Carib Scope

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  • $1.7b programme to rehabilitate 200 roads by March

    $1.7b programme to rehabilitate 200 roads by March

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican government has initiated an ambitious $1.7 billion Graded Overlay Emergency Road Rehabilitation (GO) Programme to address widespread infrastructure damage caused by Hurricane Melissa. With a target completion date set for the end of March, the comprehensive initiative aims to restore approximately 200 roadways across multiple parishes.

    Minister Robert Morgan, who holds portfolio responsibility for Works within the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, provided detailed allocations during a recent post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House. The program, which commenced in December, represents one of the most significant infrastructure rehabilitation efforts in recent years.

    Clarendon Parish will receive $206 million for critical repairs along major transportation corridors including Four Paths to Guinep Tree, Hazard Drive, Bustamante Highway, and routes connecting Whitney Turn, Four Paths to Freetown, and the road to Porus. Additional funding will address infrastructure in Salt River Road, Rastaman Corner, Portland Cottage, May Pen to Chapelton, Colonel’s Ridge to Kellits, Spalding, Cave Valley, Pennants, Frankfield, Summerfield and Trout Hall.

    The capital region of Kingston and St. Andrew has been allocated $500 million for extensive roadway improvements. This funding will rehabilitate essential corridors including Mannings Hill Road, Washington Boulevard, Duhaney Drive, Perkins Boulevard, Red Hills Road, Slipe Road, and the connecting route from Golden Spring to Stony Hill. Additional repairs will focus on Stony Hill to Manor Park, Weymouth Drive, Arcadia, Shortwood Road, Papine Square to Gordon Town, and John Golding Road.

    Western parishes will also see substantial investment, with St. James receiving $130 million for main corridor repairs and an additional $100 million designated for Montpelier works. The Montego Bay township will undergo comprehensive rehabilitation including Barnett Street, St. James Street, and Howard Cooke Boulevard, alongside the critical connecting routes from Anchovy to Shettlewood and Reading to Anchovy.

    Trelawny Parish has been allocated $107 million for roadway repairs in Salt Marsh, Bengal, Falmouth, Duncans, Long Pond, Wire Fence, Warsop, and Jackson Town. Meanwhile, Westmoreland will benefit from approximately $100 million in funding for infrastructure rehabilitation in Goodens, Glasgow, Bartlett’s River, Negril, Ferris Cross, Torrington, and Scott’s Cove.

    Minister Morgan emphasized that these allocations are separate from ongoing repairs addressing roads washed out by Hurricane Melissa. Despite implementation challenges including heavy rainfall and temporary asphalt plant closures, the Minister confirmed the program is progressing earnestly. Most contractors have either submitted required insurance documentation to the National Works Agency or are in the final stages of compliance, with physical work expected to commence before month’s end.

  • JFJ calls for prompt, fair investigation into sexual harassment allegations against MP Dwayne Vaz

    JFJ calls for prompt, fair investigation into sexual harassment allegations against MP Dwayne Vaz

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prominent human rights organization Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) has broken its customary silence on individual cases to address serious sexual misconduct allegations against Central Westmoreland parliamentarian Dwayne Vaz of the opposition People’s National Party (PNP). The advocacy group has called for immediate, transparent investigative procedures that uphold both legal standards and principles of accountability.

    In an unusual Wednesday statement, JFJ explained that the gravity of the accusations—coupled with Vaz’s legislative position—necessitated commentary on broader governance principles. As an elected official, Vaz holds direct influence over gender equality legislation, workplace protection laws, and harassment prevention statutes, making proper accountability mechanisms critically important.

    The allegations surfaced publicly through statements from Councillor Julian Chang, prompting JFJ to emphasize the necessity for robust institutional responses. The organization specifically referenced Jamaica’s Sexual Harassment (Protection and Prevention) Act of 2021, which categorizes unwelcome sexual advances that create hostile environments as unlawful conduct. The legislation mandates that organizations prevent harassment, conduct impartial investigations, protect complainants from retaliation, and provide redress pathways.

    JFJ urged the PNP to immediately launch an internal investigation that demonstrates accountability, transparency, and fairness, noting that political parties must exemplify national legal standards. Simultaneously, the organization encouraged Councillor Chang to pursue formal complaints through appropriate channels where applicable, ensuring full legal protections and access to remedies.

    While acknowledging Vaz’s public denial of the allegations, JFJ maintained that only evidence-based, impartial investigations can establish factual truths. The organization explicitly refrained from judging the allegations’ validity or any party’s culpability, instead emphasizing the necessity of due process for all involved.

    JFJ reminded the public that sexual harassment constitutes a severe rights violation capable of causing substantial harm, cautioning against victim-blaming in public discourse. Concurrently, the organization reaffirmed that presumption of innocence remains a fundamental justice principle, entitling the accused to a fair and unbiased process.

    The advocacy group concluded by urging the PNP to ensure active, impartial investigation without partisan alignment, stating such an approach is essential for cultivating a culture where harassment is neither tolerated nor minimized.

  • Harsher penalties for offences targeting minors

    Harsher penalties for offences targeting minors

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s government has announced sweeping reforms to its cybercrime legislation, introducing substantially harsher penalties for digital offenses targeting minors. The 2026 Cybercrimes (Amendment Act), unveiled during a post-Cabinet briefing on Wednesday, represents a comprehensive legal response to growing concerns about children’s vulnerability in digital environments.

    Dr. Andrew Wheatley, Minister with responsibility for Science, Technology and Special Projects, detailed the legislative enhancements at the Office of the Prime Minister. The amendments specifically address the heightened risks faced by minors in cyberspace, establishing robust legal protections against online exploitation and abuse.

    The revised legislation mandates severe consequences for crimes targeting individuals under 18, with judicial authorities now empowered to impose prison sentences extending up to 20 years for applicable offenses. This sentencing framework represents one of the region’s most stringent approaches to cybercrimes against children.

    A pivotal aspect of the reform concerns the legal concept of consent regarding minors. The legislation explicitly states that individuals below 18 years cannot provide legal consent for the publication of intimate images, eliminating previous ambiguities in such cases.

    The amendments are designed to address the rapid dissemination of harmful content across digital platforms while preventing secondary victimization of children through online channels. By strengthening enforcement mechanisms and enhancing protective measures, the government aims to create a safer digital environment for Jamaica’s youth.

    Minister Wheatley emphasized that these measures demonstrate the government’s commitment to confronting digital threats against minors with serious consequences, while simultaneously adapting legal frameworks to address emerging challenges in an increasingly interconnected society.

  • DCS upgrading key institutional spaces to raise standard of care and rehabilitation

    DCS upgrading key institutional spaces to raise standard of care and rehabilitation

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s Department of Correctional Services (DCS) is executing a comprehensive modernization strategy focused on transforming institutional infrastructure and security protocols to elevate rehabilitation standards for incarcerated individuals. Commissioner noted this initiative during his address at the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) 10th Best Practice Symposium for Social and Community Renewal on January 28.

    The commissioner emphasized that rehabilitation begins immediately upon intake, with enhanced physical environments serving as foundational to educational advancement, skills acquisition, and personal development. “Our commitment to humane treatment extends to improving the physical environment where rehabilitation occurs,” he stated, announcing an upcoming media tour to showcase these transformations publicly.

    Substantial upgrades have been applied to critical facilities including classrooms, vocational workshops for tailoring and welding, computer laboratories, and inmate radio stations. These improvements are designed to meet professional benchmarks equivalent to national training institutions and HEART/NSTA Trust standards. “These are deliberate enhancements creating dignified, structured spaces for meaningful rehabilitation,” Commissioner Mason affirmed.

    A significant outcome of this initiative will be the launch of an online store featuring products crafted by offenders, advancing institutional self-sufficiency and inmate earning potential. Concurrently, the DCS is reinforcing security through state-of-the-art full-body and bag scanners at all facilities, plus a specialized gate management team to standardize procedures and enhance vigilance during critical hours.

    The department is also implementing dynamic inmate reclassification processes that support appropriate work placements and enable qualified individuals to transfer to lower-security institutions. This evidence-based approach tailors interventions to individual risk levels, accounting for literacy, mental health needs, and learning styles to maximize rehabilitation efficacy.

  • First set of modular homes expected in February

    First set of modular homes expected in February

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s government has announced a multi-faceted recovery strategy to address housing devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in October 2025, with the first shipment of modular homes expected to arrive by February’s end. Education, Skills, Youth and Information Minister Senator Dana Morris Dixon confirmed the timeline during Wednesday’s post-Cabinet briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister.

    The modular housing initiative represents a critical component of the broader Shelter Recovery Programme (SRP), which encompasses six distinct government-led efforts. The National Housing Trust (NHT) is spearheading the acquisition of approximately 5,000 modular units to meet urgent accommodation needs across affected regions.

    Concurrent with housing delivery, the government has deployed Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) personnel alongside international teams from partner nations including Guyana and Ghana to execute reconstruction projects in the most severely impacted parishes. This collaborative approach combines local knowledge with global expertise in disaster recovery.

    A particularly innovative aspect of the SRP involves the BRIDGE program (Building Resilience and Inspiring Development through Guided Experience), administered through the HEART/NSTA Trust. This initiative recruits unemployed youth from hurricane-damaged communities for intensive construction training programs. Participants will subsequently work alongside JDF soldiers and international teams, gaining practical experience while contributing to rebuilding efforts.

    Minister Morris Dixon emphasized the dual benefit of this approach: “We’re not just rebuilding homes; we’re creating transformative opportunities for young people to acquire trade skills, experience international best practices, and fundamentally redirect their career trajectories. This represents both immediate disaster response and long-term workforce development.”

  • Hanna Martin eyes tougher penalties for campus assaults

    Hanna Martin eyes tougher penalties for campus assaults

    The Bahamas Ministry of Education is collaborating with the Attorney General’s Office to establish specialized criminal offenses specifically for assaults occurring on school premises. This legislative initiative comes in response to growing public outcry over campus violence, highlighted by the recent sentencing in a brutal attack against a Grand Bahama principal.

    Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martin announced the policy development during a press briefing in Grand Bahama, emphasizing that the proposed measures would classify school campus assaults as aggravated offenses carrying enhanced penalties compared to similar attacks occurring elsewhere. The initiative aims to create stronger deterrents against violence in educational environments.

    “We are determined to send an unequivocal message that school campuses are inviolable spaces,” Minister Hanna Martin stated. “Those who believe they can commit violent acts on educational grounds will face consequences of a significantly more severe nature. Our collaboration with the Attorney General’s office seeks to establish aggravated offense classifications specifically for assaults occurring on school property, which would impact both sentencing severity and the fundamental nature of the offense.”

    The policy development follows the judicial resolution of a high-profile case involving Kenneth Farrington, who received a 30-month prison sentence for attacking McLean’s Town School principal Simone Butler-Cornish with an iron bar in her classroom in June. The victim was assaulted while retrieving a student’s report card for Farrington, after which she fled outside and feigned death to halt the attack.

    Butler-Cornish and her colleagues have publicly expressed that the sentence was insufficient given the brutality of the assault and Farrington’s previous convictions for similar offenses. While Minister Hanna Martin declined to comment specifically on the sentencing, she emphasized that such attacks must carry substantial repercussions.

    Regarding the principal’s future placement, the minister indicated that any decision about reassignment would rest entirely with Butler-Cornish herself. The government’s overarching objective remains ensuring that school campuses become completely secure environments where educators and students can operate without fear of violence.

  • House opens debate on cybercrime bill to bolster child protection and law enforcement

    House opens debate on cybercrime bill to bolster child protection and law enforcement

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s House of Representatives has initiated pivotal debates on comprehensive cybercrime legislation amendments designed to confront evolving digital threats with enhanced legal protections for minors and expanded enforcement capabilities.

    Dr. Andrew Wheatley, Minister without Portfolio responsible for Science, Technology and Special Projects, presented the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, emphasizing the necessity to modernize Jamaica’s legal framework beyond its original focus on unauthorized access and system interference. The minister detailed how contemporary threats now encompass large-scale identity theft, AI-facilitated financial fraud, viral platform harassment, and synthetic media reputational destruction.

    Key legislative enhancements include:

    • Extended imprisonment terms up to 20 years for cyber offenses targeting individuals under 18 years old, applying to crimes involving computer program/data access (Clause Three) and financial fraud/forgery (Clause Four)

    • Critical redefinition of publication terminology replacing ‘send to another person’ with broader ‘publish’ terminology, specifically criminalizing non-consensual intimate image sharing regardless of capture method (Clause Five)

    • Explicit invalidation of minor consent for intimate image publication with exemptions for law enforcement, legal proceedings, and bona fide research/journalism

    • Comprehensive targeting of cybercrime infrastructure through prohibition of manufacturing, distributing, or possessing tools primarily adapted for cyber offenses (Clause Six)

    The legislation specifically addresses AI-enabled criminal methodologies, including synthetic voice manipulation and deepfake technology, by defining intimate imagery to include computer-generated content. Minister Wheatley characterized cybercrime as increasingly ‘industrialized’ with tool rental markets requiring legal disruption.

    Opposition Leader Mark Golding endorsed the bill while advocating for additional parliamentary review through a Joint Select Committee to address emerging AI challenges. The debate has been temporarily suspended pending further parliamentary procedure.

  • IMF urges policy reset in Suriname as debt tops 100 per cent of GDP

    IMF urges policy reset in Suriname as debt tops 100 per cent of GDP

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued a stark warning to Suriname, urging immediate fiscal and monetary policy resets to address concerning economic deterioration. Recent policy slippages have reversed stabilization gains achieved under an IMF-supported program concluded in March 2025, pushing public debt beyond 106% of GDP. This backsliding has weakened the national currency, reignited double-digit inflation, and depleted critical government cash reserves.

    The warning comes at a pivotal moment for the South American nation, which stands on the brink of a potentially transformative offshore oil boom. The IMF’s Executive Board, concluding its 2025 Article IV consultation, emphasized that a renewed commitment to credible macroeconomic policies and institutional strengthening is paramount to avoid repeating destructive boom-bust cycles of the past.

    Current economic indicators reveal significant strain. Economic growth has slowed to an estimated 1.5% in 2025, primarily due to declining gold production. Meanwhile, macroeconomic imbalances have widened dramatically. The current account deficit surpassed 30% of GDP last year, driven largely by imports for offshore oil development—a deficit expected to deepen further with rising investment.

    Despite these near-term challenges, medium-term prospects remain robust. Growth is forecast to average 4% through 2028, supported by ongoing oil-field development and stabilized gold output. The commencement of offshore oil production is projected to dramatically accelerate growth, potentially reaching 30% in its first year.

    The IMF stressed that these immense upside prospects heighten the cost of current policy mistakes. Directors emphasized that improving the fiscal balance is critical to containing inflation, alleviating foreign-exchange pressures, and rebuilding buffers. They called for significant fiscal adjustment in 2026, including resuming electricity subsidy reductions, restraining public-sector wages, broadening the tax base, and strengthening tax administration through digitalization—all while protecting priority spending on human capital.

    On monetary policy, the Fund urged authorities to firmly re-anchor policy around price stability, recommending that reserve money be brought back to target through open-market operations. Directors supported plans for a new monetary policy framework and underscored the importance of exchange-rate flexibility, advising that foreign-exchange intervention be limited to addressing disorderly market conditions.

    With massive oil revenues on the horizon, the IMF placed heavy emphasis on governance reform. Directors called for full implementation of recently passed public financial management and sovereign wealth fund laws to ensure transparent handling of future oil revenues. Additional recommendations included amending anti-corruption legislation, operationalizing procurement laws, strengthening oversight of state-owned enterprises, and reinforcing anti-money-laundering frameworks.

    The IMF expects to remain closely engaged with Suriname under its post-financing assessment framework, with the next Article IV consultation scheduled on the standard 12-month cycle.

  • Tavares-Finson retires as ECJ Commissioner

    Tavares-Finson retires as ECJ Commissioner

    Jamaica’s electoral governance landscape is witnessing a significant transition as Tom Tavares-Finson, the Jamaica Labour Party’s most enduring representative on the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), formally steps down from his position effective January 31. This departure concludes two decades of continuous service spanning both the Electoral Advisory Committee (EAC) and its successor organization, the ECJ.

    In an official statement released Wednesday, Tavares-Finson reflected on his extensive tenure, describing it as “a profound honour and privilege to be entrusted with serving at a Commission which is at the centre of the nation’s democratic processes.” He highlighted several landmark achievements during his service, including instrumental contributions to developing Jamaica’s Electronic Voter Identification system, establishing the Political Party Registration process, implementing Campaign Finance Regulations, and substantially enhancing the country’s broader democratic and electoral legal framework.

    Tavares-Finson’s appointment trajectory began in 2005 when then-JLP leader Bruce Golding nominated him to the EAC, with subsequent elevation to the ECJ in 2006. Following Golding’s leadership transition, Prime Minister Andrew Holness maintained Tavares-Finson’s commission membership across multiple administrations. His service encompassed five General Elections alongside numerous Local Government Elections and by-elections, providing institutional continuity during Jamaica’s democratic exercises.

    The retiring commissioner acknowledged collaborative relationships with distinguished commission chairpersons including Professor Errol Miller, Dr. Herbert Thompson, Dorothy Pine-McLarty, and Earl Jarrett. He also recognized productive partnerships with colleagues across political affiliations, specifically mentioning Danny Buchanan, DK Duncan, and Dr. Aundre Franklin, plus countless Jamaican citizens who served as selected members and election directors.

    Tavares-Finson reserved particular gratitude for Prime Minister Holness, recalling his clear directive during reappointment: “Jamaica and its democracy must always come first, before any individual or political party consideration.” This principle, Tavares-Finson noted, became the guiding philosophy throughout his tenure. He concluded by emphasizing the ECJ’s evolution into “a vital pillar of Jamaica’s democratic process” that requires perpetual preservation, reaffirming that “Jamaica and our democratic process must come first, always.”

  • Sterling agrees Chelsea exit after troubled spell

    Sterling agrees Chelsea exit after troubled spell

    LONDON, United Kingdom — Chelsea Football Club and Raheem Sterling have formally severed ties through mutual consent, concluding the English forward’s tumultuous three-and-a-half-year period at Stamford Bridge. The separation marks the end of a significant chapter for both parties after Sterling’s high-profile transfer from Manchester City in 2022 failed to deliver expected results.

    The club confirmed the departure in an official statement: “Raheem Sterling has today departed Chelsea Football Club by mutual agreement. We thank Raheem for the contribution he made while a Chelsea player and wish him well for the next stage in his career.”

    Sterling’s Chelsea journey began with considerable anticipation following his £47 million (approximately $64 million) move from Manchester City, where he had established himself as one of England’s most dynamic wingers and a four-time Premier League champion. However, the transition to west London proved challenging as the 31-year-old struggled to replicate his previous offensive productivity and consistent form.

    The situation deteriorated under former manager Enzo Maresca, who excluded Sterling from first-team preparations alongside other peripheral players. Despite Maresca’s subsequent departure and replacement by Liam Rosenior in January, Sterling remained absent from selection across five matches, having last featured competitively for Chelsea in May 2024.

    During the recent summer transfer window, Sterling trained separately from the main squad—arriving and departing at altered times while utilizing different facilities—as Chelsea sought to facilitate his exit. Potential transfers to Juventus, Bayer Leverkusen, and Fulham were discussed but ultimately failed to materialize.

    With 18 months remaining on a contract reportedly worth £325,000 weekly, Sterling’s departure allows him to pursue opportunities as a free agent despite the closure of the transfer window. His tenure at Chelsea concluded with 81 total appearances, a disappointing loan spell at Arsenal last season, and unfulfilled expectations for both player and club.