Carib Scope

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  • Arthur Daniel to represent Grenada at La Biennale d’Arte di Venezia

    Arthur Daniel to represent Grenada at La Biennale d’Arte di Venezia

    One of Grenada’s most versatile creative voices is set to bring the vibrant soul and natural beauty of his Caribbean island to one of the world’s most prestigious contemporary art stages. Multidisciplinary artist Arthur Daniel—whose career spans photography, cinematography, entrepreneurship and music—has been selected to represent Grenada at the Grenada Pavilion during the La Biennale d’Arte di Venezia in Italy, where he will unveil a carefully curated body of work born from a lifelong fascination with both his native homeland and the broader global landscape.

    Daniel’s distinctive visual style traces its roots to formative childhood experiences that shaped his connection to the natural world and the art of exploration. Growing up, frequent walking expeditions into Grenada’s wild bushlands with his father instilled a deep reverence for nature that continues to anchor every project he takes on. This influence is clearly visible across his portfolio: his striking wildlife shots capture the character of native species ranging from the charismatic Mona monkey to the critically endangered endemic Grenada Dove, while his vivid documentation of Grenada’s iconic carnival and grassroots drag racing events celebrates the island’s dynamic cultural energy. His sweeping landscape photographs do more than showcase scenic vistas—they distill the unyielding spirit of Grenada itself, a testament to his enduring love for his home.

    A graduate in Management Information Sciences from St. George’s University, Daniel built early professional experience in public relations with Grenada’s True Blue Bay Resort before turning his full attention to visual art. He first picked up a camera in 2010, and in the years since, his work has earned international acclaim: his images have appeared in leading global publications and have been officially used by the Grenada Tourism Authority to promote the island to travelers worldwide. What sets Daniel apart is his commitment to unconventional perspective; he actively seeks out overlooked angles and unplanned moments that invite audiences to see even the most familiar Grenadian landscapes in entirely new ways.

    His foray into sailing photography began with local coverage of two beloved regional events: the Workboat Regatta and Grenada Sailing Week. That early work opened doors to international collaborations, including a role with the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s media team covering the Caribbean 600 yacht race in Antigua. Today, his sailing imagery is regularly featured in top yachting print and digital outlets across the globe.

    Fresh off a successful featured exhibition at Carifesta 2025, Daniel is approaching his Venice Biennale debut with palpable excitement, eager to share his vision of Grenada with a global audience on one of contemporary art’s most high-profile platforms. “I am starting to learn more about this creative space,” he shared, noting that this is not his first contribution to the Grenada Pavilion—he previously contributed a video interview with his sister, environmental scientist Dr. Jodi Daniel, centered on the growing challenge of sargassum blooms in Caribbean waters.

    In recent days, Daniel and his small creative team—made up of camera and drone operator Renel Parkes and audio technician Andre Hayes—have begun filming the first segment of a new collaborative video project for the pavilion. The first part of the film captures Grenada-born independent artist Jeverson Ramirez performing on the steelpan aboard Savvy, an authentic hand-built sloop from Petite Martinique moored just off Grenada’s Carenage, with vessel handling supported by Danny Donelan and Brian Samuel. The second segment will be filmed on location in Venice, where Ramirez will reprise his performance aboard a traditional Venetian sandolo sailing through the city’s iconic canals.

    This blend of on-island and international filming aligns with Daniel’s signature creative approach: equal parts research and spontaneous art, he prioritizes staying open to everyday inspiration and crafting stories that resonate with universal human experience. When the Grenada Pavilion opens to visitors, Daniel’s combined video work and curated photography from both Grenada and Venice will not only draw attention to the national presentation but also introduce new global audiences to the rich, diverse cultural heritage of the Caribbean island.

    This 2025 presentation marks the ninth time Grenada has hosted a national pavilion at the Venice Biennale since 2015, with six previous appearances at the art biennale and three at the architecture edition of the event, cementing the country’s growing presence in the global contemporary art scene.

  • Pringle Says UPP Will Change Work Permit System to Let Workers Move Jobs Freely

    Pringle Says UPP Will Change Work Permit System to Let Workers Move Jobs Freely

    As Antigua and Barbuda prepares for its upcoming general election on April 30, opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) leader Jamale Pringle has laid out a sweeping plan to reform the country’s existing work permit framework, promising to eliminate one of the most burdensome hurdles facing foreign workers in the country.

    Speaking to supporters at a campaign rally held in All Saints, Pringle pulled back the curtain on the proposed changes, criticizing the current regulatory structure that locks foreign workers into contracts with a single employer. Under the status quo, any worker seeking to switch jobs must restart the entire application process from scratch, a repetitive procedure that piles up unnecessary costs and creates significant administrative red tape for foreign employees who have already established themselves in the country.

    Pringle outlined that a UPP-led administration would completely restructure the permitting system by shifting the classification of work permits from employer-specific to industry or profession-based. This fundamental overhaul means that instead of issuing a permit tied to one particular role at one company, authorities would grant authorization based on the worker’s skilled trade or professional field. For example, a construction laborer or a hotel service worker would be free to move between different positions within their respective sector without submitting a new application, paying additional fees, or waiting for fresh approval every time they change roles.

    In remarks highlighting the human impact of the reform, Pringle emphasized that the change is designed to create a fairer system for foreign workers who have made lasting contributions to Antigua and Barbuda’s economy. “We understand that persons would have moved from their country of birth to live within Antigua and Barbuda, and they help to build our economy,” he said, noting that these workers currently face disproportionate restrictions and repeated financial burdens under outdated rules.

    The work permit overhaul is not an isolated policy proposal, Pringle confirmed, but rather one piece of a wider, ambitious agenda to modernize Antigua and Barbuda’s labor market and regulatory frameworks for businesses. With voting day just weeks away, the plan marks a clear policy distinction for the UPP as it courts voters ahead of the April 30 general election.

  • Government, iSTEAM formalise agreement to strengthen intergenerational engagement

    Government, iSTEAM formalise agreement to strengthen intergenerational engagement

    BASSETERRE, Saint Kitts – In a move designed to deepen connections between young people and older community members, the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis has formalized a formal partnership with youth-led nonprofit iSTEAM: The Academy of Arts and Sciences via a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

    The official signing ceremony took place April 15 at the headquarters of the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Ageing, and Disabilities. Honourable Isalean Phillip, Minister of State, signed the agreement on behalf of the national government, while Clilia Davis, Managing Director of iSTEAM, signed for the organization.

    This binding agreement cements and expands the ongoing collaborative work between iSTEAM and the ministry, with a core focus on supporting Saddlers Home for the Elderly. For some time, iSTEAM’s young volunteers have carried out regular intergenerational engagement activities for the facility’s residents, alongside delivering critical supplies, personal gifts, and other donations to meet residents’ needs.

    In remarks following the signing, Minister Phillip praised the youth-led organization for its commitment to improving the quality of life for senior citizens across the federation. She emphasized that cross-sector partnerships with community groups are a cornerstone of policy delivery across the portfolios she oversees.

    “It is incredibly encouraging to see community stakeholders recognize the investments our government is making to support vulnerable groups, and step forward to contribute their own time and effort to that mission,” Phillip said.

    The minister added that the MOU holds particular significance because it aligns directly with the ministry’s strategic priority: strengthening intergenerational engagement to build a cohesive community culture where younger people both care for and learn from older generations. She specifically commended Davis for her longstanding leadership in this space, noting that iSTEAM has built a strong track record of empowering young people while delivering meaningful support to seniors across Saint Kitts and Nevis.

    Officials from both sides say the partnership highlights how intentional collaboration between government and community organizations can drive measurable positive social change and improve well-being for at-risk and vulnerable population groups.

  • Joseph Proposes Concrete Roads and Drainage Overhaul to Tackle Rural West Flooding

    Joseph Proposes Concrete Roads and Drainage Overhaul to Tackle Rural West Flooding

    As Antigua and Barbuda prepares for its April 30 general election, one closely contested constituency — St. John’s Rural West — has seen core quality-of-life and infrastructure issues rise to the top of campaign priorities, with ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party candidate Michael Joseph laying out a detailed action plan to address the area’s long-running road decay and persistent flooding problems.

    During a recent televised appearance on ABS’s public affairs program *Know Your Candidates*, Joseph zeroed in on the most severely impacted communities across the constituency, naming Golden Grove Extension and Cooks as regions grappling with some of the most dangerous and unusable road surfaces in the entire district. He explained that much of this poor infrastructure stems from uncompleted private development projects, where developers abandoned work before delivering basic public amenities, leaving hundreds of local residents stuck on unpaved, unmaintained dirt roads that become impassable during wet weather.

    “Without a doubt, the worst road conditions right now are in Golden Grove Extension and Cooks,” Joseph stated in the interview, noting that many developers who initiated residential builds in these areas failed to follow through on legal requirements to install connecting roads, running water, and electrical infrastructure for new homeowners.

    Following sustained advocacy from local residents and community leaders, Joseph confirmed that government-funded infrastructure upgrades are already underway in both neighborhoods, with multiple construction firms contracted to build out the full missing road network. In low-lying, frequently waterlogged sections of Golden Grove Extension, project planners have pivoted away from traditional asphalt paving to far more durable, climate-resistant concrete — a change Joseph says is critical to withstanding increasingly frequent severe weather and consistent flooding.

    “We have to build climate-resilient roads here… traditional asphalt simply won’t hold up to the constant water exposure,” he explained. Given the large scale of the project and the need for specialized, long-lasting construction techniques, Joseph estimates that full completion of the road network across both communities will take between 12 and 24 months.

    Beyond road repairs, Joseph turned attention to the chronic flooding crisis tied to the Big Gutter drainage system running along Federation Main Road, a problem that has plagued the area for decades despite repeated attempts at quick fixes. Past interventions focused solely on clearing accumulated debris from the gutter, but recent engineering assessments have uncovered deeper structural issues tied to shifting water flow patterns and rising sea levels linked to climate change.

    Studies found that the combination of increasing rainwater runoff volume, higher sea levels that slow drainage outflows, and a blocked primary outlet channel has forced all excess water through a single narrow passage, overwhelming the system and causing widespread flooding along the main road during even moderate rain events. To address this root cause, engineering teams have developed two viable long-term solutions: installing heavy-duty industrial pumps to actively move excess water out of the system during storms, or constructing a large retention pond to expand the area’s overall drainage capacity.

    In the near term, crews are already working to replace thousands of aging concrete slabs that cover sections of the Big Gutter, many of which cracked and broke during earlier debris removal operations. In a move designed to build community investment in the project, Joseph says he lobbied to hire a local contractor to manufacture and install the replacement slabs, ensuring that members of the St. John’s Rural West community benefit directly from the work.

    “I thought it was critical to advocate for local small contractors to take on this work… that way, there’s real community ownership of the improvements we’re making,” he said.

    Joseph framed the ongoing infrastructure push as part of a broader labor party commitment to raising living standards across all constituencies, arguing that the government has a core responsibility to step in when private developers fail to deliver on their legal and contractual obligations to residents.
    “No matter what private developers do or don’t deliver, as a government we have a fundamental responsibility to ensure that all our people enjoy a high standard of living,” he said.

    With just weeks to go before the general election, St. John’s Rural West remains one of the most closely watched swing constituencies in the country, and both major parties have centered their local campaigns on infrastructure improvements and quality-of-life upgrades for area residents.

  • MBS pharmacies to close early for staff meeting

    MBS pharmacies to close early for staff meeting

    An official public advisory has been released by the Medical Benefits Scheme, confirming that every pharmacy operating under the organization’s network will wrap up operations earlier than usual this coming Wednesday, 22 April. The scheduled early closure has been arranged to accommodate an all-staff meeting that requires attendance from personnel across the entire MBS pharmacy network.

    Per the terms of the published notice, all participating locations will cease customer services and lock their doors by 12:00 noon on the affected day. The temporary shutdown will disrupt normal access to prescription filling, over-the-counter purchases and other routine pharmacy services for MBS beneficiaries and general customers across the whole network.

    Normal operating hours are scheduled to resume promptly the following day, 23 April, with all locations set to open back up to the public at their regular start time of 08:00. In the advisory, the Medical Benefits Scheme extended a formal apology to patients and customers for any disruptions or inconveniences that the early closure may cause. The organization also encouraged all community members to plan ahead, adjust their visit schedules, and make any required arrangements for medication pickups or other pharmacy needs ahead of the temporary shutdown.

  • Open Letter to the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services

    Open Letter to the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services

    A long-simmering frustration with Dominica’s public health leadership has erupted into public view, as regional reproductive health advocacy group ASPIRE has publicly called out the Ministry of Health and Wellness for years of unresponsiveness on two critical policy issues: looming abortion law reform and the pressing crisis of adolescent fertility.

    The open letter, published this week, opens with a pointed juxtaposition: the nation is currently celebrating the trailblazing career of Dr. Carissa Etienne, a native Dominican who rose to become the Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) — the only leader in the institution’s history to win unanimous reappointment to a second term. Under her leadership, PAHO amplified focus on Caribbean public health needs more than any of her predecessors, a legacy ASPIRE says stands in stark contrast to the current performance of the local ministry Dr. Etienne once knew intimately.

    At the heart of the conflict is the ongoing constitutional challenge to Dominica’s existing abortion law. Should the High Court rule the current legislation unconstitutional, the Ministry of Health will immediately be required to roll out safe, accessible abortion care that balances the rights of both patients and medical staff. ASPIRE argues this ruling will leave the ministry facing a far larger, more complex challenge than simply updating service protocols: dismantling deep-rooted social stigma around abortion, a cultural force that ASPIRE says is largely amplified by institutional church influence. The advocacy group notes that politicians have long avoided confronting the church on this contentious issue, leaving critical preparation work undone.

    Mindful of the massive stakes of this impending legal shift, ASPIRE says it has extended multiple offers over several years to share its independent research findings with ministry leaders to kickstart collaborative planning for reform. To date, none of these offers have received any response.

    Beyond abortion law, the advocacy group has also pushed the ministry to take action on Dominica’s alarmingly high adolescent fertility rate, which currently outpaces the Caribbean regional average. ASPIRE presented the ministry with proven, low-barrier policy adjustments that have already been successfully implemented in five other Caribbean nations, yet again the group received no reply — not even a formal acknowledgment of receipt of their proposal.

    ASPIRE questions why a government ministry charged with protecting public health, which should prioritize timeliness and urgent action to address community needs, has been so unresponsive to civil society outreach. The group warns that without advance preparation, a court ruling will leave the ministry completely unprepared to meet its new obligations, leaving vulnerable patients without critical care.

    The advocacy group closed its letter noting that the culture of indifference and unresponsiveness now plaguing the ministry is a far cry from the public service ethos that shaped Dr. Etienne’s decades of work advancing regional public health. ASPIRE says it hopes other stakeholders receive more timely communication from the ministry, and expressed deep regret if the years of silence the group has faced reflect a broader systemic failure of Dominica’s public service.

    ASPIRE is a pro-motherhood, pro-family, pro-choice non-governmental organization registered in Dominica and four other Caribbean nations. The group works to advance equitable reproductive health policy through independent research and collaborative dialogue with civil society and government stakeholders.

  • Aquatic Centre reopens following completion of maintenance work

    Aquatic Centre reopens following completion of maintenance work

    After a month-long shutdown to address a critical faulty filtration system, the Wildey Aquatic Centre has officially resumed operations, bringing relief to local and national swimming teams that were forced to rearrange their training schedules ahead of key upcoming competitions.

    The facility was first ordered closed by Barbados’ Ministry of Health on March 12, forcing the country’s CARIFTA Aquatic Championships national squad to relocate all training sessions to the pool at Ursuline Convent. Following extensive remedial work carried out largely through community and private support, the Aquatic Centre welcomed swimmers back through its doors on Monday.

    In an interview with Barbados TODAY, Glyne Harrison, president of the Barbados Amateur Swimming Association (BASA), outlined the new operational changes introduced to extend the facility’s lifespan and prevent future system failures. Under the updated protocols, the pool will close daily from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. for scheduled maintenance. This 75-minute window falls just before the daily peak period when dozens of club swimmers arrive for training, allowing staff to conduct system checks, adjust chemical levels — including chlorine — and let treatments fully dissipate before the facility fills with users.

    Harrison emphasized that BASA is prioritizing proactive maintenance over reactive problem-solving to avoid future unexpected shutdowns. “Our job at the association level is to face issues when they’re highlighted, and we prefer that to be proactively rather than reactively. We also make sure we operate in a way that prevents them from coming back,” he said.

    In addition to the scheduled daily maintenance break, the facility has also been updated with new clear signage reminding all visitors of basic hygiene protocols, including mandatory showering before entering the pool. Harrison explained that natural body oils, topical creams and hair products introduced by swimmers add extra strain on filtration systems, so reinforcing these simple rules helps reduce long-term wear on the equipment.

    Most of the renovation and repair work was completed pro bono, a gesture Harrison said would not have been possible without the support of the local aquatic community. A majority of the work was funded through a trust established to honor the legacy of Angus Edghill, with additional pro bono support from local service providers who stepped up to assist the non-government facility. Harrison noted that operating the Aquatic Centre is a “mammoth task” — unlike many public sports facilities, it receives no direct government funding, and all upkeep costs are covered by membership fees.

    The reopening has been widely celebrated across Barbados’ swimming community, including by David Farmer, the veteran head coach of the recently returned record-breaking CARIFTA Games squad. Farmer said the entire swimming community is thrilled to have the facility back online, with the Sonia O’Neill International Invitational competition just five weeks away, scheduled for the third weekend of May.

    “Everybody is very excited about the fact that the pool has reopened and we are expecting strong attendances. Everybody has started training with that in mind so the pool is quite busy at this point in time,” Farmer said. He added that attendance has dipped slightly this week due to the upcoming school break, but expects numbers to return to normal once classes resume next week, bringing the facility back to its regular operational rhythm.

  • 2026 China Scholarship Announcement

    2026 China Scholarship Announcement

    A new round of applications for the 2026 MOFCOM Scholarship-CSC Programme, a fully-funded graduate study opportunity for Grenadian nationals at Chinese universities, has been launched jointly by the governments of the People’s Republic of China and Grenada. Established by China’s Ministry of Commerce, the scholarship initiative aims to nurture professional talent for developing countries while deepening bilateral educational and professional cooperation between China and partner nations around the world. This call represents the second separate application round for the 2026 intake, with a distinct timeline and process from the first opening. Candidates who already submitted materials during the first round are not required to reapply, and all prospective applicants are strongly advised to review program guidelines carefully to confirm their eligibility and submit materials under the correct application channel. To qualify for the program, candidates must meet a set of clear eligibility criteria. All applicants must hold valid Grenadian citizenship, be no older than 45 (meaning they must be born after September 1, 1981), and provide an official medical report from a public hospital confirming good physical and mental health. For Master’s degree applicants, a minimum of a completed bachelor’s degree plus at least three years of professional work experience is required, while PhD applicants must hold a completed Master’s degree from a recognized institution. All candidates must currently be employed, with priority given to division-level or above government officials, senior organizational or corporate management, and academic staff at universities or research institutions. Applicants must also demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to complete graduate-level study in China, and must not currently be enrolled in a Chinese higher education institution or hold another active Chinese government scholarship. A full updated list of participating Chinese universities and available majors for the 2026 intake is published via an official linked portal, accessible to all prospective applicants. The MOFCOM-CSC Scholarship provides comprehensive financial support for all selected recipients throughout their program of study. Coverage includes full tuition waivers, free access to course materials, coverage for research and field survey costs, stipends for English-medium programs, and dissertation supervision fees. Recipients also receive free on-campus accommodation during their studies, a monthly living stipend totaling 36,000 RMB per year for Master’s students and 42,000 RMB per year for PhD students (disbursed monthly based on actual time spent in China), and a one-time 3,000 RMB resettlement allowance for newly arrived students. Additional benefits include free comprehensive medical insurance for international students, a one-time round-trip international airfare between the recipient’s home country and China, and coverage for up to one additional round-trip airfare per year for annual home visits. Continued scholarship funding for multi-year programs is contingent on passing a mandatory annual performance review. All applicants are reminded that all supporting documents must be scanned using professional equipment to ensure clarity, and must be officially certified to be considered valid. A clear, step-by-step application process is outlined for all candidates, completed entirely through the official China Scholarship Council (CSC) online portal: Step 1: Access the official “CSC Study in China” website at http://www.campuschina.org, click “Scholarship Application for Students”, create an individual account, and log in. Step 2: Complete all required personal information via the “Edit Personal Details” tab, verify and save all entries, then click “Finish” to proceed to the application information section. Step 3: Select the correct program category: for MOFCOM-CSC Scholarship applicants, the required selection is “Type A”. Step 4: Enter the official agency number 00010, which is exclusively assigned to MOFCOM-CSC Programme applicants. Program category and agency number are directly matched, so incorrect entries will result in application materials not being received by processing authorities. After entering the number, the matching agency name will automatically populate on the platform. Step 5: Complete the “Language Proficiency and Study Plan” section, upload all required supporting documents as instructed, and review all entries and materials before clicking “Submit” to finalize the application. When selecting preferred higher education institutions, the platform will automatically match available universities based on the applicant’s student category, preferred teaching language, and chosen major. For additional questions about program offerings, applicants can access discipline and major catalogs via the website’s “Help” section. Step 6: After submission, no further edits can be made to personal or application information. However, before processing by authorities, applicants may withdraw their submission to make edits, but must resubmit the revised application for it to be considered. Once authorities have begun processing, withdrawals are no longer permitted. Step 7: Click “Print the Application Form” to download the completed form. The CSC recommends using either Firefox or Internet Explorer for the application process; Internet Explorer users must disable the “compatibility view mode” before editing documents. Step 8: After completing the online application, candidates must submit hard copy materials to Grenada’s official dispatching authority, the Human Resource Development Division at the Ministry of Education, as required. The CSC emphasizes that it never delegates application processing to third-party individuals or intermediary agents. All applicants are advised to submit applications directly via official channels to avoid fraud, and notes that campuschina.org is the only official platform for CSC Study in China information. Required hard copy documents include three copies of each of the following: the completed MOFCOM-CSC Programme application form (confirming online submission has been completed), a certified copy of the biodata page of a valid non-expired passport, three recent passport-sized photographs, certified copies of the highest academic diploma, certified copies of official academic transcripts, a detailed study plan or research proposal, a full curriculum vitae, two recommendation letters (one from the applicant’s current employer and one from an academic referee), a copy of the completed Foreigner Physical Examination Form (for programs longer than six months, valid for only six months from the date of examination and requiring an attending physician’s signature, official hospital stamp and sealed applicant photo to be valid), and a valid police clearance certificate issued within six months of the application submission date. All application materials must be submitted on or before the May 14, 2026 deadline. For additional inquiries about the program or application process, prospective applicants can contact the Human Resource Development Division at Grenada’s Ministry of Education via telephone at (473) 440-2737, WhatsApp at (473) 417-9762, or email at the two official addresses published by the ministry.

  • UWI Cave Hill mourns slain law student

    UWI Cave Hill mourns slain law student

    The tight-knit academic community at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill campus is grappling with devastating grief following the tragic killing of 26-year-old Daquan Roberts, a standout final-year law student on track to graduate with honors. Roberts lost his life in a drive-by shooting Tuesday night on Spruce Street in Bridgetown, The City, just weeks before the campus community was set to begin final examinations. The senseless violence has sent profound shockwaves through the institution, leaving students, faculty, and staff reeling from an unexpected and devastating loss.

    In an official statement released Thursday, university leadership confirmed that the entire campus is “deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic and senseless death.” In response to the tragedy, the institution has organized a campus vigil and public anti-gun violence walk to honor Roberts’ life and push back against the gun violence that cut his future short. Roberts enrolled in the UWI Cave Hill Faculty of Law for the 2023/2024 academic year, and quickly earned a reputation as a deeply committed, high-achieving student whose promise was evident to all who taught and worked alongside him. That bright, unfulfilled potential has made the loss even more devastating for every member of the law faculty community.

    Cave Hill Principal Professor Clive Landis acknowledged that grief has spread across all sectors of the campus, with the timing of the killing amplifying the emotional strain on students already gearing up for high-stakes final exams. “At this difficult time, our thoughts are with the family of Daquan Roberts, his friends, classmates, and all who knew him, and who are understandably affected by this loss,” Landis said. To support impacted students, the university has activated flexible provisions in its examination regulations, allowing any student unable to sit their scheduled exams to postpone them. This accommodation comes as the campus navigates a period of collective mourning unfolding mid-examination season, with the heaviest sorrow concentrated within the Faculty of Law.

    Interim Dean of the Faculty of Law Dr Antonius Hippolyte described a somber mood across the department, noting that Roberts was universally well-liked by peers and had left an enduring positive impression on all his lecturers. “Daquan, who was a bright and promising student, will be greatly missed. I wish to extend condolences to his friends and family as they navigate this difficult period,” Hippolyte said.

    Lecturer Carla Ali offered a more personal portrait of Roberts, capturing the full range of his character beyond his strong academic transcript. “Humble in spirit and generous in nature, Daquan was always ready to lend a helping hand to those around him. He became an integral part of the Faculty’s community and a familiar presence within the Law Library,” Ali said. She highlighted that Roberts’ consistent strong grades over his academic career reflected his natural discipline and sharp intellectual ability, but emphasized that he will be remembered far more for his warmth and kindness. “his warm smile, kind heart, and engaging personality,” she said, adding “his life, though far too brief, leaves behind a legacy of diligence, humility, and compassion that will not be forgotten.”

    Ajay Gordon, president of the UWI Cave Hill Guild of Students and a three-year classmate of Roberts, shared that the pair had planned to continue their legal studies together at the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago starting the next academic year. Gordon saw Roberts on campus just hours before the shooting, and noted that this marks the second time he has lost a classmate to violent death in recent years. “I remember fondly how easily he broke down difficult concepts of law to me and how passionate he was in lectures and tutorials. He always sat at the front and was intrigued by jurisprudence,” Gordon recalled. “I always remember that he would never pass by without giving me a fist bump. He was a very spiritual person.”

    Beyond academics, Roberts was deeply engaged in campus and community initiatives: he served as an ambassador and executive committee member for the UWISTAT Vice Chancellor’s Ambassador Corps, where he demonstrated consistent commitment to regional integration, volunteer service, and climate action, Gordon added.

    UWI officials confirmed that free professional counselling support has been made available to all students and staff as the community processes this devastating loss. The memorial vigil and anti-gun violence walk are scheduled for April 25 at the campus Peace Pole, a landmark installed in 2022 through an initiative by the Rotary Club of Barbados South that bears the message: “May Peace Prevail on Earth”.

    As of Thursday, law enforcement officials have not made any arrests in connection with Roberts’ killing, and detectives continue active investigations into the attack.

  • Top cop confirms link between Stoney Ground, Buccament killings

    Top cop confirms link between Stoney Ground, Buccament killings

    A wave of brazen, daylight gun violence that left three people dead across two communities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines has pushed the nation’s top law enforcement official to launch a full-scale operational crackdown on organized criminal activity, confirming a clear connection between the two separate shooting incidents that shocked the country over the weekend.

    Police Commissioner Enville Williams made the confirmation and announced the offensive in an official public address shared across social media channels, framing the brutal killings as a defining moment for the small Caribbean nation. In his address, Williams emphasized that the recent violence is far more than a routine law enforcement challenge—it is a direct attack on the country’s core values of peace and public safety.

    The string of violence began on the afternoon of April 10, when two men—29-year-old Enrique John, widely known by his alias Shoubu, and 22-year-old Raheem Guy, identified by sources as a close associate of John—were gunned down in the Stoney Ground neighborhood. John was killed inside a retail store at the local Russells Shopping Centre, a busy commercial hub, while Guy was fatally shot on the public sidewalk just outside the Caribbean Medical Imaging Centre, just steps away from the first shooting scene.

    Hours later, on Saturday, the body of 19-year-old Perrance Matthews, a relative of John from the Layou community, was discovered along the river defense embankment in Buccament Bay. Autopsy preliminary findings confirmed he died from multiple gunshot wounds to the head and chest. One additional person was wounded in the related violence, Williams confirmed.

    In the wake of the three deaths, Williams said the nation has reached an unavoidable crossroads: “There are moments in the life of a nation that demand more than mere observation, that demand a reckoning. Today, we stand at such a crossroad.”

    Calling the open violence “a direct assault on the peace, the dignity and the very soul of this country,” Williams said the public’s growing fear—sparked by the question of whether it is even safe to walk outside in their own communities—demanded a decisive response. “This is where we draw the line, and we’ll bring everything we’ve got to the fight,” he stated.

    The commissioner announced that the entire constabulary would shift from routine patrol to an absolute operational offensive against criminal networks. “We are focusing every lawful resource on this, and from here forward, our actions will speak louder than any words. We will be mobilising the machinery of the state to hunt down those who believe they can act without consequence,” Williams said.

    He issued a direct warning to both the perpetrators of the violence and anyone who aids them, saying: “To the criminal elements who believe they can transform the society into private hunting grounds, your arrogance is your undoing. Anyone who provides a roof, a vehicle or a wall of silence for these killers, you are not bystanders. You are accomplices to the destruction of your own country.”

    Williams added that law enforcement will dismantle the entire criminal infrastructure supporting the gun violence, using the full force of the law to target every person involved. He described the pattern of gun-related lawlessness as a dangerous cancer that must be stopped before it spreads to every town and village across the country, noting that national safety depends on the courage of everyday citizens.

    Acknowledging that the public’s anger and anxiety over the violence are completely justified, Williams called on residents to break their silence and share any information they have with authorities. “If you possess a single fragment of information, a name, a sighting, a whispered plan, bring it forward. Do not let misplaced loyalty become the solder under which more of our sons and daughters are buried,” he urged, warning against private retribution.

    “Vigilantism is not justice. It is the fuel that feeds the fire. Let the law be your shield and the police your sword,” he said. Williams also asked the public for patience in the coming days as the expanded operation unfolds, noting that all actions are being taken to protect the public good.

    To make it easier for residents to submit tips, the country’s Criminal Investigations Department and major crime units have posted dedicated hotlines—456-1801 and 457-1211—for anonymous tips. In the coming days, authorities will also launch a new QR code system that will allow residents to share information securely and freely, with all identities protected under the strictest confidentiality protocols.

    “This is the hour for our national resolve. This will not be defined by the violence of a few, but by the unity of many,” Williams said. “We will reclaim our streets, we will restore our peace, and we will ensure St. Vincent and the Grenadines remains a land where law and order are absolute.”

    As of the latest update, authorities have already made two arrests in connection with Perrance Matthews’ death. Rosia John, Enrique John’s mother, and 19-year-old Augustas Matthews, another Layou resident, have been charged with murder and conspiracy to murder. Rosia John additionally faces charges of cocaine possession and drug trafficking. Both suspects are scheduled to make their first court appearance later this Friday.