patients suffer in silence.

The Free National Movement has repeatedly warned that our healthcare system is decaying from the inside. We have called for, and continue to demand, a comprehensive national audit of all public hospitals, a timeline for critical infrastructure repairs, better pay and training for nurses, and a real plan to upgrade facilities from Grand Bahama to Inagua. These are not partisan demands; they are the bare minimum that a responsible government owes to its people.

The FNM believes that those who care for our citizens deserve respect, not retribution. Nurse Williams spoke not just for herself, but for countless others: nurses, doctors, and hospital staff who are tired of broken promises, unsafe conditions, and a government more interested in managing headlines than solving problems.

We stand firmly with her, and with every Bahamian demanding dignity, accountability, and action in healthcare. The truth is this: our healthcare system is failing, our workers are crying out, and our people deserve better.

It is time to stop punishing those who speak up and start fixing what's broken. The Free National Movement will continue to fight for a healthcare system worthy of the Bahamian people, one that values its Workers, protects its patients, and delivers care with competence and compassion.

FREE NATIONAL MOVEMENT 144 MACKEY STREET, P.O. BOX N-10713 | NASSAU, N.P, THE BAHAMAS

(242) 393-7853

November 9, 2025

The Political Paradox of Robert Dupuch-Carron

2025-10-20T12:41:00.008-04:00

Robert Dupuch-Carron, Publisher of The Tribune Newspaper Loses His Good Senses

Robert Dupuch-Carron Seeks PLP Favour

By Dennis A. Dames
Nassau, The Bahamas

I moved immediately to respond when I saw a Nassau Guardian Headline Online which reads: Tribune Publisher Robert Dupuch-Carron said yesterday that his political ambitions will not compromise the integrity of the Tribune newspaper. Well, Mr. Dupuch Carron, your political ambitions have already compromised the integrity of the Tribune Newspaper – in my humble view.

I have expressed to a number of people in conversation on the state of affairs in our beloved nation, The Bahamas more than a year ago – about how strange even the Tribune Newspaper is acting under our present government. I told many that something wasn’t right with the Tribune, and that it appeared that even them have fallen weak to the PLP somehow.

I revealed to those who were listening way before Mr. Dupuch-Carron was in the picture for any political nomination – that, like Wendall Jones of The Bahama Journal whose publication stopped publishing letters period from yours truly – all for the sake of candy from Mr. Peter Nygard; that the Tribune might be seeking candy from some master too – as they have also like the Bahama Journal, stopped coldcut considering my letters for publication.

Lo and behold, the Tribune Publisher, Mr. Robert Dupuch-Carron is seeking a PLP nomination and favour. So much for: BOUND TO SWEAR TO THE DOGMAS OF NO MASTER!

What a crying shame man! Candy from the political party of Peter Nygard in The Bahamas - the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).

14 Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Standard Bearers Confirmed

2025-10-17T00:10:00.000-04:00

Meet The Fourteen Progressive Party (PLP) General Election Candidates Who were Officially Announced on Thursday Evening - 16 October, 2025 at The Party's Headquarters - Farrington Rd., Nassau, The Bahamas

• Mario Bowleg, Garden Hills

• JoBeth Coleby-Davis, Elizabeth

• Pia Glover-Rolle, Golden Gates

• Leon Lundy, Mangrove Cay, Central and South Andros

• Leslia Miller-Brice, Sea Breeze

• Fred Mitchell, Fox Hill

• Darron Pickstock, Golden Isles

• Bacchus Rolle, South Beach

• Myles LaRoda, Pinewood

• McKell Bonaby, Mount Moriah

• Jamahl Strachan, Nassau Village

• Sebastian Bastian, Fort Charlotte

• Keith Bell, Carmichael

• Jomo Campbell, Centerville

Where are We on The National Salary Review for Public Servants in The Bahamas?

2025-10-16T16:18:00.002-04:00

The Bahamas Prime Minister Answers: Here’s where we are. The national salary review is complete, and tonight it will be made public. While the review did not include every category of public servants, the same methodology will be applied to ensure increases are extended across the wider public service. This includes our teachers, whose hard work and dedication continue to shape the future of this nation.

It’s the most comprehensive review of public service pay in decades. It examines every grade, every scale, every allowance, and every increment. It looks at the impact of inflation, at fairness between professions, and at how we can modernize pay across the public service.

The findings show that since coming to office in 2021, public officers have received salary increases every year, and that entry-level workers, the ones earning the least, have benefited the most with the consistency and regularity of their reassessments, salary adjustments, and increments, ensuring that these officers received their due in a structured, timely way, after many years of delay.

We did this because we made a decision to put workers first. Some have asked about the delay.

The delay was not a cash flow problem. It was an administrative process, making sure the new salary adjustments for more than fifteen thousand public officers were accurate, fair, and done right the first time. I am satisfied we have resolved the issue, and I want to reassure every public servant that you will be paid before Christmas.

The union leaders have to do their jobs, to represent their members. But I have to do mine, to represent all Bahamians.

My responsibility is not only to one group, but to every citizen who depends on a strong, stable country.

Some have asked what the grievance really is. There is no grievance here. The grandstanding and public drama do not change the fact that this Government is paying workers as promised. So the question must be asked, is the objection to the fact that we are paying? Surely, no one can object to fairness being delivered.

There is a proper procedure for filing grievances, and that process is always available. But let’s be clear, this situation is not about a grievance. It is about the Government doing what is right by its workers.

Before they can be members of any union, they are first employees of The Government of The Bahamas. That is why I am speaking directly to you tonight, because not all public officers are union members, but every single one of you serves this nation. You deserve to hear from your Prime Minister directly.

Workers should always be beneficiaries of our negotiations but never pawns when we disagree. When politics, personal ambition, or theatrics replace genuine advocacy, it is the workers who suffer, and I will never allow that to happen.

I know that progress is still needed for some categories of workers, and we are continuing to review those cases. We are not finished, but we are further along than we have been in a very long time.

We may have differences in approach in looking after workers, but our common goal must always be the same, to improve the lives of Bahamian workers. That is what binds us, and that is what should guide us forward.

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