Caricom has called for the US president-elect Barack Obama to end the trade embargo against Cuba.

Opening a summit in Cuba, Caricom's chairman Baldwin Spencer said almost all United Nations member states wanted the embargo stopped.

The blockade is estimated to have cost Cuba about US$93 billion in lost revenue since its introduction in 1962.

Cuba's president, Raul Castro, said his country has been devastated by a combination of the embargo, the financial crisis and three recent hurricanes.

DR eyes EPA implementation

The Dominican Republic and Caricom may be on a collision course of sorts over the economic partnership agreement with the European Union.

The Dominicans are reported to be asking Caricom to set up a unit outside of the Georgetown-based secretariat to monitor the implementation of the agreement.

The Dominican Republic is not a member of Caricom but negotiates with the EU as part of the Caribbean forum or Cariforum.

Caribbean analyst Rickey Singh said he disagreed with Santo Domingo's unilateral recommendation.

UNC battles infighting

The parliamentary opposition party in Trinidad and Tobago, the United National Congress, could be headed for another split.

Opposition leader and former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday, the 76-year-old who has led the party from its inception, is again at the centre of the infighting.

This time it is FIFA vice president, Jack Warner, who is also a deputy political leader of the UNC, essentially saying it is time for Mr Panday to leave the leadership of the party.

Two years ago, the UNC split into two, with one faction, the Congress of the People, being formed.

Border claim for world court

The way has been made clear for Belize and Guatemala to refer their border dispute to the International Court of Justice for arbitration.

A statement issued in Belmopan said the two countries had signed an agreement to this effect.

Guatemala has long claimed a chunk of Belize -- a claim which Belmopan has repudiated.