Carib Scope

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  • Venezuelans in T&T spend hours reaching out to relatives

    Venezuelans in T&T spend hours reaching out to relatives

    When news of a catastrophic seismic event off Venezuela’s coast reached neighboring Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday, it triggered an agonizing wave of uncertainty for thousands of Venezuelan expatriates, who spent desperate hours trying to connect with loved ones back home after two of the strongest earthquakes in the nation’s modern history.

    Venezuela was hit by back-to-back powerful tremors that struck within 38 seconds of one another in near-identical offshore locations. The initial quake registered a magnitude of 7.2, followed immediately by an even stronger 7.5-magnitude shockwave. As of the latest update, rescue teams are still working through collapsed buildings and rubble-strewn neighborhoods, with the confirmed death toll already climbing to at least 188.

    For Venezuelans who have relocated to Trinidad in recent years, the disaster has unfolded as a painful, helpless ordeal, as they rely on spotty communication and fragmented updates to track the safety of their family and friends. Alejandro Silva, a native of Guiria who has built a new life in Trinidad over the past five years, shared his raw anxiety in an interview with *Trinidad Express*.

    “So far, things are holding together; the government has managed the response in an orderly way, and we haven’t heard reports of looting or widespread unrest,” Silva explained. “But this earthquake is unlike any disaster Venezuela has ever faced. It’s absolutely devastating. A close friend of mine is still searching for his 20-year-old son, who just started a new job in Caracas and has been missing since the quake. I can feel how much his family is hurting, and I keep praying they find him alive.”

    Silva had been preparing for a long-awaited trip home in July, planning to bring back gifts and meet his three-month-old granddaughter for the first time. Now, those plans are on hold. “I was already setting aside things to bring home with me next month, but I’m going to wait a while before going back,” he said. Thankfully, his immediate family, most of whom live in Catia La Mar, have confirmed they are unhurt, though several relatives who reside in Caracas saw their homes suffer severe structural damage. “Pray for Venezuela,” he added.

    Other migrants are still stuck in limbo, with no word from the people they are searching for. Valentina Silva-Romero said she has spent days reaching out to friends in Caracas via social media and phone, with no response. “One of my cousins was injured at work when the quake hit; he has a serious head injury, and I’m clinging to hope for good news,” she said. “I know multiple people who have been hurt, but there are still friends I can’t reach. I’ve tried messaging them on Facebook, and nothing. All I can do right now is wait and pray.”

    Tony Carlos Rodríguez shared that his close family has been confirmed safe, but his sister’s entire home in Caracas was reduced to rubble. “So many people have been hurt, and so many are still digging through rubble looking for missing family and friends,” he said. “I keep getting constant WhatsApp updates about the situation, and it’s still hard to accept what happened. It feels like I’m stuck in a terrible nightmare I can’t wake up from.”

    Another Venezuelan migrant, who requested only to be named Javier, described spending two interminable hours waiting for word about his sister, who lives in Maturín but commutes to work in Caracas. “I was sick with worry until I finally heard from her,” he said. “She’s safe, but her apartment in Caracas was completely destroyed. I also just found out that one of my old neighbors from Güiria is still unaccounted for, so I’m waiting for more updates, hoping for the best.”

    Community leaders who support Venezuelan migrants in Trinidad say the disaster has left the entire local Venezuelan community reeling with grief. Andreina Brown, director of local migrant support organization La Casita, said she broke down in tears when she saw the first images of the destruction. “When I saw the news this morning, I just cried. It’s all so horrible, I’m still in shock,” she said. “Venezuelans have been coming in here crying all day, calling my phone sobbing. One of our members, Carlos Gonzales, an engineer from here, had gone back to Venezuela recently, and now he’s missing. His whole family is completely devastated.”

    Angie Ramnarine, director of the La Romaine Migrant Support Group, said the grief has touched every part of the local Venezuelan community. “It’s just devastatingly sad. All the Venezuelans here are heartbroken,” she said. “One young boy in my class hasn’t stopped worrying about his grandmother, who lives in the affected area. Most of the migrants here are from the Tucupita Delta region, which escaped major damage, but the destruction in Caracas has hit all of us, because we all have people we love there.”

  • MP denies close ties with Monteil

    MP denies close ties with Monteil

    A major political controversy has unfolded in Trinidad and Tobago this week, as Port of Spain South Member of Parliament and opposition figure Keith Scotland has issued a firm denial of any close association with Andre Monteil, former treasurer of the opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) and head of the now-defunct Flavorite Foods Ltd. The dispute centers on allegations of professional misconduct tied to a $2.4 million unpaid electricity debt owed by Flavorite Foods to the state-run Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC).

    Speaking at an official PNM press conference hosted at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition in Port of Spain, Scotland pushed back against multiple claims leveled by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who first raised accusations of collusion and improper conduct last week during parliamentary debate. Persad-Bissessar has alleged Scotland, who is a trained barrister, and members of his former legal chambers acted negligently to pursue a so-called “phantom lawsuit” over the outstanding debt, allowing the claim to become statute-barred through false procedural misrepresentations to protect Monteil. The Prime Minister has already ordered a formal probe by the national Fraud Squad and backed T&TEC’s planned legal action against the MP.

    Scotland has consistently maintained he has done nothing wrong in the case. Responding to T&TEC’s recently issued pre-action protocol letter threatening formal litigation, Scotland confirmed he has already received the document and will instruct his legal team to mount a formal response. He also criticized the unauthorized leak of the confidential legal letter, noting that the document was circulated to every major media outlet in the country almost immediately after it was delivered, before the ink on the correspondence was even dry. He confirmed he will treat the legal and political allegations against him with the full seriousness and gravity they demand.

    Addressing the core claim of a close personal and professional tie to Monteil, Scotland told reporters that he has only met the former PNM official once in his entire life, in a passing, casual setting. “There is absolutely no relationship between myself and Andre Monteil,” Scotland insisted to assembled journalists.

    On the procedural claims around the debt recovery lawsuit, Scotland presented official stamped court documentation to back up his assertion that the claim was properly refiled, that an entry of default judgment was correctly processed, and that the matter is currently awaiting a routine query from the court registrar. He also noted that national public health emergency provisions enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic had legally suspended statutory limitation periods for civil claims, invalidating the claim that the debt had become unrecoverable through procedural fault.

    Scotland further clarified that he voluntarily suspended his private legal practice when he joined the national Cabinet in July 2024, separating his professional legal work from his political duties.

    In the most high-profile rebuke to the Prime Minister, Scotland issued a repeated public challenge to Persad-Bissessar, calling on her to repeat the damaging allegations she made against him in the protected chamber of parliament in a public setting outside the legislature, where he would be able to pursue legal redress for defamation.

  • PM: T&T stands ready to assist

    PM: T&T stands ready to assist

    A catastrophic seismic event has left Venezuela reeling, after two massive back-to-back earthquakes struck the nation on Wednesday, triggering a sweeping wave of international support for the thousands of dead, missing and displaced residents impacted by the disaster. According to data released by the United States Geological Survey, the first tremor, registering a magnitude of 7.2, hit just after 6 p.m. local time, and a stronger 7.5-magnitude quake followed only 39 seconds later. This second event marks the most powerful earthquake to strike Venezuela in recorded history going back to 1900.

    By the following evening, official reports confirmed that the death toll had climbed to nearly 200, with thousands more injured and more than 35,000 residents unaccounted for. The powerful tremors toppled buildings across affected regions, turning urban centers into rubble-strewn disaster zones and forcing panic-stricken residents of the capital Caracas to flee into the streets for safety.

    One of the first nations to extend aid offers was neighboring Trinidad and Tobago, which lies just 11 kilometers across the Gulf of Paria from Venezuela. The country’s Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs released an official statement Wednesday night confirming its “firm support” for Venezuela, expressing deep concern over the widespread damage from the seismic activity. The statement noted that the Trinidad and Tobago government recognizes the shared vulnerability of Caribbean and Latin American nations to natural disasters, and stands in solidarity with its neighbor during the initial assessment and early recovery phase.

    “Tied by longstanding fraternal bonds, enduring friendship and close bilateral relations, the people of Trinidad and Tobago stand ready to provide any requested support and assistance to Venezuelan authorities, where possible,” the statement read. The ministry added that its diplomatic mission in Caracas suffered no significant damage from the quakes, and would continue closely monitoring the evolving situation to update government officials. “Our thoughts remain with those affected by this event, and we offer our steadfast support for the safety and resilience of the Venezuelan people,” the statement concluded.

    Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar echoed the government’s message of solidarity in a public post shared yesterday morning, alongside the official ministry statement. “The Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago, and I, extend our heartfelt sympathy to the government and people of Venezuela following the recent earthquake, which has caused loss of life and destruction. Our thoughts, prayers and solidarity are with all those affected,” Persad-Bissessar said. “We stand ready to assist in whatever humanitarian way we can during this difficult time. We wish the people of Venezuela safety, strength and a swift recovery as they navigate the aftermath of this natural disaster.”

    The disaster comes as Venezuela already grapples with years of deep-seated political and humanitarian crisis that has forced millions of residents to flee the country, thousands of whom have resettled in Trinidad and Tobago. In response to the new catastrophe, Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez declared a national state of emergency and called on all medical personnel, including doctors and nurses, to report for duty immediately to support response efforts, according to reporting from The New York Times.

    Hours after the quakes struck, former United States President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would stand ready to provide support to Venezuelan response teams. By early yesterday morning, Rodriguez publicly thanked Trump for his offer, confirming that U.S. officials had remained in constant communication with Venezuelan authorities throughout the response effort.

    Speaking at an official news conference, Rodriguez confirmed that Venezuela would welcome search and rescue teams from a growing list of nations that have offered aid, including El Salvador, Mexico and Qatar. She added that the governments of Brazil, China, and multiple Caribbean nations had also extended formal offers of humanitarian assistance to support the country’s response and recovery in the wake of the disaster.

  • Third person detained in Hadeed probe

    Third person detained in Hadeed probe

    Trinidad and Tobago law enforcement has expanded an ongoing high-profile investigation with the addition of a third person taken into custody, authorities confirmed Thursday. As of late Thursday evening, Blue Waters Products Ltd founder Dominic Hadeed and his spouse Genevieve Hadeed remained in police custody following coordinated search and detention operations carried out one day prior.

    The newly detained individual is a 69-year-old businesswoman based in Westmoorings, a residential and commercial community in western Trinidad. In an official public update released at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) confirmed the third detention but declined to release her name or explicitly connect her to the investigation targeting the Hadeeds. The update referenced a prior June 24, 2026 statement confirming that two people had been taken into custody in Westmoorings on Wednesday, and unnamed police sources confirmed to local outlet Express that the two detention operations are directly linked.

    “She is currently assisting with the ongoing investigative process and no charges have been laid,” the TTPS said of the Westmoorings businesswoman, noting she was taken into custody on Thursday. In line with standard police protocol for active investigations, the agency emphasized that being taken into custody for questioning is not equivalent to a finding of guilt, and no negative assumptions about any individual’s involvement should be drawn.

    “The TTPS remains committed to ensuring that all investigative steps are conducted professionally, impartially, and with full respect for the legal and reputational rights of all individuals involved,” the statement read. “As this matter remains active, no further information can be disclosed at this time. The TTPS will continue to provide updates as appropriate and remains steadfast in its duty to uphold the rule of law.”

    According to police sources who spoke to Express on condition of anonymity, investigative teams have already requested formal legal guidance to determine what, if any, criminal charges will be filed against Dominic and Genevieve Hadeed. No details about the potential charges or a timeline for concluding the investigative process have been released to the public.

    The case has drawn public and political attention, with Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles addressing questions about the detention during a Thursday press conference in Port of Spain. Beckles emphasized that the core priority of the process must be upholding due process and allowing the law to proceed without interference. She also noted that the investigation is unfolding against the backdrop of a currently active national state of emergency, echoing calls for the government to provide additional clarity on the case as it progresses, matching the opposition’s approach to all cases processed under the ongoing emergency declaration.

    The investigation’s first public steps unfolded Wednesday morning, when a team of plainclothes and uniformed officers from a specialized TTPS unit arrived at the Hadeeds’ Westmoorings home to execute a judicially approved search warrant. Investigators seized multiple electronic devices during the search, including several laptops, and confirmed that devices belonging to the couple’s adult children were also taken as potential evidence.

    Following the residential search, investigators accompanied Dominic Hadeed to his company’s business location in Trincity to conduct a second court-approved search as part of the ongoing enquiries. As of Thursday evening, it remained unclear whether investigators seized any additional evidence from the Trincity business site.

    In Wednesday’s initial public statement, the TTPS clarified that all search and detention actions were carried out under valid search warrants issued by the Supreme Court of Judicature, and all operations remained strictly within legal bounds under judicial oversight. The agency repeated its reminder that the execution of search warrants and detainment of individuals for questioning are standard investigative procedures that do not indicate a pre-determination of wrongdoing. “No conclusions should be drawn regarding the status of any individual until investigations are completed and any evidence is properly assessed in accordance with due process,” the TTPS said.

  • Penny disappointed with Govt’s response

    Penny disappointed with Govt’s response

    In the wake of two powerful earthquakes that rocked central Venezuela last Wednesday, collapsing structures across the capital Caracas and driving up a growing death toll, Trinidad and Tobago’s Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles has publicly voiced deep disappointment over the ruling government’s response to the unfolding humanitarian crisis.

    Speaking at a press briefing hosted by the People’s National Movement (PNM) at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Port of Spain on Thursday, Beckles issued sharp criticism of an official statement released by the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs, labeling the document “insensitive” and openly questioning whether any senior official had reviewed and vetted the communication before it was made public.

    The Opposition Leader extended formal condolences to the affected people and government of Venezuela, emphasizing that the death toll continues to climb as rescue teams pull more victims from the rubble of destroyed buildings. She stressed that moments of international humanitarian crisis demand a response rooted in compassion, solidarity, and clear leadership – standards she said the government’s current statement failed to meet.

    Beckles argued that the ruling administration should have laid out the specific details of any assistance Trinidad and Tobago planned to offer to Venezuela immediately after the disaster, rather than releasing a vague, generic statement. She pointed out that other nations across the globe have already extended clear, direct offers of concrete aid to Venezuela, noting that as one of Venezuela’s closest geographic neighbors with a permanent diplomatic mission already operating in Caracas, Trinidad and Tobago is uniquely positioned to offer timely, meaningful support.

    She called on the government to move beyond generic words of sympathy and immediately publish a transparent outline of the practical assistance the country is prepared to deploy to help Venezuela respond to the disaster and support its recovery efforts.

  • Ramsukul pleit voor invoering Starlink en versnelling digitale transformatie

    Ramsukul pleit voor invoering Starlink en versnelling digitale transformatie

    Speaking during parliamentary budget deliberations in Suriname, ruling VHP party lawmaker Kishan Ramsukul has issued a urgent call for the South American nation to dramatically speed up its digital transformation efforts, warning that the country cannot afford to fall further behind regional and global peers.

    Ramsukul centered a key part of his address on pushing for the rapid regulatory approval of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service, pushing back against a common local misconception that the service would directly compete with state-owned telecom provider Telesur. He emphasized that Starlink’s core purpose is to deliver connectivity to remote and inland regions of Suriname where traditional terrestrial telecom infrastructure has failed to deliver reliable or sufficient coverage. By filling this coverage gap, the MP argued, Starlink would unlock new economic opportunities for marginalized inland communities and help bridge the country’s digital divide. He urged the Surinamese government to finalize all necessary legislation and regulatory frameworks without delay to bring Starlink online, allowing Suriname to join the dozens of countries that already offer the service to users.

    Beyond satellite internet, Ramsukul also voiced sharp criticism of the slow digital progress in Suriname’s banking sector, noting that both ordinary citizens and local business owners face daily disruptions from outdated financial infrastructure. He pointed to unnecessarily long processing times for interbank transfers and the limited availability of modern digital payment options as persistent pain points holding back economic activity. The lawmaker called for urgent upgrades to the sector, including the rollout of instant bank transfers, modern unified digital payment platforms, and streamlined electronic payment processing systems. “Digitalization is no longer a luxury for our financial sector—it is an absolute necessity, and our institutions must keep up with global developments,” Ramsukul stated.

    Ramsukul also pushed for broader digitalization of Suriname’s public administration, outlining a series of practical reforms including the introduction of official digital driver’s licenses, a major expansion of online government service portals, and the simplification of bureaucratic administrative processes. He explained that expanding digital public services would not only cut red tape and save valuable time for residents and businesses, but also improve government transparency, increase operational efficiency, and create a more attractive investment climate for foreign and domestic companies.
    “If Suriname wants to develop into a competitive, modern economy, we must first build a modern digital infrastructure to support that growth,” Ramsukul told the National Assembly. Digital transformation, he emphasized, is now an indispensable foundation for broad economic growth, increased foreign direct investment, and inclusive development across all regions of the country.

  • Antigua And Barbuda Tops Best Honeymoon Destinations In The Caribbean Listing By Caribbean Journal

    Antigua And Barbuda Tops Best Honeymoon Destinations In The Caribbean Listing By Caribbean Journal

    For couples planning their post-wedding getaway, few places in the world can compete with the romantic appeal of Antigua and Barbuda. This twin-island Caribbean nation has curated a landscape of love that caters to every type of couple, from pairs craving grand, all-inclusive celebrations to those seeking quiet, sequestered luxury far from the crowds. What sets the destination apart above all else is its iconic natural offering: 365 pristine beaches, giving visiting couples a new private stretch of golden sand to explore for every day of their stay.

    The region’s adults-only all-inclusive resort scene is widely considered the best in the Caribbean, setting a high bar for laid-back barefoot luxury that other destinations struggle to match. Leading the pack of couple-focused retreats are Hammock Cove and Hermitage Bay, two intimate all-suite properties designed almost exclusively with pairs in mind, prioritizing privacy and shared connection over crowded common spaces.

    For couples who want to take seclusion up a notch, Jumby Bay offers an elevated experience spread across its own private island, accessible only by boat. Here, guests leave behind rigid schedules, room keys and the noise of daily life, trading them for unspoiled white shorelines and total peaceful silence.

    On the other end of the spectrum for active couples who want more than just relaxation, St. James’s Club anchors Antigua’s southeastern coast with a lively, energetic vibe. The resort offers no shortage of on-demand activities, including the increasingly popular game of pickleball, for pairs who want to stay moving during their trip.

    When it comes to pure high-end luxury, two properties stand out. Hodges Bay brings a sleek, modern sophistication to Antigua’s north shore, even featuring an outpost of the acclaimed Japanese restaurant Katsuya for food-loving couples. Meanwhile, Carlisle Bay remains one of the Caribbean’s most understatedly refined retreats, with low-key luxury that lets the natural beauty of the island take center stage.

    Across every style and budget, Antigua and Barbuda fills a rare niche for honeymooners: it is a destination that lets each couple customize their experience to match their ideal romantic vibe, whether they want a bustling, celebratory trip full of new experiences or a secluded getaway where they barely leave their room together. This article is an excerpt from a larger feature ranking the 10 best Caribbean honeymoon destinations to visit right now.

  • ABHTA Trains Hospitality Professionals in Kitchen Management and Leadership

    ABHTA Trains Hospitality Professionals in Kitchen Management and Leadership

    Antigua and Barbuda’s leading tourism industry body has marked a major milestone in workforce development for the local hospitality sector, closing out its second annual professional training program focused on elevating kitchen operations and leadership for culinary teams across the islands.

    The Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA) wrapped its 2024 iteration of *Kitchen Management Essentials: People, Systems & Service*, a two-day intensive training held June 17–18 at the Muriel O’Mard Campus. The program brought together culinary professionals from a wide range of local hotels, restaurants, and hospitality outlets, all aiming to refine their core management capabilities that underpin smooth, profitable kitchen operations.

    Led by Olvanah Richardson, Executive Sous Chef at Antigua’s renowned Blue Waters Hotel, the curriculum covered a comprehensive set of high-priority topics for modern kitchen management. Sessions delved into foundational team leadership strategies, rigorous food safety protocols, efficient inventory tracking and management, accurate food costing to protect profit margins, practical waste reduction techniques that cut costs and support sustainability, and consistent execution of high-quality customer service standards.

    At the conclusion of the program, all participants who completed the full training received official certificates, celebrating both their successful mastery of new skills and their ongoing commitment to continuous professional growth within the hospitality sector. For many attendees, the training fills a critical gap between hands-on culinary experience and the management expertise needed to advance into senior kitchen leadership roles.

    Looking ahead, ABHTA has already announced its next targeted professional development initiative for local hospitality workers: the *Supervisory Management Development Course*, scheduled to run from September 10 to October 15, 2026. The association confirmed that interested hospitality professionals can reach out directly to ABHTA’s administrative team for full details on curriculum, eligibility, and registration for the upcoming course.

    Industry observers note that ongoing workforce training initiatives like these play a key role in strengthening Antigua and Barbuda’s competitive position in the global luxury travel market, by ensuring local hospitality teams maintain the high standards of service and operational efficiency that international travelers expect.

  • Massale vissterfte in Moeroekreek: NMA start onderzoek

    Massale vissterfte in Moeroekreek: NMA start onderzoek

    On June 26, Suriname’s National Environmental Authority (NMA) issued an urgent public warning banning local residents from catching, consuming, or selling fish caught from the Moeroekreek waterway in Saramacca District, following the discovery of a widespread unexplained mass fish die-off in the region.

    The alert was triggered after reports of dead and dying fish came from communities near the upper reaches of the Saramacca River, where the Moeroekreek is located, just a short distance from the Indigenous village of Pikin Saron. The NMA has confirmed it holds serious suspicions that an as-yet unidentified toxic contaminant has entered the water system, and has launched a high-priority joint investigation alongside other relevant government agencies to pinpoint the source and nature of the pollution.

    Environmental officials also warned that the suspected contamination is likely moving downstream with the current, spreading northward along the Saramacca River. As a precaution, residents of all riverbank communities along this stretch of the waterway have been urged to heighten their vigilance and follow strict safety guidance while investigation results are pending.

    The NMA outlined four key public safety recommendations for all residents in the affected area: First, avoid catching, eating, or selling any dead or sick fish harvested from the region. Second, do not use water from Moeroekreek or its immediate surrounding tributaries for drinking, food preparation, or any other household purposes for the time being. Third, limit unnecessary direct contact with the water as much as possible to reduce potential exposure risks. Fourth, report any new cases of mass fish mortality immediately to the district commissioner or other competent local authorities.

    The authority emphasized that the investigation into the incident is being treated as a top public health and environmental priority. It confirmed that once more information becomes available about the root cause of the die-off and potential risks to human health and local ecosystems, the affected communities and general public will receive timely, full updates.

  • More Companies to Pay Windfall Tax Under New Government Policy

    More Companies to Pay Windfall Tax Under New Government Policy

    The government of Antigua and Barbuda has formally given the green light to a key policy change that expands the country’s existing windfall profits tax to a much broader group of businesses, with all new revenue generated by the adjustment earmarked exclusively for the government’s popular free tertiary education initiative.

    The confirmation of the final decision came during a post-Cabinet press briefing held on Thursday, where Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant addressed lingering questions from reporters about whether the tax would be expanded beyond its original narrower scope.

    Merchant made clear that the policy adjustment has already secured full Cabinet approval, laying out that the expanded levy will apply to every profit-generating company operating across Antigua and Barbuda that crosses the threshold of 1 million Eastern Caribbean dollars in annual profits. When clarifying the scope of the new rule, he emphasized: “All companies within Antigua and Barbuda who make a million plus dollars, they would be required to pay that tax—on profits, that is.”

    Unlike generic windfall taxes often introduced to address sudden excess profits, this expansion is explicitly designed to build a stable, long-term funding stream for the administration’s flagship free post-secondary education program. That funding will cover a range of education costs, including tuition support for local students enrolled at the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, one of the country’s main tertiary education institutions.

    Before the tax can go into effect, the government must first pass necessary amendments to existing national legislation through the country’s Parliament. Merchant confirmed that this is the only major procedural step remaining before the policy can be implemented.

    Thursday’s formal confirmation of the plan aligns with earlier public comments from Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who first signaled the administration’s intent to broaden the windfall tax as a way to lock in sustainable long-term financing for the free tertiary education program. With the Cabinet having now signed off on the final decision, the process of advancing the required legislative changes through Parliament is expected to move forward in the coming weeks.