Carib Scope

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  • Newly Appointed Police Minister Opts to Stay Out of Budna Case

    Newly Appointed Police Minister Opts to Stay Out of Budna Case

    In a significant development, Oscar Mira, the newly appointed Minister of Home Affairs, has announced his decision to refrain from intervening in the ongoing Joseph Budna investigation. Mira emphasized that he will leave all decisions to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Cheryl-Lynn Vidal, respecting the independence of the legal process. Speaking to Plus TV, Mira stated, ‘I will not interfere with the investigation or the DPP’s guidance. This matter is in her hands, and I trust her judgment.’

    Mira, who previously served as the National Defence Minister, assumed the role of Police Minister after his predecessor, Henry Charles Usher, declined the Home Affairs portfolio. The Budna case, which has been under intense public scrutiny for months, is one of the first major challenges Mira faces in his new position. The investigation was prompted by video footage that allegedly implicated the police department in Budna’s kidnapping.

    Despite the gravity of the case, Mira confirmed that he has not reviewed any related materials, including the controversial footage or investigation files. ‘I have not seen any footage or files. My role is to ensure the process remains unbiased and independent,’ he reiterated.

    Meanwhile, DPP Cheryl-Lynn Vidal expressed her dissatisfaction with the police investigation file submitted to her office, describing it as containing ‘less than nothing.’ Vidal told reporters on November 12 that the file lacked sufficient evidence to support arrests, citing limited and uncertain witness accounts. ‘I was expecting nothing, but what I received was even worse,’ she remarked, highlighting the challenges in pursuing charges at this stage.

    The Budna case continues to draw public attention, with calls for transparency and accountability growing louder. Mira’s decision to distance himself from the investigation underscores his commitment to upholding the integrity of the legal process.

  • Social Lounge Denies Police Claim of On-Site Shooting

    Social Lounge Denies Police Claim of On-Site Shooting

    On the evening of November 18, 2025, police responded to reports of gunfire near the Phillip Goldson Highway, close to the popular nightlife venue, Social Lounge. Woodrow Reyes was arrested on charges of possessing a firearm while under the influence. Shell casings found at the scene were collected for forensic analysis to determine if the weapon in Reyes’ possession was used in the incident. Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith detailed the events, stating that officers from Precinct Four conducted a vehicle search leading to Reyes’ arrest. Social Lounge management swiftly addressed media speculation, clarifying that the shooting occurred approximately 150 yards away on the public highway and did not involve their establishment. They emphasized that the venue remained safe and operational throughout the evening, with no disturbance reported on their premises. The incident has sparked discussions about public safety in the area, while authorities continue their investigation.

  • Morgen nationale vrije dag bij behalen WK-eindronde

    Morgen nationale vrije dag bij behalen WK-eindronde

    The Surinamese government has expressed unwavering confidence in the National Football Team (Natio) ahead of tonight’s crucial World Cup qualifier. Minister of Home Affairs, Marinus Bee, revealed to Starnieuws that the administration is so assured of victory that preparations for a national holiday are already underway. However, the holiday will only be officially declared if Natio secures a win against Guatemala, thereby securing Suriname’s place in the upcoming FIFA World Cup finals. This move underscores the government’s belief in the team’s potential and its commitment to celebrating this historic achievement. The match is seen as a pivotal moment for Surinamese football, with the nation eagerly awaiting the outcome.

  • OP-ED: COP30 – Urgent financing to transform agrifood systems

    OP-ED: COP30 – Urgent financing to transform agrifood systems

    Climate change has transitioned from a distant threat to an immediate reality, profoundly impacting agrifood systems and jeopardizing global food security. Its effects are multifaceted, influencing agricultural yields, water resources, pest dynamics, disease proliferation, and even the nutritional value of crops due to changes in atmospheric CO₂ levels. In 2024 alone, climate shocks triggered food crises in 18 countries, leaving 72 million people in severe food insecurity. Hurricane Mellisa, which devastated Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of such events on food systems. Over the past 50 years, climate change has reduced global cereal yields by 2%-5%, with maize yields in Latin America declining by approximately 5%. Since 1961, global agricultural productivity has dropped by 21%, equivalent to losing seven years of progress. These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need to transform agrifood systems through accelerated mitigation and adaptation measures. However, achieving this requires addressing a significant financing gap. In 2023, only 4% of climate-related development financing was directed toward agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and forestry, leaving vulnerable nations ill-equipped to adapt and transition to sustainable models. To build resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, climate financing must prioritize agriculture and rural livelihoods. Without adequate resources, international commitments will remain hollow promises. COP30 emerges as a pivotal moment to address these challenges. Initiatives like the Tropical Forests Forever Fund (TFFF), spearheaded by Brazil with World Bank support, aim to mobilize $25 billion from countries and $100 billion from private investors for global forest conservation. This innovative approach highlights the economic potential of sustainability. The early approval of the COP30 agenda reflects political will to advance climate financing, energy transition, and resilience. However, translating commitments into actionable targets with clear deadlines and real resources is essential. The FAO is championing strategies that integrate mitigation and adaptation, such as integrated fire management, supported by 50 countries. COP30 must place agriculture, food security, and the role of Indigenous Peoples and rural communities at the forefront of global discussions. The future of food, sustainability, and global stability hinges on COP30 marking the dawn of a new era in climate action centered on agrifood systems.

  • STATEMENT: UWP calls for reinstatement of a birth certificate and photo ID in confirmation process

    STATEMENT: UWP calls for reinstatement of a birth certificate and photo ID in confirmation process

    The United Workers Party – Team Dominica has issued a pressing appeal to the Electoral Commission, urging the immediate withdrawal or reversal of SRO 39. The party advocates for the reinstatement of SRO 27 of 2025, which permits the use of a birth certificate alongside a photo ID for voter confirmation. This call comes in response to the potential disenfranchisement of thousands of Dominicans who either lack the IDs mandated by SRO 39 or face significant challenges in obtaining them. The party warns that the Commission’s oversight could lead to the removal of eligible voters from the electoral list, undermining the integrity of the democratic process. Additionally, the party highlights the logistical hardships faced by voters in remote villages such as Morne Prosper, San Sauveur, and Warner, where confirmation centers are absent. In the Roseau North Constituency, the largest in Dominica, only two centers are available, forcing communities to incur additional costs and inconvenience to confirm their voter status. To address these issues, the party proposes that enrollment officers rotate across constituencies during the confirmation period, ensuring accessibility and minimizing costs for voters. Furthermore, the party calls for the immediate resumption of new voter registration in alignment with Article 17 (1) of the Registration of Electors Act 2025, which mandates continuous registration. The United Workers Party emphasizes that the Commission’s failure to act promptly could severely damage the electoral process, preventing thousands of eligible Dominicans from exercising their right to vote. The party urges swift action to safeguard the nation’s democratic traditions and ensure the fairness of future elections.

  • Driver, passengers robbed in PBR maxi in Arouca

    Driver, passengers robbed in PBR maxi in Arouca

    A shocking armed robbery unfolded on November 19 aboard a maxi taxi along the Priority Bus Route in Arouca, leaving passengers traumatized. The incident, which occurred around 4:30 pm, was captured on the driver’s dash camera and later circulated on social media, drawing widespread attention. According to the footage, a woman dressed in full Muslim attire signaled for the vehicle to stop. As she paid her fare, at least four men forcefully entered the maxi, declaring a hold-up. The assailants swiftly seized money from the driver and passengers, including women’s purses. One passenger was seen resisting, demanding the return of her ID card. The ordeal left several individuals in distress, with one person lamenting the loss of their ID card and phone. Brenton Knights, president of the Route 2 Maxi Taxi Association, confirmed that a meeting would be convened to address the incident but refrained from further comment. Local authorities have launched an investigation into the matter.

  • Gang-wracked Haiti unites, goes wild over World Cup qualification

    Gang-wracked Haiti unites, goes wild over World Cup qualification

    In a rare moment of unity and joy, Haiti erupted in celebrations as its national football team secured a spot in the 2026 World Cup, marking their first appearance on the global stage in over five decades. The streets of Port-au-Prince and other cities like Cap-Haitien and Miragoane were filled with fireworks, music, and dancing, offering a temporary escape from the pervasive gang violence that has plagued the nation. Even notorious gang leader Jimmy ‘Barbecue’ Cherisier, head of the Viv Ansanm coalition, was seen joining the festivities, a stark contrast to his recent call for residents to stay indoors due to escalating tensions. The Grenadiers, as the team is known, clinched their qualification with a 2-0 victory over Nicaragua in Curacao, where they were forced to play their home matches due to security concerns in Haiti. Despite the jubilation, challenges remain for Haitian fans, as a U.S. travel ban imposed under the Trump administration may prevent them from attending the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

  • Blossom answers the call of distressed Bounty Hall residents

    Blossom answers the call of distressed Bounty Hall residents

    In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation in Bounty Hall, Trelawny, Jamaica, U.S.-based businesswoman Cynthia Baker, known affectionately as “Blossom,” has emerged as a beacon of hope for storm victims. Returning to her homeland shortly after the disaster, Baker was deeply moved by the widespread displacement and hardship she witnessed. Initially planning to extend her own home in the Stonebrook housing development, she swiftly redirected her resources to aid those in dire need.

    Baker repurposed building materials she had purchased for her home to assist in rebuilding efforts for families whose homes were severely damaged or destroyed. She also acquired over 100 sheets of zinc and plywood to further support these initiatives. Many displaced residents were temporarily housed at the Bounty Hall Primary School, which had been converted into a shelter. Recognizing the inadequate sleeping conditions—with families forced to sleep on desks and cardboard—Baker reached out to City Furniture in the U.S., where she resides. The company generously donated 50 mattresses, which Baker personally funded to ship to Jamaica.

    She praised the Jamaica Customs Agency for their efficiency in expediting the clearance of the shipment, ensuring the mattresses reached those in need promptly. Beyond providing building materials and bedding, Baker and her children have been distributing care packages door-to-door, ensuring assistance reaches the most vulnerable.

    One of her most significant contributions has been the reconstruction of a home for an elderly couple who lost everything during the storm. This project was a collaborative effort involving her family and supportive community members, including a young builder named Thaddeus, who took time off work to help.

    Dotlyn Palmer, the recipient of the newly built home, expressed profound gratitude, stating that no amount of money could compare to the relief of having a safe place to live. Recalling the harrowing experience of the hurricane, Palmer shared how she and her partner narrowly escaped tragedy, spending subsequent nights sleeping on cardboard on cold concrete.

    Baker’s unwavering commitment to her community has not only provided immediate relief but also restored hope and dignity to those affected by the disaster. Her actions stand as a testament to the power of compassion and community-driven support in times of crisis.

  • WATCH: Minto welcomes relief efforts in St Elizabeth

    WATCH: Minto welcomes relief efforts in St Elizabeth

    In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, St Elizabeth, Jamaica, is witnessing a remarkable community-driven recovery effort, spearheaded by local businesses and supported by law enforcement. Superintendent of Police Coleridge Minto, the commanding officer for the St Elizabeth Division, has expressed his gratitude towards Alcor Windows and Doors and Ripton Construction for their collaborative efforts in providing housing solutions to the hurricane-affected residents of Parottee. The companies have distributed nearly a hundred mattresses and are offering additional support through solar lighting installations and counseling services facilitated by a chaplain. Minto emphasized the importance of such partnerships during this challenging period, acknowledging the contributions of local, regional, and international stakeholders. He also highlighted the parish’s significant progress in reducing crime, with only 13 murders recorded since the start of the year—the lowest in 25 years. Major crimes, including robberies and shootings, have seen a decline, although break-ins experienced a temporary spike earlier in the year. Minto assured that looting incidents reported shortly after the hurricane are now under control, with the community focusing on cleanup and rebuilding efforts.

  • Carjacking of female inDrive operator sparks fresh safety fears

    Carjacking of female inDrive operator sparks fresh safety fears

    Ride-hailing drivers in Jamaica are raising alarm over their safety after a female driver was robbed in St Andrew last month. The incident occurred after 2 am when two men, posing as passengers, hijacked her vehicle following a pickup request along Windsor Avenue. This has reignited fears among drivers who rely on platforms like inDrive to supplement their income. Alrick, a driver based in Portmore, shared his precautions, such as avoiding certain areas and declining trips from passengers without profile pictures or suspicious names. He also limits his work hours, stopping by 6 pm to minimize risks. The dangers of the profession were starkly highlighted in 2023 when 26-year-old driver Leroy Page disappeared while working in the Kingston and St Andrew area. His whereabouts remain unknown. Henry Myers, another driver, expressed his concerns, urging inDrive to implement stronger security measures, such as a quick response team, to protect drivers. He emphasized that while passenger safety is prioritized, drivers’ security is often neglected. Superintendent Mark Harris, Commanding Officer for the St Andrew Central Division, confirmed that the robbery is under investigation, though no arrests have been made. He advised drivers to exercise caution, especially in unfamiliar areas. Police statistics reveal that seven aggravated motor vehicle thefts have occurred this year, with four in St Andrew Central, two in St Andrew South, and one in St Catherine South.