Carib Scope

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  • Taiwan Navy Band Performs in Belize During Training Ship Visit

    Taiwan Navy Band Performs in Belize During Training Ship Visit

    On April 22, 2026, a Taiwan Navy midshipman training and cruising squadron completed a 50-day ocean voyage to reach Belize, kicking off a series of goodwill exchange activities hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in the Central American country.

    The centerpiece of the public outreach events was a special performance by the Taiwan Navy marching band, joined by the service academy’s honor guard and Taekwondo demonstration team. The showcase blended military discipline, musical performance, and cultural display for local attendees, who were later invited to an open house onboard the training vessels, allowing local students and government officials to explore the ships first-hand.

    Beyond the ceremonial and cultural events, the visit puts a spotlight on 37 years of formal diplomatic and people-to-people ties between Belize and Taiwan, as well as the long-running military training partnership between the two sides. Francis Usher, chief executive officer of Belize’s Ministry of National Defense and Border Security, highlighted the deep personal connections embedded in this exchange during his remarks at the event.

    Usher noted that one Belizean officer cadet, Broaster, is currently completing his four-year training program as part of the Taiwan Naval Academy’s graduating class and is serving as a crew member aboard the visiting squadron. Following the conclusion of the Belize stop, Broaster will return to Taiwan with the squadron to begin specialized marine infantry training at Taiwan’s marine corps academy. This is not an isolated case: Usher added that a current Belize Defence Force pilot completed his foundational flight training at the Taiwan Air Force Academy years earlier.

    “Taiwan helps us a lot in specialty training in different ways to develop the capacity,” Usher explained. “Like I said, Taiwan has cracked the code. They invest in Belize’s most important resource, and that’s Belize’s people.”

    The goodwill visit, organized as part of the Taiwan Navy’s annual midshipman cruising training program, aims to strengthen international military exchanges, deepen bilateral cooperation, and highlight the long-standing diplomatic relationship between the two countries.

  • Belize Book Fair Showcases Growing Literary Scene

    Belize Book Fair Showcases Growing Literary Scene

    To mark World Book and Copyright Day, the Belize Book Sector Network is gearing up to host its annual two-day flagship book fair, the centerpiece of the country’s 2026 Book Week celebrations. The event is designed to bring the entire local literary ecosystem under one roof, connecting creators, industry stakeholders and avid readers to celebrate the transformative power of reading and storytelling in Belize.

    Set to kick off at 9 a.m. on its opening day, the fair will feature curated book displays from every corner of Belize’s literary industry, from major publishers and public library systems to independent printers, local independent bookstores and emerging self-published authors. Beyond browsing thousands of titles, attendees will get access to engaging panel discussions on topics spanning Belizean storytelling, literacy access and publishing trends, as well as intimate meet-and-greet sessions where fans can connect directly with their favorite local writers.

    In an interview ahead of the event, Belize Book Sector Network President Felene Cayetano highlighted the scope of this year’s gathering, noting that a wide cross-section of the nation’s leading cultural and literary institutions will be participating. Key participants include the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH), the Image Factory art space, renowned local publisher Cubola Productions, the Belize Red Cross, independent bookseller Backa Bush, and the National Library Service – all core members of the Belize Book Sector Network.

    Cayetano explained that inclusive representation has been a core priority for the event since the very first Belize Book Fair launched back in 2009. Seventeen years on, she says organizers have built a far more structured, accessible program that meets the growing needs of Belize’s rapidly expanding literary scene. A special focus this year is supporting emerging talent: day two of the fair is tailored specifically for aspiring authors and new publishers, who will have the opportunity to get one-on-one answers to all their questions about the writing, editing and publishing process from experienced industry professionals.

    This reporting comes from a transcribed broadcast segment focused on Belize’s cultural and literary landscape, bringing first-hand details of the celebration of reading and local creativity to audiences both on-air and online.

  • The Haitian Maritime and Navigation Service raises its voice

    The Haitian Maritime and Navigation Service raises its voice

    Haiti’s top maritime regulator has launched a urgent compliance push targeting unsafe coastal shipping operations in the Caribbean nation’s territorial waters, announcing strict penalties for vessel owners that fail to resolve outstanding maintenance violations. In an official circular published April 21, 2026, Éric Prévost Jr., Director General of the Haitian Maritime and Navigation Service (SEMANAH), exercised his statutory authority over navigational safety and maritime law enforcement to order immediate adherence to existing maritime rules for all coastal vessels operating in Haitian jurisdiction.

    The regulator confirmed that it has documented widespread non-compliance across the sector, with a significant number of vessels failing to meet mandatory requirements for periodic dry-dock maintenance. These violations directly contradict core provisions of the 1974 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), including all subsequent amendments, as well as established clauses in Haiti’s own domestic Maritime and Navigation Code.

    Under the new directive, any vessel found operating outside regulatory guidelines has been given a strict 15-day window, counting from the date the circular is formally served, to submit either a valid, up-to-date dry-docking certificate or a fully completed technical report of a recent hull inspection to SEMANAH for review. Failure to correct the violation and submit the required documentation within this mandated timeframe will trigger immediate administrative action: the vessel’s operating permit will be automatically suspended with no additional administrative procedures required, and all commercial and private maritime activity for that craft will be banned until compliance is achieved.

    SEMANAH made clear that competent local enforcement authorities will be called in to ensure these measures are implemented, and that enforcement via official force remains an option if non-compliant operators refuse to cooperate. In a statement accompanying the circular, the agency emphasized that it will not accept any operational practice that puts seafarers, coastal communities, or Haiti’s sensitive marine ecosystem at unnecessary risk. The move comes amid growing international and domestic pressure to improve maritime safety standards across Haiti’s coastline, a critical transport artery for the island nation’s domestic trade and supply networks.

  • Professionals urged to mentor younger staff on workplace culture, AI

    Professionals urged to mentor younger staff on workplace culture, AI

    As Barbados celebrates Administrative Professionals Day, the island’s leading industry body is sounding a clear call: veteran administrative workers must step into mentorship roles to support a new generation of employees whose workplace expectations have been fundamentally reshaped by social media and artificial intelligence. Without intentional, experienced guidance, the Barbados Association of Administrative Professionals (BAAP) warns, new entrants to the field could run afoul of everything from official workplace dress codes to national regulations like the Computer Misuse Act.

    BAAP President KerryAnn Deane shared these insights in an exclusive interview with Barbados TODAY, speaking on the sidelines of an industry conference held Wednesday at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre. The event’s core discussions centered on the growing role of artificial intelligence in administrative work, and Deane broke down the unique challenges young workers face in integrating new technology into professional settings.

    Deane explained that while many younger employees grow up interacting with connected devices like smartphones and tablets in their personal lives, their personal use of these tools looks nothing like their required use in a professional office environment. Many first-time workers encounter advanced enterprise AI tools for the first time when they join the workforce, and few stop to consider critical cybersecurity risks that come with improper use of these platforms. This gap in awareness puts both employees and their employers at risk of violating the Computer Misuse Act, she noted, making structured, on-the-job training from experienced mentors non-negotiable.

    Beyond technology use, Deane stressed that young workers also need guidance navigating core professional boundaries, from standards of dress and personal deportment to expectations for professional interaction. Many young people draw assumptions about acceptable workplace behavior from content they see online, much of which is AI-generated and does not reflect real professional standards, she explained. New hires often arrive with a skewed perception of what counts as appropriate conduct, making early-stage guidance through orientation, clear standard operating procedures, and explicit discipline codes critical to setting new workers up for success. Deane added that this lack of clarity around workplace attire is exactly why a growing number of local companies have adopted mandatory uniforms, eliminating uncertainty for new and existing staff alike.

    Deane also highlighted a growing trend of higher absenteeism and frequent sick leave use among younger administrative employees, a pattern she says often stems from a failure to balance personal and professional responsibilities. For many new workers, this pattern acts as quiet pushback against traditional workplace expectations, but it also signals a lack of investment in their roles. “They need to differentiate the balance between the personal life and the working life. The two don’t always go together, so unless they realise and accept that, you’ll always find that pushback where oh, I cannot do this, so I going to stop at home tomorrow or they tell me I can’t do this, I am going to take sick leave or I have things to do on mornings before I get to work, so when I get there, I get there but then that also falls back onto the fact that they don’t take pride in what they do. So they need to be encouraged to perform at their best,” Deane said.

    Importantly, Deane pushed back on the common narrative that AI poses an existential threat to experienced administrative professionals, urging veteran workers to embrace the technology as a productivity-enhancing tool rather than seeing it as a risk to their roles. She shared that she has personally integrated AI tools into her own administrative work and has found the technology streamlines routine tasks, rather than replacing skilled workers. A growing number of seasoned administrative professionals across Barbados are already embracing this shift, she noted.

    To successfully integrate AI into everyday administrative work, Deane emphasized that continuous training and cross-generational mentorship will be the most critical tools for the industry. “Aim to move ahead of the times and not be left behind. We have to use the tools that are presented to us. We have to find a way in which it works to our benefit, so we don’t see it as a threat, we see it as a tool as a way to enhance our jobs. That comes through training,” Deane said.

  • Military helicopter suffers accident during training flight near San Isidro Air Base

    Military helicopter suffers accident during training flight near San Isidro Air Base

    SANTO DOMINGO – A military training flight ended in an unexpected incident Wednesday afternoon, when an AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter belonging to the Dominican Republic Air Force crashed in the vicinity of San Isidro Air Base, the nation’s Ministry of Defense has confirmed. In what officials are calling a testament to the rigorous preparation of the country’s military air crews, every member of the helicopter’s team managed to evacuate the aircraft without harm. No fatalities have been reported, and no personnel involved in the flight suffered serious injuries. Defense department spokespeople emphasized that the quick, calm response of the crew during the emergency, rooted in their systematic training, was directly responsible for the positive outcome despite the crash. Early on-site assessments have confirmed that the aircraft sustained visible structural damage, though survey teams have not yet completed a full inspection to map out the full scope of harm done to the helicopter. Following standard procedural frameworks for military aviation incidents, the Dominican government has launched a formal comprehensive investigation to pinpoint the exact root cause of the accident. The investigation team will review flight data, conduct mechanical inspections of the wreckage, and interview crew members to reach a evidence-based conclusion. Officials also confirmed that the helicopter was fully covered by an active, valid insurance policy at the time of the incident. In a statement following the crash, the Ministry of Defense reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to upholding strict operational safety standards, maintaining full transparency with the public throughout the investigation process, and ensuring full compliance with all established national and international military aviation regulations.

  • Pay salary hike, review budgeted projects now due to global crisis – former finance minister

    Pay salary hike, review budgeted projects now due to global crisis – former finance minister

    As global oil price surges continue to squeeze household budgets across Guyana, a former senior finance official has laid out a series of urgent policy recommendations to the current Irfaan Ali-led administration, calling for immediate relief for working families and a flexible rethink of the 2026 national budget. Winston Jordan, who previously served as Guyana’s finance minister under the APNU+AFC coalition and previously held the role of budget director under the PPPC government, outlined his proposals during an interview with pro-opposition media outlet KAMS TV on Wednesday.

    Jordan’s core proposal is an interim across-the-board increase in public sector wages and salaries, delivered far earlier than the traditional December timeline that he implies is often aligned with political timing. He argued that funding for this emergency relief is already available in the country’s current budget: the government has set aside a GY$9 billion allocation for cost-of-living mitigation that Jordan describes as “nebulous” and underutilized, saying the funds can be activated immediately to deliver relief to Guyanese struggling with soaring everyday costs.

    Beyond immediate wage relief, Jordan is pushing for an early full review of the 2026 national budget, rejecting calls to wait until the midpoint of the fiscal year to address pressures stemming from the ongoing global energy crisis. He noted that global market shifts have drastically pushed up the cost of major infrastructure and public works projects, making the original spending projections outdated. Rather than sticking rigidly to pre-crisis spending plans, he said the government should re-evaluate all planned projects to assess their feasibility under current economic conditions.

    As part of this budget reorientation, Jordan specifically highlighted the nearly GY$1 billion allocated to the Men on Mission (MoM) public project, suggesting that a portion of these funds could be redirected to expand direct cash grants for struggling households. He also called on the administration to speed up disbursement of the existing GY$100,000 cash grant program, putting much-needed money into families’ pockets faster.

    Jordan also addressed other cost-of-living pressures rippling through Guyana’s economy, pointing to already implemented increases in domestic airfares driven by spiking aircraft fuel costs. He argued that the government should quickly move to negotiate fare adjustments for speedboat operators, noting that it is unreasonable to keep caps on fares that force operators to absorb immediate, sharp increases in operating costs that they cannot afford.

    The former finance minister also criticized the current administration for its lack of urgent action on multiple fronts. He pointed out that during President Ali’s recent “Tea on the Terrace” social media broadcast, the head of state offered no concrete details on immediate or short-term measures to soften the blow of the global crisis on Guyanese households. He also called out the government for failing to develop and roll out a clear public policy and education campaign focused on fuel conservation, noting that no concrete measures have been introduced to crack down on predatory price gouging or expand alternative public transportation options to help households cut commuting costs.

  • Puerto Plata and Espaillat remain on red alert amid heavy rain forecast

    Puerto Plata and Espaillat remain on red alert amid heavy rain forecast

    SANTO DOMINGO — Unfavorable atmospheric conditions driven by a prefrontal trough and warm east-southeast winds have prompted the Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Center (COE) to implement a graded national alert system across multiple regions of the country, with two northern provinces remaining on the highest warning level as forecasters predict prolonged heavy precipitation and extreme weather.

    As of the latest update from COE, Puerto Plata and Espaillat, both located along the country’s northern Atlantic coast, continue to be under red alert — the most severe tier of warning for ongoing high-risk weather. The agency expanded its yellow alert, a secondary warning designation for elevated but less immediate risk, to 10 jurisdictions, including Monte Cristi, María Trinidad Sánchez, Hermanas Mirabal, Monseñor Nouel, Santiago, La Vega, San José de Ocoa, San Cristóbal, the province of Santo Domingo, and the National District, the country’s capital administrative region. An additional 10 provinces, namely San Juan, Elías Piña, Duarte (with specific focus on the flood-prone Lower Yuna region), Samaná, Valverde, Santiago Rodríguez, Dajabón, Monte Plata, Peravia, and Sánchez Ramírez, remain under green alert, which signals potential risk that has not yet reached higher warning thresholds.

    National weather forecasting officials confirm that the combination of the prefrontal trough and warm moisture-laden winds will create conditions ripe for significant cloud buildup, periods of moderate to intense rainfall, sudden thunderstorm activity, and powerful wind gusts across large swathes of the country through the alert period. In response to the projected hazards, public safety officials have issued urgent guidance to residents living in all alert-designated areas. Local authorities are urging communities to avoid attempting to cross swollen rivers, creeks, and ravines, where fast-rising floodwaters can create life-threatening hazards, and to steer clear of all recreational water bodies while unstable conditions persist.

    Maritime safety warnings also remain in effect along a large stretch of the Dominican Republic’s Atlantic coastline, extending from Manzanillo Bay in Monte Cristi province all the way to Cabo Francés Viejo in María Trinidad Sánchez. Along this route, operators of small and medium-sized watercraft have been advised to stay secured in port, as rough ocean swells, sustained strong winds, and poor visibility from heavy rain and lightning create major navigation risks for vessels not equipped to handle extreme sea conditions.

  • Pendry Barbados marks milestone as luxury resort nears completion

    Pendry Barbados marks milestone as luxury resort nears completion

    On Wednesday, a major milestone was reached for luxury hospitality in the Caribbean: developers celebrated the structural topping-off of Pendry Hotels & Resorts’ first ever international project, bringing the California-based brand one step closer to launching the Caribbean’s first Pendry-branded resort on Barbados’ scenic northwest coast, with full completion scheduled for 2027. The construction of this landmark mixed hotel-and-residential development is being handled by Aecon Construction Group, Canada’s largest publicly traded contracting firm.

    The topping-off ceremony, which marked the end of the project’s core structural construction phase, drew high-profile attendance including Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, alongside multiple senior government officials. The event doubled as an official formal introduction of the Pendry brand to the Caribbean region, positioning the upcoming resort as a signature global destination for the luxury hospitality group.

    For Pendry’s founding family, the Barbados project carries far more meaning than just a business expansion. Michael Fuerstman, co-founder of Pendry Hotels & Resorts, shared that the development has already garnered widespread global attention among industry circles. “I travel around the world meeting clients and partners, and everybody wants to know about Barbados,” Fuerstman explained. “This is the one destination that creates the most excitement. It’s aspirational, it’s exciting, and it’s a great lifestyle.”

    His father, Alan J. Fuerstman — founder, chairman and CEO of Montage International, the parent company of Pendry — recalled a personal trip to the island back in 1985, when his family visited to get a break from the stress of raising young children, including Michael. “To be standing here today, all these years later, is incredibly special for our family,” the senior Fuerstman said. He added that the entire resort was designed to blend seamlessly with Barbados’ natural coastal landscape, telling attendees: “Imagine just hearing the surf. You just open the windows and it’s so compelling. Our guests will hear that a little over a year from now.”

    Leading the construction work, Aecon’s team emphasized that luxury hospitality requires rigorous attention to detail from the very earliest stages of development. Marty Harris, executive lead and senior vice-president of Aecon, noted that exceptional quality in hidden structural work is what ultimately creates a standout guest experience. “Luxury begins long before a guest arrives,” Harris said. “It begins in the foundations, the structures, and the details that will never be seen but will always be felt.”

    Beyond construction, the project has also prioritized investment in local Barbadian communities. Aecon has already hired graduates from the Barbados Construction Gateway Training Initiative to work on the resort, and launched local outreach programs including the “From Our Home to Yours” community support initiative.

    When it opens its doors in 2027 as scheduled, Pendry Barbados will feature roughly 80 oceanfront guest rooms and 46 high-end luxury residential units. The sprawling development will also include a 110-berth marina, the exclusive Pendry Yacht Club, a branded Pendry spa, and multiple unique dining concepts catering to both guests and local residents.

    Michael Fuerstman noted that the project’s rare combination of amenities and setting makes it one-of-a-kind in the global luxury real estate and hospitality space. “I don’t know that there’s another hotel residential development like this in the world,” he said. “It’s very, very unique.”

    Pendry leadership extended explicit gratitude to the government of Barbados for its ongoing support throughout the development process, which turned the brand’s first international expansion from a vision to a reality. Closing out the topping-off ceremony, Alan Fuerstman framed the project as a long-term investment in the island, not just a construction project. “We are building far more than a resort. We’re building relationships, creating opportunity, and laying the foundation for a legacy of hospitality that will extend well beyond these shores,” he said.

  • Central Bank going fully paperless by year-end

    Central Bank going fully paperless by year-end

    The Central Bank of Barbados has announced an ambitious plan to transition into a completely paperless, fully digital institution by December 21, 2026, a shift that is projected to cut annual printing expenditures by more than $70,000. Central Bank Governor Dr. Kevin Greenidge revealed the milestone timeline during an address to the Barbados Association of Administrative Professionals conference held Wednesday at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, expanding on the details of the initiative in an interview with local outlet Barbados Today.

    Dr. Greenidge outlined three core drivers behind the organizational shift: boosting operational efficiency, delivering significant long-term cost reductions, and modernizing the bank’s internal and external communication infrastructure. Beyond financial savings, he highlighted the environmental benefits of a paper-free workspace, noting that eliminating bulk paper storage creates a cleaner, more organized office environment. Early internal projections actually place annual printing cost savings closer to $75,000, a figure that does not include additional savings from reduced storage, handling, and logistics costs associated with physical documentation.

    The full transition is not a sudden pivot, but rather the next phase of a multi-year digital transformation effort initiated by previous Central Bank leadership, according to Dr. Greenidge. When he took office, the groundwork for digital modernization was already in place, and his administration has advanced the agenda to create an end-to-end paperless digital ecosystem, rather than incremental digital updates to existing paper-based workflows.

    To ensure a smooth transition for all staff, the bank has developed a full suite of custom digital tools to replace legacy paper processes, including cloud-based platforms for document uploading, collaborative editing, and real-time cross-team project work. Even core regulatory functions, such as bank supervision and application processing, have been moved entirely to digital systems. Currently, the initiative is roughly 70% complete, with progress accelerated by widespread staff buy-in and comprehensive upskilling programs. Every role at the institution — from entry-level support to senior leadership — has been equipped with digital tools tailored to their responsibilities, and all staff have completed targeted training to build proficiency with the new systems.

    Recognizing that full digitalization could create barriers for members of the public less familiar with online systems, the Central Bank has built explicit digital inclusion provisions into the rollout to avoid leaving any demographic behind. For members of the public accessing core services such as foreign exchange approval, which is now fully digital, the bank offers in-person guidance to help users set up accounts and navigate online processes, enabling self-service for future visits.

    As part of its broader commitment to digital literacy across Barbados, the institution has partnered with the Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP) to distribute more than 200 iPads to older adults, supporting ongoing community digital skills training. To address growing concerns around digital risk, the bank has also substantially upgraded its cybersecurity framework, launching a dedicated specialized unit that leverages artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies to monitor, detect, and mitigate emerging threats.

    Dr. Greenidge emphasized that while the new BIMPay digital system offers significantly stronger cybersecurity protections than legacy infrastructure, no system can eliminate digital risk entirely. As a result, the bank runs ongoing public education campaigns to help users recognize common scams and fraud, and requires mandatory cybersecurity training for all staff, including regular phishing simulation tests that require additional training for employees who fall for simulated attacks. Dr. Greenidge also reminded the public that the Central Bank will never request sensitive personal or financial information over the phone, urging consumers to remain vigilant and avoid sharing details with unknown callers.

    Widespread staff enthusiasm has emerged as a key catalyst for the rapid progress of the transition, with employees embracing the flexibility and efficiency of digital workflows. Staff can now access full documentation from any device — smartphones, tablets, or laptops — eliminating the need to carry large physical binders and notes, and cutting down the time required to locate and share critical information. What began as a top-down strategic initiative has now developed its own momentum, with staff taking ownership of the new systems and advocating for further digital improvements across the institution.

  • Felle brand verwoest pand in binnenstad

    Felle brand verwoest pand in binnenstad

    A large-scale, intense fire erupted at a building located on Heerenstraat in central Paramaribo, near the Happy Supermarket, at approximately 7:15 p.m. local time on April 22, local emergency services confirmed in initial reports. When first responder firefighters arrived at the incident scene, they encountered a fully out-of-control blaze that was already spreading rapidly across the structure. The intensity of the flames and the thick, heavy smoke generated by the fire prompted emergency officials to immediately escalate the response, calling in additional resources to tackle the emergency. As of the latest update, firefighting teams remain on site working continuously and aggressively to extinguish the fire, with a top priority of stopping the blaze from spreading to nearby neighboring buildings that sit adjacent to the affected structure. At this stage of the investigation, no official information has been released regarding the root cause of the fire. Local law enforcement has already cordoned off the entire affected area to preserve public safety, prevent unauthorized access, and keep civilian bystanders at a safe distance from the active hazard. No updates on civilian or first responder casualties have been released in the initial hours following the outbreak of the fire.