Carib Scope

作者： admin

  • Security : Kamikaze drones are not sparing the population

    Security : Kamikaze drones are not sparing the population

    A disturbing pattern of lethal drone operations in Haiti has been exposed by Human Rights Watch, revealing significant civilian casualties and raising serious questions about the involvement of private military contractors. According to a comprehensive investigation, these kamikaze drone strikes have killed and injured hundreds of non-combatants, including numerous children, over a ten-month period.

    Juanita Goebertus, Americas Director at Human Rights Watch, issued a stark condemnation: “Dozens of ordinary people, including many children, have been killed and injured in these lethal drone operations.” The organization’s data analysis documents at least 1,243 fatalities from 141 separate drone operations between March 2025 and January 2026. Among the dead were 43 adults with no apparent ties to criminal organizations and 17 children. Additionally, 738 people were injured in these attacks, including at least 49 civilians.

    The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) has attributed the drone campaign to a specialized “Task Force” established by Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. This force operates with technical support from Vectus Global, a private military company owned by Erik Prince, the controversial former founder of Blackwater. The U.S. State Department’s involvement was confirmed by the American ambassador to Haiti, who acknowledged issuing an export license to Vectus Global for defense services in the country.

    The escalation of drone strikes has been particularly dramatic in recent months. Port-au-Prince witnessed 57 attacks between November 2025 and January 2026—nearly double the 29 operations recorded during the previous three-month period from August to October 2025.

    Human Rights Watch has called for immediate accountability measures, including compensation for affected families and full transparency regarding the command structure overseeing these operations. The organization has specifically demanded clarification about the role played by private military companies in the drone campaign. Formal letters detailing these findings and requests were sent to Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, the Haitian National Police, and Vectus Global. None had responded at the time of the report’s publication.

  • Dominican Port Authority inaugurates new fishing dock in Haina to support fishermen

    Dominican Port Authority inaugurates new fishing dock in Haina to support fishermen

    SANTO DOMINGO – The Dominican Port Authority (Apordom) has officially unveiled a state-of-the-art fishing pier in Haina Occidental, marking a significant infrastructure development designed to enhance operational conditions for local fishermen and stimulate economic activity in coastal communities.

    The inauguration ceremony was presided over by key government officials including José Ignacio Paliza, Minister of the Presidency, and Jean Luis Rodríguez, Executive Director of Apordom. During the event, officials emphasized that this project represents a crucial component of the national strategy to construct and modernize fishing facilities throughout the country. The initiative specifically aims to empower coastal populations and elevate the professional standards of fishing occupations.

    Constructed with an investment exceeding RD$18 million, the new maritime infrastructure spans approximately 170 square meters and features capacity for simultaneous docking of up to 20 small fishing vessels. The modern pier incorporates advanced amenities including energy-efficient LED lighting systems, durable metal cleats for secure mooring, specialized vessel access ramps, and a dedicated service gazebo for fisherfolk.

    This development in Haina Occidental constitutes the nineteenth fishing dock delivered by Apordom under the national infrastructure program. Previous beneficiaries include coastal communities across Sabana Grande de Palenque, Boca Chica, Puerto Plata, Boca de Yuma, Cabo Rojo in Pedernales, Miches, Sánchez in Samaná, and Las Cañitas in Sabana de la Mar. The strategic distribution of these facilities demonstrates the government’s commitment to regional development and sustainable fishing practices along the Dominican coastline.

  • Jordan: Remaining Solidarity Allowance payments due by end of April

    Jordan: Remaining Solidarity Allowance payments due by end of April

    The Barbadian government has committed to resolving all pending $300 Solidarity Allowance payments by the conclusion of April, according to Minister of Labour Colin Jordan. During Monday’s House of Assembly deliberations on ministry appropriations, Jordan acknowledged that while the overwhelming majority of eligible citizens have received their one-time payment, a small segment continues to await resolution.

    Minister Jordan provided this assurance in response to inquiries from St Michael South MP Kirk Humphrey, who highlighted ongoing concerns among constituents despite multiple visits to the National Insurance and Social Security Service (NISSS). Humphrey recounted encountering a young man making his third attempt to claim the allowance, reflecting broader administrative challenges in the payment distribution system.

    The Labour Minister clarified the operational framework, explaining that his ministry administers payments through NISSS once funds are transferred from central government resources. Jordan emphasized the strict separation maintained between worker-contributed National Insurance Funds and government allocations used for the solidarity initiative.

    “We maintain rigorous safeguards to ensure absolute separation between central government funds and the National Insurance Fund,” Jordan stated. “Any delays typically originate from the timing of inter-governmental transfers rather than distribution mechanisms.”

    Despite the small number of outstanding cases, Jordan affirmed that each eligible individual remains entitled to payment. “Even if there were one or two people outstanding, those individuals are entitled to their funds,” he asserted, confirming that authorities have identified remaining recipients and possess necessary funds for completion.

    Initiated in 2025 following unexpectedly robust corporate tax revenues, the tax-free Solidarity Allowance program represents a government effort to redistribute fiscal gains to citizens. Eligibility extended to all adults over 18 who contributed to NISSS during the previous year, alongside pensioners, special needs grant recipients, and welfare clients.

    Finance Ministry data reveals that by May 2025, approximately $44.6 million had been distributed to over 149,000 beneficiaries, with systems established to process remaining payments once recipients updated their banking information with NISSS.

  • As four in ten adults ‘lack certification’, ministries to join literacy strategy

    As four in ten adults ‘lack certification’, ministries to join literacy strategy

    Barbados is confronting a significant educational challenge as recent data reveals over 40% of the adult population lacks formal certification, prompting a coordinated government response. This literacy deficit is increasingly viewed as a critical barrier to workforce development and economic participation, compelling the Ministries of Labour and Education to formulate a comprehensive national strategy.

    The issue gained prominence during House Estimates discussions for the Ministry of Labour’s appropriations, where Education Transformation Minister Chad Blackman emphasized the severe limitations poor literacy skills impose on adult citizens. Labour Minister Colin Jordan acknowledged the sensitive nature of adult education, revealing that his ministry has strengthened collaboration with the Ministry of Technological and Vocational Training over the past six months, particularly through apprenticeship initiatives.

    Erika Watson, Programme Manager at the Ministry of Labour, provided lawmakers with details of the emerging national strategic plan. “Our focus has been on developing a national strategy that recognizes the multitude of stakeholders involved in addressing adult literacy,” Watson explained. “We need a framework that facilitates coordination and pulls all efforts together.”

    The strategy will prioritize functional literacy—equipping adults with practical skills necessary to capitalize on labor market opportunities, enhance workplace effectiveness, and realize their full potential. Minister Jordan further proposed establishing skills sector councils to guide workforce development in priority industries, with the first council focusing on renewable energy already in development.

    These industry-led councils will identify emerging trends, skill gaps, and future development needs across key sectors. Watson elaborated that the councils will “inform education and training, career guidance work, and employment promotion strategies.” The government plans to establish at least four such councils this year covering renewable energy, construction, tourism, and information technology services.

    Concurrently, Minister Jordan acknowledged underutilization of International Labour Organization (ILO) resources and committed to leveraging these international resources more effectively to support Barbados’ literacy and workforce development objectives.

  • Two missing after molasses barge sinks off East Coast Demerara

    Two missing after molasses barge sinks off East Coast Demerara

    A significant maritime emergency response has been activated following the sinking of a molasses-laden barge off the coast of Guyana, leaving two crew members unaccounted for. The incident involving the vessel TRADER III occurred in the early hours of Monday morning approximately 9.5 nautical miles from Buxton on the East Coast Demerara.

    The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) confirmed it received a distress signal at approximately 1:00 AM local time, indicating the specialized cargo vessel was experiencing catastrophic failure while transporting molasses from Berbice to Georgetown. The barge was fully loaded with the viscous industrial commodity at the time of the sinking.

    Emergency protocols were immediately initiated following the distress call, mobilizing a multi-agency search and rescue operation. Captain John Flores, MARAD’s Emergency Operations Coordinator, is leading the coordinated effort with substantial support from the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard. The vessel’s owning company is also providing assistance to authorities in the ongoing operation.

    The search mission continues across the affected maritime zone as authorities work to locate the two missing crew members. The circumstances surrounding the sudden sinking of the specialized transport barge remain under investigation by maritime safety officials. Further updates are expected as the search operation develops and more information becomes available about this industrial maritime incident.

  • Caribbean urged to improve population data for stronger policy decisions

    Caribbean urged to improve population data for stronger policy decisions

    Caribbean governments are embarking on a critical mission to revolutionize their population data systems, recognizing that outdated information frameworks are inadequate for addressing contemporary regional challenges. This urgent call to action was delivered by Jennifer Hunte, Permanent Secretary of Barbados’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Development, during the inauguration of a landmark regional workshop focused on statistical modernization.

    The gathering represents a significant collaborative effort, uniting statistical experts, urban planners, and technical specialists from across CARICOM member states alongside international partners including the United Nations Population Fund (WorldPop), the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and the European Commission. This five-day intensive program aims to fundamentally transform how Caribbean nations collect, analyze, and utilize demographic information.

    Central to this initiative is the implementation of the internationally recognized Degree of Urbanization (DEGURBA) methodology, which provides standardized frameworks for classifying urban and rural settlements. This harmonized approach addresses a persistent challenge in regional planning: the inconsistent definitions of community types across different jurisdictions that have historically hampered comparative analysis and policy development.

    Hunte highlighted Barbados’s progressive policy landscape, citing recently implemented frameworks including the Physical Development Plan Amendment 2023, the National Population Policy 2023-2040, and the Economic Recovery and Transformation Plan 2026. However, she emphasized that these ambitious programs require substantially more granular and reliable data to achieve their objectives effectively.

    The Permanent Secretary outlined multiple pressing challenges driving this data revolution, including increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, accelerating population aging, and contracting labor forces. These demographic and environmental pressures necessitate completely reimagined approaches to physical development and resource allocation across the region.

    Workshop participants will engage in practical, hands-on training sessions focusing on developing and validating small-area population estimates before advancing to applied DEGURBA methodology implementation. This technical foundation will enable the generation of harmonized settlement classifications and policy-relevant analysis that accurately reflects on-the-ground realities.

    Beyond technical skill development, the initiative aims to strengthen institutional capacity within national statistical systems throughout the Caribbean. The ultimate goal is to produce exceptionally detailed, timely, and actionable data that can transform how governments plan services, allocate resources, and address the needs of vulnerable populations—particularly girls, adolescents, youth, and women across Caribbean societies.

  • 13 Delegates Revealed for 2026 Antigua and Barbuda Labour Queen Pageant

    13 Delegates Revealed for 2026 Antigua and Barbuda Labour Queen Pageant

    The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party has officially announced the thirteen distinguished delegates selected to compete in the highly anticipated 2026 Labour Queen Pageant. Embracing the evocative theme “Echoes of the Past: Rhythm, Soul, Spirit,” the event showcases young women representing constituencies across the island nation.

    The complete roster of contestants includes:
    – Treveisha Adams (St. John’s Rural West)
    – Aliyah Andrew (St. John’s Rural East)
    – Jolisa Cato (St. John’s City West)
    – Jonelly Encarnacion (All Saints East and St. Luke)
    – Mia Griffith (St. John’s City West)
    – Iszarea Lloyd (St. Philip North)
    – Andrecia Lewis (All Saints West)
    – Nakierra Martin (St. George)
    – Tonya Phillips (St. John’s Rural South)
    – Maydoria Smith (St. John’s Rural West)
    – Julissa Stoute (St. Paul)
    – Jessica Tracey (St. John’s Rural North)
    – Queenela Williams (St. Mary’s South)

    This prestigious competition constitutes a cornerstone of the Labour Party’s annual Labour Day festivities, emphasizing cultural celebration and community representation. Participants will demonstrate their talents across multiple segments, embodying the spirit of their respective constituencies.

    Pageant organizers have confirmed an engaging pre-event schedule featuring official delegate photography sessions, exclusive behind-the-scenes content, and various promotional activities designed to build public anticipation. The grand finale is scheduled for May 2, 2026, when one exceptional contestant will receive the coveted Labour Queen crown, succeeding previous titleholders in this tradition that blends cultural heritage with contemporary celebration.

  • Dominican authorities open “Life Points” to assist women at risk

    Dominican authorities open “Life Points” to assist women at risk

    The Dominican government has unveiled a groundbreaking national initiative to address the critical issue of gender-based violence, introducing a network of safe havens known as ‘Life Points’ for women in immediate danger. This strategic intervention, spearheaded by Interior and Police Minister Faride Raful, provides vulnerable women with alternative access points to seek urgent protection and support without the initial requirement of visiting formal law enforcement or prosecutorial offices.

    The program was formally activated following a high-level convening of the Joint Task Force, under the leadership of Vice President Raquel Peña. Initial operational sites have been established across key government and public locations, including the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Ministry of the Interior and Police, the Ministry of the Presidency, the Provincial Government of Santiago, and a branch of Farmacia Los Hidalgos on Avenida Abraham Lincoln in Santo Domingo. Personnel at these designated points have undergone comprehensive training to serve as certified first responders, equipped to initiate emergency protocols and coordinate directly with the Dominican National Police and the Public Ministry.

    Concurrent with this preventative measure, official data reveals the scale of the national response. Thus far in the current year, the police’s Specialized Directorate for Attention to Women and Domestic Violence has provided aid to 1,695 individuals and successfully extracted 49 minors from high-risk environments. Law enforcement actions have led to the arrest of 630 perpetrators linked to domestic and gender-based violence offenses, with extended protection and follow-up services extended to 5,994 victims. To enhance this systematic approach, authorities are developing a standardized risk assessment instrument designed to meticulously evaluate each reported case and calibrate the necessary level of protective intervention.

  • APUA Workers Return to Duties After Minister Nicholas Meets with Union Following Industrial Action

    APUA Workers Return to Duties After Minister Nicholas Meets with Union Following Industrial Action

    In response to recent labor unrest, Antigua’s Public Utilities Minister Melford Nicholas has successfully mediated between utility management and union representatives, resulting in the immediate resumption of normal operations. The high-level meeting brought together executives from the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) and leadership of the Antigua Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU) to address grievances that had prompted industrial action among covered employees.

    The discussions, characterized by both parties as constructive and cordial, focused on unresolved issues within the ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations. Minister Nicholas facilitated dialogue that enabled all stakeholders to articulate concerns and clarify positions while reaffirming their shared commitment to peaceful resolution mechanisms.

    Following productive exchanges, union representatives agreed to direct their members to return to work immediately, ensuring no disruption to essential public services. The successful intervention demonstrates the effectiveness of tripartite dialogue in resolving labor disputes within the country’s critical infrastructure sector.

    All participating entities have committed to continuing negotiations, scheduling a subsequent meeting for March 11, 2026, to finalize agreement terms on the matters raised. APUA has reiterated its dedication to maintaining transparent communication channels with employee representatives while ensuring uninterrupted utility services for the citizens of Antigua and Barbuda.

    The resolution highlights the importance of institutional conflict resolution frameworks in maintaining industrial harmony within essential service sectors, potentially establishing a precedent for addressing future labor relations challenges in the Caribbean nation’s public utilities sector.

  • UWI Five Islands to Host Public Lecture and Performing Arts Showcase

    UWI Five Islands to Host Public Lecture and Performing Arts Showcase

    ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – The University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus is set to present an integrative event merging intellectual discourse with cultural celebration on Thursday, March 12. The occasion, orchestrated by the School of Humanities and Education, will feature a Distinguished Public Lecture alongside a Performing Arts Showcase, offering free admission to all community members.

    Central to the event is an academic address by Professor Dave A. Louis from the University of Houston. His lecture, ‘Navigating Multiple Worlds: Caribbean Identity, Social Invisibility & Establishing Positionality in the Academy,’ will critically examine the complex dynamics of Caribbean identity formation and the nuanced experiences of Caribbean academics operating within international educational institutions.

    Complementing the scholarly dialogue, the evening will transition into a vibrant cultural concert highlighting regional artistic excellence. Attendees will experience diverse performances from the UWI FIC Singers, the Five Islands Primary School Choir, the AGHS Honeybee Theatre, and the Pandemonium Steel Orchestra.

    The gathering will commence at 4:30 p.m. in the campus cafeteria. University representatives emphasize that this initiative aims to foster public engagement with academically-grounded conversations relevant to Caribbean societal contexts while simultaneously honoring and promoting the region’s rich performing arts heritage.