Carib Scope

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  • Barbados steps up Africa air links push with Nigeria charters

    Barbados steps up Africa air links push with Nigeria charters

    Against a backdrop of deep historical and cultural connections between the Caribbean and African continents, the Caribbean island nation of Barbados is advancing an ambitious strategy to cement its status as a premier connectivity gateway between Africa and the wider Caribbean region. Key milestones of this push include the imminent resumption of monthly charter flights to Nigeria and an already operational new tourism office in Kenya, according to senior tourism industry officials.

    Andrea Franklin, Chief Executive Officer of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), laid out the full scope of the government and private sector’s Africa-focused expansion plans during her address at the Caribbean Travel Marketplace held in Antigua. The first major step of the initiative was completed in February this year, when BTMI opened a permanent physical tourism office in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital. Beyond serving East Africa, this new outpost will also manage Barbados’ tourism and trade relations with the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Franklin confirmed.

    “We now have an on-the-ground presence in the African market through our Nairobi office, and we are moving full force ahead to build broader awareness of Barbados as a top travel destination across both Africa and the Gulf states,” Franklin stated in her remarks.

    At the core of the connectivity push is the upcoming resumption of charter flights between Nigeria’s largest city Lagos and Barbados operated by Nigerian carrier Air Peace. Set to restart this month, the monthly charter service marks the first formal step toward building sustained air links between the two regions, Franklin explained. “This resumption is just the starting point: it will grow both traveler awareness of Barbados and lay the foundation for deeper connectivity between our regions,” she said.

    Barbados’ long-term vision extends far beyond its own borders, as the nation positions itself as a central hub that unlocks access to the broader Caribbean market for African travelers and airlines. Franklin revealed that BTMI is already in ongoing talks with multiple additional airlines to expand route networks, and several neighboring Caribbean territories have already signed on to the collaborative initiative.

    “Individually, Barbados may not generate enough passenger volume to fill a full consistent flight on its own, but when we frame Barbados as the regional entry hub for the entire Caribbean, this model becomes completely feasible,” Franklin noted. She added that Saint Lucia, Grenada and Dominica have all expressed explicit interest in joining the initiative, which will pool passenger demand across multiple island nations to support sustained air links.

    Early market research conducted by BTMI confirms that untapped demand for travel between the regions is already in place, underpinned by centuries of shared cultural and historical ties between African communities and Caribbean populations. “The traveler interest is clearly there, and the deep cultural connectivity between our regions is undeniable,” Franklin said. “Now our task is to build out this narrative, collaborate across sectors and regions, and turn this vision of a connected Africa-Caribbean travel corridor into a lasting reality.”

  • PM: Make digital platform to track gig workers’ benefits

    PM: Make digital platform to track gig workers’ benefits

    Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley has announced a push for local collaborative development of a custom digital platform that will underpin the country’s new National Portable Benefits Framework, a landmark reform designed to close a critical gap in the island nation’s social security system. Addressing the House of Assembly this Tuesday, Mottley outlined that the new framework will finally extend access to National Insurance and Social Security Service (NISSS) benefits to workers in non-traditional and gig economy roles, a demographic long excluded from the existing 60-year-old social safety net. Instead of waiting for external contractors or lengthy procurement processes, Mottley called for immediate cross-agency cooperation between the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, and government tech body Govtech, alongside a public call for young, locally trained Barbadian software developers to lead the platform’s creation. The core function of the custom digital tool will be to track working hours across multiple concurrent jobs for gig, freelance, short-term contract and digital remote workers, enabling the portable benefits system to operate seamlessly and efficiently. Mottley emphasized that this reform is a necessary evolution of Barbados’ social security structure, which was designed decades ago for a traditional, permanent full-time workforce and no longer aligns with the realities of the 21st century labour market. She called on Labour Minister Colin Jordan and backbench Member of Parliament Toni Moore to coordinate moving the plan forward, framing it as a natural next step in ongoing actuarial research for NISSS reform. The Prime Minister also highlighted the direct fiscal stake the Ministry of Finance has in the project, noting that unprotected informal and gig workers who face financial hardship later in life ultimately become a public burden on the Barbadian state. “If these people are not given an opportunity to be able to benefit from the NIS, they become a charge on the state of Barbados and I really believe that the Minister of Finance does not want his liabilities to extend in that direction whatsoever,” she said. Modern digital technology removes the historic barriers to tracking irregular work across multiple employers, Mottley explained, making the portable benefits framework logistically and financially feasible. The proposed platform will legally require registration of all gig and part-time work, with advanced digital tools enabling fast, accurate processing of contribution and benefit calculations for workers. “We are now after 58 years, 59 this year of a social security system finally prepared to make the social security system fully functional in all of its ways for people as opposed to people only having to fit in to the straight difficult rigid rules of the system,” she added. Mottley also used the address to urge consistent contribution to the NIS system among self-employed workers, noting that thousands of Barbadian professionals, tradespeople and independent workers currently avoid regular contributions, only to face severe financial hardship or poverty in retirement. She specifically cited examples including taxi drivers, fishermen, carpenters, lawyers, doctors and engineers who have fallen into avoidable hardship due to gaps in their social security contributions. Looking ahead, Mottley tied the expansion of social protection to growing global risks, including future pandemics and climate-related public health crises, noting that irregular workers are the most exposed to sudden economic shocks. Workers with multiple employers or variable working hours remain one of the largest unaddressed gaps in the current NISSS system, she confirmed. Framing the reform as a landmark milestone for the program, Mottley described the National Portable Benefits Framework as “the best gift we can give the country and the NIS system both for their Diamond Jubilees” as the social security program approaches its 60th anniversary.

  • DDA extends congratulations to Gregor Nassief on achievement as CHTA president-elect

    DDA extends congratulations to Gregor Nassief on achievement as CHTA president-elect

    In a landmark achievement for both Gregor Nassief and the Commonwealth of Dominica, the Caribbean hospitality industry has elected its first-ever Dominican resident to the top leadership post of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA). The Discover Dominica Authority (DDA), the island nation’s official tourism promotion body, has formally extended congratulations to Nassief on his election as CHTA President-Elect, framing the milestone as a clear reflection of Dominica’s rising standing in the regional tourism landscape.

    The DDA’s full board of directors, senior management team, and frontline staff joined in celebrating the appointment, highlighting that Nassief’s selection comes after decades of consistent dedication and transformative contributions to the Caribbean hospitality sector. A long-time advocate for responsible tourism growth, Nassief has earned widespread recognition for his work advancing sustainable, high-value tourism initiatives that have not only benefited his home island but also lifted standards across the entire Caribbean region.

    Through his targeted advocacy and on-the-ground projects, Nassief has played a pivotal role in strengthening Dominica’s global profile as a premiere nature-centric travel destination. Today, the island draws increasing international attention for its unspoiled natural landscapes, immersive wellness retreat offerings, and world-class adventure travel experiences, with visitor numbers and global interest steadily climbing in recent years. DDA officials note that Nassief’s leadership has been instrumental in building this positive reputation.

    Marva Williams, who serves dual roles as Chief Executive Officer of the Discover Dominica Authority and Director of Tourism for Dominica, emphasized that the election represents a moment of national pride for the small island nation. “Gregor Nassief’s election is a proud moment for Dominica and reflects the growing influence of Dominican leadership within the Caribbean tourism industry,” Williams said in an official statement. “Through his leadership in hospitality and sustainable tourism development, Mr. Nassief has helped elevate Dominica’s presence and reputation across the region. We are confident that he will serve the Caribbean tourism industry with distinction.”

    Nassief is set to officially assume his new regional leadership role later this year, and the DDA has formally extended its full support and best wishes as he prepares to take up the post. Industry observers across the Caribbean widely view the historic election as a signal of Dominica’s expanding influence in shaping the future of regional sustainable tourism.

  • Caribbean voices within the global art conversation

    Caribbean voices within the global art conversation

    On May 8, 2026, the opening day of the 2026 Venice Biennale, four regional artists gathered in the Grenada Pavilion to share their transformative experiences bringing Caribbean creativity to one of the world’s most prestigious contemporary art stages. Curated by commissioner Susan Mains, this iteration of the Grenada Pavilion marked a deliberate shift toward cross-regional collaboration, inviting creators from Grenada, Barbados, and Trinidad to share space, narrative, and creative energy with a global audience of artists, curators, and visitors.

    Across every conversation, a unified thread of excitement, gratitude, and purpose emerged: the opportunity to center Caribbean artistic voices on an international platform has not only validated the region’s creative output but also sparked profound personal and professional growth for each participating creator. All four artists expressed deep pride in representing their home nations and the broader Caribbean community, while highlighting how the biennale’s global context has renewed their creative vision.

    Russell Watson, a multidisciplinary artist based in Barbados, brought a longstanding connection to the Grenada Pavilion’s Venice Biennale journey. Having attended the very first Grenada Pavilion presentation in 2015, he recalled his shock at seeing the small Caribbean nation claim space at the global event, and has followed the pavilion’s work ever since. When Mains extended an invitation to join the 2026 cohort, he jumped at the chance to participate in the pavilion’s new regional inclusion initiative.

    For Watson, the experience affirmed that his creative practice aligns with key global contemporary art movements. Walking through the biennale’s hundreds of exhibitions, he noted a widespread, shared preoccupation among global creators with humanity’s fractured relationship with the natural world, and the growing intersection of environmental themes and spiritual inquiry – a thematic overlap that mirrors his own work. He also pointed to the widespread embrace of video as a fine art medium at the biennale, echoing his own longstanding interest in the format and confirming that video has firmly secured its place in top-tier contemporary practice. Watson emphasized that the pavilion’s commitment to regional integration sends a powerful message: Caribbean nations do not need to be separated by the waters that define them, but rather can share space, build community, and amplify their collective voices. He expressed hope that this collaborative model will continue and expand to include deeper support for creators from more Caribbean states in future editions.

    Jeverson Ramirez, a celebrated Grenadian steelpan virtuoso and recording artist, marked his first visit to Venice with the 2026 pavilion. He described the experience as unexpectedly welcoming, saying the warm energy of the global art community made the far-off European city feel like home. For Ramirez, the greatest honor was bringing the distinct cultural flavor of Grenada and the Caribbean to a new audience, sharing his love of traditional steelpan music with visitors from across the globe.

    Like Watson, Ramirez praised the pavilion’s collaborative regional model, echoing the idea that Caribbean waters connect rather than divide the region’s islands and their peoples. Sharing exhibition space with artists from across the Caribbean and even other nations, including Guatemala, has created rich opportunities for cultural exchange, he said. Ramirez highlighted the shared historical experience of Caribbean nations – from the legacy of colonial slavery and plantation economies focused on cocoa, sugar, bananas, and nutmeg – that shapes shared cultural values, perspectives, and creative themes today. Bringing these connected voices together in one pavilion, he argued, makes their collective message even stronger.

    Edward Bowen, a veteran painter based in Trinidad, called the invitation to join the Grenada Pavilion a life-changing surprise. As an artist with 40 years of painting experience, he said the opportunity to engage with thousands of global artworks and perspectives at the biennale has been an unparalleled creative reset, comparing himself to a sponge absorbing new ideas and inspiration that will fuel his future work.

    Bowen stressed that the Grenada Pavilion’s choice to open its doors to cross-regional Caribbean participation is a bold, necessary step for the art world. Inclusivity is far more common in music than in visual arts, he noted, making this initiative all the more important. He called for less territorial thinking around national artistic representation and a more democratic, thoughtful approach to lifting up regional Caribbean creators. Back home in Trinidad, he plans to leverage his Venice experience to support more local artists in accessing international opportunities like this.

    Arthur Daniel, a Grenadian photographer and videographer, said he arrived at the biennale with an open mind and no expectations of the scale and impact of the event – and left deeply transformed. Grateful to Mains, sponsors, and supporters for the opportunity, Daniel described wandering Venice’s canals and pavilions as a profoundly spiritual experience, where every interaction with art and fellow creators opens up a new dimension of understanding.

    For Daniel, the most meaningful takeaway has been witnessing how his own photographic work connects with global audiences in deeply personal, unexpected ways. Walking 16,000 steps a day through the biennale grounds left him physically energized rather than tired, he said, because his spirit was being fed by constant inspiration. The experience has accelerated his growth as an artist, expanding his understanding of the global art ecosystem exponentially, and he said he has grown tenfold across every dimension – mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual. For Daniel, the greatest reward is not seeing his work displayed, but gaining the experience to educate and lift up other emerging creators in Grenada and across the Caribbean, helping them understand what global art practice entails. He emphasized that the Venice Biennale’s greatest magic lies in slowing down, opening one’s mind, and letting the art and energy of the space speak for itself.

    For this cohort of Caribbean creators, the Grenada Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale is more than an exhibition opportunity: it is a landmark step toward more inclusive regional collaboration and a powerful confirmation that Caribbean creativity holds an essential place in the global art conversation.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Concludes Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2026, Reports Record-Breaking Tourism Performance

    Antigua and Barbuda Concludes Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2026, Reports Record-Breaking Tourism Performance

    For the second straight year, the twin-island Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda wrapped up a successful hosting of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) flagship annual industry gathering, Caribbean Travel Marketplace (CTM) 2026. Held in May, the event aligned with the country’s annual Culinary Month, drawing hundreds of travel trade professionals, global tour operators, and international media to experience firsthand the destination’s diverse, world-class tourism product against the backdrop of its iconic white-sand coasts and vibrant local culture.

    As the Caribbean’s preeminent private-sector tourism advocacy and networking body, CHTA represents national hospitality and tourism associations across more than 30 regional destinations. Its annual CTM event serves as a critical hub for connecting global travel sellers, airline partners, and industry buyers with local Caribbean tourism stakeholders, facilitating targeted business meetings, professional networking, and deep-dive destination exploration that drives future booking volume across the region.

    During a formal press conference held on the sidelines of CTM 2026, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment, Honourable Charles H. Fernández, alongside Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) CEO Colin C. James, unveiled robust early-year tourism data that points to a sustained upward trajectory for the country’s core economic sector. The nation logged 110,832 stay-over visitor arrivals between January and March 2026, marking a 6.7% year-over-year increase from the 103,843 arrivals recorded in the first quarter of 2025.

    Growth held steady across all three months of the quarter: January arrivals rose 5% to 36,052, February climbed 6% to 36,133, and March delivered the sharpest gain of the period, with an 8% jump pushing total arrivals to 38,097. The United Kingdom posted the fastest growth among established source markets, recording a 14% year-over-year rise in visitor numbers for the quarter.

    The United States retained its position as the destination’s largest single source market, accounting for 46% of all Q1 2026 stay-over arrivals. Europe followed as the second-largest source region at 34%, with Canada contributing 12%, other Caribbean nations 5%, Latin America 1%, and remaining global markets 2%. To build on this momentum, national tourism officials are actively expanding marketing and connectivity efforts to tap into emerging growth corridors in Latin America and Africa, responding to a global consumer shift toward authentic, off-the-beaten-path travel experiences.

    The solid performance in stay-over travel is matched by equally strong projections for Antigua and Barbuda’s cruise tourism segment. For full-year 2026, the nation forecasts a 21.9% increase in total cruise arrivals compared to pre-pandemic 2019 levels, pushing total annual cruise visitors to a projected 894,469, up from 733,526 six years prior. Total annual ship calls are set to rise from 388 to 483, a gain driven in large part by expanded home-porting operations that allow cruise lines to base itineraries directly out of Antigua and Barbuda.

    To accommodate this growing cruise demand, a new $30 million cruise terminal opened to the public on January 24, 2026, as a core component of the government’s broader Upland Development Project. The facility is designed to modernize the arrival experience for cruise passengers and expand the nation’s total annual cruise capacity, with full completion of all associated project upgrades scheduled for July 2026.

    Expanded air connectivity is also opening the destination to a broader range of global travelers. In May 2026 alone, three new routes launched: Sunrise Airways introduced twice-weekly service between Antigua and the Dominican Republic on May 1, Liat Air launched twice-weekly flights connecting Antigua to Guadeloupe on May 8, and Nigeria’s Air Peace is set to launch a twice-monthly route between Antigua and Lagos, with a stop in Barbados, starting May 25. On the infrastructure side, major upgrades are ongoing at V.C. Bird International Airport, the nation’s primary air gateway, including runway rehabilitation and expansion. On the sister island of Barbuda, the newly opened Burton-Nibbs International Airport has been purpose-built to support the island’s fast-growing eco-luxury tourism segment.

    Major investment in new accommodation is also underway to meet rising visitor demand. The 71-suite, 7-villa Moon Gate Hotel & Spa is on track to open to guests before the end of 2026, while Barbuda’s Nobu Beach Inn is currently under construction with completion targeted for late 2026. Looking ahead to the end of the decade, the 84-room, 127-residence Nikki Beach Resort and Spa is targeted for a 2029 launch, Rosewood Hotel Barbuda, with 50 suites and 35 private residences, is slated to open in 2028, and a 114-key Marriott Leisure World Hotel with eight overwater villas is also in active development.

    Fresh off being named “Caribbean’s Best Meetings and Conference Destination” by the World Travel Awards, Antigua and Barbuda is preparing for another high-profile global event later this year: the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), scheduled to take place November 1-4 under the official theme “Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth.” The event is expected to draw between 3,000 and 5,000 delegates, official participants, and global media, and will make history as the first CHOGM to include a public concert and international cricket tournament as part of its official program.

    Underpinning all the destination’s tourism growth is a long-standing government commitment to developing sustainable, high-value tourism that benefits local communities. Key conservation initiatives include the award-winning Redonda Island ecological restoration project, widespread coral reef protection programs, strengthened anti-overfishing enforcement, and a deliberate policy strategy to expand local community participation in the broader tourism economy.

    As global economic uncertainty continues to shape traveler decision-making, more tourists are prioritizing safe, stable, welcoming destinations for their getaways—a trend Antigua and Barbuda is well positioned to capitalize on. The dual-island nation’s long-held reputation for political calm, easy air and sea access, and genuine local hospitality has cemented its position as a core leader of the Caribbean’s global identity as a peaceful, desirable travel region.

  • Caribbean security officials strengthen cross-border crime fighting through JITs training workshop

    Caribbean security officials strengthen cross-border crime fighting through JITs training workshop

    Five days of specialized training focused on Joint Investigation Teams (JITs) kicked off in Bridgetown, Barbados, bringing together security and law enforcement professionals from across the Caribbean region to strengthen collective defenses against transnational organized crime, cross-border financial fraud, and illicit money flows.

    Hosted at the Courtyard by Marriott Bridgetown, the collaborative workshop is co-organized by the Inter-American Development Bank and the Regional Security System (RSS) Headquarters. According to an official press statement from the RSS, the event draws a diverse cohort of participants, including seasoned prosecutors, criminal investigators, customs enforcement representatives, intelligence analysts, and technical specialists from multiple Caribbean territories.

    In her opening remarks to attendees, RSS Programme Officer Elizabeth Bynoe framed the JIT model as a transformative step forward in cross-border investigative cooperation. Unlike traditional information-sharing frameworks, Bynoe explained, the JIT structure enables authorities across different jurisdictions to rapidly exchange sensitive intelligence, synchronize operational plans, and collectively admissible evidence—all while upholding the sovereign legal authority and investigative independence of every participating nation.

    Bynoe emphasized that this targeted training could not come at a more critical juncture for the region, noting that transnational criminal organizations have rapidly adapted their operations, adopting increasingly sophisticated tactics to evade detection and expand their illicit activities across Caribbean borders.

    “This second in-person JIT workshop is a rigorous, top-tier training initiative built to sharpen our collective ability to counter complex transnational crime,” Bynoe told participants. “Over the next five days, we will move beyond foundational concepts to hands-on, real-world practice, equipping every attendee with the specialized tools needed to systematically dismantle modern criminal networks.”

    A core distinguishing feature of the workshop, Bynoe added, is its intentional focus on practical application rather than theoretical instruction alone. “Theory alone will not put criminals behind bars,” she noted. “For the final three days of the program, immersive, real-world case simulations will take center stage. These exercises will challenge participants to operate as a cohesive cross-border team, navigating differing national legal requirements, distinct inter-agency operational cultures, and complex overlapping intelligence streams—all to build the muscle memory needed to deploy the JIT framework seamlessly in the field.”

    Attendees were also urged to leverage the in-person gathering to build lasting professional relationships and strengthen collaborative ties between regional agencies tasked with combating serious organized crime.

    Throughout the five-day program, participants will dive into all aspects of JIT structure and operations, covering topics including standardized case management protocols, advanced intelligence analysis techniques, the critical function of Financial Intelligence Units in disrupting illicit finance, and the strategic use of Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) in contemporary cross-border investigations.

    Sessions are also dedicated to addressing rapidly evolving criminal trends in illegal financial activity, including the growing misuse of virtual assets for money laundering, the transnational smuggling of gold, links between financial crime and human trafficking, and other emerging forms of transnational financial offending that present new challenges for Caribbean law enforcement.

  • WIOC Advises Public of Emergency Response Exercise This Week

    WIOC Advises Public of Emergency Response Exercise This Week

    West Indies Oil Company Ltd. (WIOC) has issued an advance public notification to communities located in proximity to its operations, alerting local residents to a planned large-scale emergency response exercise that will be held across two days in May 2026. The drill, scheduled for May 21 and 22, will see active participation from multiple local emergency response agencies, bringing coordinated emergency training to the site.

    In its public announcement, WIOC has pre-emptively addressed potential public concern, noting that area residents should expect to observe a range of unusual activity during the exercise period. This includes an increased presence of uniformed emergency personnel, a higher volume of response vehicles moving through the area, temporary activation of alarm systems, and controlled test smoke that will be visible on site.

    The company emphasized clearly that there is no actual emergency unfolding, and local residents have no reason for panic or alarm in response to the activity. WIOC explained that regular, full-scale drills of this type are a critical component of maintaining operational safety, allowing response teams to refine protocols, test coordination between agency partners, and boost overall preparedness. These training activities ultimately serve to protect three key groups: WIOC’s on-site staff, the members of neighboring communities who live near the facility, and the surrounding natural environment.

    In closing, WIOC expressed its gratitude to the local public for their anticipated cooperation and understanding as the company carries out this important safety initiative.

  • STATEMENT: World Bee Day

    STATEMENT: World Bee Day

    On the annual observance of World Bee Day 2026, Kevin James, President of Dominica’s National Beekeepers Cooperative Society Ltd., released a statement marking the occasion under this year’s global theme: “Bee together for people and the planet – A partnership that sustains us all.”

    The statement opens by emphasizing that World Bee Day centers all pollinator species, not just domesticated honey bees. From dense native forests to small-scale family farms and residential communities across Dominica, bees and other pollinators deliver irreplaceable daily contributions to global biodiversity, stable food production, and the long-term resilience of entire ecosystems. Their survival is intrinsically tied to the health of undamaged natural habitats, a connection that underscores the urgent need for widespread environmental stewardship, climate-conscious sustainable farming practices, and greater public education around the critical role pollinators play in every person’s daily life.

    For Dominica specifically, this World Bee Day also serves as a moment to assess the steady growth of the country’s domestic beekeeping sector. In ongoing cross-sector collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment, independent beekeepers, commercial smallholder farmers, regional agricultural bodies, and other key stakeholders, the cooperative has driven measurable progress toward strengthening and modernizing the local industry.

    One of the most notable advances has come in the ongoing effort to formalize official national honey quality standards. This work is foundational to raising the overall quality of locally produced honey, safeguarding the authenticity of Dominican honey against diluted or adulterated imports, and building greater trust between consumers and local producers. These standardization efforts also create a more supportive market for the fast-growing community of value-added producers in the country, who have launched a range of innovative bee-based goods including handcrafted beeswax products, herb-infused honey lines, natural cosmetics, and other specialty items. These products expand the sector’s economic footprint and open new income streams for small-scale producers across the island.

    The statement also praises the recent passage of the Food Safety Bill by Dominica’s Parliament, framing the legislation as a transformative milestone for food safety and consumer protection across the country. The new law will directly address the longstanding challenge of adulterated honey entering local markets, enforce greater accountability and transparency across the domestic food supply chain, and shield both consumers and hardworking legitimate beekeepers who adhere to strict production standards.

    James expressed strong confidence in the future of Dominica’s beekeeping sector, noting that a growing number of young people are entering the industry, public awareness of pollinator protection is steadily rising, and national stakeholders are increasingly recognizing the multifaceted value that bees bring to agricultural productivity, biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability, and overall national economic development.

    Closing the statement on World Bee Day, James called on all members of the public to continue taking action to protect pollinator populations, preserve intact natural habitats that support bee colonies, and actively choose to support local Dominican beekeepers. Together, these collective efforts will build a more resilient, sustainable future for both the sector and the island as a whole. He ended by extending official wishes for a meaningful World Bee Day to all observers.

  • St. Kitts Cricket Masters upcoming Leeward Islands T20 Masters Tournament

    St. Kitts Cricket Masters upcoming Leeward Islands T20 Masters Tournament

    Cricket fans across St. Kitts and the wider Leeward Islands are gearing up for three days of competitive, community-driven cricket, as the St. Kitts Cricket Masters prepare to compete in the upcoming Leeward Islands T20 Masters Tournament, set to run from May 22 to May 24, 2026 on the neighboring island of Nevis.

    Organized around regional Masters-level cricket competition, the tournament brings together some of the top veteran cricket squads from across the Leeward Islands, offering athletes and supporters alike a chance to celebrate the longstanding love of the sport that unites the region’s island communities. In a public notice posted on May 20, 2026, the St. Kitts Cricket Masters issued an open invitation to all local residents and cricket enthusiasts to travel to Nevis to cheer on their squad, urging fans to turn out in large numbers to demonstrate widespread St. Kitts pride.

    The full match schedule for Team St. Kitts has been confirmed, with the squad’s first group stage match kicking off at 2:00 PM on Friday, May 22, when they will face off against Anguilla at VOJN Grounds. On the second day of competition, Saturday, May 23, St. Kitts will take on Antigua at 10:00 AM, hosted at ETW Park. Both the tournament semi-finals and final will be held at ETW Park on Sunday, May 24, with the semi-finals starting at 10:00 AM and the championship match following at 2:00 PM.

    To make travel to Nevis more accessible for supporters, the St. Kitts Cricket Masters have arranged discounted boat fares for fans planning to attend the matches. Anyone interested in accessing these reduced rates can reach out directly to any member of the St. Kitts Cricket Masters organization to secure their booking. Team representatives emphasized that community support makes a significant difference for the squad, noting that every fan in the stands helps boost the team’s energy as they compete to bring a tournament title home to St. Kitts.

  • Cuba condemns the despicable accusation against the Leader of the Revolution

    Cuba condemns the despicable accusation against the Leader of the Revolution

    On May 20, 2026, Cuba’s Revolutionary Government issued a forceful, uncompromising rejection of what it calls a despicable political accusation from the United States Department of Justice targeting Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, the iconic leader of the Cuban Revolution. The official statement, released in Havana in the centennial year of Fidel Castro Ruz, stresses that the U.S. government holds no legitimate jurisdiction over this matter, framing the allegation as a blatant act of bad-faith political provocation.

    The U.S. accusation is rooted in the 1996 downing of two aircraft operated by Brothers to the Rescue, a Miami-based anti-Cuba militant group that regularly violated Cuban airspace for hostile activities at the time. Cuba’s government argues that the U.S. has deliberately distorted historical facts to manufacture its accusation. Between 1994 and 1996, the group carried out more than 25 deliberate, severe intrusions into Cuban airspace—actions that violated both international law and U.S. domestic aviation regulations. Cuban officials repeatedly submitted formal complaints about these breaches to the U.S. State Department, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the International Civil Aviation Organization, all of which are omitted from the U.S. narrative.

    The statement also notes that U.S. authorities ignored clear, public official warnings from Cuba about the unacceptable nature of these airspace violations, including direct notifications sent to the sitting U.S. president outlining the grave risks and potential outcomes of continued inaction. Cuba emphasizes that its 1996 response to the intrusions was a legitimate exercise of self-defense, fully protected under the United Nations Charter, the 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, and long-recognized principles of national air sovereignty and proportional response.

    Cuba further points out the hypocrisy of the U.S. position: the United States has itself faced terrorist threats exploiting civil aviation, and has never tolerated hostile, provocative incursions into its territory by foreign aircraft. Multiple historical precedents show the U.S. would respond to such incursions with force, the statement argues.

    Cuba’s government also highlights that the U.S. government’s failure to act on repeated Cuban warnings decades ago amounts to complicity in the violent, illegal, terrorist acts planned and launched from U.S. territory against Cuba’s government and people—a systematic pattern of aggression that has persisted from the 1959 Cuban Revolution to the present day.

    The statement calls out the profound cynicism of the latest accusation, noting it comes from the same U.S. government that has carried out extrajudicial killings of nearly 200 people and destroyed 57 vessels in Caribbean and Pacific international waters far from U.S. territory, all over unproven claims of ties to drug trafficking. Under international law, these actions qualify as unlawful extrajudicial executions, and meet the definition of murder under U.S. domestic law itself.

    Cuba frames this baseless accusation against Castro as the latest in a string of desperate efforts by anti-Cuban factions to prop up a false narrative. This manufactured narrative, the government says, is intended to justify harsh collective punishment of the Cuban people through expanded unilateral coercive measures, including what Cuba calls an unjust, genocidal energy blockade and repeated threats of armed aggression against the island nation.

    In closing, Cuba reaffirms its longstanding commitment to global peace, while standing firm in its resolve to exercise its inalienable right to self-defense as enshrined in the United Nations Charter. The Cuban people, the statement concludes, reaffirm their unwavering dedication to defending their homeland and socialist revolution, and offer their full, unshakable support to Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, leader of the Cuban Revolution. The statement ends with Cuba’s iconic rallying cry: *Homeland or Death, We shall overcome.*