Carib Scope

作者： admin

  • 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.

  • Caribbean, global movements stand in solidarity with Venezuela

    Caribbean, global movements stand in solidarity with Venezuela

    A broad coalition of political organizations, civil society groups, jurists, and solidarity movements spanning the Caribbean and Latin America has united in forceful condemnation of recent military operations against Venezuela, which they attribute to United States forces. The collective represents nations including Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Cuba, Curaçao, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Palestine (Gaza Strip), Paraguay, the Dominican Republic, and multiple Caribbean island nations.

    This mobilization emerged from the inaugural Regional Conference titled “The Voices of the Caribbean in Defense of Venezuela and International Law,” which convened over 180 political and social actors. According to the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Saint Lucia, the conference served as a strategic platform for developing coordinated responses to external threats facing the region.

    Participants addressed the escalating security concerns following the events of January 3, 2026, when reported bombings in Venezuela resulted in the alleged kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro Moros and First Lady Cilia Flores. Conference delegates discussed these developments as part of a pattern of external destabilization efforts requiring unified regional opposition.

    The gathering focused on constructing a robust international solidarity network dedicated to preserving national sovereignty and reshaping foreign policy approaches throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Speakers emphasized the urgency of establishing concrete mechanisms for regional protection and promoting the concept of the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace.

    Attendees unanimously denounced the military actions allegedly conducted by the United States, which reportedly caused over 100 casualties alongside the detention of Venezuela’s constitutional leaders. The conference represents the initial phase of an ongoing initiative that will include expert presentations on International Law, analytical sessions, and the development of legal instruments to ensure Caribbean unity and territorial integrity.

  • Police Information System Restored

    Police Information System Restored

    BELIZE CITY – The Belize Police Department has successfully restored full operational capacity to its critical Crime Information Management System (CIMS), concluding a nearly two-month period of significantly limited functionality. The technical disruption originated from administrative delays in processing an outstanding annual software maintenance fee.

    Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Enterprise, provided official confirmation to News 5 regarding the system’s complete restoration. Bennett clarified that the technical complications emerged specifically after the belated settlement of a $186,000 Belize Dollar (approximately $93,000 USD) mandatory annual fee for software licensing and support services.

    “Technicians are currently engaged in comprehensive efforts to return the system to full 100% operational status,” Bennett stated during his briefing. He emphasized that despite the severe technical limitations experienced over recent weeks, core police operations remained uncompromised throughout the duration of the system impairment.

    The CEO provided crucial context regarding operational adaptations during the outage: “Throughout this period of reduced system capacity, the Belize Police Department maintained access to critical information databases. The primary impact was operational efficiency rather than functional paralysis, with data retrieval processes requiring substantially more time and intermediary steps.”

    Bennett further explained that the technical constraints necessitated a modified workflow where individual police stations lost direct access privileges, requiring them to submit data requests through central IT personnel who served as intermediaries for database queries. This procedural workaround, while functional, considerably slowed routine information retrieval processes for frontline officers across the nation.

    The restoration of CIMS to full functionality marks a significant return to normalcy for Belize’s law enforcement operations, eliminating the previously necessary bureaucratic layers that hampered efficient data access during the technical disruption.

  • Gail Christian to Assume Chairmanship of the Caribbean Consular Corps in Toronto

    Gail Christian to Assume Chairmanship of the Caribbean Consular Corps in Toronto

    In a significant diplomatic development, Ms. Gail Christian, the Consul General of Antigua and Barbuda based in Toronto, has been selected to chair the Caribbean Consular Corps (CCC) for the 2026 term. This appointment positions her at the helm of a coalition comprising thirteen Caribbean diplomatic and consular missions operating within Toronto’s international landscape.

    The Caribbean Consular Corps functions as a pivotal coordinating entity that facilitates collaborative efforts and unified advocacy on issues pertinent to Caribbean nations and their diaspora communities residing in the Greater Toronto Area. The leadership role, which rotates among member nations, carries the responsibility of providing strategic direction and serving as the consolidated representative voice for Caribbean interests during official functions and ceremonial events.

    During her forthcoming tenure, Consul General Christian has outlined a comprehensive agenda focused on four key pillars: fostering substantive economic partnerships, promoting education and skills development initiatives, enhancing engagement with the Caribbean diaspora community, and strengthening the Corps’ institutional framework. Among the proposed structural enhancements is the implementation of a Troika system designed to ensure greater continuity and operational consistency within the organization’s leadership structure.

    In her official statement regarding the appointment, Consul General Christian characterized the position as “both an honour and a responsibility to serve the wider Caribbean family in Canada.” She further emphasized her commitment to collaborative leadership, stating, “Together, we will amplify our collective voice and advance initiatives that benefit our people and our region.” This appointment reflects the ongoing diplomatic cooperation among Caribbean nations and their representative missions in Canada.