Carib Scope

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  • Presidenten Simons en Lula willen sterkere samenwerking en betere verbindingen

    Presidenten Simons en Lula willen sterkere samenwerking en betere verbindingen

    In a significant diplomatic development, President Jennifer Simons of Suriname and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva have established a comprehensive framework to deepen bilateral cooperation during a high-level telephone conference held on Friday. The discussion paved the way for enhanced connectivity, food security initiatives, and economic collaboration between the two South American nations.

    The presidential dialogue served as a strategic preparation for President Simons’ upcoming official working visit to Brazil later this year. According to official statements, this engagement aligns with previous agreements aimed at strengthening the bilateral partnership framework.

    During the extensive conversation, both leaders addressed pressing regional and international issues while examining Suriname’s position within the current global context. Particular emphasis was placed on improving transportation connectivity, with focused discussions on expanding air and maritime links between the two countries.

    While characterizing the current relationship as positive, President Simons identified substantial opportunities for further enhancement. She highlighted potential collaboration in training programs and acknowledged Brazil’s dominant role in the agricultural sector, suggesting knowledge transfer opportunities.

    Food security emerged as a critical agenda item, with both nations underscoring the necessity of developing efficient trade chains. This discussion extended to regional connectivity projects, including transportation networks through Guyana and French Guiana toward Brazil’s Amapá state.

    President Lula expressed particular interest in facilitating a Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC) delegation visit to Suriname. This mission would focus on evaluating ongoing projects and developing new initiatives in social development and healthcare sectors.

    The leaders also reviewed recent engagements with Brazilian aerospace company Embraer, noting that these discussions establish a foundation for expanded cooperation in defense and aviation sectors.

    President Simons emphasized the relationship’s importance for border communities and people-to-people connections. Both heads of state committed to maintaining high-level cooperation and further developing joint initiatives in preparation for the planned working visit later this year.

  • Woman, 48, dies in Bank Hall house fire

    Woman, 48, dies in Bank Hall house fire

    Barbados has been struck by its second deadly residential fire this year, resulting in the tragic death of a 48-year-old woman in the Bank Hall area of St Michael. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community and raised serious concerns about housing safety.

    Emergency services responded to distress calls around 3 p.m., deploying significant resources including 16 fire officers and three water tenders from both Bridgetown Station and Bridgetown Port Station. Deputy Chief Fire Officer Henderson Patrick confirmed the property functioned as a multi-tenant sublet arrangement housing seven occupants, one of whom was pronounced dead at the scene.

    The victim’s identity remains undisclosed as authorities continue their investigation into the fire’s origin. Distraught relatives gathered at the location, visibly overcome with emotion and unable to speak with media representatives.

    Fire officials emphasized the complexity of determining causation while extending condolences to the grieving family. Patrick urged property owners to implement enhanced safety measures, noting that not all fire incidents stem from negligence but often involve unforeseen circumstances.

    The tragedy marks the third significant fire within a month in St Michael West constituency, according to local MP Chris Gibbs, who described the progressive severity of these incidents as realizing his ‘worst fears.’ Gibbs highlighted the emotional devastation affecting both the immediate family and broader community, pledging comprehensive support for the six displaced survivors.

    This fatal event follows another recent fire tragedy in Two Mile Hill that claimed the life of 98-year-old former police officer Noel Marshall, underscoring a concerning pattern of residential fire incidents across the region.

  • Used car dealer to return to court in theft, money laundering case

    Used car dealer to return to court in theft, money laundering case

    The Supreme Court’s No. 5A courtroom will reconvene on March 31st for the continued trial of Dwayne Omar Clarke, a used car dealership operator facing serious financial crime allegations. The defendant stands accused of orchestrating a sophisticated scheme that allegedly diverted over $42,000 from an unsuspecting customer through both theft and subsequent money laundering operations.

    Court documents reveal two distinct sets of charges against the Warrens Crescent, St Michael resident. The first alleges Clarke stole $18,000 belonging to Joy-Ann Mapp between August 2019 and July 2021. These funds were reportedly proceeds from a Republic Bank Limited cheque originally issued to MD Auto Sales. The second charge involves an additional $24,500 allegedly stolen from the same victim on February 4th via another Republic Bank cheque, this time made payable to Clarke personally.

    Notably, Clarke has entered not guilty pleas to all charges, maintaining his innocence against allegations that he knowingly possessed criminal proceeds and had reasonable grounds to suspect their illicit origins. In an unusual courtroom arrangement, the defendant is representing himself without legal counsel.

    The prosecution team comprises three experienced state attorneys: Principal State Counsel Romario Straker, alongside State Counsel Maya Kellman and Eleazar Williams. Justice Christopher Birch presides over the complex financial crime case, which continues to develop as both sides prepare their arguments for the late March court session.

  • Vier zakken mest per hectare voor rijstboeren na akkoord LVV en sector

    Vier zakken mest per hectare voor rijstboeren na akkoord LVV en sector

    The Surinamese agricultural sector has witnessed a significant development as Minister Mike Noersalim of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries (LVV) and Hansraj Jagmohansingh, Chairman of the Nickerie Paddy Growers Association (VBPN), formalized an expanded support agreement for rice farmers. This agreement substantially increases fertilizer subsidies to address ongoing challenges in the rice industry.

    Under the new terms, rice farmers will now receive four bags of fertilizer per hectare distributed across three growing seasons, marking a substantial enhancement from previous arrangements. The decision comes as a response to financial pressures facing farmers who have received lower paddy prices than initially anticipated. While some processors have purchased paddy at prices ranging from SRD 500 to SRD 550 per unit, these rates have proven insufficient to cover production costs.

    Minister Noersalim emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting struggling farmers, stating, ‘Farmers are facing severe difficulties and financing challenges. The offered purchase price simply doesn’t allow them to cover their expenses completely.’ This recognition prompted renewed negotiations between stakeholders.

    The fertilizer agreement now forms an annex to the existing comprehensive 25-point action plan between LVV and VBPN, which addresses short, medium, and long-term solutions for sustainable development in the rice sector. Both parties expressed satisfaction with the outcome, with Minister Noersalim noting that ‘the farmers’ organization is content and I believe they are returning home satisfied.’

    VBPN Chairman Jagmohansingh confirmed this sentiment, stating, ‘I must say I am pleased and returning to my district with a positive outlook.’ He appreciated not only the material support but also the constructive dialogue with government officials, acknowledging that ‘the minister has a listening ear, I see the president has a listening ear.’

    Additional measures include a six-month interest freeze on loans for rice farmers, a move that William Waidoe, LVV’s Deputy Director for the Western Region, described as crucial for structural improvement in the sector. Waidoe clarified that despite the government’s limited influence on paddy pricing following market liberalization, LVV remains committed to supporting farmers through strategic interventions where possible, declaring the negotiations ‘a success nonetheless.’

  • Hall slams Tridents’ performance in loss to Saint Martin

    Hall slams Tridents’ performance in loss to Saint Martin

    Barbados’ national football team suffered a disappointing 3-1 defeat against Saint Martin in a Concacaf friendly international held at Antonio Trinidad Stadium in Bonaire on Thursday, prompting strong criticism from head coach Kent Hall.

    The match remained scoreless throughout the first half before undergoing a dramatic transformation in the 56th minute. Saint Martin’s Jean-Baptiste Leo delivered a remarkable two-goal performance within a single minute, fundamentally altering the game’s dynamics. Barbados managed to respond with a consolation goal from Jaron Oughterson in the 85th minute, but any potential comeback hopes were dashed when the team conceded an unfortunate own goal merely three minutes later.

    Coach Hall expressed profound dissatisfaction with his squad’s performance, particularly highlighting their first-half display as the worst since his tenure began. ‘We appeared as disconnected individuals rather than a cohesive unit today,’ Hall stated. ‘This level of disorganization is simply unacceptable at international competition standards.’

    The coach acknowledged the inherent challenges of assembling players from various global leagues, noting the difficulties in achieving synchronization. Hall drew parallels between this performance and previous struggles against Aruba, emphasizing the team’s failure to recover from a problematic start.

    Looking ahead to Sunday’s match against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Hall faces additional challenges with the absence of key player Thierry Gale, who returns to his professional club Bolton Wanderers for their critical promotion campaign. Despite this setback, Hall emphasized the necessity for improved performance and greater cohesion from the remaining squad members, expressing concern that the team has regressed since their previous Nations League campaign.

  • Barbadians urged to join fisherfolk in paying attention to BMS advisories

    Barbadians urged to join fisherfolk in paying attention to BMS advisories

    As Barbados approaches the Easter weekend, the fishing community is balancing traditional seasonal preparations with heightened caution due to hazardous marine conditions and an ongoing search for two missing fishermen. The Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) reports that fishermen are among the most diligent consumers of weather forecasts, utilizing multiple channels including radio broadcasts, official apps, and news bulletins to assess sea conditions before departure.

    Senior meteorologist Semelka Jackman expressed surprise at the fishing community’s extensive engagement with weather information, noting they operate in a fundamentally dangerous environment that demands constant vigilance. The BMS is currently collaborating with marine stakeholders to enhance how meteorological data is communicated, understood, and implemented by end-users.

    Recent weeks have seen increased marine advisories due to seasonal weather patterns, particularly mid-latitude cyclones originating from winter storms in the United States. These systems generate northerly swells that affect even typically protected coastlines like Barbados’ west coast. Easter period conditions are further complicated by consistently high wind speeds that create hazardous swells and challenging marine environments.

    Despite comprehensive forecasting capabilities, the BMS observes a troubling pattern where many residents only seek weather information after conditions have deteriorated. Jackman noted significant spikes in social media engagement and phone inquiries coincide with ongoing weather events rather than preceding them. The meteorologist emphasized the importance of proactive planning using the available five-day forecasts, urging the public to follow the example set by the fishing community in utilizing advance warnings for daily planning and risk mitigation.

  • ‘High-tech’ fishing: Fisheries agency plots digital, inclusive transformation

    ‘High-tech’ fishing: Fisheries agency plots digital, inclusive transformation

    Barbados is undertaking a groundbreaking modernization initiative to transform its centuries-old fishing sector into a technologically advanced, inclusive, and climate-resilient industry within the next decade. Under the leadership of Fisheries Director Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox, the ambitious strategy aims to increase the sector’s contribution to national GDP from 0.07% to 5% by 2034.

    Dr. Cox’s comprehensive five-pillar framework represents a paradigm shift from traditional fishing practices to a professionalized, data-driven industry. The strategy fundamentally reimagines fishing careers, moving them from low-esteem occupations to respected professions with opportunities in boat-building, marine mechanics, and advanced fish processing.

    The digital transformation component incorporates cutting-edge technologies including vessel-monitoring systems, electronic logbooks, and satellite imagery to enhance operational efficiency and enable evidence-based decision making. This technological overhaul is complemented by heritage preservation efforts that document traditional skills like net-knitting for integration into school curricula while recruiting younger boat captains to revitalize an aging workforce.

    Inclusion and climate resilience form critical pillars of the strategy, with specific focus on increasing female participation across all industry segments and developing adaptive responses to environmental challenges such as sargassum seaweed invasions. The modernization drive also includes comprehensive legislative reform to update the 1993 Fisheries Act, implementing improved “hook-to-cook” traceability standards that will enable access to premium export markets in the UK, Canada, and West Africa.

    The implementation has already shown tangible progress through initiatives like the Fishing Vessel Operations Level 3 course, which recently certified 22 individuals. International partnerships with Japan, the United Nations Development Programme, and local institutions including the TVET Council and Barbados Coast Guard have been instrumental in driving these capacity-building programs.

    However, the transformation faces significant challenges including an aging workforce demographic and natural resistance to change within the traditional industry. Hurricane Beryl, which struck 18 months into Dr. Cox’s tenure, served as a pivotal test of the sector’s resilience, forcing rapid adaptation with limited resources and increased reliance on private-sector partnerships.

    The Fisheries Division is addressing implementation challenges through participatory research approaches that directly involve fishers in scientific processes rather than imposing regulations top-down. This includes innovative programs such as tagging dolphin fish (mahi-mahi) and measuring reproductive organs in markets to verify sexual maturity scientifically.

    Future priorities include disaster-resilient vessel regulations mandating life rafts for all boats, particularly important given that Barbadian fishing vessels regularly operate up to 200 nautical miles offshore, with some record-breaking trips reaching 800 nautical miles. These safety enhancements will ensure vessels can withstand extreme conditions while delivering highest-quality seafood to both domestic consumers and international export markets.

  • Hotel occupancy “at full speed” in tourist poles of the Dominican Republic

    Hotel occupancy “at full speed” in tourist poles of the Dominican Republic

    The Dominican Republic’s tourism sector is posting far stronger than expected performance ahead of the Easter holiday period, with top resort destinations already hitting a near-90% hotel occupancy rate, according to the nation’s top tourism official.

    David Collado, Minister of Tourism, confirmed on Wednesday that leading leisure hubs including Punta Cana, Samaná, and Puerto Plata are all registering extremely high demand, with visitor volumes also climbing to emerging up-and-coming destination Miches as the country expands its tourism supply and diversifies its vacation offerings. Collado noted that the entire country has maintained near-full booking capacity through the month of April, with eastern coastal resorts completely sold out, and northern and Samaná-region properties also at full occupancy.

    In a notable bright spot for the global travel industry, Collado stressed that the Dominican Republic has recorded no widespread cancellations of either flights or hotel bookings, even amid ongoing tense geopolitical tensions that have put indirect pressure on national economies worldwide. While the sector remains vigilant and closely monitoring shifting global events, the current trajectory remains overwhelmingly positive.

    Juan Bancalari, president of the nation’s leading industry group the Association of Hotels and Tourism (Asonahores), echoed Collado’s optimistic assessment, pointing to a fundamental shift in the Dominican Republic’s tourism profile. The destination is no longer dependent on seasonal peak travel windows, he explained, instead maintaining steady, stable occupancy across all 12 months of the year. Even in the face of current global economic and political uncertainty, hotels across the country are reporting exceptionally high booking volumes, with numbers continuing to climb ahead of the upcoming Easter travel rush.

    Bancalari added that no meaningful cancellation impact has been recorded to date, with travel demand continuing to grow steadily. The robust performance of the country’s tourism sector, he emphasized, serves as a clear reflection of the strong and enduring confidence that international travelers hold in the Dominican Republic as a top vacation destination.

  • Education : Towards the establishment of the MENFP’s Strategic Orientation Council

    Education : Towards the establishment of the MENFP’s Strategic Orientation Council

    In a significant move to reform Haiti’s education sector, Minister of National Education Vijonet Déméro has announced the creation of a Strategic Orientation Council (COS). The initiative, formally declared on March 27, 2026, aims to strengthen institutional coordination, improve educational outcomes, and optimize the use of public resources within the national education system.

    The council’s establishment follows the legal framework outlined in Articles 94-96 of the May 17, 2005 Decree concerning the organization of Haiti’s Central State Administration. The COS will comprise key education leaders including the Minister of National Education, the Secretary of State for Literacy and Non-Formal Education, the Ministry’s Director General, Inspectors General of the National Education Administration, and heads of major educational institutions such as the National Education Fund (FNE), National Office for Partnership in Education (ONAPE), National Institute for Vocational Training (INFP), and the National School Canteen Program (PNCS).

    During the working meeting that included technical directors and project coordination units, Minister Déméro emphasized the government’s priority areas: election preparation, economic recovery, security, and sound governance. Participants engaged in substantive discussions on implementing anti-corruption mechanisms across the ministry and its affiliated entities.

    A central outcome of these discussions is the development of a ‘Declaration of Commitment’ that all civil servants and contract employees within the education sector will be asked to voluntarily sign. This measure represents a concrete step toward promoting transparency and accountability throughout Haiti’s educational infrastructure.

  • Goudsector moet inclusiever en duurzamer: vrouwen en jongeren centraal

    Goudsector moet inclusiever en duurzamer: vrouwen en jongeren centraal

    Suriname’s journey toward establishing an environmentally conscious and ethically responsible gold mining industry demands enhanced collaboration, public awareness, and the active participation of women and youth. This central message emerged from Friday’s Community Congress held in Torarica, which convened policymakers, industry experts, and community representatives to address the sector’s environmental impact and necessary reforms.

    The gathering highlighted that sustainable development within the gold industry can only be achieved through the inclusive engagement of all stakeholders—including the informal sector. According to Natural Resources authorities, behavioral transformation across the sector remains paramount. Participants emphasized the urgent need to transition toward eco-friendly mining practices that prioritize water conservation, public health, and community wellbeing.

    Congress discussions particularly underscored women’s pivotal role as change agents within mining communities and the broader sector. Meanwhile, youth were identified as essential contributors to building a resilient and future-ready gold industry. Through structured workshops and dialogue sessions, attendees collaborated to develop practical solutions and cooperative frameworks.

    These outcomes are expected to inform policy development and implementable strategies for responsible gold management. The congress ultimately demonstrated that reforming Suriname’s gold sector transcends technical adjustments—it represents a societal imperative where inclusivity and shared responsibility must take center stage in shaping the industry’s sustainable future.