Carib Scope

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  • President cautions THA: With great power comes responsibility

    President cautions THA: With great power comes responsibility

    In an unprecedented electoral outcome, the Tobago People’s Party (TPP) has achieved a complete sweep of all 15 seats in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), marking a historic moment in the island’s political landscape. The inauguration ceremony held on January 15 in Scarborough solidified this political dominance with Farley Chavez Augustine officially sworn in as Chief Secretary.

    This electoral victory represents only the second instance in Tobago’s history of a single-party clean sweep, but notably the first occurrence since the expansion to 15 electoral districts. The swearing-in ceremony witnessed Dr. Faith Brebnor maintaining her position as Deputy Chief Secretary, while Niall George and Niketa George assumed roles as presiding officer and deputy presiding officer respectively.

    President Christine Kangaloo presided over the ceremonial proceedings, characterizing the electoral outcome as “resounding and unambiguous.” In her address, she emphasized the extraordinary nature of a government operating without parliamentary opposition, noting the potential challenges of such an arrangement. “A mandate that results in no opposing voice in the assembly is a mandate that has to be exercised with great care, and with great maturity,” President Kangaloo cautioned.

    The President expressed concern about the erosion of traditional political guardrails in contemporary governance, warning against the disappearance of “enduring principles and shared standards that guide and inspire higher standards of human conduct.” She specifically referenced reported breaches of ethical political conduct during the campaign period, including inappropriate language, race-baiting, and vandalism of political materials.

    Despite these concerns, President Kangaloo expressed confidence in Tobagonian civil society organizations to maintain accountability mechanisms in the absence of formal opposition. She highlighted the distinctive character of Tobagonian society, renowned for “temperance and decorum; their moderation and self-discipline; their circumspection and propriety.”

    Newly appointed Presiding Officer Niall George acknowledged the assembly’s responsibility to function as “servant leaders” for the Tobagonian populace. He emphasized the assembly’s commitment to autonomy for Tobago while promising collaborative governance with Trinidad’s central government. “This assembly pledges to provide all members with essential parliamentary advice, support and assistance, despite party affiliations,” George stated, underscoring the commitment to impartial administration.

    The Minority Leader position remains officially vacant following the election, creating a unique parliamentary dynamic that will test the assembly’s governance frameworks in the coming term.

  • Judge rules in favour of San Carlos Estate owner

    Judge rules in favour of San Carlos Estate owner

    In a landmark property rights decision, High Court Justice Margaret Mohammed has ruled in favor of Arima landowner Trevor Kerry in his protracted legal battle against the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) regarding mineral extraction rights on disputed lands within the San Carlos Estate.

    The court determined that Kerry holds legitimate entitlement to conduct quarrying operations for stone, sand, gravel, clay, earth, and similar minerals across two designated lots (D and G) at the estate. This judicial clarification concludes years of contentious negotiations and correspondence between the parties concerning electrical infrastructure installation and maintenance on the properties.

    Legal representatives Nirad Samnadda-Ramrekersingh and Richard Freeman successfully argued that Kerry’s ownership, established through a chain of deeds originating in 1959, conferred comprehensive mineral extraction privileges. They demonstrated that T&TEC had erroneously interpreted the definition of ‘mines and minerals’ within the historical documentation, incorrectly including materials specifically excluded from the original contractual language.

    T&TEC’s defense team, led by Keith Scotland, SC, and Asha Watkins-Monsterin, maintained that Kerry’s claim lacked legal foundation and attempted to revisit matters settled in previous 2020 litigation involving adjacent San Carlos parcels. However, Justice Mohammed’s meticulous examination of historical conveyances and prior judicial determinations revealed critical distinctions.

    The court established that a pivotal 1959 deed between Stollmeyer Ltd and Frank Kerry granted only an undivided half-share of mineral rights specifically limited to petroleum, bituminous, and hydrocarbon substances. Crucially, common quarry materials including stone, sand, clay, and gravel were expressly excluded from this conveyance and remained within the claimant’s uncontested ownership rights.

    Furthermore, the judgment clarified that through subsequent acquisitions, Kerry obtained Stollmeyer Ltd’s retained mineral half-share plus the explicit right to ‘dig and get’ mineral materials from the lands. This entitlement extends beyond his owned parcels to other estate areas, contingent upon appropriate compensation to other beneficiaries for extraction activities conducted on their respective parcels, as stipulated in the original 1959 agreement.

  • Rudder starts Kaiso Conversations with Bocas Lit Fest

    Rudder starts Kaiso Conversations with Bocas Lit Fest

    Amidst the vibrant energy of the 2026 Carnival season, the Bocas Lit Fest is launching an innovative series titled ‘Kaiso Conversations’ dedicated to exploring the literary artistry of calypso songwriting. The inaugural event will feature an intimate dialogue with Trinidadian musical icon David Rudder on January 20th.

    The celebrated calypsonian will join music critic Nigel A Campbell on stage at Kafe Blue in Port of Spain for a deep examination of calypso’s lyrical traditions, creative influences, and literary significance. This special engagement serves a dual purpose as a fundraiser supporting the literary festival’s year-round initiatives promoting writers and readers across Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean region.

    Festival director Nicholas Laughlin emphasized the natural alignment between calypso and literary arts: ‘We’ve consistently maintained that Bocas revolves around words, stories, and ideas across all formats. Trinidad’s premier calypsonians have historically functioned as cultural critics, political commentators, and philosophical voices. Their lyrics constitute enduring components of our literary heritage.’

    Conceptualized through a partnership between Campbell and the Bocas Lit Fest, the series draws inspiration from Professor Gordon Rohlehr’s critical work challenging Derek Walcott’s skeptical view of calypso as poetry. Campbell notes the significant recognition calypso has received from Caribbean literary giants, including Nobel laureates who have acknowledged the form’s artistic merit.

    Tickets for this 6:30 PM event are priced at $100, with proceeds directly supporting the NGO’s educational programs. Attendees can secure seats through online platforms or at the venue box office, with doors opening at 5:30 PM.

  • Trinidad and Tobago Newsday – Friday January 16th 2026

    Trinidad and Tobago Newsday – Friday January 16th 2026

    The multi-billion dollar dietary supplement industry continues to operate in a regulatory gray zone, leaving consumers to navigate a marketplace with limited oversight and substantial health risks. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs that undergo rigorous FDA testing before reaching consumers, supplements enter the market with minimal pre-approval requirements, creating potential dangers that often only surface after products have caused harm.

    The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994 established the current regulatory framework that treats supplements more like food than drugs. This legislation placed the burden of proving safety primarily on the FDA after products are already available to consumers, rather than requiring manufacturers to demonstrate efficacy and safety beforehand. The result is a marketplace where new products can be introduced with little more than notification to regulators.

    Recent analyses reveal alarming trends: contaminated products, undisclosed pharmaceutical ingredients, and exaggerated health claims proliferate across the industry. Weight loss supplements, sexual enhancement products, and pre-workout formulas consistently rank among the most problematic categories. Medical professionals report increasing cases of liver damage, cardiovascular issues, and dangerous interactions with prescription medications linked to supplement use.

    Consumer protection advocates are calling for significant reforms to the regulatory system, including mandatory third-party testing, stricter manufacturing standards, and increased authority for the FDA to remove dangerous products promptly. Meanwhile, healthcare providers recommend that consumers consult medical professionals before using supplements, research products through independent sources, and remain skeptical of miraculous health claims.

  • LIVE: National Security Press Conference 15th January 2026

    LIVE: National Security Press Conference 15th January 2026

    China’s National Space Administration (CNSA) has successfully concluded its groundbreaking Chang’e-6 lunar mission, marking a historic milestone in space exploration. The spacecraft’s return capsule touched down precisely in Inner Mongolia’s Siziwang Banner landing zone at approximately 2:07 p.m. local time on Tuesday, carrying the first-ever geological samples collected from the moon’s far side.

    The 53-day mission demonstrated exceptional technological prowess as the spacecraft navigated the complexities of operating on the lunar hemisphere that permanently faces away from Earth. The mission architecture required a relay satellite for communications and involved sophisticated autonomous operations in the challenging terrain of the South Pole-Aitken Basin, one of the solar system’s largest and oldest impact craters.

    Scientific community worldwide anticipates unprecedented insights from these pristine samples, which are expected to reveal new understanding about lunar formation, the early solar system’s evolution, and planetary differentiation processes. The mission’s success significantly advances China’s lunar exploration capabilities and establishes new benchmarks for sample-return technology.

    International space agencies have extended congratulations, recognizing the mission’s contribution to global planetary science. The carefully preserved samples will undergo initial processing at specialized facilities before being distributed to research institutions for comprehensive analysis, potentially unlocking mysteries that have perplexed astronomers for decades.

  • Turner Marks First Year as St. Peter MP, Says Work Has Only Begun

    Turner Marks First Year as St. Peter MP, Says Work Has Only Begun

    Following his parliamentary election victory one year ago, Rawdon Turner, who represents the St. Peter constituency and serves as Minister of Social and Urban Transformation, has characterized his inaugural term as a period dedicated to foundational development rather than public acclaim. In a reflective statement, Turner emphasized that his primary focus has been on comprehensive listening, intensive learning, and establishing the necessary groundwork for future initiatives.

    Turner explicitly stated that the past twelve months were not measured by traditional achievements or ceremonial titles, but rather by the diligent process of understanding community needs and preparing for substantive action. “We have initiated crucial collaborative projects,” he acknowledged, “yet I maintain a realistic perspective: significant work remains ahead.”

    The Minister highlighted the inherent challenges of societal transformation, noting that genuine progress emerges through consistent effort and cooperative engagement at the grassroots level. He articulated that community development occurs incrementally through sustained dialogue and systematic problem-solving rather than through immediate, visible changes.

    Addressing the complex issues confronting both his constituency and the nation broadly, Turner identified three essential components for success: patient dedication, persistent effort, and constructive partnerships. He renewed his commitment to maintaining transparent communication with constituents, promising continued presence within communities and honest assessments of governmental capabilities and limitations.

    Turner concluded by expressing gratitude to St. Peter residents for their ongoing support and thanked the broader public for entrusting him with governmental responsibility. He framed the completion of his first year not as a destination reached, but as the preliminary phase of an extended journey toward tangible improvements in citizens’ daily lives.

  • Bradshaw: Major road fix drive to reach ‘most districts’ this year

    Bradshaw: Major road fix drive to reach ‘most districts’ this year

    The Barbadian government has announced an extensive national road rehabilitation initiative set to commence this month, with Deputy Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw confirming the program will extend through June. This ambitious infrastructure effort represents one of the most comprehensive road improvement campaigns in recent years, designed to address long-standing transportation challenges across the island nation.

    According to Bradshaw, who also serves as Minister of Transport and Works, her ministry has undergone months of preparatory work to clear bureaucratic backlogs, finalize engineering designs, and complete tender processes. This groundwork enables contractors to immediately begin construction activities across highway networks, primary thoroughfares, and residential communities nationwide.

    The strategic timing of the construction window between January and June capitalizes on optimal dry weather conditions, as the rainy season traditionally begins June 1st. Bradshaw explained the ministry has systematically reorganized its internal planning cycle to conduct technical assessments, preliminary drawings, and detailed designs during wetter months from June to December. This approach ensures contractors can commence work immediately when favorable conditions return.

    The rehabilitation program will utilize both roller-compacted concrete and traditional concrete surfaces, incorporating funding from the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF). While specific roadways weren’t identified during Wednesday’s announcement, Bradshaw indicated comprehensive media briefings scheduled for next week will provide detailed project outlines and implementation timelines.

    Beyond immediate infrastructure improvements, the initiative forms part of a broader modernization strategy within the Transport Ministry. Bradshaw emphasized technology’s increasing role in operational efficiency, noting ongoing investments in staff training and contractor coordination systems to meet growing infrastructure demands. The program aims not only to enhance road quality but also to reduce vehicle damage complaints and liability claims associated with deteriorating road conditions.

  • ‘Unworkable, unenforceable’: Senator slams tourism levy bill

    ‘Unworkable, unenforceable’: Senator slams tourism levy bill

    Barbados’ proposed Tourism Levy (Amendment) Bill has faced vehement opposition from Independent Senator Andrew Mallalieu, who characterized the legislation as fundamentally flawed and potentially damaging to the nation’s vital tourism sector. While acknowledging tourism’s crucial role in national financing and clarifying that the bill introduces no new taxes, Mallalieu systematically dismantled the proposed changes during Senate deliberations.

    The core contention revolves around shifting collection responsibilities to international online booking platforms. The amendments would mandate that digital marketplaces—regardless of their global location—register with the Barbados Revenue Authority and remit tourism levies directly. Mallalieu warned this approach would create enforcement loopholes, weaken local operators, and misplace liability within the taxation system.

    Expressing particular concern about the expanded definition of “online marketplace,” the senator noted the legislation could potentially ensnare over 500 vacation rental platforms, many without physical presence or direct relationships with Barbadian property owners. The current system places levy payment responsibility squarely on property owners or appointed managers, but the amendments would push this obligation to offshore entities that may lack knowledge of property ownership or taxpayer information.

    Mallalieu highlighted alarming provisions allowing property liens for non-remitted levies, even when failures occur at platform level—a precedent he described as deeply troubling for Barbadian law. He further argued the legislation unfairly burdens compliant operators while unlikely capturing non-compliant ones.

    The senator reserved sharpest criticism for the drafting process, revealing that neither he nor major industry stakeholders received consultation. After contacting villa operators, sharing-economy businesses, and the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, Mallalieu confirmed none had been engaged in legislative discussions, questioning how vital industry legislation could advance without operator input.

  • Walters questions bid to acquire Savvy on the Bay land

    Walters questions bid to acquire Savvy on the Bay land

    A contentious political debate has emerged regarding the government’s proposed land acquisition adjacent to Savvy on the Bay, with Opposition Senator Ryan Walters leading criticism against what he characterizes as unnecessary targeting of an established small business enterprise.

    During parliamentary deliberations on the Tourism Levy (Amendment) Bill, Senator Walters challenged the administration’s rationale for acquiring the neighboring parking facility, citing recent formal notices that have generated apprehension among local entrepreneurs. The senator articulated concerns that the move contradicts the government’s stated commitment to fostering business development.

    Housing and Lands Minister Christopher Gibbs attempted to allay fears, asserting that business operators should remain unworried about the acquisition process. “Our objective as an administration is to promote entrepreneurial ventures, not to impede business operations,” Gibbs emphasized, promising maintained access and improved facilities upon project completion.

    However, Senator Walters presented contradictory firsthand observations from multiple visits to the Bay Street location. “I’ve frequently visited Savvy on the Bay, utilizing both on-site and opposite parking facilities without encountering access restrictions,” the opposition legislator recounted. He described unimpeded beach access with his family, including purchases from local vendors and bar patronage without property disputes.

    The senator questioned the government’s particular interest in this specific parcel, noting numerous alternative development opportunities along Bay Street. He highlighted underutilized properties including the former Mobil service station and abandoned fish market as preferable alternatives. “Why pursue a plot supporting an active business when vacant lands remain available just a stone’s throw away?” Walters inquired.

    The opposition figure expressed bewilderment at the government’s approach, suggesting the strategy contradicts public encouragement of entrepreneurship and has generated confusion among both business operators and observers alike.

  • Senate clash over Tourism Levy Bill

    Senate clash over Tourism Levy Bill

    A contentious debate erupted in the Barbados Senate on Wednesday as government and opposition legislators fiercely disagreed on the Tourism Levy (Amendment) Bill and the broader economic contribution of the nation’s vital tourism sector. The proposed legislation introduces significant fiscal measures targeting the hospitality industry, including a novel shared-economy levy that mandates global online booking platforms to collect and remit a 10 percent tax directly to the Barbados Revenue Authority.

    Opposition Senator Ryan Walters challenged the government’s recurring assertion that ‘tourism pays the bills,’ presenting a critical analysis of the sector’s recent performance. While acknowledging tourism’s historical importance, Walters cited a dramatic decline in its contribution to GDP, which he claimed has fallen from approximately 13 percent between 2016-2018 to below 5 percent in 2023-2024, projecting this trend to continue through September 2025. ‘That does not qualify the statement that tourism pays our bills,’ Walters contended. ‘That is saying the government can no longer afford to pay its bills.’

    Government Senator Lisa Cummins mounted a robust defense, presenting countervailing data from the Central Bank of Barbados indicating strong post-pandemic recovery. Citing the October 2025 quarterly report, Cummins highlighted a 5.5 percent increase in long-stay arrivals over the first nine months of the year, with particularly strong rebounds from key markets including the United Kingdom, which reached 2018 levels by 2021. US arrivals grew by 12 percent between 2021-2022, with European markets showing comparable recovery trajectories.

    Cummins contextualized the post-2018 decline, noting that Barbados was poised to exceed 900,000 visitors by February 2019—surpassing the 2018 benchmark of 800,000—before COVID-19 necessitated widespread shutdowns. Addressing employment sustainability, she outlined government strategies to develop year-round tourism, including targeted engagement with luxury cruise lines during traditionally slower summer months. These smaller, high-end vessels, while carrying fewer passengers, attract premium-spending tourists whose economic impact rivals that of higher-volume, lower-spending arrivals.