Carib Scope

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  • Young Man Murdered, Police Cite Ongoing Rivalry

    Young Man Murdered, Police Cite Ongoing Rivalry

    On a routine Wednesday evening in Port Loyola, Belize City, a violent shooting cut short the life of 19-year-old Anthony Perry just a few hundred feet away from his own front door. The young man was on his way to visit a family member when the fatal attack unfolded, sending shockwaves through the tight-knit local community.

    According to senior law enforcement official Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero, initial investigations paint a clear picture of the incident: Perry was moving through the neighborhood when an unidentified male suspect approached him and opened fire, striking the teen multiple times. Emergency responders rushed the wounded young man to Belize’s primary public healthcare facility, Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, but medical teams could not save him – Perry was pronounced dead immediately upon arrival.

    Romero confirmed that the killing is tied to a long-simmering feud between groups active in the nearby Louis Bevans area. He also noted that Perry was already known to law enforcement, with a prior criminal record. As of the latest update, the investigation remains active: authorities have identified two persons of interest connected to the attack, and are currently combing through surveillance camera footage collected from the surrounding area to piece together a full timeline of the shooting.

    The violence unfolded in close proximity to Perry’s girlfriend, Allyssa Teul, who rushed to the scene moments after the gunfire stopped. In an emotional interview, she described the chaos and disbelief of that evening: by the time she ran outside after Perry’s aunt alerted her to the shooting, she could only run toward the sound of commotion, never expecting to find her partner lying fatally wounded on the ground.

    Perry’s father, Anthony Perry Sr., recalled the devastating moment he received the news of his son’s death. He explained that he first missed three incoming calls from his older son, and before he could retrieve his phone to return the call, his eldest called again with the devastating update: “daddy they just kill Version,” using the common nickname for the slain 19-year-old.

    As residents of Port Loyola grapple with yet another act of violent crime in the district, law enforcement has not announced any arrests yet, and the search for the two suspects continues.

  • “He’ll Forever Be in Our Hearts”: Family Mourns Deovan Hall

    “He’ll Forever Be in Our Hearts”: Family Mourns Deovan Hall

    A quiet community in northern Belize’s Corozal District is reeling from a violent tragedy that has left a family shattered and searching for answers, after 41-year-old Deovan Hall was fatally shot multiple times near a cane field outside San Antonio Village. The killing, which unfolded on a September evening in 2026, has left his two young children without a father and his partner demanding accountability for the senseless act.

    Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero confirmed details of the incident, saying law enforcement was dispatched to the area shortly after receiving 911 calls alerting them to the shooting. According to preliminary law enforcement accounts, Hall was riding his bicycle home from a local community event when he was confronted by unknown attackers, who opened fire on him before fleeing the scene. The gunshots caused fatal injuries that claimed Hall’s life before first responders could reach him.

    For Sharlean Robateau, Hall’s common-law partner of many years, the last interaction she shared with him was an ordinary, routine moment that has now become a heart-wrenching memory. Hall had just passed her sister’s home after leaving the village event, when he used the couple’s private, quiet signal—a familiar whistle—to let her know he was nearby. When Robateau stepped outside to ask where he was heading, Hall told her he was just going a short distance away to pick up a bit of food.

    Robateau headed back inside with their children, and roughly 15 minutes later, she said she heard what she described as five consecutive gunshots ring out across the quiet neighborhood. At the time, she did not connect the sound to Hall, until late that night, when Hall’s father knocked on her door asking if his son had returned home. When Robateau said he had not, the pair launched a search that ended in the devastating discovery of Hall’s body near the nearby cane field.

    Robateau remembers Hall as a deeply devoted father who prioritized every moment he could spend with his two sons. He frequently took the boys on outdoor adventures—fishing in local waterways, hunting in the surrounding bush, and traveling to nearby communities to watch local football matches. Robateau described the boys as inseparable from their father, saying “they stick on to him like ticks” wherever he went.

    Up to this point, police have not released any information about possible suspects or motives for the killing, leaving Robateau and her family with no explanation for why Hall was targeted. In an interview expressing her grief, Robateau said she cannot fathom why anyone would want to harm a man like Hall, and she is demanding that investigators deliver full justice for his death. “I don’t think it fair to make them just take away an innocent life and leave two innocent kids fatherless,” she said.

    Robateau wants Hall to be remembered not as a victim of violence, but as a loving, generous member of the small village community who was always the first to offer a helping hand to anyone in need. “I would like him to be remembered as a loving person, caring person. He always willing to give a helping hand. And he’ll forever be in our hearts,” she said.

  • Internationale rechtsorde, investeringen en klimaat rode draad bij VN-speech Simons

    Internationale rechtsorde, investeringen en klimaat rode draad bij VN-speech Simons

    The 81st iteration of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is set to convene in New York from September 21 to 24, bringing heads of state and government from across the globe together to address pressing international challenges. This year’s assembly carries the overarching theme “Rebuilding Trust, Reforming Governance: A UN That Delivers Results for All”, and Suriname President Jennifer Simons will take center stage during the general debate on September 22, scheduled as the fourth speaker of the afternoon session, according to Suriname’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation Melvin Bouva.

    In her upcoming address to the global assembly, President Simons will outline three core priorities for Suriname on the international stage, starting with a firm reaffirmation of the country’s commitment to upholding the international rules-based order. Minister Bouva confirmed that Simons will deliver a clear message on the necessity of binding multilateral agreements and collective action to address global issues. He emphasized that the Surinamese government remains a staunch supporter of multilateralism, believing that transnational challenges can only be resolved when all nations work together in accordance with mutually agreed upon norms.

    Beyond multilateral diplomacy, the Surinamese delegation will use the UNGA gathering as a platform to advance bilateral diplomatic and economic goals. The government has already pre-planned a full schedule of bilateral meetings with neighboring countries, regional partners with existing strategic ties, and other globally important nations. Border relations and existing strategic partnerships will take top priority during these discussions, according to Bouva.

    A key economic focus of these bilateral engagements will be attracting international investment to Suriname’s growing oil and energy sector. As an emerging oil-producing nation, Suriname is eager to leverage the UNGA platform to showcase its economic potential to the global investment community. Bouva stressed that any future investment negotiations will be conducted from a position of equal standing, with Suriname’s national interests always placed front and center. “That is our starting point, and based on that starting point, we are open to doing business with the world,” Bouva stated.

    Climate action and forest conservation will also feature prominently in President Simons’ address. Last year, an international coalition of five major conservation and environmental organizations pledged $20 million to support Suriname’s efforts to protect its forests and biodiversity. Bouva acknowledged that the Surinamese government has not yet met all the legal requirements outlined in the funding agreement, but he confirmed that the administration is currently taking steps to formalize the commitments through domestic legislation to secure the funding.

    This high-profile appearance at UNGA marks a key moment for Suriname as it seeks to position itself as a responsible global actor while advancing its own economic and environmental goals on the world stage.

  • Former boxing coach donates to young fighters

    Former boxing coach donates to young fighters

    Young emerging boxers on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia have received a timely boost to their training, courtesy of the US-based Pompey Foundation, which officially handed over a shipment of essential boxing equipment to the Saint Lucia Boxing Association earlier this week. The donation, which includes new pairs of boxing gloves, hand wraps and protective training pads, aims to lift barriers for emerging talent and expand grassroots boxing development across the island.

    The handover ceremony was led by Serieana Pompey, daughter of former Saint Lucian boxer and coach John Pompey, the founder of the foundation. For years, Pompey’s organization has prioritized supporting local athletic groups in his home country, having previously delivered sports gear to multiple clubs across Saint Lucia. This past summer, the foundation also organized the popular Pompey Mile Run community event to encourage local recreational fitness.

    Conrad Fredericks, the national head coach of Saint Lucia’s boxing program, accepted the donation at the National Boxing Gym located in Vigie, Castries. In an interview with local outlet St Lucia Times, Fredericks expressed deep gratitude for the ongoing commitment Pompey has shown to the island’s boxing community — a connection that stretches back more than 20 years, when Fredericks first coached a young Pompey at the gym.

    Fredericks emphasized that Pompey’s generosity stems from his long-held gratitude for the foundation the local gym laid for his career. “He remembered what the gym has done for him,” Fredericks said. “He remembered how far he has come from, even though he reached America, and now he ended up donating. We appreciate what he sent. I thank him so much for the things that he sent for the boxing gym. He didn’t just think of himself, he invested in the next generation of boxers coming up in the gym, and he showed his gratitude for what we’ve done for him.”

    Today’s National Boxing Gym looks drastically different from the space Pompey trained in at the turn of the century. The current facility spans more than 2,000 square feet, features a full-size competition ring, and holds tens of thousands of dollars worth of equipment sourced through the International Boxing Association (IBA). Looking back, Fredericks recalled the modest conditions of the early 2000s, when Pompey was an active trainee.

    “Back in around 2000 when Pompey was a member, we had a very small gym,” he said. “From the time he moved on, the gym has moved to another level. We have more boxers, we have a bigger gym. In his time, we had four bags, two big bags and two small ones. And now we have over 12 bags in the gym. We have a male and a female washroom. Everything is different from his time. Boxing has grown, and a lot of it came from what he did in his time.”

    For his part, Pompey said his commitment to giving back grows from a core personal belief: staying rooted in the community that shaped you. “I never forget where I came from,” Pompey said. “It feels great to be able to give back. My foundation was able to make a donation to Saint Lucia boxing. To God be the Glory.”

    In a public statement following the donation, the Saint Lucia Boxing Association confirmed that the newly received equipment will be integrated into existing training and youth development programs, with a specific focus on expanding access for school-aged boxers. The federation officially extended its sincere thanks to Pompey and his entire family for their consistent, long-standing support of growing the sport of boxing across Saint Lucia.

  • Cabinet Approves Support for Cure Blindness Project Eye-Care Mission in October

    Cabinet Approves Support for Cure Blindness Project Eye-Care Mission in October

    The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has given formal approval to a new phase of the country’s ambitious Cure Blindness Project, a collaborative public health initiative scheduled to run from October 25 to 30, 2026. The proposal to advance the program was put forward by Honourable Michael Joseph, the nation’s Minister for Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, and secured full backing from government leadership.

    This upcoming mission will bring specialized, world-class eye care and surgical skill to the islands through a three-way partnership between Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Health, Trinidad’s leading Trinidad Eye Hospital, and the global non-profit Cure Blindness Project. Per details shared with Cabinet, the initiative will deliver all high-volume, top-tier eye care services completely free of charge to low-income and vulnerable patients in need, covering all costs including surgical expertise, medical supplies, specialized clinical equipment and other critical resources. Renowned surgeon Dr. Matthew Oliva will also join the mission as a volunteer, donating his specialized skills to perform complex eye care procedures for local residents.

    Government officials framed the 2026 mission as a key pillar of the administration’s broader national strategy to cut rates of preventable and avoidable blindness across Antigua and Barbuda, while dramatically expanding access to specialized eye health services for all communities. This project builds on a successful ongoing collaborative program launched earlier this year, which already enabled specialists from the Trinidad Eye Hospital to complete more than 400 free eye surgeries in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre and the Medical Benefits Scheme. That initial initiative was also expanded to offer free eye screenings and examinations to roughly 10,000 primary and secondary school students across the islands, a program that remains active today.

    The Cure Blindness Project lies at the center of Antigua and Barbuda’s growing comprehensive national eye health ecosystem, which integrates community outreach, routine population screening, distribution of corrective eyewear, surgical interventions, specialized local clinician training and long-term sustainable care. Back in March 2024, Cabinet received an update on the country’s trailblazing “Blind Free Zone” initiative, developed in partnership with global health collaborators. This flagship program includes the construction of community-level eye care centers and specialized clinical training for local Antiguan and Barbudan nurses at the world-renowned Aravind Eye Hospital in India. To date, the government has already secured approximately US$90,000 in specialized ophthalmic equipment to support the rollout of this initiative.

    Antigua and Barbuda has further expanded its eye health efforts through the Prime Ministerial Vision Initiative, a multi-partner collaboration bringing together the Cure Blindness Project, global eye health non-profits RestoringVision and VisionSpring. In March, the country received a donation of 25,000 near-vision eyeglasses from RestoringVision to distribute to residents living with correctable vision impairment, with distribution efforts ongoing. When the Prime Ministerial Vision Initiative formally launched in July, the Cure Blindness Project recognized Antigua and Barbuda’s program as the first effort in the Caribbean aiming to establish a full blindness-free zone.

    The Antiguan and Barbudan government has a long track record of supporting expanded access to advanced ophthalmological care through international partnerships, including previous commitments to deliver free corneal replacement surgeries and other complex ophthalmic procedures locally. Cabinet specifically emphasized that the 2026 mission’s commitment to zero-cost care for patients aligns with the government’s core principle that access to life-changing treatment should never depend on a person’s ability to pay.

    In a closing statement, Cabinet extended formal recognition and praise to Minister Joseph, the Ministry of Health, the Trinidad Eye Hospital, the Cure Blindness Project, and all participating medical professionals and international partners. These stakeholders have contributed critical resources including clinical expertise, specialized equipment, professional training and funding to build out the country’s expanding national eye health system. Officials noted that the program is transforming eye care in Antigua and Barbuda, shifting the nation from a model of periodic, reactive treatment for eye disease to a comprehensive, sustainable system focused on early detection, prevention, sight-restoring surgery and the development of long-term local clinical expertise.

    The government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to continuing collaboration with local, regional and international partners to meet its core goal: cutting rates of preventable blindness dramatically and ensuring all citizens and residents of Antigua and Barbuda can access high-quality, affordable eye care when they need it.

  • Dr. Renata Clarke highlights regional cooperation in new Caribbean Fisheries resilience initiative

    Dr. Renata Clarke highlights regional cooperation in new Caribbean Fisheries resilience initiative

    The Caribbean region, long defined by its deep ties to marine ecosystems and small-scale fishing industries, is facing accelerating climate-driven threats that put food security, local livelihoods and economic development at risk. In a major step forward to address these shared challenges, the second phase of the Climate Change Resilience in the Caribbean Fisheries Sector Project (CC4FISH-II) officially launched at an inception meeting hosted in Dominica on September 15, 2026.

    At the opening of the event, Dr. Renata Clarke, Sub-Regional Coordinator for the Caribbean with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), emphasized that transboundary climate impacts cannot be solved by individual nations acting alone, making coordinated regional action non-negotiable for long-term success. Clarke framed the $12.55 million initiative, fully funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), as far more than an environmental intervention: it is a targeted investment in the sustainable future of the entire Caribbean region.

    “CC4FISH-II represents an investment in the future of the Caribbean. It demonstrates the power of regional collaboration in addressing shared challenges facing the Caribbean’s fisheries sector,” Clarke told attendees. She added that the project creates a critical opening to reinforce the fishing sector’s ability to absorb climate shocks, while protecting vulnerable marine ecosystems and upholding the well-being of the millions of Caribbean people whose lives and incomes depend on healthy fisheries.

    The Caribbean’s fishing industries have increasingly come under strain in recent decades. Rising ocean temperatures, ocean acidification, and extreme weather events have driven declining fish stocks, widespread marine biodiversity loss, and severe degradation of critical coastal habitats including coral reefs and mangroves that serve as breeding grounds for commercial fish species. These ecological shifts have rippled through local economies, threatening household food security, eroding livelihoods for small-scale fishing communities, and slowing broad-based economic development across the region.

    CC4FISH-II will be executed by the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), in strategic partnership with FAO and a network of regional and national stakeholders. The new program builds on the outcomes and lessons learned from the first phase of CC4FISH, which ran from 2017 to 2022 across seven Eastern Caribbean nations, and will support on-the-ground climate resilience interventions through to 2030.

    Five countries are positioned to directly benefit from the initiative: Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. Unlike large-scale, one-size-fits-all development projects, CC4FISH-II centers the needs of marginalized groups that form the backbone of the Caribbean fishing industry: small-scale fisherfolk, small boat owners, artisanal fish processors, local vendors, cross-border traders, and tight-knit coastal communities. A core priority of the project is expanding economic opportunities, boosting leadership representation, and strengthening livelihood resilience for women and young people, groups that are often underrepresented in regional fisheries governance but play an outsized role in sustaining the sector.

    Closing her remarks, Clarke reaffirmed the collective vision driving the initiative: “Together, we can strengthen resilience, protect marine resources, and create lasting benefits for communities throughout the region.”

  • President Burton to represent Dominica at 81st UN General Assembly

    President Burton to represent Dominica at 81st UN General Assembly

    As the 81st iteration of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) gets underway in New York, the Caribbean island nation of Dominica is preparing to make its voice heard on the world stage through its head of state, President Sylvanie Burton. Per an official statement released by the Office of the President, Burton will depart Dominica on September 19, with a high-stakes national address scheduled for the assembly’s General Debate on September 22. She will conclude her trip and return to the country by September 24.

    This year’s UNGA session formally opened its proceedings on September 8, 2026, with the central General Debate — where global leaders lay out their national priorities and policy positions — running from September 22 to 28. The 2026 session has adopted the unifying theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All,” a framing that emerges amid a period of unprecedented global turbulence. Nations across every region currently face overlapping crises, from armed conflicts and accelerating climate change to persistent economic volatility, widening wealth gaps, and the disruptive rapid expansion of new technologies. These challenges have also sparked widespread debate over the ability of multilateral frameworks to deliver meaningful collective action.

    Burton’s upcoming address is expected to lay out Dominica’s clear stance on the most pressing issues facing the global community, while reaffirming the island nation’s longstanding commitment to multilateral cooperation, global peace, inclusive sustainable development, and urgent climate action. The President’s remarks will also place significant focus on a critical gap between global pledges and on-the-ground impact: the official statement emphasized that Burton will highlight the urgent need to translate international commitments into tangible, life-improving outcomes for ordinary people around the world.

    For Dominica, a small island developing state, climate and development justice have remained top diplomatic priorities. The government has repeatedly called for global development financing structures that account for the unique economic and environmental vulnerabilities small states face, alongside expanded international support to help these nations build climate adaptation capacity and boost their resilience to climate disasters, which disproportionately impact low-lying small island nations.

    Burton will not travel alone: her delegation includes First Gentleman Gilbert Burton, Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy Minister Dr. Vince Henderson, Dominica’s Permanent UN Representative Philbert Aaron, Deputy Permanent Representative Kelver Darroux, Sheldon Peter Anthony, and additional senior staff from Dominica’s UN Mission. To ensure continuity of governance during the President’s travels, Josette Matthew has been appointed to serve as Acting President, stepping in to carry out presidential functions for the duration of Burton’s absence from the country.

  • Dennery denied, Central fumble in SPFL

    Dennery denied, Central fumble in SPFL

    A night of missed opportunity and contentious officiating marred Wednesday’s Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football League Tier 1 clash, as Dennery was forced to settle for a goalless draw against Anse La Raye at Soufrière Stadium, killing their bid to jump to the top of the league table.

    Headed into the fixture, Dennery held a clear target: secure all three points to close the gap on current leaders Vieux Fort South and stake their claim for the top spot. The east coast side almost achieved that breakthrough inside the opening 10 minutes, when a pinpoint long cross from winger Newton Marshall fell perfectly into the path of striker Garvin Reggie. Reggie, who already boasted six goals this campaign, neatly evaded two Anse La Raye defenders and slotted home what would have been his seventh goal of the season — a tally that would have put him alone atop the league’s scoring charts.

    But the celebrations were cut short. The assistant referee raised his flag for offside, and the goal was immediately ruled out. Replays and on-pitch observations later confirmed the error: the offside call was mistakenly made against Dennery captain Elijah Joseph, who was out of play, while Reggie, the goalscorer, was clearly onside when he received the ball.

    The controversial decision only amplified tensions that had been building along the touchline even before the first whistle blew. Dennery’s technical staff was put on notice for dissent ahead of kickoff, and referee Junior George issued a yellow card to head coach Sabbatus Hunte in the 17th minute as tempers continued to fray. The situation boiled over in the 87th minute, when both Sabbatus Hunte and assistant coach Hiram Hunte were given straight red cards for repeated verbal dissent against the officials’ calls.

    Discipline slipped on the pitch as well, with five players picking up yellow cards across the two sides. For Dennery, Macgyver Raymond was cautioned in the 31st minute, followed by captain Joseph in the 71st. Anse La Raye also saw three of their players enter the referee’s book: Brandon Williams in the 10th minute, Dahmanii Berthier in first-half stoppage time, and Shanic John just after the hour mark.

    Earlier in the matchday, a separate fixture between Canaries and Central Castries never got underway, ending in a walkover win for Canaries. Central Castries was unable to fulfill the fixture requirement after failing to bring their official match uniforms. After a 30-minute wait past the scheduled 7:00 p.m. kickoff, match referee Renlee Napoleon, acting on guidance from the match commissioner, officially called the match off, and three points were awarded to Canaries per league rules.

    The final scoreless result leaves Dennery stuck in third place in the Tier 1 standings after eight matches, holding 14 points. They remain behind two-time defending champions La Clery, who sit second on 15 points, and league-leading Vieux Fort South, who hold a three-point advantage at the top with 17 points. Anse La Raye stays in ninth position with six points. As a result of their walkover win, Canaries climbs to fourth in the table, while Central Castries remains in seventh.

  • Antigua and Barbuda, US to Resume Talks on Accepting Limited Number of Third-Country Deportees

    Antigua and Barbuda, US to Resume Talks on Accepting Limited Number of Third-Country Deportees

    WASHINGTON, DC – September 17, 2026 – In an official media statement released this week by the Embassy of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders, Antigua and Barbuda’s ambassador to Washington, confirmed that talks with the U.S. government will get underway again soon in response to a formal request from the American side. The negotiations center on a proposal that would see Antigua and Barbuda accept a small cohort of third-country nationals who have been removed from U.S. territory.

  • US Removes Venezuela From Failed Drug List for First Time in Over 20 Years, Trump Says

    US Removes Venezuela From Failed Drug List for First Time in Over 20 Years, Trump Says

    In a historic shift in United States drug policy and regional diplomacy, the Trump administration has formally delisted Venezuela from its roster of countries deemed to have demonstrably failed to combat illicit drug trafficking. This move marks the first time the South American nation has been removed from the list in more than two decades, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed in an official notification submitted to Congress this week.

    Venezuela first received the failing designation in 2005, holding the unwanted classification for 21 consecutive years until this announcement. President Trump directly attributed the policy change to strengthened counter-narcotics collaboration with Venezuela’s interim government, headed by Delcy Rodriguez, which took power after former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was arrested and removed from office in January 2026. In the presidential determination published by the U.S. State Department, Trump specifically highlighted the killing of “Niño Guerrero”, the leader of notorious transnational criminal gang Tren de Aragua, as a concrete example of how this enhanced cooperation has delivered tangible results.

    “I have determined Venezuela should no longer be designated as having failed demonstrably to fulfill its drug control commitments,” Trump wrote in the official statement. “I expect to see continued, measurable progress from the interim government in dismantling narcoterrorist groups and stopping drug trafficking through Venezuela.”

    Since Maduro’s ouster in January, the U.S. has rapidly deepened diplomatic and economic ties with Rodriguez’s administration. Maduro, who spent years as a vocal critic of U.S. policy in Latin America, is currently standing trial on federal drug trafficking charges in a New York court. As part of the warming bilateral relations, Washington has already granted U.S. energy firms access to Venezuela’s vast untapped oil reserves, a major economic breakthrough for both sides.

    The delisting of Venezuela also opens the door to further policy adjustments across the region. Trump signaled that the U.S. is open to removing Colombia and Bolivia from the failing drug list as well, although both nations remain on the roster for the time being. The president noted that the recent election of conservative, pro-U.S. leaders in both countries represents a meaningful turning point for their counter-narcotics cooperation.

    The shift in U.S. classification comes amid a broader realignment of political power across Latin America. As of September 2026, eight regional nations — Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Peru, and Colombia — are now led by governments aligned with the Trump administration. A large number of these countries have also joined the Shield of the Americas programme, a U.S.-led regional military and security alliance built explicitly to counter drug trafficking and transnational organized crime activity.

    Even with the delisting of Venezuela and potential future changes for Colombia and Bolivia, the U.S. still identifies all three as major drug transit or producing countries. They remain on this broader watchlist alongside 20 other nations: Afghanistan, the Bahamas, Belize, Burma, China, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, and Panama.