Carib Scope

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  • Record-smashing weekend for Blue Marlins

    Record-smashing weekend for Blue Marlins

    The Blue Marlins Swim Club made an extraordinary impact at the Barbados Aquatic Sports Association’s Long Course National Championships held last weekend, with a five-athlete delegation delivering exceptional performances. The team, comprising Hazen Da Briel, Belle Adams, Caghry Williams, Zane Da Briel, and Raya Adams, demonstrated remarkable competitive prowess throughout the event.

    Hazen Da Briel emerged as a standout performer, securing medals in nearly all his events with a total haul of 11 medals: 5 gold, 3 silver, and 3 bronze. His achievements were further elevated by breaking two Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Long Course National Records. He completed the 400m Individual Medley in 5 minutes 10.70 seconds and surpassed his own previous record in the 400m freestyle with a time of 4 minutes 29.78 seconds in the boys 15-17 age category.

    Zane Da Briel, Hazen’s younger brother, mirrored this excellence by medaling in every one of his races, collecting six silver medals. The promising swimmer, born in 2017, broke two longstanding national records – the 50m breaststroke with a time of 50.13 seconds (previously held since 2015) and the 50m backstroke record in 46.11 seconds.

    Belle Adams contributed significantly to the team’s success with three bronze medals in the 50m butterfly, 50m breaststroke, and 200m breaststroke events. Williams showcased his competitive edge by claiming gold in the 50m breaststroke and silver in the 100m breaststroke.

    The championships served as a testament to the athletes’ development, with all team members achieving personal best times that highlight their progressive improvement in competitive swimming. The Blue Marlins Swim Club continues its competitive season by participating in the Shrewsbury Aquatic Centre Invitational Swimming Championships at Ratho Mill from Thursday through Sunday.

  • Air Europa extends Santo Domingo fuel stop on Havana–Madrid flights

    Air Europa extends Santo Domingo fuel stop on Havana–Madrid flights

    Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – Air Europa has formally prolonged its mandatory technical stopover protocol in Santo Domingo through March 11th for all Madrid-bound flights originating from Havana. This operational adjustment stems directly from Cuba’s deepening aviation fuel scarcity, which has rendered refueling operations at José Martí International Airport increasingly unreliable.

    The airline’s UX052 service, routinely scheduled for a 9:05 PM departure from Havana, now incorporates an essential refueling interruption at Las Américas International Airport (AILA) before commencing its transatlantic segment to Spain. This contingency strategy effectively prevents aircraft from becoming stranded on Cuban tarmacs due to insufficient fuel reserves.

    This development reflects broader systemic challenges within Cuba’s energy infrastructure, with official notifications from Cuban authorities alerting international carriers to critically depleted jet fuel inventories. The operational disruption extends beyond Air Europa, impacting numerous global airlines serving Cuban destinations.

    Multiple carriers including Air Canada, Iberia, Copa Airlines, Viva Aerobus, and Aeroméxico have implemented comparable contingency measures. These range from temporary flight suspensions to strategic refueling at alternative Caribbean hubs or loading supplemental fuel at originating airports.

    The aviation fuel deficit currently affects operational capabilities at nine Cuban international airports, underscoring the severe logistical constraints confronting the nation’s aviation sector amid persistent energy supply instability.

  • Higüey Mayor says “therians” will not be allowed in public spaces

    Higüey Mayor says “therians” will not be allowed in public spaces

    HIGÜEY, LA ALTAGRACIA – Municipal authorities in Higüey have implemented a controversial ban targeting individuals identified as “therians” from accessing public spaces. Mayor Karina Aristy announced the restrictive measure on Tuesday during the inauguration ceremony for the reconstructed Bible Park in the La Malena sector.

    The mayor’s declaration occurred before an audience comprising municipal officials, city council members, community leaders, and religious representatives. Aristy directly addressed circulating reports about the presence of such groups nationwide, stating unequivocally that they “are not welcome” within municipal boundaries.

    Aristy grounded her position in what she characterized as a necessary defense of Higüey’s core values and cultural identity. She formally designated the municipality as “a town of faith and of hardworking men and women,” emphasizing that preserving these principles represents a shared responsibility between local government and residents.

    The political endorsement for this measure was visibly demonstrated through the presence of church representatives and City Council members who witnessed the announcement. As of current reporting, no official responses have been issued by organizations associated with therian communities or by higher-level government authorities regarding the municipality’s stance.

    This development raises significant questions regarding public accommodation policies and municipal authority to restrict access based on identity expression. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between traditional community values and emerging subcultural identities within contemporary society.

  • Abrahams bij herdenking 25 februari: President, treed hard op tegen wie de idealen beschamen

    Abrahams bij herdenking 25 februari: President, treed hard op tegen wie de idealen beschamen

    In a solemn nighttime address marking the 46th anniversary of Suriname’s February Revolution, National Democratic Party (NDP) Vice Chairman Ramon Abrahams delivered a politically charged speech blending historical reflection with contemporary warnings. Dressed entirely in black, the veteran revolutionary figure addressed the gathering as the final speaker during the February 25, 1980 commemoration event.

    Abrahams opened by acknowledging the absence of NDP Chairwoman and President Jennifer Simons, who was detained by state obligations but had submitted a prerecorded message. He praised Assembly Chairman and NDP Vice Chairman Ashwin Adhin, who spoke earlier, as “the pristine example of how the revolution’s ideals have been integrated” into contemporary leadership.

    This year’s ceremony marked the third commemoration without former leader Desi Bouterse, whose absence remains palpably felt within the movement. Abrahams suggested Bouterse would have taken pride in the NDP’s electoral victory and subsequent return to governing authority.

    The vice chairman reflected on what he characterized as a turbulent post-election period, noting the administration had inherited both governmental weakening and systemic ‘wreckage’ from the 2020-2025 period. He further referenced surprising developments that allegedly disrupted the nation’s reward structures.

    Abrahams issued particularly stern warnings to fellow party members, cautioning against engagement in social media debates that he claimed are engineered by groups who lost power in 2025 to pit NDP members against each other. He emphasized the heightened responsibility borne by party representatives, stating they are “automatically placed under a microscope” due to their NDP affiliation.

    Regarding internal party matters, Abrahams stressed that such discussions would occur exclusively within established party structures, utilizing statutory and regulatory frameworks available through ongoing dialogues with the party chairwoman and president.

    The revolutionary veteran framed the 1980 uprising as an ongoing process requiring continuation by newer generations. He referenced sacrifices made throughout previous decades and affirmed the revolution’s ideals remain fundamentally guiding principles.

    Abrahams’ most forceful moment came during his direct appeal to President Simons: “President of the Republic of Suriname, I call upon you to act firmly without regard for persons against those who disgrace the process and ideals of February 25.” He reiterated that no individual, regardless of position or background, should stand above the revolution’s foundational ideals.

    Concluding his address, Abrahams emphasized February 25’s indelible place in Surinamese history and the NDP’s responsibility to contribute toward national development while honoring the revolution’s legacy. He advocated reinstating the date as a national holiday and specifically remembered detained comrades Ernst Gefferie, Stephanus Dendoe, and Benny Brondenstein, insisting their sacrifices must never be forgotten.

  • Adhin laat Bouterse herleven tijdens herdenking van 25 februari

    Adhin laat Bouterse herleven tijdens herdenking van 25 februari

    In a politically charged address during Suriname’s commemoration of the February 25, 1980 revolution, National Assembly Speaker and NDP Vice Chairman Ashwin Adhin positioned former leader Desi Bouterse at the center of national discourse. Adhin emerged as a staunch revolutionary advocate, dedicating his entire speech to Bouterse’s political legacy while calling for national unity and hinting at potential legal resolutions for three convicted ex-military personnel.

    The assembly speaker characterized the absence of Stephanus Dendoe, Ernst Gefferie, and Benny Brondenstein as a significant loss, revealing that legal ‘pathways’ remain open for their cases. Adhin expressed confidence that President Jennifer Simons would exercise her constitutional authorities appropriately, including potential pardon powers, at the proper time and manner.

    Adhin redefined the 1980 revolution as a multicultural, unifying people’s movement that transcended ethnic divisions in Surinamese society. He acknowledged the period’s mixed legacy of achievements and painful moments, emphasizing that meaningful commemoration requires transforming history into acts of unity, discipline, and national development.

    In a deeply personal segment, Adhin reflected on his relationship with Bouterse, stating he had not only admired but actively sought to understand and share responsibility for the revolutionary ideology. The speaker emotionally channeled Bouterse’s tradition by singing lines from ‘I Did It My Way’ and Hindi ballad ‘Zara Chahra To Dikhaao,’ symbolizing Bouterse’s political and personal journey.

    Linking his message to current political cooperation between former rivals in government, Adhin framed this constellation as a historic opportunity for reconciliation with the past. He warned against increasing polarization while advocating for humanity, discipline, and solidarity as essential conditions for national development and sovereignty protection.

    Through his address, Adhin imbued the revolution anniversary with distinct political significance, explicitly connecting Bouterse’s legacy, revolutionary heritage, and contemporary constitutional questions within Suriname’s ongoing political narrative.

  • New Line 2C extension of Santo Domingo Metro begins operations

    New Line 2C extension of Santo Domingo Metro begins operations

    Santo Domingo has entered a new era of urban mobility with the operational launch of the Line 2C metro extension this Wednesday. This transformative infrastructure project specifically targets enhanced transportation efficiency in Santo Domingo Oeste, with particular benefits for Los Alcarrizos municipality residents.

    President Luis Abinader, speaking at Tuesday’s inauguration ceremony, emphasized the project’s dual impact on both temporal and economic aspects of daily commuting. “This new section will substantially decrease journey durations and alleviate transportation expenses for thousands of capital-bound commuters,” the president declared during the official proceedings.

    The newly activated segment stretches 7.3 kilometers and features five strategically positioned stations: Pedro Martínez (Manoguayabo), Franklin Mieses Burgos (Monumental Avenue), 27 de Febrero (kilometer 13), Freddy Gatón Arce (kilometer 14), and Pablo Adón Guzmán at the gateway to Los Alcarrizos. The extension has been engineered for full interoperability with Santo Domingo’s comprehensive public transit network.

    To facilitate public familiarity and promote ridership, transportation authorities have implemented a complimentary service model throughout the inaugural week of operations.

    Projections from official sources indicate the extended line will accommodate approximately 150,000 daily passengers, ultimately serving a population base exceeding one million residents. A significant ancillary benefit will be the alleviation of chronic congestion along the Duarte Highway, the metropolitan region’s principal traffic artery.

    This metro expansion constitutes a critical component of the Integrated Transportation System of Santo Domingo, a holistic urban mobility framework incorporating metro, aerial cable car, and dedicated bus corridor infrastructure designed to promote sustainable transit solutions throughout the capital region.

  • REMARKS: Dr Carla Barnett, CARICOM Secretary-General Opening Ceremony – 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government

    REMARKS: Dr Carla Barnett, CARICOM Secretary-General Opening Ceremony – 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government

    The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) commenced its landmark 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in St. Kitts and Nevis, with Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett presiding over the opening ceremony. The gathering marks a significant milestone for regional integration amidst complex global challenges.

    Secretary-General Barnett extended formal acknowledgments to host nation leadership, including Governor-General Dame Marcella A. Liburd and Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, who currently chairs the CARICOM leadership council. The Secretary-General praised St. Kitts and Nevis for demonstrating exceptional organizational capability despite being the smallest sovereign state within the community, having previously hosted two major CARICOM meetings in 2025.

    Prime Minister Drew’s tenure as chairman, which began January 1, has already established a pattern of proactive engagement, commencing with emergency regional meetings during the year’s first weekend and continuing with extensive diplomatic visits throughout member states.

    The address reflected on 2025 as one of the most challenging periods in CARICOM’s history, particularly highlighting Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic impact across Haiti, The Bahamas, Bermuda, and Jamaica. The Category 5 system caused extensive devastation, with Jamaica experiencing particularly severe consequences. The community collectively acknowledged former Chairman Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica for his decisive leadership during the crisis response.

    CARICOM’s institutional response mechanisms, including the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency and the Caribbean Public Health Agency, demonstrated remarkable coordination in providing immediate humanitarian assistance, technical damage assessments, and recovery support. This collective action exemplified the community’s resilience and mutual support principles.

    The past year also witnessed significant democratic exercises across seven member states and four associate members, with several landmark electoral outcomes. Suriname inaugurated its first female president, Dr. Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, while multiple nations returned or elected new leadership through peaceful processes.

    The current summit’s agenda addresses pressing regional priorities, with substantial time allocated for candid deliberations. Full representation at the head-of-government level despite domestic pressures underscores member states’ commitment to collective action.

    Notable developments include four member states—Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines—implementing full free movement provisions under the CARICOM Single Market and Economy framework since October 2025. This pioneering integration effort has already facilitated increased economic activity and people-to-people connections.

    The evolving global landscape presents both challenges and opportunities, particularly in energy transition, digital infrastructure, climate resilience, and technological advancement. CARICOM’s coordinated foreign policy approach continues to attract international engagement, evidenced by high-level participation from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the Commonwealth Secretariat.

    The community is actively strengthening South-South partnerships, notably with the African Union through institutions like Afreximbank. The second CARICOM-Africa Summit in 2025 established frameworks for enhanced cooperation in finance, reparations advocacy, air connectivity, and cultural exchange.

    As CARICOM celebrates five decades of regional integration, the organization continues to advance human development, foreign policy coordination, security cooperation, and economic progress. The current summit aims to translate commitments into concrete actions that ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for all Caribbean citizens.

  • Youth Ambassadors Call for Bold Action at CARICOM’s 50th Heads of Government Meeting

    Youth Ambassadors Call for Bold Action at CARICOM’s 50th Heads of Government Meeting

    At the landmark 50th Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government in St. Kitts and Nevis, Youth Ambassadors Aquanjé Robinson and Siobhan Phipps-Harding delivered a compelling call for transformative action that resonated through the opening ceremony. The young leaders articulated a clear vision for moving beyond symbolic unity toward tangible regional progress.

    Phipps-Harding established the tone by emphasizing the critical juncture at which the Caribbean Community finds itself. “Our Region’s people and youth are no longer looking for togetherness written in ink,” she declared, “but they are looking for progress etched into our landscapes.” Her remarks highlighted the growing impatience with diplomatic formalities without substantive implementation.

    The ambassadors identified pressing regional challenges including climate volatility, unsustainable debt burdens, and brain drain migration patterns that deprive Caribbean nations of their most talented citizens. They framed these issues not as insurmountable obstacles but as opportunities for coordinated regional response.

    Robinson powerfully reframed the Caribbean narrative around the concept of resilience as historical inheritance rather than contemporary buzzword. “It is woven into our shared history,” he noted, “from the resistance of our ancestors to the reconstruction of our islands after every storm.” This resilience, he argued, provides the foundation for bold, intentional action.

    The youth representatives outlined specific pillars for a thriving CARICOM: digital connectivity to dissolve educational and commercial borders, food security to break import dependence, and climate justice that transitions from rhetoric to tangible community protection. They emphasized that true regional integration requires governing “with the resolve of one Caribbean” despite geographical separation.

    Both ambassadors closed with a unified message urging leaders to ensure this historic meeting would be remembered for visionary implementation rather than elegant speeches. Their concluding statement—”our Region’s future is bright because we are building it together”—served as both encouragement and reminder of collective responsibility.

  • “A World Without CARICOM Would Be Culturally Poorer” Prime Minister Drew

    “A World Without CARICOM Would Be Culturally Poorer” Prime Minister Drew

    In a profound address marking a historic milestone, Saint Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew delivered a compelling defense of Caribbean regional integration during the 50th Regular Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government. Speaking as the current Chairman of the Caribbean Community, Dr. Drew articulated a vision of collective strength that has defined the region’s trajectory for half a century.

    Before an assembly of regional leaders and international partners, the Prime Minister reflected on the Caribbean’s extraordinary journey from colonial subjugation to sovereign independence. He positioned CARICOM not as a mere political arrangement but as a fundamental expression of Caribbean identity and resilience. ‘Our integration was neither accidental nor casual,’ Dr. Drew asserted, characterizing the Treaty of Chaguaramas as ‘a declaration of Caribbean confidence’ that transcended its legal framework.

    The address contained a striking declaration: ‘A world without CARICOM would be culturally poorer, intellectually diminished and spiritually less vibrant.’ This statement encapsulated the Prime Minister’s central thesis that the Caribbean has made disproportionate contributions to global culture, intellectual thought, and spiritual movements despite its relatively small population and geographical size.

    Dr. Drew provided concrete examples of regional institutions that demonstrate CARICOM’s practical value. He highlighted the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), which has coordinated regional health responses; the Regional Security System (RSS) that maintains collective safety; the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) that standardizes educational excellence; and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) that fuels economic progress. ‘By ourselves, many of our states could not have achieved what togetherness has made possible,’ he emphasized.

    The Prime Minister connected CARICOM’s historical mission to contemporary global challenges, noting that supply chain disruptions, climate emergencies, energy instability, and geopolitical tensions make regional cooperation more essential than ever. He argued that fragmentation increases vulnerability while unity generates resilience in this new era of uncertainty.

    As CARICOM celebrates its 50th regular meeting, Dr. Drew’s address served as both a tribute to past achievements and a call to reinvigorate the founding principles of functional cooperation, economic coordination, and collective self-reliance that continue to define the Caribbean community’s unique approach to regional integration.

  • Historic Full Attendance Marks 50th CARICOM Heads Meeting in Saint Kitts and Nevis

    Historic Full Attendance Marks 50th CARICOM Heads Meeting in Saint Kitts and Nevis

    In an unprecedented display of regional unity, Saint Kitts and Nevis hosted the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) with complete attendance from all member states—the first such gathering in over a decade. The historic event, which commenced on February 24, 2026, in Basseterre, marks a significant milestone for regional cooperation amid global challenges.

    Under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew of Saint Kitts and Nevis, the opening ceremony witnessed a powerful demonstration of collective commitment from Caribbean leaders. Prime Minister Drew characterized the assembly as both symbolically important and substantively crucial given current international pressures and regional vulnerabilities.

    This remarkable convergence follows Dr. Drew’s extensive diplomatic tour across Caribbean capitals, where he conducted face-to-face bilateral engagements with fellow heads of government. These preparatory meetings, described as unprecedented in recent CARICOM history, focused on strengthening relationships, fostering dialogue, and building consensus around pressing regional priorities.

    In his address, Chairman Drew emphasized the significance of the full attendance: “At a time when critics suggest CARICOM has lost its way, today in Saint Kitts and Nevis are all the leaders of the full members of CARICOM.” His remarks were met with sustained applause from attendees, reflecting the renewed spirit of collaboration.

    The Prime Minister framed current adversities—including global supply chain disruptions, energy volatility, climate vulnerabilities, and security concerns—as opportunities for deeper integration and disciplined execution. He affirmed that collective action remains the region’s greatest strength in navigating these complex challenges.

    The 50th Meeting agenda features high-level deliberations on critical issues including food and energy security, climate resilience mechanisms, regional security cooperation, digital transformation initiatives, trade facilitation, and stabilization measures for vulnerable member states. This comprehensive agenda reflects the community’s commitment to addressing both immediate and long-term regional needs.

    As host nation and current CARICOM Chair, Saint Kitts and Nevis views this historic gathering as a clear affirmation of regional solidarity and a recommitment to advancing economic coordination, collective self-reliance, and meaningful integration for the benefit of all Caribbean citizens.