Carib Scope

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  • Venezuela’s acting President congratulates To Lam on re-election

    Venezuela’s acting President congratulates To Lam on re-election

    Venezuelan leadership has formally extended congratulations to Tô Lâm following his unanimous re-election by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). The message, delivered via Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez’s official Telegram channel, characterized the decision as a profound demonstration of confidence from both the Party and the Vietnamese citizenry in President Lâm’s leadership.

    Rodríguez, acting on behalf of the Venezuelan government and its people, utilized the diplomatic communication to reiterate a strong commitment to strengthening the existing relationship between the two nations. She explicitly expressed a desire to ‘continue deepening the bonds of friendship, solidarity, and cooperation with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.’

    The statement further framed the bilateral partnership within a broader geopolitical context, emphasizing a shared vision for international relations. Rodríguez affirmed that the two countries stand ‘united in the defense of sovereignty, the self-determination of peoples, and the construction of a multicentric and multipolar international order.’ This endorsement occurred in conjunction with the closing proceedings of the CPV’s 14th National Congress, where the leadership transition was formally ratified.

  • Court of Appeal to clear backlog of over 2,000 appeals, applications; avoid future prolonged delays

    Court of Appeal to clear backlog of over 2,000 appeals, applications; avoid future prolonged delays

    In a landmark move to address systemic delays in its judicial system, Guyana’s Court of Appeal has initiated a comprehensive program to resolve more than 2,000 pending appeals and applications, some dating back three decades. The initiative, mandated by Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire, represents one of the most significant judicial reforms in recent memory.

    The court has established three specialized panels to handle the massive backlog, with each panel assigned 70 cases in the initial phase. This structured approach includes 21 civil appeals, 20 criminal appeals, and 29 applications for leave to appeal across each panel. The first hearings are scheduled to commence on February 10, 12, and 13, 2026, marking a decisive step toward judicial efficiency.

    To ensure maximum transparency and participation, the court will issue hearing notices through multiple channels: mailed to recorded addresses of litigants and attorneys, published in national newspapers, and posted on both the Court’s official website and Facebook page under ‘Hearing Lists’.

    The court administration emphasized that this backlog reduction exercise specifically targets cases filed between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2024. Notably, all applications for leave to appeal and extensions filed before 2021 have already been cleared from the system. Moving forward, newly filed applications in 2026 will receive immediate assignment to prevent future accumulation.

    In an official statement, the judiciary acknowledged the legitimate concerns of those awaiting resolution of long-pending matters and reaffirmed its commitment to ‘timely, fair and transparent administration of justice.’ The court further stressed that this would be a court-driven process guided by robust case management principles, with expectations that all legal representatives come fully prepared to facilitate efficient dispositions.

  • Israel is accused of expanding Gaza’s control despite ceasefire

    Israel is accused of expanding Gaza’s control despite ceasefire

    According to local activist reports, the Israeli military has significantly expanded its territorial control within the Gaza Strip since the October 10, 2025 ceasefire implementation. Initial assessments indicated Israeli forces controlled approximately 53% of the region when the truce began, but that figure has now grown to 60% of the territory.

    The expansion encompasses substantial residential zones stretching from Rafah in the southern reaches to Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun in the northern areas. Military operations continue particularly in the eastern sectors of Gaza City, where forces are engaged in what sources describe as systematic demolition and territorial consolidation activities.

    Analysts suggest the ceasefire period provided strategic opportunities for the Israeli Armed Forces to advance into Palestinian residential districts within the coastal enclave. This military movement occurs amid one of the world’s most densely populated environments, with over 2.2 million residents confined to approximately 90 square kilometers of land.

    The intensified military presence and ongoing operations have further exacerbated the humanitarian situation in the territory, creating additional challenges for civilian populations already facing severe resource constraints and infrastructure damage.

  • International Jazz Plaza Festival heats scene in Cuba

    International Jazz Plaza Festival heats scene in Cuba

    Havana’s cultural scene is set to captivate music enthusiasts this weekend with a series of prestigious performances leading up to the International Jazz Plaza Festival. On Saturday afternoon, the Theater of the National Museum of Fine Arts (MNBA) will present “Yohana Pena and Jose Portillo: Habana Filin,” a special concert paying homage to José Antonio Méndez, the foundational figure of Cuba’s distinctive filin musical style. The event will feature acclaimed guest artists Lázaro Rivero “El Fino” and Juan Carlos Rojas “El Peje.”

    Simultaneously, Cuban musical virtuosos including Oliver Valdés, Jorge Reyes, Yosvany Terry, Yaroldy Abreu, Roberto Álvarez, and Alejandro “Coqui” Calzadilla will deliver an extraordinary collaborative performance, serving as an illustrious prelude to the Jazz Plaza Festival’s official opening on Sunday.

    Meanwhile, in Santiago de Cuba, renowned pianist Roberto Fonseca prepares for a spectacular open-air performance at Cespedes Park. His collaboration with the Steel Band del Cobre promises to deliver another top-tier musical experience as part of the festival’s diverse programming, showcasing Cuba’s rich jazz traditions across multiple cities.

  • Guatemala awarded for its stand at Fitur Madrid

    Guatemala awarded for its stand at Fitur Madrid

    Guatemala’s national pavilion has been awarded a prestigious honor at the Fitur tourism fair for its exceptional design that masterfully encapsulates the nation’s cultural essence. The jury praised the exhibit’s innovative minimalist approach, which incorporates four fundamental elements: native wood, vibrant traditional textiles, an imposing pyramidal screen, and authentic Mayan glyph imagery. This carefully curated selection was recognized for perfectly representing the core pillars of Guatemalan identity—its rich natural environment, distinctive architecture, artisanal crafts, and enduring traditions—through a contemporary and sophisticated design language.

    In the coveted ‘Countries and Regions’ category, Guatemala, known as the ‘Nation of the Quetzal,’ emerged victorious. The awards ceremony also highlighted other exemplary participants for their sustainable practices, including the Pinero Group from the Dominican Republic, the Government of Cantabria, the Castelldefels City Council, and Galicia Tourism.

    Commercial excellence was separately recognized, with the Vincci and Meliá hotel chains alongside the Alsa transport group receiving awards for their outstanding corporate stands. Among Spanish autonomous communities, Castile and Leon, Madrid, and Galicia were celebrated for having the best regional exhibits. This year’s event featured Mexico as the Partner Country, with Puerto Rico scheduled to hold this distinguished position in 2027.

  • Schade escalatie bij Zijin wordt in kaart gebracht

    Schade escalatie bij Zijin wordt in kaart gebracht

    A tragic incident at Zijin Rosebel Gold Mines’ Royal Hill Pit in Suriname escalated into violent unrest on Friday evening, resulting in significant property destruction and requiring military intervention. The crisis began when an illegal gold miner fell to his death at the northwest sector of the mining operation, triggering a chain of events that would see vehicles torched, equipment destroyed, and security forces attacked.

    According to preliminary reports, the mine’s control room received an emergency alert at approximately 7:08 PM from a supervisor who had been approached by illegal miners seeking assistance for the fallen individual. Mine security, police, and military personnel were immediately dispatched to the location.

    The response teams encountered immediate hostility upon arrival at 7:20 PM. Illegal miners launched a barrage of stones at emergency vehicles, preventing access to the victim. The situation deteriorated radically at 7:53 PM when protesters set fire to a Komatsu mining vehicle, forcing mine operators to order a complete evacuation of the Royal Hill Pit. All legitimate employees were successfully extracted from the dangerous area, where an estimated fifty illegal miners were present.

    Later that evening, security forces and fire crews attempted to return and contain the spreading fires but were again driven back by stone-throwing aggressors. By this time, the number of illegal miners had swelled to approximately two hundred individuals.

    The violence resulted in extensive damage to mining infrastructure, including the complete destruction of multiple security posts, loading units, and vehicles—among them a Land Cruiser and Ford Ranger. Remarkably, no employees sustained physical injuries during the confrontations.

    Reinforcements were summoned from Paramaribo between midnight and early morning to restore order. In a parallel development, family members of the deceased illegal miner arrived at Zijin’s main entrance and were escorted by authorities to identify the victim.

    An official investigation into both the circumstances surrounding the fatal fall and the subsequent violent outbreak remains ongoing, with authorities working to determine the precise sequence of events that led to this destructive escalation.

  • Beharry Group, Jamaica’s Amber Group in joint venture to fill cybersecurity gap in Guyana

    Beharry Group, Jamaica’s Amber Group in joint venture to fill cybersecurity gap in Guyana

    In a landmark strategic move, Guyana’s premier conglomerate Beharry Group has entered a joint venture with Caribbean technology leader Amber Technologies Inc. to establish Beharry-Amber Technologies Inc., a new entity dedicated to addressing critical cybersecurity needs in the rapidly expanding Guyanese economy.

    The partnership, formalized through a signing ceremony attended by top executives from both organizations, represents a significant investment in Guyana’s digital infrastructure. The collaboration brings together Beharry Group’s extensive local market presence and Amber Group’s technological expertise in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.

    According to the newly formed company, this initiative directly responds to Guyana’s extraordinary economic growth and the government’s intensified focus on digital modernization. The joint venture will provide comprehensive, end-to-end IT and cybersecurity services tailored to both public and private sector requirements, positioning itself as a one-stop technology platform capable of serving domestic and regional demand.

    Suresh Beharry, Chairman and CEO of Beharry Group, emphasized the timeliness of this venture, stating that digital infrastructure and cybersecurity have become essential components of national development. He highlighted Amber Group’s proven delivery record and shared commitment to long-term regional impact as key factors in selecting the technology partner.

    Dushyant Savadia, Founder and CEO of Amber Group, characterized the partnership as more than a commercial endeavor, describing it as a shared commitment to Guyana’s growth, resilience, and technological advancement. He acknowledged Beharry Group’s longstanding contribution to national development and expressed confidence that the collaboration would significantly enhance the country’s cybersecurity readiness.

    The timing of this venture coincides with Guyana’s emergence as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, attracting substantial investments across energy, infrastructure, and financial services sectors. Beharry-Amber Technologies Inc. aims to become a cornerstone of innovation, security, and operational efficiency, supporting the country’s digital transformation objectives while extending its potential impact throughout the Caribbean region.

  • Chile: Doctors majored in Cuba serve in fire-hit areas

    Chile: Doctors majored in Cuba serve in fire-hit areas

    In the aftermath of devastating wildfires that consumed approximately 80% of homes in Penco municipality’s Chinatown district of Lirquen, a specialized medical brigade has established critical healthcare operations. Coordinated by Cindy Alvarez, the team consists of physicians who graduated from Cuba’s Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM) and now operate under the NGO ELAM-Chile.

    Dr. Mario Gomez Mannarelli, speaking to Prensa Latina, detailed their comprehensive approach: ‘Beyond operating stationary health posts, our teams conduct mobile medical visits to residents physically unable to leave destroyed properties due to cleanup obligations.’ The physicians employ systematic triage protocols, initially assessing pediatric and adult populations for chronic conditions and instability before distributing necessary medications.

    The medical professionals, self-funding their deployment to the Biobío region and supplying their own pharmaceutical inventories, represent what Dr. Mannarelli terms the ‘White Coat Army.’ He emphasized their disaster response methodology stems directly from Cuban medical training: ‘This operational framework—assessing, stabilizing, and medicating—constitutes our standard disaster protocol acquired through ELAM and Henry Reeve Brigade training.’

    The initiative demonstrates transnational medical solidarity, with Cuban-educated Chilean physicians implementing Caribbean-developed disaster medicine methodologies to address catastrophic wildfires in South American communities.

  • Brazil sets up Committee for the Freedom of Maduro and Cilia Flores

    Brazil sets up Committee for the Freedom of Maduro and Cilia Flores

    In response to the January 3rd airstrike on Caracas and surrounding Venezuelan territories—an operation authorized by U.S. President Donald Trump—a significant political coalition has emerged in Brazil. The initiative, originating from Caracas as part of a worldwide movement, has led to the establishment of a unified committee dedicated to advocating for the release of President Nicolás Maduro and First Combatant Cilia Flores, who were reportedly apprehended during the military action.

    The newly formed committee represents a broad alliance of political and social organizations, including journalists, members of Brazil’s Workers’ Party (PT), the Communist Party of Brazil, the Antifascist International, and the Brigade for Peace in Latin America and the Caribbean. Despite varying political perspectives among its founding members, the group has committed to a common objective: amplifying the Venezuelan narrative within Brazil and reinforcing international solidarity.

    According to reports from Prensa Latina, the committee’s primary mission extends beyond immediate diplomatic efforts. It seeks to foster stronger people-to-people connections and ensure the Venezuelan situation receives comprehensive and effective media coverage in Brazil. Prominent figures within the movement, such as Pedro Batista and Flavia Rodrigues, have emphasized the critical need for organizational unity. They highlighted several preliminary actions already undertaken to support the release of the detained officials and stressed that consolidating this diverse coalition is paramount to achieving their humanitarian and political goals.

  • Randy Baltimore donates protective gear to constituency road workers

    Randy Baltimore donates protective gear to constituency road workers

    In a significant community-focused endeavor, road maintenance personnel throughout the constituency have been equipped with enhanced protective gear through a safety initiative spearheaded by ABLP primary candidate Randy Baltimore. The comprehensive donation package included specialized safety glasses, durable work gloves, and high-visibility reflective vests specifically designed to address the unique challenges faced by infrastructure maintenance crews.

    Mr. Baltimore emphasized that this proactive measure seeks to acknowledge the critical contributions of road workers while simultaneously addressing practical safety concerns. “Supporting those who maintain our transportation infrastructure represents a fundamental commitment to both workplace safety and community respect,” he stated. “This initiative demonstrates our dedication to ensuring frontline workers have adequate protection while performing their essential daily duties.”

    The occupational hazards confronting road crew workers are particularly severe, encompassing close proximity to vehicular traffic, operation of heavy machinery, and exposure to extreme weather conditions. Such environmental factors make appropriate personal protective equipment not merely beneficial but absolutely essential for preventing workplace accidents and injuries.

    This safety-oriented program forms part of broader community engagement strategies being implemented during the ABLP primary campaign period, reflecting a policy approach that prioritizes tangible support for vital public service workers. The equipment distribution has been met with positive reception from crew members, who report both improved sense of security and elevated morale following the implementation of these enhanced safety measures.