Carib Scope

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  • 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.

  • ‘You’ll tell the US no?’ Pierre defends third-country deportees deal

    ‘You’ll tell the US no?’ Pierre defends third-country deportees deal

    The leader of Saint Lucia, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, has openly characterized a new bilateral agreement with the United States that permits the deportation of third-country nationals to his Caribbean nation as among the most challenging policy choices his administration has ever had to make. Despite the controversy surrounding the deal, Pierre asserts that after multiple rounds of extended negotiations with U.S. officials, Saint Lucia secured the most favorable terms possible under the existing geopolitical and diplomatic circumstances.

    In an interview aired Thursday on the Radio 100 current affairs program *What Makes You Mad*, Pierre outlined how the final terms of the agreement differ substantially from the initial proposal put forward by U.S. negotiators. Under the finalized text of the deal, Saint Lucia will accept a maximum of 10 third-country deportees every three months. This capped quota represents a significant shift from the original draft, which contained no numerical limits – a structure that would have allowed the U.S. to send an unlimited number of deportees to the small island nation.

    Pierre emphasized that rejecting the agreement entirely was never a viable strategic option for his government, given the asymmetric diplomatic and economic relationship between small island developing states like Saint Lucia and global powers like the United States. When pressed on why the government did not simply walk away from the negotiations, he posed a rhetorical question to critics: “If you’re a Prime Minister of a country, you’ll tell the United States no?”

    The Prime Minister also walked through the logistics of how the agreement will operate on the ground after deportees arrive in Saint Lucia. For the first seven days following a deportee’s arrival, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will cover all costs for accommodation and food. After this initial week, responsibility for the deportees’ care transfers to the government of Saint Lucia.

    Pierre also provided new details on the first cohort of deportees to arrive under the agreement. Of the initial six third-country nationals, four have opted to remain in Saint Lucia, while the other two have requested repatriation to their countries of origin. To support the four who chose to stay, the government has appointed a dedicated liaison officer, whose core responsibilities include maintaining regular check-ins with the group, facilitating contact between the deportees and their respective home countries’ embassies in Saint Lucia, documenting any professional or technical skills the deportees possess, and tracking any changes in their preference to return home in the future.

    While the U.S. has provided an initial financial contribution to support Saint Lucia’s efforts to host the deportees, Pierre confirmed that negotiations over a full long-term financial package are still ongoing. No further details on the size or scope of the potential U.S. funding were released.

  • 15 procent loonsverhoging voor regering en DNA voorlopig opgeschort

    15 procent loonsverhoging voor regering en DNA voorlopig opgeschort

    In a formal decision reached during its weekly cabinet meeting held on Tuesday, September 15, the Surinamese government has announced a temporary hold on the planned 15 percent salary increase for both cabinet members and delegates of the Nationale Assemblee (DNA), Suriname’s national parliament. The pay adjustment, which was scheduled to go into effect starting September 1, 2026, as part of a sweeping new standardized pay grading framework for all professional groups in public service, will not be implemented for the two legislative and executive branches for the time being.

    The policy adjustment traces its origin back to a September 8, 2026 resolution that formally established the updated pay scales for different public sector professional groups across the country. While the new salary framework officially entered into force at the start of September, government officials confirmed that additional review is needed before the adjustment can be applied to top elected and appointed officials. According to official statements released after the cabinet meeting, the government has concluded that further analysis and cross-branch discussion are necessary before finalizing the pay hike for its own members and parliamentary representatives.

    The matter is now scheduled to be revisited by the full cabinet in October 2026, when leaders will make a final determination on whether to proceed with the 15 percent adjustment for government and DNA members, or implement alternative modifications to the planned change. To date, this temporary pause applies exclusively to the salary adjustment for executive and legislative leaders. Official communications have not indicated any plans to put the new pay grading framework on hold for other public sector professional groups, which are set to move forward with the adjusted compensation schedules as originally planned.