Black World Conference

and advocacy in fostering development relations between the Caribbean and Africa, and promotes dialogue at the level of Heads of Government, Rojas said was able to survive ”

While there are hundreds of orishas in Santería, practitioners known as santeros usually worship only a handful, connecting with them through rituals and offerings

On one Friday night, Arrazcaeta, family and friends splay out offerings of coconut and red Cuban pesos emblazoned with the face of Che Guevara, sacrificing two chickens over bowls filled with rocks and seashells In exchange, they ask for good health, strength during hardship, and even luck in love

“It’s something that’s very Cuban, something spontaneous that we do Because we know the struggles we face in this country,” Arrazcaeta said Millions worldwide are estimated to practice Santería, though definitive numbers – especially in Cuba – are hard to pin down due to the religion’s informal nature The US Commission on International Religious Freedom estimates 70 percent in Cuba practice some version of Santeria or similar African-based religions

St Vincent’s PM shares thoughts on death penalty

The controversial issue of the death penalty came up during the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Face-to-Face radio program as he expressed concern about crime and whether certain offenses require capital punishment

On Easter Monday the island recorded a fatal shooting, the first killing by a firearm since February 9, 2023

Dr Ralph Gonsalves is urging young men to restrain themselves and end their fascination with guns for taking out their anger

“Everyone has to have a patience and a calm Not because you get angry or lose

Gonsalves yourself to restraint you have to go for the gun There has to be something that holds you back ”

Gonsalves said that something has to be instilled in the family, schools, churches, the community, mass media, the State and with the appropriate legal framework

The prime minister said unfortunately both the Court of Appeal and the Privy Council decided practically that no one can be sent to the gallows anymore for murder

“I have oscillated between the death penalty and no death penalty for a long time now over the last dozen or so years and I came to the conclusion that there are particular offences you need the death penalty for ”

He believes it should be for murder, but not those of passion The prime minister said that distinction was made in the Constitutional Reform Proposal which went to the people, however, the people rejected it

Dr Ron Daniels, convenor of the conference and IBW president, said, “we are honored and delighted to have this prestigious global statesman be engaged with the conference

“Former Prime Minister Patterson will bring an unprecedented depth of experience, wisdom and guidance to this historic gathering that will help the global Pan-African movement set a course for the rest of the 21st Century,” he added

Rojas said Patterson is credited with having laid the groundwork for the economic growth of modern Jamaica, “presiding over massive infrastructure development including the construction of highways, modernization of airports, telecom liberalization and expansion, as well as significant foreign investment inflows to the country’s tourism industry ”

Rojas said the institute has received confirmation that Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley will attend the conference as a special guest in addressing the conference, which is organized around the theme, “Global Africans Rising, Empowerment Reparations and Healing ”

IBW said Mottley has emerged as “ a major figure in the Caribbean advocating for stronger ties with the African Union and a global emphasis on reparatory justice with Africa playing a more active role ”

IBW noted that Mottley has called for a global summit on reparations in collaboration with the Caribbean Community Reparations Commission, the African Union, National African American Reparations Commission and reparations commissions from various regions of the Global Black Diaspora

He also said that Mottley will be presented the IBW Legacy Award at the Global Women’s Leadership Summit at the conference for her “historic role as the first woman Prime Minister of Barbados

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EMERITUS