Briefing ambassadors on Tuesday, UN Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari said that US military presence and operations off Venezuela’s coast have expanded since the Council last discussed the issue in October, further heightening tensions.The United States has described its expanded military deployment as part of what it calls a “non-international armed conflict” against drug cartels and trafficking, Mr. Khiari said.“President Donald Trump has stated that he is going to use ‘the full power of the United States to take on and eradicate these drug cartels no matter where they’re operating from’.”The Venezuelan Government, including its Permanent Representative to the UN, has described the measures by the United States as “a serious threat to international peace and security”, Mr. Khiari continued.In a 16 December letter to the Council President, Caracas accused Washington of violating “the principle prohibiting the threat or use of force in international relations.”Strikes on alleged drug vesselsUS strikes on vessels allegedly carrying drugs in the Southern Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific have continued, Mr. Khiari said, citing US authorities who reported that 105 individuals have been killed in these strikes since 2 September.The exact locations were not disclosed, with US officials stating that they occurred in “international waters” or the US Southern Command’s area of responsibility.The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has warned that the airstrikes violate international human rights law, Mr. Khiari added, stressing that countering drug trafficking is a law-enforcement matter governed by strict limits on the use of lethal force.Tensions continue to riseMr. Khiari further informed the Council that the US designated the Cartel de los Soles a “foreign terrorist organization” and declared Venezuelan airspace “closed in its entirety”– most that led many international airlines to suspend flights.Washington also announced that it has since seized oil tankers, imposed new sanctions and ordered what President Trump described as “a total and complete blockade” of sanctioned oil shipments.Venezuela, in turn, denounced these actions as a “unilateral naval blockade” and a violation of international law, and in recent days, its navy has reportedly begun escorting petroleum tankers. Dialogue the only viable pathMr. Khiari reiterated the United Nations’ position on the need for all Member States to respect international law, in particular the UN Charter, and to exercise restraint and de-escalate tensions to preserve regional stability.The Secretary-General stands ready to support all efforts at diplomatic engagement, he added, including through his good offices, should both parties request it.“Dialogue is the only viable path toward lasting peace and preventing further instability and human suffering,” Mr. Khiari said.Council members urge restraintIn the ensuing debate, Security Council members and participating countries expressed concern over the situation, with many warning against escalation that could destabilize the region.Michael Imran Kanu, the Ambassador of Sierra Leone, stated that the UN Charter’s rules on the use of force are “central to international stability” and intended to prevent escalation, miscalculation and illegal wars of choice.French Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative Jay Dharmadhikari noted that efforts to combat drug trafficking must be conducted in accordance with international law. Eloy Alfaro de Alba, the Ambassador of Panama, urged all States to cooperate using “relevant international instruments” and appealed for respect for the UN Charter.Regional participants offered contrasting views, with some voicing solidarity with Venezuela against external pressure – “their fight is our fight,” said Jaime Hermida Castillo, the Ambassador of Nicaragua. Others, however, warned that the Venezuelan people suffer as a “direct consequence” of the Government, “and not external factors or third factors,” according to Miguel Ricardo Candia Ibarra, the representative of Paraguay. United States vows to eradicate cartelsUS Ambassador Michael Waltz stressed that his country will eradicate drug cartels, “which have operated with impunity in our hemisphere for far too long.”Sanctions will be enforced to the maximum possible extent to “deprive [Venezuelan President Nicolás] Maduro of the resources he uses to fund the Cartel [de los Soles]”.This, he added, includes profits from the sale of oil, as these enable “his fraudulent claim to power and his narco-terrorist activities”.Underscoring that the “illegitimate Maduro regime” poses an “extraordinary threat to our hemisphere’s peace and stability”, Mr. Waltz declared that the United States “will do everything in our considerable power to protect our hemisphere, our borders and the American people.”Venezuela alleges US pursues oil“The United States seems to be destined by Providence to plague Latin America with misery in the name of liberty,” said Samuel Moncada, Ambassador of Venezuela as he quoted Simón Bolívar, the 19th-century Latin American independence leader and statesman.Underscoring that it is not his country – but the current US Government – that poses a threat, he added: “It’s not drugs, it’s not security, it’s not freedom – it is oil, it’s the mines, it’s the land.”  Mr. Moncada demanded that the Security Council condemn the ongoing aggression and ensure that the United States withdraws its military.“The world knows that, if the scale of armed attacks continues, we will exercise, with all determination, our inalienable right to self-defence,” he said..............................................................................................This story was first published by UN News 

Every December 18, International Migrants Day invites us to reflect on the journeys of millions who leave home in search of safety, dignity, and opportunity. For Jamaica and the Caribbean, migration is more than a statistic—it is a living story, woven into our history and culture. Yet, recent disasters have shown us that mobility is not always a choice, but often a matter of survival.The Human Face of DisplacementIn the past decade alone, the Caribbean has witnessed over 5 million new internal displacements due to disasters. Behind each number is a personal story—a mother seeking shelter for her children, a farmer rebuilding after losing ancestral land, a student striving to continue education despite upheaval. These stories are unfolding now in western Jamaica, where the shocking impacts of the climate crisis are a lived reality in every community.Hurricane Beryl struck Jamaica in July 2024 as a Category 4 storm. The Government of Jamaica estimated that Beryl had affected approximately 45,000 farmers in the southern parishes of Clarendon, Manchester, and St. Elizabeth. More than 8,700 houses were damaged, forcing families to seek shelter and begin the long process of recovery.Barely a year later, Hurricane Melissa barreled into the southwestern coastline as a Category 5 storm, producing sustained windspeeds of 185 mph. Communities throughout western Jamaica were upended, some for the second time in two years. In Black River, an historic town and the capital of St. Elizabeth parish, government reports indicate that 90% of roofs were destroyed. The combination of sea surge, swollen rivers, and powerful winds left entire towns demolished. Across the western parishes, homes, businesses, and even officially designated hurricane shelters were torn apart. Ninety thousand families found themselves seeking shelter wherever possible.Five weeks after Melissa, more than 279,000 people remained displaced. The use of schools as emergency shelters—an established response in previous seasons — is now perhaps no longer a good solution, as widespread and severe physical damage is causing longer term displacement, disrupting education and highlighting a tension between urgent humanitarian needs and the right to learning. This mirrors challenges faced by neighboring Caribbean islands over the past decade.The resilience of physical structures and the need to “build back better” are urgent priorities, especially when entire communities have been impacted in ways that expose their vulnerabilities to multiple environmental impacts.The New Reality: Prolonged DisplacementToday, almost two months after Melissa’s impact on 28 October 2025, many displaced Jamaicans remain in limbo, their return home delayed by economic and infrastructural challenges. Beyond shelter, the challenges have multiplied. Land tenure issues have surfaced, complicating the resettlement of families and the rebuilding of lives. Debris management has stretched local resources, with roads and neighborhoods clogged by remnants of destroyed homes, trees, and infrastructure. Prolonged displacement is no longer an exception; it is becoming the norm for thousands of affected individuals, exposing gaps in our policies and preparedness.The psychological toll is also profound. Sudden displacement, exposure to traumatic events, and loss of homes and livelihoods have generated significant distress among affected populations. Children, women, older persons, individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions, and first responders are particularly vulnerable to anxiety, grief, and psychosocial fatigue. Existing mental health services in impacted parishes are limited, and community support structures have been disrupted. Emergency shelters urgently require targeted psychosocial outreach, safe referral systems, and community-based emotional support spaces to stabilize affected individuals and prevent escalation into long-term mental health conditions.Rethinking Policy and PlanningIt is clear that Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean must reconsider our policies and frameworks in light of these new realities. Climate mobility—addressing the movement of people due to environmental factors—must be integrated into national and regional planning. Regional organizations like CARICOM’s Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) have recognized this and are providing invaluable support, serving as hubs of regional knowledge and convenors of planning and action based on shared experiences.CDEMA and its 13 member states have recently concluded the process of developing a Regional Action Plan for Integrating Human Mobility into Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Programming across CARICOM. The International Organization for Migration’s new online course for policymakers, “From Risk to Resilience”, available for free on IOM’s E-Campus offers timely practical guidance and learnings from Caribbean and global experiences, helping leaders understand the complexities of climate-induced displacement and prepare fair, inclusive, and resilient responses.A Call to Action: Building a Fair and Resilient JamaicaJamaica stands at a crossroads. The time for incremental change has passed; bold, comprehensive solutions are required to safeguard our communities against future storms. We must ensure that our policies reflect the lived realities of displaced persons, support the recovery of affected families, and promote social cohesion in the face of adversity.This means investing in comprehensive approaches to preparedness, ensuring safe pathways, and protecting rights. It means strengthening the capacity of local service providers, volunteers, and community networks to deliver sustainable support and mitigate long-term negative psychosocial outcomes. It means integrating human mobility considerations and the displacement of people and communities into every aspect of national and regional planning, so that outcomes are fair, inclusive, and resilient.As we look ahead, let us commit to building a Jamaica that is not only prepared for the next hurricane, but is also a model of resilience, fairness, and inclusion for the entire Caribbean. By reimagining our approach to resilience and solidarity, we can ensure that no one is left behind, and that every Jamaican—regardless of circumstance—has the opportunity to rebuild, recover, and thrive. 

Current estimates place the total damage and loss between $8 billion and $15 billion – nearly a quarter of Jamaica’s gross domestic product (GDP), said Dennis Zulu, UN Resident Coordinator for Jamaica, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos.© UNICEFThe hurricane affected more than 626,000 people and claimed 45 lives, underscoring its profound human toll.Despite notable progress in recovery efforts, 90 emergency shelters are still up and running, accommodating nearly 950 people who have yet to return home.Communities left exposedEntire communities are still fully exposed, with at least 120,000 buildings – most of them in southwestern Jamaica – having lost their roofs, reported Mr. Zulu.Hurricane Melissa triggered “prolonged” and “cascading” disruptions to essential services, added the resident coordinator.“Western parishes were left without electricity for weeks on end.”In addition, many children remain out of school due to extensive damage to educational facilities.Approximately 450 schools, nearly two-thirds of all institutions nationwide, have reported significant impacts, including roof loss, structural failure, and other damages.Unprecedented scale of destructionThe tourism industry and agricultural production – once the cornerstones of Jamaica’s economy and major sources of employment – have suffered extensive damage, putting thousands of jobs and livelihoods at risk, adding further strain.“This scale of destruction has not only been unprecedented, but it has also really reversed hard-won development gains in a country that was firmly on a positive social and economic trajectory,” emphasised M. Zulu.Despite these challenges, the United Nations continues to work closely with the Government of Jamaica, national institutions, civil society, and international partners, delivering life-saving aid to the most vulnerable communities.Immediate priorities for recovery:Restore health services to safe and fully functional operating levels.Support the education sector, particularly as schools prepare to reopen.Assist in restoring essential community services for areas still without access.Contribute to the repair and reconstruction of homes, roads, and critical infrastructure.Restore livelihoods through targeted support to small farmers, fishers, and micro and small enterprisesStrengthen the agriculture sector to enhance food production, food security, and rural employment.Support the tourism sector as a key employer and source of foreign exchange to safeguard jobs and accelerate recovery.Ensure recovery efforts are inclusive, climate-resilient, and risk-informed, enabling Jamaica to rebuild stronger and better than before..............................................................................................This story was first published by UN News

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago — Caribbean governments gathered for the 2025 Annual Coordination Meeting (ACM) to discuss progress in implementation of the UN Multi-country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for the Caribbean (UNMSDCF) and set clear long-term priorities for the future partnership.  They delivered a clear mandate to the United Nations to strengthen multilateralism and work on sustainable development, calling for continued UN support on climate resilience and disaster risk management, economic diversification, human capital development, digital transformation and citizen security.  The meeting marked a milestone in the collective Caribbean effort to accelerate development before the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Held in Port of Spain on December 10, the ACM brought together representatives from 16 signatory countries and CARICOM to shape the direction of the next UNMSDCF for 2027–2031—the UN’s strategic focus for development support across the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean. The priorities articulated during the 2025 ACM closely link UN system support with the ambitions of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS), adopted in 2024. From climate-resilient infrastructure to blue and green economies, digital public services and shock-responsive social protection, governments used the 2025 ACM to underscore that ABAS is now shaping national and regional expectations for UN cooperation. The ACM translated these global SIDS commitments into concrete, region-specific priorities—reinforcing ABAS as a practical agenda for delivery.In 2024, the combined investment of the UN development system in the Caribbean under the current UNMSDCF for 2022-2026 was approximately US $200 million, representing a continued upward trend in funding mobilization.  Details on the UN’s regional delivery were captured in a newly-released Regional Results Report, an unprecedented Caribbean-wide snapshot that outlines the UN’s work across six United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs): Belize; Guyana; Jamaica (covering five Member states); Suriname; Trinidad and Tobago and the Dutch Islands; and the Eastern Caribbean (based in Barbados, covering ten Member States and overseas territories).Speaking during the ACM opening ceremony, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development, Senator Dr. the Honourable Kennedy Swaratsingh, reflected on progress under the current UNMSDCF while underscoring the region’s ambition for the next phase of cooperation.“As we reflect on what has been achieved under the current MSDCF, we acknowledge meaningful progress across the region. These achievements reflect the value of what we can achieve when global expertise and national priorities are aligned,” Minister Swaratsingh said. “The next Cooperation Framework will mark the shift from vulnerability to resilience. This is where the Caribbean’s strength is rooted—in innovation, in the ability to adapt and support one another. While the challenges ahead are real, so is our collective capacity to overcome them.” United Nations Resident Coordinator for Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten, Joanna Kazana, emphasised that the next framework must be firmly shaped by government leadership and strategic clarity.“The UN is using forecasting and foresight to understand where the changing global context may take us,” Ms. Kazana said. “Tell us what you want the UN system to prioritise in this partnerships so the region can accelerate progress on the 2030 Agenda and deliver equitable, inclusive and resilient development for every Caribbean citizen.” The feedback from governments comes at a decisive moment, since the 2027–2031 UNMSDCF will be the final framework before the deadline for the 2030 Agenda—leaving little room for fragmented or incremental action.The priorities articulated at the 2025 ACM will now inform joint planning to design the 2027–2031 UNMSDCF. As governments and the UN move into this phase, the emphasis will be on sharpening focus, mobilising partnerships and ensuring the framework is positioned to deliver measurable impact in the Caribbean’s critical final push toward the SDGs.