Carib Scope

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  • Lauchland Benjamin Drive Traffic Detour Begins Thursday for Infrastructure Works

    Lauchland Benjamin Drive Traffic Detour Begins Thursday for Infrastructure Works

    The Ministry of Works has issued an official public notification outlining planned infrastructure upgrades on a designated segment of Lauchland Benjamin Drive (LBD), which will require widespread traffic rerouting starting in 2026.

    To accommodate the construction activities, a full detour arrangement will go into effect starting at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, 2026, and will remain in place until the works are completed and further notification is released. The ministry has outlined clear directional guidance for motorists traveling in both directions along the corridor. For drivers heading toward Woods Mall, and for those moving away from the shopping center, all traffic will be required to turn right before reaching the SJPC House of Restoration and follow the marked route aligned with official project maps.

    Motorists are strongly urged to exercise extra caution when traveling near the work zone, as large heavy-duty construction machinery will be operating in the area on an ongoing basis. Road users are reminded to comply strictly with the posted detour routes and follow all directions from on-site traffic control personnel deployed by the project team.

    Despite the construction disruption, the Ministry has confirmed that all commercial operations along the affected stretch of LBD will continue normal business hours throughout the works period. Limited local access will also be preserved for residents who live in the immediate vicinity of the construction site, to avoid cutting off access to local homes.

    All road users, local businesses, and residents are encouraged to revise their upcoming travel itineraries in advance to account for potential travel delays around the work zone. For any questions or further information about the project or detour arrangement, members of the public can contact the Project Implementation Management Unit via telephone at 562-9173 during operating hours.

  • Howai: We’ll find a balance

    Howai: We’ll find a balance

    A brewing controversy over new banking service fees implemented by one of Trinidad and Tobago’s largest financial institutions has spurred regulatory intervention and widespread pushback from business leaders across the country, with ongoing negotiations aimed at striking a compromise between bank profitability and consumer affordability.

    Starting May 1, 2026, Republic Bank rolled out a series of increased service charges that immediately sparked frustration among retail and business customers. In response to widespread public concern, Central Bank Governor Larry Howai confirmed Wednesday that regulators have been in active discussions with the bank to review the new fee structure.

    Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the inaugural FINLIT Live 2026 financial literacy event hosted by the Central Bank at the Macoya Centre of Excellence, Howai emphasized that both sides are working to identify a middle ground. He noted that the bank has committed to re-examining the increases to balance the institution’s need for fair compensation for services against the financial burden passed to consumers. “We understand why citizens are frustrated, and we do not take this sentiment lightly,” Howai said, referencing an official statement the Central Bank released earlier this week. “Our role as regulator is defined by law, but it is not a passive one. Citizens deserve a financial system that works in their interest, and we will continue to advocate for that.”

    Howai clarified that while existing legislation prevents the Central Bank from issuing fines for approved price increases, the regulator will use its advocacy authority to prevent excessive markup of banking costs. He added that while service fees are an unavoidable part of offering banking services, key questions remain about whether the current increases are justifiable, properly communicated, and deliver clear value to customers. Ultimately, Howai expressed confidence that negotiators will develop a fee framework that leaves customers comfortable.

    The controversy comes as Republic Bank reports strong ongoing profitability: the bank posted a half-year net profit of $1.07 billion for the period ending March 31, 2026, a 5.4% increase from the same period in 2025. For the full year ending September 2025, parent company Republic Financial Holdings recorded a record annual profit of $2.2 billion, a figure that has amplified criticism of the timing of the fee hikes from leading business groups.

    Dianne Joseph, president of the T&T Coalition of Services Industries (TTCSI)—whose members contribute more than 60% of the country’s gross domestic product—framed banking services as an essential operational utility for businesses, not a discretionary luxury. While she acknowledged that financial institutions need to recover costs associated with digital infrastructure upgrades, Joseph argued that the cumulative fee increases, coming on the heels of record annual profits, raise serious questions about economic fairness. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and sole traders, she explained, higher banking overheads create a downstream multiplier effect that ultimately pushes up prices for end consumers. Joseph urged the Central Bank to go beyond routine monitoring and leverage its regulatory influence to push for a fairer balance between strong bank earnings and the financial stability of the business sector and everyday citizens. She added that a sustainable economy depends on a financial system that invests in the productivity of local communities, and she looks forward to a resolution that keeps banking accessible as a catalyst for service-led growth, not a barrier.

    Multiple business chamber leaders echoed Joseph’s concerns. Vivek Charran, chairman of the Confederation of Regional Business Chambers, noted that given the bank’s growing annual profits, consumers and small businesses have a valid right to question why they must absorb higher routine banking costs. Charran emphasized that the Central Bank’s involvement confirms the issue has expanded beyond a private disagreement between a bank and its customers to become a broader concern impacting consumers, small businesses, and overall cost of living in the country. He added that public anxiety over the new fees goes beyond individual transaction costs, noting that new charges for digital transactions directly contradict national policy goals to expand cashless digital transformation.

    Kiran Singh, president of the Greater San Fernando Area Chamber of Commerce, added that new fee increases place an extra financial strain on businesses already navigating tight budgets. “While we recognise the importance of maintaining a stable and profitable banking sector, it is equally critical that financial institutions remain aligned with the realities facing their customers,” Singh said, noting that banks have remained consistently profitable through recent economic challenges and must collaborate with the businesses they serve.

    Baldath Maharaj, president of the Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce, explained that for local SMEs, the May 1 fee hikes come amid a “perfect storm” of already rising costs for utilities, freight, and labor. With the banking sector posting six-month profits exceeding $1 billion, Maharaj argued that these additional costs are increasingly difficult to justify. He added that high switching costs in the banking sector effectively lock business customers into their current institutions, leaving them no option but to absorb the new charges. Maharaj commended Howai’s intervention and urged the Central Bank to deliver immediate, tangible relief for SMEs, which he described as the engine of the national economy. “Profitability is necessary for stability, but it must not come at the expense of the very businesses and consumers struggling to navigate this fragile recovery period,” he said, adding that a quick resolution would send a signal to other financial institutions considering similar fee increases to hold off on their plans.

    As of Wednesday, Republic Bank had not responded to requests for comment on the ongoing negotiations and criticism.

  • Senate meets briefly, then adjourns

    Senate meets briefly, then adjourns

    In an unusual development that has raised unanswered questions about parliamentary procedure, Trinidad and Tobago’s Senate wrapped up its sitting on Wednesday in less than one hour, adjourning without setting a firm return date after government leaders pushed through the sudden end of proceedings. The truncated session came only after Justice Minister Devesh Maharaj introduced the long-awaited Victims’ Rights Bill, a key piece of legislation focused on supporting crime victims across the country. Immediately following the bill’s first reading, Senate Government Business Leader Darrell Allahar tabled a motion to adjourn the upper chamber to a date yet to be announced.

    When local media outlet the Express reached out to Allahar to request clarity on why the session was cut short without any debate on the introduced legislation, he declined to offer any on-the-record comment, leaving the public without an official explanation for the abrupt end to proceedings. Opposition Senate Business Leader Dr. Amery Browne later confirmed that the Opposition caucus had received informal notice of the planned early adjournment on Tuesday, but was never given a clear, formal justification for the decision. “The early adjournment was the decision of the Government, which they signalled to us since yesterday evening. They gave no clear reasons,” Browne stated in an interview.

    While government officials have refused to comment on the cause of the early adjournment, multiple sources familiar with the situation have confirmed to the Express that the sudden end of the sitting is directly tied to an ongoing ethics controversy involving two sitting Opposition Senators: Faris Al-Rawi and Janelle John-Bates. Both lawmakers were present and took their seats on the Opposition bench during yesterday’s short sitting, despite ongoing calls for disciplinary action over their involvement in a document preparation scandal linked to a former cabinet minister.

    The controversy first erupted during last Friday’s Senate sitting, when John-Bates made a surprise announcement that she had submitted her resignation to Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles. She also issued a formal public apology to the entire Senate for her role in the scandal, which came to light after tracked changes in a publicly submitted document revealed that she and Al-Rawi had assisted former Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh in drafting his witness statement for the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC), a legislative oversight body.

    During last Friday’s debate on a special PAAC report that called on Parliament to review John-Bates’ conduct, Al-Rawi publicly confirmed that he serves as Deyalsingh’s legal counsel. Shortly after the disclosure, Government Senator David Nakhid tabled a successful motion to refer both Al-Rawi and John-Bates to Parliament’s Privileges Committee, which is tasked with investigating potential breaches of parliamentary ethics and privilege. The committee will now hold closed hearings to determine whether any rules were broken and what disciplinary measures, if any, should be imposed.

    Following the referral last Friday, Beckles told reporters that she was still reviewing John-Bates’ resignation offer and planned to hold a one-on-one meeting with Al-Rawi to discuss his role in the incident before making any final decisions. To date, the Opposition Leader has not issued any further public statements on the controversy, and has indicated she will announce her final decisions on the matter when she has completed her internal review.

  • Alderman beaten by students

    Alderman beaten by students

    A violent public incident in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, has sparked widespread concern after a senior local political official was beaten by a group of high school students when he attempted to break up a street brawl on Monday afternoon.

    Alderman Wayne Griffith, 62, who serves as chairman of the Port of Spain South constituency executive for the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM), recalled the chaotic encounter in a detailed phone interview with local media. The attack unfolded around 2:30 p.m. on Dundonald Street, near the intersection with New Street, when Griffith was blocked by a crowd of students from Tranquillity Government Secondary School who had gathered in the middle of the roadway.

    Upon stopping, Griffith noticed that more than a dozen teenagers were ganging up to beat a single younger boy. Griffith told reporters that one 15- to 16-year-old girl had the boy pinned in a chokehold, while the rest of the group rained down blows on him. Choosing to intervene, Griffith exited his vehicle, ordered the crowd to disperse, and pulled the girl away from the victim. What followed was a sudden, violent turn against the 62-year-old.

    “Immediately, this young lady cuffed me straight in my mouth,” Griffith recalled. He attempted to step away from the confrontation, but the girl and other students continued to pursue him. Griffith tripped and fell to the ground, and the group immediately followed up with repeated punches and kicks to his head and body. A 36-second cellphone video of the assault, which has circulated widely across social media platforms, captures the female student punching Griffith, grabbing his shirt, and throwing him to the ground before other members of the group join in the attack.

    Despite the sustained beating and intense pain, Griffith made the deliberate choice not to retaliate against the teenage attackers. “Although they did not act like children, I was cognisant they were children and youths,” he explained. “I took no action that could cause them harm.”

    After the assault ended, Griffith slowly regained his composure and attempted to call police for help, only to discover that his cellphone and a watch, valued together at TT $7,000, had been stolen during the attack. With bystanders from nearby businesses only watching the ordeal, Griffith had to drag himself to the door of a local agency to get help.

    Griffith detailed the extent of his injuries, which include deep lacerations across both knees, both elbows, and the palms of his hands, as well as severe damage to his left hamstring. While no bones were broken, he has suffered persistent severe headaches and underwent a CT scan to rule out internal brain damage, seeking treatment from a private medical provider. He added that he has no regrets over his decision to step in to stop the group attack on the younger student.

    Local political leaders have publicly expressed their concern and support for Griffith following the attack. Port of Spain South MP Keith Scotland praised the alderman for his remarkable restraint, noting that if Griffith had retaliated against the minors, he would have faced widespread public condemnation instead of support. “He’s an elder, a hard worker, a patriot,” Scotland said. “I want to commend him for his restraint and discipline.”

    Port of Spain Mayor Chinua Alleyne confirmed the May 4 incident in a statement, noting that the Ministry of Education and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) are both currently investigating the attack. Walter Stewart, president of the National Parent-Teacher Association, extended condolences to Griffith over the violent encounter.

    As of Tuesday, local media have been unable to secure comments from Education Minister Dr Michael Dowlath and Crystal Ashe, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association, on the incident.

  • TRAINEES BULLIED

    TRAINEES BULLIED

    Systemic workplace abuse, including persistent bullying and sexual harassment, has been revealed as a pervasive problem for trainee participants in a national On-the-Job Training (OJT) program, with past efforts to bring dedicated mental health support ultimately collapsing, according to testimony given before a parliamentary committee addressing youth unemployment. OJT Director Joann David shared the details of the crisis during the seventh convening of the Committee on Social Services and Public Administration, held to examine rising youth unemployment and underemployment. The discussion of workplace mistreatment was triggered when committee member Sean Sobers pressed David on protections for female trainees, after noting in her written submission that women make up the majority of participants across all five OJT stipend pay brackets. David’s disclosure confirmed that over the three-year period a contracted in-house psychologist served the program, roughly 50 verified cases of workplace abuse were documented by program leadership. Currently, the program relies on placement and marketing officers to act as de facto human resources contacts for trainees, with each staff member managing between 200 and 250 trainees. During pre-placement orientation, all trainees are told these officers are their first point of contact if they experience issues at their host workplaces. David acknowledged that many trainees delay reporting out of fear of retaliation or professional repercussions, but said that once the program is notified via its frontline officers, formal intervention is initiated. In 2022, David, who took over leadership of the OJT program in 2019, pushed for the creation of the in-house psychologist role after observing widespread mental health struggles among trainees between 2019 and 2022. Beyond common workplace stress and anxiety, David said the most pervasive problematic issues uncovered were bullying and sexual harassment. Prior to adding the in-house role, trainees were referred to public mental health services run by the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services, but extensive wait times and backlogs left many without timely care. “We felt it was prudent to be able to have somebody on staff to be able to guide and provide that support system for the trainees while they were in the programme,” David explained. The role was launched as a pilot project to gather data on the scope of need to justify expanding the program’s mental health services, a point David emphasized in response to Sobers’ observation that one psychologist could not adequately address the volume of abuse cases. Though the pilot successfully collected data demonstrating clear demand for ongoing mental health support, the psychologist’s contract expired and was not renewed, leaving the program with no dedicated mental health support for trainees currently. David also fielded questions about two other gaps in trainee protection: access to the national Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and penalties for host employers found responsible for perpetrating or allowing harassment. She confirmed that OJT trainees are not eligible for EAP benefits, and called on the Ministry of Tertiary Education to step in to address this gap. When abusive conduct is confirmed, David added, the only current consequence for problematic host employers is that they are removed from the program as training providers, with no further regulatory or legal penalties pursued through the OJT program itself.

  • Couple ambushed in car: woman killed, man injured

    Couple ambushed in car: woman killed, man injured

    In the pre-dawn hours of Wednesday, a targeted ambush by masked gunmen left a young woman dead and her partner fighting for his life in a quiet Princes Town neighborhood, sending shockwaves through the local community and reigniting fears of violent crime. The fatal attack unfolded just 16 minutes after midnight, along Malgretoute Road, cutting short the life of 27-year-old Monifer Carrie, a resident of Beetham Gardens. Her traveling companion, 31-year-old Isaiah Cruickshank—who goes by the street name “Touchy” and lives in Princes Town’s Moonan Avenue neighborhood—sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed into emergency medical care.

    According to official police accounts, the couple was traveling east in a white Nissan Sentra when their path was suddenly blocked by another white vehicle, a Nissan AD wagon, close to the intersection of Manahambre Branch Street. Two assailants, their identities hidden by masks, exited the blocking vehicle and unleashed a barrage of gunfire directly into the couple’s car before making a quick escape from the area.

    Though struck multiple times by gunfire, Cruickshank managed to flee the immediate scene to get help before returning to the ambush site. It was one of Cruickshank’s relatives who eventually found Carrie lying on the roadside after the attack. First responders transported both victims to the Princes Town District Health Facility, where medical staff pronounced Carrie dead at 12:36 a.m., just 16 minutes after the shooting began. Cruickshank was subsequently transferred to the larger San Fernando General Hospital to receive more advanced care for his injuries.

    When local media outlet Express visited the tight-knit community just hours after the violence, residents were still reeling from the terrifying incident, with many describing profound trauma from the attack. One resident told reporters they counted roughly 18 separate gunshots fired during the ambush. A local woman, who asked to remain unnamed, shared that she immediately pulled her children out of their beds and threw them to the floor of her home to shield them from stray bullets when the shooting started. “I heard the bang, and shots pelting. I saw flashes. The shooting was for a good while,” she recalled. “A bullet went through the house. I took my children and put them on the ground. I told them to duck their heads. I was real frightened. My daughter is traumatised.”

    She went on to detail the chaotic sequence of events she witnessed from her home: after the first round of fire, the wounded Cruickshank drove a short distance before crashing into a wall near a local standpipe. One of the gunmen then moved behind the damaged vehicle and continued firing, before opening the car’s front door and shooting again—at which point she heard Carrie scream. Carrie fell from the vehicle onto the road, while the second gunman fled through a residential yard adjacent to a local shop, before family members arrived to retrieve the victim.

    A relative of Cruickshank shared that the couple left their two-year-old son with Carrie’s family for the night, meaning the young child was not present during the attack. As local law enforcement launched a full investigation, led by teams from the Princes Town Criminal Investigations Department and the Region Three Homicide Bureau of Investigations, officials confirmed that the country’s national murder toll now stands at 127 for the year to date. That figure is slightly lower than the 135 recorded during the same period last year.

  • A Defining Moment in the History of Women’s Cricket in the West Indies

    A Defining Moment in the History of Women’s Cricket in the West Indies

    Half a century after West Indies women’s cricket stepped onto the global stage for the first time, Cricket West Indies is honoring the trailblazing team that changed the sport forever in the Caribbean. In a formal statement released Thursday 7 May 2026, CWI President Dr. The Hon. Kishore Shallow commemorated the 50th anniversary of the West Indies Women’s team’s first official international fixture, played against Australia in 1976.

    That opening encounter was far more than just the first match of a bilateral series. It marked the formal arrival of West Indies women in international cricket, kicking off a legacy that continues to motivate young female athletes across the region to this day. Captained by pioneer Louise Browne, who had the historic distinction of facing the first ball for the side, the 1976 team embodied remarkable grit, perseverance and self-belief at a time when competitive opportunities for women in cricket were severely restricted across the globe.

    The groundwork laid by that founding group has grown into one of the most successful women’s cricket programs in international sport. From those humble, barrier-breaking early days, West Indies Women have gone on to claim World Cup titles and compete consistently as one of the top teams in global women’s cricket. That steady progress is a direct reflection of the vision and relentless determination of the athletes who first pushed for recognition 50 years ago.

    “As we mark this major milestone, Cricket West Indies continues to honor the enduring legacy of these pioneers,” Shallow said. “Their work broke down long-standing barriers for female cricketers, created clear pathways for future generations, and carved out a permanent, proud chapter in the entire history of West Indies cricket. Their contributions remain the foundation of every success our women’s team achieves today.”

    This report was carried via SKNVibes.com, which published the statement in the form received from Cricket West Indies.

  • Advocaat Humphrey Schurman geroemd om zijn enorme bijdrage aan de maatschappij

    Advocaat Humphrey Schurman geroemd om zijn enorme bijdrage aan de maatschappij

    One of Suriname’s most influential legal and community figures, Humphrey Schurman, has been celebrated in a moving, state-backed farewell ceremony that drew hundreds of attendees from across the nation’s social, political and civic spheres. Schurman passed away unexpectedly on April 27 at the age of 72, just days after being admitted to hospital for a sudden illness, shocking the Surinamese community that had come to rely on his expertise and leadership.

    Held on May 7 at the Pandit Jagdew Paragh Crematorium on Doctor Sophie Redmondstraat, the five-hour service showcased the extraordinary breadth of Schurman’s life and legacy. Speakers from across sectors, including representatives of the Surinamese Lawyers Association, fellow legal practitioners, banking leaders, local media outlet Starnieuws, and dozens of civil society organizations, took the podium to share their memories of a man whose impact stretched far beyond the courtroom.

    Schurman’s career and character were universally described as defined by deep knowledge, unmatched professional expertise, relentless work ethic, and an unwavering commitment to lifting up his fellow community members. Fellow lawyers remembered him not just as a skilled master of his trade, but as a mentor and patron to generations of new legal professionals who entered the field. Father Esteban Kross, who led the religious portion of the service and counted Schurman as a friend for more than 30 years, offered comforting words to the gathered mourners.

    In a deeply moving tribute, family members opened up about the personal side of the public figure. Schurman was celebrated as a dependable partner both in professional collaborations and private life, as well as a dedicated family man who prioritized his loved ones above all else. In a notable personal detail, Schurman married his long-time partner Firoza Gulzar just last year, after years of living together. Gulzar, Schurman’s widow, shared her reflections on their loving years together through her daughters, while Schurman’s own daughters, Anushka and Sayonara, described their father as a firm but deeply loving parent. His sister Wilma noted that Schurman had long been the backbone of the extended family, a person every member could turn to for support in times of need, adding that the loss is an enormous burden for the family to bear.

    One of the most emotionally resonant moments of the ceremony came when the family shared intimate memories of Schurman’s final days during his illness, including the gentle words and shared songs that brought comfort to the whole family in their last moments together. The tribute left a profound impression on all attendees.

    Beyond his legal career, Schurman served for many years as head commissioner of the Surinamese Boy Scouts, and the organization led a special tribute to his decades of service alongside honorary ceremonies from other community groups including Keep Fit and the local Freemasons lodge. Attendees included prominent figures from all walks of Surinamese life, a testament to the wide reach of Schurman’s community work.

    After the conclusion of the service, Schurman was cremated, in keeping with his final wishes. A traditional phrase of farewell, *“Waka bun, meester,”* (meaning “Go well, master” in Sranan Tongo) echoed across the gathering of mourners, a final goodbye to a leader who touched countless lives across Suriname.

  • From university to industry: The best path for Artificial Intelligence

    From university to industry: The best path for Artificial Intelligence

    On the morning of Wednesday, May 7, 2026, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic of Cuba, undertook a working visit to the University of Havana, where he held an in-depth meeting with academic researchers leading cutting-edge artificial intelligence development initiatives across the institution. The visit, framed within Cuba’s national Science and Innovation-based Government Management System, underscores the top leadership’s sustained commitment to advancing digital transformation and leveraging AI to address pressing social and economic challenges across the island.

    Díaz-Canel was joined on the visit by Walter Baluja García, Minister of Higher Education, Mayra Arevich Marín, Minister of Communications, and Miriam Nicado García, Rector of the University of Havana. During the session, researchers from two leading faculties — Physics, and Mathematics and Computer Science — presented a curated selection of their ongoing AI projects, all tailored to deliver tangible benefits for Cuba’s public and private sectors.

    Leading the presentation from the Faculty of Physics was Dr. Milton García Bonato, a senior researcher at the faculty’s Center for Complex Systems. He outlined that his team’s work in AI stretches back more than 30 years, predating the global mainstream boom in artificial intelligence driven by large-scale internet-based language models. One of the team’s most high-impact innovations is an AI model built to analyze human mobility patterns. This tool proved critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling policymakers to accurately assess population movement trends and measure the effectiveness of public health restriction measures. Beyond public health, the model also serves as a core planning resource for urban transportation systems, helping city officials organize transit networks based on commuter origin and destination data.

    The Faculty of Physics has also expanded its AI applications into other key national sectors, including telemedicine solutions for the public health system and efficiency-focused tools for the national economy. In a post-meeting interview with reporters, García Bonato emphasized that AI aligns naturally with the faculty’s longstanding research focus on complex systems: “AI is fundamentally about leveraging existing data that captures complex interrelationships to build predictive models that support better decision-making,” he explained. “Our team is fully committed to translating academic breakthroughs into solutions that address the country’s current needs, from more efficient resource management to tangible problem-solving. The nation can count on us — our work is rigorous, peer-validated, and published in top international journals, so this is established, credible science.”

    From the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, Dean Dr. Suilan Estévez Velarde presented a broad overview of the faculty’s AI-driven contributions to Cuba’s digital transformation. Her presentation highlighted a diverse portfolio of tools, including platforms for AI-augmented citizen engagement, open science collaboration portals, enterprise project management systems, and logistics and operational optimization frameworks. Special attention was given to work from the faculty’s Cryptography Institute, along with advances in data analytics for decision support, medical image processing for biomedicine, and domestic language model development — headlined by CeciLIA, Cuba’s homegrown large language model.

    Like their colleagues in Physics, the mathematics and computer science team made major contributions to COVID-19 response through combined AI and mathematical modeling for outbreak prediction, tools that have since been adapted for forecasting other infectious diseases. The faculty has also developed AI-powered diagnostic support tools for specific conditions including skin diseases, and industry-focused solutions ranging from predictive analytics for the domestic software sector to integration of generative AI and blockchain technology for Cuban enterprises. Estévez Velarde noted that these innovations have the potential to drive widespread modernization across the Cuban economy, boosting operational efficiency, cutting costs, and creating new export-ready products and technologies that strengthen national competitiveness.

    Despite these significant advances, Estévez Velarde also highlighted a key ongoing challenge: strengthening collaboration between academic research institutions and domestic industry. She noted that misalignment around project timelines, communication styles, and priorities between academia and the private sector can leave promising research trapped as unpublished theses rather than scaled into real-world solutions, emphasizing the need for targeted training to bridge this gap and translate academic work into tangible national impact.

    In her closing assessment of the meeting, University of Havana Rector Miriam Nicado García called the exchange “extremely productive.” She noted that the session gave researchers the opportunity to outline how the university is integrating AI into strategic sectors spanning health, energy, transportation, the broader economy, and public services. Attendees also reached consensus on the key priorities for future growth: continued investment in university infrastructure and faculty development, expanded AI education across all levels of the national education system, and sustained training of new PhDs, masters students, and specialists in AI and related digital fields — all critical to advancing Cuba’s long-term development goals.

    Díaz-Canel reaffirmed during the visit that advancing AI and digital transformation is a core strategic priority for the Cuban government, as the nation works to build a more modern, digitally connected society that delivers greater benefits to all citizens.

  • Our people will continue to defend the political system that is sovereignly recognized in the Constitution

    Our people will continue to defend the political system that is sovereignly recognized in the Constitution

    In an official statement released in early May 2026, the International Relations Committee of Cuba’s National Assembly of People’s Power has issued a sharp rejection of a new U.S. Executive Order that further intensifies the decades-long economic, commercial and financial blockade against the Caribbean nation. The committee emphasizes that this latest measure is designed to deepen the illegal, immoral collective punishment imposed on the Cuban people for more than 60 years, constituting another direct attack on Cuba’s national sovereignty and right to self-determination.

    Beyond tightening restrictions on the island, the new executive order pushes an extreme internationalization of the blockade, the committee notes. It expands coercive secondary sanctions, pressuring and threatening third countries, foreign businesses and global financial actors to cut off all commercial and financial ties with Cuba, isolating the nation from the global economy.

    The statement goes further to condemn escalating belligerent rhetoric from the current U.S. administration, which has recently included open threats of military aggression against Cuba. The committee describes the long-running U.S. blockade as an inherently genocidal policy, one that has inflicted widespread harm on Cuban livelihoods for generations, and argues the new measures only worsen this humanitarian harm.

    Against this backdrop, the committee reaffirms the Cuban people’s unwavering commitment to defending their sovereign political system, which was enshrined in the national Constitution via a universal popular referendum supported by an overwhelming majority of Cuban voters. Cuba remains dedicated to building a socialist society centered on advancing social justice for all its citizens, a path the Cuban people have repeatedly chosen and defended.

    Just weeks before this statement, more than six million Cuban adults – 81% of all Cubans over the age of 16 – participated in the nationwide “Signature for the Homeland” initiative, reaffirming their collective support for Cuban independence, the Cuban Revolution, and the nation’s sovereign revolutionary governance. More recently, on International Workers’ Day, more than five million Cuban men and women marched through streets and public squares across the country, demonstrating their united resolve to defend the homeland against external aggression and interference.

    Cuba’s longstanding commitment to global peace is also reaffirmed in the statement, which reiterates the principles of the 2014 Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, signed by heads of state and government during the CELAC summit held in Havana.

    The committee, acting on behalf of the Cuban people through their elected parliamentary representatives, issued a global call to parliamentarians, national legislative bodies, and inter-parliamentary organizations around the world to raise their voices and take collective action to end the U.S. military threat, economic blockade, and energy sanctions against Cuba.

    The statement references the recent International Meeting of Solidarity with Cuba, held in Havana on May 2, where participants from across the globe unanimously agreed that Cuba has an inalienable right to live in peace, defend its sovereignty, and pursue independent national development – and that global solidarity with Cuba cannot be blocked by any external power. The meeting’s Final Declaration praised Cuba’s consistent commitment to peace, called out the escalating aggression from the current U.S. administration, and pledged to expand global resistance and support for Cuba as the world marks the centennial of the birth of iconic Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro.

    The statement concludes with the iconic slogans that have defined Cuban resistance for decades: Long live peace! Down with aggression! Defend the Homeland! Homeland or death, we shall prevail! (Venceremos!)