The PUNCH news tabloid reports that last week's visit by Jeb Bush, brother of no-nonsense US President, George Bush, was essentially to read the "riot act" to Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie.
Mr. Bush basically told Mr. Christie that "if he or a senior US official had to come down to talk him again – he'll shut The Bahamas down".
And not soon enough, according to several Americans interviewed over the weekend.
"I have heard horror stories about the Bahamas for years, but the beating of the American journalist was the straw that broke the camel's back for me." said American Rusty H. from Naples, Florida.
"I think many of us are tired of the financial scandals, the influx of criminals into South Florida, the cozying up with Cuba and Venezuela , the failure to extradite drug dealers and the potential security threat that The Bahamas poses," a US Government official told Bahamas B2B News.
Meanwhile, The PUNCH says Mr. Bush was so bold and blunt with Christie that the PM was in shock. He apparently fell ill the following day after being brought down from his cloud of pomposity by Mr. Bush's scolding.
Chistie apparently had to be treated by doctors before he appeared on television to announce his "too little – too late" cabinet shuffle last Tuesday.
Mr. Bush has made it clear that he expects The Bahamas to hand over the two Cuban dentists being held at the notorious Detention Centre in Nassau.
It is believed that the doctors will face prison sentences and possibly torture if returned to Cuba.
It is believed that Mr. Bush feels he needs to deliver the Cuban dentists to the ruling Republican party or face losing the key Cuban-Amercian vote in a future bid for the presidency.
Mr. Bush is particularly sensitive to the Hispanic community in South Florida as his wife is a Mexican-born Hispanic.
Sourced from The PUNCH – Nassau, Bahamas
