Carib Scope

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  • FEDA delivers 120,000 coffee seedlings to mountain communities in Azua and San Juan

    FEDA delivers 120,000 coffee seedlings to mountain communities in Azua and San Juan

    AZUA, Dominican Republic – In a significant push to revitalize highland agriculture, the Special Fund for Agricultural Development (FEDA) has distributed 120,000 coffee seedlings and essential farming equipment to producers across mountainous communities in Azua and San Juan de la Maguana provinces. The initiative, executed during the 8th Compostela Route program, represents a strategic investment in sustainable mountain development.

    Executive Director Hecmilio Galván emphasized the critical need to reclaim the nation’s mountain identity, revealing that approximately 70% of Dominican territory consists of highland areas despite most citizens residing in lowland regions. This geographical disparity underscores the importance of FEDA’s ‘Saving the Mountains’ Agroecological Production Promotion Program, designed to empower farmers through sustainable practices and economic reinforcement.

    The Technical Unit for the Execution of Agroforestry Development Projects of the Presidency (Utepda) contributed the coffee plants, enhancing inter-institutional collaboration for agricultural advancement. Beneficiary communities span the Central Mountain Range, including Padre Las Casas, Monte Bonito, Las Lagunas, Bohechío, Los Guayuyos, La Siembra, San José de la Cueva, Arroyo Cano, Los Fríos, and El Yaque.

    Galván reaffirmed FEDA’s unwavering commitment to preserving southern mountain communities, stating that environmental sustainability in these regions is intrinsically linked to national economic growth and public wellbeing. The program aims to create a sustainable agricultural model that balances ecological conservation with productive farming, ultimately strengthening rural economies and ensuring food security.

  • Marathon for Peace : The Haitian National Police facilitates the return of citizens to the Champ de Mars

    Marathon for Peace : The Haitian National Police facilitates the return of citizens to the Champ de Mars

    In a landmark initiative to restore public confidence and reclaim urban spaces, the Haitian National Police (PNH) successfully orchestrated a ‘Marathon for Peace’ on December 21, 2025. The event, executed through its Community Educational Police (EduPOL) program with operational support from Brazilian NGO Viva Rio, marked a significant step toward social reintegration in Port-au-Prince’s long-avoided Champ de Mars area.

    The marathon featured three distinct starting locations—Place Boyer, Airport intersection, and Delmas 83—all converging at the historic Champ de Mars plaza. Demonstrating exceptional inclusivity, the event welcomed participants across all demographics: children, youth of both genders, and individuals with reduced mobility, all united under the banner of peace and community solidarity.

    The closing ceremony at the Occide Jeanty bandstand saw high-level attendance from Transitional Councilor Edgard Leblanc Fils and Acting PNH Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Paraison, alongside senior civil and law enforcement officials. Winners across participation categories received formal recognition and prizes.

    A robust security apparatus deployed by the PNH ensured incident-free proceedings throughout the event, enabling citizens to safely return to Champ de Mars for the first time in years amid previous security concerns. This strategic operation underscores the police force’s renewed commitment to community policing principles and its active role in fostering a culture of peace within Haitian society.

  • GY$18 million worth of mercury smuggled from Suriname- CANU

    GY$18 million worth of mercury smuggled from Suriname- CANU

    In a significant enforcement operation, Guyanese authorities have intercepted a substantial mercury shipment valued at approximately GY$18 million (US$86,000) near the Surinamese border. The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) announced the seizure on Monday, December 22, 2025, following the previous day’s interception at Crabwood Creek in the Corentyne region of Berbice.

    According to CANU officials, the highly toxic substance was discovered concealed within a vehicle that had been stopped for inspection. “A comprehensive search of the intercepted vehicle revealed multiple parcels containing a strictly controlled and dangerous substance, subsequently identified as mercury,” the agency stated in its official release.

    The apprehension led to the immediate arrest of the suspected smuggler, who was transported to CANU Headquarters for interrogation. Law enforcement authorities have indicated the individual remains in custody while actively cooperating with ongoing investigative procedures.

    This interception occurs against the backdrop of Guyana’s intensified national campaign to virtually eliminate mercury usage in gold processing operations. The government initiative addresses grave environmental and public health concerns, as mercury contamination permeates ecosystems through atmospheric dispersion, water systems, marine life, and soil absorption, eventually entering the human food chain.

    Following forensic examination and valuation, the confiscated mercury was transferred to the Ministry of Natural Resources for specialized handling and environmentally secure disposal procedures. The cross-border smuggling attempt highlights persistent challenges in regulating hazardous materials within the region’s mining industry.

  • Merchants confirm chicken shortage and rising prices during holiday season

    Merchants confirm chicken shortage and rising prices during holiday season

    Santo Domingo – A significant poultry supply crisis has emerged in the Dominican Republic during the critical holiday season, contradicting official claims of market stability. Major commercial associations report severe chicken shortages nationwide, creating operational challenges for retailers and forcing consumers to face rationing measures and substantial price increases.

    Industry representatives appearing on the television program ‘Despierta con CDN’ provided detailed accounts of the situation. Jorge Jerez from the National Provisions Council, Lesseps Divani de León representing the Santo Domingo Provisions Wholesalers Association (Amaprosado), and José Veras of the Dominican Federation of Merchants (Fenacerd) unanimously confirmed that suppliers are delivering dramatically reduced quantities compared to merchant requests.

    The supply chain disruption affects businesses across scales, from major supermarket chains to small grocery stores, food stalls, and fried food vendors. Current market prices reflect the severity of the shortage, with supermarket chicken selling for approximately RD$79 per pound while wholesale markets reach RD$93 per pound. After accounting for additional distribution costs, consumers ultimately pay between RD$110 and RD$120 per pound.

    Evidence of the crisis includes the rapid sellout of nearly 80,000 pounds of chicken at a recent Inespre fair. Market analysts point to multiple potential causes including intermediary manipulation, production planning failures, discrepancies between official data and actual output, and residual effects of previous avian health outbreaks that impacted poultry production capacity.

    Compounding the problem, anticipatory buying driven by shortage fears has created speculative market behavior that further drives price inflation. The protein shortage coincides with rising costs for other essential food items, with plantains now selling for RD$30-RD$35 in markets and up to RD$45 in smaller shops, while cassava reaches RD$35-RD$40 per pound, indicating broad inflationary pressure on Dominican food baskets during the holiday period.

  • Culture : The Government announces concrete measures for artisans

    Culture : The Government announces concrete measures for artisans

    The Haitian government has announced a sweeping initiative to bolster the nation’s artisan community through strategic investments and institutional support. During the 19th Annual Handicrafts Festival, Social Affairs and Labor Minister Georges Wilbert Franck, alongside National Handicrafts Office (ONART) Director Angeline C. Jean-Louis, unveiled the ambitious Support for Strengthening the Production Capacity of Haitian Artisans (ARECPAH) project.

    The comprehensive plan includes establishing three new government-operated handicraft retail outlets across key regional centers: Les Cayes in the South, Jacmel in the Southeast, and Cap-Haïtien in the North. These physical locations will provide artisans with dedicated venues to showcase and market their traditional creations.

    Financial mechanisms form a critical component of the revitalization strategy. Minister Franck confirmed that ONART will administer a specialized credit line designed to help artisans scale their production capabilities. Additionally, the Ministry is preparing to implement direct subsidy programs for qualified artisans, scheduled to commence by January 2026.

    Recognizing the multidimensional challenges facing the sector, the government will establish an inter-ministerial commission incorporating expertise from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Commerce and Industry, and Tourism. This collaborative body will address fundamental issues including design standardization, international market access, production scalability, and improved packaging and shipping infrastructure.

    ONART Director Jean-Louis praised the ministerial efforts, noting that the ARECPAH project positions the agency as an active development partner rather than merely a regulatory body. During the festival, ONART representatives conducted on-site registration drives to enroll artisans in the new support system.

    The digital transformation of Haiti’s crafts sector is also underway, with development ongoing for an e-commerce platform that will enable global online sales of Haitian handicrafts. Director Jean-Louis encouraged artisans to utilize ONART’s physical and upcoming digital channels to maximize the commercial potential of their work.

  • Tip led to phone store owner arrest for illegal guns, ammo – CANU

    Tip led to phone store owner arrest for illegal guns, ammo – CANU

    In a significant law enforcement operation, authorities in Guyana have apprehended the proprietor of a mobile phone retail establishment on serious weapons charges. The arrest occurred Sunday evening on Sheriff Street in Georgetown following an intelligence-driven operation conducted by the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU).

    The suspect, identified as a resident of Bladen Hall on East Coast Demerara, was intercepted during a targeted operation initiated based on credible information received by anti-narcotics officials. The operation resulted in the discovery of multiple unlicensed firearms and ammunition in the individual’s possession.

    According to official CANU reports, the seized arsenal included one AK-47 assault rifle (serial number A1-72720-20 ROA) accompanied by a magazine containing nineteen 7.62×39mm live rounds. Additionally, agents confiscated one Glock 17 pistol (serial number LVH237) with a magazine containing seven 9mm live rounds, and one Taurus pistol (serial number AHD901601) with an empty magazine.

    Notably, authorities confirmed that the suspect maintained proper licensing for the Glock 17 pistol, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the other unregistered weapons. The case continues to develop as investigators examine potential connections between the mobile business operation and the illegal weapons cache.

  • Without education, there can be no revolution

    Without education, there can be no revolution

    Cuba has launched comprehensive nationwide celebrations honoring its educators, recognizing them as fundamental pillars in shaping the nation’s future. The ceremonies highlighted the extraordinary dedication of teachers who persevere through daily challenges and material limitations, driven not by reward but by profound vocational commitment to educating future generations.

    At the Higher Education awards ceremony, Rolando Pascual Fundora La Rosa, General Director of Services at Marta Abreu Central University of Las Villas, received the prestigious Hero of Labor of the Republic of Cuba title directly from President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez. This highest honor acknowledges Fundora’s exemplary revolutionary rigor, unwavering patriotism, and educational dedication that knows no rest.

    The celebrations extended across multiple educational sectors with numerous distinctions awarded. The Frank País Order (first and second degrees) recognized veterans with extensive careers significantly contributing to Cuba’s educational development. Additional honors included the José Tey medal and the For Cuban Education distinction.

    Professor Estrella María de la Paz Martínez, PhD in Sciences from UCLV, embodied the educators’ spirit with her humble acceptance speech, questioning whether any recognition could truly match their societal contributions. “We have done something for society and for our country,” she stated, referencing the training of youth and elevation of professional scientific standards.

    Education Minister Walter Baluja García emphasized the historical continuity from Cuba’s “illustrious teachers” who fostered love for a sovereign nation to contemporary educators who now drive ideas of a strong, independent country. He connected current efforts to upcoming milestones—the Fidel Castro centenary and Ministry of Higher Education’s 50th anniversary—interpreting Castro’s 1959 vision as foundational to Cuba’s current science and innovation-based governance.

    Parallel ceremonies honored health sector educators, with Deputy Health Minister Dr. Julio Guerra Izquierdo praising their role in building Cuba’s internationally recognized solidarity-based health system. The celebrations also recognized professionals with Professor Emeritus titles from Havana’s University of Medical Sciences.

    Throughout all events, officials consistently emphasized that education remains the fundamental pillar of Cuba’s revolutionary transformations, with schools serving as bastions of ideas and resistance in a challenging global context.

  • The setting where the Triumph of the Revolution was proclaimed is being revitalized

    The setting where the Triumph of the Revolution was proclaimed is being revitalized

    SANTIAGO DE CUBA – The city is undergoing extensive architectural revitalization as it prepares to commemorate the 67th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution. According to Omar López Rodríguez, Director of the City Conservator’s Office, the decorative enhancements to Céspedes Park and its surrounding structures represent one of the most significant initiatives currently underway. This historic location holds profound national importance as the site where the Revolution’s triumph was originally proclaimed to both Cuba and the international community.

    Multiple heritage sites are receiving comprehensive restoration, including the Cuban Historical Environment Museum (formerly Diego Velázquez’s residence), the Emilio Bacardí Museum’s universal art gallery, various bank branches, and the Metropolitan Cathedral. López Rodríguez confirmed that final touches are being applied to the iconic City Hall building, which is rapidly regaining its former architectural splendor. Additional restoration efforts extend to Plaza de Marte, Abel Santamaría Park (previously the Civil Hospital), the Moncada Barracks, and several areas within the historic center district.

    The scope of these construction projects extends beyond mere aesthetic improvements or functional upgrades. These coordinated renovations are strategically timed to conclude before the Flag Day celebrations scheduled for December 31st at midnight. The restored venues will subsequently host commemorative events marking the Revolution’s triumph, the establishment of the Revolutionary Government, and the historic departure of the Caravan of Liberty toward Havana.

  • China donates electronic equipment to Dominican Chamber of Deputies

    China donates electronic equipment to Dominican Chamber of Deputies

    In a significant diplomatic gesture, the People’s Republic of China has provided advanced electronic equipment to the Chamber of Deputies of the Dominican Republic, marking a substantial step toward enhancing legislative efficiency and institutional modernization. The formal handover ceremony, presided over by Chinese Ambassador Chen Luning and Chamber President Alfredo Pacheco, underscored the growing strategic partnership between the two nations.

    Ambassador Luning emphasized the remarkable dynamism characterizing Sino-Dominican relations, noting that bilateral ties have reached unprecedented levels of mutual trust and cooperative engagement. The Chinese diplomat reaffirmed his nation’s commitment to treating the Caribbean nation as a pivotal trade partner and strategic ally in international affairs. He further articulated technology’s critical role in driving national development agendas and optimizing institutional performance within governmental frameworks.

    President Pacheco expressed profound appreciation for the technological contribution, highlighting how these resources would directly enhance parliamentary operations and legislative management capabilities. The legislative leader pointed to parliamentary diplomacy as an instrumental mechanism for fortifying relationships between the two countries’ governing bodies. The ceremonial proceedings culminated in a symbolic exchange of gifts and the formalization of a donation agreement, cementing both nations’ dedication to ongoing collaborative initiatives focused on technological advancement and institutional strengthening.

  • Store Owner Fatally Shoots Robbery Suspect in Santa Elena

    Store Owner Fatally Shoots Robbery Suspect in Santa Elena

    A fatal confrontation at Anna’s Store in Santa Elena Town has triggered intense community discussion about the boundaries of self-defense and business security. The incident occurred on Saturday evening when two armed individuals, one wearing a mask and another a helmet, entered the establishment demanding cash from proprietors.

    According to police reports, the store owner—a licensed firearm holder—responding to imminent threat perceptions for both himself and family members present, discharged three rounds toward the assailants. The suspects immediately fled the scene. Twenty-one-year-old Zeldon Thompson, identified as one of the perpetrators and known to local law enforcement, was subsequently discovered with gunshot wounds in a nearby area. Despite emergency medical transport, Thompson succumbed to his injuries at hospital.

    Authorities have confirmed an active manhunt for the second suspect who escaped during the altercation, along with ongoing searches for the firearm utilized during the attempted robbery. The case file is being prepared for submission to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), which will determine whether the deployed force constituted justifiable self-defense under Belizean law.

    The tragedy has sparked complex community reactions. Mayor Earl Trapp convened emergency meetings with police commanders to address mounting security concerns among local business operators. While expressing condolences to Thompson’s family, Mayor Trapp simultaneously affirmed business owners’ fundamental right to protect themselves against potentially lethal criminal threats.

    Thompson’s family acknowledged the wrongful nature of his actions while mourning their loss, with his sister specifically requesting public compassion regarding parental responsibility questions. Meanwhile, municipal authorities and police have agreed to implement enhanced security measures including increased patrols and targeted monitoring of suspicious motorcycle riders—a known tactic used by criminals to conceal identities.