CARIBBEAN NEWS ROUNDUP – MAY 15, 2019

News Americas, NEW YORK,NY, Weds. May 15, 2019: Here are the top news making headlines from the Caribbean, Latin America and their Diasporas for this Wednesday morning May 15, 2019:

Alkiviades David, the majority shareholder of Leventis-David Group, which owns Coca-Cola Hellenic bottling plants in 28 countries, was remanded to jail in St. Kitts Tuesday with bail increased to 300,000. The billionaire, who announced the launch of the Caribbean Cannabis Consortium recently, was arrested on the Caribbean Island of St. Kitts after a search of his private jet uncovered more than $1.3 million worth of cannabis on board, according to multiple reports. Customs officials found approximately 5,000 cannabis plants in addition to seeds and a variety of other cannabis products. He was charged with intent to supply, possession of controlled drugs and importation of a controlled drug into the federation, officials from the St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force. David claimed the plants on board were “all hemp” and were related to the new venture to start a legal cannabis business in the region, beginning in the Eastern CAribbean.

Crime is a major concern throughout the Eastern Caribbean, the US says in its latest Crime & Safety Report.

Haitian American Farah Louis has won a NYC special election to replace her former boss, Jumaane Williams on the NYC Council.

30 nationals of the Dominican Republic have been nabbed in Puerto Rico trying to enter the US illegally.

Haitian migrants stranded for two months in southern Mexico are living in a roadside shantytown, UPI is reporting.

A Madison woman charged in the Cayman Islands with having a gun in her luggage has killed herself after about a second trial.

A 52-year-old Guyanese man will have to spend the next 29 years in jail for raping a child under age 15.

Mexican director Alejandro González Iñárritu has said prevailing rhetoric around immigration could lead to another world war.

Venezuela has opened borders with Aruba and Brazil but has kept the Colombian border closed.

And filming on Bond 25 in Jamaica has been halted after actor Daniel Craig injured his ankle.