Carib Scope

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  • Haïti – Politique : La Chancelière Forbin en Mission au Panama

    Haïti – Politique : La Chancelière Forbin en Mission au Panama

    On June 22, 2026, Haitian Foreign Minister Raina Forbin launched an official diplomatic mission to Panama, where she is set to participate in two major hemispheric and regional governance gatherings: the 31st ordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Association of Caribbean States (AEC) and the 56th ordinary session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS).

    Over the course of her mission, Forbin will take part in core ministerial deliberations, plenary sessions, and a series of bilateral meetings with both regional and international partners. These discussions are centered on advancing the Haitian government’s top national priorities, which include strengthening domestic security, laying the groundwork for upcoming national elections, driving post-crisis economic recovery, and expanding both regional and international cooperation partnerships.

    Alongside the official conference agenda, Forbin will hold dedicated consultations with Haiti’s international partners. The core goals of these talks are to reinforce existing cooperative frameworks and mobilize greater global support for Haitian authorities’ ongoing efforts to restore nationwide security, solidify democratic state institutions, and facilitate a return to full constitutional order.

    Already on June 21, ahead of the main conference proceedings, Forbin held a bilateral meeting with her Chilean counterpart, Francisco Pérez Mackenna. The two diplomats pledged to deepen collaborative work to address the unresolved situation of Haitian minor children currently residing in Chile, an issue that has gained public attention amid recent allegations of child trafficking originating from Haiti.

    During the meeting, Mackenna formally requested Haitian institutional cooperation to support monitoring and follow-up work for Haitian minors who have arrived in Chile. He also confirmed that Marco Aguayo, Chile’s special envoy, will travel to Port-au-Prince later this week. Aguayo’s mission will focus on gathering on-the-ground information to clarify the status of family reunification processes, formally document the legal status of each Haitian child in Chile, and update operational protocols to enable the reopening of Chile’s consular section in Port-au-Prince.

  • Derde helft WK 2026: Kaapverdië vecht zich naar 2-2 tegen Uruguay

    Derde helft WK 2026: Kaapverdië vecht zich naar 2-2 tegen Uruguay

    A high-stakes Group H World Cup encounter at Miami Stadium delivered 90-plus minutes of dramatic action, ending in a spectacular 2-2 draw between two-time world champions Uruguay and underdog Cape Verde on June 21. The result leaves both teams tied on two points after two matchdays, keeping knockout stage hopes alive for both sides ahead of their final group fixtures.

    Uruguay got off to a dominant start, controlling possession from the opening whistle against a Cape Verde side that entered the match off a credible draw against defending champions Spain. The first major booking came just five minutes in, when Cape Verde defender Sidny Lopes Cabral picked up a yellow card. Uruguay’s first clear chance arrived in the 15th minute through star midfielder Federico Valverde, but he failed to convert the opportunity to put his side ahead.

    The deadlock was broken in the 21st minute, when Cape Verde’s Kevin Pina curled a stunning 25-yard free kick beyond Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera to take a surprise 1-0 lead. The set piece opportunity came after Uruguay’s Rodrigo Bentancur was booked just four minutes earlier, giving Pina the match-defining chance. With his side trailing at the break, Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa faced a critical half-time adjustment task during the early tournament water break.

    Buoyed by their opening goal, Cape Verde played with growing confidence, limiting Uruguay’s attacking options for most of the first half. But just before half-time, Uruguay found an equalizer: Maxi Araujo reacted quickly to a headed effort that bounced off the goalpost, slotting home to level the score at 1-1 in the 44th minute. The South American side grabbed a second goal deep into first-half stoppage time, when Araujo delivered a low cross into the box that Agustin Canobbio tapped home to put Uruguay 2-1 up going into the break.

    The second half started at a slower pace, with Uruguay retaining most of the ball. Another yellow card was issued to Uruguay’s Mathias Olivera in the 57th minute, but the narrative of the match shifted dramatically just four minutes later. A communication mix-up between Olivera and Muslera let Cape Verde’s Hélio Varela capitalize, tapping into an empty net to make the score 2-2 in the 61st minute.

    Later in the half, VAR ruled out a late Maxi Araujo goal for offside, denying Uruguay what would have been a go-ahead score. Both managers made key substitutions to inject fresh energy into their sides, with star forward Darwin Núñez and midfielder Nicolás De La Cruz entering for Uruguay, while Laros Duarte came on for Cape Verde.

    In the final 10 minutes, Uruguay piled on pressure in search of a winner. Valverde curled a late free kick over the crossbar in the 89th minute, and a quick counterattack led by Núñez failed to produce a finishing touch. Cape Verde’s defense held firm, with a critical block from Ryan Mendes in the 86th minute keeping the scores level. The last chance of the match fell to Canobbio, who sent a last-ditch effort just over the bar in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

    When the final whistle blew, the 2-2 scoreline stood as a fair result for the hard-fought encounter. Cape Verde, the tournament’s underdog, now holds a strong position to advance to the knockout stage if they can secure three points against Saudi Arabia in their final group match. For Uruguay, the path forward is clear: a win against Spain will guarantee their spot in the next round, while a draw could also be enough to see them progress depending on other results.

  • Haïti – Préscolaire au Secondaire : Volume minimal de jours de classe et charge horaire annuelle.

    Haïti – Préscolaire au Secondaire : Volume minimal de jours de classe et charge horaire annuelle.

    On June 22, 2026, Haiti’s Minister of National Education, Vijonet Déméro, issued an official circular establishing binding national minimum academic time requirements for all education levels from preschool through secondary school, aimed at guaranteeing equitable, high-quality learning outcomes for students across the entire country.

    The new framework sets a consistent 36-week academic year and 180 required instructional days across all grade bands, with adjusted weekly and annual hourly targets tailored to each educational stage. For preschool programs, the rule mandates 24 hours of instruction per week, adding up to an 864-hour annual minimum. For the first and second cycles of fundamental education, the weekly requirement rises to 25 hours, resulting in a 900-hour annual total. Both the third cycle of fundamental education and all secondary education levels are required to deliver 30 hours of instruction weekly, reaching a 1,080-hour annual minimum.

    The circular clarifies that only days actively dedicated to teaching, learning activities, student assessments, and direct pedagogical support count toward the required 180-day total, excluding administrative or non-instructional days from the official count.

    To enforce compliance, the policy outlines clear implementation and accountability rules. All schools are required to align their annual academic calendars with the national calendar published yearly by Haiti’s Ministry of National Education and Professional Training (MENFP), which is structured around the new hourly quotas. In cases where unplanned, forced school interruptions occur—such as severe weather events, socio-political unrest, or other public emergencies—school leadership is legally required to implement immediate make-up instruction measures. All contingency recovery plans must receive formal approval from the relevant local Department of Education (DDE) to ensure the full annual hourly quota is met. Local DDE bodies are also tasked with conducting regular, rigorous compliance audits of both public and private educational institutions across their jurisdictions.

    Transitional provisions confirm that the new standards take effect immediately upon publication of the circular. The MENFP’s general directorate and relevant technical departments are responsible for widespread dissemination of the new rules and monitoring strict implementation. In closing the circular, the Ministry called on all stakeholders within Haiti’s education system to uphold their commitments to ensure all Haitian children access the guaranteed instructional time they are entitled to.

  • Minister Gopal wil Nationaal Jeugdparlement nieuw leven inblazen

    Minister Gopal wil Nationaal Jeugdparlement nieuw leven inblazen

    Suriname’s Minister of Youth Development and Sport, Lalinie Gopal, has announced a broad package of policy reforms aimed at reactivating the dormant National Youth Parliament and putting youth issues at the center of the country’s national development agenda. The initiative comes amid alarmingly low participation among young Surinamese in public decision-making, a trend Gopal says requires urgent, systemic intervention.

    During recent budget debates in the national legislature, Gopal highlighted a stark decline in youth interest in formal participation channels over the past several years. Most notably, turnout for the most recent National Youth Parliament elections hit just 7%, a figure she described as a clear signal that the existing model has lost its connection to Suriname’s younger generation.

    The centerpiece of Gopal’s plan is a full redesign of the National Youth Parliament framework to create a structure that resonates with modern young people, removes barriers to participation, and guarantees that youth perspectives are meaningfully incorporated into policy discussions. She recalled that Suriname once stood as a regional leader in youth inclusive governance within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), a legacy she is determined to restore.

    Beyond revitalizing the youth parliament, the new policy agenda elevates youth mental health as a core priority for the ministry. Gopal confirmed that key themes including mental resilience, practical life skills, personal development, and preventative mental health support will be integrated as permanent components of all national youth programs, filling gaps in existing support services for young people.

    To sustain these investments, the ministry is moving forward with plans to establish a legally enshrined national youth fund that will provide stable, long-term resourcing for youth-focused initiatives. Gopal also emphasized that the government will expand partnerships with civil society organizations and educational institutions, which she says play an indispensable role in guiding young Surinamese through their personal and professional development.

    In framing the reforms, Gopal stressed that investments in youth are inseparable from investments in Suriname’s long-term prosperity. The entire policy agenda, she said, is designed to expand opportunity for young people and rebuild their sense of connection to national public life, laying a stronger foundation for the country’s future.

  • LPG prices to increase

    LPG prices to increase

    Household and commercial consumers of liquefied petroleum gas will see an immediate increase in their fuel costs starting at midnight this Sunday, following a government-ordered price adjustment aligned with international market trends. The price hike applies to all standard LPG cylinder sizes sold at retail, with uniform increases that translate to higher monthly expenses for millions of households that rely on the fuel for cooking, heating and other daily needs.

    The new pricing structure puts the cost of a 100-pound LPG cylinder at $166.39, a $6 increase from its previous retail rate of $160.39. Smaller-sized cylinders have also seen proportional upticks: a 25-pound cylinder will now retail for $46.70, up from the prior $45.20, while a 22-pound cylinder moves from $39.94 to $41.26. The smallest standard size, a 20-pound cylinder, will see a $1.20 increase, rising from $36.31 to $37.51.

    Government officials confirmed that the price adjustment is part of a long-standing policy that ties domestic retail LPG prices to fluctuations in the global commodity market. This policy is designed to keep domestic pricing aligned with international supply and demand dynamics, ensuring that the domestic market remains stable and adequately supplied despite shifting global conditions. The adjustment comes as international LPG rates have moved upward in recent trading cycles, prompting the scheduled update to domestic retail costs.

  • Nieuw Defensieprogramma bereidt jongeren voor op leger en werk

    Nieuw Defensieprogramma bereidt jongeren voor op leger en werk

    PARAMARIBO, SURINAME – June 21 – Suriname’s Ministry of Defense has announced a groundbreaking new youth initiative designed to address long-standing personnel shortages in the National Army while opening new opportunities for personal and professional growth for the country’s young people. The Defense Craft and Training Program (DAP), unveiled by Defense Minister Uraiqit Ramsaran during budget debates in the National Assembly, aims to equip participants with critical life skills, work-ready competencies and clear future pathways, while supporting the military’s long-term staffing needs.

    The DAP was specifically designed for young Surinamese seeking structured guidance, mentorship and intentional personal development. Over the course of the program, participants will complete comprehensive training in core areas including personal discipline, physical and mental resilience, hands-on vocational skills, and leadership development. Trainees will also be introduced to the fundamental values that guide Suriname’s defense sector: camaraderie, sense of duty, and personal accountability. To remove common barriers to participation, the program will provide all enrollees with a monthly stipend to cover basic expenses such as transportation and meals.

    One of the program’s most inclusive features is its bridging pathway for candidates who narrowly miss the admission requirements for the military’s Elementary General Training. Instead of being rejected outright, these young applicants will get a second chance to build their qualifications through a dedicated preparatory transition year, after which they can reapply to join the National Army. Minister Ramsaran confirmed that Suriname’s defense sector has faced declining personnel numbers for years, and the DAP is intended to create a consistent, long-term pipeline of new qualified recruits for the military. Importantly, he emphasized that enrollment does not commit participants to a military career, framing the program as an investment in youth regardless of their ultimate professional path.

    During the parliamentary debate on the initiative, multiple members of the National Assembly called for expanding the program’s scope to better prepare participants for roles across the broader civilian labor market after completion. In response, Ramsaran noted that the defense ministry is open to exploring collaborative partnerships with other government departments to expand the program’s reach, but reaffirmed that the core priority of the initial launch is to strengthen the military’s personnel capacity.

    For the Surinamese government, the DAP represents a dual-purpose investment: it advances national security by strengthening the National Army, and it addresses youth development gaps by providing structured opportunities for young people who are still seeking direction and access to economic opportunity in the country.

  • Derde helft WK 2026: Keepers stelen show in doelpuntloos duel België-Iran

    Derde helft WK 2026: Keepers stelen show in doelpuntloos duel België-Iran

    The 2026 FIFA World Cup Group G campaign delivered a tense, goalless stalemate between European side Belgium and Asian challenger Iran at their Los Angeles fixture, with standout goalkeeping performances and a late VAR intervention shaping a result that leaves both nations searching for their first win of the tournament.

  • Vieux Fort South take Blackheart title

    Vieux Fort South take Blackheart title

    On the evening of Saturday, June 20, a sold-out crowd packed into Soufrière Stadium to witness a dramatic, action-packed final of the 2026 Blackheart/Saint Lucia Football Association Knockout Tournament, where Vieux Fort South claimed the championship title with a 4-2 victory over La Clery.

    The match burst into life within the opening five minutes, as Kelvin Sylvester put Vieux Fort South (VFS) on the scoreboard first in the 4th minute. Just two minutes later, McKendy Cadette answered for La Clery, leveling the score to keep the packed crowd on edge. Forbes Charles then reclaimed the lead for VFS, only for Cadette to net his second of the night before halftime, sending the two sides into the break tied at two goals apiece.

    The physical intensity of the first half — which saw referee Renleee Napoleon issue three yellow cards to La Clery and one to VFS — carried over into the second period. Despite the rough play, VFS dug deep and showed championship-level grit: Jereme Toussaint broke free of La Clery’s defense to slot home a superb go-ahead goal, before Sylvester scored his second of the match to extend VFS’s lead to 4-2.

    The final stretch of regulation time brought even more adversity for Vieux Fort South. The side was forced to play the last 16 minutes without starting goalkeeper Kyle Alexander, the tournament’s top shot-stopper, then had to play down a man for the final 12 minutes after Jemal Louisy received a red card for violent conduct. VFS held firm against late pressure, however, to protect their two-goal lead and secure the win.

    This 2026 tournament marked the first under-20 edition of Saint Lucia’s longest-running football knockout competition. The victory gives VFS, nicknamed the Green Giants, their fifth overall tournament trophy and their first crown since their historic four-peat between 2016 and 2019. VFS forward Obafami Poyotte was named the Most Valuable Player of the final match for his standout performance.

    In the earlier third-place playoff match, Gros Islet delivered a dominant blowout victory over tournament hosts Soufrière, wrapping up a 5-0 win to claim third place. After missing the previous weekend’s semifinal against La Clery, Dervaj Edward and Shevon Byron put on a clinical attacking show, combining for three goals. Edward found the back of the net in the 4th and 26th minutes, while Byron scored in the 9th. Samaiel Louisien added a fourth goal just before halftime in the 38th minute, before tournament top goal scorer Rickelme Lionel put the final stamp on the win with a 62nd-minute goal.

  • UK to roll out social media ban for minors. What about Saint Lucia?

    UK to roll out social media ban for minors. What about Saint Lucia?

    In a groundbreaking move to protect young internet users, the United Kingdom has announced plans to implement one of the world’s strictest national regulations on children’s social media access, setting a new global benchmark for youth online safety policy.

    By the spring of 2027, all major social platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and X will be legally prohibited from allowing users under the age of 16 to create accounts and access their services, under the government’s new framework. The proposal, unveiled earlier this week by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, frames the full ban for under-16s as the single most effective intervention to shield young people from online harm. To reinforce these protections, regulators are also exploring extra safeguards for 16- to 17-year-old users, including midnight-to-dawn curfews and limits on addictive features such as infinite scrolling.

    The UK government has scheduled to pass all required legislation before the end of 2024, clearing the legislative path for the ban to come into force as scheduled. This policy shift comes amid mounting international alarm over the well-documented harms of unregulated social media use for children and adolescents: growing research has linked excessive consumption to rising youth mental health crises, an epidemic of cyberbullying, increased exposure to violent, explicit, or age-inappropriate harmful content, and unhealthy levels of daily screen time that disrupts sleep and academic development.

    News of the UK’s ban has ignited a worldwide conversation about the appropriate role of state regulation in youth social media use, with leaders and policymakers across the globe weighing whether to adopt similar restrictive measures. In the Caribbean nation of Saint Lucia, Education Minister Kenson Casimir recently confirmed that the country has no immediate plans to follow the UK’s lead.

    Casimir, who is a parent himself, noted that Saint Lucia currently has no national legislation or formal policy governing children’s social media access. In the absence of government regulation, he said, the primary responsibility for monitoring children’s online activity falls to parents and guardians. He urged caregivers to take an active role in overseeing their children’s device use, including random checks of phones to ensure that healthy boundaries and digital discipline are maintained. “We’ve not gotten to that point. We continue to appeal to each parent to govern their child,” Casimir explained, emphasizing that parental responsibility remains the core approach to online safety in Saint Lucia for the foreseeable future.

    As policymakers and child safety advocates around the world continue to debate trade-offs between personal online freedom and youth protection, the UK’s upcoming ban stands as one of the most ambitious tests of government intervention in the social media space to date, with its outcomes expected to shape regulatory conversations in dozens of other countries in the coming years.

  • Regering werkt aan Gold Board voor goudsector

    Regering werkt aan Gold Board voor goudsector

    Suriname is advancing sweeping regulatory reforms for its small-scale gold mining sector, with two major initiatives already underway to formalize and green the industry, Natural Resources Minister David Abiamofo announced during budget debates in the National Assembly.

    First, the government is moving forward with the establishment of a dedicated Suriname Gold Board, a body designed to bring greater transparency to gold trading and streamline the organization of the fragmented sector. Alongside this institutional overhaul, a nationwide count of all active gold mining operations will kick off shortly, once remaining logistics are finalized.

    Abiamofo emphasized that bringing order to the small-scale gold sector is far more than a routine administrative task. Most informal and small-scale mining sites are located in remote, hard-to-access goldfields, requiring specialized personnel, rugged transportation and specialized equipment to conduct a full, accurate inventory. To date, necessary vehicles have already been secured through a combination of donor-funded projects and allocations from the national state budget, with only the delivery of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) still pending. Once these arrive, the inventory work will commence.

    Beyond formalization, the ministry has completed work on a national Responsible Mining Strategy, and is partnering with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the GEF Gold project. This initiative builds on the outcomes of the earlier completed M-SACS project, and centers on cutting mercury use in small-scale gold extraction, aligning with the country’s obligations under the international Minamata Convention on Mercury. Abiamofo noted that the government has intentionally adopted a gradual approach to reducing mercury dependence, rather than implementing an immediate, outright ban – a choice designed to avoid disrupting livelihoods and sector activity during the transition.

    The minister also highlighted that the small-scale gold sector already makes a substantial contribution to national government revenue through royalties, permit fees and statistical levies. With improved regulatory structure and formalization, he added, overall revenue from the sector will grow significantly, while reducing the environmental and public health harm associated with unregulated mercury use.