Carib Scope

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  • Unified Enforcement Targets Illegal Fishing Threat in Southern Waters

    Unified Enforcement Targets Illegal Fishing Threat in Southern Waters

    In a coordinated push to safeguard critical marine ecosystems and defend national territorial integrity, Belize’s Coast Guard has partnered with fisheries regulators and environmental nonprofits to ramp up enforcement against rampant illegal fishing incursions in the country’s southern waters, scoring an early success with the recent detention of three unauthorized Honduran fishermen.

    The joint operation, which brought together the Belize Coast Guard, the national Department of Fisheries, and two southern-based environmental organizations — Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and SEA based in Placencia — resulted in the interception of the three Honduran nationals who were found fishing illegally within Belize’s sovereign maritime territory. Following their capture, the trio was transferred to local law enforcement at Independence Village, processed through the judicial system, and formally charged with fisheries violations by regulatory officials, who levied administrative fines against the men.

    Belize Coast Guard Commandant Rear Admiral Greg Soberanis explained that the operation is not an isolated action, but rather the latest phase of a sustained, multi-stakeholder campaign to curb repeated incursions by foreign fishermen from neighboring Honduras and Guatemala. “For months, we have been working hand-in-hand with our government and civil society partners to tackle the persistent problem of illegal fishing in our southern waters, which is dominated by cross-border incursions from fishermen coming from Honduras, and occasionally Guatemala,” Soberanis said in comments following the operation.

    Beyond fisheries charges, the case is now under review by Belize’s Immigration Department, which will open a separate probe into the men’s unauthorized entry into Belizean territory, with potential additional legal action pending the outcome of that review. Soberanis emphasized that the unified, cross-agency approach has been key to making meaningful progress against a challenge that threatens both Belize’s natural resources and its national sovereignty.

    Illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing has long been a pressing threat to Belize’s coastal and marine ecosystems, which support a critical domestic fishing industry and a multibillion-dollar tourism sector that depends on healthy coral reefs and fish populations. Cross-border incursions by foreign fishermen also represent a persistent challenge to Belize’s territorial sovereignty in its porous southern maritime border. By bringing together military, regulatory, and civil society stakeholders, authorities aim to create a sustained deterrent that will reduce future incursions and protect the country’s most valuable marine assets for local communities and future generations.

  • San Marcos Residents Demand Action Amid Violence, Alleged Police Inaction

    San Marcos Residents Demand Action Amid Violence, Alleged Police Inaction

    As of June 1, 2026, communities in San Marcos, located within Belize’s Toledo District, have reached a breaking point, demanding urgent intervention from national authorities following two alarming violent incidents that have yet to result in any arrests. The string of troubling events began with a brutal chopping assault that left no suspects in custody, followed closely by a suspicious fire that local residents are convinced was set intentionally. For villagers, these events are the latest in a growing pattern of unaddressed violence and perceived police inaction that has left their community feeling unsafe and ignored.

    Public frustration has mounted rapidly in recent days, with residents amplifying their calls for senior government officials to step in and reverse the cycle of insecurity that has come to define daily life in the village. When pressed to address the growing public outcry, Oscar Mira, Belize’s Minister of Home Affairs, acknowledged that the situation is far more complex than surface-level observations suggest, noting long-simmering internal tensions within San Marcos and neighboring nearby communities that have hampered law enforcement efforts on the ground.

    Mira outlined the government’s ongoing response in a public statement, emphasizing that law enforcement investigators have maintained close coordination with local village leaders in southern Toledo District to untangle the roots of the conflict. “It is not an easy situation to deal with. I am very confident, though, that our investigators are going to do the right thing,” Mira said. “It’s a village where tensions have been rising for some time. And I am sure that arrests will be made very soon, but we have to make sure that we do the investigation properly, that there is nothing that can come back later on and prejudice the investigation and prejudice the charges that are going to be laid.”

    The home affairs minister also revealed that the internal divisions driving unrest are not isolated to San Marcos alone, noting that similar factional tensions have already emerged in the nearby community of Indian Creek and have begun spreading to other small settlements across the region. To address the full scope of the issue, the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs has partnered with the Home Affairs Ministry to contribute to outreach and conflict mediation efforts, Mira confirmed.

    “Police department will definitely continue the investigation, and where charges need to be laid, that is what is going to happen,” Mira added, reaffirming the government’s commitment to holding perpetrators of violence accountable despite the ongoing challenges. This report is adapted from a transcribed broadcast of evening television news, originally published online.

  • New Piggy Banks, Fresh Hope for Students

    New Piggy Banks, Fresh Hope for Students

    A devastating weekend burglary at a Belize primary school left a group of young elementary students heartbroken, but a swift outpouring of community support has turned a story of loss into one of resilience and new opportunity for the children of Ladyville.

    The targeted group was 28 Infant Two students at Ladyville Evangelical Primary School, who had spent weeks building up small personal savings in their custom piggy banks as part of a school program focused on teaching financial responsibility. Thieves broke into the school over the weekend, smashed the children’s piggy banks, and made off with all of their hard-earned savings — leaving the young students devastated and in tears when they returned to class.

    But the news of the children’s loss quickly spread across the tight-knit Ladyville community, and local organizations stepped in to replace what was taken and restore the students’ enthusiasm for saving. Dr. Carol Babb, founder of the local non-profit Peacework Belize, organized a meaningful surprise for the affected class, delivering 30 brand new piggy banks to every student in the group. Beyond the new piggy banks, Dr. Babb also arranged for five of the most deserving students to receive $30 opening deposits for new savings accounts at Holy Redeemer Credit Union, giving the children a head start on rebuilding their savings.

    During the delivery of the donations, Dr. Babb emphasized the long-term importance of the financial literacy skills the school is teaching its young students. She explained that saving from a young age builds lifelong habits that benefit people well into adulthood, helping them navigate unexpected emergencies and build long-term financial security. “I know the importance of saving, and I want the children to continue saving,” Dr. Babb said. “Financial literacy is a life skill. When we teach our children to save, that will grow with them, and that will help them to have peace of mind, because if there are any emergencies, they will have that little saving to address whatever comes up in their life.”

    School principal Elia Chi expressed profound gratitude for Dr. Babb’s work and the support the school has received from community members across the district. “We are very happy, very appreciative of what she has done,” Chi said. “I know that this will be a very happy moment for our students. This will not be a sad moment for our students, but also a happy moment. And also thank you for all other persons who have reached to us, who are praying for our school, who are also trying to see how they can help us.”

    Local reporters from News Five were on site to capture the moment the students received their new piggy banks, documenting how the community’s generosity turned the children’s sadness back into smiles, giving them a fresh chance to pursue their savings goals. The event has become a powerful lesson for the young students not just in financial responsibility, but in the power of community care and the ability to start over after loss.

  • Argentina : Strengthening cooperation in defense and security

    Argentina : Strengthening cooperation in defense and security

    On June 1, 2026, high-level defense officials from Haiti and Argentina held a targeted working meeting in Port-au-Prince centered on expanding collaborative ties in defense and public security, addressing the growing security challenges facing the Caribbean nation. Haiti’s Minister of Defense Mario Andrésol hosted Pablo André Graziano, Argentina’s interim Chargé d’Affaires in Haiti, for discussions that covered multiple priority areas of mutual cooperation.

    In response to a formal cooperation request submitted by the Haitian government, Graziano reaffirmed Argentina’s long-term commitment to deepening military partnership with Haiti. He outlined a concrete next step: Argentina stands ready to receive Haitian military cadets into its army, navy, and air force academies in the coming months, a training initiative designed to boost the professional development of Haiti’s Armed Forces (FAd’H).

    Beyond training, Graziano stressed that strengthening the institutional capacity of Haiti’s military is a critical step to ensure the force can fully integrate into regional security cooperation frameworks, supporting collective stability across the Americas.

    During the talks, Minister Andrésol underlined that nations across the region share a set of pressing transnational security challenges, including terrorism, transnational organized crime, and a range of other cross-border threats that no single country can address alone. Against this backdrop, he argued that the full restoration and steady strengthening of Haiti’s national armed forces are core requirements for consolidating domestic stability and upholding regional security balance.

    The meeting also delved into cooperation frameworks involving Haiti’s Ministry of Defense and the Gang Suppression Force (GSF). Both representatives reaffirmed the urgent need to enhance coordination and complementary action across Haiti’s security institutions. Specifically, they highlighted the critical importance of improving operational alignment between the GSF, the Haitian National Police (PNH), and FAd’H to boost the effectiveness of counter-offensives against armed criminal groups that have destabilized large swathes of Haiti.

    Additionally, the two sides discussed plans to develop formal cooperation mechanisms focused on building the institutional and operational capacity of Haiti’s public security forces. The ultimate goal of this effort is to enable Haitian institutions to fully take over their domestic security responsibilities, and gradually assume control from the Multinational Security Support Mission once its mandate concludes.

  • No Age Limit To Sporting Excellence!

    No Age Limit To Sporting Excellence!

    On a sunlit Sunday afternoon at the Belize Civic Center, basketball history was written not by teenage phenoms or professional athletes, but by a group of seasoned competitors who proved competitive passion has no age limit. The 2026 Belize Basketball Over-45 League championship delivered everything fans could have asked for: a decades-long rivalry, an undefeated streak on the line, and a feel-good upset that reminded the crowd why the love of the game transcends age.

    This is no ordinary recreational pickup league. Drawing some of the most prominent public figures, sports industry veterans, and legendary former players who built Belize’s modern basketball scene, the league brings together a cross-section of the country’s athletic community. Current Minister of Sports Anthony Mahler, Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner, long-tenured sports coordinators, active referees, local business leaders, and retired basketball icons all share the court every week, lacing up their sneakers to compete against rivals they’ve known for decades. The pace of play may be more measured than it was in their youth, and jerseys may fit a little differently than they did during their prime, but the competitive intensity and love for the game burn just as bright as they did decades ago.

    For many participants, the league offers a rare, joyful opportunity to rekindle old rivalries and relive the matchups that defined their glory days. For others, it is a chance to show that advancing age has done nothing to dim their passion for competition and fitness. “I’ve been playing ball against these guys for decades right,” shared Anthony Mahler, league participant and Belize’s Minister of Sports. “So it’s always fun. It’s good for our health. It’s good for our psyche. And so it’s good competition. Fun, Fun, Fun.”

    Veteran player Keith “Superman” Acosta, who cut his teeth playing for the iconic Raiders team, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing how the discipline he learned early in his basketball career has shaped his approach to lifelong fitness. “From we used to play with Raiders we were taught the importance of being discipline so that it can carry you through to no matter what age you are,” Acosta said. “I’m hoping to hopefully continue doing this till I like seventy, eighty so just being discipline and going out there and exercising, trying to stay in shape.”

    Going into Sunday’s championship, all eyes were on perennial powerhouse Hydro Yabra, who entered the match with a historic five-year undefeated streak and every previous league title to their name. But after a tightly contested, hyper-competitive 40 minutes of play, the underdog Old Timers squad pulled off the upset that the team had been working toward for five years. “Mein this is about having fun in our league, in our category,” said Bernard Wagner, who served as both player and coach for the Old Timers. “Many times people tend not to recognize that it is important have this sort of physical activity for men over forty, men over forty-five. This has been long coming mein. It’s been five years we’ve been hunting this team and we finally get them. Cause this team is a great team. They have been winning five-six years without defeated. Old Timers knock them off this year. Big up old timers.”

    While every competitor enters the court hoping to take home the championship title, almost all participants agree that the real win is simply getting to step onto the court alongside longtime friends and fellow lovers of the game. Through this unique league, these seasoned athletes have proven that a passion for basketball does not come with an expiration date, and that lifelong fitness and camaraderie are the greatest trophies any competitor can ask for.

    Alongside the Over-45 League championship, the broadcast also wrapped up final regular season action for the National Elite Basketball League (NEBL), where playoff seeding was on the line. The Belize City Defenders secured a dominant 90-66 win over the Griga Dream Ballers, while the Running Rebels defeated the Tiger Sharks 74-58, and the Western Ballaz pulled off a 39-point road upset of the Spartans. With seeding now finalized, the second-seeded Running Rebels will host the third-seeded Western Ballaz this Friday in the Sugar City. Top-seeded Belize City Defenders will host the Tiger Sharks at a date to be announced.

    In other weekend sports action, the Four-K tournament match at Marion Jones Stadium ended in a 1-1 draw after regulation, with Tut Bay FC prevailing 4-1 on penalty kicks over Wings Police FC. The elite softball league also kicked off its new season this weekend in Sandhill Village: defending women’s champion Beacon opened with a 16-10 win over the Wolfpack, while the men’s Wolfpack squad shut out the Guardian Bombers 7-0 in their opening match. Eight more softball games are scheduled for this coming weekend at the Sandhill Community Field.

    That concludes this week’s edition of *Sports Monday*. I’m your host Shane Williams, reminding you that friendly competition unites communities, and balling is life – so keep balling, Belize!

    *This report is adapted from a transcript of a televised evening sports broadcast*,

  • Turks and Caicos intercept vessel carrying 240 migrants

    Turks and Caicos intercept vessel carrying 240 migrants

    A multi-agency maritime operation led by local law enforcement in the Turks and Caicos Islands has resulted in the interception of a large vessel carrying 240 migrants, who are now undergoing official processing and medical screening after being safely brought to shore.

    The incident unfolded at approximately 9:00 p.m. local time on Sunday, May 31, 2026, when patrol units detected the unregistered vessel moving through territorial waters of the Caribbean territory. What began as a routine border interdiction quickly escalated into a critical search and rescue intervention when officials observed alarming signs that the vessel was in distress and at risk of endangering everyone on board.

    The operation was a coordinated effort between two local agencies: the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force. Two U.S. federal agencies, the United States Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, provided critical logistical and operational support to complete the interception successfully.

    Once the vessel was secured, officials carried out an evacuation of all people on board. A full count confirmed 240 migrants were on the overcrowded craft, broken down demographically as 191 adult men, 44 adult women, one underage male, and four underage females. All people were transferred without major incident to border control officials, who immediately began processing procedures and routine public health screenings to address any immediate medical needs.

    Lieutenant Colonel Ennis Grant, Commanding Officer of the TCI Regiment, highlighted that the seamless execution of the response reflects the preparedness of the region’s joint security forces. “The rapid transition of this operation from a standard interdiction task to a high-priority SOLAS intervention demonstrates the professionalism and readiness of our joint forces,” Grant said, referencing the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, the global framework governing maritime search and rescue standards.

    As of the latest update from local law enforcement, released on Tuesday, June 2, investigators have not yet released information about the migrants’ country of origin or the vessel’s intended destination when it entered Turks and Caicos waters.

  • Surinamese women remanded on cocaine charges

    Surinamese women remanded on cocaine charges

    A major drug offense case has emerged in the Caribbean, where two women hailing from the South American nation of Suriname have been ordered into pre-trial detention at Dodds Prison after facing a slate of cocaine-related criminal charges linked to an alleged smuggling operation in May.

    The accused have been identified as 21-year-old Kylie Bretni Banga and 41-year-old Celita Saskia Aloewanai. Authorities allege that on May 23, Banga was found in possession of approximately one kilogram of cocaine, a shipment estimated to hold a street value of $50,000. Aloewanai, meanwhile, is accused of holding an additional 1.1 kilograms of the drug, worth roughly $55,000 on the illicit market.

    Both women face four separate charges: possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to supply the drug to third parties, drug trafficking, and illegal importation of cocaine into the country.

    The pair made their first official court appearance before Magistrate Keitha Ellis at the District ‘B’ Magistrates’ Court. When asked to enter a plea in response to the charges, both Banga and Aloewanai formally maintained their innocence, entering not guilty pleas to all counts laid against them.

    Following the initial hearing, the court ruled that the two women would remain in custody at Dodds Prison ahead of their next scheduled appearance, which has been set for June 29. The case underscores ongoing efforts by regional law enforcement to crack down on cross-border drug trafficking moving through Caribbean transit routes. Prosecutors and law enforcement are expected to present evidence outlining the alleged smuggling plot when the case reconvenes at the end of next month.

  • Top climate scientist urges vigilance despite fewer storms forecast

    Top climate scientist urges vigilance despite fewer storms forecast

    As the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season gets underway, the Caribbean region faces a complex web of overlapping climate hazards that extend far beyond the typical risk of tropical cyclones, according to the area’s leading climatology expert. Even with official forecasts calling for a below-average number of named storms and lower-than-usual total seasonal rainfall, Dr. Cedric Van Meerbeeck, head of regional forecasting at the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH), is urging Barbados and neighboring nations not to lower their guard against a dangerous mix of persistent drought, prolonged extreme heat, delayed monsoon rains, and sudden flash flooding.

    At the center of this elevated risk is the strengthening El Niño weather pattern currently developing across the equatorial Pacific. El Niño is historically linked to delayed onset of the Caribbean wet season, a trend that is already visible across Barbados, where months of below-average precipitation have created ideal conditions for widespread uncontrolled wildfires. While these blazes will eventually be extinguished once consistent rains arrive, the current forecast points to a higher-than-normal probability that dry conditions will linger for weeks longer than usual. Van Meerbeeck emphasized that this projection is a probability, not a certainty – and even a single extreme weather event could break the dry spell in catastrophic fashion.

    Counterintuitively, prolonged dry soil actually increases the risk of life-threatening flash flooding when heavy rain does finally arrive. Drought conditions compact topsoil, reducing its ability to absorb moisture rapidly. When large volumes of rain fall in a short period on this compacted ground, almost all water runs off the surface immediately, triggering sudden flash floods that can overwhelm drainage infrastructure and catch communities off guard. Even if total annual rainfall ends up below the long-term average, the region is still likely to see fewer, more intense rain events – each carrying a significant flood risk.

    This extended dry period also carries long-term consequences for water security. Van Meerbeeck noted that key reservoirs across the region are already operating at below-normal capacity, and a prolonged dry season would leave reserves depleted heading into the next annual dry period, stretching water management resources thin.

    Extreme heat represents another underrecognized threat that is set to impact the region from August through October, according to CIMH forecasts. Unlike daytime heat, which many communities are accustomed to, the coming heatwave is expected to bring unusually warm overnight temperatures that pose outsized risks to public health. Persistently hot nights prevent the body from cooling down and disrupt critical sleep, increasing the risk of heat-related illness, exacerbating chronic conditions, and reducing workforce productivity over extended heat events. Vulnerable populations – including low-income households, elderly residents, and people with pre-existing health conditions – are at particular risk, as many lack access to consistent cooling such as air conditioning or high-powered fans, Van Meerbeeck pointed out.

    The coming heatwave also overlaps with an ongoing global energy crisis amplified by the Middle East conflict, which has already pushed energy prices to elevated levels across the Caribbean. Rising demand for cooling will put additional strain on energy grids and increase monthly utility costs for consumers, creating a public policy challenge that leaders across Barbados need to address proactively.

    While Barbados faces a lower-than-usual risk of direct hurricane or major storm impacts this year due to shifted storm tracks that place the highest risk in the northern Caribbean, the country will still face prolonged heat through the late summer, and a particularly dangerous post-storm heat hazard that the CIMH is warning the region to prepare for.

    Van Meerbeeck highlighted a little-studied but deadly climate hazard: extreme heat that develops immediately after the passage of a hurricane or tropical storm. The outer bands of tropical systems create atmospheric conditions that are highly favorable for sudden heatwaves. In the aftermath of a storm, however, many residents have lost their shelter, are without electricity for cooling, and are already physically and emotionally exhausted from responding to the storm. This combination makes post-hurricane heatwaves a disproportionately deadly hazard, even when the storm itself caused relatively little direct damage. While Van Meerbeeck said it is not certain this scenario will unfold in Barbados this year, it is a major risk for other parts of the region that communities across the Caribbean need to plan for.

    Across all hazards, Van Meerbeeck’s core message to the region is consistent: preparation remains non-negotiable. Even with lower-than-average forecasts for cyclones and rainfall, the overlapping risks of drought, heat, and flash flooding mean communities must maintain readiness protocols and plan for a range of extreme weather outcomes as the season progresses.

  • ‘Condom’ charged with murder over stabbing death

    ‘Condom’ charged with murder over stabbing death

    A shocking fatal stabbing in Campden Park has left a 27-year-old woman dead, with a repeat offender now facing formal murder charges connected to the violent incident. Vermont resident Kamal Small, also known publicly by the alias Condom, was taken into custody on Saturday, just one day after 27-year-old Rayjens Carter, a native of Fitz Hughes, was killed in a neck stabbing inside Lashum’s Bar located in Campden Park. Carter was pronounced dead at the scene immediately following the attack.

    On Monday, Small made his first court appearance at the Serious Offences Court, where Chief Magistrate Colin John formally presented the murder charge against him. Following standard legal procedure for this stage of criminal proceedings, Small was not required to enter a plea to the accusation that he took Carter’s life. Chief Magistrate John ordered Small to be remanded into official custody at a state prison, with the next scheduled hearing in the case set for July 2.

    This is not the first time Small has been involved in major criminal proceedings, as he has a documented history of prior offences stretching back several years. In December 2021, he made local headlines for a high-value retail theft, where he stole merchandise worth a total of 68,150 Eastern Caribbean dollars from a commercial store in Kingstown. Just one year later, in December 2022, he was linked to two additional offences in Kingstown: a burglary targeting a local church, and the theft of a ewe goat valued at 400 Eastern Caribbean dollars, committed the same month. As the legal process moves forward, the community awaits further updates as the case against Small proceeds through the court system.

  • CDEMA urges preparedness as 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins

    CDEMA urges preparedness as 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins

    As the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season officially opens its six-month run from June 1 to November 30, regional disaster management authorities in the Caribbean are sounding the call for sustained vigilance and comprehensive readiness across local communities and national governments. The region already faces a multifaceted hazard landscape, including ongoing seismic activity, persistent drought, and record-breaking extreme heat, making all-hazard preparedness a critical priority this year.

    In a recent press briefing held in Basseterre, St. Kitts, Elizabeth Riley, Executive Director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), emphasized that disaster preparedness cannot be limited to the official hurricane season window. It must remain a year-round commitment for all Caribbean territories, she stressed.

    Riley noted that while the Caribbean enters this 2026 season facing a web of overlapping and complex climate risks, the region also brings decades of hard-won experience, actionable lessons from past disasters, robust cross-border partnerships, and a revitalized dedication to proactive readiness. She highlighted the Caribbean’s long-proven track record of resilience and collective solidarity when responding to hazard impacts, noting that this shared commitment to regional cooperation is more critical than ever amid ongoing global geopolitical shifts and their associated uncertainties.

    “We have seen firsthand how preparedness, coordinated action, and rapid response save lives and reduce damage. These lessons have shaped our ongoing work to strengthen regional collaboration, build regional self-reliance, and support our member states in cutting disaster risk, boosting readiness, and upgrading response capacities,” Riley told reporters.

    CDEMA maintains continuous monitoring of seasonal forecasts and technical guidance from leading regional and international climate and meteorological agencies. The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) released its official 2026 season outlook on May 27, predicting a less active hurricane season than the busy periods the region has seen in recent years. The current forecast calls for approximately 12 named storms, five of which will strengthen to hurricane strength, and two reaching major hurricane category of Category 3 or higher.

    However, Riley issued a clear caution that a lower total number of storms does not translate to lower overall risk for the region. CIMH’s outlook notes that above-average water temperatures in waters surrounding the northern Caribbean could fuel heavier rainfall during any storm systems that develop, while the broader regional wet season is predicted to be delayed and drier than historical averages.

    These combined conditions create a higher probability of intense, sudden rainfall events that will drive elevated risk of major flooding and flash floods across multiple parts of the Caribbean, Riley explained. “We also expect that this can result in intense rainfall events, which could create extremely high flood and flash flood risks across many areas in the Caribbean,” she said.

    Beyond the risk of tropical cyclones, CDEMA is warning of persistent non-hurricane hazards that threaten the region this year. Drought conditions already impacting multiple CDEMA member states are expected to continue through 2026, and may even expand to new areas by the end of the year, even if seasonal rainfall brings temporary relief to some water-stressed communities. Right now, the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis is already operating under a formal drought watch, as cumulative rainfall for the year to date remains well below expected levels.

    The region also faces growing heat-related risks, with CIMH forecasting more intense heat conditions during the peak months of August and September. More frequent heatwaves, coupled with higher than average daytime and overnight temperatures, will drive increased heat stress for vulnerable populations across the Caribbean. Riley noted that excessive heat has emerged as an increasingly deadly and underrecognized hazard for Caribbean nations, and must be integrated into all national preparedness planning.

    Caribbean territories cannot afford to only prepare for hurricane landfalls, Riley emphasized. This year, they must build plans and capacity to address the combined, overlapping impacts of hurricanes, persistent drought, widespread water stress, and extreme heat to protect communities across the region.