PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) – The prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago retracted comments where she asserted that no U.S. Marines were currently in the twin-island nation – a development that comes as the U.S. government seeks allies amid ongoing strikes on suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean and beyond.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) – St. Vincent and the Grenadines is preparing to welcome a new prime minister for the first time in 24 years after preliminary election results show that Godwin Friday of the New Democratic Party beat Ralph Gonsalves of the Unity Labor Party.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) – Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader announced Wednesday that he has authorized the U.S. government to operate inside restricted areas in the Caribbean country to help in its fight against drug trafficking.