Carib Scope

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  • DHTA closes successful Hike Fest 2026, sets sights on expanded experiences next year

    DHTA closes successful Hike Fest 2026, sets sights on expanded experiences next year

    After six packed weeks of guided outdoor exploration that drew the largest crowd in its event history, Hike Fest 2026 has officially drawn to a close, organized by the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association (DHTA). The annual event, designed to encourage both local residents and international visitors to uncover the hidden, underpromoted corners of Dominica—widely known as the Nature Island—blended rugged natural adventure with immersive cultural and historical education this year, delivering a standout experience that left participants raving.

    The festival’s closing chapter, a special themed hike titled “Echoes of the Maroons” held at Jaco Flats, took place on June 13, 2026, after organizers rescheduled it from its original May 23 date. This final route guided attendees through one of Dominica’s most culturally significant landscapes, a site deeply tied to the island’s historic Maroon communities of formerly enslaved people who fought for and won their freedom. Beyond the scenic tropical vistas that line the trail, the hike invited participants to reflect on the legacy of resistance, resilience, and self-determination that defines the area. Following the walk, attendees wrapped up the day with a refreshing river dip and a shared traditional one-pot meal, creating space for casual connection, story-swapping, and celebration of the festival’s success.

    Over the six-week run, the festival offered a diverse lineup of hikes across the island, catering to a range of skill levels and interests. Featured routes included iconic treks like the world-famous Boiling Lake trail, as well as less traveled paths to Boeri Lake, Trinity Lakes, Segment 11, the Charles Warner trail, and the popular Sylvania-to-Middleham Night Hike. Each excursion was curated to highlight a different facet of Dominica’s extraordinary natural biodiversity, while also advancing core DHTA goals: encouraging active, healthy lifestyles, boosting public environmental awareness, advancing sustainable tourism practices, and fostering deep, meaningful connections between visitors and the natural world.

    Hubert Winston, a member of both the DHTA Board and the Hike Fest organizing committee, called the 2026 edition a resounding success, noting that this year marked a historic turnout for the event. “This year’s Hike Fest saw our largest turnout ever. Several hikes, including Jaco Flats, offered participants a unique opportunity to connect with Dominica’s rich history through newly discovered sites, ruins, and relics. It was a meaningful experience to walk in the footsteps of our ancestors. We’re excited for next year and look forward to delivering even bigger, better-promoted events with enhanced experiences for participants to enjoy,” Winston shared in DHTA’s post-festival press release.

    DHTA President Kitwani Ferreira echoed this enthusiasm, emphasizing that Hike Fest’s impact extends far beyond recreational hiking. “What makes Hike Fest special is that it goes beyond hiking. It creates opportunities for people to discover hidden corners of Dominica, learn about our history and culture, and develop a deeper appreciation for the island’s unique assets. The response from participants this year confirms that experiential tourism continues to resonate strongly with both locals and visitors,” Ferreira said.

    Participant feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many attendees highlighting the event’s strong organization and unique blend of nature and culture. Mervin Wallace, a Dominican expatriate taking part in the festival for the first time, described checking the iconic Boiling Lake hike off his personal bucket list as an unforgettable milestone. “I did the Boiling Lake Hike and it was overall a great experience. I convinced my son to do it with me as it was something off my bucket list. The hike itself was challenging, but the event was well organized. I will be back next year with some of my colleagues who wish to take part in Hike Fest,” Wallace said.

    Ibrahim Brohim, a representative of the Dwivayez Hiking Club, echoed praise for the festival’s planning, adding that the event reinforced why Dominica has earned its nickname as the Nature Island. “The organization was excellent from start to finish. Hike Fest reminded me why Dominica is known as the Nature Island. The final hike felt like a celebration of everything the festival represents—adventure, history, community, and appreciation for our natural environment,” Brohim noted.

    DHTA closed its announcement by extending gratitude to all partners and contributors who made the 2026 festival possible, including certified trail guides, volunteer groups such as Next Level Hikers, event sponsors, community partners, emergency response teams, and every participant who joined the six-week series. The association reaffirmed its long-term commitment to developing sustainable tourism offerings that showcase Dominica’s unique natural beauty, while also protecting the island’s irreplaceable cultural and environmental heritage.

    Looking ahead, DHTA has already announced plans for a new series of guided hikes to be held during Dominica’s Independence season in November 2026, and early preparations for Hike Fest 2027 are already underway. Organizers are aiming to expand the event further next year, welcoming more attendees while continuing to introduce new trails, hidden historical and natural gems, and elevated immersive experiences across the island.

  • Verenigd Koninkrijk krijgt zevende premier in tien jaar na aftreden Starmer

    Verenigd Koninkrijk krijgt zevende premier in tien jaar na aftreden Starmer

    In a move that deepens a decade-long streak of political turbulence in the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party and current British prime minister, announced his resignation on Monday amid mounting internal pressure from within his own party, just 20 months after taking office. His departure triggers a contest to name the UK’s seventh prime minister in 10 years, a milestone that has amplified global questions about the nation’s long-term political stability.

    In an emotional public address, Starmer confirmed he will remain in office as prime minister and party leader until a new Labour leader is selected, who will automatically assume the role of prime minister. The formal leadership contest will launch on July 9, with a deadline to finalize the result before the UK Parliament enters its summer recess.

    Starmer’s position began to unravel in recent weeks following deeply underwhelming performance by Labour in local elections across the country. The final blow came last week, when Labour suffered a decisive by-election defeat in the Makerfield constituency, where challenger Andy Burnham – the popular incumbent mayor of Greater Manchester – secured a victory that stripped the party of what had long been considered a safe seat.

    This latest resignation caps a period of unprecedented turnover in Downing Street that dates back to the 2016 Brexit referendum. Since that pivotal vote, the UK has seen six prime ministers hold office, for an average tenure of just 18 to 24 months. This marks a stark departure from the second half of the 20th century and early 2000s, when long-serving leaders such as Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair held power for more than a decade each.

    The string of departures started with David Cameron, who resigned in 2016 after campaigning to remain in the EU and losing the Brexit referendum. Theresa May stepped down in 2019 after three years of failed attempts to pass her negotiated Brexit withdrawal agreement through Parliament. Boris Johnson resigned in 2022, forced out after a cascade of ministerial resignations tied to multiple ethics scandals. Later that same year, Liz Truss resigned after just 49 days in office – the shortest premiership in UK history – after her radical economic proposal triggered market chaos. Rishi Sunak departed in 2024 after the Conservative Party suffered a landslide general election defeat that brought Starmer’s Labour to power. Now, just two years later, Starmer follows his predecessors out of Downing Street.

    The repeated turnover at the top of UK government has sparked growing international concern, given the country’s status as a major global power and a core member of key international alliances including NATO. The rapid succession of prime ministers has raised urgent questions about the consistency and effectiveness of UK leadership on the global stage.

    Policy analysts warn that constant leadership changes could erode investor confidence in the UK economy, while also weakening the country’s negotiating position in critical international trade and diplomatic talks. Domestically, ongoing political turbulence risks delaying progress on key policy priorities, from post-Brexit economic growth and infrastructure investment to international relations and national security planning.

    Still, some political experts emphasize that the UK’s long-standing parliamentary institutions and established democratic framework are robust enough to weather this period of unrest. Whether the country can move past this cycle of turnover and restore long-term stability, they note, will depend entirely on how quickly and effectively the Labour Party can select a new leader capable of rebuilding public and parliamentary trust.

    As the contest gets underway, Andy Burnham – who has just returned to the House of Commons via the Makerfield by-election victory – is widely seen as the early frontrunner to replace Starmer. Other high-profile Labour figures, including former health secretary Wes Streeting, are also reportedly considering launching bids for the party leadership.

    To qualify for the leadership ballot, any candidate must first secure the backing of at least 81 sitting Labour members of Parliament. Depending on how many candidates meet this threshold and whether any behind-the-scenes deals are struck before the contest formally launches, the process could either stretch into a full summer-long campaigning period or conclude quickly with an uncontested transition.

  • Girl Guides Association of Dominica elects new executive team, names youngest-ever chief commissioner

    Girl Guides Association of Dominica elects new executive team, names youngest-ever chief commissioner

    ROSEAU, Dominica – In a landmark gathering for youth empowerment in the Caribbean nation, the Girl Guides Association of Dominica (GGAD) has confirmed a refreshed executive leadership lineup following its 2026 Annual General Meeting and Business Session, held June 19. The newly elected board members will serve three-year terms, joining existing sitting officers to advance the organization’s decades-long mission of building confidence, leadership skills, and community engagement among girls and young women across the country.

    At the top of the new leadership slate is Abigail Christmas, who will step into the role of Chief Commissioner – marking a historic milestone for GGAD, as Christmas becomes the youngest person to hold the position in the association’s history. The full roster of newly elected leaders also includes Valencia Webb, who takes on dual roles as Deputy Chief Commissioner and Treasurer; Cecilia Christmas as International Commissioner; and Keziah Darwton as Assistant Secretary/Treasurer.

    Webb, who served 10 years in the top post of Chief Commissioner before this leadership transition, will bring her decades of institutional knowledge and experience to the new deputy role, and has publicly expressed full confidence in Christmas and the broader incoming team. The mixed lineup of returning and new officials is framed by GGAD leadership as a deliberate balance of organizational continuity and fresh perspective, designed to steady the movement while opening space for new ideas.

    In her first public address after the election result was confirmed, Christmas spoke to her long-rooted connection to the Guiding movement, which has spanned local, regional, and international levels of the organization. “Girl Guiding teaches that no dream is too big or too far away,” she said. “I am honored to serve in this capacity and to continue building opportunities for girls and young women in Dominica… The Guiding movement has shaped my leadership journey, and I remain committed to ensuring that every girl sees herself as capable, powerful, and prepared to lead.”

    Christmas added that her cross-scale experience within the movement has deepened her personal commitment to expanding youth empowerment and advancing gender equity across Dominica. The other newly elected officials also echoed this commitment: Cecilia Christmas and Keziah Darwton both shared public remarks thanking GGAD members for the trust placed in them, and pledged to uphold the core mission and values of the Guiding movement in their new roles.

    Existing executive members who will continue their tenure through the next term include President Josette Seraphine-Hedrington, Vice President Marcia Dublin, Secretary Nailah Hurtault, Public Relations Officer Merkwan Pacquette, Training Commissioner AnnMarie Graneau, Brownie Commissioner Alicia Griffith, Deputy Brownie Commissioner Rose Caprice, Roseau District Commissioner (Cecilia Christmas, who also retains this post alongside her new international role), Rainbow Leader Agnes Laguerre, and Youth Representative Keziah Darwton, who also holds her new assistant secretary/treasurer position.

    GGAD remains fully aligned with the guiding principles of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, and the organization reaffirmed its core commitment to nurturing growth among young women through hands-on leadership opportunities, community service projects, advocacy for equity, and targeted personal development programming. In a formal press release announcing the election results, the association extended official congratulations to all newly elected leaders, noting it anticipates a productive, transformative three-year term that will expand reach and impact for girls across the island.

    The release closed with gratitude to local media for their ongoing coverage and support of the movement, as well as recognition for the hundreds of members, unit captains, volunteers, and community supporters whose consistent work continues to strengthen the Guiding movement across every district of Dominica.

  • Source of Wealth and Source of Funds in property transactions

    Source of Wealth and Source of Funds in property transactions

    For generations, buying real estate across the Caribbean has been widely understood as a straightforward, linear financial exchange: a buyer negotiates terms, funds change hands, and ownership transfers from seller to purchaser. What was once a relatively uncomplicated process has shifted dramatically in recent years, however, as global anti-money laundering standards and stricter regulatory frameworks have added layers of due diligence that many local buyers find unexpected and overwhelming. Today, every property transaction now includes mandatory scrutiny into where purchasing funds originate, how a buyer’s overall wealth was accumulated, and who ultimately stands behind the investment, turning a once-simple process into a multi-step compliance exercise.

    The most frequent reaction from buyers navigating this new landscape is confusion. Many argue that their funds are clearly legitimate, offering common explanations such as years of personal savings, gifts from family members working overseas, proceeds from a previous land sale, or transfers from foreign bank accounts. From the buyer’s perspective, these explanations are fully sufficient to prove the legitimacy of their purchase. But modern regulatory requirements demand more than verbal explanations: financial institutions and other regulated entities must now obtain tangible, documented evidence to back up every claim about a transaction’s funding.

    A key point of confusion for many buyers is the difference between two commonly mixed-up terms: source of funds and source of wealth. While the phrases are often used interchangeably, they carry distinct definitions in modern compliance protocols. Source of funds refers to the immediate origin of the money being used for the specific property purchase — for example, whether the sum comes from a salary deposit, a business loan, proceeds from selling an existing asset, or business revenue. Source of wealth, by contrast, digs deeper, tracing how a buyer built their entire net worth over the course of their life or career. In high-value transactions, cross-border transfers, or purchases involving buyers with cash-intensive business interests, both levels of scrutiny are almost always required.

    This new regulatory environment touches nearly every type of Caribbean property purchase, including the extremely common scenario of a family member living overseas sending funds to help a relative buy land or build a home back home. Cross-border remittances for family property purchases are a longstanding cultural and economic norm across the region, with millions of dollars flowing through these informal family arrangements every year. But once these funds enter the formal banking system, a cascade of compliance questions is automatically triggered: Who is the actual ultimate purchaser of the property? Can the origin of the transferred funds be fully explained and documented? Is the person sending the money directly connected to the transaction, and can that connection be proven? Importantly, these questions do not inherently signal that any wrongdoing is suspected; instead, they reflect a global shift toward greater financial transparency that now binds all regulated financial institutions.

    From the perspective of banks and other regulated financial bodies, these checks are no longer optional discretionary steps. Regional and international regulators now mandate that institutions verify the legitimacy of every transaction, especially in cases where fund movements do not align with a customer’s known financial profile or where transfers cross international borders. To meet these requirements, institutions routinely request a wide range of supporting documentation: bank statements spanning months or years, official proof of employment and income, sale agreements for previous assets, corporate registration documents for buyers operating through a business, formal gift letters for funds from family members, and additional background information for all cross-border transfers. While these requests can feel intrusive and unnecessary to buyers, they are a non-negotiable part of institutions’ legal compliance obligations.

    This shift marks a fundamental change in how Caribbean property transactions are structured and viewed. No longer are purchases treated solely as a legal conveyancing exercise to transfer ownership. Today, every property transaction is also a key entry point into the regulated global financial system, meaning legal practitioners now bear the added responsibility of not only confirming that a deal is legally valid, but also ensuring that every part of the transaction can be fully documented and explained if regulators raise questions at a later date.

    Looking at the broader regional context, wealth in the Caribbean has long moved through informal, family-centered networks that have grown out of generations of transnational family structures. Modern compliance frameworks do not seek to eliminate these longstanding traditions, but they increasingly require that these informal arrangements be formalized through clear documentation. For buyers and practitioners alike, this extra step of documentation is often the deciding factor between a smooth, on-time property closing and a weeks- or months-long delay that derails the entire transaction. This piece is part of an ongoing series exploring the evolving intersection of wealth, property ownership, and regulatory compliance across the Caribbean region.

    *Disclaimer: NOW Grenada holds no responsibility for the opinions and statements shared by this contributing author. To report content that violates platform policies, use the official reporting channel.*

  • Minister Huur: SRD 1 miljoen per district is volstrekt onvoldoende

    Minister Huur: SRD 1 miljoen per district is volstrekt onvoldoende

    During recent budget deliberations in Suriname’s National Assembly, Miquella Huur, Minister of Regional Development, publicly acknowledged that the current funding allocated to district commissioners is insufficient to allow these local officials to fulfill their legally mandated responsibilities. The minister has publicly backed calls for strengthening district-level financial autonomy and advancing deeper decentralization of governance and public service delivery across the country.

    Huur emphasized that the current maximum annual allocation of approximately 1 million Surinamese dollars (SRD) per district falls far short of what is needed to cover core local operations. These essential functions include routine waste collection, maintenance of secondary and tertiary waterways, and upkeep of other critical basic public infrastructure that local communities rely on daily.

    “I stand behind your call to increase funding for district commissioner offices,” Huur stated in response to questions and comments raised by National Assembly members. She confirmed that her ministry is currently advancing adjustments to the so-called Article 4 funds outlined in the Interim Law on Financial Decentralization, a policy change designed to boost district-level resourcing.

    In addition to increased central government allocations, the ministry is also pushing for revisions to two key pieces of legislation: the General Law on District Taxes and the Law on Financial Relations Between the State and Districts. These amendments are intended to expand districts’ authority to generate their own independent revenue, enabling local governments to operate with greater financial autonomy from the central state.

    Huurr reiterated a core principle guiding the government’s decentralization push: devolution of power can only succeed if new administrative responsibilities are paired with adequate funding and skilled local workforces. To address the skills gap, the ministry will roll out targeted training programs in 2026 for members of district and regional councils. These programs will build capacity in governance, administrative processes, and financial management to strengthen local-level operational capacity.

    Beyond funding for local districts, the minister also addressed longstanding administrative challenges facing her own ministry. Currently, the Ministry of Regional Development is spread across three separate locations across the capital. Huur explained that this fragmented setup slows internal collaboration, delays decision-making, and undermines the quality of public services the ministry delivers to citizens.

    Complicating plans to consolidate offices into a single new purpose-built building is the ministry’s tight budget: roughly 85% of its current annual allocation goes to employee wages and salaries, leaving almost no room for large capital investments like new construction. To move the consolidation project forward, the ministry plans to present its proposal for a new headquarters building to international development organizations, bilateral donor partners, and private donors to secure external funding.

    The minister also responded to questions from assembly members about the status of a government-owned plot at Van Rooseveltkade. Huur confirmed that based on current available records, the parcel has not been allocated or transferred to any private entity and remains formally classified as state property. To formalize this status, the Ministry of Regional Development is working alongside the Ministry of Land Policy and Forest Management to conduct a full verification of the land’s ownership. Parliament will receive a full briefing once all relevant documentation is compiled and reviewed, Huur added.

  • UK Prime Minister Starmer announces resignation

    UK Prime Minister Starmer announces resignation

    In an emotional address from the steps of 10 Downing Street, Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed he will step down as both Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and leader of the Labour Party, opening the door for a fast-tracked leadership contest that will install Britain’s seventh prime minister in less than a decade by early September.

    Accompanied by his wife Victoria, Starmer said he had formally notified King Charles III of his decision to resign, and had already requested Labour’s national governing body to finalize a timeline for selecting his successor. Per the proposed schedule, nominations for the new Labour leader will open on July 9 and close by the summer parliamentary recess on July 16. If a contested race proceeds, the party will confirm its new leader — and therefore the UK’s new prime minister — before lawmakers return to Westminster in September.

    Starmer, who will remain in office at 10 Downing Street until the leadership process concludes, stressed he would dedicate all efforts to delivering a smooth and orderly transition of power, and would offer his full, unwavering backing to whoever takes over the role. “They will inherit a Britain that is far stronger and fairer than the one I inherited two years ago,” he said.

    First elected Labour leader in April 2020, Starmer led the party to a landslide general election victory in July 2024, taking office as prime minister shortly after. Looking ahead to his post-premiership life, an emotional Starmer said he planned to prioritize his family after leaving Downing Street. “When I leave the biggest job in the country, I shall spend more time on the most important job: being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad; and being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and my joy.”

    Starmer’s resignation comes after weeks of growing internal and public pressure on his leadership. He spent the final weekend of his premiership deliberating on his future at Chequers, the prime minister’s official country retreat in Buckinghamshire. Internal discontent had been building since a poor showing for Labour across England, Wales and Scotland in May’s local and devolved elections, amplified by controversy over a series of last-minute policy U-turns on three major pledges within a single month, and the failed appointment of Lord Mandelson as UK ambassador to the United States. Mandelson was forced to step down from the post before taking office after new details emerged of his extensive ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, casting doubt on Starmer’s judgment and the competence of his Downing Street operation.

    Pressure surged last week after Andy Burnham, the former Greater Manchester Mayor and widely tipped potential successor, secured an emphatic victory in the Makerfield by-election over his Reform UK rival. Polling analyst Sir John Curtice described Burnham’s win as an extraordinary personal political achievement. Burnham will travel to Westminster on Monday to formally take up his parliamentary seat, cementing his position as the early frontrunner in the leadership race. Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting is also expected to announce a leadership bid in the coming days.

    Opening his resignation speech, Starmer pushed back against critics by defending his two-year record in government, highlighting progress on employment rights, immigration reform and reducing child poverty. He also argued he had restored stability to Labour after inheriting a party that was “politically, financially and morally bankrupt” in 2020. “The hard work of change was with a singular purpose – not power for power’s sake but to change Britain for the better, to build a fairer country with dignity and respect, where everyone is seen, everyone is valued, wealth and opportunity for all not just the privileged few,” he said.

    Opposition leaders were quick to respond to the announcement, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch dismissing Starmer as a “terrible prime minister” and attacking his policy agenda, including a rise in employer National Insurance contributions and what she called a failure to deliver meaningful welfare reform. Writing on X, Badenoch added: “But the problem isn’t just Starmer. Labour MPs only want higher taxes to hand out more benefits, as the welfare secretary has pointed out. These are Labour’s choices and their values, regardless of who is running the party.”

    Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said the frequent turnover of prime ministers had left the British public fed up with broken promises and political stagnation. “The British people are sick of being let down by an endless merry-go-round of prime ministers while nothing really changes,” he said. “This time must be different. It can’t just be about changing who’s in Number 10, it has to be about changing our broken politics so we can fix our country.”

    Reform UK leader Nigel Farage joined calls for an early general election, arguing that the public — not just Labour MPs — should have a say on the country’s next leader. “If Labour thinks it can shove another professional politician into No 10, it has another thing coming,” Farage said. Green Party co-leader Zack Polanski said Starmer had lost public confidence because he failed to challenge the entrenched power of the UK’s political and economic establishment, adding that the country “needs a bold change of direction.”

  • Grenada PM calls for faster digital transformation across Caricom

    Grenada PM calls for faster digital transformation across Caricom

    As the Caribbean Community (Caricom) gathers to chart a digital path for the coming decade, Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell has made an urgent push for deeper regional collaboration, warning that collective action is the only way for Caribbean nations to hold their ground in an increasingly competitive global digital landscape.

    Mitchell, who serves as Caricom Quasi Cabinet’s Lead Head of Government for Science and Technology, delivered the call during the opening plenary of a regional ministerial meeting focused on information and communication technology (ICT). Hosted under the overarching theme “Accelerating Digital Development to 2030”, the gathering brought together senior ICT officials from across Caricom’s 15 member states to align on shared digital priorities.

    In his opening address, Mitchell emphasized that digital innovation is no longer a secondary policy concern, but a foundational pillar of modern economic resilience, national security, and long-term sustainable development across the region. He pointed to ongoing regional efforts already underway to advance shared digital goals, including progress on the Caricom Single ICT Space initiative, the development of the 2025–2030 Strategic Framework for Digital Resilience, and growing cross-border collaboration on cybersecurity threats that do not respect national boundaries.

    “If Caricom is to remain competitive and relevant, we need to act collectively and strategically to ensure that our region is not left at the margins of the global digital economy,” Mitchell told assembled delegates.

    The Grenadian leader stressed that small island developing states, which make up the vast majority of Caricom’s membership, cannot navigate the complex shifting tides of the digital age on their own. Key emerging challenges – from the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) to shifting rules for digital trade, emerging frameworks for data governance, and global debates over internet governance – require coordinated regional responses that no single small state can mount independently.

    Crucially, Mitchell argued that the region has completed enough preliminary policy planning, and now must shift its focus to tangible action. “We must move decisively from policy discussions to measurable implementation and outcomes to build a Caricom digital economy,” he said.

    On the topic of artificial intelligence, one of the fastest growing areas of global technological change, Mitchell offered a balanced perspective. He acknowledged AI’s transformative potential to overhaul public service delivery, boost cross-sector productivity, and spawn entirely new homegrown industries across the Caribbean. At the same time, he cautioned that widespread AI adoption must be rooted in core principles of inclusive access, public trust, and strong ethical governance to avoid exacerbating existing inequalities.

    To lay the groundwork for a robust regional digital economy, Mitchell outlined four key areas requiring increased investment: expanded and upgraded digital infrastructure, enhanced cross-border cybersecurity defenses, expanded digital skills training for workforces, and flexible regulatory frameworks that can keep pace with rapid technological change.

    He also placed particular emphasis on youth preparedness, noting that the region’s long-term global competitiveness will hinge on its ability to build digital capacity among young people, who represent the Caribbean’s future workforce and entrepreneurial base.

    By the close of the meeting, delegates reviewed and formally approved new frameworks covering cross-border digital cooperation, responsible AI governance, enhanced cybersecurity collaboration, and expanded regional digital skills development initiatives, moving the region one step closer to Mitchell’s vision of coordinated, implementable digital progress.

  • Bilzerian Among Three Facing Money Laundering Charges

    Bilzerian Among Three Facing Money Laundering Charges

    BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – Law enforcement authorities in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis have formally levelled money laundering and fraud-related charges against three people, including Paul Bilzerian, for their alleged involvement in a transnational financial conspiracy that stretched across nearly six years. The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) announced the charges Wednesday, marking a key milestone in an ongoing investigation into what officials call a major white-collar criminal operation.

    The three accused individuals are Paul Bilzerian and Terri Steffen, both residents of Frigate Bay, St. Kitts, and Gregory Gilpin-Payne, who resides on New Road in Basseterre. According to official allegations laid out by investigators, the trio conspired with multiple unindited co-conspirators between November 2018 and July 2024 to acquire roughly $50 million in funds through deliberate false representation of financial facts. After securing the illicit funds, prosecutors allege the group worked to disguise the illegal origins of the money through a complex web of financial transactions that form the core of the money laundering charges.

    Formal charges were officially registered on June 18, 2026, at the Basseterre Police Station, four days before the public announcement of the case. Both Bilzerian and Gilpin-Payne face four separate criminal counts: money laundering by transaction, conspiracy to commit money laundering, obtaining property by false pretence, and conspiracy to commit false pretence. Steffen faces a single count of conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with the scheme. No details on potential upcoming court appearances or bail status have been released to the public as of the announcement.

    RSCNPF officials confirmed that the investigation into the alleged scheme is still active, with additional lines of inquiry still being pursued by law enforcement. In an official statement released alongside the announcement of charges, the police force publicly recognized the work of investigators assigned to its specialized White Collar Crime Unit, who led the multi-year probe into the allegations. The statement also reaffirmed the Caribbean federation’s unwavering commitment to rooting out and prosecuting transnational and domestic financial crime.

    “St. Kitts and Nevis will not serve as a safe haven or a transit point for fraud, misrepresentation, or the laundering of proceeds obtained through criminal activity,” the RSCNPF said in the statement. Officials added that law enforcement will continue to pursue all individuals connected to financial criminal activity with the full weight of local law, in line with the federation’s international commitments to counter money laundering and terrorist financing.

  • OAS moet zich vernieuwen om geloofwaardig te blijven

    OAS moet zich vernieuwen om geloofwaardig te blijven

    Against a backdrop of growing global skepticism toward intergovernmental cooperation, Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary-General Albert Ramdin has outlined a bold vision for deep-rooted transformation of the regional multilateral cooperation model, arguing that systemic evolution rather than full dismantling is the path forward for the bloc. Ramdin delivered his remarks during the 68th Lecture Series of the Americas, an event held alongside the OAS’s 56th General Assembly in Panama, which centered its discussions on the future of multilateral cooperation across the Americas. Ramdin acknowledged that international institutions including the OAS have faced mounting criticism in recent years, and he says he shares part of that public and political skepticism. In his view, the existing multilateral system has too often failed to clearly demonstrate how it advances the concrete interests of member states and their populations, eroding trust over time. Even so, Ramdin emphasized that cross-border collaboration is more critical today than at any point in modern history. No single nation can tackle the complex transnational challenges that define the 21st century alone, he argued, pointing to cross-cutting issues ranging from public health threats and climate change to organized crime, mass migration, and rapid disruptive technological change. All of these challenges demand coordinated, collective action from regional governments. “Our task is not to tear down the existing system and build something entirely new from scratch,” Ramdin stated. “It is to reshape it, make it more efficient, and preserve its credibility for the people it exists to serve.” Ramdin stressed that the OAS must continue evolving to meet new demands without abandoning the core founding mission that has guided the organization since its establishment. While global and regional contexts have shifted dramatically since the OAS was created, the fundamental need for coordinated regional cooperation across the Western Hemisphere remains as strong as ever, he said. The Secretary-General also highlighted the OAS’s long track record of impactful progress across decades of collaboration. He pointed to landmark agreements including the Inter-American Democratic Charter, the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption, and the Belém do Pará Convention to end violence against women as examples of enduring, transformative cooperation that has improved outcomes both within the region and beyond it. Moving forward, Ramdin said the OAS must take its next evolutionary step by aligning its working methods more closely with the current needs of member states. The reform agenda will center on boosting institutional efficiency, increasing transparency, and delivering more measurable, tangible results for communities across the region. Following Ramdin’s address, former OAS Secretaries-General José Miguel Insulza and Luis Almagro held a joint discussion exploring the future of multilateral cooperation in the Americas and the ongoing role the OAS must play in advancing regional stability and shared progress.

  • Tourism gloom ahead of today’s THA budget

    Tourism gloom ahead of today’s THA budget

    As the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) prepares to unveil its 2027 budget, key industry leaders across Tobago’s business and tourism sectors are sounding urgent calls for targeted intervention, warning that the island’s core tourism industry has spent decades in stagnation and now teeters on the edge of collapse. Reginald MacLean, head of the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association, has painted a bleak picture of the current state of the island’s tourism economy, saying he holds little expectation for meaningful change from the upcoming budget address.

    MacLean argues that Tobago’s tourism sector, which has failed to grow for more than 30 years, is “extremely dead” in its current state, and would be faring even worse without consistent visitor traffic from neighboring Trinidad. To reverse decades of decline, he outlined three non-negotiable priorities the THA must advance immediately: restarting operations at shuttered major hotel properties, approving a long-pending loan guarantee requested by tourism industry stakeholders, and restoring pre-pandemic air connectivity between Trinidad and Tobago. Pointing to stark long-term trend data, MacLean noted that international visitor arrivals plummeted from more than 90,000 in 2005 to just over 11,000 today, a drop that underscores the sector’s chronic stagnation. He also called for the reinstatement of 24 daily round-trip flights between the two islands, a service level that existed before the COVID-19 pandemic, and pushed for administrative reforms to cut red tape in land approval processes, which he says have repeatedly delayed and discouraged new investment in tourism infrastructure.

    MacLean’s warning is echoed by Curtis Williams, chairman of the Tobago division of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, who confirms that widespread financial strain is already pushing local businesses to the brink. Williams notes that multiple businesses across the island are struggling to meet payroll obligations amid weak economic activity, including one major resort that has gone four months without paying its staff. West Mount Irvine Bay Resort has confirmed the wage arrears but declined to offer further comment on the situation. Williams explains that the resort’s crisis is not an isolated case, saying many businesses are shifting funds between accounts just to keep their doors open.

    While tourism remains the island’s long-term economic backbone, Williams says the construction sector offers a viable short-term avenue to stimulate economic activity while tourism recovery takes root. During pre-budget consultations with the THA’s Finance Secretary, Williams’ group called for targeted public funding to launch a new island-wide development program that would inject momentum into the sluggish construction sector, which is currently operating far below capacity.

    The 2027 THA budget is structured around the administration’s newly launched “Pathway for Prosperity: Blueprint for Tobago 2026–2030,” a long-term strategic framework that lists sustainable tourism, food security, digital transformation, public sector strengthening, climate resilience, infrastructure development, and social inclusion for vulnerable groups as core policy priorities. The budget process launched in February 2026 with a planning circular sent to all THA divisions, followed by stakeholder consultations that ran from April 20 to June 2, 2026. The consultation process included input from eight distinct stakeholder groups, a final session with faith-based organizations, and more than 110 online public submissions. The 2027 budget will also incorporate four new administrative divisions into its framework: Legal Affairs; Strategic Planning and Development; Youth Empowerment and Sport; and Environment, Climate Resilience and Energy.

    As of the third quarter of 2026, the THA has received 70% of its allocated parliamentary funding from central government, and 67% of its earmarked development budget. The original 2026 fiscal allocation set aside $2.742 billion for recurrent expenditure and $201.5 million for development programs, with $9.2 billion allocated to the Community-Based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP) and $18 million allocated to the Unemployment Relief Programme (URP). To address an underfunding gap in the development program, the THA reallocated $164.473 million from its recurrent budget, bringing total available 2026 funding to $2.577 billion for recurrent spending and $365.973 million for development projects. As of May 2026, approximately $1.51 billion in recurrent spending has been disbursed, with an estimated $130 million in development spending already allocated (final figures are still being compiled). Roughly $186.5 million in development funding has been released to THA divisions, while unspent balances totaling approximately $101 million were used to settle outstanding contractor payments dating back to 2021, as well as funding for CEPEP, URP, and the Island-Wide Road Improvement Programme. Despite ongoing fiscal pressures, the Finance Secretary has confirmed that the THA has no plans to implement layoffs, salary cuts, or reductions in contract employment for the coming fiscal year.