Carib Scope

作者： admin

  • Cuba, the irreverent “threat”

    Cuba, the irreverent “threat”

    President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency targeting Cuba, characterizing the island nation as an “unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.” The declaration, made from the White House on January 29, 2026, initiates a new phase in the six-decade-long economic blockade against Cuba.

    The executive order justifies the measures by alleging that Cuba maintains “sophisticated military and intelligence capabilities” that threaten U.S. security and maintains relationships with “hostile countries, transnational terrorist groups, and malign adversaries” of the United States. These claims directly contradict Cuba’s documented history of combating terrorism and drug trafficking in the region, including past cooperation with U.S. authorities.

    Central to the new policy is the imposition of tariffs on imports from any country that “sells or supplies, directly or indirectly, oil to Cuba.” This measure specifically targets energy supplies to the island, which would have cascading effects across Cuba’s entire economy. The Trump administration frames these actions as fulfilling an “imperative duty to protect” the United States.

    Cuban officials have denounced the measures as “economic genocide disguised as national security” and reject the characterization of Cuba as a security threat. They note that despite Cuba’s geographical position along major drug trafficking routes, the country maintains a zero-tolerance drug policy and has consistently cooperated in regional anti-drug efforts.

    The executive order also accuses Cuba of human rights violations and regional destabilization, while Cuban authorities counter that the U.S. measures themselves constitute human rights violations by causing “human suffering and affecting the lives of millions of people.”

    This escalation represents the latest chapter in the long-standing tensions between the two nations, with Cuban officials vowing continued resistance to what they characterize as imperial aggression and economic warfare.

  • For Fidel, his legacy, and future, the First International Colloquium is convened on the centenary of his birth

    For Fidel, his legacy, and future, the First International Colloquium is convened on the centenary of his birth

    Havana’s Convention Center will serve as the host venue for the inaugural International Colloquium on Fidel’s Legacy and Future from August 10-13, 2026. The event, organized by the Fidel Castro Ruz Center in collaboration with Cuban academic and cultural institutions, coincides with the centennial anniversary of the historic leader’s birth.

    The comprehensive forum aims to facilitate multidisciplinary examination of Castro’s multifaceted impact across political, social, and international dimensions. Scheduled programming includes analytical sessions addressing his influence on national liberation movements, Global South dynamics, and twentieth-century geopolitics. Contemporary relevance of Castro’s ideological framework will be evaluated regarding ongoing struggles against imperialism, economic disparities, climate challenges, and sovereignty preservation efforts.

    René González Barrios, director of the Fidel Castro Ruz Center, has issued a global invitation to scholars, policymakers, and cultural figures through social media channels. The colloquium seeks participation from historians, political scientists, economists, sociologists, journalists, and specialists in information sciences, alongside educators, artists, and international solidarity committee representatives.

    The event structure will incorporate diverse formats including keynote addresses, thematic lectures, roundtable discussions, and panel presentations. Additional programming features the convergence of Fidel Castro Ruz Chairs, a dedicated Cuban Revolution symposium, and specialized forums examining youth engagement, women’s roles, and parliamentary developments. Cultural components will include documentary screenings, literary presentations, and related artistic projects.

    Organizers emphasize the objective of stimulating critical, pluralistic dialogue regarding Castro’s contributions to contemporary political thought and practice, creating an academic environment for rigorous multidisciplinary assessment of his enduring ideological influence.

  • Jones uit zorgen over mishandeling verdachte; politie start intern onderzoek

    Jones uit zorgen over mishandeling verdachte; politie start intern onderzoek

    A disturbing video circulating on social media has triggered official investigations and parliamentary scrutiny in Suriname after showing police officers forcibly loading a detained suspect into a pickup truck bed while bystanders watched. The footage prompted DNA Assembly Member Ebu Jones, who chairs the Standing Committee on Human Rights, to address the National Assembly with grave concerns about what he described as “disproportionate and inhuman” police conduct.

    While emphasizing his full support for law enforcement efforts against crime, Jones asserted that all police actions must remain within legal boundaries. “Strong intervention is permissible, but not outside the rules,” he stated during the assembly session. The parliamentarian referenced not only the recent incident but also previous allegations of serious misconduct within detention facilities.

    “The objective should be to correct suspects and maintain order, not to kill them,” Jones argued, calling on the government to clarify its policies regarding police conduct. He further questioned how the legislative body could exercise its oversight role to improve current practices, acknowledging the important work of police while insisting it must be performed with respect for rule of law and human dignity.

    In response to the viral video, the Suriname Police Force (KPS) confirmed it has launched an internal investigation. Police leadership issued a statement acknowledging awareness of the footage, which multiple citizens had brought to their attention. The investigation will examine the entire sequence of police actions, including circumstances preceding the filmed incident and the manner of suspect transportation.

    The KPS statement recognized that officers frequently operate in dynamic and potentially dangerous situations where public and colleague safety takes priority. However, the force simultaneously emphasized that all operations must comply with established guidelines and constitutional norms. Should the investigation reveal procedural shortcomings or areas requiring improvement, the police committed to incorporating these findings into further professionalization measures and behavior-guiding protocols.

    Results will be presented to competent authorities according to standard procedures, the KPS stated, reaffirming its dedication to maintaining a safe society while respecting legal frameworks, human dignity, and community trust.

  • What Deal Is Briceño Eyeing Ahead of Guyana President’s Visit?

    What Deal Is Briceño Eyeing Ahead of Guyana President’s Visit?

    Belizean Prime Minister John Briceño has outlined ambitious plans to strengthen bilateral ties with Guyana across multiple sectors as Guyanese President Dr. Irfaan Ali prepares for an official visit to Belize commencing Sunday. The upcoming diplomatic engagement signals a strategic pivot toward enhanced regional cooperation within the CARICOM framework.

    Prime Minister Briceño characterized Guyana as an increasingly influential regional partner, acknowledging its remarkable economic transformation driven by substantial oil discoveries. “There’s a certain irony in how perceptions have evolved,” Briceño observed. “Where Guyana was once overlooked, it now commands significant attention across the hemisphere. The nation is undergoing profound development and possesses tremendous natural beauty.”

    While energy security remains a regional concern, Briceño indicated that petroleum negotiations would likely require multilateral rather than bilateral discussions. The Prime Minister expressed nostalgia for previously established regional energy initiatives but acknowledged contemporary geopolitical realities make such arrangements improbable. “A revival of Petro-Caribbean style arrangements appears unlikely under current circumstances,” Briceño stated, emphasizing instead Belize’s focus on sustainable development partnerships.

    The administration’s priority lies in establishing concrete cooperation frameworks across agriculture, tourism, and educational exchange. “Our objective is to formulate substantive agreements that facilitate mutual growth and knowledge transfer,” Briceño explained. “We envision collaborative ventures that leverage respective national strengths while addressing shared developmental challenges.”

    This diplomatic overture represents Belize’s strategic alignment with one of the Caribbean’s fastest-growing economies, potentially establishing new paradigms for South-South cooperation within the region. The upcoming talks may establish foundational agreements that could reshape economic relationships among Caribbean Community member states.

  • How Uber’s pricing ranks against its competitors

    How Uber’s pricing ranks against its competitors

    The recent introduction of Uber’s ride-hailing services in Saint Lucia has ignited a polarized public discourse, pitting convenience advocates against supporters of local transportation providers. This controversy has prompted an empirical investigation into how the global platform’s fare structure measures against established domestic alternatives.

    St. Lucia Times conducted a comparative analysis of Uber and two prominent local services—Allez and Tropicab—assessing pricing across distinct travel corridors. The evaluation examined both a short-distance journey from Castries’ Derek Walcott Square to Baywalk Shopping Mall and an extended route spanning from Vieux Fort Plaza to Pigeon Island Causeway. All comparisons utilized standard multi-passenger vehicle options across platforms, with quoted prices reflecting pre-confirmation estimates.

    Notably, Uber currently displays fares exclusively in US dollars rather than the Eastern Caribbean currency used by local operators. Using a conversion rate of EC$2.7 to US$1, the short route analysis revealed Uber’s price of US$27.16 (approximately EC$73) positioned it between competitors—exceeding Tropicab’s EC$54.17 while nearly matching Allez’s EC$72.

    The long-distance assessment demonstrated similar competitive alignment: Uber’s quoted US$121.47 (roughly EC$328.28) slightly surpassed Allez’s EC$317 while exceeding Tropicab’s EC$275. These figures represent base estimates subject to potential adjustment per company policies regarding route variations and dynamic pricing factors.

    From user experience perspectives, all three applications provided streamlined interfaces with transparent pre-ride pricing and minimal registration requirements. Despite Uber’s newcomer status in the Saint Lucian market, its pricing strategy demonstrates deliberate calibration to existing market conditions rather than disruptive undercutting.

  • Economy faces pivotal test after year of stability, economist warns

    Economy faces pivotal test after year of stability, economist warns

    While Barbados has achieved remarkable macroeconomic stability, a leading economist cautions that these gains have not yet translated into broad-based improvements for workers and households. Professor Troy Lorde, Dean and Acting Director of the University of the West Indies’ Shridath Ramphal Centre, analyzed the 2025 Economic Review, revealing both significant achievements and underlying vulnerabilities.

    The review demonstrates substantial progress with real GDP growth of 2.7%, inflation slowing to 0.7% on a 12-month moving average, a primary surplus of 3.3% of GDP, and international reserves holding at approximately $3 billion—equivalent to 27.4 weeks of import cover. These indicators reflect sustained fiscal discipline and favorable external conditions that have supported economic recovery.

    However, Professor Lorde emphasized that statistical improvements don’t necessarily equate to shared prosperity. The decline in unemployment to 6.6% partially reflects demographic shifts including increased retirements and higher school enrollment rather than robust job creation alone. This distinction matters for understanding true labor market conditions.

    Similarly, while inflation control appears impressive, Lorde noted this achievement stemmed primarily from external factors like lower international oil prices and falling freight costs rather than domestic productivity gains or increased competition. Recent point-to-point inflation rose to 1.7% by November, with essential categories like housing, utilities, insurance, and food experiencing heightened price pressures that disproportionately affect lower-income families.

    Tourism continues driving growth but reveals concerning market concentration. Arrivals from the United Kingdom declined nearly 6%, while recovery patterns show increasing reliance on US markets, heightening exposure to American economic conditions and policy decisions.

    Debt reduction presents another complex picture. The debt-to-GDP ratio declined to 94.6%, but this improvement reflected GDP rebasing—which mechanically lowers ratios by updating economic measurement—alongside strong nominal growth and maintained fiscal surpluses. Meanwhile, gross financing needs rose sharply as the government undertook early repayments of Eurobonds and IMF obligations, with debt service increasing to 12.9% of GDP.

    Professor Lorde clarified that GDP rebasing represents improved measurement rather than sudden economic expansion, warning against misinterpretations that might overstate actual performance. External risks including geopolitical uncertainty, trade policy shifts, and weather-related shocks remain significant threats to stability.

    The central challenge, according to Lorde, has evolved from achieving stabilization to converting this stability into higher productivity, rising wages, and greater economic resilience—a more demanding phase that now confronts policymakers, businesses, and households alike.

  • PM Says BPO Paid Out Over $150 Million in Annual Salaries

    PM Says BPO Paid Out Over $150 Million in Annual Salaries

    Prime Minister John Briceño has announced a dual-focused approach to Belize’s burgeoning Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector, pledging aggressive action against fraudulent operations while defending the industry’s substantial economic contributions. The government’s renewed vigilance follows investigative reports by News Five revealing sophisticated credit card scams originating from within call center operations.

    Briceño emphasized the necessity of pursuing scammers targeting both domestic and international victims with equal determination. “I agree with you 100% that we need to go after anyone that’s scamming, not only our citizens, but people outside of Belize from these BPOs,” the Prime Minister stated during his interview with News Five.

    The crackdown initiative gains urgency amid concerns about legislative adequacy. Businessman Lee Mark Chang previously received police confirmation that existing laws, including the 2021 Electronic Funds Transfer Act, lack sufficient enforcement mechanisms despite victims retaining the right to file formal complaints.

    While acknowledging he hadn’t received direct complaints from Chang, Briceño confirmed awareness of concerns raised with law enforcement agencies. He called for strengthened measures to ensure successful prosecution of fraudulent operators, questioning “How is it that we can go after these scammers? And we need to go to them to the full extent of the law.”

    Concurrently, the Prime Minister highlighted the BPO sector’s critical economic role, revealing it employs over 20,000 Belizeans and distributes more than $150 million in annual salaries. Briceño expressed gratitude for the industry’s contributions, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring legitimate companies “can feel safe to operate here” through enhanced regulatory oversight and enforcement protocols.

  • BEL Launches Major Solar Power Project

    BEL Launches Major Solar Power Project

    Belize has embarked on a transformative renewable energy journey with the official launch of a major solar power initiative spearheaded by Belize Electricity Limited (BEL). In collaboration with the Government of Belize and supported by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group, the project aims to develop up to 80 megawatts of utility-scale solar capacity across multiple locations nationwide.

    The groundbreaking initiative commenced with a Request for Prequalification process, inviting experienced private-sector developers to participate in constructing large-scale solar photovoltaic facilities. BEL is leading this ambitious undertaking in partnership with the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy and Logistics, marking a significant step in the country’s transition toward clean and sustainable energy infrastructure.

    Technical and advisory support is being provided by the IFC under the World Bank Group’s Scaling Solar program, which promotes transparent and competitive renewable energy development. This assistance is funded through contributions from the Government of Japan and the Global Infrastructure Facility, ensuring international expertise and financial backing for the project.

    The solar developments will operate under an Independent Power Producer framework, where private developers will assume responsibility for designing, financing, constructing, owning, operating, and maintaining the solar facilities over a 25-year period. These independent producers will supply generated electricity directly to Belize’s national grid, creating a sustainable public-private partnership model.

    This strategic move follows recommendations outlined in Belize’s Least Cost System Expansion Plan, which addresses the nation’s growing electricity demands while prioritizing increased utilization of local renewable resources. The solar initiative directly supports Belize’s ambitious national target of achieving 75 percent renewable electricity generation by 2030, reducing dependence on imported power, and enhancing overall energy security and grid reliability.

    The prequalification process represents the initial phase of a competitive selection procedure, with only companies meeting stringent technical and financial criteria advancing to submit comprehensive proposals in subsequent stages. Complete details regarding the prequalification requirements and process are available through BEL’s official channels, with both BEL and the Government of Belize actively encouraging qualified international and domestic developers to participate in this landmark energy transformation project.

  • Belize Coast Guard Has New Commandant

    Belize Coast Guard Has New Commandant

    BELIZE CITY – A significant leadership transition has occurred within Belize’s maritime defense forces as Gregory Soberanis officially assumed the role of Rear Admiral Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard during a formal ceremony on January 29, 2026. The appointment concludes the six-year tenure of Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, who recently transitioned to become Chief Executive Officer within the Ministry of Home Affairs.

    Prime Minister John Briceño presided over the swearing-in ceremony, emphasizing the strategic importance of maintaining continuity within the nation’s security apparatus. “This ceremonial transition represents the stability of our security forces,” Briceño stated. “We have two exceptionally qualified officers who have progressed through the ranks with extensive service to Belize, both thoroughly prepared for their new responsibilities.”

    Soberanis, who previously served as vice-commandant since 2019, assumes command during a period of substantial expansion for the Coast Guard, which has been progressively enhancing its fleet capabilities, establishing new operational bases, and broadening its maritime jurisdiction responsibilities.

    The new Commandant expressed enthusiasm about his promotion, noting: “This moment represents a professional milestone I have anticipated for considerable time. Our career development framework systematically prepares personnel for leadership roles, providing comprehensive training essential for eventual command responsibilities.”

    Soberanis outlined his strategic priorities, emphasizing organizational partnerships, institutional culture, and operational readiness. “Our objective involves restructuring the organization to effectively counter evolving threats within Belize’s maritime domain,” he explained.

    The ceremony included emotional moments as Darlene Graham witnessed her son’s achievement. “I have observed my son’s dedicated service and complete commitment to the Coast Guard throughout his career,” Graham remarked. “This accomplishment feels like a shared achievement, reflecting his unwavering willingness to serve wherever needed.”

  • Eerste hoorzitting Latour levert input voor Ressortplan 2027

    Eerste hoorzitting Latour levert input voor Ressortplan 2027

    Paramaribo, Suriname – The Latour ressort within Paramaribo district has initiated its formal planning process for the 2027 development agenda through a groundbreaking community hearing session. Held on Wednesday at the Saamaka Community Association building, this participatory gathering marked the first in a series of consultations designed to incorporate citizen input into the forthcoming Ressortplan 2027.

    The proceedings commenced with a comprehensive review of previously implemented projects within the ressort, followed by detailed presentations from various ministry representatives outlining proposed initiatives and activities for the upcoming policy period.

    Community members actively identified several critical challenges requiring immediate attention in the new development plan. Primary concerns included the deteriorating road infrastructure, absence of systematic roadside maintenance, and persistent environmental pollution issues. Participants particularly emphasized the severe shortage of recreational facilities for youth, which community representatives directly linked to rising instances of negative leisure activities among young residents.

    In a significant procedural development, ressort councils have established a monthly meeting schedule—convening every first Monday—to regularly monitor implementation progress and continuously gather additional community feedback.

    All recommendations and proposals presented during the hearing will be systematically integrated into a draft Ressortplan 2027, scheduled for submission to the district council by late February as part of the comprehensive districtsplan. The finalized district development blueprint will be formally presented to the Minister of Regional Development by end of March.

    The landmark session saw participation from Ressortraad members, Health Minister André Misiekaba, National Assembly representatives Edgar Sampie and Tashana Lösche, District Commissioner Wennys Vijfhoven, and numerous community stakeholders.