Carib Scope

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  • Pottersville man in custody for arson

    Pottersville man in custody for arson

    A resident of Pottersville is now behind bars at Dominica State Prison, facing six separate arson charges connected to a destructive early-morning blaze that tore through multiple structures in Roseau earlier this month. Police Chief Lincoln Corbette confirmed the details of the case in an official media briefing held on Tuesday.

    The suspect, 48-year-old Wilson Joseph, made his initial appearance before a Roseau magistrate court earlier the same day, where law enforcement officials formally opposed any grant of bail. Following the hearing, the court ordered Joseph to be held in pre-trial custody at the island’s state penitentiary. The next scheduled review of Joseph’s case is set for October 2026, according to official court records.

    The incident that led to the charges dates back to 3:20 a.m. on May 6, 2026, when first responders received an emergency call reporting a fire that broke out at Jane’s Cuisine, a local eatery located on Upper Lane in Roseau. Chief Corbette explained that the fire spread at an unusually rapid rate, jumping from the original restaurant location to adjacent adjacent buildings before firefighters could fully contain the blaze. While no casualties have been reported as of the press briefing, multiple properties sustained significant damage from the flames, heat, and smoke.

    Corbette added that official assessments of the total financial and structural damage are still ongoing, as investigators work to document the full scope of the destruction and corroborate evidence connected to the charges. Arson investigations often require extensive forensic analysis to rule out accidental causes and confirm intentional ignition, a process that can take weeks to complete in cases involving widespread damage.

  • Abrahams calls for increased intelligence sharing across region

    Abrahams calls for increased intelligence sharing across region

    In a stark warning delivered at a landmark regional legal forum in Bridgetown, Barbados on Monday, Attorney General Wilfred Abrahams has exposed a critical vulnerability in the Caribbean’s fight against transnational organized crime: fragmented intelligence sharing that criminal networks are actively exploiting to operate across borders undetected. Addressing an audience of legal officials and security policymakers from across the region at the Hilton Barbados, where the gathering focused on advancing joint investigation teams for financial crime and asset recovery, Abrahams emphasized that Caribbean nations can no longer afford to work in isolated silos, while criminal organizations have already evolved into unified, region-wide enterprises.

    “The only people who do not see the Caribbean as one single operating space are us, the policymakers,” Abrahams told attendees. “The criminals certainly do.”

    To illustrate the dangerous gaps in current information-sharing protocols, Abrahams shared a shocking recent case from Barbados’ own law enforcement records. Authorities had intercepted a foreign national who had committed serious offenses in their home country before traveling to Barbados to continue criminal activity locally. After the individual was deported, they legally changed their name via a deed poll and re-entered Barbados – not once, but twice. It was only by chance that a third attempt was foiled, when an airport officer recognized the person’s face from a previous interaction.

    “If you have a known dangerous criminal operating in your country with the free movement that exists across the Caribbean, that person becomes a danger to all of us,” Abrahams said. The same loopholes that allowed this repeated breach are now being exploited by entire transnational gangs and criminal networks across the region, he added.

    Gang members can easily move between Caribbean islands on commercial flights, often avoiding detection because they have not yet been convicted or added to watchlists in their home countries, even when active investigations are already underway. Inadequate cross-border information sharing allows these individuals to commit violent and financial crimes in one jurisdiction, then return to their home base with clean records before local investigators can connect their activities to open cases elsewhere. Abrahams pointed out that this coordinated criminal mobility comes as Caribbean nations continue to grapple with rising gun violence, gang activity, and growing systemic risks from transnational organized criminal networks.

    Abrahams stressed that regional crime-fighting strategies must evolve to match the increasingly integrated structure of modern criminal groups. “While we operate in silos, the criminals are building multinational associations,” he said. “We cannot win any war against crime without good information shared in a timely manner, whether at the local, regional, or international level.”

    The Attorney General also acknowledged a persistent underlying barrier to cooperation: institutional and intergovernmental mistrust. He noted that in some cases, even different agencies within the same national department still withhold critical intelligence from one another, and that this cultural reluctance to share information must be overcome if the region is to get ahead of criminal networks.

    To address these barriers, Abrahams highlighted the value of formal collaborative frameworks such as joint investigation teams, which bring together law enforcement and legal authorities from multiple jurisdictions to create structured, standardized channels for intelligence sharing and coordinated case work. The two-day forum, convened by the Regional Security System (RSS), the Inter-American Development Bank and GovRisk International, is specifically focused on developing a unified Caribbean legal framework to support these cross-border teams targeting financial crime and stolen asset recovery.

    Abrahams closed by urging regional governments to move beyond exploratory policy discussions and commit to tangible, immediate action. “This can’t be just another talk shop,” he said. “The only path forward is to reach a point where we fully share relevant information where it counts. As children, we were all taught to share. As policymakers and adults responsible for public safety, we should live that lesson now.”

  • Temporary closure of Mont Tout Back Road

    Temporary closure of Mont Tout Back Road

    Drivers and local commuters in St George, Grenada, are preparing for a major disruption to their daily travel routines, after the nation’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Public Utilities, Civil Aviation and Transportation announced a temporary indefinite closure of a key local roadway. Starting Monday, May 11, 2026, Mont Tout Back Road, located in the Grand Anse district of St George, will be completely closed to all motor vehicle traffic, with no confirmed reopening date released to the public as of the announcement.

    The government agency explained that the full closure is required to carry out critical infrastructure improvement projects along the stretch of road. The planned works include full resurfacing of the existing pavement, the installation of a new upgraded drainage system, and the construction of a new reinforced curb wall along the route. All three projects are designed to improve long-term road safety, reduce flood-related disruptions during heavy rain events, and extend the service life of the roadway for local residents and visitors.

    In its official statement, the Ministry extended a formal apology to residents, businesses, and daily commuters who will be affected by the travel disruption. Officials noted that while detours may add travel time for those relying on the route, the short-term inconvenience will result in a safer, more durable roadway for the community long-term. The agency also called on the general public to cooperate with traffic management measures during the construction period.

    This official announcement was originally issued by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Public Utilities, Civil Aviation and Transportation. NOW Grenada, the outlet publishing the notice, has clarified that it holds no responsibility for the content of statements released by third-party contributors, and provides a channel for users to report any abusive content related to its platform.

  • ‘Never Fail Me’: Son’s tribute after mother’s killing in double homicide

    ‘Never Fail Me’: Son’s tribute after mother’s killing in double homicide

    Days before one of the most cherished holidays for families across the globe, a brutal shooting on Marchand Boulevard claimed two lives, leaving tight-knit communities in Saint Lucia reeling from senseless violence. The first victim, 64-year-old Charmaine Pearl Ramsay, a 22-year veteran of the local police force and mother of five surviving children, was killed instantly in the Saturday night attack on May 9. A second victim, 38-year-old Sheston Duncan, succumbed to his critical injuries just hours later after being rushed to a nearby hospital.

    In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, Ramsay’s eldest son, whose identity has been withheld by authorities for personal security, spoke publicly with reporters to share his family’s overwhelming grief. Fighting back tears, he described his mother as a relentless, devoted parent who never once let him down throughout his 28 years of life. “I never imagined my mother would lose her life in that kind of way,” he told reporters. “For the kind of person my mother was, I never thought I would lose her to such violence.”

    Ramsay, who spent more than two decades serving the community as a police officer, shaped her son’s entire upbringing through the values of honesty, accountability and unwavering support she instilled in him. Even in his adult years, she remained a constant, caring presence: cleaning his home, washing his clothes, and showing up for him in every challenge and milestone. When asked what he would miss most, he highlighted this unshakable commitment. “In every aspect of my life, my mother would always come and represent me no matter what it be,” he said.

    The grieving son recalled the chaotic, terrifying moments after the shooting that still haunt him. He was at his own home nearby when he heard a volley of gunshots ring out across the neighborhood, but had no idea his mother was caught in the crossfire. It was only when he walked toward her home to check on her that a neighbor broke the devastating news. “When I go there, I see my mother lying there, lifeless already,” he said. “I feel like I was just losing my brains at the moment.” Still, he said he is clinging to his faith and the lessons his mother taught him to stay strong for the rest of his family. “I already gave my life to Christ, so I just consider I have to pray and let life take its course.” To this day, he says he cannot fathom any motive for killing his mother, who dedicated her life to protecting and supporting her community.

    A close friend of Ramsay, who had planned a joyful Mother’s Day celebration with the victim just days before, shared her own heartbreak over the killing. The two had arranged to attend church together, then spend the evening dancing in honor of the holiday. “And look at how the lady pass away,” she said in disbelief. Like many residents, she is now calling for an immediate end to the wave of violence that has shaken the neighborhood. She warned that innocent bystanders—especially children—face constant risk as violent incidents continue to plague the area. After the shooting, fear has spread so widely that local parents are keeping their children home from school, she confirmed. “A mother called the principal and said she not sending her children to school because of what happened,” she said. In an emotional appeal to those behind the violence, she urged them to lay down their weapons. “All those who are doing violent things, stop it, please. Have mercy on everybody else because all of us have family.”

    Top political leaders have also weighed in on the tragedy, condemning the brutal killings and pledging action to bring those responsible to justice. Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, who also serves as Parliamentary Representative for Castries East, released a formal statement via his official Facebook page expressing his deep sorrow over the deaths. “As Parliamentary Representative, I am deeply saddened by the homicides that occurred over the weekend. I extend sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives,” he wrote. Pierre confirmed that his administration has already held urgent talks with the leadership of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, and assured the public that authorities are working tirelessly to track down and prosecute the perpetrators. “These acts of violence are a matter of grave concern,” he stated. “The safety and security of our citizens remain a top priority of my Government.”

  • CARPHA Says Caribbean Risk Remains Low After Hantavirus Outbreak

    CARPHA Says Caribbean Risk Remains Low After Hantavirus Outbreak

    As global health authorities investigate an international hantavirus outbreak tied to the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius that has caused multiple deaths, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has reaffirmed that the overall risk of transmission across the Caribbean region remains minimal, per official statements released on May 11, 2026.

    During a press briefing held Monday, CARPHA Executive Director Dr. Lisa Indar outlined that the agency is collaborating closely with the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and multiple global health partners to track the outbreak and support ongoing international investigations. As of the May 11 reporting cutoff, health officials have documented eight confirmed and suspected hantavirus cases linked to the vessel, three of which have resulted in fatalities. Passengers and crew members aboard the MV Hondius hail from 28 different countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Philippines, and Netherlands. Multiple infected individuals have already been medically evacuated or repatriated to their home countries, and contact tracing efforts are currently being rolled out across affected nations.

    The outbreak timeline traces back to April 1, 2026, when the cruise ship departed from Argentina. A cluster of unexplained severe respiratory illness was reported among people on board, prompting an official notification to the WHO on May 2. Further genetic testing has linked the outbreak to the Andes strain of hantavirus, the only documented hantavirus variant capable of person-to-person spread – though public health experts emphasize this transmission only occurs in rare circumstances, requiring close, prolonged contact between individuals.

    Dr. Indar clarified key facts about hantavirus to dispel growing public concern: the pathogen is primarily a rodent-borne illness that is endemic to many regions across the globe, but the specific rodent species that carries the Andes strain is not native to any Caribbean territory. This absence of a local reservoir means there is no sustained source of community transmission within the Caribbean, a core factor driving the low-risk assessment.

    Unlike widely circulating respiratory viruses such as COVID-19 and influenza, hantavirus does not transmit easily between humans, Dr. Indar added. “COVID-19 spreads easily between people. Hantavirus does not,” she stated, noting that the probability of large-scale community spread of the pathogen is extremely low. Currently, hantavirus has an incubation period ranging from one to six weeks, and no targeted antiviral treatment or widely approved vaccine exists for the infection. Clinical care for infected patients focuses on supportive interventions, including supplemental oxygen and close intensive care monitoring.

    Immediately after receiving formal notification of the outbreak, CARPHA activated its regional public health surveillance infrastructure. Measures implemented include a regional alert issued on May 5, daily risk monitoring across all member states, and ongoing coordination with local health authorities throughout the Caribbean. Following a joint assessment with the WHO, CDC, and UK health authorities, CARPHA has confirmed that the risk to Caribbean populations remains unchanged at low.

    To help residents protect themselves, CARPHA is urging the general public to maintain routine basic hand and food hygiene, avoid any contact with wild rodent populations, and only rely on official public health updates for accurate information about the outbreak.

  • Grenada’s visit to China expected to yield significant benefits for Grenada

    Grenada’s visit to China expected to yield significant benefits for Grenada

    Grenada’s top tourism and culture official has returned from a high-profile visit to China that is poised to deliver far-reaching gains for the Caribbean nation across multiple key sectors, from foreign direct investment and tourism expansion to cultural exchange and heritage conservation.

    Adrian Thomas, Grenada’s Minister for Tourism, the Creative Economy and Culture, traveled to China to participate in the Third High-Level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development, an international gathering centered on the theme “Action-Oriented: Building a Global Community of Development for All.” As the sole delegate from the Caribbean region attending the conference, Thomas used the platform to shine a spotlight on the urgent need for targeted support for sustainable development among Small Island Developing States, using his own country’s ongoing efforts as a case study. He also updated global attendees on Grenada’s recent progress across critical social sectors, including public health and education.

    In the days following the conference, Thomas launched a packed schedule of bilateral engagements with senior Chinese government representatives and business leaders, focused on strengthening long-term ties between the two nations and uncovering new mutually beneficial investment opportunities. One of the most promising discussions came during a meeting with Zhang Shuke, a representative of Hebei Jinhuida Energy Equipment Technology Co. Ltd, a Chinese firm with diversified business interests spanning tourism, cultural development, renewable energy equipment and wind power generation. Zhang conveyed the company’s strong intention to pursue investment projects in Grenada, with trade and tourism identified as the first priority areas for potential collaboration.

    “Whatever investment opportunities exist in Grenada, they are interested in exploring the possibility of becoming involved,” Thomas confirmed of the company’s stance.

    Talks with a major Chinese travel organization also opened the door to a major potential boost for Grenada’s tourism sector: the introduction of seasonal charter flights from China to the Caribbean island during peak travel windows. Thomas noted that the Chinese travel agency views Grenada as an extremely appealing, underrated destination for Chinese travelers, and has committed to carrying out targeted promotional campaigns across China to drive visitor numbers to the island. To address the challenge of the long distance between the two countries, stakeholders have proposed a practical stopover in Mexico before flights complete their journey to Grenada.

    Beyond economic and tourism cooperation, the visit also advanced deep cultural and institutional ties between the two nations. Thomas included a study tour of Beijing’s iconic Forbidden City and Palace Museum, the world-renowned cultural institution founded in 1925 that holds a collection of more than 1.8 million (noted as over 10,000 major cultural relics in official briefings) priceless ancient artifacts. During a meeting with Su Yi, Deputy Director of the Palace Museum, Chinese authorities extended a formal offer of academic exchange and professional training to Grenadian cultural heritage professionals. Under the proposed program, Grenadian trainees would spend three to six months in-residence at the Palace Museum, conducting targeted research and gaining hands-on practical training in museum operation, artifact conservation, and national heritage management.

    “They have offered assistance to Grenada in terms of training. We will follow up on the proposal to send trainees to China for three to six months so they can gain firsthand knowledge and skills in establishing museums and preserving artefacts,” Thomas said of the planned partnership.

    Meetings with senior Chinese cultural officials further reinforced commitments to deeper cross-national collaboration. During discussions with Lu Yingchuan, Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, Chinese officials reiterated calls for closer partnerships between cultural institutions across both countries, and highlighted the critical economic and social value of integrating traditional culture with fast-growing creative industries. Thomas confirmed that the two sides also discussed expanding cooperation in culinary arts as part of broader cultural exchange efforts.

    Overall, Minister Thomas’ visit to China marks a key milestone in Grenada’s ongoing strategy to expand its global partnerships, unlocking tangible new opportunities to drive economic growth, expand its tourism footprint, build local capacity in cultural heritage management, and deliver broad-based benefits to the Grenadian people.

  • CXC delivers message reaffirming fair and human-centred approach to AI use in school-based assessments

    CXC delivers message reaffirming fair and human-centred approach to AI use in school-based assessments

    As generative artificial intelligence continues to reshape learning landscapes across the globe, regional educational assessment bodies are racing to establish clear, balanced frameworks that adapt to new technology while upholding core academic standards. The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC®) has recently stepped forward with a thoughtful, student-centered policy for AI integration in School-Based Assessments (SBAs), aiming to ease widespread anxiety among students, educators, and families across the Caribbean region.

    In a public video address published across CXC®’s official website and social media channels, Dr. Nicole Manning, the organization’s Director of Operations, opened with a balanced overview of AI’s role in modern education, acknowledging both its transformative learning benefits and the unprecedented challenges it creates for assessment integrity. Her remarks, framed in a press release from the Council, were designed to reassure all stakeholders navigating the rapid shift to digitally enhanced learning.

    A core point of public concern in recent months has centered on the reliability of AI detection tools and their potential to unfairly penalize students in assessment grading. Addressing these worries directly, Dr. Manning emphasized that AI detection software will never serve as the sole basis for academic disciplinary or grading decisions at CXC®. She stressed that the long-standing, hands-on relationship between teachers and students remains the foundation of SBA assessment and moderation. Over months of working together through draft revisions, one-on-one conversations, and ongoing guidance, teachers develop a nuanced understanding of each student’s abilities that no automated tool can match. “AI checkers are one input. They are not the verdict,” Dr. Manning explained, confirming that human oversight will be embedded at every stage of the assessment process to guarantee fair outcomes.

    CXC®’s new framework also draws a clear line between acceptable and unacceptable AI use, giving students clear guardrails rather than an outright ban on the technology. The Council confirms that students may legitimately use AI tools to support their learning: from breaking down complex academic concepts and brainstorming project ideas to clarifying confusing terminology and organizing the structure of their work. The only requirement for ethical use is full transparency: any student who incorporates AI assistance into their SBA must disclose this use via an official Disclosure Form and Originality Report when submitting their work. For students who complete their assessments without any AI support, no additional documentation is required.

    The policy makes clear that academic misconduct rules still apply: submitting work that is fully or predominantly generated by AI without proper disclosure violates CXC®’s academic integrity standards, and will be handled through the organization’s established irregularity procedures, which include collaboration between the student, their classroom teacher, and school principal.

    Recognizing that adapting to this new policy places additional responsibility on Caribbean educators, Dr. Manning reaffirmed CXC®’s commitment to providing ongoing training and resource support to help teachers confidently implement the AI framework in their classrooms. “You are not alone in this,” she told educators, encouraging them to hold open, honest conversations with students about responsible AI use, and to help learners understand why academic integrity matters long after they leave the examination room.

    For students, Dr. Manning shared a straightforward, values-driven message: ethical AI use is ultimately about personal character, not avoiding detection by technology. “Integrity is not about whether a machine can detect what you did. It is about who you choose to be,” she said.

    Dr. Manning’s full video address, titled “Who You Choose to Be,” is available for public viewing on CXC®’s official YouTube channel. The complete Standards and Guidelines on Generative AI Use in School-Based Assessments is available for download at the organization’s official website, www.cxc.org.

  • CARPHA launches Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week

    CARPHA launches Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week

    As mosquito-borne illnesses continue to push Caribbean public health systems to their breaking point, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has launched a urgent regional call to ramp up source reduction efforts, kicking off Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week 2026 at an opening ceremony in Trinidad on Monday.

    Running from May 11 to 15 under the core theme “Stop Disease Transmission, Start Source Reduction”, this year’s awareness initiative arrives at a pivotal juncture: Caribbean nations are gearing up for the incoming rainy season, a period that reliably brings surging mosquito populations and elevated disease risk.

    CARPHA officials emphasize that the campaign is far more than a public education exercise—it is a foundational step to protect regional public health. Dr. Mark Sami, CARPHA’s Director of Corporate Services, explained that source reduction, the practice of eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed, stands as one of the most powerful tools to prevent mosquito-borne illness. Even the smallest, most common household items can become dangerous breeding grounds, he noted: a discarded bottle, a used cup, an old tire, a flower pot drainage tray, a clogged gutter or an uncovered water barrel all hold enough standing water to spawn thousands of mosquitoes.

    These illnesses do not only harm individual health—they leave a widespread mark across every sector of Caribbean life. Dr. Sami pointed out that endemic diseases including dengue, chikungunya, Zika and malaria already strain overstretched health systems, disrupt regional economies, hurt the critical tourism sector, force school and workplace closures, and most critically, erode the well-being of Caribbean communities.

    Dr. Horace Cox, Head of Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control at CARPHA, reinforced that mosquito-borne diseases remain a substantial public health burden both globally and across the Caribbean. While dengue, Zika and chikungunya are all persistent major concerns, Dr. Roshan Parasram, Head of Vector Borne Diseases at CARPHA, flagged chikungunya as a particular pathogen to monitor closely, following large, disruptive outbreaks in Suriname and Cuba earlier this year. At the same time, he noted that dengue remains a constant endemic threat across the entire region.

    A key silver lining for regional action is that all three of these high-concern diseases are spread by the same mosquito vector, meaning targeted source reduction efforts can cut transmission of all three at once. Parasram stressed that as insecticide resistance becomes increasingly widespread across the Caribbean, source reduction has grown even more critical as a long-term, sustainable control strategy. Done correctly, it is the most environmentally friendly, cost-effective and accessible measure available to communities to keep mosquito populations in check, he added, repeating that “source reduction is the key” to successful vector control.

    Beyond grassroots source reduction education, CARPHA is leading a paradigm shift in regional disease preparedness: integrating climate and health data into new early warning systems that can predict dengue surges up to three months in advance. Cox explained that the agency’s technical team is developing new analytical tools that combine historical climate trends, current weather data and local disease surveillance data to forecast upcoming spikes in cases. If public health officials receive a reliable prediction one to three months before a surge is projected to hit, they gain a critical window to pre-deploy resources, run targeted prevention campaigns and intervene early to stop outbreaks from growing.

    This year’s awareness week includes hands-on education activities for nearly 300 primary and secondary school students across Trinidad, including guided tours of insectaries, live source reduction demonstrations, displays of mosquito treatment techniques, training on personal protective measures, and showcases of emerging vector control technologies—from surveillance drones to mobile tracking apps and geographic information systems that map breeding sites.

    To turn a one-week campaign into long-term regional change, CARPHA is expanding its school-focused outreach across the Caribbean through a regional Health Promotion Ambassadors Programme, which engages schools in selected member states. “This is a Caribbean-wide program,” Parasram explained. Participating schools complete structured training programs that measure student learning and help transform school grounds into spaces far less vulnerable to mosquito breeding.

    Dr. Matthew Desaine, Medical Officer at Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Education, highlighted the outsized role schools play in driving long-term public behavior change. “A child who learns why stagnant water must be removed from the environment can take that knowledge home to his parents,” Desaine said. “When our students are engaged in health education, environmental stewardship, and community action, they become the messengers of prevention.”

    Desaine added that the fight against mosquito-borne disease cannot be confined to a single awareness week, a single campaign or a single rainy season—it requires sustained, year-round action from communities and institutions across the region.

    CARPHA reports that the 2026 awareness week is funded through the Pandemic Fund Project, and aligns with the agency’s regional integrated vector management strategy, which aims to cut mosquito breeding habitats and strengthen long-term prevention capacity across the Caribbean. To keep community engagement high after the awareness week concludes, CARPHA is also launching a regional video competition that invites members of the public to share practical, accessible source reduction techniques they use in their own homes and communities.

  • Grenadian entrepreneur to speak at World FZO Congress

    Grenadian entrepreneur to speak at World FZO Congress

    A prominent Grenadian business leader has earned a global spotlight, with founder of Citez Grenada Ltd Cory Zufelt set to share insights on the international stage at the World Free Zones Organisation (World FZO) 12th World Congress. Scheduled to run from May 12 to 14, 2026 at the Panama Convention Centre in Panama City, the major global gathering will draw hundreds of key stakeholders from every region of the world to examine the evolving role of special economic zones.

    Held around the core theme “Free Zones in the New Global Operating Model: Challenges and Opportunities”, the 2026 congress will convene a cross-section of leading voices, including senior government policymakers, free zone executives, global investment leaders, business founders, and international development specialists. Attendees and speakers will tackle pressing topics shaping the future of global free zones, ranging from international trade and cross-border investment to innovation strategy, sustainability, and building long-term national economic competitiveness.

    Zufelt has been selected to join a high-profile roundtable discussion titled “Anchoring Tourism and Culture in the Knowledge Economy”. The session will focus on a forward-thinking economic model: how free zones centered on tourism and cultural assets can act as catalysts for digital trade expansion, dynamic innovation ecosystems, global talent attraction, small and medium entrepreneurship, and sustainable service-led economic growth. He will share the panel with other distinguished industry and policy leaders: Peter Janech, Coordinator of Innovation, Education and Investments at UN Tourism based in Spain; Liriola Pitti, Chief Executive Officer of AEI Panama; and Juan Carlos Abud, Minister of Economic Development for Jujuy, Argentina. The roundtable will be facilitated by Juliana Villegas Restrepo, Director of International Promotion and Business Development for Colombia.

    As the only truly global multilateral organization representing special economic and free zones, World FZO currently supports and represents more than 2,260 free zones across 168 nations worldwide. Founded in Dubai in 2014 and registered in Geneva, the organization’s core mission is to connect free zone operators globally through knowledge sharing, industry networking, policy advocacy, and strategic consulting. It works to amplify the positive impact of well-structured free zones and strengthen their contribution to inclusive global economic prosperity and social development.

    For his part, Zufelt leads Citez Grenada Ltd, a Grenadian-owned economic development firm focused on building integrated platforms for cross-border trade, investment attraction, end-to-end business support services, skilled workforce development, digital business onboarding, and scaling future-oriented industries. The firm is currently advancing the Citez Grenada Project, a private-sector-led development initiative that explores how the small Caribbean nation can position itself as a strategic economic connector linking markets across the Caribbean, North America, South America, Africa, and the broader global economy.

    In comments on the invitation, Zufelt framed the opportunity as a landmark moment not just for his firm, but for Grenada’s national dialogue on long-term economic growth. “This invitation is an important moment not only for Citez Grenada, but for Grenada’s wider conversation around economic development,” he said. “Tourism and culture should not only be viewed as visitor experiences. They can also become platforms for investment, entrepreneurship, digital trade, workforce development, cultural exports, and long-term national growth.”

    Organizers project the 12th World Congress will attract more than 1,500 attendees from across the globe, including cabinet ministers, senior government officials, and leadership from major international organizations. For Grenada, Zufelt’s participation will put a spotlight on the Caribbean nation’s untapped potential to develop modern, diversified economic zone models that integrate tourism, cultural heritage, cross-border trade, digital services, green economic development, workforce training, and streamlined investment facilitation — opening new pathways for inclusive, sustainable growth.

  • Rude Boy Billboard Removed In Jamaica: Will Belize Do The Same?

    Rude Boy Billboard Removed In Jamaica: Will Belize Do The Same?

    A recent decision by Jamaican municipal authorities to take down a sexually suggestive alcohol advertising billboard has amplified a parallel public debate in neighboring Belize over appropriate content for shared public spaces.

    The Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) confirmed it ordered the removal of the disputed advertisement, located in eastern Kingston, following dozens of complaints from local residents. According to KSAMC’s official announcement, regulators were alerted to the billboard last Thursday. After an expedited review of the content, the agency issued a 24-hour compliance notice requiring advertisers to take down the sign, and the order was fully carried out by Friday, May 8.

    The billboard was created to promote “Rude Boy Original”, an alcoholic beverage brand. Its graphic design featured a bottle of the spirit placed between the raised legs of a figure clad in black fishnet stockings and high-heeled boots, paired with the marketing hashtag “#DrinkRude”.

    While KSAMC acknowledged and responded to widespread public concern over the ad, the agency noted that it does not have formal regulatory authority over the creative content of outdoor advertising. Even so, KSAMC emphasized that it routinely encourages brands and advertising firms to exercise intentional judgment, prioritize community sensibilities, and avoid content that would offend general audiences in shared public spaces.

    The controversy quickly divided public opinion across Jamaican social media. Some commentators argued the billboard was simply edgy, creative marketing that fell within acceptable boundaries for commercial advertising, while others insisted the overtly sexualized imagery crossed a line of public decency, especially for advertisements visible to children and families.

    The Jamaican action has thrown new fuel onto an ongoing debate in Belize, where a separate Rude Boy Original billboard at the entrance to the capital city of Belmopan has already drawn fierce criticism from public and religious leaders. Church Senator Louis Wade Jr. has publicly called for the immediate removal of the Belizean billboard, which features Trinidadian recording artist Nailah Blackman holding the Rude Boy Original product in a pose opponents call sexually suggestive.

    Wade argued that the ad represents an affront to Belize’s shared public morality, pointing to already pressing social crises in the country including widespread alcohol abuse, gender-based domestic violence, and the over-sexualization of women in media and advertising.

    “I stand with thousands of Belizeans across Belmopan and the entire country who say this billboard must go: it violates the basic sensibilities of respectable people across our nation,” Wade stated in an interview with Plus TV News.

    Wade also accused the brand behind the campaign of deliberately targeting women with aggressive alcohol marketing, while normalizing hypersexualized imagery that harms public standards. As of this reporting, Belizean authorities have not yet announced whether they will follow Jamaica’s lead and order the disputed billboard removed.