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  • Another Belize City Teen Missing

    Another Belize City Teen Missing

    In Belize City, a distraught family is desperately seeking answers after their 17-year-old son, Alwin Marin Jr., disappeared following a planned fishing outing that left another teen dead earlier this month. The case has shaken the local community, as authorities and family members continue combing through key areas for any clue to the missing teen’s whereabouts.

    Marin was last spotted leaving his residence on Thursday, heading out to fish alongside 17-year-old Jaheil Westby. Tragically, Westby’s body was recovered the very next day, bearing multiple gunshot wounds, near the Dyke Area located just behind the Port of Belize. According to Marin’s father, the two teenagers traveled to their intended fishing spot on horseback, each riding a separate animal. When the pair failed to return home at their expected time, worried family members launched an immediate search of the area where the teens were thought to have been heading.

    During that initial search, the only items recovered were the two horses the teens had ridden, plus Marin’s shirt and slippers. The discovery of his personal belongings, with no sign of the teen himself, has only amplified growing fears that he has met with harm.

    With little information coming forward in the early days of the investigation, Marin’s relatives have turned to social media to call for prayer from the community and ask any member of the public with relevant details to contact authorities or the family. A cousin of Marin spoke to local media, describing the 17-year-old as a hardworking, deeply respectful young man who had never caused trouble in the community. The cousin added that the entire extended family has been left devastated by the sudden, unexplained disappearance, with many unable to process what has happened.

    Family volunteers have organized independent search parties, focusing their efforts on the corridor stretching from Jane Usher Boulevard toward the Port of Belize, where Westby’s body was found. They are urging anyone who saw either teen on the day of their disappearance, or who has any information that could help locate Marin or explain what happened, to step forward immediately to assist the investigation.

  • Guyana zoekt naar gecrashte piloot nabij Braziliaanse grens

    Guyana zoekt naar gecrashte piloot nabij Braziliaanse grens

    Nearly 24 hours after a small single-engine cargo and transport plane crashed near Guyana’s western border with Brazil, specialized search and rescue units continued to comb the dense, mountainous jungle terrain on Saturday for the plane’s only occupant, its pilot.

    The 13-seat Cessna Caravan, operated by local aviation firm Air Services, was declared missing late Friday after it failed to touch down at its scheduled destination, Imbaimadai, a remote gold-mining region in southwestern Guyana. According to Guyana’s Civil Aviation Authority, the pilot was the sole person on board when the aircraft encountered severe torrential rainfall that preceded its crash into a mountainside.

    The wreckage of the downed plane was first spotted on Friday by other aircraft operating in the sparsely populated region, marking the end of the initial search phase to locate the crash site. The site sits deep within thick jungle in Guyana’s Region Eight, close to the Brazilian border, and military teams tasked with reaching the wreck had to navigate arduous terrain, cutting a path through dense 30-meter-tall forest canopy and descending steep slopes to reach the area. That detail was confirmed in an official statement released by the Guyana Defence Force.

    Small aircraft like this Cessna Caravan are a critical backbone of transportation across Guyana, a South American country with large swathes of undeveloped, roadless interior rainforest. Dozens of small planes connect remote mining, logging and indigenous communities scattered across the country’s interior, and also operate regular regional routes to neighboring countries including Brazil, Suriname and Caribbean island nations. As of Saturday afternoon, there was no update on whether the pilot has been found or what their condition is, and search efforts are ongoing.

  • Voter ID Replacement Applications continue to be slow

    Voter ID Replacement Applications continue to be slow

    As Antigua and Barbuda gears up for its upcoming general election, official data from the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) reveals a dramatic acceleration in voter ID replacement applications over the past two months, bringing the total number of processed requests to 27,322 to date.

    The rollout of the replacement program got off to a slow start in 2026, with just 355 applications submitted in January and 508 in February. Of the current total, 18,320 unprocessed requests were carried over from 2025, but a major surge in public engagement began in March. That month alone saw 4,168 new applications, and by the first 11 days of April, 3,971 applications had already been recorded – putting the month on track to match or exceed March’s high volume. Weekly data from April breaks this early activity into two periods: 1,071 applications between April 1 and 4, and an additional 2,894 between April 5 and 11. Figures for the second half of April have not yet been published by the commission.

    When broken down by constituency, the data reveals stark gaps in completion rates across the country. The parish of St. Peter has emerged as the clear leader, hitting an 85% completion rate that outpaces all other electoral districts. Following St. Peter are Barbuda at 75% and St. Philip North at 74%, while St. Philip South has hit 67% and All Saints West has recorded 60% completion.

    In contrast, a number of constituencies have yet to cross the 50% threshold, or are barely above the halfway mark. St. Mary’s North posts the lowest completion rate in the country at just 48%, with St. John’s Rural West at 50% and St. John’s City East at 53%. Urban constituencies centered around the capital city of St. John’s have posted only moderate progress overall, with completion rates falling between 50% and 56% – a trend that ABEC data suggests indicates slower uptake among voters in densely populated urban areas.

    While the recent surge in applications marks meaningful progress on the voter ID replacement initiative, official figures confirm that thousands of eligible registered voters have still not completed the process to replace or update their identification cards. With the general election approaching, the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission is continuing its outreach campaign to encourage all eligible voters to finalize their ID replacement in advance of polling day.

  • De politieke barometer, oftewel de kunst van het regeren!

    De politieke barometer, oftewel de kunst van het regeren!

    Published: 12 April, 12:46

    Following the passing of former Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, I have been reflecting on his legacy ahead of his state funeral, where I contributed personally to the proceedings. Looking through the commemorative book released in his honor, the first and final images in Santokhi’s photo collage strike me as deeply curious, yet perfectly fitting for the man known to many as Chan.

    Even the foreword of the memorial book was crafted in a manner that feels distinctly aligned with who he was. It reads: “He served his country guided by a philosophical conviction that nature unites three worlds in harmony: the world of physical embodiment, the world of the thinking mind, and the world of the heart and intellect.” It is a tragedy that nature did not grant him the time to fully reach his potential across all three of these realms, but even so, we cannot deny the contributions he made to Suriname during his lifetime.

    It is true that throughout his final term in office, I often spoke out critically against his self-centered policy and personal decisions – criticism that was never unfounded. Despite this political friction, Santokhi and I maintained a cordial working relationship during his lifetime, a dynamic I believe was rooted in pragmatic political calculation on his end, a fact that those close to him can confirm.

    As fellow politician Gajadien once noted of Santokhi: he never arrived unprepared. I can personally attest to this observation. In 2019, I joined Santokhi for a meeting with then-incumbent President Dési Bouterse to discuss a potential pre-election alliance between Santokhi’s Progressive People’s Party (VHP) and Bouterse’s National Democratic Party (NDP). That encounter gave me the opportunity to see first-hand that Santokhi was a politician of both great courage and deep policy knowledge.

    Even amid widespread controversy over Bouterse’s political standing, Santokhi chose to move forward with talks about a potential partnership – a decision I witnessed directly, along with the President of the Suriname Court of Justice. This move must be recognized as a demonstration of remarkable political strength.

    So what drove this decision? Looking back at pre-election polling ahead of the May 2020 general election, projections put the NDP on track to win 18 parliamentary seats, with the VHP projected to take a maximum of 17. Even with those predictions stacked against his party, Santokhi took the initiative to open negotiations. What is more, despite having no way of knowing the final result, he remained fully convinced the VHP would outperform polls and win more than 17 seats.

    Santokhi pushed for a written agreement to formalize the pre-election collaboration. Unfortunately, politics and opportunism have always walked hand in hand. Throughout the talks, I repeatedly warned him that if the VHP ended up winning more seats than the NDP, the agreement would never move forward. Now, in 2026, Santokhi’s passing has brought the work he started to an unexpected close. It is through this lens that I read the caption accompanying his memorial photo collage.

    Today, many critics argue that Santokhi left many Suriname’s initiatives broken and uncompleted. That may hold some truth. But it is also undeniable that he personally pushed forward a great number of key projects that have benefited the nation. Those who can see beyond the political blackmail tactics employed by some current actors in Suriname’s political landscape recognize that the country is positioned for a strong future – a future Santokhi already saw on the horizon.

    Santokhi understood well that politics is no child’s game. He often noted that with 34 members of parliament holding seats in a governing coalition, it should be unthinkable to fail to reach a quorum to conduct legislative business. On the topic of judicial reform legislation more broadly, Santokhi frequently argued that the failure to reach a orderly, functional solution to the branch’s structural challenges is nothing short of scandalous.

    In particular, the current Law on the Legal Position of the Judiciary is unworkable. It is a complete failure of governance; even for legislators acting in good faith, closer examination makes clear why the legislation cannot function as written. This is just one more example of elected assembly members wasting public tax dollars, a travesty for the Surinamese people.

    As it stands today, 21 sitting assembly members are present for regular votes, enough to form a new functional coalition led by the VHP. This is the kind of decisive action politics demands. It is long past time to revise the current ineffective, gridlocked coalition. These observations have been brought into sharp relief by the petulant, uncooperative behavior of supposed adult political leaders in recent months.

    Every elected official claims to possess reason and good judgment. That is without question. So why do they so often refuse to use it? What more can we ask for than to let reason guide the work of governing? By settling for mediocre, unprincipled politics, we remain stuck in stagnation, unable to move forward as a nation.

    By Eugène van der San

  • PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar Vs CARICOM

    PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar Vs CARICOM

    A public dispute has emerged between Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) over the recent reappointment of the bloc’s top administrative leader, throwing into question regional governance procedures and transparency amid a high-stakes diplomatic standoff.

    The conflict follows the Twenty-Fifth Special Emergency Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government, held Friday to address governance concerns raised by Trinidad and Tobago — a meeting that neither Persad-Bissessar nor any of her government representatives attended. In an official statement released after the session, CARICOM Chairman Dr. Terrance Drew, who also serves as Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, laid out the regional bloc’s account of the events that led to Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett’s reappointment at the 50th Regular Meeting of the CARICOM Conference of Heads of Government, hosted in St. Kitts and Nevis between February 24 and 27, 2026.

    According to Drew’s statement, all CARICOM member states received formal advance notification of the February meeting’s official schedule, draft agenda, and working breakdown, including clear details of which topics would be discussed in plenary sessions, caucus meetings, and the closed Heads-only retreat. All heads of government offices received official correspondence confirming the retreat’s date and island venue, and every member state acknowledged receipt of the materials, CARICOM claims.

    The narrative continues that Persad-Bissessar departed St. Kitts on the evening of February 25, one day before the scheduled Heads-only retreat on February 26. That same night, Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign Minister Sean Sobers contacted Secretary-General Barnett via WhatsApp to ask whether he could attend the retreat in the prime minister’s absence. He was reportedly told that foreign ministers could stand in for heads of government if needed, but Sobers replied that he suffered from seasickness and would likely be unable to complete the boat ride required to reach the remote retreat venue.

    In response, Barnett informed Sobers that the Chairman would excuse his absence if the trip posed significant discomfort. Sobers never followed up to confirm his attendance, per CARICOM’s account. When heads of government gathered for the closed retreat to discuss community financing and governance, members approved Barnett’s reappointment in line with Article 24 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, with Barnett recusing herself from the discussion.

    As a courtesy to absent leadership, heads agreed to delay the public announcement of the reappointment to allow time to notify Persad-Bissessar. CARICOM says multiple attempts were made to contact the prime minister via phone and email, but none were successful, and the Chairman ultimately reached out directly to Sobers to share the outcome. Alongside the reappointment, CARICOM leaders agreed to form a subcommittee with representatives from Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, and Jamaica to conduct a full review of the bloc’s institutional governance and financing frameworks. Leaders also approved a formal statement on their recent meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio focused on evolving global geopolitical developments.

    In his closing remarks, Drew emphasized that CARICOM has long relied on its internal diplomatic mechanisms to resolve internal challenges, warning that “unfortunate and erroneous statements” from member states risk eroding years of progress toward deeper regional integration.

    But Persad-Bissessar has pushed back aggressively against CARICOM’s account, releasing a counter-statement on her official Facebook page that disputes key details and calls into question the entire reappointment process’s transparency.

    The Trinidad and Tobago prime minister claims that while her government received multiple communications about ceremonial meeting details — including required attire for official events — no notification was ever sent indicating that Barnett’s reappointment would be on the retreat’s agenda. She further alleges that a WhatsApp message sent from the Chairman’s office on the morning of February 26 explicitly stated the retreat would remain strictly limited to sitting heads of government, directly contradicting CARICOM’s claim that Sobers was welcome to attend in her place. That message, Persad-Bissessar says, instructed foreign ministers to remain at the separate Community Council meeting instead of attending the retreat.

    Persad-Bissessar is also demanding access to key internal documents that have not been made public, including the official minutes of the closed retreat, a formal performance appraisal of Barnett’s first term as Secretary-General, and full records from Barnett’s original 2021 appointment to the post. She has labeled the entire process fundamentally lacking in transparency, and has called on the CARICOM Secretariat to fulfill a formal request for documentation submitted in an April 9 letter from Foreign Minister Sobers.

  • Woman bonded for assaulting son’s teacher

    Woman bonded for assaulting son’s teacher

    A 30-year-old self-employed hairdresser from St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been handed a suspended sentence bond for attacking her son’s primary school teacher with a pair of scissors, in a case that highlights the growing tensions between parents and educators over student discipline.

    The sentencing hearing was held Thursday at the Colonarie Magistrate’s Court, which was convened in Georgetown for the session. The defendant, Zonel Joseph, faced two criminal charges: possession of an offensive weapon (a pair of scissors) and assault with intent to wound Alicia Williams, the targeted teacher, during an October 2025 public altercation in the Colonarie community.

    Court documents show that Joseph initially entered a not guilty plea when she first appeared without legal representation. She changed her plea to guilty this week after securing legal counsel from local attorney Nicholas Providence.

    Prosecutor Corlene Samuel, an inspector with the local police service, laid out the background of the conflict to the court: Joseph and Williams were long-time friends who grew up together in the same small Colonarie neighborhood. Their relationship fractured after Williams took on a teaching role that included Joseph’s son in her class.

    The confrontation unfolded around 4 p.m. on the day of the incident, when Williams was visiting a friend’s home and spotted Joseph walking through the area with her son. Samuel told the court that Joseph was openly cursing and shouting about a recent school incident where Williams had disciplined Joseph’s son, calling out “Don’t hit or touch my child again” loud enough for Williams to hear.

    When Williams responded to the comments, the exchange quickly escalated into a heated public argument. As Williams stood against a nearby wall, Joseph approached her, pulled out a small green-handled pair of scissors, and explicitly threatened to stab her before Williams moved away and contacted local law enforcement to file a report.

    In his mitigation argument to the court, Providence explained that Joseph’s initial not guilty plea came only because she lacked access to legal guidance during her first appearance. He acknowledged that the incident had the potential to end in serious harm, but argued the offenses themselves were not premeditated, noting that his client was experiencing significant personal stress at the time of the attack, including a major health crisis just three months prior in July 2025. Providence added that Joseph has expressed genuine remorse for her actions, and asked the magistrate to show “utmost mercy” in sentencing.

    The prosecution did not push for an immediate custodial sentence, but Samuel reminded the court that Joseph had a prior violent conviction: she served a one-year prison sentence in 2020 after being found guilty of stabbing her own children’s uncle in the eye. Samuel recommended that the court impose a bond to keep Joseph accountable, saying “Put her on a bond so she will know that something is hanging over her head.”

    Magistrate Kaywana Jacobs used the hearing to issue a direct warning to Joseph, urging her to address her persistent anger issues. “Don’t act in anger, you have children,” Jacobs told the defendant during sentencing. “Your future can look different if you consider the consequences,” she added, noting Joseph needs clear redirection to avoid future violent outbursts.

    For the assault charge, Jacobs ordered Joseph to enter a 12-month bond set at 1,000 Eastern Caribbean dollars. If Joseph violates the terms of the bond, she will be required to pay the full amount immediately or serve a nine-month prison sentence. On the separate charge of carrying an offensive weapon, Joseph was fined 900 Eastern Caribbean dollars, due to be paid by July 13, 2026, or face three months behind bars.

  • El Niño Expected to Suppress 2026 Hurricane Activity, Forecasters warn against complacency

    El Niño Expected to Suppress 2026 Hurricane Activity, Forecasters warn against complacency

    An upcoming shift in Pacific Ocean climate patterns is projected to curb hurricane formation across the Atlantic basin during the 2026 hurricane season, according to an early seasonal forecast released by the Colorado State University Tropical Meteorology Project, a leading research group focused on tropical storm activity. Helmed by lead researcher Philip J. Klotzbach, the new analysis lays out a clear trajectory of changing ocean and atmospheric conditions that point to a slower-than-usual storm season.

    Right now, the Pacific is under the influence of weak La Niña conditions, the cool phase of the cyclical El Niño-Southern Oscillation. But the research team projects this pattern will unwind in the coming months, transitioning to an El Niño event that is likely to strengthen to at least moderate intensity by the August-to-October peak of the Atlantic hurricane season.

    This climate shift carries outsized implications for Atlantic hurricane activity because of El Niño’s well-documented suppressing effect on storm development. El Niño, defined by sustained above-average sea surface temperatures across the central and eastern Pacific, drives an increase in vertical wind shear across the Atlantic basin. Vertical wind shear occurs when upper-level and lower-level winds differ significantly in speed or direction, and it acts to disrupt the cohesive circular structure required for tropical disturbances to organize and intensify into hurricanes. With stronger wind shear in place, most developing storms struggle to gain strength, cutting down on the total number of hurricanes that form in a given season.

    Based on the expected influence of this developing El Niño, the CSU team is projecting below-average activity for the 2026 season. Their current forecast calls for 13 named storms, six hurricanes, and two major hurricanes (storms classified as Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson scale).

    Already, observational data confirms the Pacific is on track for this transition. Sea surface temperatures across the basin have been rising steadily, with key atmospheric and oceanic drivers including intense westerly wind bursts and growing ocean heat content pushing the region out of its extended La Niña phase. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has independently backed this projection, estimating an 80% probability that El Niño will be in place by the peak of the 2026 hurricane season, further strengthening expectations of a less active season.

    Despite this broad consensus, the research team has emphasized that significant uncertainty remains around just how strong the El Niño event will ultimately become. The magnitude of El Niño directly correlates to how much wind shear will increase, meaning a weaker-than-expected event could leave hurricane activity higher than current projections.

    Even if the forecast holds and fewer storms form overall, experts warn that coastal and island communities cannot afford to lower their guard. Seasonal forecasts only offer a broad overview of expected total activity across the entire basin; they cannot predict weeks or months in advance where individual storms will form or whether any single storm will make landfall in a populated area. As the 2026 season approaches, even nations at high risk like Antigua and Barbuda could still face a devastating landfalling hurricane, regardless of the lower overall number of projected storms.

    In line with this risk assessment, emergency management officials across hurricane-prone regions are urging all residents and communities to complete preparedness plans well ahead of the season’s start, irrespective of the early forecast calling for below-average activity.

  • Lotto chair urges CDC to treat Vincymas as a business

    Lotto chair urges CDC to treat Vincymas as a business

    Vincymas, St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ premier cultural festival, will retain its largest backer in the National Lotteries Authority (NLA), but organizers will need to adopt a more business-oriented, financially accountable approach to secure the event’s long-term growth, according to the body’s newly appointed chair.

    Luann Hadaway, who made history earlier this year as the first woman to lead the NLA board since the organization’s founding in 1984, used the platform of this year’s festival media launch to reaffirm the authority’s long-standing partnership with the annual celebration. Founded to fund national sports and cultural initiatives, the NLA counts its Vincymas sponsorship as its single largest financial commitment, a reflection of the event’s outsized importance to the island nation.

    “Our sponsorship is not simply about funding an event, it is about preserving our heritage, strengthening our creative industries and creating real opportunities for our people,” Hadaway told attendees. She emphasized that the NLA’s new board takes its fiduciary responsibility seriously as stewards of public funds, requiring all sponsorship recipients to adhere to strict standards of prudent spending, robust governance and full transparency.

    “With that responsibility comes a clear obligation to ensure that every dollar is managed with care, integrity and purpose,” she said. “This is essential, not only for transparency, but for the long-term sustainability and credibility of institutions and events we support.”

    Given the scale of the NLA’s investment, Hadaway argued that Vincymas must meet consistent standards of value, impact and operational excellence. Most critically, she said, the festival must be reframed as a year-round business venture rather than a one-off annual celebration, capable of generating consistent revenue to build self-sustaining reserves for future events. This business model, she added, will expand long-term opportunities, deepen private-sector partnerships and foster the financial independence the festival needs to thrive for generations.

    Hadaway also pushed for the festival to expand its scope as a launchpad for local talent, calling for greater opportunities for young, emerging creators to perform alongside established industry figures. “It must remain a platform that truly showcases the depth of talent we have right here at home,” she said. “As we continue to invest, we also encourage a shared commitment to excellence, ensuring that Vincymas develops in a way that is sustainable, well organised and impactful for all.”

    Beyond celebration, Hadaway noted that Vincymas is a core economic driver for the country, supporting local livelihoods, boosting broader economic activity and nurturing widespread national pride.

    Speaking at the same launch event, Minister of Culture and Creative Industries Kaschaka Cupid echoed the message that cultural events like Vincymas deliver meaningful financial benefits to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He pointed out that the festival has helped local artists earn recognition at the national, regional and international level, and pledged the government’s ongoing support to the Carnival Development Corporation, the state-owned entity tasked with organizing Vincymas.

    Cupid also issued a public call for additional corporate sponsors to join the NLA in backing the festival, highlighting the creative sector’s growing role in driving national economic growth. “And I am here as Minister of Culture … to assure you that our government is here to support you, not just financially, but we are going to create opportunities for our artistes to grow and develop their special talents,” he said.

    The minister also revealed that he has recently held discussions with Prime Minister Godwin Friday and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble about a new initiative to deploy cultural ambassadors to promote St. Vincent and the Grenadines on the global stage. Cupid, who noted he had not attended Vincymas for roughly 20 years, said his tenure as culture minister has sparked a new appreciation for the country’s unique cultural heritage, and he plans to attend this year’s event both as a minister and a long-time culture lover.

  • ‘Elevated and reimagined’ Miss SVG returns to Vincymas calendar

    ‘Elevated and reimagined’ Miss SVG returns to Vincymas calendar

    After a one-year hiatus, one of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ most anticipated annual cultural events, the Miss SVG beauty pageant, is making a comeback — and this year, it is reclaiming its traditional spot as the official opening event of the Vincymas carnival season, scheduled to take place on May 30. This marks a shift from the pageant’s recent scheduling, when it was moved to October to align with the country’s annual Independence Day commemorations.

    Seven young contestants from communities across St. Vincent will compete for the coveted national crown and a package of top-tier prizes, headlined by an 80,000 Eastern Caribbean dollar university scholarship that offers a life-changing educational opportunity for the winner. The contestants, listed by their official performance order, are: 1. Charisma Charles, 22, representing sponsor Insta Cash from Peruvian Vale; 2. Enecia Clarke, representing Grenadine House from Layou; 3. 24-year-old N’Zinga Deroche, representing Republic Bank, also from Layou; 4. Elreka Gaymes, representing Executive Air Ltd.; 5. 26-year-old Lourie John, representing Darcheville Construction Equipment Sales Ld. from Redemption Sharpes; 6. Kayla Jordan, representing Lotto; and 7. Anaelia Williams, representing Lynch Caribbean Brokers Ltd. from Richland Park.

    Jamie Crick, a core member of the Carnival Development Corporation’s (CDC) Beauty Shows Committee, described this year’s class of contestants as a diverse “bouquet that reflects the very spirit of Vincymas”, noting that the months-long preparation journey leading up to the pageant makes the 2026 competition extra meaningful. Over nearly a year, Crick explained, the seven candidates have dedicated themselves to rigorous training, personal discipline, and intentional growth, evolving into polished, confident ambassadors prepared to represent their sponsors, home communities, and the country ahead of the carnival season. This year’s pageant operates under the overarching theme La Fleur Royale, or The Royal Flower.

    Beyond the main competition night on May 30, organizers have planned a full slate of accessible, community-focused pre-pageant events designed to bring the excitement of the contest directly to the Vincentian public. On May 3 and 10, contestants will participate in island-wide motorcades, with an additional motorcade route through the capital city of Kingstown scheduled for May 22. The motorcades will allow residents across every corner of the island to meet the contestants in person and engage with the Vincymas spirit ahead of the main event.

    On May 8, the pageant will host a unique public event titled “Meet me in the market”, framed as a casual, lively gathering where attendees can meet the delegates, take photos, learn more about their preparation journeys, and support local vendors across the island’s public markets. This event is one of several new, fresh additions organizers have introduced to this year’s revived pageant.

    Organizers have also reimagined the traditional pageant segments while retaining beloved core elements, with a focus on celebrating individuality and innovation this year. The popular swimwear segment will return with a cohesive unified color palette, but every candidate will wear a custom, uniquely designed piece that reflects her personal style. For the competitive interview round, each contestant will answer two questions: one pulled at random on stage, and one universal question asked to every competitor to create a fair comparative framework. The cultural wear segment will be themed “Once Upon A Village”, designed to highlight St. Vincent’s rich cultural heritage and local traditions, while audiences can also expect the timeless elegance of the evening wear portion and dynamic displays of creativity during the talent competition.

    Crick emphasized that despite the disruptions and patience required to bring the pageant back to its traditional Vincymas slot, the end result will be worth the effort. “Though the journey has required patience, we stand here confident that what lies ahead will be worth every painstaking moment, because with every moment that shapes us comes the opportunity to build something greater,” she said, noting that the return of the pageant to the carnival calendar brings a fresh, exciting energy to the start of the 2026 Vincymas season.

  • Grenada U19 fall to Dominica in Windward Islands Youth Clash

    Grenada U19 fall to Dominica in Windward Islands Youth Clash

    The 2026 WINLOTT Inc. Super 6 Windward Islands Under-19 Tournament kicked off with a weather-disrupted opening clash on Saturday 11 April at Benjamin’s Park, where hosts Grenada suffered an opening defeat to defending tournament champions Dominica. Persistent heavy showers reshaped the entire course of the match, forcing a revised target under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method that left Grenada unable to find their footing in the chase.

    After winning the pre-match toss, Grenada’s captain made the call to field first, a decision that looked solid in the opening exchanges. Grenada’s bowlers stuck to tight line and length early, restricting Dominica’s batters and holding the first wicket until the final delivery of the 10th over. It was pace bowler Aaron Edwards who broke the opening stand, dismissing Derwin Lewis for 19 runs with Dominica’s total just 46 at that point.

    Rain interruptions would go on to disrupt the middle overs, but Dominica’s middle-order batter Aiden Burton stepped up to steady the innings, crafting a well-compiled 58 runs off 62 deliveries marked by five fours and two maximums. When play was called off for the weather at 33.3 overs, Dominica had posted 168 runs for the loss of three wickets. Grenada’s bowling was led by spinner Aravinda Bishop, who claimed two key wickets while conceding 46 runs across his full 10-over allocation. Edwards backed him up with an economical spell, taking one wicket for just 25 runs from six overs. The full bowling breakdown for Grenada saw Jayonn Henry end with 0 wickets for 19 runs from four overs, Jeremy Edwards at 0 for 15 from five overs, Desrond Mitchell at 0 for 41 from eight overs, and Ron Charles at 0 for 9 from 0.3 overs.

    Following an extended weather delay, match officials applied the DLS par score rule, setting Grenada a challenging revised target of 209 runs to win from a shortened 29-over chase. Grenada got off to a steady start in their response, with opener Raekeim Lewis Charles top-scoring for his side. Lewis Charles put on a 36-run opening partnership with Jordan John (18), followed by a 26-run second-wicket stand with captain Khavaughn Bartholomew (16). As the required run rate climbed steadily, Grenada was forced to accelerate, but Dominica’s disciplined bowling attack choked the scoring, allowing just 27 runs across the next five overs before Lewis Charles was dismissed with Grenada on 89 for three.

    From the position of 90 for three in the 19th over, Grenada’s batting collapsed, losing four quick wickets for the addition of just 22 runs. The innings closed at 111 for seven after the full 29 allotted overs, leaving Dominica to take the opening win of the tournament. The full Grenada batting scorecard lists Jamie Wickham 11 not out, Christian Niles 2, Jayonn Henry 6, Desrond Mitchell 1, Aravinda Bishop 3, and Ron Charles 0 not out alongside Wickham.

    Grenada will now turn their focus to bouncing back from this opening setback, with their second group fixture scheduled to take place against St Lucia on Sunday 12 April 2026.