Carib Scope

作者： admin

  • Zuid-Korea: Ex-premier krijgt 23 jaar cel wegens rebellie

    Zuid-Korea: Ex-premier krijgt 23 jaar cel wegens rebellie

    In a landmark ruling that has sent shockwaves through South Korea’s political landscape, the Seoul Central District Court has convicted former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo of rebellion for his involvement in ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial December 2024 emergency declaration. The court handed down a severe 23-year prison sentence to Han, who served as one of three interim leaders during the crisis that ultimately led to Yoon’s impeachment.

    The court characterized Yoon’s emergency declaration as a ‘self-coup’ attempt that fundamentally undermined South Korea’s constitutional order. During nationally televised proceedings, justices detailed how the deployment of military and police forces against parliamentary and electoral institutions constituted sedition that seriously endangered national stability.

    Han faced particular condemnation for his efforts to procedurally legitimize the emergency decree through cabinet meetings, alongside charges of document forgery, destruction of evidence, and perjury. Despite Han’s defense claims that he had warned Yoon against the plan and denied most allegations, the court found he had ‘failed in his duty as prime minister’ and participated in rebellion ‘believing it would succeed.’

    The ruling serves as a stark warning against actions that could return South Korea to its authoritarian past, where fundamental freedoms and democratic legal structures were systematically suppressed. Han, who previously served as prime minister under liberal President Roh Moo-hyun, briefly acted as interim president following Yoon’s removal but was himself quickly impeached over constitutional court appointment disputes.

    Yoon remains imprisoned awaiting trial on multiple charges including rebellion, document forgery, and obstruction of his own cabinet. The former president has denied all allegations, labeling investigations ‘frustrated and manipulated.’ The emergency declaration period evoked memories of South Korea’s 1980s dictatorships, triggering both domestic political turmoil and international concern.

    The case represents a critical juncture in South Korea’s democratic development, demonstrating the judiciary’s commitment to protecting constitutional foundations against executive overreach. Numerous other high-ranking officials from Yoon’s administration and military leadership face ongoing prosecutions for their roles in the crisis.

  • Marie Sharp Makes Forbes’ 50 Over 50 Global List

    Marie Sharp Makes Forbes’ 50 Over 50 Global List

    Marie Sharp, the visionary Belizean entrepreneur behind the iconic hot sauce brand, has secured a prestigious position on Forbes Magazine’s 2026 50 Over 50 Global roster. This distinguished compilation honors extraordinary leaders, founders, and innovators across 36 nations who are driving transformative change in diverse sectors from aviation to mining.

    The Forbes recognition specifically celebrates individuals who have achieved record-breaking accomplishments, pioneered revolutionary technologies, or developed medical treatments with potential global impact. Sharp’s inclusion reflects her remarkable journey from educator to culinary innovator.

    Her entrepreneurial story began following her teaching career when she started experimenting with habanero peppers and garden vegetables. While maintaining full-time employment at the Citrus Company, Sharp developed her distinctive recipes, initially sharing them with family before friends encouraged commercial production. In 1981, she launched her sauce venture, which rapidly gained popularity and expanded into the lucrative United States market.

    A significant trademark challenge prompted strategic rebranding, leading to the 1992 establishment of Marie Sharp’s Fine Foods. The company has since evolved into a comprehensive provider of artisanal sauces, jams, and specialty seasonings. The industry formally acknowledged Sharp’s culinary contributions in 2016 with her induction into the Hot Sauce Hall of Fame.

    Forbes positioned Sharp at number 85 within their global ranking, highlighting her as an exemplar of entrepreneurial perseverance and innovation. Her recognition underscores the growing global appreciation for Caribbean culinary traditions and female entrepreneurship in the food industry.

  • PM Clarifies Removal of Price Controls on Retail Sugar

    PM Clarifies Removal of Price Controls on Retail Sugar

    In a significant policy shift, the Belizean government has eliminated price controls on retail sugar products, a move defended by Prime Minister John Briceño as beneficial for both market competition and sugarcane farmers. The January 21st announcement clarifies that while bulk sugar in standard bags remains regulated, pre-packaged retail units (including one-pound and five-pound bags) are now exempt from price controls.

    Prime Minister Briceño emphasized that this deregulation creates new market opportunities, allowing any enterprise or individual to purchase bulk sugar and package it for retail sale. “This is open to anybody that would want to be able to package,” Briceño stated, specifically mentioning that Santander Sugar Limited—currently prohibited from direct local sugar sales—could now participate in the retail market through prepackaged products.

    The policy change addresses Santander’s ongoing request to sell its refined sugar domestically, though Briceño noted this separate matter remains under governmental review. Importantly, the Prime Minister asserted that sugarcane farmers (cañeros) continue to benefit from local market sales regardless of packaging format, as Belize Sugar Industries (BSI) purchases sugarcane from growers before processing and packaging operations.

    This market liberalization represents a shift from previous protectionist measures and is expected to stimulate competition in Belize’s retail sugar sector while maintaining support for agricultural producers through the existing bulk sugar price control mechanism.

  • Caribbean nations aim to enhance collaboration with new head of IICA to increase agricultural development and decrease imported foods

    Caribbean nations aim to enhance collaboration with new head of IICA to increase agricultural development and decrease imported foods

    SAN JOSÉ – Caribbean agricultural leaders have voiced strong optimism that the newly inaugurated Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Guyanese agronomist Muhammad Ibrahim, will spearhead transformative efforts to reduce the region’s dependency on imported food and bolster food sovereignty. The inauguration ceremony in Costa Rica, attended by ministers from 30 nations and international organizations, marked the commencement of Ibrahim’s 2026–2030 term, succeeding Manuel Otero who led the institute through two consecutive terms.

    Saint Lucia’s Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Sustainable Development, Lisa Jawahir, emphasized IICA’s critical partnership in achieving national and regional self-sufficiency. “Saint Lucia is proud to have IICA as a partner in our goal of becoming self-sustaining and self-sufficient,” Jawahir stated, underscoring the strategic aim to not only ensure food security but also systematically replace imported food staples with regionally produced alternatives.

    Minister Jawahir identified two priority areas for deepened collaboration: climate resilience and digital agriculture. She revealed ongoing discussions for IICA-led assessments of Saint Lucia’s agricultural systems to develop climate-adaptive farming practices capable of withstanding increasingly severe weather events. Furthermore, she highlighted the necessity of employing innovative, science-based techniques to make agriculture more appealing to younger generations, noting that IICA is indispensable for facilitating knowledge exchange with major agricultural producers across the Americas.

    Echoing this sentiment, Belize’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and New Growth Industries, Rodwell Ferguson, called for enhanced regional integration. He stressed IICA’s unique position, with its 34 member states, to act as a unifying force. Ferguson expressed confidence in Ibrahim’s leadership, citing his extensive experience as a former IICA representative in Belize. A key expectation from the new leadership is its role in mobilizing crucial funding for agricultural resilience projects by leveraging international financial mechanisms for which IICA holds accreditation.

    The collective outlook from the Caribbean indicates a firm belief that under Ibrahim’s direction, IICA will intensify its support for training small-scale farmers, integrating advanced technologies, and fortifying the region’s agricultural sector against climatic and economic challenges, ultimately forging a path toward collective food independence.

  • BL&P issues safety warning over election paraphernalia

    BL&P issues safety warning over election paraphernalia

    The Barbados Light & Power Company (BL&P) has issued a formal safety advisory directed at political candidates and their supporters, explicitly prohibiting the attachment of campaign materials to utility poles throughout the election period. The utility provider emphasized that this common practice creates severe and potentially life-threatening hazards.

    In a detailed statement released across its official social media platforms, BL&P outlined the multifaceted dangers posed by affixing posters, signs, nails, staples, or tacks to electrical infrastructure. The company warned that these foreign objects present critical safety risks to its trained linemen, potentially puncturing their essential protective gear and increasing the likelihood of dangerous falls from height. Even seemingly minor items left behind can result in severe occupational injuries.

    Furthermore, the utility company highlighted the broader public safety implications. Obscuring pole identification numbers with campaign materials can significantly delay emergency response times during power outages or electrical incidents. More gravely, the act of installing these materials exposes non-qualified personnel to potentially fatal electrical hazards, including electrocution.

    BL&P also noted that these unauthorized attachments interfere with essential routine maintenance and repair operations, ultimately compromising the reliability and safety of the national electrical grid for all citizens. The advisory serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of maintaining clear electrical infrastructure during heightened political activity.

  • PM Dismisses Corruption Allegations as “Mischief”

    PM Dismisses Corruption Allegations as “Mischief”

    BELIZE CITY – Prime Minister John Briceño has categorically dismissed emerging corruption allegations targeting his administration’s Ministry of Rural Transformation, characterizing the claims as deliberate “mischief” with foreign origins.

    The controversy ignited when a private message containing unverified accusations regarding road construction projects, procurement processes, and contract approvals was inadvertently published to the WhatsApp status of Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie. The message remained briefly visible before being deleted from the public platform.

    Addressing journalists, PM Briceño revealed the message traced back to a Mexican telephone number, raising immediate suspicions about its credibility. “When you observe something of this nature originating internationally, it becomes evident that malicious intent is at play,” Briceño stated. He provided context that the message had been forwarded through official channels: initially sent to him, then directed to Cabinet Secretary Leslie for appropriate routing to ministry officials, but accidentally posted publicly instead.

    The Prime Minister demonstrated his proactive response by ordering immediate verification checks with key suppliers allegedly involved. “We contacted Benny’s among other vendors,” Briceño reported, “and they have formally confirmed conducting zero business transactions with the Ministry of Rural Transformation.”

    Briceño further fortified his defense by highlighting the ministry’s funding structure. “The majority of this ministry’s budgetary allocations derive from European Union development funds,” he explained, “which operate under rigorously established procurement protocols and external oversight mechanisms that prevent financial irregularities.”

    Concluding his statements, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that the allegations lacked substantive foundation, indicating no formal investigation would be warranted given the absence of credible evidence and the foreign nature of the source.

  • Three-day Urban Search and Rescue Training Underway at Crabbes

    Three-day Urban Search and Rescue Training Underway at Crabbes

    A critical three-day intensive training program for Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) personnel is currently in progress at the Crabbes training facility. This rigorous exercise is designed to simulate high-stakes disaster scenarios, equipping first responders with the advanced skills necessary for locating, extracting, and providing life-saving medical aid to victims trapped in collapsed structures.

    The training curriculum encompasses a comprehensive range of technical disciplines, including shoring and stabilization of unstable wreckage, strategic breaching of concrete and rebar, and the delicate art of tunneling through debris. Participants are also drilled in the deployment of sophisticated electronic search equipment, such as seismic listening devices and fiber-optic scopes, to detect signs of life. The program emphasizes a multi-agency, collaborative response, mirroring the complex coordination required in real-world catastrophes like earthquakes, major industrial accidents, or terrorist attacks.

    Held at the strategically chosen Crabbes site, which offers varied and challenging terrain, the exercise serves as a vital component of regional disaster preparedness. The initiative underscores a continuous commitment to enhancing operational readiness, ensuring that elite rescue teams remain at peak proficiency to mitigate loss of life and suffering when communities are faced with unimaginable crises.

  • Fire service confirms snake bite incident, victim hospitalised

    Fire service confirms snake bite incident, victim hospitalised

    Medical authorities in Saint Lucia are treating a patient following a venomous snake bite incident involving the island’s endemic fer-de-lance pit viper. The encounter occurred Tuesday afternoon in the Tomazo area of Dennery, prompting emergency response from the Saint Lucia Fire Service.

    Emergency personnel arrived at the scene at approximately 2:54 p.m. to find an adult male victim with visible puncture wounds to his facial area and upper left extremity. First responders administered immediate medical treatment before transporting the individual to a specialized healthcare facility for advanced antivenom therapy and ongoing care.

    This incident highlights a growing concern among environmental officials who have documented increased sightings of the venomous Saint Lucian fer-de-lance outside its natural forest habitat. The snake’s potent venom and increasing proximity to human settlements have prompted coordinated governmental action.

    In December, over seventy community members participated in the Access and Benefit Sharing Project’s specialized fer-de-lance handling workshops. This initiative, supported by the Department of Sustainable Development and the Division of Forestry and Land Resources, provided hands-on training in snake identification, behavior recognition, and safe handling procedures for residents in high-risk areas.

    Complementing these preventive measures, the Ministry of Health has established a comprehensive snake bite management program under the island’s Universal Health Coverage framework. This critical service guarantees that all residents can access necessary medical treatment, including expensive antivenom therapies, without financial burden through the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs.

  • West Indies surrender series with defeat in Dubai

    West Indies surrender series with defeat in Dubai

    Afghanistan secured a commanding series victory against the West Indies in their T20 cricket encounter on January 21st at Dubai International Stadium. The hosts delivered a comprehensive performance, defeating the Caribbean side by 39 runs to claim an unassailable lead in the three-match series.

    The match began with West Indies winning the toss and opting to field first. Afghanistan’s opening batsmen established a solid foundation during the powerplay, reaching 54-2. The innings gained tremendous momentum through a spectacular 115-run partnership between Darwish Rasooli and Sediqullah Atal. Atal, who received an early reprieve when dropped on 11, capitalized on the opportunity to score 53 runs. His partner Rasooli continued his excellent form, blasting 68 runs from just 39 deliveries to mark his second consecutive half-century. Afghanistan concluded their innings strongly at 189-4.

    Despite the challenging total, Barbadian bowler Matthew Forde emerged as the most effective West Indies bowler, recording impressive figures of 2-25 from his allotted overs. However, the Caribbean team’s fielding performance proved substandard, with several missed opportunities undermining their bowling efforts.

    In response, the West Indies batting lineup struggled to establish rhythm during the initial overs. A promising 68-run partnership between Brandon King and Shimron Hetmyer temporarily revived hopes of a successful chase. Afghanistan’s bowling attack, led by spin sensation Mujeeb Ur Rahman, dismantled the middle order with clinical precision. Rahman achieved a spectacular hat-trick during his spell, finishing with exceptional figures of 4-21 that effectively decided the contest. The defeat marks West Indies’ sixth consecutive loss at the Dubai venue, raising concerns about their performance in Asian conditions.

    The teams will conclude the series with a final match where West Indies will seek to salvage pride while Afghanistan aims for a clean sweep.

  • Windies crumble, Afghanistan seal series win

    Windies crumble, Afghanistan seal series win

    Afghanistan’s national cricket team delivered a commanding performance to secure a decisive 39-run victory over the West Indies in the second T20 International, clinching the series with one match remaining. The showdown at Dubai International Stadium saw the Afghan squad post a formidable total of 189/4 before systematically dismantling the Caribbean batting lineup, bowling them out for 150 in 18.5 overs.

    The match turned on Afghanistan’s exceptional third-wicket partnership of 115 runs between Sediqullah Atal (53 off 42 balls) and Darwish Rasooli, whose explosive 68 from 39 deliveries marked his second half-century of the series. Their collaboration propelled Afghanistan to a competitive position before Azmatullah Omarzai’s unbeaten 26 from 13 balls provided crucial late acceleration.

    West Indies’ response began disastrously, collapsing to 38/3 within the first eight overs. Captain Brandon King offered resistance with a determined 50 from 41 deliveries, supported by Shimron Hetmyer’s rapid 46 off 17 balls featuring six maximums. However, their 68-run partnership proved insufficient against Afghanistan’s varied attack. Spin maestro Mujeeb Ur Rahman emerged as the destruction chief, claiming 4/21 including King’s pivotal wicket, while Omarzai (2/20) and Fazalhaq Farooqi (2/28) provided effective support.

    The comprehensive defeat raises serious concerns about West Indies’ preparedness for the upcoming T20 World Cup, particularly regarding their batting consistency and ability to chase challenging targets. Afghanistan, conversely, demonstrates growing prowess in the shortest format, with their blend of power-hitting and strategic bowling proving increasingly effective against established cricketing nations.