Carib Scope

作者： admin

  • Fred’s last dance

    Fred’s last dance

    Veteran Bahamian politician Fred Mitchell, chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and Member of Parliament for Fox Hill, has announced he likely will not seek reelection for the party’s chairmanship, signaling what may be the final chapter of his extensive political career. Mitchell revealed to The Tribune that he anticipates having “one campaign left” focused solely on securing reelection in his Fox Hill constituency.

    The declaration comes amid intensified pre-election preparations by both major political parties. The PLP faces internal deliberations about whether to conduct a full-scale convention ahead of the upcoming general election, while the opposition Free National Movement (FNM) is organizing a non-voting convention to solidify its campaign strategy.

    Mitchell, who faced a contested chairmanship race in 2023 with backing from Prime Minister Philip Davis, characterized that bid as potentially the “penultimate” campaign of his career. When questioned about definitive plans, Mitchell maintained characteristic political pragmatism: “The only reason I’m not saying it definitively is because you never say never in politics.”

    Within PLP ranks, deputy national election coordinator Valentine Grimes expressed reservations about holding a divisive internal convention immediately before a general election. “The internal fight is sometimes more vicious than the external fight,” Grimes noted, emphasizing concerns that such contests could prove counterproductive despite recognizing the value of unifying party members.

    Meanwhile, FNM leader Michael Pintard confirmed plans for a business-focused convention without internal elections. Chairman Duane Sands indicated this gathering would address constitutional adjustments and recognize party contributors while maintaining election readiness. Sands issued a challenge to the governing party: “Let him ring the bell. Let him fool around and find out,” referencing uncertainty about when Prime Minister Davis might call the election.

    Both parties acknowledge the competitive landscape ahead, with Grimes conceding victory wouldn’t be guaranteed despite confidence in the Davis administration’s performance. The political environment remains dynamic as Bahamian parties position themselves for an election whose timing remains uncertain.

  • Grace Foods ramps up support for farm relief and recovery post-Hurricane Melissa

    Grace Foods ramps up support for farm relief and recovery post-Hurricane Melissa

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Grace Foods has launched a strategic humanitarian initiative in collaboration with the BREDS Treasure Beach Foundation to support Jamaican farmers devastated by Hurricane Melissa in October 2025. The company integrated donation mechanisms into its airport pop-up experiences at Donald Sangster International Airport (January 3) and Norman Manley International Airport (January 9), allowing travelers to contribute directly to agricultural recovery programs while experiencing authentic Jamaican flavors.

    The activation formed part of Grace Foods’ ‘Bring Jamaica Home’ campaign, designed to connect travelers with Jamaican culture through culinary experiences. Led by Grace chefs, the pop-ups featured dishes prepared with Grace Jamaican Honey Jerk Seasoning and other products, creating both a cultural immersion and fundraising opportunity.

    Sabrina Watson, Global Category Manager of Seasonings, Sauces and Spices at Grace Foods, emphasized the initiative’s dual purpose: ‘Hurricane Melissa left parts of our island devastated, and months later, many farming communities are still rebuilding. Through Grace Jamaican Jerk, we wanted to celebrate Jamaican flavor while giving travelers a tangible way to support the farmers who make those flavors possible.’

    The generated funds will specifically target agricultural recovery in St Elizabeth and surrounding communities, providing critical resources including seeds, irrigation support, and other essential inputs for replanting and livelihood restoration. This focus acknowledges that authentic Jamaican jerk cuisine depends on locally sourced ingredients and the farmers who produce them.

    Watson noted the natural alignment with BREDS Foundation, citing their deep community embeddedness and effective ground operations. The partnership extends Grace Foods’ existing relationships with St Elizabeth farming communities near its Hounslow processing facility, where key jerk ingredients like peppers, thyme, escallion, and onions are sourced.

    Traveler response demonstrated appreciation for the initiative’s tangible impact. Richard Ho-sing, a Jamaican traveler who participated, commented: ‘Grace is a brand we grew up with. Seeing them partner with a local foundation like BREDS to give back to farmers is a good look, not just for Grace, but for Jamaica. Farmers are the backbone of the food we love.’

    The initiative represents part of Grace Foods’ broader ‘We Care’ ethos, emphasizing community development, resilience building, and sustained support for local producers beyond crisis response.

  • IDB says exports from Latin America and Caribbean increase last year

    IDB says exports from Latin America and Caribbean increase last year

    The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has released its latest trade analysis, revealing a significant upswing in export performance across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). According to the 2025 edition of the ‘Trade Trends Estimates for Latin America and the Caribbean’ report, the value of goods exported from the region grew by an estimated 6.4%, marking a notable improvement from the 4.7% increase recorded in 2024.

    This expansion was primarily fueled by a substantial rise in export volumes, with commodity prices playing only a marginal role. The report identifies a robust performance in the metals sector—particularly gold, copper, and silver—as a key driver. Concurrently, the agro-industrial sector demonstrated solid gains, with exports of coffee, cocoa, fruit, and meat posting significant increases. Several manufacturing segments also contributed to the growth, including data-processing machinery, medical supplies, vehicles, and plastics.

    Paolo Giordano, the IDB’s Principal Economist for the Productivity, Trade and Innovation Sector and the report’s coordinator, noted, ‘Despite the challenging global environment, Latin America and the Caribbean’s recent export performance has shown remarkable resilience.’ The analysis suggests the region may be entering a phase of sustained trade growth, albeit within a context of persistent global uncertainty and a risk balance that remains moderately tilted to the downside.

    Regional performance was uneven. South America and Mesoamerica saw an acceleration in export expansion, while Central America experienced strong growth that lost momentum in the latter half of the year. The Caribbean’s aggregate results, showing a moderation from 2024’s 41.2% surge to a 14.6% rise in 2025, masked pronounced volatility and significant disparities among individual nations. For instance:
    – Guyana’s growth slowed dramatically to 18.3% from 137.6%.
    – Suriname rebounded impressively to 70.4% from -40.2%.
    – Trinidad and Tobago saw growth increase to 5.6% from 3.5%.
    – Several nations, including Barbados, Belize, and Jamaica, remained in negative territory.

    Complementing the export surge, the region’s total imports also gained momentum, increasing by 6.1% in 2025, up from 3.2% in 2024, aligned with a rebound in domestic demand.

    The report highlighted volatile price movements for key export commodities. While coffee prices soared by 49.9% and gold by 42.2%, other critical commodities like oil and iron ore experienced significant declines of 14.3% and 7.8%, respectively.

    The IDB concludes that for the region to solidify this growth trajectory, countries must prioritize reforms and investments aimed at boosting productivity and reducing trade costs. Ensuring international trade remains a primary engine for economic growth will require sustained policy support for exports and investments.

  • Norman’s Windball League reaches semifinal stage

    Norman’s Windball League reaches semifinal stage

    The Norman’s Windball 12-over Cricket League is poised for its thrilling conclusion as the semifinal matches are scheduled for January 25 at Eddie Hart Savannah in Tacarigua. The premier division will witness two intense clashes as CSK prepares to battle Big Drip Heavy Hitters in the first semifinal at 1:15 PM. Later at 3:15 PM, defending champions Acono Sauce Team will face off against The Mini Bar Reload for a coveted spot in the championship final.

    Prior to the premier division contests, the Over-40 division will showcase veteran cricketing talent. The morning session begins at 9:30 AM with Anthrax Nx Gt taking on Allegiance in the first semifinal, followed by a second matchup between Drifters and Savannah Boys at 11:15 AM.

    The tournament has reached its critical phase following recent round of 16 matches, including Savannah Boys’ premier division encounter against Poison Sports at Buggy Haynes recreation ground. The action-packed 12-over format has provided exciting, fast-paced cricket throughout the competition, with teams now vying for placement in the league’s championship finale.

  • TT U-20s continue scoring form in Invitational Series

    TT U-20s continue scoring form in Invitational Series

    The Trinidad and Tobago Under-20 national football team delivered another commanding performance on January 21, securing a decisive 5-0 victory against AC Port of Spain at Couva’s Ato Boldon Stadium. This match marks their second consecutive dominant display in the invitational series, following their 6-0 triumph over St. Vincent and the Grenadines just two days prior.

    Team captain Derrel Garcia initiated the scoring barrage in the 11th minute with a spectacular long-range strike from outside the 18-yard box, maintaining the lead through halftime. The second half witnessed an offensive explosion as four additional players contributed to the scoreline.

    Malachi Webb extended the advantage in the 57th minute with a precision header, followed by Giovanni Hospedales’ nearly identical corner-kick header in the 70th minute. The coordination continued with Jaden McShine finding the net in the 77th minute following a series of sophisticated passes, while Caden Trestrail completed the rout with an 83rd-minute finish.

    The young Soca Warriors will conclude their preparatory series against Grenada on January 23 at the same venue, with kickoff scheduled for 8 pm. This exhibition tournament serves as crucial preparation for the upcoming CONCACAF Under-20 Championship qualifiers, set to commence in Costa Rica next month.

  • More linemen arrive to help restore electricity in Westmoreland and St Elizabeth

    More linemen arrive to help restore electricity in Westmoreland and St Elizabeth

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A powerful demonstration of regional cooperation is accelerating Jamaica’s recovery from Hurricane Melissa’s devastation, as a new wave of Caribbean linemen arrives to support critical power restoration efforts. This second contingent, part of a coordinated mutual assistance agreement, signals the intensifying final phase of Jamaica Public Service Company’s (JPS) massive reconstruction operation.

    The regional response, orchestrated through the Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC), has mobilized expertise from across the archipelago. Fresh crews from Barbados, Belize, Grand Bahama, Nevis, St Lucia, and the US Virgin Islands have joined earlier teams from 17 Caribbean nations, creating one of the most comprehensive disaster response collaborations in recent regional history.

    JPS officials confirmed that the collective effort now encompasses technical personnel from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Guyana, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Curaçao. With over 100 regional linemen deployed alongside North American contractors, the partnership represents an unprecedented multinational response to the Category 5 hurricane that struck on October 28, 2025.

    The utility company acknowledged that the current ‘last mile’ restoration phase presents exceptional challenges. Difficult terrain and geographically dispersed communities in deep rural areas require high-intensity efforts for minimal customer gains. Despite these obstacles, JPS maintains its commitment to restoring service safely and efficiently, with regional partners providing both personnel and specialized equipment—including bucket trucks from Trinidad and Tobago, the Cayman Islands, and Grand Bahama—to supplement local resources.

    In an official statement, JPS highlighted that this extraordinary regional support underscores the strength of Caribbean cooperation and the enduring spirit of solidarity that defines the region’s approach to disaster management and recovery.

  • Jamaica and TUI Group to explore expansion into Latin America and Eastern Europe

    Jamaica and TUI Group to explore expansion into Latin America and Eastern Europe

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a strategic move to diversify its tourism economy, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett has announced the initiation of high-level talks with global tourism giant TUI Group. The discussions, held during the FITUR tourism fair, focus on a comprehensive partnership to amplify Jamaica’s visibility and attractiveness within Latin America and Eastern Europe.

    Minister Bartlett emphasized that this collaboration is a cornerstone of Jamaica’s plan to build economic resilience by reducing its historical dependency on North American and Western European source markets. By leveraging TUI’s vast marketing infrastructure and operational expertise in emerging regions, Jamaica aims to secure a formidable presence in markets demonstrating a rapidly growing appetite for Caribbean travel.

    The proposed alliance will explore multifaceted initiatives, including enhancing air connectivity through new and expanded flight routes, developing culturally tailored vacation packages, and executing targeted marketing campaigns designed to resonate with Latin American and Eastern European travelers.

    This initiative is already gaining traction. Jamaica is currently witnessing a notable surge in arrivals from Latin America, complemented by strategic growth in European traffic fueled by new airlift from carriers like World2Fly from Portugal and Edelweiss from Switzerland. Current projections, based on escalating demand, indicate this growth trajectory is set to accelerate throughout the year.

    “This partnership with TUI is poised to be a transformative opportunity for Jamaica’s tourism sector,” stated Minister Bartlett. “We are future-proofing our industry through value-driven strategic partnerships. The global outpouring of support for the Jamaican brand provides a powerful foundation for this expansion.”

    The minister is currently leading a delegation at FITUR 2024, a premier global tourism forum featuring representatives from 156 countries and over 100,000 visitors, which serves as a key nexus for tourism professionals across Latin America’s inbound and outbound markets.

  • Condemnation for US decision to terminate TPS for Haitians

    Condemnation for US decision to terminate TPS for Haitians

    NEW YORK — The Commissioner of New York City’s Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA), Manuel Castro, has issued a strong condemnation of former President Donald Trump’s administration for terminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals residing in the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published an official notice in the Federal Register confirming the termination, set to take effect on February 3, 2026.

    Castro characterized the move as a direct threat to the stability of tens of thousands of families across New York, warning of potential family separations and severe economic distress. He emphasized that TPS is a critical humanitarian provision enabling Haitian immigrants to reside and work legally in the U.S. amid persistently dangerous conditions in their home country. The Commissioner called on federal authorities to reverse the decision, redesignate TPS for Haiti, and issue clear guidance to allow affected families to plan their futures without fear.

    Highlighting their substantial economic contributions, Castro noted that Haitian TPS holders inject over $3.4 billion annually into the U.S. economy. He praised the Haitian community in New York—one of the largest globally—as neighbors, entrepreneurs, caregivers, essential workers, and faith leaders who significantly enrich the city’s economic and cultural fabric.

    In a similar vein, the Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA), based in San Diego, California, denounced the termination as a deeply troubling policy. HBA Executive Director Guerline Jozef pointed to ongoing assessments confirming that Haiti remains critically unstable due to rampant gang violence, mass displacement, political chaos, and the breakdown of state institutions. She reported that over 90% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, is under gang control, and more than 1.4 million people have been displaced due to violence.

    Jozef argued that ending TPS would immediately jeopardize the legal status of over 500,000 Haitian nationals, many of whom have built lives in the U.S. for more than ten years and are essential workers in sectors like healthcare, construction, and services. She condemned the decision as an ‘act of violence’ and ‘state-sponsored cruelty,’ noting that it would also severely impact millions in Haiti who rely on remittances from relatives abroad.

    Both Castro and Jozef reaffirmed their commitment to advocating for the rights and protections of Haitian immigrants, urging a reversal of the termination and a renewed commitment to humanitarian principles.

  • Caricom framework for stabilising Haiti

    Caricom framework for stabilising Haiti

    A groundbreaking proposal for regional stewardship has emerged as a potential solution to Haiti’s protracted governance crisis. Andrew P. Anderson, an international facilities and construction professional who recently visited Haiti, argues that the country’s fundamental problem isn’t its people or resources, but generations of failed governance systems.

    During his professional assessment, Anderson observed the stark contrast between Haiti’s evident challenges—mounting uncollected garbage, informal vending in unsafe conditions, and neglected public spaces—and the remarkable resilience, creativity, and dignity of its citizens. Despite these conditions, Haitians continue trading, educating their children, building, and innovating daily, demonstrating what Anderson describes as ‘unmistakable human potential’ in a fertile land.

    The proposed solution involves a temporary Caricom-led governance compact, technically and financially supported by the United Nations and other partners. This model would not involve foreign territorial control but rather functional co-stewardship of specific state functions alongside Haitian counterparts for a fixed period, potentially ten years, with clear benchmarks and defined exit strategies.

    Key components of this regional approach include:

    National security and policing support from Jamaica, focusing on professional standards and community policing
    Justice and corrections strengthening through Trinidad and Tobago’s expertise
    Public administration and revenue management guided by Barbados
    Health services stabilization through regional partnerships
    Education and skills training supported by Barbados and OECS states
    Public works and municipal services managed with assistance from Guyana, Suriname, and Dominica
    Tourism development facilitated by Jamaica, St. Lucia, and the Bahamas
    Agriculture and food security supported by multiple Caribbean nations
    Structured labor mobility programs allowing Haitian workers to contribute legally to labor-short Caribbean economies

    Anderson emphasizes that this approach begins with rebuilding trust through visible public order improvements—waste management, drainage, street lighting, and regulated vending—which serve as signals of state competence. When order connects to jobs, income, and dignity, behavior changes rapidly, creating a foundation for sustainable development.

    This regional compact model preserves Haitian sovereignty, avoids domination by any single external power, shares responsibility across the Caribbean, and provides Haiti with what it has long been denied: a stable, predictable framework within which its people can thrive.

  • Paria tragedy survivor, families get $1m

    Paria tragedy survivor, families get $1m

    In a significant gesture of national compassion, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar personally delivered ex-gratia payments of $1 million each to Christopher Boodram, the sole survivor of the Paria diving catastrophe, and the families of deceased divers Rishi Nagessar and Fyzal Kurban. The ceremony occurred on January 22, 2026, at the Diplomatic Centre in St. Ann’s, marking a decisive shift in the government’s approach to one of the nation’s most tragic industrial accidents.

    The Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement condemning the previous administration’s handling of the aftermath, accusing them of prioritizing legal expenditures over direct humanitarian support for the affected families. The statement emphasized that the current government operates on principles of accountability and citizen welfare, ensuring that no individual would be abandoned in their time of need.

    The compensation initiative commenced with these three recipients and will expand progressively to include all families impacted by the February 25, 2022 incident. The tragedy unfolded during routine maintenance on a 30-inch underwater pipeline at Berth 6, Pointe-a-Pierre, when a sudden differential pressure event (Delta P) sucked five divers into the oil-filled conduit. Only Boodram emerged alive after enduring nearly four hours of entrapment in complete darkness.

    This governmental action follows the January 2024 Commission of Enquiry report, which recommended corporate manslaughter charges against Paria Fuel Trading Company and potential prosecutions under the Occupational Safety and Health Act for company officials. Previous delays in compensation, attributed to insurance liability disputes between Paria and contractor LMCS, were resolved through the current administration’s direct intervention.