Carib Scope

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  • Cops quiz mom, stepdad

    Cops quiz mom, stepdad

    The investigation into the disappearance of 2-year-old Angelo Tobias Plaza from his Tobago residence has taken new steps, with law enforcement officials questioning both the toddler’s mother Kalifah Tobias and stepfather Shannon Miller as probes into the case intensified. After the hours-long questioning, the pair was escorted back to their Goodwood Bay home, located just a short distance from where search teams continued their work to locate the missing child.

    Local news outlet The Express witnessed the couple being transported in an unmarked police vehicle, while Angelo’s biological father, Antonio Plaza, and his grandmother Meena Balliram watched on from a distance. The two had traveled to Tobago from the neighboring island of Trinidad earlier that same day, desperate for updates on the boy’s fate.

    In an interview with The Express, Antonio Plaza described the agony of losing his only son, saying the uncertainty has left him psychologically shattered. “I feel like I am losing my mind. I am not feeling human again. I just want closure right now. I just want to know. I want a thorough investigation. Make sure you do it properly. I have faith in the (police) officers,” Plaza shared. He added that he had previously been granted limited access to see his son, and urged other parents to take the case as a warning: “I find this should be an example to be more vigilant of your children,” he said.

    Angelo was first reported missing from his Goodwood Bay home on Monday night. Since his disappearance, multi-disciplinary search teams have carried out extensive land, sea, and aerial operations to locate the toddler across the surrounding area.

    On the day of the questioning, Allan Stewart, director of the Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), announced that the operation was being shifted from active search and rescue to a recovery mission. “We think we are dealing with a recovery, we think this…is not a search and rescue of a person; there is a strong feeling, based on the information that is coming up, that they did confirm they saw a child in the water,” Stewart explained.

    Stewart noted that while the mission has changed scope, emergency teams remain committed to bringing answers to the grieving family. “We continue to be optimistic that a level of closure can be had, and we want to give the public the assurance that we at TEMA are doing all in our power to support the TTPS and the other agencies that are involved in the search. We would continue to do so with the hope and the plans that we have to bring closure to this incident,” he added.

  • Sapoen: Pg desavoueert De Nationale Assemblée

    Sapoen: Pg desavoueert De Nationale Assemblée

    In a sharp rebuke issued on May 16, ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) assembly member Raymond Sapoen has publicly condemned Prosecutor General Garcia Paragsingh for her refusal to engage in a verbal briefing with a parliamentary investigative committee. The panel has been tasked with reviewing impeachment motions against three former cabinet ministers, and Paragsingh’s recent letter to the National Assembly explicitly stated she has no intention of meeting the committee in person.

    Sapoen argues that the prosecutor general’s dismissive response amounts to an outright repudiation of the country’s highest state institution. The investigative committee, formally appointed by full parliamentary vote, holds every legal right to question Paragsingh and request clarification on the impeachment motions she brought forward, he stressed. Under existing governing rules, the committee’s interaction with the prosecutor general would not involve prejudging the merits of the allegations against the former ministers, a point Sapoen highlighted to counter any potential pushback on the committee’s mandate.

    “The committee, appointed by the entire parliament, has every right to call on the prosecutor general to explain the impeachment motions she submitted as part of its inquiry, and this process is structured to avoid prejudging the validity of the case, as clearly outlined in existing law,” Sapoen emphasized.

    While Sapoen acknowledged that Paragsingh may have legitimate reasons for preferring to communicate exclusively in writing, he maintained that her approach failed to meet basic standards of respect and protocol toward the legislative branch. The standoff highlights growing institutional friction between the office of the prosecutor general and the National Assembly as it moves forward with the high-stakes impeachment process. Paragsingh has yet to issue a public response to Sapoen’s criticism as of the time of reporting.

  • OWRO waarschuwt voor wateroverlast door springtij en aanhoudende regenval

    OWRO waarschuwt voor wateroverlast door springtij en aanhoudende regenval

    Residents across multiple regions of Suriname are on high alert for severe flooding after the nation’s Ministry of Public Works and Spatial Planning (OWRO) issued an urgent warning, pointing to a dangerous combination of spring tides and sustained rainfall that is expected to push water levels well above normal thresholds. The alert was issued May 16, which coincides with a new moon — the astronomical event that triggers the formation of spring tides, a natural tidal phenomenon characterized by far stronger gravitational pull on ocean waters.

    During a spring tide event, the sun, moon, and Earth align almost perfectly along a single axis. This alignment combines the gravitational forces of the sun and moon, creating a much stronger pull on the world’s oceans than during non-spring tide periods. In Suriname, this amplified gravitational effect is driving higher than average high tide levels, and drastically slowing the rate at which inland water can drain out to the ocean.

    OWRO officials project that peak water levels could reach roughly 2.60 meters above standard benchmarks. Even at low tide, water levels will remain unusually high, leaving only very narrow windows when drainage sluices can be safely opened. If operators open the sluices when ocean levels remain elevated, there is a major risk that seawater will flow backward into inland low-lying areas rather than letting inland water drain out to sea.

    The outlook has grown even more concerning, as forecasters project substantial rainfall across Suriname this coming weekend, on Saturday and Sunday. With only extremely limited windows for safe sluice operation, the incoming rainwater will struggle to drain away from affected areas, raising the likelihood of prolonged, widespread inland flooding.

    Spring tides occur roughly twice every month, aligned with the new moon and full moon phases. During these events, the difference between high tide and low tide levels is far larger than during other parts of the tidal cycle. Coastal experts note that the most severe impacts of spring tides typically become most noticeable one to two days after the actual new moon, due to the modifying effects of ocean currents and wave patterns across the Atlantic basin.

    In line with the alert, the ministry has issued an urgent call to residents of low-lying and flood-prone regions across the country to put precautionary measures in place as soon as possible to protect their homes, vehicles, and other personal property from potential flood damage.

  • Somohardjo zal verschijnen voor DNA-commissie: Ik heb niets te verbergen

    Somohardjo zal verschijnen voor DNA-commissie: Ik heb niets te verbergen

    A senior former Surinamese political figure has announced he will comply fully with a parliamentary inquiry, breaking with the top law enforcement official who has declined to give in-person testimony to the panel.

    Bronto Somohardjo, who previously served as Minister of Internal Affairs and currently holds a seat in the National Assembly, confirmed in an interview with local outlet Starnieuws that he will appear before the special parliamentary commission tasked with questioning current and former political officeholders on May 22. The veteran politician emphasized his full commitment to cooperating with the ongoing inquiry, noting that upholding careful, objective, and transparent adherence to constitutional procedures is a core priority for the process.

    “Out of respect for the National Assembly and our democratic rule of law, I will appear before the commission and offer my full cooperation to the process,” Somohardjo stated.

    The former minister also drew attention to a notable decision from Prosecutor General Garcia Paragsingh, who has opted against appearing in person before the commission to answer clarifying questions. Instead, Paragsingh has indicated she will only respond to any inquiries in written form.

    Somohardjo argued that when the inquiry involves requests for extreme measures including the potential detention of a political officeholder, direct in-person explanation to the National Assembly’s commission is not just appropriate, but expected. “When such severe measures are requested against a political officeholder, the public and the legislature are owed open, direct accountability before the National Assembly’s commission,” he asserted.

    Closing his statement, Somohardjo made clear he has full confidence that the commission will conduct a thorough, careful assessment of all relevant facts, documents, and procedural steps. “I have nothing to hide,” he stressed.

  • Public Works and the World Bank are discussing road infrastructure in Haiti

    Public Works and the World Bank are discussing road infrastructure in Haiti

    On May 16, 2026, top Haitian infrastructure officials and World Bank leadership gathered in Cap-Haitien for a critical working session to review progress and map the future of one of the country’s largest contemporary road infrastructure programs, the Haiti Resilient Corridors Project (P504115). The meeting, hosted by Haitian Minister of Public Works Engineer Joseph Almathe Pierre Louis, included World Bank Country Manager for Haiti Anne Lucie Lefèvre and her team of technical advisors, coming as part of the Haitian government’s broader national infrastructure modernization push.

    At the core of this public-private partnership is a mission to overhaul Haiti’s transportation network to boost inclusive economic growth and climate resilience. The initiative’s primary goal is to lift the rural accessibility index, a key metric that directly impacts connectivity between agricultural heartlands and major consumer markets. The project follows a two-pronged strategic framework: first, targeted upgrades to rural road networks across Haiti’s southern peninsula to streamline the movement of agricultural and commercial goods; second, large-scale rehabilitation and modernization works on critical national arterial routes, including National Road 2, National Road 6, and Departmental Road 41.

    During the talks, Minister Pierre Louis pushed for an expansion of the program to Haiti’s Northwest department, framing the extension as a key step toward advancing territorial equity across the country. The proposed addition would specifically address the longstanding isolation of Port-de-Paix, constructing climate-resilient road infrastructure to protect the city’s connectivity against extreme weather events that have repeatedly damaged Haitian transport networks in recent years.

    The delegation also turned its attention to urgent urban mobility needs in Cap-Haitien, one of Haiti’s most historic population centers. Talks centered on the planned development of the Barrière Bouteille/Morne Rouge corridor, a key gateway to the city. Technical teams confirmed that feasibility and design studies for this high-priority urban project are on track to wrap up within three months, clearing the way for construction that will ease chronic congestion and improve traffic flow at the city’s main northern entrance.

    Anne Lucie Lefèvre commended the Haitian government’s clear, forward-looking vision for infrastructure development, noting that the deepened collaboration between the World Bank and Haitian authorities marks a meaningful turning point for the country’s sustainable development goals. Minister Pierre Louis emphasized that the talks went far beyond routine project checks, advocating for a new wave of more transformative interventions that will reconfigure Haiti’s national connectivity for long-term growth. As technical teams begin work on feasibility assessments for the proposed Northwest extension, the minister reaffirmed the government’s ongoing commitment to partnering with international development bodies to build a more resilient, accessible, and secure national road network that serves communities across every region of Haiti.

  • Late, Crowded, Unreliable; Can Belize Finally Fix Its Bus Crisis?

    Late, Crowded, Unreliable; Can Belize Finally Fix Its Bus Crisis?

    For years, commuters across Belize have endured persistent frustrations with the nation’s public bus system: chronic delays, aging, poorly maintained vehicle fleets, dangerously overcrowded cabins, and inconsistent schedules that upend daily travel plans. On May 15, 2026, more than 60 rural bus operators converged on the capital city of Belmopan for a landmark meeting with national transport officials, amplifying pressure to deliver tangible reforms to a system that has failed users for decades.

    This gathering comes after two critical preliminary steps: the government’s approval of new fuel subsidies for operators and a recent round of regulated fare adjustments meant to balance operator revenue needs with commuter affordability. With those structural changes in place, both the Ministry of Transport and the Belize Bus Association (BBA) now say the sector is ready to shift its focus to full-scale modernization and tangible service improvements for daily riders.

    Transport Minister Dr. Louis Zabaneh framed the cross-country meeting as a critical breakthrough in addressing long-unresolved grievances held by bus operators. “It’s been a year since we first began engaging with highway bus operators, and we asked for their patience as we worked through preliminary policy adjustments,” Zabaneh explained to reporters after the closed-door talks. “This is the first time we’ve brought together operators from every region of the country to discuss the full scope of challenges facing the sector, and most importantly, to collect their input on how best to modernize public bus transportation.”

    Zabaneh highlighted two of the most pressing issues operators shared during the discussions: cutthroat excessive competition that leaves many routes unprofitable, and poor road conditions across large swathes of rural Belize that increase vehicle wear and tear and delay routes. Following this initial national gathering, the ministry plans to host a series of regional district-level meetings to gather more granular feedback, before reconvening national stakeholders to finalize a coordinated reform plan.

    BBA President Philip Jones echoed the collaborative tone of the talks, noting that both government and operator leaders share the core goal of improving service for riders without shifting unsustainable cost burdens to commuters. “We can clearly see the shared commitment from both sides to upgrade public transit service for the people of Belize,” Jones said. “This is a joint effort between government and operators to keep commuters from being overburdened by fare increases, which is exactly why the fuel subsidy was put in place to offset operators’ rising fuel costs. We have a consistently open, cordial working relationship with the ministry, and we communicate daily — that’s a foundation we’re grateful to build on.”

    The meeting also provided an update on the rollout of the new fuel subsidy program, which was finalized after tense negotiations and a nationwide bus blockade that brought the country to a standstill and forced both sides back to negotiations. Just days after fares were adjusted, the government is currently finalizing a digital reimbursement portal that will deliver direct pump relief to eligible operators.

    Ministry of Transport CEO Chester Williams told reporters that operators have been understanding as the government fine-tunes the verification system to prevent fraud and ensure fair distribution of funds. “We’ve finalized the submission framework in discussions with BBA leadership, and we’ve already received the first round of claims from operators,” Williams explained. “Our dedicated ministry team is now working through the verification process, and once that wraps up, we’ll disburse payments to operators. We appreciate operators’ patience — the first payment, originally scheduled for this week, has been pushed to next week to finalize our processes, but everything is moving forward smoothly.”

    To address concerns about over-reporting fuel consumption to access excess subsidies, Williams outlined a multi-layered verification system. “Operators are required to submit weekly claims by 4 p.m. every Monday, which gives our team until Wednesday or Thursday of the same week to investigate and confirm the accuracy of every submission,” he said. “On top of that, each operator has already submitted an estimated monthly fuel consumption figure based on their historical operating data. If a claim comes in significantly above that baseline, it will trigger an immediate review. If they come in under that estimate, there’s no issue, but excess usage will be flagged.”

    This first cross-sector meeting marks a new chapter in Belize’s efforts to resolve a public transit crisis that has impacted commuters and operators alike for years, with both sides signaling a shared willingness to work toward actionable, people-centered reform.

  • Toledo Bus Operators Now Included in Fuel Subsidy

    Toledo Bus Operators Now Included in Fuel Subsidy

    On May 15, 2026, the Government of Belize moved to correct an oversight in its national public transportation reform program, extending eligibility for a newly introduced fuel subsidy to bus operators in the Toledo District who were initially locked out of the program.

    The exclusion stemmed from the fact that Toledo’s independent operators do not hold membership in the Belize Bus Association (BBA), the industry body that participated in initial negotiations over the fuel subsidy plan and accompanying adjustments to passenger fares. After the operators raised formal concerns about being left out of the reforms, Minister of Transport Dr. Louis Zabaneh held one-on-one consultations with the group to walk them through the application process for accessing subsidy funds.

    “When we met with BBA leadership initially, Toledo’s operators did not appear on their membership roster, so they were not included in early discussions,” Dr. Zabaneh explained during the meeting held in Belmopan. “After they reached out to the ministry to flag their exclusion, we arranged this meeting to hear their concerns and walk them through the steps to claim their subsidy allocations. Today, we have aligned all stakeholders, and every operator now has clear guidance on how to access the support they are eligible for.”

    Beyond the fuel subsidy correction, the meeting became a platform for rural bus operators to highlight the most pressing threat to their operations: systemic chaos created by an oversaturated permit system that has spawned cutthroat competition and dangerous road safety risks. Operators told the minister that the overabundance of permits has forced drivers to engage in reckless bus racing to compete for passengers, putting both drivers and commuters in grave danger on Belize’s highways.

    Dr. Zabaneh acknowledged the severity of the crisis, attributing the dysfunction to decades of unregulated permit issuing driven by political interference rather than public interest. He explained that ever since the collapse of the Novello company consolidation in the mid-2000s, which left the industry split between the Novello group and James Bus Line, subsequent transport ministers and department officials have issued hundreds of unplanned permits as political favors rather than through a structured, public interest-focused framework.

    To address this long-standing breakdown, the ministry has implemented an immediate moratorium on the issuance of any new road service permits as it works to restructure the system, currently in collaboration with the newly launched National Bus Company (NBC).

    Rising operational costs have pushed a growing number of small independent operators to explore joining the NBC model, which has already demonstrated benefits for early participants. Former Northern Transit owner Noel Codd, who integrated his operation into the NBC, described the consolidated model as a lifeline for struggling small operators.

    “I cannot afford the $500,000 to $800,000 investment required to upgrade to modern, safe buses that commuters deserve,” Codd explained. “As part of the National Bus Company, we gain access to economies of scale: bulk purchases of vehicles, fuel and tires cut costs dramatically, the company handles maintenance and operational logistics so I don’t have to worry about breakdowns at 3 a.m., and all members share revenue evenly, eliminating the cutthroat competition that endangered everyone. Seventeen of us operate under the NBC now, and it has completely transformed the industry for the better.”

    Dr. Zabaneh confirmed that multiple operators have reached out to request NBC membership in recent weeks, drawn by the cost and stability benefits of the consolidated corporate structure. He noted that the collective model does deliver clear advantages, from bulk purchasing power to rationalized scheduling that eliminates dangerous competition while improving service for passengers. However, the minister added that the government’s long-term vision leans toward a franchise-style system for many independent operators, rather than universal integration into the NBC. After just two and a half months of operation, Dr. Zabaneh said early results from the NBC model have already proven the value of industry consolidation as Belize works to repair decades of broken public transport policy.

  • State Of Emergency Fails To Stop Another Killing in Belize City

    State Of Emergency Fails To Stop Another Killing in Belize City

    On a Thursday evening that began like any other in Belize City’s Jane Usher neighborhood, sudden, violent gunfire tore through the calm, marking the latest fatal shooting in a community already reeling from persistent gang-related instability. Nineteen-year-old Lamar Garnett was shot and killed just after 8 p.m. steps from the entrance of his own home, according to initial accounts from local residents.

    Witnesses on the scene report that approximately 10 rapid gunshots echoed across the residential area, prompting nearby neighbors to immediately take cover and flee indoors to avoid stray gunfire. When the shooting stopped, Garnett was found unresponsive on the ground, adding his name to a growing list of young male victims in a region that has faced an unrelenting wave of violent crime over the last several months.

    In response to the surging violence tied to local gang activity, Belizean authorities had already declared a formal state of emergency for the Jane Usher area, implementing expanded security measures designed to de-escalate conflict and return a sense of safety to residents. However, Thursday’s fatal incident confirms that these emergency interventions have not yet curbed the cycle of deadly violence, leaving local communities trapped in ongoing anxiety and fear.

    Local law enforcement has officially opened an investigation into Garnett’s murder, with authorities yet to release details on potential suspects or motives linked to the shooting. For residents of the neighborhood, the killing reinforces what many have already experienced: even with extraordinary security measures in place, the threat of violence remains an everyday reality.

  • Cyberbullying Case Reopens; Chester Denies Any Behind-the-Scenes Push

    Cyberbullying Case Reopens; Chester Denies Any Behind-the-Scenes Push

    On May 15, 2026, a cyberbullying case that had previously been thrown out of court has been reinstated, sparking fresh public controversy and speculation over potential behind-the-scenes political influence. The case centers on defendant Nichole McDonald, whose charges were dismissed unexpectedly months ago — a ruling that left the aggrieved party, prominent C.E.O. Chester Williams, frustrated and unaware of the court’s decision at the time. When prosecutors announced the revival of the case this week, questions immediately turned to Williams, with some accusing the high-profile figure of pulling strings to get the case back on the court docket. In a direct response to these allegations, Williams has flatly denied any involvement in the sudden procedural turnaround.

    In an on-camera interview with local reporters, Williams pushed back against claims that he pressured prosecutors to reinstate the cyberbullying charges against McDonald. “Couple months ago, I noted that the matter against her was withdrawn in the courts. Of course, yes, as an aggrieved person I was concerned that it was withdrawn without me being notified. I was not summoned to appear in court. But despite that I kept that to myself. I did not go to anybody or ask why. I just left it as that. And I had basically forgotten about that case and so when I saw that she was rearrested the other day I was a bit surprised,” Williams explained, adding that McDonald has publicly blamed him for the reopening, claims he calls unfounded.

    Williams stressed that he never communicated with any prosecutorial officials to push for the case’s revival, saying, “But I must say that I had no discussion with anybody. The prosecution saw it fit in their wisdom to reinstate the charges. That is within their purview, and so I just wait and see how it goes from there. If I were to be summoned to go to court, I would have gone to court, but I was not summoned to go to court.”

    When asked whether he personally sought a conviction and punishment for McDonald, Williams pushed back on framing the issue as a personal vendetta, emphasizing his commitment to the integrity of the national justice system. “It’s not about being, seeing her punished or convicted. Justice simply means that the person who is accused of committing a crime goes through the system, the court system. And whatever the court decides, at the end of the day, I’m okay with it. I do trust the justice system,” he said.

    Williams also defended his decision to report the alleged cyberbullying to authorities in the first place, noting that anti-harassment laws exist to protect all people from damaging false content shared online. “The law is there and while I know that some had criticized me for using it, the law is there for all to use. And the truth is if a person were to post something about you on social media that is false or is posted with intent to ridicule you or to cause you embarrassment, that fall within the limits of the law. And you can go to the police and report to police and that person can be arrested.”

    To date, prosecutors have not issued any public comment explaining their decision to reopen the case, leaving the procedural reversal open to ongoing public speculation. The case has reemerged as a major talking point in local public discourse, with many watching closely to see how the court proceedings will unfold this time around, and whether any evidence of improper influence will come to light.

    This report is adapted from a transcribed evening television news broadcast, with Creole-language remarks retained in their standard orthographic form per original reporting protocols.

  • CCJ Sends Andrew Bennett’s Case Back to Square One

    CCJ Sends Andrew Bennett’s Case Back to Square One

    In a landmark ruling that reshapes the path of a high-profile cross-border extradition matter, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Belize’s highest judicial body, has vacated all prior lower court decisions in the Andrew Bennett case and ordered a complete new review by the nation’s High Court. The decision, delivered on May 15, 2026, centers on a critical legal error that undermined earlier proceedings: lower courts relied on a modern surveillance law that had not yet entered into force when the evidence at the heart of the case was collected.

    At the core of the legal dispute is a cache of WhatsApp messages that United States authorities have sought to admit as evidence against Bennett, who has fought extradition for an extended period. Bennett has consistently maintained that the private digital communications were obtained in violation of his constitutional rights to privacy and due process. While lower courts acknowledged that the messages were collected through improper channels, they nevertheless allowed the extradition process to move forward, arguing that the remaining body of evidence against Bennett was sufficient to justify his transfer to U.S. authorities.

    Justice Denys Barrow, speaking for the CCJ bench, explained that the lower courts’ entire legal reasoning collapsed once the timeline of the relevant legislation came to light during written submissions. The lower courts based their ruling on Belize’s Interception of Communications Act, a law that only came into force in November 2023 — years after the WhatsApp messages at the center of the case were intercepted.

    “This reliance on a non-existent statute at the time of the original proceedings constitutes an error in law, or per incuriam, as this type of legal mistake is historically termed,” Justice Barrow explained in the court’s formal ruling. Bennett’s legal team had urged the CCJ to go a step further after uncovering the error, asking the top court to directly rule that the use of the WhatsApp messages violated constitutional protections under broader, long-standing legal principles. However, the CCJ declined to issue a final ruling on that question, noting that the constitutional challenge has never been fully argued by both sides in a proper proceeding.

    The CCJ determined that the only fair path forward is to send the entire case back to the Belize High Court for an entirely fresh review. This procedural reset will give both the prosecution and the defense full opportunity to present arguments on the key unresolved question: whether the admission of the seized WhatsApp messages violates Bennett’s constitutional rights, regardless of the terms of the 2023 Interception of Communications Act. No order for costs was issued in connection with the CCJ appeal, leaving each side responsible for its own legal expenses from the appellate process.