Category Archives: Bahamas

Bahamas government structure and political parties. – CountryReports

Posted: March 24, 2023 at 1:06 pm

Executive Branch:Chief of State: King CHARLES Philip Arthur George III (Since 8 September 2022), previous Queen ELIZABETH II (6 February 1952 - 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Cornelius A. SMITH (since 28 June 2019)

Head of Government: Prime Minister Hubert MINNIS (since 11 May 2017)

Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by governor general on the recommendation of prime minister

Elections/Appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general is appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister

Note: Prime Minister Hubert MINNIS is only the fourth prime minister in Bahamian history following its independence from the UK; he is also the first prime minister in 25 years besides Perry CHRISTIE and Hubert INGRAHAM, who repeatedly traded the premiership from 1992 to 2017

Citizenship by Descent Only: at least one parent must be a citizen of The Bahamas

Dual Citizenship Recognized: no

Residency Requirement for Naturalization: 6-9 years

Senate (16 seats; members appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime minister and the opposition leader to serve 5-year terms)

House of Assembly (39 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by a simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms)

Elections:

Senate - last appointments on 24 May 2017 (next appointments in 2022)

House of Assembly - last held on 10 May 2017 (next to be held by May 2022)

Election Results:

Senate - appointed; composition - men 9, women 7, percent of women 43.8%

House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - FNM 57%, PLP 36.9%, other 6.1%; seats by party - FNM 35, PLP 4; composition - men 34, women 5, percent of women 12.8%; note - total Parliament percent of women 21.8%

Note: the government may dissolve the parliament and call elections at any time

Note: as of 2008, the Bahamas was not a party to the agreement establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice as the highest appellate court for the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM); the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) serves as the final court of appeal for The Bahamas

Judge Selection and Term of Office: Court of Appeal president and Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister after consultation with the leader of the opposition party; other Court of Appeal and Supreme Court justices appointed by the governor general upon recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, a 5-member body headed by the chief justice; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement normally at age 68 but can be extended until age 70; Supreme Court justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement normally at age 65 but can be extended until age 67

Subordinate Courts: Industrial Tribunal; Stipendiary and Magistrates' Courts; Family Island Administrators

Free National Movement or FNM [Hubert MINNIS]

Progressive Liberal Party or PLP [Philip "Brave" DAVIS]

Chancery: 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

Telephone: [1] (202) 319-2660

FAX: [1] (202) 319-2668

Consulate(s) General: Atlanta, Miami, New York

Embassy: 42 Queen Street, Nassau, New Providence

Mailing Address: local or express mail address: P. O. Box N-8197, Nassau; US Department of State, 3370 Nassau Place, Washington, DC 20521-3370

Telephone: [1] (242) 322-1181, 328-2206 (after hours)

FAX: [1] (242) 356-7174

Bahamas government structure and political parties. - CountryReports

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Is Bahamas a poor country? | – CountryReports

Posted: at 1:06 pm

Is Bahamas a wealthy country?

The Bahamas has the second-highest per capita GDP in the English-speaking Caribbean with an economy heavily dependent on tourism and financial services. Tourism accounts for approximately 50% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs half of the archipelago's labor force. Financial services constitute the second-most important sector of the Bahamian economy, accounting for about 15% of GDP. Manufacturing and agriculture combined contribute less than 7% of GDP and show little growth, despite government incentives aimed at those sectors. The new government led by Prime Minister Hubert MINNIS has prioritized addressing fiscal imbalances and rising debt, which stood at 75% of GDP in 2016. Large capital projects like the Baha Mar Casino and Hotel are driving growth. Public debt increased in 2017 in large part due to hurricane reconstruction and relief financing. The primary fiscal balance was a deficit of 0.4% of GDP in 2016. The Bahamas is the only country in the Western Hemisphere that is not a member of the World Trade Organization.

Bahamas Population and Demographics from Bahamas | – CountryReports

Posted: at 1:06 pm

Is Bahamas a safe place to visit?

The upsurge in criminal activity has also led to incidents that, while not directed at tourists, could place innocent bystanders at risk.

Armed robbery remains a major criminal threat facing U.S. citizens in The Bahamas. The Royal Bahamas Police Force issued a message citing concerns about the increased number of armed robberies in Nassau. AU.S. citizen was fatally shot in Nassau in May 2013 during an armed robbery. Between January 1, 2013, and April 15, 2013, there were 328 armed robberies, 111 robberies, and 660 house break-ins, according to statistics available on the Royal Bahamas Police Force website.

Criminal activity in the outlying family islands does occur, but to a much lesser degree than on New Providence Island. The Embassy has received reports of burglaries and thefts, especially thefts of boats and/or outboard motors on Abaco and Bimini.

The Embassy has received no reports of harassment or hate crimes motivated by race, religion, or citizenship. Visitors have reported harassment of persons based on sexual orientation; some women have reported verbal harassment and unwanted attention. Some organized criminal activity is believed to occur in The Bahamas, primarily related to illegal importation and smuggling of illicit drugs or human trafficking. The Bahamas, due to its numerous uninhabited islands and cays, has historically been favored by smugglers and pirates. As a tourist, you would typically not have noticeable interaction with organized crime elements; however, those operating their own water or air vessels should be alert to the possibility of encountering similar crafts operated by smugglers engaged in illicit activities on the open seas or in air space near The Bahamas.

You are advised to report crime to the Royal Bahamian Police Force as quickly as possible. Early reports frequently improve the likelihood of identifying and apprehending suspected perpetrators. In general, the Royal Bahamian Police Force is responsive to reports of crime and takes the threat of crime against tourists very seriously. However, the police response is sometimes slowed by a lack of resources or by physical constraints imposed by geography and infrastructure.

There is nobody better at protecting you than yourself. Beware of your surroundings at all times. The U.S. Embassy reports that victims of crime are often those who have let their guard down to individuals who appeared overly friendly or became victims after criminals targeted them as easy prey due to the visitor appearing excessively drunk or unaware. Take some time before traveling to improve your personal securitythings are not the same everywhere as they are in the United States.

Bahamas interception of sea-borne Cuban migrants jumps in 2022

Posted: January 17, 2023 at 9:55 pm

Jan 16 (Reuters) - The Bahamas detained an increasing number of sea-borne Cuban migrants in 2022 compared with 2021, according to figures released to Reuters, as an economic crisis triggered an exodus from the Communist-run island.

The Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) apprehended 623 Cuban migrants in 2022 compared with 17 the year before, according to RBDF figures provided to Reuters, with migrant interceptions picking up pace in recent months.

Cuban vessels typically end up in Bahamian waters after being blown off course or navigating the wrong way while trying to reach Florida.

Vessels are increasingly leaving from Cuba's central Ciego de Avila province, RBDF Commodore Dr. Raymond King told Reuters, an area that is closer to The Bahamas.

"The number of Cuban migrants intercepted thus far has increased significantly during the past two months," King said, noting that 61 Cubans have been intercepted in Bahamian waters so far this year.

Most Cuban migrants in 2022 arrived in the United States by the border with Mexico, though some still made perilous sea voyages.

The frequency of vessel departures from Ciego de Avila has increased from two to six vessels on average per day, King said. There were also more Cubans onboard each improvised vessel, with an average of eight to 20 people.

The expectation that the Biden administration would ease border restrictions known as "Title 42" was likely a factor in the increased migrant of 2022, he said.

But the United States in January expanded Trump-era restrictions to rapidly expel Cuban, Nicaraguan and Haitian migrants caught illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, while allowing up to 30,000 people from those three countries plus Venezuela to enter the country by air each month.

Reporting by Jasper Ward in Washington; Editing by Josie Kao

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Bahamas interception of sea-borne Cuban migrants jumps in 2022

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Bahamas national football team – Wikipedia

Posted: December 28, 2022 at 10:06 pm

The Bahamas played their first international matches in the 1970 Central American and Caribbean Games, losing their debut 30 against Puerto Rico, an 81 loss against Netherlands Antilles and 50 to Venezuela. They did manage to get their first draw though, a 22 result against Dominican Republic.[3] The following year, Bahamas participated in the 1971 Pan American Games, achieving their first victory over Dominican Republic 42, but failing to exit the group stages. They returned to play in the 1974 Central American and Caribbean Games, and managed a historic 10 victory against Panama, but lost 30 to Bermuda and 20 to the Dominican Republic and was eliminated again in the first round.

Bahamas finished bottom of their group in the 1982 Central American and Caribbean Games and in the 1986 edition, they were given a bye into the quarterfinals due to a withdrawal, however Bahamas were beaten by Cuba and eliminated. They also participated in the qualifying rounds for the 1984 Olympic Games (eliminated by an amateur Mexico team) and the 1988 Olympics (beaten by Guyana). On 28 April 1987, the Bahamas experienced their worst defeat at the hands of the Mexican team, who crushed them 130 as part of the qualifying tournament for the 1987 Pan American Games.

In the 1990s, the Bahamas withdrew from 1998 World Cup qualifying, leaving Saint Kitts and Nevis to advance to the next round. Bahamas advanced past the preliminary round 1999 Caribbean Cup, but failed to beat Bermuda (06), Cuba (07) and the Cayman Islands (14) and finished last in their group.

The 2000s saw the Baha Boyz enter three consecutive World Cup qualifiers; 2002, 2006 and 2010 being eliminated by Haiti (aggregate score 130), Dominica (aggregate score 42) and Jamaica (aggregate score 130), respectively. In the 2007 Caribbean Cup they got through the first knockout round but finished in last position in the second qualifying round behind Barbados, Saint Vincent and Bermuda.

In the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, the Bahamas thrashed the Turks and Caicos Islands with an aggregate score of 100, advancing to the second phase however, the team withdrew from the competition as the renovations for the Thomas Robinson Stadium were not completed and playing the fixtures at neutral venues would have been financially prohibitive.[4] In the 2018 World Cup qualifying, they faced Bermuda in the first round, losing 80 on aggregate. In the first round of 2022 World Cup qualification, Bahamas failed to score a goal, finishing in last place, having conceded 15.

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Bahamas national football team - Wikipedia

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