Jordan’s Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh submitted his resignation to King Abdullah II on Sunday, following parliamentary elections dominated by public frustration over the Gaza war, State media reported. 

The resignation is a constitutional tradition in Jordan, where the government typically steps down after legislative elections. The king appoints the prime minister, who will now form a new government. 

Tuesday’s poll saw the Islamic Action Front (IAF), the country’s leading Islamist party, emerge as the largest bloc in parliament, winning 31 out of 138 seats. The IAF, a political offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, has secured its largest representation since 1989. Voter dissatisfaction with economic woes and Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza drove the IAF’s success, despite a low turnout of 32%.

Jordan’s 1994 peace treaty with Israel has faced renewed scrutiny, with regular protests calling for its dissolution since the conflict erupted last Oc tober. Nearly half of Jordan’s population is of Palestinian origin, and the Gaza war has significantly impacted the country’s tourism sector, which accounts for 14% of its GDP. 

Jordan relies heavily on foreign aid, particularly from the US and International Monetary Fund. The country faces significant economic challenges, with an unemployment rate of 21% in the first quarter of 2024. Khasawneh, 55, has led the government since October 2020. Jordan’s parliament is bicameral, comprising an elected parliament and a senate with 69 members appointed by the monarch. 

The king will now appoint a new prime minister to form a government. The development comes at a critical time for Jordan, as it navigates regional tensions and domestic economic challenges. The appointment of a new government will be closely watched for its potential impact on the country’s future direction

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Venezuela’s government has detained three Americans, two Spaniards, and a Czech citizen on suspicion of plotting to destabilize the country, amid heightened tensions with the United States and Spain. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced the arrests last week on Saturday, 15 Sept, claiming the foreign nationals were planning an attack on President Nicolas Maduro and his government.

Cabello linked the alleged plot to intelligence agencies in the US and Spain, as well as to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. The detainees include two Spaniards recently arrested in Puerto Ayacucho, three Ameri cans, and a Czech national. Cabello claimed they had contacted French mercenaries and those from Eastern Europe, and were planning “terrorist acts.” Over 400 rifles were seized, according to Cabello. 

The US and Spain have denied any involvement in the alleged plot. A State Department spokesperson described claims of US involvement as “categorically false” and confirmed that a US military member was being held, with two additional US citizens reportedly detained.

Spain’s foreign ministry also rejected allegations of involvement, stating that Spain “denies and categorically rejects any insinuation” of involvement in a plot to destabilize Venezuela. The arrests come amid a deepening standoff between Maduro and Western powers, following Venezuela’s disputed July 28 presidential election. 

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Maduro’s claim to have won a third term sparked mass opposition protests, which left at least 27 dead and 192 wounded. The opposition has published polling station-level results showing their candidate, Ed Mundo Gonzalez Urrutia, winning by a landslide. 

The US has recognized Gonzalez Urrutia as the winner and announced new sanctions against 16 Venezuelan officials for impeding a transparent electoral process. Maduro’s tenure has seen GDP drop 80% in a decade, prompting over seven million citizens to emigrate. The opposition has called for further protests on September 28 to demand international recognition for Gonzalez Urrutia as president. 

Tensions between Caracas and former colonial power Spain rose sharply after Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia went into exile in Spain a week ago, after being threatened with arrest. Caracas recalled its ambassador to Madrid for consultations and summoned Spain’s envoy to Venezuela for talks after a Spanish minister accused Maduro of running a “dictatorship.”

The 47th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was held in St. George’s, Grenada, from July 28-30, 2024.  The meeting brought together leaders from across the region to address pressing issues, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and regional security.  Heads of Government emphasized the urgent need for high-level political advocacy to address climate change.

They agreed to deliver a unified statement at COP29 and convene a Donor’s Conference to address the Region’s vulnerability to climate change. The Conference agreed to establish a CARICOM Digital Skills Training and Learning Network and launch the Digi-Smart CARICOM Digital Skills Initiative in 2024.  This aims to enhance regional digital resilience and promote economic growth. Heads of Government noted improvements in airlift to, from, and within the Region, including the operationalization of LIAT 2020.

They agreed to host a Regional Symposium on Air Transport in Barbados by the first quarter of 2025. The Conference expressed concern about high levels of crime and violence, fueled by firearms and ammunition trafficking, transnational criminal networks, and social structure deterioration. They committed to ongoing urgent action to protect citizens and preserve public interest.  The Partnership aims to address pressing health challenges, including health-related issues of the climate crisis.

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Member States are invited to partner with HeDPAC to leverage sustainable health development and capacity building. Heads of Government received updates on the Belize-Guatemala and Guyana-Venezuela border issues. They called for peaceful resolution and respect for territorial integrity.  The Conference welcomed the report by the President of the newly established Transitional Presidential Council and recognized the appointment of a Prime Minister and new Cabinet. They expressed concern at the dire humanitarian situation and reiterated commitment to support Haiti.

Heads of Government registered concern at the growing humanitarian crisis in Cuba occasioned by the ongoing embargo issued by the United States of America. They issued a Statement of solidarity with Cuba. The Conference expressed appreciation to Dr. Joy St. John, outgoing Executive Director of CARPHA, and Assistant Secretary-General Economic Integration, Innovation, and Development, Mr. Joseph Cox.

Heads of Government accept-ed the invitation of Barbados to host the 48th Regular Meeting of the Conference from February 20-21, 2025. This meeting demonstrated the commitment of CARICOM leaders to address regional challenges and promote sustainable development, economic growth, and social resilience.