Carib Scope

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  • Guatemalan FM: ‘We Will Comply with ICJ Ruling

    Guatemalan FM: ‘We Will Comply with ICJ Ruling

    In a definitive statement on international compliance, Guatemalan Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez Alvarado has unequivocally committed to honoring the International Court of Justice’s forthcoming ruling regarding ongoing territorial disputes. The declaration came during high-level diplomatic engagements with the Organization of American States (OAS) on January 22, 2026.

    Minister Martinez Alvarado characterized Guatemala’s relationship with the OAS as fundamentally collaborative, emphasizing the nation’s steadfast dedication to international legal frameworks. When directly questioned about Guatemala’s position on the ICJ’s eventual decision, the Foreign Minister responded with an unambiguous affirmation: “With a firm ‘yes’, I respond to your question regarding our respect for the ICJ final ruling regardless of the outcome.”

    The diplomatic discussions also addressed documented military incursions along the contentious Sarstoon River border area, which remains a persistent flashpoint in regional relations. Minister Martinez Alvarado acknowledged that while some confrontational incidents have proven “unfortunately inevitable,” both neighboring nations have implemented concrete measures to de-escalate tensions throughout the disputed territory.

    “The primary objective remains reducing tension across the entire zone, including the Sarstoon River,” Martinez Alvarado stated, underscoring Guatemala’s commitment to diplomatic solutions despite periodic clashes. Both governments continue to signal their intention to maintain dialogue and adhere to established international protocols through the OAS framework, with the newly appointed OAS Secretary-General representative Francis Fonseca participating in the critical talks.

  • Police seek public’s help identifying person of interest

    Police seek public’s help identifying person of interest

    Authorities in Barbados have initiated a public investigation appeal concerning an individual sought for questioning in relation to a significant criminal case. The Barbados Police Service has formally requested community assistance to both identify and locate this person of interest, who is connected to what officials have characterized as a serious criminal matter.

    Law enforcement agencies have provided multiple channels for information submission, encouraging citizens with relevant knowledge to come forward. The Criminal Investigation Department at the Hastings/Worthing Police Station can be reached at 430-7614 or 430-7219. For urgent police assistance, the emergency line 211 remains active, while anonymous tips can be directed to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIPS (8477).

    The appeal underscores the importance of community-police collaboration in resolving criminal investigations, with authorities emphasizing that any information, no matter how seemingly insignificant, could prove vital to their ongoing investigative efforts.

  • “Your Wings Were Ready”: A Mother’s Account of Love, Loss, and a Call for Change at the KHMH

    “Your Wings Were Ready”: A Mother’s Account of Love, Loss, and a Call for Change at the KHMH

    A Belizean mother’s devastating account of her newborn daughter’s tragic death has exposed critical systemic failures in neonatal healthcare, sparking urgent calls for medical reform. Joy’s brief life—born January 4, 2026—became a testament to extraordinary resilience and catastrophic resource shortages that ultimately proved fatal.

    Following Joy’s diagnosis with duodenal atresia—a intestinal blockage preventing milk digestion—she underwent successful surgery on January 6. However, the celebration was short-lived as cascading medical crises revealed the NICU’s alarming limitations. With no pediatric cardiologist available, an adult specialist performed an echocardiogram on January 12 that revealed both sepsis and two heart defects.

    The situation deteriorated critically when Joy’s platelet count plummeted to 27,000 on January 16 (normal range: 150,000-400,000), requiring immediate transfusion. Despite family purchasing emergency blood-giving sets, transfusions occurred without parental consent or notification. The crisis peaked when the blood bank closed during weekend critical hours, leaving no platelet access as Joy’s count dropped to 19,000 amid uncontrolled seizures.

    Though community donors responded overwhelmingly to public appeals for blood donations, the assistance arrived too late. Joy passed away on January 19 after suffering irreversible damage from unmet medical needs.

    Her mother’s testimony highlights multiple systemic failures: chronic specialist shortages, communication breakdowns, restricted visitation policies, and most critically—inadequate blood bank accessibility for emergency neonatal care. The account challenges healthcare authorities to implement 24/7 blood bank operations, guaranteed platelet supplies, and transparent communication protocols.

    The family expresses profound gratitude to medical staff who fought alongside them, community donors, and global supporters who surrounded Joy with love during her 15-day life. This tragedy now fuels a movement demanding that no other family endure preventable loss due to resource shortages.

  • UDP Hosts CDU Training to Strengthen Party Leadership

    UDP Hosts CDU Training to Strengthen Party Leadership

    The United Democratic Party (UDP) has successfully concluded a comprehensive training program in collaboration with the Caribbean Democrat Union (CDU), marking a significant step in its organizational strengthening efforts. The weekend initiative brought together party standard bearers, caretakers, Central Executive Committee members, and youth representatives for intensive capacity-building sessions.

    This training constitutes a strategic component of the UDP’s broader initiative to enhance its internal structure and fortify its position within Belize’s democratic landscape. Party leadership emphasized that the program directly supports ongoing efforts to revitalize, reform, and strategically reposition the organization to more effectively address the needs of Belizean citizens.

    The UDP extended sincere appreciation to its international partners, including the Caribbean Democrat Union, Westminster Foundation for Democracy, and the Leadership Institute, acknowledging their sustained collaboration in promoting democratic principles and leadership excellence throughout the region.

    Senior party figures underscored that a well-prepared, robustly organized UDP is fundamental to maintaining the vitality and integrity of Belize’s democratic system. The training focused on practical skills development, strategic planning, and reinforcing democratic values among party members at all levels.

  • Legal Year 2026 Officially Opens

    Legal Year 2026 Officially Opens

    Belize’s judicial leadership convened this week for the ceremonial inauguration of Legal Year 2026, gathering prominent figures including Governor-General Dame Froyla Tzalam, Cabinet Secretary Ambassador Stuart Leslie, and Attorney General Anthony Sylvestre. The event brought together judiciary members, legal practitioners, and court administrative staff in a formal proceeding that sets the judicial calendar’s commencement.

    Chief Justice Louise Esther Blenman delivered the keynote address, providing a comprehensive review of the judiciary’s 2025 accomplishments while mapping strategic priorities for the coming year. The address revealed significant progress in case resolution, with the Criminal Bar concluding 224 cases throughout the previous year.

    The judiciary’s modernization efforts featured prominently in the Chief Justice’s remarks. She disclosed that nineteen Practice Directions had been implemented to enhance operational efficiency and simplify legal procedures. These administrative improvements form part of a broader transformation initiative within Belize’s justice system.

    Justice Blenman outlined forthcoming developments including specialized training programs for both judges and attorneys, designed to enhance professional capabilities throughout the legal sector. Simultaneously, new regulatory frameworks are under development to improve the non-contentious administration of estates, addressing procedural gaps in estate management.

    The Chief Justice further emphasized critical needs for institutional strengthening, highlighting necessary improvements in court resources and infrastructure. This institutional enhancement represents a cornerstone of the judiciary’s ongoing commitment to accessible and efficient justice delivery for all Belizean citizens.

  • PayPulse 2025 Highlights Regional Salary Gaps in the Caribbean

    PayPulse 2025 Highlights Regional Salary Gaps in the Caribbean

    A groundbreaking regional compensation study has exposed significant economic disparities throughout the Caribbean nations. The Caribbean Society for Human Resource Professionals (CSHRP) has published its fourth annual PayPulse survey, delivering the most comprehensive analysis to date of wage structures and cost-of-living challenges across the archipelago.

    The 2025 edition marks a substantial expansion in research scope, incorporating 206 survey responses from 119 organizations operating across 20 Caribbean territories. This represents a 48% response rate increase and more than doubles corporate participation compared to previous year’s data collection. The extensive research encompasses 137 distinct professional positions spanning 34 industrial sectors.

    This year’s report introduces an innovative Affordability Index metric that juxtaposes average monthly earnings against essential living expenditures—including housing, food, utilities, and transportation. An index score of 100% indicates earnings precisely meet basic subsistence requirements, while figures above or below this threshold denote varying degrees of financial comfort or strain.

    Geographical analysis reveals dramatic regional variations. Belize emerged with exceptional economic resilience at 233.99%, followed by Guyana (138.63%) and Grenada (136.56%). Moderate affordability characterized The Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, and Jamaica. Conversely, eight nations registered concerning scores below the sustainability threshold—Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Saint Lucia, and Aruba among them—where typical incomes fail to cover fundamental living costs.

    Compensation benchmarking demonstrated Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Belize offered the highest proportion of supra-market wages. Contrastingly, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Lucia, and Guyana predominantly compensated below regional standards.

    Sectoral assessment identified Construction, Architecture, and Property as having the highest prevalence of sub-market remuneration packages. Hospitality, Tourism, and Catering sectors outperformed others in compensation competitiveness. Premium earning opportunities concentrated in Human Resources, Banking and Financial Services, alongside Hospitality and Tourism divisions.

    Recruitment metrics indicated most vacancies fill within three to eight weeks, though C-suite and specialized technology roles frequently require nine weeks or longer. Entry-level positions typically staff within three weeks.

    Executive leadership roles continued to dominate the compensation landscape, with Chief Executive Officers commanding highest regional remuneration, followed by Chief Operating Officers and Chief Financial Officers.

    Benefits analysis revealed health insurance and retirement plans as standard offerings for professional tiers, while perks like company vehicles and transportation allowances remained predominantly restricted to senior management.

    CSHRP emphasizes PayPulse 2025 delivers vital business intelligence for stakeholders across the economic spectrum—from HR professionals and employees to governmental policymakers—enabling evidence-based decisions amid evolving Caribbean economic conditions. The complete report is available for acquisition at www.cshrpteam.com.

  • Kareem Francis earns Texas football scholarship

    Kareem Francis earns Texas football scholarship

    A promising young athlete from Saint Lucia has achieved a significant breakthrough in his sporting career, securing an international scholarship through a strategic football recruitment program. Kareem Francis, an accomplished midfielder from Monchy United, has been offered a comprehensive scholarship to attend Ranger College in Texas beginning fall 2026, where he will pursue engineering studies while advancing his football career.

    The opportunity emerged from Francis’s standout performance during the Gros Islet Football League Showcase Classic in December 2025, where his technical skills and athleticism captured the attention of international scouts. As both a student at Castries Comprehensive Secondary School and a trainee at the Carlyle Thomas Football Academy (CTFA), Francis has demonstrated exceptional dedication to both academic and athletic pursuits.

    His parents expressed profound pride in his achievement. Mother Maria James credited CTFA and Monchy United FC for creating the opportunity, noting that coaches had specifically identified Francis as a player with exceptional potential. “He is very excited, as this surprising opportunity came to hand,” she stated, emphasizing her emotional response as a parent witnessing her son’s success.

    Father Kervin Francis highlighted the years of discipline and sacrifice behind this achievement, noting that his son’s success demonstrates how young athletes from the Caribbean region can compete internationally with proper mindset and work ethic. Beyond football, Francis has distinguished himself as a multi-sport athlete, representing Saint Lucia in Under-15 cricket as a top-order batsman and off-spinner, and earning multiple track and field medals during his primary school years.

    Ranger College presents an ideal environment for international athletes, with their 2025 roster featuring 17 players from diverse backgrounds including Colombia, England, Iceland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Paraguay, Scotland, Spain, and Venezuela. Under Scottish head coach Ross Anderson, now entering his third year with the program, the Rangers completed the 2025 season with six wins and two draws in thirteen matches.

    The recruitment initiative behind Francis’s scholarship appears poised to benefit additional Saint Lucian athletes. Scouts Daniel Fragachan and Manuel Hernández of MAD Sports Group are reportedly planning further opportunities for Caribbean players, potentially including a Texas-based showcase event in March.

  • Woman in England Found Guilty of Enslaving Victim for 25 Years

    Woman in England Found Guilty of Enslaving Victim for 25 Years

    In a landmark case exposing prolonged human rights abuses, Mandy Wixon, a 56-year-old resident of Tewkesbury, England, has been convicted of enslaving a vulnerable woman with learning difficulties for a quarter century. The Gloucester Crown Court found Wixon guilty on multiple charges including false imprisonment, forced compulsory labor, and assault causing actual bodily harm.

    The victim, now in her forties, endured systematic physical abuse, deliberate starvation, and coerced labor within Wixon’s overcrowded residence. According to police testimony, her living conditions resembled a ‘prison cell,’ with evidence indicating extreme maltreatment including forced ingestion of washing-up liquid.

    The prolonged captivity ended in March 2021 when authorities, alerted by one of Wixon’s sons, discovered the victim in a severely malnourished and psychologically traumatized state. Medical examination confirmed prolonged physical and emotional abuse consistent with modern slavery practices.

    Detective Inspector Steve Bean of Gloucestershire Police described the case as ‘one of the most severe domestic servitude situations encountered in recent British criminal history,’ highlighting the calculated nature of the exploitation over decades.

    Wixon remains in custody pending sentencing scheduled for March 12, where she faces substantial imprisonment under modern slavery legislation and assault charges. Social services have placed the victim in specialized care for recovery and rehabilitation.

  • Man hospitalised, suspect in custody after St Peter stabbing

    Man hospitalised, suspect in custody after St Peter stabbing

    A violent altercation at a worksite in Gibbs, St. Peter, resulted in a stabbing on Thursday morning, leaving one man hospitalized and another in police custody. According to law enforcement officials, the incident unfolded at approximately 11:00 a.m. when a verbal disagreement between two individuals rapidly intensified into physical violence. The confrontation culminated in one man sustaining significant stab wounds. Emergency services were promptly dispatched to the scene, and the injured party was transported via ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for urgent medical treatment. His current condition remains undisclosed. Police have confirmed that a suspect is currently in custody and is actively cooperating with the ongoing investigation. Authorities have not released the identities of either individual involved as detectives continue to piece together the precise sequence of events that led to the escalation. The area was cordoned off for forensic examination as part of the standard investigative procedure.

  • Apparent Suicide Victim Identified As 24-year-old woman from St. Vincent and the Grenadines

    Apparent Suicide Victim Identified As 24-year-old woman from St. Vincent and the Grenadines

    Authorities in Jennings have identified the victim of a residential death as Makellia Reneisha Williams, a 24-year-old national of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The tragic incident occurred Tuesday when police responded to a distress call at a Pease Alley residence, where Williams was discovered unresponsive and subsequently pronounced deceased at the scene.

    Williams had been residing in the community with her boyfriend, Akeem Barkas, who shares her Vincentian nationality. Contrary to initial reports circulating within the community, Barkas has explicitly denied allegations of any domestic dispute occurring prior to the incident. In a statement to Antigua News, Barkas clarified that no argument took place between the couple and maintained that he never provided such information to law enforcement officials.

    Neighbors and local residents remember Williams as a quietly dignified yet approachable presence in their community. Descriptions consistently portray her as reserved yet consistently courteous, with multiple accounts confirming her habitual practice of exchanging greetings with both neighbors and local merchants during her daily routines. The sudden loss of this young woman has generated profound distress within the traditionally tight-knit neighborhood, where such tragedies remain uncommon.

    Law enforcement agencies have launched a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Williams’ untimely death. While authorities have refrained from speculating on potential causes pending autopsy results, the case remains active with detectives pursuing multiple lines of inquiry. The international dimension of the case, involving citizens from St. Vincent and the Grenadines residing in Antigua, adds complexity to the ongoing investigation.