Carib Scope

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  • Dominica’s oldest centenarian, Asher Timothy, passes away at 108

    Dominica’s oldest centenarian, Asher Timothy, passes away at 108

    The Dominica Council on Ageing Inc. (DCOA Inc.) has confirmed the death of Asher Timothy, a resident of Marigot who was widely recognized as the oldest living centenarian in the Caribbean nation of Dominica, at the age of 108.

    In an official public statement, DCOA shared that Timothy had recently been moved to the Dominica Infirmary ahead of his passing. For years, Timothy stood as far more than just a record-holder for longevity across the country; he was embraced as a cultural icon of resilience, whose century-long life embodied the steady strength and perseverance that define generations of Dominican people.

    According to the statement, Timothy maintained deep, lasting ties to the cultural heritage of Dominica’s senior community throughout his decades, leaving behind a legacy that extends far beyond his impressive lifespan.

    The DCOA expressed sincere sorrow over the loss of Timothy, while noting that the organization, alongside residents of Marigot and Dominicans across the country, is not only mourning his passing but also pausing to celebrate the extraordinary, impactful life he built.

    Local media outlet Dominica News Online has also extended its formal condolences to Timothy’s family, close loved ones, and the countless community members whose lives were shaped by his quiet, enduring presence over more than a century.

  • Nationale en internationale eerbetonen bij afscheid Chan Santokhi

    Nationale en internationale eerbetonen bij afscheid Chan Santokhi

    On April 7, the South American nation of Suriname gathered to bid a solemn, formal farewell to one of its most prominent political figures: former president and chairman of the Progressive People’s Party (VHP) Chan Santokhi. The state funeral ceremony, hosted at the De Olifant Foundation venue, drew hundreds of attendees including top domestic leaders and high-level international delegates, who gathered to pay their final respects to the deceased statesman. Following the formal service, a ceremonial procession escorted by full military honors departed for the Shabier Ishaak Funeral Park in Uitkijk, where Santokhi’s cremation would take place.

    In her remarks during the ceremony, current Surinamese President Jennifer Simons reflected on the unprecedented string of losses the country has faced in recent years, noting that Santokhi is the fourth former head of state Suriname has lost in a short period, following the passing of Jules Wijdenbosch, Desi Bouterse, and Ronald Venetiaan. Simons emphasized that Santokhi’s death came as an unexpected shock to the nation, but added that the former leader had completed his life’s work and service to the Surinamese people.

    Chairman of the National Assembly Ashwin Adhin further highlighted Santokhi’s enduring commitment to public service, confirming that the former president remained an active member of the legislative body up until his death. Adhin used the occasion to remind fellow politicians that while ideological and political differences are a normal part of democratic governance, the national interest of Suriname must always take priority over partisan divides. He closed his remarks with a call for national unity in advancing the country’s shared progress.

    Tributes also poured in from international leaders across the Caribbean and South American region, who highlighted Santokhi’s key role in advancing cross-border cooperation and regional integration. Guyanese President Irfaan Ali spoke of a deep personal friendship with Santokhi, referring to him as “a brother” who dedicated significant effort to strengthening bilateral ties between Georgetown and Paramaribo. Curaçao Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas and St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew also joined in honoring Santokhi, praising his reputation as a unifying figure and his decades of contributions to regional development.
    Albert Ramdin, Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS), characterized Santokhi as a deeply committed, disciplined leader who consistently prioritized dialogue to resolve differences and centered all his work on the wellbeing of Suriname and its people. Ramdin urged current and future leaders to carry forward the policy and ideological legacy Santokhi left behind.

    On behalf of the entire Santokhi family, Mellisa Santokhi, the former president’s widow, delivered a closing thank-you address. She remembered her late husband as a loving, caring father and a man of deep faith and relentless action. She extended her family’s gratitude to the people and government of Suriname, as well as the international community, for the outpouring of sympathy and support following Santokhi’s passing.

    To accommodate the ceremonial procession, local authorities implemented a full traffic closure along the Mr. P. Chandie Shawweg between Lakatanweg and Wanicakanaalweg, which remained in effect through 5:00 PM local time. The closure allowed the funeral procession to travel without disruption to the Uitkijk cremation site for the final state ceremony.

  • Boat carrying cow and babies: 11 migrants charged

    Boat carrying cow and babies: 11 migrants charged

    A major maritime interception off the coast of Erin, Trinidad and Tobago has led to criminal charges against 11 Venezuelan migrants caught entering the country illegally, in the latest high-profile border enforcement action highlighting the country’s ongoing challenges with unauthorized migration. The accused, ranging in age from 19 to 44, include eight men and three women, who were taken into custody during a coordinated operation on Friday. Of the 11, nine face a single charge of illegal entry, while two additional defendants face the extra allegation of aiding and abetting the unauthorized crossing, according to official details.

    The operation unfolded after Trinidad and Tobago’s Radar Center detected the suspicious vessel and relayed real-time information to the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard’s mother ship, which dispatched teams to intercept the craft. Shortly after 1 a.m. that same day, the Coast Guard intercepted the boat carrying a total of 13 Venezuelan nationals in a fishing zone near Erin — the two additional people on board were infants aged one year and two months old, who have not been charged in the case.

    Beyond the human passengers, law enforcement officials also discovered a number of unusual contraband items aboard the intercepted vessel: a live black cow, plus large stockpiles of cheese, alcohol and sausage. This seizure of unregulated food and livestock echoes a similar incident from earlier this March, when local police arrested two other undocumented Venezuelan migrants in Santa Flora during a routine traffic stop. That case also resulted in seizures of uncustomed goods, including alcoholic beverages, pepper sauce, clothing, footwear and a container of cheese.

    Local media outlet the Express attempted to secure comment from Minister of National Security Roger Alexander on the string of recent unauthorized migrant arrests, but as of publication has not received a response. In an official public statement regarding the 11 charged migrants, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) confirmed that it is maintaining close coordinated work with multiple relevant government stakeholders to strengthen border security and crack down on repeated incidents of illegal entry.

    The TTPS also issued a public reminder in its release: assisting or facilitating any form of illegal entry into Trinidad and Tobago qualifies as a serious criminal offense under the country’s laws, and any individuals found to be involved in such activity will face full prosecution and legal consequences.

  • Mother of Two Makes Urgent Appeal for Kidney Donor

    Mother of Two Makes Urgent Appeal for Kidney Donor

    Laurin Williams, a dedicated mother raising two children, finds herself in a life-or-death battle against end-stage kidney disease, and she has issued an urgent public appeal to find a compatible living kidney donor that will allow her to undergo a life-sustaining transplant.

    Currently, Williams relies on regular dialysis treatments to manage her condition. While this invasive therapy has kept her stable in the short term, medical professionals universally agree that dialysis cannot serve as a permanent fix for her declining kidney function. According to leading clinical guidance, a successful kidney transplant remains the only intervention that can give Williams the opportunity to reclaim a long, healthy, and productive future.

    Williams’ appeal specifically centers on finding a living donor, a choice that carries significant clinical benefits. Medical research consistently shows that living donor kidney transplants typically have higher long-term success rates compared to transplants from deceased donors, and donors face minimal long-term risk: people born with two kidneys can lead fully normal, healthy lives after donating one to a person in need.

    Williams’ family and close supporters emphasize that a successful transplant would do more than just save her life—it would allow her to continue being the active, caring parent her children need, and restore the daily stability that her illness has stolen from their household. With her condition still categorized as critical, her loved ones are urging any member of the public who is willing to help to step forward and undergo simple compatibility testing.

    For any person interested in learning more about donor eligibility or exploring whether they may be a match for Williams, they can reach out directly to Williams at (268) 721-4508. Supporters stress that this one act of generosity would not just change Williams’ life forever—it would bring renewed hope to her entire family, who are holding out for a positive outcome to this urgent search.

  • Zulu promises elevated experience for Crop Oper

    Zulu promises elevated experience for Crop Oper

    As one of the most anticipated groups taking part in this year’s Crop Over festival, Zulu International is celebrating a major milestone: a full decade of participating in the iconic Caribbean cultural celebration. To mark this 10-year journey, the band has announced that it will pull out all the stops this season to deliver what leadership calls the most authentic, immersive Crop Over experience in the group’s history.

    The promise was made public by Nadesha Fagan, Zulu International’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, during a pair of landmark events held Sunday: the official reveal of the band’s 2024 festival costumes, and the first edition of *Toast*, the group’s new pre-festival garden party. Fagan framed the 10-year anniversary as a point of deep pride for the entire organization, reflecting on how the band grew from a small, ambitious idea into a staple of the annual Crop Over lineup.

    “What started as a simple vision a decade ago has grown into a band widely recognized for its infectious energy, vibrant atmosphere, and commitment to honoring the core of what Crop Over is all about,” Fagan shared during the event. “Celebrating 10 years this season is a really proud moment for every member of the Zulu International family.”

    This year’s official festival theme for the band is “New Dawn”, a title Fagan says carries layered meaning that extends beyond the group’s own milestone. The theme is designed to represent Zulu International’s decade of steady growth, while also mirroring the broader evolution of Crop Over and Caribbean festival culture as a whole, she explained.

    “New Dawn stands for growth, evolution, and stepping into a bold new era — that’s true for Zulu, but it’s also true for our culture that we celebrate every year,” Fagan noted. “This moment feels like the perfect time to embrace that change together.”

    For festival goers joining Zulu International on the road this season, the band has planned widespread upgrades that elevate every part of the experience, from the design of the celebration costumes to on-the-ground service and the overall crowd atmosphere. Fagan emphasized that the entire team has put in extra work to make the 10th anniversary year unforgettable for all participants, regardless of whether they are first-time revelers or long-time Zulu members.

    “Revelers can expect an elevated experience across every single area — stunning hand-designed costumes, improved customer service, and an unmatched, energetic road vibe that you can’t find anywhere else,” Fagan said. “We’re going all out to make this year one for the history books. Whether it’s your first time marching with Zulu or you’ve been part of our journey for years, Zulu is absolutely the place to be this Crop Over.”

    The 2024 Zulu International band will be split into five distinct costume sections for this year’s festival: Diamonds, Kalinago, Emerald, Zulu, and Flora, each with its own unique visual design and thematic styling to align with the overarching “New Dawn” theme.

  • Jamaican TT players Azizi Johnson and Gianna Lewis qualify for CAC Games in Dom Rep

    Jamaican TT players Azizi Johnson and Gianna Lewis qualify for CAC Games in Dom Rep

    KINGSTON, Jamaica – Two rising Jamaican table tennis stars have punched their tickets to the singles draws at this year’s Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games, set to take place in the Dominican Republic, marking a promising milestone for the island nation’s table tennis development program.

    Eighteen-year-old Azizi Johnson and 21-year-old Gianna Lewis earned their qualification berths through standout performances at regional qualifying tournaments, the Jamaica Table Tennis Association (JTTA) confirmed in an official statement this week. The association emphasized that the young athletes’ places at the games are no accident: both have dedicated months to rigorous daily training, fine-tuning their technical skills, refining match tactics, and building the competitive endurance needed to hold their own against the Caribbean region’s top players. For Johnson and Lewis, stepping onto the CAC Games court is more than a competition opportunity—it is a chance to represent Jamaica and showcase the depth of emerging talent growing out of the country’s youth table tennis ranks.

    Behind the athletes’ success is a dedicated coaching leadership team, including national head coach Dale Parham and assistant national coach Colin McNeish. Beyond basic technical instruction, the pair have invested deeply in the athletes’ long-term growth, offering consistent mentorship, personalized strategic guidance, and emotional support that has helped Johnson and Lewis develop into confident, poised competitors ready to face the CAC Games challenge.

    Johnson and Lewis are not the only Jamaican athletes heading to the regional games. The full national delegation also includes rising male competitors Brian Blake and Gmarco Smith, alongside female players Karecia Peterkin and Nevaeh Scott. Every member of the squad has contributed to building a cohesive, determined team, and their collective commitment to teamwork has strengthened Jamaica’s competitive standing heading into the tournament, the JTTA added.

    JTTA President Ingrid Graham expressed overwhelming pride in the young athletes’ achievement, framing the qualification as a testament to both the players’ grit and the coaching staff’s unwavering dedication. “Colin McNeish and Dale Parham have been steadfast in their roles, offering more than direction. They have given belief, strategy, and confidence to these young athletes. The qualification of Azizi and Gianna is a reflection of a system that honours effort, care, and connection to our sport,” Graham said.

    Aubyn Henry, the JTTA’s chief strategy development officer, echoed Graham’s positive outlook, noting that the qualification signals meaningful progress for table tennis across Jamaica. “Qualifying for a major regional competition is never simple. It’s the result of patience, preparation, and unwavering focus. Azizi and Gianna have shown a readiness to embrace challenges with poise and enthusiasm. What we are cultivating within the JTTA is a culture where every athlete can step onto bigger stages feeling capable and valued,” Henry explained.

  • JN and partners support JCF to reduce motorcycle deaths

    JN and partners support JCF to reduce motorcycle deaths

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — As motorcycle-related road deaths continue to climb as one of the fastest-growing categories of traffic fatalities worldwide, a new targeted capacity-building program has kicked off in Jamaica to equip frontline law enforcement with the tools to reverse this dangerous trend. The three-day training focused on proper helmet regulation and evidence-based road safety practices, hosted for 27 officers from the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB), grew out of a multi-party partnership framework signed just months earlier in June 2025.

    The program is led by the National Helmet Wearing Coalition (NHWC), an initiative run by the JN Foundation in coordination with Jamaica’s National Road Safety Council. It forms a core part of a formal Memorandum of Understanding between the JCF, the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP), the NHWC, and the FIA Foundation, all aligned to strengthen enforcement of national motorcycle helmet laws. Speaking at the program’s opening, JN Foundation General Manager Claudine Allen emphasized that police officers occupy a unique position of trust and respect across Jamaican communities, giving them unmatched power to drive lasting cultural change around road safety.

    Allen urged officers to leverage that community influence to cut preventable motorcycle deaths, arguing that progress in this work will not be measured by citation volumes, but by the number of lives spared from tragedy. “Every time you put on your uniform, you carry an authority that can influence behaviour,” she told attendees. “Success will not be measured by the number of tickets issued but by the number of lives saved.” Allen encouraged participants to model safe behavior themselves, engage with motorists respectfully, and maintain consistent professionalism in all enforcement interactions.

    GRSP Chief Executive Officer Dave Cliff echoed Allen’s remarks, praising Jamaica for taking bold, targeted action to address a public health crisis that impacts nations across the globe. He called the collaborative partnership with the JCF a direct, high-impact investment in saving Jamaican lives, noting that upskilling frontline officers in enforcement, communication, and technical road safety knowledge is one of the most effective interventions any country can make to reduce road fatalities. Cliff also highlighted that Jamaica’s intentional investment in training and capacity building positions the island as a regional leader among developing nations grappling with similar road safety challenges.

    PSTEB head Senior Superintendent Lloyd Darby laid out the urgent scale of the crisis motivating the new initiative, sharing stark data on decades of road deaths in Jamaica: between 2015 and 2025, more than 4,480 people lost their lives in road collisions across the country. Of those fatalities, 1,356 were motorcyclists and an additional 159 were motorcycle passengers. In 2025 alone, 111 motorcyclists died in preventable crashes.

    Darby outlined the JCF’s ambitious public safety targets: the force aims to cut total annual road deaths to fewer than 300 by 2026, a milestone that has only been hit seven times in the last 50 years. The JCF’s broader strategy includes a 50% reduction in motorcycle fatalities and a 10% drop in deaths across other road user categories, achieved through a combination of zero-tolerance enforcement of existing traffic laws, expanded public outreach, and ongoing upskilling training for officers. Darby also noted that enforcement efforts have already ramped up significantly: in the first months of 2026 alone, JCF officers have seized 786 non-compliant motorcycles, compared to 336 seizures in all of 2025.

    For officers on the ground, the training has already delivered tangible, actionable skills. Sergeant Shereen Chambers, a sub-officer leading the Metro Quick Response Team, called the program both timely and practical. “I have learnt a lot; some things I knew and some things were new,” she said. “I can now identify certified helmet elements, and I will pass this knowledge on to my juniors and to motorists I engage with daily.”

    The 27 officers who completed the initial training will go on to train fellow JCF members across the country, expanding the program’s reach exponentially. Partners involved in the initiative emphasize that the gap between formal road safety legislation and consistent on-the-ground enforcement is a key barrier to progress, and this training program is designed to close that gap. Meaningful, long-term change, they note, will depend on consistent, sustained application of the skills officers gained during the workshop.

    Closing the opening session, Allen urged trainees to carry a renewed sense of purpose forward in their work. “Your interventions may prevent tragedies you will never see. But your impact will be lasting,” she stressed.

  • DR Congo players set to receive new cars following FIFA qualification

    DR Congo players set to receive new cars following FIFA qualification

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A milestone achievement for the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s national football team has triggered a wave of celebration and substantial rewards for the squad that secured its spot at the upcoming FIFA World Cup. In an official public statement, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi confirmed that every player who contributed to the national side’s successful qualification campaign will walk away with a trio of valuable incentives to honor their historic accomplishment. Beyond the prestige of representing their nation on the world’s biggest football stage, each team member will receive a brand-new automobile, allocated plots of land, and monetary cash bonuses. The unprecedented reward package marks the government’s recognition of the team’s hard work, unity, and achievement that has brought national pride to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with fans across the country already gearing up to support their side in the global tournament. The announcement comes as nations across the world are finalizing their preparations for the most-watched sporting event on the planet, with DR Congo’s qualification marking a new chapter for the country’s football program.

  • Express Fitness named official fitness partner for Xodus Carnival’s “OlympiX” 2026

    Express Fitness named official fitness partner for Xodus Carnival’s “OlympiX” 2026

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s leading fitness network Express Fitness has locked in an official partnership with Xodus Carnival to support the 2026 edition of the beloved cultural celebration, which will carry the theme “OlympiX”.

    In an official public statement, Express Fitness outlined that as the event’s exclusive official gym partner, the brand has already rolled out a full suite of support for participating masqueraders gearing up for Carnival’s iconic road parade. These resources include custom-designed specialized fitness classes, carefully curated wellness programming, and a range of interactive community engagement activities.

    All offerings are tailored to help Carnival revellers build the strength, boost self-confidence, and develop the physical stamina required to keep up with the high-energy demands of Jamaica’s annual soca season.

    Kandice Moncrieffe, Group Marketing Manager at Norbrook Equity Partners — Express Fitness’s parent company — framed the collaboration as a natural alignment of shared values. “Carnival stands as one of Jamaica’s most vibrant, dynamic, and physically taxing cultural events,” Moncrieffe explained. “With this year’s ‘OlympiX’ theme, we could not be more excited to help revellers unlock their inner strength, boost their endurance, and step onto the parade route feeling their most confident selves.”

    Through this new partnership, participants gain access to a more intentional, holistic approach to Carnival preparation that integrates physical training, community connection, and high-energy fun. From thematically aligned workout sessions to exclusive pop-up social events and ongoing “road to Carnival” fitness challenges, Express Fitness has become a core part of transforming how masqueraders train, connect with fellow participants, and build excitement in the weeks leading up to the big event.

    Xodus Carnival has also expressed clear enthusiasm for the collaboration, emphasizing the strong synergy between the two Jamaican brands and the elevated experience the partnership will deliver to attendees. Kamal Bankay, Executive Chairman of Dream Entertainment Ltd, Xodus Carnival’s parent company, noted that the partnership advances the brand’s longstanding mission. “Xodus has always prioritized delivering a premium, immersive Carnival experience for all participants, and this collaboration with Express Fitness pushes that commitment even further,” Bankay shared. “Our ‘OlympiX’ theme encourages masqueraders to embrace strength, discipline, and peak performance — core values that align perfectly with Express Fitness’s mission. Together, we are reimagining what it truly means to be fully road ready for Carnival.”

    The two organizations are jointly calling on Jamaicans across the country to approach their 2026 Carnival preparation with intentional purpose, and step onto the parade route equipped with the strength, confidence, and unrivaled energy to make this year’s celebration unforgettable.

  • Neita Garvey calls for urgent action on prolonged shelter conditions

    Neita Garvey calls for urgent action on prolonged shelter conditions

    Nearly four months after Hurricane Melissa swept through western Jamaica, leaving thousands of residents displaced, an opposition politician is sounding the alarm over the ongoing use of public school facilities as emergency shelters, calling the government’s delayed relocation efforts unacceptable and dangerous for vulnerable communities.

    The category 2 storm made landfall on October 28, leveling hundreds of homes, damaging critical infrastructure, and upending the lives of thousands of people across the island’s western parishes. In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, authorities converted multiple school campuses into temporary emergency shelters to house residents who lost their properties. What was meant to be a short-term arrangement, however, has stretched into months – a situation that Shadow Minister of Local Government Natalie Neita Garvey argues should have been resolved long before the start of the new school term.

    In an official statement released this week, Neita Garvey emphasized that no Jamaican citizen should still be relying on emergency shelter, especially not in spaces purpose-built for children’s education. The extended occupation of school campuses, she argued, has triggered a cascade of interconnected crises that harm both the displaced residents staying in the shelters and the students who are supposed to be returning to class. Learning has been severely disrupted, living conditions for shelter residents fall well below acceptable standards, and critical safety protections for vulnerable groups, particularly children, are nonexistent.

    Neita Garvey went on to highlight deeply disturbing reports of inappropriate behavior taking place in the shared shelter spaces, including open sexual activity that occurs in full view of child residents and sheltered students. These incidents, she stressed, underscore just how urgent it is for the government to deploy stronger oversight and implement immediate intervention to resolve the unsafe situation.

    “The Government bears a clear responsibility to ensure that displaced residents are relocated from emergency shelters in a timely manner, and with dignity for all those affected,” Neita Garvey said in the release. “We are now far past the point where temporary emergency sheltering should be the standard for people affected by Hurricane Melissa. Continuing to repurpose schools as long-term housing is completely unacceptable, and it unnecessarily puts both students and shelter residents at avoidable risk.”

    The shadow minister is calling on the sitting Minister of Local Government to deliver a full, transparent public update on the status of all post-hurricane relocation efforts. This includes clarifying how the government has rolled out the rental assistance programme announced earlier this year, setting a firm public timeline for when all residents will fully exit school-based shelters, and outlining the full scope of the country’s broader recovery plan for areas damaged by Melissa. She also pushed government authorities to lay out immediate actionable measures to protect children living in the shelters and restore all occupied school buildings to safe, functional learning environments as soon as possible.