Carib Scope

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  • Puerto Plata will receive 29 cruise ship calls during August, according to Apordom

    Puerto Plata will receive 29 cruise ship calls during August, according to Apordom

    The Dominican Port Authority (Apordom) has announced an unexpected boost for the country’s cruise tourism sector: the northern province of Puerto Plata will welcome 29 cruise vessel arrivals throughout August, a volume that solidifies the nation’s reputation as a top cruise destination across the Caribbean.

    Of the 29 scheduled stops, 15 will dock at the popular Amber Cove terminal, while the remaining 14 will berth at Taíno Bay. This distribution cements Puerto Plata’s position as the Dominican Republic’s busiest cruise hub for the month, drawing vessels from five of the world’s leading international cruise lines: Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Celebrity Cruises.

    Three days on the calendar stand out as particularly high-traffic: August 5, 18, and 19 will each see three cruise ships arrive in Puerto Plata simultaneously. This concentrated influx of passengers is projected to drive significant foot traffic across local businesses, lifting commercial and leisure activity along the Dominican Republic’s entire northern coast.

    Jean Luis Rodríguez, executive director of Apordom, emphasized that the robust August schedule signals growing long-term confidence among global cruise operators in Dominican port infrastructure. “Receiving 29 cruise ship calls in Puerto Plata during August demonstrates the confidence that the main cruise lines continue to place in the Dominican Republic,” Rodríguez stated. He added that Apordom remains committed to ongoing investments that keep the country’s ports safe, technologically updated, and operationally efficient to meet international industry standards.

    Among the vessels making repeated stops in Puerto Plata this month are Norwegian Cruise Line’s NCL Luna, which is scheduled for five visits; Princess Cruises’ Caribbean Princess, with four arrivals; and Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Mardi Gras and Carnival Vista, each set to dock three times.

    Notably, this strong booking volume comes during a period that is traditionally slow for Caribbean cruise travel. August falls within the region’s summer hurricane season, when cruise lines typically reduce itineraries to minimize weather-related disruptions. Against this industry backdrop, the 29 scheduled calls highlight the unique appeal and reliability of Puerto Plata as a cruise stop.

    Apordom officials stressed that the steady flow of cruise ship traffic delivers widespread economic benefits beyond the port itself. For Puerto Plata and surrounding regions, cruise tourism is a key driver of job creation, supporting local businesses from hospitality and retail to transportation and cultural attractions, while fueling broader economic activity across the Dominican tourism sector.

  • Immigration authorities have deported more than 226,000 this year

    Immigration authorities have deported more than 226,000 this year

    SANTO DOMINGO – In a landmark field gathering convened Wednesday by the country’s Migration Policy Observatory (OPM), top Dominican migration officials delivered a stark update on what is being called the nation’s most severe migration crisis since gaining independence. The briefing, led by Director General of Migration Vice Admiral Luis Rafael Lee Ballester (ARD), detailed sweeping enforcement actions against irregular migration and the dismantling of cross-border human smuggling rings tied to Haiti’s ongoing security collapse.

    According to Lee Ballester, Dominican authorities have already deported more than 226,500 foreigners residing in the country without valid migration status. When speaking to the OPM delegation, the migration chief framed the current crisis as an unprecedented challenge, noting that growing gang control across neighboring Haiti has driven massive population displacement and spurred a surge in irregular border crossings. The crisis began intensifying in 2018, he explained, saw a brief period of stabilization, then erupted sharply after the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse. Over the past five years, expanding gang rule in Haiti has pushed hundreds of thousands of Haitians to flee their homes, with large numbers attempting to cross into Dominican territory illegally.

    To counter the ongoing flow, Dominican migration authorities have ramped up operational presence across the country. Permanent enforcement offices have been established in all five border provinces, with trained agents deployed across all 32 of the nation’s provinces. Key hotspots for interdiction work include the border towns of Dajabón, Elías Piña, Monte Cristi, Jimaní, and Pedernales, as well as major population centers in the eastern region, Greater Santo Domingo, and the Cibao valley. “We are active throughout the entire national territory,” Lee Ballester emphasized. Apprehended irregular migrants are transferred to dedicated processing centers currently operating in Higuey, Haina, Santiago, and Elías Piña. The director confirmed that a new processing facility in Jimaní is nearing completion, while planning and funding are already in motion for a fifth center in Pedernales.

    A core focus of the agency’s recent work has been targeting transnational criminal networks that profit from human trafficking. Through coordinated migration intelligence and counterintelligence operations, officials have uncovered binational smuggling rings with coordinated branches in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic, which operate well-established routes for moving irregular migrants on foot and by vehicle into Dominican territory. Smugglers have mapped routes that lead from the border inland to major cities like Santiago, Lee Ballester revealed. To date, authorities have identified the full structure, trafficking patterns, and origin points of these networks, arresting around 15 suspected ringleaders and guides who are now active in criminal investigations.

    The meeting marked OPM’s first official on-site gathering with migration authorities, and was chaired by OPM president and Listín Diario director Miguel Franjul. Attendees included full representation from OPM’s Executive Commission and Technical Committee, alongside Lee Ballester’s senior leadership team, which comprises Brigadier General Pilot Juan Carlos Vicente Pérez, head of Migration Intelligence; Colonel Jael Rodríguez Rojas, Administrative and Financial Director; Laura Maríñez Espinal, Director of Immigration; and Colonel Manuel Carrasco, Director of Migration Control. During the gathering, Vicente Pérez demonstrated the new technological tools the agency has adopted for enforcement work, with observers noting a push to modernize operational capacity.

    Lee Ballester added that beyond interdiction and deportation, the agency has implemented sweeping reforms to root out misconduct among immigration personnel. It has strengthened the legal framework for addressing bad practices by agents, establishing a collaborative partnership with the Public Prosecutor’s Office to investigate violations of the agency’s code of ethics and national migration law. Working alongside Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso and Director of Prosecution Wilson Camacho, the agency has already secured coercive legal measures against offending agents, with disciplinary action taken immediately whenever rule violations are confirmed.

    The agency is also rapidly expanding its trained workforce to keep up with the crisis. Currently, 164 new migration interdiction agents are completing training in the northern region, with their graduation scheduled for the coming Sunday. Recruitment is underway for an additional 300 new agents in Santo Domingo, who will join the 1,195 trained agents already deployed across the country. The government has backed this expansion with a 2 billion peso budget increase, bringing the Directorate of Migration’s total annual budget to 5 billion pesos – 58% of which is allocated to migration control operations, including border interdiction and screenings at airports and seaports.

    New funding is also supporting major upgrades to equipment and infrastructure. The agency is currently in the bidding process to acquire 60 new trucks and 60 new vans, which will include built-in restroom facilities to improve the dignity of the deportation process. Agents have also been equipped with electric guns to strengthen use-of-force protocols, while technology modernization is well underway: facial recognition systems for identity verification are in the final testing phase, and the agency is already leveraging an artificial intelligence platform provided by Google to streamline operations.

    In additional data shared at the meeting, Lee Ballester noted that 2025 alone saw 380,000 deportations of irregular migrants, alongside a significant number of voluntary returns, where Haitian migrants collected their belongings and returned to their home country without forced deportation. While full cost-per-deportation data is still being compiled, the director confirmed the agency’s continued commitment to balancing enforcement with accountability, noting that the work of migration management extends far beyond deportations alone.

  • Protest SDE residents complain of blackouts and high bills: “We have to fan ourselves with our hands”

    Protest SDE residents complain of blackouts and high bills: “We have to fan ourselves with our hands”

    On a tense Thursday night in Santo Domingo Este, dozens of families from the Cayenas and Amalia neighborhoods took to a major city intersection to stage an impassioned demonstration against ongoing, extensive power outages they blame on the Eastern Electricity Distribution Company (Edeeste). Gathered at the crossing of Coronel Rafael Tomás Fernández Domínguez Avenue and Freddy Beras Goico Street, protesters made their frustration heard through the rhythmic clanging of pots and pans and loud, unified chants, turning a routine public intersection into a stage for widespread public discontent.

    Many residents expressed that the cumulative strain of weeks of unreliable power service has finally pushed their communities past the breaking point. “We’re fed up, we can’t stand this anymore. We pay a lot for electricity here and we have no peace and quiet at any time,” one local protester stated publicly as the clamor of banging cookware echoed across the intersection. For residents enduring sweltering summer heat, the outages have created an unlivable daily situation: multiple protesters confirmed that many households have gone multiple days without enough power to run even basic cooling appliances.

    “We don’t sleep; we haven’t slept for three days. We have to fan ourselves with our hands,” one female protester explained. She added one of the most contentious details fueling public anger: even with days of no power service, residential electricity bills still arrive with exorbitant, sky-high charges that families are forced to pay regardless of the lack of service.

    Multiple community members described the ongoing crisis as a recurring nightmare that has upended daily life for working-class families in the area, and called on national Dominican authorities to step in and address the long-running problem. “Government, we are yours. Please, help us. We’re not sleeping. Electricity is incredibly expensive, up to 30,000 pesos, and when you go to Protecom (the Consumer Protection Office for electricity), you lose; you always have to pay,” a frustrated housewife told local journalist Harrison de Mora in a video recorded at the protest.

    Another resident, holding his young child in his arms as he spoke, echoed the widespread despair among local households: “We are tired. The worst nightmare of all time has arrived. What a national tragedy. The pain has returned.”

    As the demonstration progressed, protesters set fire to old tires in the street to draw more attention to their cause, prompting an immediate response from local law enforcement, with multiple National Police patrols deployed to the site to monitor the unrest. As of this report, Edeeste has not released any official statement responding to the complaints and grievances raised by the protesting residents.

  • Epidemiological Bulletin Dengue, malaria and leptospirosis: Public Health reports figures and evolution of monitored diseases

    Epidemiological Bulletin Dengue, malaria and leptospirosis: Public Health reports figures and evolution of monitored diseases

    The nation’s Ministry of Public Health has issued a formal update confirming that its national epidemiological monitoring and control system for endemic diseases and priority health conditions remains fully effective and well-managed. Data from the 28th epidemiological week bulletin, the most recent official public health release, outlines steady progress across multiple key disease surveillance indicators.

    For dengue, a mosquito-borne viral infection transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, health authorities confirmed three new cases during the tracking week, bringing the 2026 year-to-date national total to 185 confirmed infections. This puts the cumulative national incidence rate at 3.11 cases per 100,000 residents. In line with longstanding public health guidance, the Ministry emphasized that eliminating standing water and mosquito breeding grounds in residential areas and surrounding communities remains the most impactful step residents can take to interrupt the mosquito’s reproduction cycle and prevent new infections.

    Turning to malaria, another vector-borne disease, officials reported zero new confirmed cases during the 28th epidemiological week. The year-to-date national total now stands at 112 confirmed cases, for an incidence rate of 1.89 per 100,000 people. This figure marks an 83% reduction in the malaria incidence rate compared to previous year levels, representing a major public health success.

    Data for leptospirosis, a bacterial infection spread through contact with water contaminated by animal urine, shows one new case recorded in week 28, down from six new cases in the same week last year. The national cumulative total for the year is 238 confirmed cases, with an incidence rate of 4.01 per 100,000 inhabitants. For cholera, a life-threatening waterborne bacterial disease, the nation continues to hold a perfect record of zero confirmed cases both in week 28 and for the entire year to date, keeping the national incidence rate at zero.

    Surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and influenza-like illness (ILI) also remains positive, with all circulating activity staying within the expected endemic corridor and running below projected incidence levels. During the 28th tracking week, the national sentinel surveillance network confirmed five new cases of respiratory virus: four cases of Influenza A (H3N2) and one case of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Among outpatient ILI cases, SARS-CoV-2 remained the most common detected pathogen, with four new confirmed cases. Health officials stressed that transmission activity remains stable and fully controlled, with no indicators triggering an epidemiological alert.

    In addition to infectious disease surveillance, the Ministry released updated data on maternal and infant mortality, which also shows encouraging downward trends. No new maternal deaths were confirmed during week 28, bringing the 2026 year-to-date total to 72 maternal deaths nationwide. This represents a 27% reduction compared to the 99 maternal deaths recorded in the same period in 2025. For infant mortality, 54 new deaths were reported in week 28, pushing the cumulative total for the year to 949. This marks a 10% drop from the 1,056 infant deaths recorded by the same date in 2025.

    Ahead of July 27, recognized globally as World Head and Neck Cancer Day, the Ministry also issued a public appeal urging all citizens to prioritize preventive care for head and neck cancers, a group of serious and potentially deadly malignancies. Health officials called on the public to adopt consistent healthy lifestyles and avoid modifiable risk factors that drastically increase the likelihood of developing these cancers, while also stressing the life-saving importance of early detection. The Ministry clarified that the combined use of tobacco and alcohol is the leading preventable cause of most mouth and larynx carcinomas, while infection with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 accounts for the largest share of oropharyngeal cancer cases.

    The agency outlined key suspicious symptoms that warrant immediate medical evaluation, including non-healing mouth sores, persistent voice changes or hoarseness, unexplained difficulty swallowing, idiopathic ear pain, and persistent neck lumps. To reduce risk and support early diagnosis, the Ministry recommends maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and attending routine preventive medical check-ups, all of which support long-term health and improve outcomes for potential malignancies.

  • Heat index in Santo Domingo reaches record highs of up to 48 degrees, triggering a surge in electricity consumption

    Heat index in Santo Domingo reaches record highs of up to 48 degrees, triggering a surge in electricity consumption

    A record-shattering July heatwave has pushed the Dominican Republic into a dual climate and energy crisis, bringing historic heat index levels and widespread power disruptions that have strained critical national infrastructure.

    Data released by the Dominican Institute of Meteorology (INDOMET) confirms that extreme high temperatures have blanketed the entire country this month. In the densely populated Greater Santo Domingo area, the average air temperature hit 36.1 degrees Celsius. When factoring in humidity, the real-feel heat index soared to between 43 and 48 degrees Celsius — a level that poses significant health risks for vulnerable populations. Even more extreme conditions were recorded in the northern province of Santiago Rodríguez, where actual air temperatures peaked at 39.8 degrees Celsius, pushing the heat index to a dangerous 50 degrees Celsius.

    The relentless heat has driven a massive spike in cooling demand across residential and commercial spaces. As households and businesses cranked up air conditioners and fans to combat the swelter, peak-hour electricity demand surged past the 4,400 kilowatt mark. This figure is nearly 47 percent higher than the typical peak consumption of 3,000 kilowatt, overwhelming the national grid’s capacity. The overloaded electrical circuits have led to rolling blackouts across many communities, worsening disruptions for residents already struggling with the extreme heat.

    Compounding the crisis is an extra layer of atmospheric strain: a plume of Saharan dust drifting across the Atlantic to the Caribbean. This dry, dusty air mass has amplified already high temperatures across most of the Dominican Republic’s territory, while also suppressing the formation of rain clouds that could bring temporary relief from the heat.

    National officials have issued an ongoing warning that the Dominican Republic will remain under the influence of this combined heat and dust phenomenon for the immediate future. The sustained hot conditions will continue to place unmanageable pressure on the country’s already overstretched electrical system, leaving authorities working to mitigate further disruptions as the crisis continues.

  • Miss Earth Belize has a New National Director

    Miss Earth Belize has a New National Director

    In a development that marks a key turning point for Belize’s leading environmental advocacy pageant platform, the Miss Earth Belize Foundation Ltd. announced the appointment of Halima Hoy as its new National Director on July 31, 2026.

    The appointment is framed as the start of an exciting new chapter for the organization, which ties pageantry to global and local climate action, ecological conservation and community-led environmental work. Hoy brings a unique, well-rounded portfolio of experience that aligns perfectly with the foundation’s core mission, blending deep expertise in pageantry, public health advocacy, grassroots community organizing and youth capacity building.

    Previously, Hoy earned national recognition when she claimed the title of Miss Universe Belize in 2024, and that same year, she was appointed UNICEF Champion for Children, a role that let her build extensive experience leading public outreach and driving social impact across Belize. Her background has given her both national visibility and hands-on experience coordinating public engagement campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences, from young people to community stakeholders.

    In an official statement announcing the appointment, the Miss Earth Belize Foundation emphasized that Hoy’s track record on both national and international pageant stages, combined with her specialized knowledge of pageant training and competitor development, and her proven commitment to purpose-driven advocacy, puts her in a strong position to lead the platform into its next phase of growth and impact.

    In her new role as National Director, Hoy will take on core responsibilities including mentoring emerging Belizean women leaders who are passionate about environmental action, and overseeing the preparation of Belize’s official representative for the annual global Miss Earth competition, one of the world’s most prominent pageantry platforms focused exclusively on climate and conservation advocacy.

  • Global Reflection Index ranks St. Kitts and Nevis as best relocation destination in Caribbean – WIC News

    Global Reflection Index ranks St. Kitts and Nevis as best relocation destination in Caribbean – WIC News

    Each year, the independent Rumavi Global Relocation Index assesses 192 countries and territories across the globe to rank the most attractive destinations for people looking to relocate, whether for retirement, work, family life, or entrepreneurial ventures. For 2026, the small Caribbean federation of St. Kitts and Nevis has earned a standout placement: eighth overall worldwide, and the number-one ranking for the entire Caribbean region.

    The index structures its assessments around 24 weighted metrics, sorted into four core categories that matter most to people planning a cross-border move: financial and tax conditions, liveability and access to health care, public safety and political stability, and ease of settling in alongside economic opportunity. Across all metrics, St. Kitts and Nevis posted a total overall score of 70.3, finishing just ahead of ninth-place Czechia and tenth-place Malta, to secure its spot in the global top 10. Estonia claimed the top position in the 2026 general ranking, followed by Singapore, Malaysia, Portugal, and Taiwan to round out the top five.

    St. Kitts and Nevis’s strongest performance came in tax-related metrics, where it earned a 92 out of 100 score for both personal income tax and rules governing foreign-sourced income. This pushed the federation to fourth place globally for overall tax-friendliness, and sixth place worldwide for relocation destinations ideal for retirees. It also posted a near-perfect 96 score for climate risk, another of its highest-performing categories, and solid placements for family relocation, coming in 15th globally, and 20th for digital nomads.

    Despite these strong overall results, the index also highlighted areas where St. Kitts and Nevis has room for improvement. The nation’s startup ecosystem scored just 32 out of 100, while metrics measuring business opportunity and access to K-12 and higher education each earned a 52. For entrepreneurs specifically, the federation ranked 49th globally, reflecting these identified gaps.

    H.E Calvin St Juste, CSM, Executive Chairman of the Board of Governors for St. Kitts and Nevis’s Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), announced the federation’s achievement via LinkedIn, emphasizing the meaning of the recognition. “I am pleased to share that St. Kitts and Nevis has been ranked 8th globally and 1st in the Caribbean in the Rumavi Global Relocation Index 2026. Among 192 countries assessed, the Federation stood out for its strong performance across financial and tax benefits, livability and health, safety and stability,” he wrote.
    St Juste added, “This recognition reflects the attractiveness of our nation as a destination for retirees, investors, and families seeking opportunity and quality of life.”

    As an independent annual ranking, Rumavi states it accepts no commissions and holds no financial stake in individuals’ relocation decisions, lending transparency and impartiality to its assessments. For a small island nation like St. Kitts and Nevis, breaking into the global top 10 marks a major milestone in growing international recognition, cementing its reputation as one of the most desirable places in the world to relocate for a better quality of life.

  • Star of the Seas brings more than 7,400 passengers to St. Kitts – WIC News

    Star of the Seas brings more than 7,400 passengers to St. Kitts – WIC News

    On Thursday, July 31 2026, one of the world’s largest cruise vessels, Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class Star of the Seas, docked at Basseterre’s Port Zante, marking its third summer 2026 stop on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. After departing St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands, the 250,000 gross-ton ship brought 7,421 passengers to the destination, nearly filling its total 7,600-passenger capacity.

    Within hours of docking, thousands of cruise travelers flooded the streets of St. Kitts’ capital Basseterre, spreading out across the island to experience all the nation has to offer. In the capital, visitors browsed independent local retail outlets, picking up handcrafted local goods, one-of-a-kind souvenirs, fine jewelry, and premium perfumes. Many also took time to explore Basseterre’s most iconic historic sites, including Independence Square, the Circus and its famous Berkeley Memorial, and the centuries-old St. George’s Anglican Church.

    The St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service shared an update on the ship’s visit via its official Facebook page, alongside a collection of on-the-ground photos. The post noted: “Many passengers explored the streets of Basseterre, browsing local shops and experiencing the city’s unique charm, while others embarked on guided island tours, discovering the rich history, culture, and natural beauty that make Saint Kitts a premier Caribbean destination.”

    Beyond the capital, passengers spread across the island to pursue a wide range of activities. Many joined guided full-island excursions that included stops at UNESCO World Heritage Site Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, the historic botanical grounds of Romney Manor, and the volcanic coastal formation Black Rocks, with a scenic trip along the St. Kitts Scenic Railway rounding out the itinerary. Other visitors opted for more relaxed plans, spending the day sunning and swimming on the popular beaches of Frigate Bay and the South East Peninsula. Adventure seekers hiked the slopes of dormant volcano Mount Liamuiga, while other travelers enjoyed snorkeling excursions, day-sailing trips to neighboring Nevis, rounds of golf, casino gaming, and meals at local restaurants and bars.

    For St. Kitts’ tourism-dependent economy, the massive influx of visitors delivered an immediate, significant boost to local businesses across the sector. Taxi drivers, independent tour guides, street vendors, restaurant operators, and other tourism-focused stakeholders all reported increased sales and demand for their services throughout the day of the ship’s call.

    The Star of the Seas has already made two previous stops at Port Zante this summer, on June 18 and July 9, with one more planned visit to the island scheduled for August 20 before the end of the 2026 cruise season. For a small island nation like St. Kitts and Nevis, where tourism accounts for a large share of national GDP and employment, repeated calls from large capacity cruise ships represent a major opportunity to drive seasonal economic growth and showcase the destination’s appeal to international travelers.

  • OP-ED: The business of slavery From Africa to the New World, Part 4 -The counter-ledger

    OP-ED: The business of slavery From Africa to the New World, Part 4 -The counter-ledger

    This is the final installment of a four-part series examining the transatlantic slave trade through the archival records of the system itself. In the first three parts, enslaved African ancestors were reduced to mere ledger entries, cargo, property, and compensation claims on the pages of slave trading logs, auction circulars, and 37 volumes of plantation management records. This concluding chapter begins with a different kind of document: a land deed that changed the story of freedom when it changed hands on August 1.

  • MP Chet Greene Hosts Annual Appreciation Day for St. Paul’s Seniors

    MP Chet Greene Hosts Annual Appreciation Day for St. Paul’s Seniors

    Antigua and Barbuda’s St. Paul’s constituency wrapped up its highly anticipated annual Senior Citizen Appreciation Day to resounding success, with local MP E.P. Chet Greene publicly extending his sincere gratitude to every individual and organization that turned the celebration into an unforgettable experience for the island’s older residents.

    Dozens of senior residents from across the constituency took part in the full-day outing, which blended sightseeing, live entertainment, and casual fellowship across multiple scenic and key development sites across the twin-island nation. The curated excursion took guests to a lineup of stops starting with Dennis Bar and Tamarind Hill Hotel in Fryes, followed by a visit to the Ivan Rodrigues Reverse Osmosis Plant, a tour of the proposed Barnacle Point marina development plot, and ended with a gathering at Pleasure Cove on Runaway Beach, where local host Jason George-John welcomed the group.

    For many participants, the event offered a rare, hands-on chance to witness the ongoing infrastructure and economic development transforming their country, all while being honored for the decades of contributions they have made to building the local community. In his post-event statement, Greene emphasized the irreplaceable role that elders hold in Antigua and Barbuda’s social fabric, noting that “Our elders are not just the keepers of our history; they are the very soul of our community.” He added that seeing the group’s joy and excitement during the shared celebration was a reward beyond measure for all the organizers involved.

    Greene made a point to recognize every stakeholder that contributed to the outing’s success. This included all individual sponsors and donors, along with the caterers, transportation companies, and volunteer teams that handled logistics and on-the-day support. He also extended special thanks to the management and staff of every venue that opened their doors to the senior group, as well as George-John for his warm hospitality at the final stop of the tour.

    The event featured a full lineup of live local entertainment, bringing beloved calypsonians Spider-Man, Rover, Faithful, Dr. Paul, and Lyrical Reds to the stage for the seniors, with popular soca performer Claudette Peters joining as a special surprise guest. According to Greene, the annual tradition has grown into a meaningful reflection of the tight-knit, intergenerational bond that connects the St. Paul’s community and its founding generation of residents, and he closed by reiterating his thanks to everyone who helped bring the 2024 celebration to life.