Carib Scope

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  • As a sister nation, Cuba celebrated the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China

    As a sister nation, Cuba celebrated the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China

    On the eve of the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CCP) and the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Long March, an official commemorative ceremony co-hosted by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) and the Chinese Embassy in Cuba was held on Monday afternoon at Havana’s Palace of the Revolution, gathering senior political leaders, diplomatic envoys and representatives from both countries to celebrate these landmark events in modern Chinese history and strengthen socialist fraternity between the two nations.

    The highest-ranking guest of the ceremony was Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary of the PCC Central Committee and President of the Republic of Cuba, whose presence underscored the deep strategic bond between the two socialist parties and countries. The event also drew a wide range of attendees from Cuba: members of the PCC Political Bureau, senior leaders of the Cuban state and government, representatives of the Young Communist League, mass organizations, the Revolutionary Armed Forces, the Ministry of the Interior, the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, alongside other invited guests. From the diplomatic community, ambassadors and other members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Cuba were in attendance, while Chinese participants included embassy officials, Chinese students studying in Cuba, and representatives of Chinese enterprises operating on the island.

    Speaking at the ceremony from Portocarrero Hall, Hua Xin, China’s Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Cuba, opened his remarks by extending sincere gratitude to the PCC Central Committee for organizing the event, and conveyed warm greetings to the Cuban party, government, and people from all sectors who have long upheld friendship between the two sides. He noted that shared ideological convictions and shared experiences of revolutionary struggle have long bound the two socialist nations, both led by communist parties, in an unbreakable fraternal tie.

    “The Communist Party of China will always stand with the Communist Party of Cuba,” Hua affirmed, before outlining the core ideological legacy of the CCP over its 105-year history. He recalled the founding spirit forged by the CCP’s early pioneers: adhering to truth, upholding ideals, staying true to the original aspiration, shouldering historical missions, being ready for sacrifice, waging heroic struggle, and remaining loyal and committed to the people. This spirit, he emphasized, remains the eternal spiritual source of the CCP.

    Hua went on to note that the CCP’s century of extraordinary achievements stems from its consistent commitment to strengthening its own governance capacity. Over 105 years, the party has synthesized accumulated experience, integrated innovative theoretical approaches and governance strategies, with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era playing a central guiding role. This process has reinforced a core conclusion: Party leadership is the defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

    Turning to the current challenges facing Cuba, Hua reaffirmed China’s unwavering solidarity. “Today, faced with the escalating blockade imposed by the United States, as well as its military threats, the Party, the Government, and the people of Cuba remain steadfast in their conviction, will not yield to pressure, and will resolutely defend national sovereignty and the socialist cause,” he stated. Hua categorically opposed illegal unilateral sanctions and all forms of military intervention against Cuba, called on the United States to immediately end its decades-long blockade and all coercive measures against the Caribbean nation, and demanded an end to violations of the Cuban people’s inalienable rights to survival and development. He added that China firmly supports Cuba in exploring a socialist development path aligned with its own national conditions, applauds the PCC’s courageous push for economic and social transformation reforms, and expressed full confidence that under PCC leadership, the Cuban people will overcome current difficulties and secure new victories in socialist construction.

    The keynote address was delivered by Emilio Lozada García, member of the PCC Central Committee and head of its International Relations Department. Lozada traced the CCP’s extraordinary growth, noting that what began as a small group of just 50 revolutionary militant pioneers has grown into the world’s largest communist party, boasting more than 100 million members today.

    Recounting the CCP’s 105 years of historic victories, Lozada highlighted the 1934–1936 Long March led by the Red Army as one of the most defining episodes in the party’s revolutionary history. “This campaign gave a new and decisive direction to the Chinese revolution and demonstrated what a people, guided by its Communist Party, is capable of achieving,” he said. Lozada further noted that the CCP’s more than 70 years of guiding China’s complex, long-term process of socialist construction represents an unprecedented contribution to global socialist practice.

    On the global stage, Lozada praised the CCP’s consistent commitment to advancing world peace, multilateralism, upholding international law, and defending the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. He singled out the major global initiatives put forward by General Secretary Xi Jinping in recent years—including the Belt and Road Initiative, the vision of a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind, and the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, and Global Governance Initiative—as particularly impactful contributions to global progress.

    Lozada stressed that the PCC and CCP are currently working together to build a bilateral China-Cuba Community with a Shared Future, and expressed deep gratitude for China’s unwavering support for Cuba in the face of U.S. aggression. “We appreciate the firm and unwavering support of the Communist Party of China against the economic, commercial, and financial blockade and the energy embargo imposed by the United States government, as well as against the infamous accusation against Army General Raúl Castro Ruz,” he said. “The Communist Party of Cuba is grateful for the constant support and accompaniment of the Communist Party of China, especially in the current circumstances of collective punishment and silent genocide against the Cuban people.”

    Closing his remarks, Lozada reaffirmed the Cuban perspective on the CCP’s global significance: “The Communist Party of China is today an indispensable reference point in the process of building socialism and has demonstrated that the socialist system is a viable alternative to the savage capitalism that they are trying to impose on us from the North. Its commitment to achieving a more just, democratic, and equitable international order reaffirms that a better world is possible.”

  • Column: Comité-generaal: uitzondering of nieuwe regel?

    Column: Comité-generaal: uitzondering of nieuwe regel?

    A heated debate over parliamentary transparency has emerged in Suriname, centered on plans to discuss two high-profile public cases — the disappearance of more than 300 kilograms of mercury from the Geyersvlijt police station and the theft of gold from Grassalco’s vault — behind closed doors in a special committee-general session. Justice and Police Minister Harish Monorath has announced his intention to share details on the stolen mercury during the closed meeting, while the sensitive cross-border Tigri dispute, a matter touching on national security and diplomatic interests, is also set for the closed-door committee-general discussion, a mechanism built into Suriname’s National Assembly for handling exceptional, confidential matters where open debate would compromise state interests. But this move to hold the stolen mercury and gold case discussions in secret has sparked principled pushback from across the political spectrum, raising fundamental questions about the core values of parliamentary democracy and the public’s right to information.

    During recent budget debates, assembly member Raymond Sapoen correctly emphasized that parliament’s core function is to exercise public oversight over the government. The disappearance of hundreds of kilograms of mercury is no routine administrative incident; it is a major public concern that gives society a clear right to know key details of the case, Sapoen argued. This does not mean releasing sensitive investigative details that could derail an ongoing criminal probe, but rather that the public is owed a clear update on the state of the case: what steps authorities have already taken, what new security measures have been implemented, and how the government plans to prevent a similar incident from happening again. These are all legitimate, public governance questions that do not require secrecy.

    Acting National Assembly Speaker Ronnie Brunswijk has also publicly questioned the need for a closed session for these cases, noting that not every issue demands secret discussion. His comment cuts to the very heart of Suriname’s parliamentary system: open debate is the rule, and closed-door proceedings are supposed to be the rare exception, not the new normal.

    Beyond transparency concerns, the push for closed hearings also raises critical constitutional questions about the separation of powers and the independence of the Public Prosecution Service (OM), which leads all criminal investigations. First, it is unclear whether the Minister of Justice and Police actually has full access to all ongoing investigative information, and second, it is unresolved whether sharing that information with assembly members in a closed session would compromise the OM’s constitutionally protected independent status. Parliament exercises oversight over the executive branch (the government), not over the independent Public Prosecution Service. That means the justice minister is under no obligation to share details of active criminal investigations such as witness testimony, persons of interest, or investigative strategies. But the minister is fully required to account for his ministry’s administrative actions: when he was first informed of the missing mercury, what immediate measures his ministry put in place, whether security protocols have been updated, whether internal administrative probes have been launched, and what steps are being taken to prevent recurrence. None of these administrative questions require a closed committee-general session.

    Critics warn that accepting the logic that any ongoing investigation justifies a closed hearing sets a dangerous precedent for democratic governance. Nearly every major public case is in the investigation stage at some point, if this becomes the new standard, parliamentary oversight will increasingly be pushed out of public view. There is an additional critical risk: committee-general proceedings are bound by strict secrecy rules, meaning assembly members cannot disclose any information shared during the session to the public. If a minister provides incomplete or even inaccurate information in the closed meeting, representatives can barely push back publicly without violating their own secrecy obligations. This effectively shuts down public debate entirely. Because of this far-reaching impact, the committee-general is a heavy, extraordinary parliamentary tool that should only be used with extreme caution, advocates for transparency argue.

    No one disputes that closed proceedings are necessary for certain truly sensitive matters: military strategy, national security threats, and high-stakes diplomatic negotiations are appropriately held out of public view. But cases like missing mercury, stolen gold, and other dossiers that center primarily on administrative accountability should, as a matter of principle, be subject to public reporting.

    At its core, the debate boils down to a fundamental question about the purpose of parliamentary democracy. Parliaments are not created to guard government secrets; they exist to hold the executive branch accountable on behalf of the public. The question facing Suriname’s political leaders is not whether a committee-general is permitted by the rules, but whether the nation should accept that secrecy is replacing transparency when transparency is the foundation of a functioning parliamentary democracy. Ultimately, all information about government action — unless there is clear, proven evidence that public disclosure would harm the national interest — belongs not to the government or to parliament, but to the people of Suriname.

  • News : Zapping…

    News : Zapping…

    As of the end of June 2026, Haiti is seeing concurrent developments across multiple sectors, ranging from new commercial air routes to expanded police capacity, economic policy overtures, 2026 World Cup outcomes, cross-border migration trends and local infrastructure investment.

    In the aviation sector, Haiti-based carrier ZED Airlines S.A. has announced the upcoming launch of a new direct route connecting Cap-Haïtien and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with operations set to begin July 14, 2026. The airline has published official introductory fares for the route: a one-way ticket is priced at $361.89 USD, while a round-trip ticket costs $796.09 USD. Customers seeking additional information or looking to reserve seats can reach the company’s customer service team via two local contact numbers: +509 2814 0708 and +509 3432 3717.

    In public security, Haiti’s national law enforcement body continues to expand its ranks as part of a nationwide capacity-building initiative. On June 28, 2026, the Haitian National Police (PNH) welcomed 1,200 new recruits as part of its 37th incoming class at the National Police Academy (ENP). This cohort marks the third group to enter training under the PNH’s P4000+ recruitment program, and includes 239 women among the new trainees. During the official induction ceremony, recruits received foundational briefings covering core expectations for their training, including rules of discipline, academic performance requirements, professional ethics, and the core values that define policing in Haiti. To optimize supervision and training quality, organizers have split the 1,200 recruits into 20 separate platoons of 60 recruits each.

    On the economic front, Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé used a recent public event hosted at the residence of the European Union Ambassador to outline his administration’s approach to private sector growth. The prime minister reaffirmed that the private sector plays a strategically critical role in driving Haiti’s long-term economic and social development, and renewed the Haitian government’s commitment to partnering with domestic and international business stakeholders. He stressed that this collaboration will be rooted in shared principles of partnership, collective responsibility, and mutual trust. Fils-Aimé also called on economic actors to increase investment focused on creating new jobs and opportunities, particularly for Haiti’s large youth population, as a pathway to building a more stable and prosperous national future. He closed his remarks with a rallying cry to business leaders: “Change your paradigm. Be ambitious and move forward!”

    In international sports, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached the knockout Round of 16 stage, marking the end of the road for all Caribbean national teams, including Haiti. The region pinned its hopes of advancement on two sides: Haiti’s Grenadiers and Curaçao’s national team, both of which exited the tournament in the group stage. Haiti, competing in Group C, put in a series of determined performances despite its elimination: the team suffered a narrow 0-1 defeat to Scotland, a 0-3 loss to tournament favorite Brazil, and a high-scoring 2-4 loss to Morocco. The match against Morocco saw Haiti score two historic goals from strikers Lenny Joseph and Wilson Isidor, but the standout performance was not enough to secure advancement. In Group E, Curaçao also bowed out after two defeats, though the side earned a historic 0-0 draw against Ecuador in its final group match.

    On the migration front, new data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reveals a sharp volume of deportations of Haitian migrants from the neighboring Dominican Republic in the first half of 2026. According to IOM figures, more than 25,500 Haitians residing in an irregular status in the Dominican Republic were deported back to Haiti in May 2026 alone. Between January and June 2026, the total number of deported Haitians surpassed 117,000. Official demographic breakdowns show that 24% of the deportees returned to Haiti in 2026 are women, and nearly 8% are minor children.

    Finally, local authorities in Haiti’s Southeast Department have broken ground on a new sub-police station to expand security access for area residents. The Belle-Anse City Hall oversaw the formal foundation stone laying ceremony for the new Mare Briole Sub-Police Station, which will be located in the second district of the Belle-Anse municipality. The entire project is funded by the Belle-Anse municipal government, and is designed to deliver modern, fit-for-purpose security infrastructure to meet the safety needs of the local Mare Briole community. The completed facility will include gender-segregated dormitories for officers, separate holding cells for detainees, an office for the station commander, a group meeting room, and a public reception area.

  • Regering kiest voor eigen financiering Corantijnbrug: Het wordt een Surinaamse brug

    Regering kiest voor eigen financiering Corantijnbrug: Het wordt een Surinaamse brug

    In a major policy shift announced to Suriname’s national legislature, the South American nation’s government has abandoned its original joint development framework with neighboring Guyana and will now build and fully finance the long-planned Corantijn River bridge on its own.

    Public Works and Spatial Planning Minister Stephen Tsang confirmed the new direction during a budget debate for his department on Monday evening, responding to questions from opposition VHP party leader Asis Gajadien about the cross-border infrastructure project’s current status. “The government has decided to 100 percent finance the bridge itself,” Tsang told the National Assembly, stressing that the completed infrastructure will be unequivocally a Surinamese project. “Fact is that it must and will be a Surinamese bridge,” he added.

    The Corantijn River forms the natural border between Suriname and Guyana, and the proposed bridge has long been framed as a landmark initiative to boost regional economic integration across the Guiana Shield and broader South America. It is designed to replace the existing ferry connection between South Drain in Suriname and Moleson Creek in Guyana, cutting transit times and significantly streamlining the movement of goods and people between the two neighboring countries.

    Minister Tsang noted that multiple financing models for the fully domestically led project are currently under active review alongside Suriname’s Ministry of Finance, with the option of toll collection being among the options still on the table. “Everything is still open. All models are being examined together with the finance ministry,” Tsang said. Depending on which financing structure the government ultimately selects, a new tender process will almost certainly be required, he added.

    Gajadien pressed the minister for clarity on the status of the tender process launched by the previous administration, as well as details of updated agreements with Guyana following the policy shift. While Tsang confirmed a new tender is likely, he offered no timeline for when the new bidding process would open. He also declined to comment on how the decision to take full control of the project will alter existing bilateral agreements with Guyana that were negotiated under the prior joint development plan.

    For years, the bridge project advanced as a collaborative cross-border undertaking, with planning work carried out jointly by the two countries under Suriname’s previous administration. The new unilateral approach marks a sharp break from that earlier cooperation framework, though the full implications for bilateral infrastructure ties have not yet been disclosed by the Surinamese government.

  • Health : 6-day training course for the departmental brigade of Civil Protection

    Health : 6-day training course for the departmental brigade of Civil Protection

    Against the backdrop of Haiti’s persistent vulnerability to natural and humanitarian disasters, local civil protection authorities have launched a targeted capacity-building initiative to boost emergency response capabilities in the Artibonite department. The Artibonite Departmental Directorate of Civil Protection hosted a six-day intensive training program for its newly formed departmental response brigade at the Departmental Emergency Operations Center (COUD) based in Morne-Blanc.

    The training forms part of a broader national push by Haiti’s Civil Protection system to upgrade the operational readiness of newly established local brigades, with a core focus on improving disaster risk management, risk reduction, and rapid emergency intervention. Delivered by certified instructors from the Haitian Red Cross and funded by the Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED), the curriculum centered on two critical pillars: systematic disaster risk assessment and evidence-based first aid care. Program designers structured the coursework to equip participating volunteer brigade members with the practical skills needed to intervene effectively during crises, filling a key gap in pre-hospital care for vulnerable communities.

    Over the six-day program, attendees mastered foundational risk management frameworks and core emergency response techniques that allow them to stabilize disaster and accident victims before they can be transferred to formal medical facilities. Instructors opened the program by outlining the core objectives and life-saving importance of timely first aid, stressing that local first responders are the first line of defense in protecting lives and strengthening the resilience of at-risk communities. Central to the training was the PAS response principle—Protect, Alert, Rescue—a foundational framework that guides all coordinated emergency interventions globally.

    A wide range of practical and conceptual topics were covered to address the most common emergency scenarios brigades are likely to face. These included assessment and stabilization of bone, muscle and joint injuries; management of unconscious choking victims; care of unconscious breathing patients; intervention for acute respiratory emergencies; wound cleaning, dressing and infection prevention; proper lifting and stretcher-carrying techniques to avoid further injury to victims and responders; community-level emergency preparedness planning; and core operational concepts for mobile response units, including the Mobile Rescue Unit (MRU), Alert and Transmission Post (ATP), and Rest and Accommodation Unit (RAC).

    Unlike traditional classroom-only training, the program relied heavily on hands-on practical exercises, live demonstrations of emergency techniques, and peer-to-peer experience sharing to reinforce learning. This interactive approach allowed volunteer participants to build muscle memory for critical interventions and develop the quick reflexes needed to deliver rapid, appropriate care to victims while waiting for professional medical teams to arrive. By the conclusion of the program, attendees had significantly elevated their first aid competencies and confidence in leading initial emergency response.

    In closing remarks, training instructors encouraged participants to apply their new knowledge in real-world scenarios and to continue engaging in ongoing capacity-building opportunities. The initiative reflects a long-term strategy to increase local preparedness and improve response outcomes for the full range of emergency events that impact Artibonite communities, from natural disasters to public health and safety incidents.

  • Kinderpsycholoog Barrow: Veel kinderen krijgen te laat hulp door hoge kosten

    Kinderpsycholoog Barrow: Veel kinderen krijgen te laat hulp door hoge kosten

    Across Suriname, thousands of families face a crippling barrier when seeking mental health support for their children and adolescents: prohibitive treatment costs that put life-changing care out of reach. This gap in access does not just leave needs unmet — it often forces families to abandon ongoing treatment early, or delay seeking help until mild mental health or developmental concerns escalate into severe, harder-to-treat issues. Leading local child and youth psychologist Janine Barrow, affiliated with Suriname’s Diakonessenhuis, is calling for urgent systemic change to address this crisis, pushing for expanded insurance coverage, greater investment in school-based mental health services, and widespread public education to reduce lingering stigma.

    Barrow’s work centers on supporting patients from infancy through age 19, providing a full spectrum of care that includes one-on-one therapy, developmental and psychological assessments — such as IQ testing, autism screenings, ADHD evaluations, and in-school behavioral observations — alongside psychoeducation for families and guided counseling for parents navigating their child’s challenges. In her clinical practice, the most common concerns she sees include developmental delays, neurodivergence such as autism and ADHD, learning difficulties, persistent behavioral challenges, symptoms of depression, trauma stemming from parental divorce, and anxiety disorders triggered by chronic bullying.

    Barrow emphasizes that early, targeted intervention is the most effective way to prevent small issues from escalating into long-term impairment. By involving parents and school staff in treatment where appropriate, she says, care teams can equip caregivers with practical, actionable strategies to support young people at home and in the classroom, reducing the severity of symptoms and often preventing issues from becoming chronic.
    “Mental health shapes every part of a young person’s daily life, from their ability to learn to their long-term physical health,” Barrow explains. Chronic unaddressed stress, she notes, does not only impact emotional well-being — it can lead to persistent physical health complaints, disrupt academic progress, and create barriers to successful employment later in life. She also outlines key warning signs that parents should watch for that may indicate a child needs professional support: sudden, unexplained changes in behavior, persistent sleep or eating disturbances, dropping grades, excessive worrying, and any expression of suicidal thoughts.

    Alongside access barriers, Barrow says persistent misinformation and stigma around mental health care still stop many families from reaching out for help early. Common misconceptions she encounters include the belief that only people with severe mental illness need to see a psychologist, or that mental health issues can be resolved in a single therapy session. “Psychological support requires time and active participation from the client,” she notes. “But it is not just for people facing severe conditions — it is for any young person or family that wants to build better coping skills for stress or invest in personal growth.”

    Barrow identifies Suriname’s ongoing economic challenges as the single largest barrier to accessible youth mental health care. For most working families, the out-of-pocket cost of ongoing therapy is prohibitive, leading many to end treatment before it is complete. To address this, she is calling for policy changes to expand insurance reimbursement for psychological services, place more full-time mental health providers in primary and secondary schools, and expand access to specialized education for young people with mental health and developmental needs.

    While Barrow has observed a gradual reduction in the cultural stigma around seeking mental health care in recent years, many families still hesitate to reach out for support when their child first shows signs of struggle. For this reason, she argues, widespread public outreach and education about mental health is an essential part of expanding access. Her core message to families across Suriname is clear: “Do not wait to seek help if you notice your child is struggling. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and getting support early makes all the difference.”

  • Attackers Flee by Boat After Deadly San Pedro Shooting on Sunday Night

    Attackers Flee by Boat After Deadly San Pedro Shooting on Sunday Night

    On a quiet Sunday night in San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye, Belize, what should have been a routine evening of business at the busy Island Supermarket erupted into brutal violence that has left two men dead, two injured, and a tight-knit community grappling with shock and grief.

    The deadly incident unfolded shortly after 9 p.m., when proprietor Ahmad Harmouch and his relative Iman Harmouch returned to the supermarket after stepping out briefly. Just two minutes after their re-entry, four masked gunmen pushed through the store’s entrance and opened fire indiscriminately. Three members of the Harmouch family – Ahmad, Ayman, and long-time local resident David Harmouch – were struck by gunfire. Despite immediate emergency response, David Harmouch, a 20-year San Pedro resident who married a local Belizean and raised six children, could not be saved.

    As the assailants fled the scene, they turned their weapons on Daniel Jones, a well-respected security guard and former educator who was working at the store the night of the attack. Jones, described by loved ones as a generous, kind man who stepped into a fatherly role for his stepchildren and supported his entire extended family, was killed instantly in the barrage of gunfire.

    According to law enforcement officials from Belize’s National Crimes Investigation Branch, the attackers fled on foot across the main street to a pre-docked boat, then sailed south from the island. ACP Hilberto Romero, head of the branch, confirmed that investigators have taken a number of persons into custody for questioning, but no formal charges have been announced as the investigation remains active.

    What makes the attack even more chilling for local residents is the suspicious history of the supermarket itself. The business only opened its doors for the first time in December 2025 – just three days after its grand opening, arsonists set the building on fire in an unsolved attack. The Harmouch family invested time and resources to rebuild, and only reopened the store for business the previous Monday, less than a week before the shooting.

    When asked whether the fatal shooting is connected to the earlier arson, Romero confirmed that investigators have not yet established a link, and no suspects were ever charged in the arson case. This lack of progress has drawn criticism from members of San Pedro’s Lebanese community, many of whom believe authorities failed to follow up on critical leads after the arson, warning that a more thorough initial investigation could have prevented Sunday’s bloodshed.

    The two injured Harmouch family members, Ahmad and Ayman, were transported across the border to Chetumal, Mexico, for advanced medical care, and authorities confirmed they remain in stable condition as of Tuesday morning.

    For the families of the two deceased men, the violence has come as an unfathomable shock. David Harmouch’s cousin Wisszam Harmouch told reporters that David had never mentioned receiving any threats prior to the attack, and was known across the community as a humble, quiet man. “He never talked about any threat and anything, and I don’t think if he was threatened he would be working at that store,” Wisszam Harmouch said Monday, mourning his loss while listening to readings from the Koran at his own store. “It’s a shock for everybody.”

    Tributes to Jones echoed the same sentiment of shock over the death of a man who had done no wrong. A relative of Jones recalled his gentle, giving nature: “He gave everything to my sons. He gave everything to his parents, for his brothers. He was such a good person. I cannot remember anything wrong he did. This touched me and I can’t believe it.” Another family member added that Jones’ mentorship shaped the younger generation of the family, saying “my uncle was very strict and that is why I am the boy I am because he taught me that way.”

    As investigators continue to canvass witnesses and pursue leads, San Pedro residents are left to mourn two beloved community members and wonder when – or if – answers about the brutal attack will come to light.

  • Lebanese Community Rallies After Deadly Supermarket Attack

    Lebanese Community Rallies After Deadly Supermarket Attack

    A deadly attack at a San Pedro supermarket has left two people dead and sparked public outcry, with the island’s Lebanese community taking to the streets on June 29, 2026 to demand accountability from local law enforcement.

    By 3:15 p.m. that afternoon, hundreds of demonstrators had assembled outside the San Pedro Police Station, channeling widespread grief and frustration over the fatal killings of local businessman David Harmouch and on-site security guard Daniel Jones. As tensions rose over what many community members see as slow progress in the investigation, protesters deployed a fleet of golf carts — a common mode of transport on the island — to block access points around the police station perimeter, grinding vehicle traffic in the surrounding area to a complete standstill.

    Beyond calls for a swift and transparent investigation, News Five has confirmed that Harmouch’s immediate family is pushing authorities to release his remains, so that he can be transported to his native Lebanon for a traditional burial according to his family’s wishes. This remains an active and developing story, and updates will be provided as new details from the investigation emerge.

    As the community enters a period of mourning, public figures and colleagues across Belize’s political and business spheres are remembering Harmouch not just as a successful entrepreneur, but as a committed community member and political ally. Harmouch was an active participant in local public life, previously serving as a delegate on the United Democratic Party (UDP) Belize Rural South Executive Committee, and supported the party through both on-the-ground organizing and resource contributions for many years.

    In an exclusive interview with News Five, UDP caretaker and Senator Gabriel Zetina opened up about his decades-long personal relationship with Harmouch and the shock of the attack. “A thing many people do not know is that through David I got my first golf cart and this was many, many years ago. So, but within the island, David has always been there. But even more so with the party, through time, resources. He was a former executive member and he would always show up for the party when it mattered the most,” Zetina recalled.

    Zetina shared that he is still reeling from the unexpected tragedy, and traveled to San Pedro immediately to pay his respects to Harmouch’s family. He noted that the killing is particularly devastating because Harmouch had only recently rebuilt his supermarket following an earlier arson attack that destroyed the original store. “He did a lot of sacrifices, because the first time they burnt it down. This time he did a lot of sacrifices to get it reopened. It is unfortunate that as he reopens it, this happens to him,” Zetina said. “I can only now think about his kids and his wife and family, how they might be feeling. For us it is a big loss. David was always there for us.”

    Andre Perez, the elected Area Representative for Belize Rural South, also released a public statement of condolence via his official Facebook page. In the post, Perez extended his sympathy to the families of both victims, and wrote that he has full confidence in local law enforcement to carry out a full, thorough investigation and hold all perpetrators accountable for the attack.

    This report is a transcript of an evening television newscast, with Kriol-language remarks transcribed using a standardized spelling system for accuracy.

  • They Tried To Save Him; Now They Mourn Him

    They Tried To Save Him; Now They Mourn Him

    In the tight-knit coastal community of Dangriga, the Makin family is trapped in overwhelming grief, just days after a targeted, cold-blooded ambush claimed the life of 16-year-old Isaiah Norales, a teenager they spent years fighting to protect from the dangers of street life and harmful influences.

    The fatal attack unfolded just after 5 a.m. on Sunday, as Norales rode his bicycle along Penn Road in the Benguche neighborhood. Local law enforcement confirmed that two men on a motorbike pulled alongside the teen after he passed a speed bump, and one gunman opened fire multiple times at close range. First responders rushed the wounded teenager to a nearby medical facility for urgent treatment, but he ultimately succumbed to his severe gunshot injuries.

    Speaking on behalf of the National Crime Investigation Branch, Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero confirmed that investigators have already taken two persons into custody in connection with the murder, as of the latest update. “On Sunday around 5:30 a.m., police responded to reports of a shooting in the area,” Romero stated. “Upon arrival, we found the 16-year-old victim with multiple gunshot wounds, and he passed away shortly after arriving for care.”

    Norales’ life was marked by hardship from his earliest days: his mother passed away when he was only one year old, and his father has been incarcerated for his entire life. Stepping up to raise the boy as her own child was his aunt, Sharilee Makin, who surrounded him with the love and structure every young person needs to thrive. His cousin, Sharwell Makin, grew to be more than a family member — she was his closest confidante and constant companion, who never suspected violence would cut her loved one’s life short.

    “ I was out at Y-Not not long before the shooting, and I saw him there,” Sharwell Makin shared in an emotional interview. “We hugged, we talked, and he never said anything about anyone threatening him. By the time I got home, my little sister called and told me he’d been shot and was in the hospital. I was just about to go to sleep, but I jumped up right away and rushed to the hospital with my mom. I still couldn’t believe it — I’d just seen him, and he had no idea what was coming.”

    The teenager’s family made repeated, deliberate efforts to pull him away from the dangerous peer group he had begun associating with in Dangriga. First, they sent him to live in Georgetown in the hope that a change of scenery would steer him toward a safer path. When that effort failed to keep him off the streets, Makin reached out directly to Belizean police, requesting intervention and placement in a support program to get him out of harmful environments. Tragically, those repeated requests for help went unanswered, and the family’s worst fears came to pass.

    Despite the profound trauma of growing up without his biological parents, those who loved Norales remember him as a warm, open-hearted young man who was still searching for purpose and a place to belong. “Everyone has their own version of who Isaiah was, but to me, he was just a very loving kid,” Sharwell Makin said. “He told me everything, he trusted me completely. I never heard him say he thought his life was in danger, not once.”

    Now, as law enforcement continues to build their case against the two suspects in custody, the Makin family is left to plan a funeral for a life cut far too short, and to cling to one simple demand: accountability. “We know who is responsible, because Isaiah was able to share that information before he died, and police have that now,” Sharwell Makin explained. “We don’t want anything else. We just want justice. That’s all we ask for.”

    Reporting from Dangriga for News Five, Shane Williams. This report is a transcript of an original television broadcast, with Kriol language quotes transcribed using a standardized spelling system.

  • Haiti’s Agriculture Ministry strengthens hydro-agricultural infrastructure in the Central Department

    Haiti’s Agriculture Ministry strengthens hydro-agricultural infrastructure in the Central Department

    Against a backdrop of worsening climate volatility and widespread environmental degradation that has threatened Haiti’s food security for years, the country’s Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development (MARNDR) is advancing a targeted infrastructure upgrade initiative across the Central Department. Delivered through the Resilient Agriculture for Food Security Project (PARSA), the program combines hands-on community participation with targeted technical support to strengthen local irrigation associations and watershed management governing bodies, putting decision-making power in the hands of the producers who rely on these systems most.

    The upgrade work is concentrated across three high-priority agricultural zones: the Gros Trou irrigated perimeter in Cerca-Carvajal, the Abricot growing area in Cerca-la-Source, and the Cave basin in Maïssade. Each site is receiving tailored interventions to address unique water access and management challenges, all aligned with the core project goals: improving irrigation water control and stewardship, boosting agricultural output through crop diversification and higher yields, and increasing the overall productivity of Haiti’s key irrigated farmland.

    For smallholder producers in Cerca-Carvajal, the infrastructure upgrades have already delivered transformative, life-changing results. Pierre-Louis Décimus, president of the Farmers’ Association of the Labocque Community (APCL), explained that prior to the project, water access was an almost insurmountable barrier to production. The region’s original natural catchment area could not hold water due to the local terrain, with most runoff draining straight into nearby ravines before it could reach farm plots. Before the upgrades, only around 60 local producers were able to grow vegetables at any time. Today, after MARNDR and PARSA reinforced the catchment area, between 500 and 600 producers now have reliable access to irrigation water. A transparent rotation system, organized alphabetically, guarantees every producer gets a full day of water access to tend their crops each cycle.

    The Gros Trou rehabilitation project includes a sweeping set of infrastructure improvements designed to cut water waste and expand irrigated farmland. Core works include replacing corroded and leaking primary and secondary irrigation pipes, constructing five new distribution basins, installing four master control valves and eight local distribution valves, rebuilding crossing structures over the Discipline and Sylvain ravines, and extending the pipe network to reach previously unirrigated plots. The expansion adds 390 linear meters of 6-inch main pipe, 280 meters of 4-inch main pipe, 234 meters of 6-inch secondary pipe, and 450 meters of 4-inch secondary pipe to the network. Complementary upgrades to local farm roads are also underway to improve access to production zones, including the installation of crossing slabs over the Carrefour Laboc drainage canal, clearing overgrowth from existing drainage ditches, adding compacted fill to eroded road sections, constructing new roadside drainage features and river swales measuring 7.4 meters long by 4 meters wide, and widening all paths to a minimum usable width of 3.5 meters.

    In Cerca-la-Source’s Abricot irrigated perimeter, rehabilitation work focuses on cutting seepage loss that has long wasted the region’s limited water supply. Teams are extending existing masonry canal sections, which have far lower infiltration rates than earthen canals, to improve overall system efficiency. The project also adds new storage reservoirs and control valves to give farmers more precise control over water distribution. Specific works here include 900 meters of new primary canal, 650 meters of primary secondary canal, 450 meters of secondary canal, nine new distribution reservoirs, and 21 new valves and sluice gates for water regulation and distribution. Complementary agricultural track upgrades will improve access to growing areas and manage rain and irrigation runoff, including clearing overgrowth, leveling road surfaces, widening tracks to a minimum of 4.5 meters, clearing drainage easement areas, constructing new drainage ditches, installing a culvert for canal crossing, repairing eroded track sections with compacted fill, and adding three dedicated runoff evacuation ditches at key points along the track network.