Carib Scope

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  • Frangipani bloom at Sir Ira track meet

    Frangipani bloom at Sir Ira track meet

    In a stunning display of athletic prowess, Frangipani House emerged victorious at the Sir Ira Simmons Secondary School track and field championships, held February 12th at the prestigious Daren Sammy Cricket Ground. Overcoming an 18-point deficit from preliminary road race events, Frangipani executed a remarkable comeback through dominant performances in field events and track finals, ultimately securing the championship title with an impressive 813 points.

    The competition witnessed intense rivalry among the top contenders. Cassia House, initially leading after strong road race performances, finished second with 767 points. Defending champions Flambouyant mounted a vigorous defense but ultimately settled for third place with 758 points, while Calabash House finished fourth with 655 points.

    Frangipani’s victory was significantly propelled by the extraordinary performance of Armani Phillips in the Under-16 division. Phillips achieved a spectacular triple victory, claiming gold in the 100m (11.8 seconds), 200m (24.4 seconds), and 400m (59.2 seconds) events. His exceptional contribution extended beyond individual events as he anchored his team to a decisive victory in the 4x100m relay, having previously won the shot put competition, amassing 32 individual points for his house.

    The games showcased remarkable talent across multiple age categories. In Division 3, Thassari Similien (Flambouyant) dominated the girls’ sprints with victories in the 100m (13.8 seconds) and 200m (28.6 seconds), while Shanice Gabriel (Frangipani) excelled in middle-distance events, winning the 400m (1:12.2) and 800m (3:08.3).

    Under-18 competition featured standout performances from Alice Phillips (Calabash), who claimed the 400m (1:14.1), 800m (3:08.6), and open 1500m (7:25.7) titles. The boys’ U18 category saw a thrilling rivalry between Cornelius Edmund (Calabash) and Uraus Poleon (Frangipani), with Edmund securing the 100m title (11.7 seconds) and Poleon claiming victory in the 200m (24.8 seconds).

    Younger athletes demonstrated exceptional promise, particularly Phoebe Jolie (Cassia) who dominated the Under-14 girls’ category with three gold medals in the 80m (11.5 seconds), 150m (21.0 seconds), and 300m (52.1 seconds). The Under-14 boys’ division witnessed Dowayne Jn Paul (Flambouyant) achieving a remarkable triple victory in the 300m (51.8 seconds), 600m (1:58.3), and 1200m (4:58.0), while teammate Nadius Hippolyte swept the sprint events with victories in the 80m (10.8 seconds) and 150m (20.4 seconds).

  • Analyst: Holder likely to return as Speaker

    Analyst: Holder likely to return as Speaker

    Barbados is set to witness a significant parliamentary development this Friday with the anticipated return of Arthur Holder as Speaker of the House of Assembly. This appointment marks a historic first, as he will be the initial individual to assume the role from outside the lower chamber, a move made possible by a recent constitutional amendment.

    Renowned political analyst Peter Wickham expressed strong confidence in the selection, stating the choice appears ‘pretty clear.’ Wickham emphasized Holder’s unique qualifications, noting, ‘I can’t think of anybody who is more qualified than him.’ He further clarified that Holder’s previous service as an elected Member of Parliament does not preclude an independent return, citing ample precedent for such a transition.

    Holder, a seasoned lawyer elevated to Senior Counsel in 2023, originally served as the MP for St Michael Central from June 2018 until his departure from elective politics in January. He made history as the first Speaker in the 387-year-old Parliament to sport lengthy dreadlocks, becoming known for his candid yet relaxed presiding style. Prior to his political career, Holder built a substantial background in social services. A graduate in social work, he held managerial and program officer positions at the Child Care Board and the National Council on Substance Abuse.

    His tenure as Speaker has been internationally recognized. Holder has been an active participant in global parliamentary affairs, presenting research at prestigious forums such as ParlAmericas and the Parliamentarians for Global Action Forum. He has also chaired specialized workshops focusing on critical issues like parliamentary cybersecurity, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to governance.

  • Three banks ready for full National Payments System platform

    Three banks ready for full National Payments System platform

    Guyana has taken a significant step toward modernizing its financial infrastructure with three major commercial banks preparing to connect to the comprehensive National Payments System (NPS) platform. The system, developed by UK-based Aperta Payment Solutions, promises to revolutionize financial transactions for both individuals and businesses across the South American nation.

    President Irfaan Ali announced the milestone during his keynote address at the 2026 Guyana Energy Conference, revealing that two commercial banks have already received approval for full integration into the digital platform. “We have completed the process of building out a national payment platform and two local banks are ready to go completely on a digital platform,” President Ali stated, highlighting the system’s capacity to enable digital wallets, payment systems, and transfer mechanisms.

    The participating institutions include international players Scotia Bank, India-headquartered Bank of Baroda, and Republic Bank (based in Trinidad and Tobago), alongside locally-owned Citizens Bank, Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry, and Demerara Bank.

    Beyond the payments infrastructure, the government unveiled complementary initiatives to bolster Guyana’s digital economy. These include forming a specialized team of digital experts to transform innovative concepts into viable business proposals, followed by managerial support to ensure sustainable enterprise development.

    The administration further plans to establish a Guyana Development Bank designed to facilitate increased lending through traditional financial institutions. President Ali noted that negotiations have already secured interest-free, collateral-free resources from commercial banks, with efforts underway to unlock additional low-cost financing with minimal collateral requirements.

    Concurrently, work continues on developing a junior stock exchange to enhance corporate transparency and fully integrate emerging companies into the formal financial ecosystem, representing a comprehensive modernization of Guyana’s economic framework.

  • Police probe unnatural death

    Police probe unnatural death

    Law enforcement authorities have mobilized at Chapman Lane in the parish of St Michael following what appears to be a deadly shooting incident. Police units have established a secured perimeter around the crime scene as investigators work to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragic event. While official details remain limited during the preliminary investigation phase, the presence of multiple police vehicles and forensic personnel indicates the seriousness of the situation. Community members have been advised to avoid the immediate area to facilitate uninterrupted investigative operations. The Barbados Police Service is expected to release an official statement once initial evidence collection and witness interviews are completed. Such incidents remain relatively uncommon in the generally peaceful community, raising concerns among local residents about public safety. The investigation continues as authorities pursue all available leads in the case.

  • BTL to Meet Former Workers Over Long‑Overdue Severance

    BTL to Meet Former Workers Over Long‑Overdue Severance

    In a significant development for labor rights in Belize, Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) has scheduled a crucial meeting with former employees to address long-outstanding severance payments that have remained unpaid for decades. The company formally communicated its intention to engage with the Belize Communications Workers for Justice (BCWJ) in a letter confirming today’s meeting to finalize compensation arrangements.

    This breakthrough follows a landmark Caribbean Court of Justice ruling that explicitly affirmed the workers’ entitlement to severance benefits, irrespective of their pension status. Despite this legal victory, actual disbursement of funds had remained stagnant until now.

    The protracted dispute has impacted more than 175 former BTL staff members, many of whom dedicated over twenty years of service to the telecommunications company. News 5 has documented extensive demonstrations outside BTL’s headquarters, where affected former employees have voiced their struggles with financial instability and declining health conditions directly attributed to the prolonged wait for compensation.

    The BCWJ has consistently characterized the delays as stemming from ‘bogus excuses and a lack of goodwill’ on the company’s part. Tensions escalated notably when BTL publicly announced its intention to acquire SpeedNet for $80 million, a move that the workers’ union criticized as demonstrating misplaced priorities that favored corporate expansion over fulfilling obligations to longtime employees.

    In a notable concession, BTL has committed to processing claims that would typically fall outside the standard six-year statute of limitations. The BCWJ emphasizes that while this commitment represents progress, former employees require a definitive timeline specifying when each individual will finally receive their compensation check.

  • Two Imported Malaria Cases Confirmed in Toledo

    Two Imported Malaria Cases Confirmed in Toledo

    Health authorities in Belize have reported two confirmed cases of imported malaria within the Toledo District, specifically in Crique Sarco Village. The Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) has classified these infections as imported, confirming the virus was contracted outside the country’s borders.

    This development does not affect Belize’s official malaria-free certification, which was formally awarded by the World Health Organization in 2023. The designation confirms that local mosquito populations within Belize are not transmitting malaria between humans, establishing that the domestic chain of transmission remains broken.

    These imported cases highlight ongoing concerns about the potential reintroduction of malaria through international travel from regions where the disease remains endemic. Health officials emphasize that vigilant monitoring and rapid response systems are crucial for maintaining the nation’s malaria-free status.

    The MOHW has reminded the public about malaria’s clinical presentation, which typically includes high fever, severe chills, profound headaches, muscle aches, excessive sweating, fatigue, and nausea. Symptoms generally manifest between 7 to 30 days following initial infection. The ministry guarantees complimentary diagnostic testing and treatment accessible at all public health clinics, through community health workers, and via dedicated malaria volunteers.

    In a related update, the ministry confirmed Belize’s continued diagnostic capability for other mosquito-borne illnesses, including Chikungunya and Zika viruses. Health surveillance data indicates no local transmission of Chikungunya since 2016, and no cases of Zika have been reported since 2017, underscoring the effectiveness of the nation’s vector-borne disease control programs.

  • Caribbean Tourism Organization CEO: Agriculture is key to region’s resilience

    Caribbean Tourism Organization CEO: Agriculture is key to region’s resilience

    At the 54th annual AgriFest opening in St. Croix, Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Secretary-General Dona Regis-Prosper delivered a transformative vision that redefines the region’s economic foundation. Addressing a capacity crowd on February 17, 2026, the tourism executive presented a compelling case that authentic Caribbean prosperity grows from the soil rather than corporate boardrooms.

    The three-day festival, celebrating agricultural innovation and technological advancement, became the platform for Regis-Prosper’s paradigm-shifting declaration: ‘Tourism really began in a garden.’ She articulated that before hotels, airports, and cruise ships dominated the landscape, there was land, soil, and cultivation. This fundamental perspective challenges conventional tourism models that often marginalize agricultural heritage.

    Regis-Prosper specifically commended the U.S. Virgin Islands for maintaining agriculture as central to its social and economic fabric rather than treating it as a secondary concern. ‘Here in St. Croix, agriculture is not a side story. It is the foundation of your global identity,’ she stated, referencing historical agricultural pillars like St. Croix’s sugar, St. Lucia’s bananas, Jamaica’s coffee, and Trinidad & Tobago’s cocoa.

    The CTO leader identified a significant shift in traveler preferences, noting that modern visitors increasingly prioritize authentic sensory experiences over traditional luxury metrics. ‘Visitors don’t always remember square footage, décor or thread counts,’ Regis-Prosper observed. ‘They remember taste, smell, storytelling — or, as I like to say, truth-telling. And they remember how they felt.’ This evolution positions local farmers as essential contributors to the tourism value chain.

    Supporting evidence came from U.S. Virgin Islands Tourism Commissioner Jennifer Matarangas-King, who revealed that AgriFest has become one of the territory’s most dynamic tourism weekends. ‘Outside of the Crucian Christmas Festival, AgriFest is the biggest weekend that we have,’ Matarangas-King reported. ‘Right now, every room is filled. You can’t get a rental car.’ She emphasized that the territory’s farm-to-table culture represents an authentic multigenerational practice rather than a passing marketing trend.

    The event’s significance was further underscored by the anticipated arrival of three cruise ships bringing over 8,000 visitors during the holiday weekend, alongside thousands of residents and diaspora members.

    Governor Albert Bryan Jr. joined the discourse on land use strategy, framing land ownership as a pathway to intergenerational wealth and community resilience. ‘We all need to think about how we live, how we eat, and what we grow,’ Bryan urged, detailing ongoing administration efforts to acquire land for preservation and agricultural development.

    Regis-Prosper concluded by referencing the CTO’s Reimagine Plan, which promotes sustainable and regenerative tourism models. She proposed the equation ‘Agriculture plus technology plus strategic foresight equals resilience,’ while issuing a powerful regional call to action: ‘Tourism should never replace the garden. Tourism should protect it.’

    The CTO delegation engaged in strategic discussions with territorial leadership focused on enhancing regional cooperation and expanding agro-tourism initiatives throughout the Caribbean, signaling a new chapter in integrated tourism development.

  • Belize and Taiwan Sign US $1.8M+ Disaster Preparedness Agreement

    Belize and Taiwan Sign US $1.8M+ Disaster Preparedness Agreement

    In a significant move to bolster Central American disaster preparedness, Belize has entered into a comprehensive partnership with Taiwan through a landmark agreement exceeding US$1.8 million. The collaborative initiative, formally designated as the Belize Multi-Hazard Risk Management Capacity Building Project, aims to substantially enhance the nation’s resilience against hurricanes, wildfires, and various natural disasters.

    The official launch ceremony occurred on Monday at the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management’s Green Complex Building in Belmopan. This multi-year project, extending through 2029, represents a strategic international cooperation effort primarily financed by Taiwan with complementary support from the Belizean government.

    Taiwan brings extensive expertise in disaster risk mitigation to this partnership, committing to provide specialized training programs, advanced technical support, and professional guidance to improve Belize’s emergency response capabilities. The initiative will focus on three critical areas: enhancing interdepartmental coordination mechanisms, modernizing early warning systems for meteorological threats, and implementing cutting-edge technology for wildfire monitoring and prevention.

    Discrepancies in the reported funding amount appear in official communications, with the Belize government documenting the project value at US$1,807,797 while Taiwan’s Embassy website references a slightly higher figure of US$1,927,797. This investment underscores the continuing diplomatic and cooperative relationship between the two nations amid evolving global climate challenges.

  • Ariza supports Carriacou Carnival with major contribution

    Ariza supports Carriacou Carnival with major contribution

    Ariza Credit Union has reaffirmed its deep-rooted commitment to cultural preservation and community development through its substantial sponsorship of Carriacou’s vibrant carnival celebrations. The financial institution contributed EC$10,000 along with comprehensive in-kind support to ensure the successful execution of the island’s premier cultural event.

    The sponsorship package included monetary awards for all five Carnival Queen contestants, along with prizes for winners in the Power Soca Monarch, Groovy Soca Monarch, and Dimanche Gras competitions. This support continues a tradition spanning over ten years, demonstrating Ariza’s sustained dedication to the people of Carriacou and their cultural heritage.

    CEO Mervyn Lord articulated the institution’s guiding philosophy, stating: “Ariza prides itself on being where our people are and supporting them to realise their success. This fundamental principle drives our continued support for this initiative in Carriacou.”

    The 2026 carnival held particular significance as a symbol of community resilience and recovery. The event marked a triumphant return following the island’s devastation in 2024 that forced the cancellation of the 2025 Kayak Mas celebrations. The successful staging of this year’s festivities represented a powerful testament to the community’s enduring spirit.

    Ariza extended congratulations to all participants and winners whose artistic talents and enthusiasm contributed to the event’s success. The credit union also commended the Carriacou Carnival Committee for their exceptional organization and execution of the memorable festival, expressing anticipation for continued collaboration in future years.

    Through such cultural partnerships and financial initiatives, Ariza Credit Union maintains its mission of empowering communities and promoting sustainable social and economic development throughout the region.

  • Activist Questioned as Police Probe John Hughes Excavator Fire

    Activist Questioned as Police Probe John Hughes Excavator Fire

    Authorities in John Hughes have launched a comprehensive investigation following the deliberate destruction of a high-value excavator by fire, an incident that has raised tensions between development interests and environmental advocacy in the community.

    The heavy construction equipment, valued at approximately several hundred thousand Eastern Caribbean dollars, was completely destroyed by flames between the evening of January 28 and morning of January 29. The machine had been left operational at a construction site when workers concluded their shifts, only to be discovered severely damaged and beyond repair the following day.

    According to company representatives, the substantial financial loss and evidence at the scene strongly suggest the fire was intentionally set. The incident has triggered a police probe that has extended to questioning prominent environmental activists in the area.

    On Monday, investigators interviewed Martin Dudley at the All Saints Police Station regarding the destruction. Dudley, who has consistently voiced concerns about excavation activities in John Hughes over the past two years, firmly denied any involvement in the incident.

    “I did not destroy the excavator. I know nothing about this machine other than it is working in an area I have been monitoring for over two years,” Dudley stated following his questioning.

    Law enforcement officials confirm that no arrests have been made to date and emphasize that the official cause of the fire remains undetermined. Police are actively seeking information from the public that might assist in identifying those responsible for the destruction of the heavy machinery.