PRIME MINISTER PHILIP DAVIS INTRODUCES THE LAST: On Monday 9 February 2026, the Leader of the PLP presented is thirteen final candidates to the public at PLP HQ in Nassau. Our photo of the week.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
INTERFERING IN BAHAMIAN BUSINESS
People in The Bahamas lamented for years the fact that the Americans did not appoint and send an Ambassador to The Bahamas. That was so for almost 12 years. Last year that was resolved with the coming of the former football star Hershel Walker.
There is a saying: be careful what you wish for. Mr. Walker comes with the most eminent qualification that any Ambassador can have, he has a direct line to his boss the President of the United States. So when he speaks you know that he is speaking for that man.
While the public servants were in charge here at the U S Embassy, you suspected they were simply mouthing what they were asked to say. Even though it was US policy it did not carry the sting of attachment to the very top.
These words do now.
So we should not be surprised when the interventions in the public policy of The Bahamas by the US Ambassador become more aggressive and active.
The National Security Minister says it’s not interference, he is merely speaking up for his country.
Number of hits for the week ending Saturday 14 February 2026: 1,073,696;
Number of hits for the month of February up to Saturday 14 February 2026: 1,936,193;
Number of hits for the year 2026 up to Saturday 14 February 2026 up to midnight: 6,128,185;
WAYNE MUNROE SAYS TO US PUT YOUR MONEY UP
The Tribune reported the following story on 10 February 2026:
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS
Tribune Staff Reporter
lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe yesterday said he now expects the United States to back its words with action by helping The Bahamas secure financing for a new prison and virtual court complex.
His comment came after US Ambassador Herschel Walker publicly rebuked this country’s decision to borrow from China to fund a second New Providence hospital at terms the US considers unfavourable.
Mr Munroe framed Mr Walker’s remarks not as foreign interference but as a test of American intent.
“I wouldn’t call it intervention,” Mr Munroe said, adding that the ambassador was speaking from the standpoint of US interests and had indicated that Washington wanted to do business with The Bahamas.
He highlighted the government’s plans for a virtual court campus and a new correctional facility to be built nearby, both of which already involve American firms.
He said the prison’s cell systems are being supplied by a US company, while the virtual court complex is also largely being constructed by an American firm, making US-backed financing a logical next step.
“I’m encouraged by what he says,” said Munroe, “so I will expect that we will get a good response from American EXIM bank if we approach them for funding for the prison, because that is something else that we would be looking for funding for and I take him at his word that the US is prepared to assist us with that.”
CHINESE AMABSADOR REPSONDS TO US CLAIMS
Tribune image
The Tribune reported this on 9 February 2026:
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune News Editor
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
CHINA pushed back on US criticism of its financing of the Nassau New Hospital on Friday, rejecting claims that the deal undermines The Bahamas’ interests and warning that cooperation between the two countries should not be subjected to outside interference.
In a statement issued by its embassy in New Providence, China said the hospital is a “livelihood project” requested by the Bahamian government and financed through a highly preferential loan designed to meet the country’s healthcare needs and improve the well-being of its people. The project, it said, was advanced through “friendly consultation and mutual respect” and aligns with The Bahamas’ national interests.
The response followed remarks by the United States ambassador to The Bahamas, Herschel Walker, who argued that the terms of the $195m Chinese financing for New Providence’s second hospital are not in the country’s best interests and urged the government to consider alternative funding options.
PRIME MINISTER AT U S AMBASSADOR’S PARTY
The Super Bowl party is an American cultural tradition that has bled into Bahamian culture. The Prime Minister Philip Davis is an American Football fan. The new U. S. Ambassador Herschel Walker hosted a tailgate party at the Embassy for the Super Bowl and invited the Prime Minister to attend, which he did. We would have liked to have been a fly on the wall during that interaction.
FNM CANT TALK ABOUT SEBASS THEY APPROVED HIS APPOINTMENT
The moment the names were called in the Bahamian press, accusing two Bahamian businessmen of somehow being connected with the nefarious Jeffery Epstein, the convicted pedophile in America, the FNM was at it. They were attacking the two Bahamian businessmen and saying that one of them should go because he is a public official serving the PLP. The problem is the FNM can’t talk because they appointed the man in the first place.
MINNIS LEAVES THE FNM TO STAND AS AN INDEPENDENT
Well it’s official. The former Prime Minister Hubert Minnis, who led the FNM to victory in the 2017 general election, and who was delisted by the FNM, now under the control of Michael Pintard, announced that he will run as an independent in the Killarney Constituency. He will be opposed by Senator Michaela Barnett Ellis and the PLP’s Robyn Lynes. In doing so, Mr. Minnis is all but out of the Free National Movement. Remarkable. Michael Pintard did not take kindly to the announcement saying that Dr. Minnis was making a mistake. Former Ministers in his Cabinet Dionisio D’Aguillar and Peter Turnquest said that Dr. Minnis’ time was gone and he should move on.
WHAT ROLE DID MARVIN DAMES PLAY IN THE EPSTEIN FILES?
Dionisio D’Aguillar appeared on the Shenique Miller Show on television to give advice to the Chairman of the PLP Fred Mitchell. He said Mr. Mitchell should stay out of the FNM’s business. The remark came because Mr. Mitchell said that a candidate who had libeled two Bahamian businessmen should be withdrawn by the FNM. Mr. D’Aguillar said that Mr. Mitchell was irrelevant and no one listens to him. Interesting since the very statement contradicts what he is saying. If Mr. Mitchell is irrelevant then why is Mr. D’Aguillar talking about him on a TV show. The point though is not about the FNM’s business. This is about whether or not a traitor to The Bahamas, someone who is disloyal to The Bahamas ends up in the House of Assembly. That is everyone’s business, not just the FNM’s.
MAILMAN BOWE DIES
The Chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party issued the following statement:
On The Passing Of Felix “Mailman” Bowe
For Immediate Release
10 February 2026
We have learned with sadness of the passing of Felix Bowe who was known affectionately as ” Mailman “. In the good old days he and Lynden Pindling were inseparable. There was the troika of Pindling associates Mailman, Vincent ” Skeeter” Collins and Leslie Ryan.
With the death of Felix Bowe, they all belong to the ages. He is the last of the crew that helped to deliver victory after victory for Pindling and the PLP.
We all remember them together at the annual PLP conventions as we waited for the word to come down as to who was to be elected as Chairman.
We will miss Felix Bowe. A warrior has taken his rest. Our condolences to his family from our leader and Prime Minister and the entire PLP family. May he rest in peace.
End
ONLY ONE DUMB THING AND THAT’S DUANE SANDS OPPOSITION
The following statement was issued by the Chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party:
For Immediate Release
11 February 2026
Message to Dr Duane Sands: the only thing dumb about the building of a new hospital is your opposition to it.
You have a bloody nerve to so describe the investment in the health care of our people. We are not surprised though.
As you have enriched yourself through your profession, you have simultaneously opposed every measure that would help those who have no wealth to be able to get health care at a reasonable cost.
The hospital is bursting at the seams. When you were Minister of Health you failed us by a combination of ideological nonsense and bad planning. You did nothing to improve the situation. You were a failure.
In your personal conduct, you engaged in hijinks to entrap your political opponents and in the process of being a minister violated your own Covid rules to the point of losing your job. You opposed National Health Insurance.
Make no mistake, you Dr. Sands are in a major part the author of this destruction in health care in which we find ourselves today.
You are Dr. No. Your party is at it again: no to independence, no to National Insurance, no to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and now no to a new hospital.
It is best for you and your party on health care to go quietly into that good night.
As for the PLP, we see what it costs for strokes, dementia, home care, physiotherapy, lupus, sickle cell, diabetes, and hypertension. We mean to fix these problems. There is nothing dumb about that.
End
DR. SANDS SAYS THE PLP CHAIR IS UNHINGED: MITCHELL REPLIES
The following statement was issued by the Progressive Liberal Party:
1 February 2026
It’s been brought to my attention that Duane Sands now calls me unhinged. This is his irrational response to my calling out his certifiable failures as Minister of Health. If I didn’t know his antecedents as well as I do, I would tell him who is unhinged.
Look you jackass, this has nothing to do with me and you personally. This is about public policy.
Did you fix the kitchen in the hospital and A and E when you were Minister? No you didn’t. Did you sign off on the nurses industrial agreement when you were Minister? No you did not.
Did you build a new hospital? Did you complete National Health Insurance? No you did not.
Did you interfere in the Frank Smith case and were you condemned by the courts? Were you fired as Minister of Health for violating your own Covid rules? Yes you were.
Were you a failure as Minister of Health? Yes a complete failure.
Stick to the facts Duane Sands.
End
Congratulations To Mia Mottley Of Barbados
From Facebook:
I was at the state house, official residence of the President of Barbados Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostick in Bridgetown for the swearing in of Prime Minister Mia Mottley for her third consecutive term. She won all the seats in the assembly. We were joined by Prime Minister Philip Pierre of St Lucia. Also sworn in was Wilfred Abrahams as Attorney General. He was born in The Bahamas and is the nephew of Norma Hedley of Freeport, Grand Bahama. His godfather was Archdeacon William Thompson and he was christened in St Agnes Church in Nassau. His godmother was the late permanent secretary of Foreign Affairs Mae Sweetnam. I offered congratulations to Prime Minister Mottley on behalf of Prime Minister Philip Davis and the government. I indicated that we look forward to working in the Caricom context witn Barbados and ourselves as reliable partners.
Fred Mitchell MP
Fox Hill
12 February 2026
Welcome To Caron Shepherd
From Facebook:’
Welcome to Caron Shepherd, three times head of the FNM women’s association, daughter of FNM Founder James Shepherd, now a PLP. Welcome.
Fred Mitchell MP
Fox Hill
10 February 2026
Super Bowl In Fox Hill
From Facebook:
Touring the Superbowl parties in Fox Hill. Island Gal, Da Bing, The Whites and Chef Creole.
Fred Mitchell MP
Fox Hill
8 February 2026
Visiting Mt Carey Baptist Church
From Facebook:
I spent delightful morning at Mt Carey Union Baptist Church in Fox Hill for the 51st anniversary of the Men’s Day. Thank you Derrell Moss and Rev Warren Anderson. With the Ferguson family. And youth pastor Johnson from Salem Church who was the guest preacher.
Fred Mitchell MP
Fox Hill
8 February 2026
Congratulations To Doyle Burrows
From Facebook:
I was there to be with sportsman and Junkanoo aficionado Doyle Burrows and to wish him happy 83rd birthday with Dr Kerr Miller.
Fred Mitchell MP
Fox Hill
7 February 2026
Sir Franklin And Lady Wilson Host Mass
From Facebook:
It was a privilege to join Sir Franklin and Lady Wilson at their home on the Eastern Rd as they hosted a performance of Philip Gray’s Mass in the presence of Bishop Laish Boyd and Mrs Boyd. With producer Burton Wallace.
Fred Mitchell MP
Fox Hill
7 February 2026