Carib Scope

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  • Venezuela moves to liberalize oil sector, in boost for Trump

    Venezuela moves to liberalize oil sector, in boost for Trump

    Venezuela’s National Assembly has initiated legislative proceedings to dismantle the state’s monopoly on its oil industry, marking a dramatic reversal from two decades of socialist energy policy. The proposed legislation would permit privately-owned companies registered in Venezuela to conduct independent oil exploration and extraction operations without mandatory partnerships with state-owned PDVSA.

    This transformative shift follows the January 3rd ouster of socialist leader Nicolás Maduro, whose government maintained rigid state control over the country’s vast petroleum resources. The legislation is being advanced under the leadership of acting president Delcy Rodríguez, who served as Maduro’s vice president but has rapidly moved to normalize relations with the United States.

    In a significant demonstration of warming diplomatic ties, the United States has appointed Laura F. Dogu, a seasoned diplomat with experience as ambassador to Nicaragua and Honduras, as charge d’affaires to Venezuela. This appointment signals the potential restoration of full diplomatic relations, which were severed following Maduro’s disputed 2019 reelection.

    The Rodríguez administration has already taken concrete economic measures, injecting $300 million from a U.S.-brokered oil sale to stabilize the collapsing bolivar currency. While this initial intervention temporarily strengthened the national currency, economists emphasize that sustained economic recovery will require substantial foreign investment and continuous dollar inflows.

    Concurrently, the new government has begun addressing human rights concerns by releasing dozens of political prisoners, including the son-in-law of opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia, who was serving a 30-year sentence on terrorism charges. These actions appear designed to garner domestic support and international legitimacy following years of economic collapse and political repression under Maduro.

    The geopolitical implications extend beyond Venezuela, with the Trump administration leveraging the situation to increase pressure on Cuba by threatening to cut off the island nation’s access to subsidized Venezuelan oil that has sustained its economy for years.

  • ‘Puppy love’: Man helps to rescue canines from Kingston gully

    ‘Puppy love’: Man helps to rescue canines from Kingston gully

    A routine drive through Kingston’s Industrial Terrace transformed into a rescue mission for local resident Leon Anderson on Wednesday after he discovered a litter of puppies in imminent danger. The animals were found clinging precariously to the eroding bank of a gully, with several already having fallen into the trench below.

    Anderson immediately stopped to assess the situation, realizing that while he could assist the puppies on the bank, those in the gully required professional rescue equipment. His subsequent call to police was met with dismissal, as officers reportedly told him he was ‘wasting their time.’ Undeterred, Anderson contacted the fire brigade, remaining on scene to monitor the vulnerable animals as they faced exposure to garbage, polluted water, and intense heat.

    The delayed response culminated in a successful rescue operation by firefighters, who employed a ladder and reinforced cardboard box to retrieve all puppies from the hazardous environment. Anderson expressed particular frustration with the police response, noting that even a referral to emergency services could have accelerated the rescue.

    In an unexpected development, Anderson assumed responsibility for the entire litter despite initially planning to adopt only two. His decision was guided by personal principles and his wife’s affection for dogs, with confidence that all puppies would receive loving care in their household.

  • Guyana to issue chikungunya alert following outbreak in Suriname

    Guyana to issue chikungunya alert following outbreak in Suriname

    GEORGETOWN, Guyana – In a proactive response to a public health threat, Guyana’s Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony has announced a nationwide alert for all medical facilities. The directive mandates heightened vigilance for patients presenting with severe body pains and fever, symptoms associated with the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus. This preventive measure follows confirmed reports of a chikungunya outbreak in the neighboring nation of Suriname.

    Minister Anthony, addressing the media on Wednesday, expressed confidence in the robustness of Guyana’s existing surveillance mechanisms. He emphasized that the country’s health network is well-equipped to promptly detect and report any potential cases. ‘Our system is fairly robust; anything that comes in will be reported, and we will be able to detect that,’ he stated in an interview with Demerara Waves online news. ‘However, since a neighboring country reported cases, we are putting our health centers and hospitals on alert to ensure immediate detection should anything emerge.’

    The alert in Suriname was triggered after its Ministry of Health confirmed eight autochthonous cases—meaning the infected individuals had not recently traveled abroad. The diagnoses were verified through testing at Suriname’s Central Laboratory of the Bureau for Public Health (BOG) and the Academic Hospital Paramaribo’s laboratory.

    In Guyana, the standard protocol for febrile illnesses involves initial testing for dengue. If those results return negative, medical staff proceed to test for other influenza-like infections. Subsequently, serum samples are dispatched to the National Reference Laboratory for advanced Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing, which can identify diseases like chikungunya. Minister Anthony clarified that, based on weekly surveillance reports, no local cases have been detected thus far, noting only one imported case from a Caribbean island last October.

    Complementing the clinical vigilance, the government is intensifying vector control efforts. The Health Ministry has trained personnel within neighborhood councils (NDCs), providing them with equipment and chemicals to conduct fogging operations. Each NDC is tasked with fogging within its community, a process monitored by the ministry. The Georgetown City Council operates its own fogging initiatives, with the health ministry conducting additional independent fogging campaigns.

    This outbreak echoes the first major chikungunya emergence in Suriname in June 2014, which coincided with the virus’s widespread circulation throughout the Caribbean. The Suriname Health Ministry has issued public guidance, advising individuals experiencing fever and joint pain to use paracetamol instead of aspirin or ibuprofen, and to ensure ample fluid intake and rest. The ministry has pledged to continue providing transparent and timely updates as the situation evolves.

  • ‘We will feed Jamaica’

    ‘We will feed Jamaica’

    In an extraordinary display of agricultural resilience, Jamaica’s farming sector has achieved a substantial crop surplus less than three months after the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. Agriculture Minister Floyd Green announced this rapid recovery during a press briefing, highlighting significant overproduction of key vegetables including cucumbers, lettuce, pak choi, and string beans across multiple parishes.

    The Category 5 hurricane, which struck on October 28, 2025, initially caused catastrophic damage estimated between $30-60 billion, affecting over 70,000 farmers and devastating crops, livestock, and irrigation infrastructure. Despite this destruction, strategic government interventions totaling approximately $70 million in direct support have catalyzed an impressive rebound.

    Minister Green credited this recovery to multiple factors: the indomitable spirit of Jamaican farmers, comprehensive post-hurricane assistance programs, and significant policy adaptations. Support measures included a $40 million lease moratorium benefiting 440 investors across 2,750 hectares, distribution of seeds and fertilizers, extensive land preparation covering hundreds of acres, and critical infrastructure repairs including 10 kilometers of drainage systems.

    Parish-specific production data reveals substantial surpluses: Clarendon leads with excess sweet potatoes and peppers, St. Elizabeth dominates squash and cauliflower production, while Manchester, Westmoreland, St. Anne, and St. Thomas all report significant vegetable gluts. This agricultural abundance has already translated into consumer benefits, with market prices plummeting between 14-77% across various produce items.

    However, the recovery presents new challenges. Diminished demand from the hurricane-affected hospitality sector, operating at 30-80% capacity depending on the crop, has created market imbalances. Supply chain constraints, particularly limited cold storage capacity exacerbated by power disruptions, have further complicated surplus management.

    To address these issues, the ministry is implementing a multi-faceted response: organizing island-wide farmers’ markets through RADA and JAS, developing agri-processing initiatives for value-added products, and finalizing a COVID-style buyback program for direct produce redistribution. Infrastructure enhancements include new renewable-powered storage containers in Flagaman and the upcoming Essex Valley Storage Facility with capacity for 22 container loads of fresh produce.

    Minister Green emphasized the government’s commitment to building long-term resilience: ‘The lessons of Hurricane Melissa are being applied deliberately—from catastrophe funds and insurance to diversified markets and stronger infrastructure. We remain engaged, present and accountable to our farming communities as we drive this recovery together.’

  • Praedial larceny convictions skyrocket

    Praedial larceny convictions skyrocket

    Jamaica’s innovative approach to combating agricultural crime has yielded unprecedented judicial results, with convictions for praedial larceny skyrocketing by over 2,000% in 2025. The establishment of the Agricultural Protection Branch within the Jamaica Constabulary Force has fundamentally transformed the nation’s response to farm theft, creating a specialized law enforcement unit dedicated exclusively to protecting the agricultural sector.

    Official statistics released by Agriculture Minister Floyd Green reveal a dramatic escalation in enforcement effectiveness. Convictions jumped from a mere nine cases in 2024 to 209 in 2025, while arrests nearly tripled from 139 in 2024 to 381 in 2025. The judicial system has responded with increased activity, with cases before the courts surging by 68% from 201 to 337 annually.

    Minister Green characterized these developments as a “breakthrough in judicial success and offender accountability,” stating that the nation is “on the road to break the back of praedial larceny.” The 75-officer specialized branch represents the first comprehensive police unit focused entirely on agricultural crime, operating with island-wide coverage.

    Complementing these enforcement measures, legislative reforms enacted in July 2025 significantly strengthened the legal framework. Amendments to the Praedial Larceny Prevention Act introduced heightened penalties and implemented victim impact statements, empowering farmers with formal representation during court proceedings. These changes built upon earlier enhancements to the Agricultural Produce Act in 2023, which increased fines to $3 million, broadened the definition of agricultural produce, and established mandatory registration and licensing protocols.

    The government is now advancing traceability initiatives as the next phase in its anti-theft strategy. Minister Green emphasized the critical importance of animal tagging services and movement controls, noting expanded efforts to strengthen Jamaica’s central livestock database through the Rural Agricultural Development Authority. This integrated approach combining specialized policing, legislative strengthening, and technological solutions represents a comprehensive model for addressing agricultural crime in developing economies.

  • Smith beats Clayton twins, Thompson third in Sweden over 60m

    Smith beats Clayton twins, Thompson third in Sweden over 60m

    In a stunning display of athletic prowess at the BAUHAUS Gala Indoor meet in Sweden on Thursday, Jamaican sprinter Jonielle Smith delivered a spectacular upset against the renowned Clayton twins. Smith, who had previously finished second to Tia Clayton just days earlier at the Fuller-Anderson meet, dominated the competition from the preliminary rounds. She initially set a new track record of 7.17 seconds in her heat, signaling her championship form.

    The highly anticipated final saw Smith elevate her performance even further, shattering her own newly established record with an exceptional time of 7.12 seconds. The Clayton twins, Tina and Tia, who received automatic qualifications to the final, found themselves unexpectedly outperformed. In an extraordinary photo-finish scenario, both twins recorded identical times of 7.14 seconds, with Tina securing second place by the narrowest margin over Tia who placed third.

    Jamaican athletes completed a remarkable podium sweep under the MVP track club banner, while Swedish competitor Julia Henriksson finished fourth with 7.31 seconds. The men’s 60m event presented another surprising outcome as Jamaica’s Olympic and World Championship silver medalist Kishane Thompson was relegated to third position. British sprinter Romell Glave captured victory with a record-setting 6.51 seconds, followed by compatriot Jeremiah Azu at 6.54 seconds, while Thompson completed the course in 6.56 seconds. Jamaica’s additional male contender, Rohan Watson, achieved seventh position with a season-best performance of 6.64 seconds.

  • WATCH: ‘I may never get a bone, but justice will serve’

    WATCH: ‘I may never get a bone, but justice will serve’

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a emotionally charged courtroom development that has captured national attention, Constable Noel Maitland has been found guilty of murder and preventing the lawful burial of his girlfriend, Donna Lee Donaldson, who vanished in July 2022. The verdict delivered Thursday at the Home Circuit Court marked a pivotal moment in a case that has highlighted issues of gender-based violence and police accountability in Jamaica.

    The conviction came after extensive deliberation by the jury, which determined Maitland’s culpability in the disappearance and presumed death of the 24-year-old victim, whose body has never been recovered. The case centered on Donaldson’s last known whereabouts at Chelsea Manor Apartments in St. Andrew, where the accused police officer resided.

    Sophia Lugg, the victim’s mother, responded to the verdict with tearful gratitude, addressing supporters and media outside the courthouse. ‘To all my Jamaican people, to each and everyone all over this world, thank you very much for standing with me,’ Lugg declared. ‘The verdict has passed and victory belongs to us.’

    When questioned about Maitland’s emotional display upon hearing the verdict, Lugg offered a philosophical perspective: ‘Tears are a language for even the murderers. God understands, he knows why he cries.’

    The Director of Public Prosecutions, Claudette Thompson, described the outcome as ‘bittersweet,’ noting that while justice had been served, the verdict confirmed the tragic reality of Donaldson’s fate. ‘It is not a moment for us to rejoice,’ Thompson stated. ‘It is acceptance that the jurors returned the correct verdict.’

    Lugg vowed to continue seeking answers about her daughter’s final resting place while expressing gratitude to Jamaica’s justice system, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the jury members who participated in the proceedings.

  • 250 more ex-Caroni workers get land leases

    250 more ex-Caroni workers get land leases

    The Trinidadian government has significantly intensified its initiative to resolve longstanding land tenure issues for former employees of the defunct Caroni (1975) Ltd., with a recent distribution event in Couva marking a major milestone in this ongoing effort.

    On January 21, Land and Legal Affairs Minister Saddam Hosein presided over the distribution of land leases to 250 beneficiaries at the Dennis P Ramdhan Complex in McBean Village. This event represents the third such distribution ceremony conducted within nine months by the administration led by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who assumed office in April of last year.

    Minister Hosein emphasized the administration’s commitment to fulfilling campaign promises, noting that nearly 600 leases have been distributed since taking office—a achievement he contrasted with the previous 22 years of inaction. Despite this progress, Hosein acknowledged that substantial work remains, with approximately 3,000 residential leases and 1,751 agricultural plots still awaiting distribution, alongside necessary remedial land works.

    The historical context traces back to 2003 when Caroni (1975) Ltd. was shuttered under a PNM administration. Subsequent legal battles ensued as the state failed to honor voluntary separation packages, culminating in a court ruling that affirmed workers’ entitlement to land leases. The previous administration appealed this decision, but Persad-Bissessar’s government dropped the appeal upon assuming power.

    In a related development, Hosein revealed that the government has agreed to a $130 million compensation package for former private sugarcane farmers as final settlement for transition payments following the sugar industry’s 2007 collapse. The payment structure involves three tranches—$27 million, $75 million, and $28 million—with only the first installment paid during the People’s Partnership administration in July 2015.

    Hosein further alleged that European Union funds totaling 8 million euros ($63.55 million), intended for worker compensation during the PNM’s tenure, were diverted from their designated purpose. He characterized these actions as both unlawful and unethical during a press conference at the UNC Headquarters.

    Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath, who also addressed attendees, praised Persad-Bissessar’s leadership and commended Hosein’s determined efforts to resolve what he described as a “legacy matter languishing for years under previous administrations.”

    Among the recipients was 75-year-old Allan Manichand, a former mechanic with 35 years of service who plans to bequeath the land to relatives, and 69-year-old Roshad Ali, who expressed satisfaction at finally receiving his due entitlement after years of waiting.

  • Panday criticises PM for attack on independent senators

    Panday criticises PM for attack on independent senators

    In a striking political confrontation, Mickela Panday, prominent opposition figure, has publicly denounced Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for her vehement criticism of independent senators regarding the contentious Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) Bill, 2026. The legislative battle centers on a security bill that would empower the Prime Minister, as National Security Council chair, to designate special security zones for up to 180 days in consultation with police and military leadership.

    The parliamentary mathematics reveals the government’s challenge: the bill requires 19 votes in the Senate for passage, yet the ruling party controls only 15 seats against the opposition’s 6 and independents’ 9. This arithmetic has intensified the political stakes, prompting Persad-Bissessar’s reported characterization of independent senators as ‘shameless,’ ‘bootlickers,’ and individuals who ‘had no courage to contest any election.’

    Panday’s rebuttal presents a constitutional defense of the Senate’s structure, noting that all senators—government, opposition, and independent—hold appointed rather than elected positions. She highlights the constitutional provisions whereby government and opposition senators are appointed by the President on advice of the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader respectively, while nine independents are appointed without consultation with either office.

    The critique extends beyond procedural matters to fundamental democratic principles. Panday warns that attacking oversight institutions and treating constitutional roles as obstacles represents the ‘early stages of a creeping dictatorship.’ She challenges the Prime Minister to pursue formal constitutional reform rather than condemn appointment mechanisms while simultaneously relying on them, noting her late father, former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday, long advocated for constitutional modernization.

    The Senate debate, which began January 20th and continues through January 23rd, has thus evolved from a legislative discussion into a broader examination of democratic governance and the proper role of appointed officials in a parliamentary system.

  • West Indies avoid T20 series sweep against Afghanistan

    West Indies avoid T20 series sweep against Afghanistan

    In a dramatic turnaround at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on January 22, the West Indies cricket team secured a hard-fought 15-run victory against Afghanistan in the third T20 international, preventing a series whitewash despite Afghanistan’s 2-1 series triumph.

    The match served as crucial preparation for both teams ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to commence on February 7 across venues in India and Sri Lanka.

    Stand-in captain Brandon King demonstrated significantly improved form at the crease, anchoring the West Indies innings with a composed 47 runs from 35 deliveries, featuring two boundaries and three maximums. The middle-order contribution came from Matthew Forde, whose explosive 27 off just 11 balls provided vital momentum. However, the Caribbean side struggled to build substantial partnerships, ultimately posting 151/7 in their allotted 20 overs.

    Afghanistan’s bowling attack was spearheaded by the exceptional Rashid Khan, who delivered a masterclass in T20 bowling with remarkable figures of 2/13 from his four overs. He received capable support from Abdollah Ahmadzai (2/30) and Ziaur Rahman (2/45), who maintained consistent pressure throughout the innings.

    In response, Afghanistan appeared poised for victory following a formidable 72-run opening partnership between Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran. Despite Gurbaz’s magnificent 71 from 58 deliveries, the middle order collapsed spectacularly against the disciplined West Indian bowling attack.

    The match turned decisively in favor of the West Indies through the outstanding performance of pace bowler Shamar Springer, who recorded career-best figures of 4/20 in his four overs. The 2016 Under-19 World Cup champion complemented his bowling with two crucial catches, demonstrating all-round fielding excellence. Supporting contributions came from Forde, Khary Pierre, and Ramon Simmonds, each claiming one wicket to restrict Afghanistan to 136/8.

    The West Indies squad competed without several key players including regular captain Shai Hope, spinner Akeal Hosein, power hitter Rovman Powell, and all-rounder Romario Shepherd, who were either rested or unavailable for selection.