Carib Scope

作者： admin

  • No more bodies from sunken ferry MV Barima in two days

    No more bodies from sunken ferry MV Barima in two days

    One week has passed since the Guyanese ferry MV Barima sank in waters off the country’s northeast coast, and recovery operations have hit a critical wall, official sources confirmed Sunday. French military divers deployed to assist in the search and recovery mission say extreme visibility constraints and hazardous conditions inside the sunken vessel have made further progress nearly impossible, leaving 30 passengers and crew still unaccounted for after two full days with no new bodies recovered.

    In a nearly three-minute video posted to Guyanese President Irfaan Ali’s official Facebook page, a French diving team member outlined the crippling challenges divers face at the wreck site. “We have to navigate the wreck entirely by touch — we are essentially blind,” the soldier explained. Tangled ropes and unsecured hammocks litter the interior of the sunken ferry, making route planning extremely dangerous, while thick layers of mud, shifting tides and strong persistent currents further obscure visibility and complicate movements. To date, divers have completed 15 separate dives to the wreck, but all attempts to systematically search the interior have been thwarted by these conditions.

    The diver added that even attempts to salvage the entire vessel to recover remains face major structural barriers. The wreck’s deteriorated condition means any large-scale lifting operation carries a high risk of the vessel breaking apart entirely, making salvage a logistical nightmare. “I think it’s very, very hard to do such a thing. The wreck is not very stable, so removing it intact is incredibly difficult,” he added.

    Multiple authoritative sources familiar with the ongoing operation have confirmed that no additional human remains have been located over the past 48 hours. Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, who has joined local authorities in coordinating search efforts, echoed that assessment Sunday, confirming no new recoveries have been made.

    The most recent formal update on the disaster was released Friday evening by Guyana’s Prime Minister Mark Phillips, who confirmed at that time that the confirmed death toll stood at 73, 76 people had been rescued alive from the sinking, and 30 people remained missing. When contacted by reporters Sunday evening after he delivered opening remarks at a regional Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC) conference at Georgetown’s Marriott Hotel, Phillips initially declined to comment as he walked away from reporters, before offering a brief statement: “The search for bodies and the recovery continues. There has been no change in that,” he said, before moving on to attend the conference’s exhibition opening.

    A key discrepancy in passenger counts has added to the complexity of the recovery effort. The official vessel manifest listed 116 passengers and 17 crew members who boarded the MV Barima at Georgetown’s Kingston Goods Wharf for the voyage to Port Kaituma. However, after cross-referencing the manifest with the list of rescued passengers and reviewing security camera footage from the wharf, the Guyanese government now estimates that as many as 179 people were on board the overloaded vessel when it departed.

  • The ONA continues to implement its strategic priorities

    The ONA continues to implement its strategic priorities

    Between July 20 and 25, 2026, Haiti’s National Old-Age Insurance Office (ONA) made measurable progress across multiple core strategic objectives, advancing institutional modernization, governance improvement, human resources optimization, service quality enhancement, collaborative social dialogue, and alignment with the Haitian government’s top national priorities. These targeted actions underscore the ONA General Directorate’s ongoing commitment to strengthening institutional performance and building a more agile, efficient, and user-centric institution that directly addresses the needs of insured contributors, pensioners, and working people across Haiti.

    One of the most significant milestones of the week was further progress on the ONA’s sweeping social security registration reform, including the ongoing rollout of the new national Social Security Card. Following a high-level strategic gathering of the institution’s top leadership, the body approved a series of updated technical frameworks designed to modernize the national insured person identification system and raise the standard of services available to Haitian workers.

    In a key leadership change to support human resources modernization, the ONA formally named Dr. Mackenson Saint-Cyr as its new Director of Human Resources. With nearly a quarter-century of institutional experience already under his belt, Saint-Cyr plans to continue the ONA’s HR transformation efforts, with a core focus on digitizing internal and external HR services, building up specialized internal expertise, and boosting overall institutional performance.

    As a core component of its broader institutional modernization agenda, the ONA also launched a targeted debt restructuring program for entities and individuals that hold debts to the institution. The program offers eligible debtors the chance to negotiate flexible repayment plans through September 30, 2026, in full compliance with Haitian regulatory frameworks.

    On July 24, the ONA took part in the closing ceremony of a national capacity-building initiative for public sector Study and Programming Units (SPUs), an event organized by Haiti’s Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation (MPCE) in partnership with the Prime Minister’s Office. The ONA’s participation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting broader public administration modernization and strengthening institutional capacity to deliver more effective governance across the country.

    Later that same day, the ONA marked the 10th anniversary of the ONA Workers’ Voice (Voix des Travailleurs de l’ONA, or VTO), the institution’s labor body. During the commemoration, the General Directorate reaffirmed its stance that open social dialogue is the foundation of modern, participatory governance. Represented by Special Advisor Dr. Jean Gardy Marius, the leadership committed to sustaining collaborative partnerships with labor unions to advance ongoing reforms, strengthen institutional governance, and improve service outcomes for insured contributors and pensioners.

    The following day, July 25, ONA Director General Lovely François publicly commended the VTO’s 10 years of service and commitment to the institution, and once again reiterated the ONA’s commitment to maintaining open, consistent, and constructive dialogue with all social partners. François emphasized that lasting institutional reform can only be built through inclusive consultation, and confirmed that the ONA will continue advancing its ongoing transformation agenda to build a more modern, transparent, efficient institution that meets the expectations of its members, pensioners, and staff.

    In addition to internal institutional reforms, François also represented the ONA at a high-level strategic meeting hosted at Haiti’s National Palace and chaired by Prime Minister Fils-Aimé. The gathering focused on mobilizing the entire public administration to implement the June 2, 2026 electoral decree. The meeting brought together cabinet members, senior public institution leadership, the President of Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), national security force representatives, and international partners. Through her participation, François reaffirmed the ONA’s commitment to supporting the state’s core national priorities, and confirmed the institution will contribute its public service expertise to ensure a successful national electoral process in line with its mandate.

  • UN visit to assess Haiti’s implementation of the sanctions regime

    UN visit to assess Haiti’s implementation of the sanctions regime

    In a step to monitor international commitments aimed at stabilizing Haiti’s security landscape, a delegation from the United Nations Secretariat’s Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs recently traveled to the Caribbean nation to conduct an official assessment of how Port-au-Prince is rolling out the UN Security Council’s sanctioned sanctions regime. The visiting team, which includes Melanie Ramjoue, Pedro Inchauste, and Jean A. Charar, was received last week by Haiti’s Minister of Defense Mario Andrésol during official talks.

    This on-the-ground visit forms one segment of a broader series of targeted consultations between the UN delegation and senior Haitian government officials. The core mandate of the mission is to measure the progress Haiti has made toward meeting three central priorities outlined by the UN Security Council when the sanctions framework was established. First, the assessment evaluates efforts to boost national institutional capacity in justice and rule of law sectors, a critical foundation for more effective countermeasures against violent armed gangs and transnational criminal networks operating across Haiti. Second, the mission reviews trends in violence linked to these groups, tracking whether levels of intentional homicide, kidnapping, and sexual violence have declined as targeted by the regime. Third, the delegation examines progress in curbing illicit arms trafficking, arms diversion, and the associated illegal financial flows that fuel gang activity, with a specific focus on increases in both the number of weapons seizures and the volume of illicit arms confiscated by Haitian authorities.

    The entire assessment process is mandated under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2794, adopted in 2025. That resolution explicitly tasks the UN Secretary-General, working in close coordination with the UN Panel of Experts focused on Haiti, to carry out regular, rigorous evaluations of progress toward the resolution’s core goals, ensuring transparency and accountability for both Haitian authorities and the international community. The findings from this visit will inform future UN policy and support efforts to adjust the sanctions implementation framework to better address evolving security challenges in Haiti.

  • ONI : Modernization of consular services for the benefit of the Haitian diaspora

    ONI : Modernization of consular services for the benefit of the Haitian diaspora

    Haiti’s government is advancing a targeted digital modernization push that aims to dramatically improve consular service access for hundreds of thousands of Haitians living abroad, led by a collaborative effort between the National Identification Office (ONI) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    The core of the initiative centers on interconnecting the centralized identity databases managed by ONI and the Haitian Institute of Statistics and Informatics (IHSI), a technical integration that will lay the groundwork for a new secure, cross-agency digital platform. Senior officials from ONI recently held in-depth technical working sessions with Foreign Minister Raina Forbin to align on project timelines, security protocols, and functional requirements for the platform, which is designed to streamline secure information sharing required for processing routine and critical administrative requests from overseas Haitians.

    For the Haitian diaspora, the reform addresses longstanding pain points that have complicated access to essential national identity documents. Prior to this integration, identity verification processes often required redundant checks, extended processing wait times, and complex cross-agency coordination that created unnecessary barriers for Haitians seeking key documents including the National Unique Identification Card (CINU), the National Unique Identification Number (NINU), and other official administrative records that rely on verified national identity data.

    Once fully implemented, the database interconnection is expected to cut through bureaucratic red tape, reduce processing lead times for consular requests, and significantly boost the overall reliability of services delivered to overseas residents. For ONI, the project marks a key milestone in the agency’s broader multi-year strategy to digitize national identification systems and modernize core public services across Haiti. Officials emphasized that the effort reflects the national government’s clear commitment to bringing critical government services closer to the Haitian diaspora, a community that plays an outsized role in Haiti’s economy and social fabric through remittances, cultural exchange, and investment.

  • JOB VACANCY: Heavy-Duty Superintendent

    JOB VACANCY: Heavy-Duty Superintendent

    A new full-time career opportunity has emerged for experienced industry leaders, with a vacancy now available for the role of Heavy-Duty Superintendent. This position is targeted at professionals with a proven track record in overseeing large-scale industrial, construction, or logistics operations that center on heavy machinery and heavy-duty equipment.

    Key responsibilities for the successful candidate include managing daily on-site operations, coordinating cross-functional teams of technicians, operators, and administrative staff, ensuring compliance with strict industry safety regulations, and overseeing maintenance schedules for all heavy-duty assets. The role also requires collaborating with senior management to align operational activities with broader organizational goals, troubleshooting unexpected operational disruptions, and driving efficiency improvements across all work processes.

    Ideal candidates will bring several years of hands-on experience in a related heavy-duty industry, demonstrated leadership skills that enable them to guide large teams effectively, and in-depth knowledge of safety protocols and equipment maintenance standards. Strong communication and problem-solving abilities are also essential requirements for this role. Employers offering this position typically provide a competitive compensation package, including comprehensive benefits, opportunities for professional development, and career advancement pathways within the organization.

    Job seekers interested in this leadership role are encouraged to submit their updated resumes, along with references that verify their previous industry experience, through the employer’s designated application portal as soon as possible to be considered for the opening.

  • Cubaanse president beschuldigt VS van genocide en poging tot overname

    Cubaanse president beschuldigt VS van genocide en poging tot overname

    HAVANA — Speaking at a national commemoration marking the 73th anniversary of the start of the Cuban Revolution on Sunday, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel issued a scathing rebuke of the United States, accusing Washington of orchestrating deliberate genocide against the Cuban people and pursuing overt plans to seize control of the island nation.

    The event, held in the western Cuban province of Pinar del Río, brought together government officials and revolutionary supporters to honor the 1953 uprising that would eventually oust the US-backed Fulgencio Batista regime six years later. Notably absent from the gathering was 92-year-old former President Raúl Castro, the iconic revolutionary leader who stepped down from power in 2018 and is the brother of late revolutionary icon Fidel Castro.

    Díaz-Canel’s harsh words come amid a deepening humanitarian and economic crisis on the island, fueled by a longstanding US trade embargo that was tightened in recent years, particularly a oil embargo imposed earlier this year that has triggered crippling nationwide power outages that can last more than 20 hours a day. According to on-the-ground reports, the embargo has pushed Cuba into one of the worst economic collapses in its modern history.

    The Cuban leader labeled the sweeping US sanctions “cold-blooded, calculated genocide” and framed the punitive measures as an act of “economic strangulation” designed to break the will of the Cuban people and force regime change on the island. “Today, Cuba is waging a historic struggle against the walls of genocidal policy, aimed at suffocating an entire people to take ownership of the country,” Díaz-Canel told the assembled crowd.

    The tangible impacts of the embargo are already widespread across Cuba: domestic manufacturing facilities have been forced to halt operations, employers have had to slash working hours amid energy shortages, and the country is facing acute shortages of clean water, pharmaceutical products, and other essential basic goods. Major international firms, including financial giants Visa and Mastercard, Spanish hospitality chain Meliá Hotels International, and leading airlines Air Canada and Air France, have already pulled their operations out of Cuba to avoid falling afoul of US sanctions and navigate the worsening domestic crisis.

    Bilateral relations between Washington and Havana have been strained for decades, but tensions have deteriorated sharply during the current administration of former US President Donald Trump. Trump has previously openly stated his intention to “take over” Cuba, a threat that gained traction after the controversial detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a key Cuban ally, earlier this year.

    In recent months, US accusations against Cuba have intensified: the US State Department recently claimed that Havana operates a sprawling network of espionage and political influence targeting Washington and Latin American neighboring countries. In May, the US leveled criminal charges including murder against retired leader Raúl Castro over his alleged involvement in the 1996 downing of two civilian aircraft operated by a Cuban exile group, an incident that killed four people.

    The Cuban government has vigorously rejected all of these accusations, condemning the escalatory rhetoric from the Trump administration. Bilateral talks between the two nations have been largely frozen since June, leaving no clear path to de-escalation in the near term. The 1959 Cuban Revolution, led by Fidel and Raúl Castro, ended five years of armed insurgency to overthrow the US-aligned Batista dictatorship and established the socialist state that has governed Cuba ever since.

  • Former educator celebrates 100th birthday

    Former educator celebrates 100th birthday

    On a warm, joyful Sunday surrounded by her closest loved ones, Esther Lilian Wickham officially marked a remarkable life milestone, entering the small, esteemed community of Barbadian centenarians while celebrating her 100th birthday with overwhelming gratitude and bright cheer. Sitting among decorations and well-wishers at her longtime home on Cadogan Road in Grazettes, St Michael, the newly-minted centenarian shared her surprising perspective on reaching 100, saying with a warm smile, “I feel good. I don’t feel 100.”

    When asked what she credits for her long, healthy life, Wickham pointed first to her strong family genetics. Both of her grandparents nearly hit the 100-year mark, and her own father lived to 99, a family history that laid the foundation for her own century of life. Beyond her genetic good fortune, Wickham leaves behind a rich professional and personal legacy that has shaped everyone around her.

    Before retiring, Wickham served as deputy principal of Erdiston Teachers’ Training College, and her commitment to learning never faded even after her career ended. She earned two separate bachelor’s degrees: one in education and a second in art, a testament to her lifelong curiosity and dedication to academic growth. This love of learning also extended to her family, according to her husband, retired professor Edcil Wickham. He recalled how Wickham consistently supported his own academic work throughout their marriage, even teaching him core problem-solving skills that helped him advance his career. “I got several awards, and I gave them to her because she was the one who did the work,” he shared, adding that his wife has remained a constant blessing in his life, always supportive and helpful through every challenge.

    Wickham raised three children, daughters Margaret Austin-Knight and Cheryl Austin, and son Jeffrey Austin, who described their mother as a perfect balance of gentle warmth and steady firmness. Margaret remembered that her mother rarely needed to raise her voice to keep her children in line: “She would just give us the look and we knew, cut it out.” Cheryl added that their mother lived by straightforward, memorable proverbs that shaped how the whole family approaches life: “drunk or sober, mind your business” and “if you make your bed, you have to lie in it.” Like her commitment to her own academic work, Wickham was uncompromising when it came to her children’s education, holding them to high standards that left a lasting impact. “We were afraid to bring home a grade less than an ‘A,’” Cheryl recalled.

    Barbados President Jeffrey Bostic offered his formal congratulations to Wickham on hitting the extraordinary milestone, honoring her as “one of Barbados’ treasures” for her contributions to education and her decades of impact on the island nation.

  • Preparations intensify for farewell to Sir Garry

    Preparations intensify for farewell to Sir Garry

    Barbados has completed a comprehensive full-scale rehearsal on Sunday for the upcoming state funeral of national hero and cricketing legend Sir Garfield Sobers, finalizing preparations for Wednesday’s official commemorative service. The key dress rehearsal kicked off Sunday morning, with a full ceremonial procession running along the planned route from the country’s Parliament Buildings directly to Kensington Oval, the iconic cricket ground that will host the final service. Members of both the Barbados Defence Force and the Barbados Police Service took part in the practice sessions, working through every detail of marching formations, ceremonial protocols, and on-site logistics both along the procession route and inside the venue. The rehearsal included a full run-through of the casket bearer procedure as uniformed personnel carried the ceremonial casket into Kensington Oval, marking one of the most critical segments of the planned funeral proceedings. This state funeral is expected to draw hundreds of attendees from across Barbados, as well as cricket fans and official delegates from around the world, all gathering to pay their final respects to the sporting icon, who is universally recognized as one of the greatest cricket all-rounders in the history of the sport. Beyond the ceremonial and processional elements, Sunday’s event also included detailed briefing sessions for all event staff and media managers, where organizers outlined clear procedural guidelines to ensure Wednesday’s service runs smoothly and respectfully. All involved teams are now putting the final touches on arrangements to honor one of Barbados’ most revered public figures.

  • China offers annual training for 1 000 Barbadians

    China offers annual training for 1 000 Barbadians

    As China and Barbados gear up to mark the 50th anniversary of their formal diplomatic relations in 2027, Beijing’s top envoy to the Caribbean nation has announced a landmark new initiative: starting this year, 1,000 Barbadians will travel to China annually for targeted professional training across multiple key industries.

    Chinese Ambassador to Barbados Zheng Bingkai revealed the programme during a weekend media symposium, emphasizing that the scheme is designed to deepen bilateral cooperation and nurture specialized local talent for Barbados’ long-term growth. “Starting this year, we have introduced a programme to send 1,000 Barbadians to China annually for professional training across various sectors,” Zheng stated. “Our core goal is to expand human capacity, facilitate cross-border knowledge transfer, and empower inclusive local development.”

    Zeng framed the decades-long China-Barbados partnership as a relationship rooted in equal mutual respect, aligned development objectives, and shared perspective as developing nations. “Geographic borders separate our two countries, but there is no barrier between our peoples, because we share a common development narrative,” he noted. “As we approach this five-decade milestone of diplomatic ties, it is critical that we reflect on the lessons of our past cooperation to build a stronger path forward for coming years.”

    During the event, the ambassador also paid tribute to the late Barbadian National Hero Sir Garfield Sobers, urging countries across the Caribbean to draw inspiration from his enduring legacy of cross-community unity. Looking back on 50 years of collaborative progress, Zheng highlighted a series of high-impact infrastructure and social projects delivered with Chinese support: these include critical road rehabilitation work in Barbados’ Scotland District, upgraded water treatment infrastructure along the island’s south coast, and the rollout of electric public buses that supports Barbados’ transition to carbon-neutral green energy. Additional ongoing cooperation spans agricultural partnerships designed to boost the island’s national food security, and community-focused medical outreach programmes that bring accessible healthcare services to communities across Barbados.

    Looking toward future collaboration, Zheng called for expanded joint work between the two nations to address the challenges of a rapidly shifting global landscape, especially the disruptive growth of artificial intelligence and digital transformation. “Humanity currently stands at another major historical crossroads,” he said. “Let us uphold the spirit of South-South solidarity to build a brighter, more prosperous future for all our peoples.”

    Also speaking at the symposium, Dr Delisle Worrell, president of the Association for Barbados-China Friendship (ABCF), shared his perspective on China’s decades of economic transformation and its far-reaching positive impact on Barbados and the broader Caribbean region. “China’s successful governance of its society and dynamic economy has delivered tangible benefits to the entire world, including Barbados,” Worrell affirmed.

    Worrell pointed out that Chinese manufactured goods and technological innovations have become integrated into daily life across Barbados, appearing everywhere from traditional Crop Over festival costumes and public hospital medical equipment to residential solar photovoltaic systems and electric passenger vehicles. He also outlined a series of ongoing civil society initiatives aimed at strengthening educational and cultural ties between the two countries, with a particular focus on youth engagement. Key programmes include free public Mandarin language tutoring, which prepares Barbadian students to meet the language requirements for Chinese government scholarships that support study at Chinese higher education institutions.

  • Simons bij terugkeer uit Engeland: ‘Internationale steun cruciaal voor nieuwe economische fase’

    Simons bij terugkeer uit Engeland: ‘Internationale steun cruciaal voor nieuwe economische fase’

    Suriname’s President Jennifer Simons has returned home from a four-day working mission to the United Kingdom, expressing clear optimism about the outcomes of her trip, which focused on building global economic ties and attracting critical investment for the South American nation’s upcoming development phase.

    Simons and her small delegation, which included Minister of Finance and Planning Adelien Wijnerman, touched down at Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport on Sunday, following the mission that launched last Wednesday. The president emphasized from the outset that this trip was not an official state visit to the UK government, but a targeted working visit centered on connecting with key leaders in global finance and the energy sector.

    During the mission, Simons held discussions with senior leadership from Bank of America, alongside representatives from other major international financial institutions and oil and gas companies. In remarks shared by Suriname’s Communication Service (CDS) after her arrival, she noted that the talks delivered high-value professional connections that will play a critical role in shaping Suriname’s economic future.

    Suriname is currently on the cusp of major economic transformation, driven by projected new revenue streams from its emerging oil and gas sector. Simons stressed that responsible management of these upcoming natural resource revenues requires international expertise and collaboration, particularly as the country works to establish key institutional frameworks including a sovereign wealth fund.

    “Suriname stands on the threshold of major development. Right now, it is more important than ever to build the right connections, gain critical knowledge, and organize international support for our growth,” Simons said. She added that any guidance and technical expertise from global partners to support the creation and management of the country’s sovereign wealth fund is indispensable, as Suriname prepares to handle new resource revenues responsibly.

    The president described all meetings held during the mission as constructive, and voiced satisfaction with the clear willingness expressed by international financial bodies to back Suriname’s development trajectory. “Global stakeholders have approached our plans with a positive attitude, and I share that positive outlook,” Simons stated. “Our ultimate goal is to secure support from the world’s major financial institutions as we enter this new development period for our country.”

    Simons also pointed out that international interest in Suriname extends far beyond the oil and gas sector. Talks during the mission also covered opportunities for partnership and investment in other strategic areas of national development, including the expansion of Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport and broader national infrastructure upgrades.

    “We have a great deal of work ahead of our country as we navigate this economic transition phase,” Simons said. “That is why maintaining strong international connections and forging collaborative agreements is so vital to our long-term success.”