Carib Scope

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  • Bishop earns maiden call up

    Bishop earns maiden call up

    West Indies Cricket has shaken up its Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against Pakistan, with uncapped Barbadian left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop earning his first ever international call-up as one of two key adjustments to the roster. The series is scheduled to get underway on July 25 at Trinidad and Tobago’s newly upgraded Brian Lara Cricket Academy, a venue that will mark its own place in regional cricket history when it hosts its first ever Test match, becoming the 13th Test venue across the Caribbean.

    Bishop’s promotion to the senior Test squad comes after three consecutive seasons of dominant, consistent performances in the West Indies’ regional first-class competition. Representing both Barbados Pride and the West Indies Academy over that stretch, the young spinner has claimed an impressive 91 wickets, earning him selection based on sustained domestic form.

    Joining Bishop as a new addition to the squad is top-order batsman Kirk McKenzie, who returns to the West Indies Test set-up after a two-year absence. The Jamaica Scorpions batter has been in red-hot form in the 2024 truncated West Indies Championship, notching 323 runs across six innings at an outstanding average of 64.60, earning him a recall to the national side.

    The two new inclusions come at the expense of two established players, who will miss the series due to different setbacks. Star fast bowler Alzarri Joseph is unavailable for selection for personal reasons, while opening batsman John Campbell will continue his recovery from a left hamstring strain. Campbell picked up the injury during the recently completed One-Day International series against New Zealand, ruling him out of the red-ball leg of the home summer.

    Despite the two changes, the core of the West Indies squad that secured a 1-0 Test series victory over Sri Lanka earlier this month has been retained. This includes veteran fast bowler Kemar Roach, who made history in the Sri Lanka series by becoming just the fifth West Indies bowler of all time to reach the milestone of 300 Test wickets. Roach’s experience and recent form make him a key leader for the side heading into the Pakistan series.

    The full 15-man West Indies squad for the Pakistan series is as follows: Roston Chase (Captain), Jomel Warrican (Vice-Captain), Joshua Bishop, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Kirk McKenzie, Keemo Paul, Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales.

  • Seventh Journalist Killed in Mexico This Year After Repeated Death Threats

    Seventh Journalist Killed in Mexico This Year After Repeated Death Threats

    On July 23, 2026, Mexico recorded another tragic loss for press freedom when 60-year-old veteran independent journalist Francisco Alejandro Leyva Aguilar was fatally shot in Oaxaca state, becoming the seventh journalist killed in the country since the start of the year. Leyva, who had three decades of reporting experience, was best known for his unflinching criticism of the Oaxaca state administration and his in-depth investigations into public corruption. The killing unfolded in broad daylight at a casual roadside taco stand in San Pablo Etla, a community just outside the state capital of Oaxaca City. According to witnesses, two armed attackers traveling on a motorcycle pulled up to the stand and opened fire directly on Leyva, killing him instantly before fleeing the scene.

    For more than a year prior to his murder, Leyva had repeatedly raised alarms about credible death threats targeting him. As documented by global press freedom organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the journalist filed official complaints about the threats with both Oaxaca state authorities and federal Mexican law enforcement agencies. Despite the formal documentation of his risk and repeated requests for safety support, RSF confirms that no protective measures were ever put in place to guard Leyva. In the wake of his killing, the organization has issued a sharp rebuke of state and federal officials, demanding a full public explanation for the systemic failure to act on the journalist’s documented safety concerns.

    Oaxaca Governor Salomón Jara, who was a frequent target of Leyva’s critical reporting, has publicly condemned the attack. In an official statement following the shooting, Jara announced that a full, comprehensive investigation into the killing is now underway, conducted in close coordination with federal prosecution teams. While Jara acknowledged that Leyva was a persistent and outspoken critic of his administration, he noted that official investigations have not yet confirmed a definitive motive for the attack.

    This killing has once again drawn international attention to Mexico’s long-standing crisis of violence against journalists. Press freedom advocacy groups around the globe have repeatedly warned that Mexico remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world for reporters and media workers. Systemic impunity for acts of violence against journalists, combined with widespread intimidation tactics, has created a lethal environment particularly for reporters who take on high-risk beats: investigating public corruption, and exposing links between political actors and organized crime. So far in 2026, the national death toll for journalists has already matched and is on track to exceed the numbers seen in recent years, renewing calls for sweeping reform to protect press freedom and end the culture of impunity that enables targeted killings.

  • Oil tops US$100 as Iran conflict augurs pressure on Belize’s fuel costs

    Oil tops US$100 as Iran conflict augurs pressure on Belize’s fuel costs

    Geopolitical tensions flaring across key Middle Eastern energy shipping lanes have pushed global crude oil prices over the $100 per barrel threshold this Thursday, creating fresh inflationary headwinds for Belize, a small Caribbean nation that relies entirely on imported petroleum and already sees transport costs as its biggest driver of rising consumer prices.

    On Thursday, the global benchmark Brent crude, which directly sets pricing for fuel imported by Belize, climbed to $100.60 per barrel. Meanwhile, the United States’ domestic benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) notched an uptick to $91.63 per barrel. This sharp rally comes on the heels of escalating military engagement involving Iran and a series of targeted attacks on commercial oil shipping in the Red Sea, stoking widespread market anxiety over potential disruptions to two of the world’s most critical energy transit corridors.

    The latest price spike was triggered after Yemeni Houthi militants claimed responsibility for coordinated attacks on two Saudi-owned oil tankers transiting the Red Sea, even as direct military confrontations between the United States and Iran continue to escalate in the region. Already, the ongoing unrest has cut commercial shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint that carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s total daily oil supply. This has forced commodity markets to price in the growing risk of extended supply constraints that could stretch for months.

    For Belize, which imports 100% of its finished petroleum products to meet domestic energy demand, sustained gains in global crude prices almost always translate to higher local fuel costs after a short lag. This in turn pushes up transportation expenses for both small businesses and working households across the country.

    This direct link between global energy markets and Belizean inflation is already clearly visible in the nation’s most recent consumer price data. According to the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB), the national Consumer Price Index rose 4.3% year-over-year in May, with the transport sector accounting for the single largest contribution to that overall inflation increase.

    The SIB’s report showed that transport prices jumped 14% over the 12-month period ending in May, with higher motor fuel prices acting as the primary catalyst. Compared to May 2025, diesel prices rose roughly 15.5%, regular gasoline climbed approximately 28.3%, and premium gasoline increased around 17.3%. Passenger transport services also saw significant price hikes, driven by both higher fuel costs and rising international airfares.

    Alone, the transport category contributed nearly 50% of the total increase in consumer prices in May, highlighting just how sensitive Belize’s overall inflation rate is to geopolitical and pricing shifts in global energy markets.

    The ripple effects of higher fuel prices extend far beyond private motor vehicle owners. Elevated transport costs push up expenses for freight delivery, food distribution, construction materials, manufacturing inputs, tourism operations and public transit, eventually leading to broad-based price increases for nearly all goods and services across the national economy.

    Global financial markets also reacted sharply to Thursday’s escalation of tensions. Major U.S. stock indices fell into negative territory as investors assessed the dual risks of sustained higher inflation from rising energy costs and growing threats to global trade routes from expanded conflict.

    Energy analysts note that the trajectory of future oil prices will depend heavily on whether the current conflict remains contained to limited areas or expands into a broader regional confrontation. Additional targeted attacks on critical shipping infrastructure or extended disruptions to Middle Eastern oil exports could push crude prices even higher in the coming weeks.

    For Belize, any sustained further increase in oil prices above current levels would complicate ongoing policy efforts to cool inflation after months of elevated transport costs. It would also add additional financial pressure to working households already struggling with the higher cost of living across the country.

  • GSL final proceeds dedicated to ferry disaster survivors, families

    GSL final proceeds dedicated to ferry disaster survivors, families

    A devastating maritime disaster off the coast of Guyana has drawn a compassionate response from two of the country’s leading cricket organizations, who are turning their flagship annual event into an opportunity to support affected communities. The Guyana Amazon Warriors and the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) have announced a landmark commitment: 100% of all ticket revenue generated from the 2026 GSL final will be directed toward educational programs and humanitarian aid for families and individuals impacted by the sinking of the MV Barima.

    The tragedy unfolded on the night of July 18, 2026, when the MV Barima, an aging 87-year-old state-owned passenger and cargo ferry, departed the capital city of Georgetown. Roughly two hours after midnight, the vessel capsized and sank in open waters between 7 and 9 miles off Essequibo coast, close to the small coastal outpost of Iron Punt. Accounts from survivors confirm the ship began listing severely several hours before it went down, with large, rough swells accelerating the influx of water that ultimately sealed the vessel’s fate. As of the latest official updates, 65 people have been confirmed dead in the disaster, leaving dozens of families grieving and facing immense uncertainty.

    The unexpected tragedy has resonated across Guyana and the wider regional cricket community, bringing people together in a show of collective grief and support. “The MV Barima tragedy has deeply affected all of us here in Guyana, as well as the players and support staff visiting Guyana for the League,” said GSL Chairman Sir Clive Lloyd. “Our prayers continue to go out to those grieving profound loss and those brave responders whose work continues. We have decided to dedicate proceeds from the Final to support the affected families and survivors. We thank Guyana Amazon Warriors for leading this initiative.”

    The 2026 GSL championship final is scheduled to take place on August 1 at Guyana’s National Stadium, with all ticket sales proceeds now earmarked for immediate relief and long-term support for those impacted by one of the country’s worst maritime disasters in recent decades.

  • Deposit Rates at Record Lows as Bank Liquidity Remains Elevated

    Deposit Rates at Record Lows as Bank Liquidity Remains Elevated

    Belize’s banking sector continues to grapple with a prolonged era of ultra-low deposit returns, with the nation’s weighted-average deposit rate holding near an all-time trough at 0.816% in May 2026, according to new data from the Central Bank of Belize. This reading comes just two months after the rate hit an unprecedented low of 0.780% in March 2026, capping a multi-year downward trend that has been reshaping incentives for both savers and lending institutions across the country.

    Since the Central Bank first began tracking this metric in 1977, few monthly readings have ever fallen this low. The downward trajectory began accelerating sharply two years ago, and the indicator first slipped below the 1% threshold in late 2024, where it has remained ever since. In January 2026, the average stood at 0.872%, gradually edging lower to the current reading by May.

    It is important to clarify that the weighted-average rate differs from the individual interest rates advertised for specific deposit products. Banks adjust pricing for different account types to reflect withdrawal terms and risk: demand deposits, which can be accessed at any time without penalty, carried an average rate of just 0.1% in May. Both general savings and chequing accounts posted a 2.6% average rate, while fixed-term time deposits, which lock in funds for a set period, averaged 2.0%. The weighted-average figure combines all these categories, proportional to the total volume of funds held in each, to produce a holistic measure of banks’ total funding costs across their entire deposit base.

    For ordinary household savers, the new data confirms that traditional savings products are delivering returns not seen in nearly 50 years. To put this in context: a saver depositing BZ$10,000 at an annual rate of 0.8% would earn just BZ$80 in interest over a full year before taxes and fees are deducted. Over a 10-year holding period, that same deposit would generate approximately BZ$830 in cumulative interest, a figure that fails to keep pace with even modest levels of inflation for many Belizean households.

    The impact on businesses and the broader banking sector is far more mixed. Lower deposit rates directly cut banks’ core funding costs, which can boost bottom-line profitability. In a highly competitive banking market, these reduced costs could create space for lenders to cut interest rates on loans or expand access to credit for small businesses and consumers. However, whether these potential benefits reach borrowers ultimately depends on three key factors: strong enough loan demand to encourage lending, sufficient competition between banks to drive rate cuts, and the overall health of Belize’s broader economy.

    The root cause of this prolonged downward trend is clear: persistent excess liquidity flooding Belize’s banking system. Central Bank data shows that domestic lenders held more than BZ$400 million in excess cash reserves at the end of May 2026, and this surplus has stayed above the BZ$400 million mark for the entirety of the past year. Excess liquidity refers to cash held by banks that exceeds the mandatory reserve requirements set by the central bank. When banks are already awash with cash and deposits, they have little incentive to compete for new consumer and business deposits by offering higher interest rates.

    Belize’s current experience aligns with broader global trends seen in banking systems following periods of elevated liquidity, which can stem from factors ranging from rapid deposit growth and cautious lending practices to accommodative expansionary monetary policy. When financial institutions already hold far more cash than they need, attracting additional customer deposits falls far down their list of strategic priorities.

    Beyond the immediate impact on savers and banks, persistently low deposit rates raise important questions about the efficiency of Belize’s financial intermediation system. When traditional bank savings products deliver such low returns, they can discourage households from saving through formal bank channels, especially when inflation already erodes the purchasing power of cash holdings over time. At the same time, large volumes of surplus liquidity in the banking system can signal that available funds are not being channeled into productive private sector investment that would drive long-term economic growth.

    Looking ahead, the future path of deposit rates in Belize will depend on how quickly the current excess liquidity is absorbed through stronger loan demand, increased business investment activity, or potential shifts in monetary policy conditions. For the immediate future, however, the latest data confirms that Belize’s banking system remains flush with cash, and savers will continue to face some of the lowest overall deposit returns recorded in the past 49 years.

  • ATM-transacties per 1 augustus duurder door hogere beheerkosten

    ATM-transacties per 1 augustus duurder door hogere beheerkosten

    Starting on August 1, 2026, ATM users across Suriname will face increased costs for two core banking services: cash withdrawals and balance inquiries, the Suriname Bankers Association (SBV) confirmed in an official announcement released Thursday. The price adjustment comes in response to a full cost review of the country’s shared automated teller machine infrastructure, overseen by BNets, the national ATM network operator.

    BNets has ruled that higher transaction fees are unavoidable to keep covering ongoing operational, maintenance, security and expansion costs for the nationwide network, SBV explained. Maintaining a full country-wide ATM network carries significant recurring expenses that have shifted in recent years, including routine technical repairs, mandatory cybersecurity upgrades, constant system monitoring, secure cash transportation between machines, and 24/7 availability guarantees for consumers. The fee revision is designed to ensure the network remains secure, reliable and resilient to future changes over the long term, according to the association.

    Notably, SBV emphasized that each individual member bank retains full autonomy to set its own final customer fees and accompanying terms, meaning the increased costs will not be uniform across all financial institutions in the country. The association has advised customers seeking clarity on their personal applicable rates to reach out directly to their own banking provider for detailed information.

    Currently, banks, BNets and all relevant service partners are coordinating closely to roll out the new pricing structure smoothly, with the goal of preserving the same level of reliable, accessible service that ATM users have come to expect. No disruptions to service are expected during the transition period, per the organization’s statement.

    In addition to announcing the fee change, SBV also reminded consumers of existing free alternatives to cash-based ATM transactions. Point-of-sale debit card payments at participating merchants, as well as digital transactions through online and mobile banking platforms, remain secure, user-friendly and free of charge for customers of all member banks, the association confirmed. SBV encourages customers to use these digital options wherever possible, while acknowledging that physical cash will remain a critical component of the country’s overall payment ecosystem for the foreseeable future.

    SBV did not include a public breakdown of the new fee amounts in its initial press release. Individual banks will share their specific updated pricing directly with their own customers ahead of the August 1 implementation date.

  • Belize’s Freedom of Information Law Is Getting Its First Major Overhaul in Three Decades

    Belize’s Freedom of Information Law Is Getting Its First Major Overhaul in Three Decades

    Three decades after Belize first enshrined a legal right for citizens to request government records, systemic flaws have left that right largely unfulfilled for countless journalists, activists and ordinary people. Now, the Belizean government is moving forward with the most substantial rewrite of the 1994 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in the law’s history, aiming to address chronic delays, overly broad exemption clauses and toothless enforcement that have blocked access to public information for generations.

    When the original FOIA came into force, it established a formal process for citizens to seek access to government-held documents, from official spending reports to agency data to policy records. Under the current framework, any requester must submit a formal application to gain access to details the government has not published voluntarily, and relevant agencies are given two weeks to issue a response. In recent years, demand for public information has surged: Attorney General Anthony Sylvester notes that Belize is currently seeing the highest volume of FOIA requests in the law’s 32-year history.

    That growing demand is being driven largely by watchdog groups and journalists, who rely on the FOIA to hold public officials accountable for public spending. Hipolito Novelo, Digital Editor at Greater Belize Media, has been filing public records requests for more than a decade, and he argues that all information tied to taxpayer funds, from contract awards to grant allocations, should be automatically available to the public rather than requiring individual requests. “Everything that has to do with the public purse, every taxpayer’s money, how contracts are awarded, how grants are awarded, that should be public information,” Novelo said, calling for every government ministry to launch a public portal that automatically publishes this data proactively.

    But in practice, requesters face constant barriers to obtaining the records they are legally entitled to access. Agencies regularly deny requests by classifying documents as exempt, even when clear public interest favors disclosure, and multiple high-profile cases illustrate the scope of the problem.

    Novelo personally encountered this block when he requested detailed records of COVID-19 vaccine spending from the Ministry of Health and Wellness. He left the process empty-handed: “I did not get what I asked for. The vast majority of it, I did not get from the Ministry of Health and Wellness.”

    Public Service Union President Dean Flowers hit an identical wall in June 2026, when he requested financial records tied to two high-profile controversies: the Mira Millions affair and a Ministry of Defense procurement scandal. The Auditor General’s office refused to confirm whether it would review the case through the official Smart Stream accountability system, and declined to name the finance officers linked to the suspicious payment pattern in question.

    Social activist Jerry Enriquez also faced denial when he sought records of government legal fees spent to defend recent constitutional cases. The Attorney General rejected his request on the grounds that disclosure would compromise ongoing litigation and pose what the government called “serious risk to the Government of Belize.” Even a 2025 request to the Ministry of Public Service for basic information about office space rental costs, filed by News Five journalist Paul Lopez, failed to produce the requested records.

    Independent analysis of Belize’s current FOIA framework pulls no punches, labeling it one of the weakest freedom of information laws in the entire Caribbean. The analysis identifies multiple critical flaws: penalties for noncompliance that are too weak to deter agencies from ignoring requests, no independent oversight body to monitor compliance, no legal requirement to proactively publish contracts or spending data, and exemption categories so broad that agencies can hide almost any document they choose to keep secret.

    Currently, all FOIA disputes are processed through the Office of the Attorney General. When an agency classifies a document as exempt, requesters can ask the Ombudsman to review the decision, and either party can bring the case to the High Court if they disagree with the outcome. But the Ombudsman’s authority is severely limited: the office can review complaints, but it cannot force agencies to release hidden records, and it has no power to bring criminal charges against officials who deliberately withhold information.

    The proposed reform package would address these gaps with sweeping changes. A core provision would create a new independent Information Commission, modeled after similar successful bodies in the Cayman Islands and Mexico, that would be able to issue binding, enforceable decisions rather than non-binding recommendations. Agencies that refuse to comply with disclosure orders could face fines as high as $100,000, and responsible officials could even face prison time for deliberate noncompliance.

    The reform also requires the government to build a national open data portal, where core public records including government contracts, departmental budgets, public official asset declarations and political financing records would be published automatically, rather than requiring citizens to submit individual requests for each document.

    Even with these sweeping proposed changes, however, some veteran public records requesters remain skeptical that reform will overcome deep-seated resistance to transparency. Novelo argues that political interference will continue to block access even with new rules in place: “The minute a minister, a CEO, or any high government official, somebody connected to what you want to know, don’t want you to know something, they will block you at every step of the way. Not now, not ever. We are going to court, everything, but you are not getting it, and that is unfortunate.”

  • Bajan players shine during CARIFTA Chess Championships

    Bajan players shine during CARIFTA Chess Championships

    The CARIFTA Chess Championships, a landmark hybrid chess tournament bringing together nearly 500 young and senior competitors from 114 nations, concluded on July 12 with Barbados delivering a standout performance across age-group and open divisions, claiming multiple podium positions ahead of the upcoming Central American and Caribbean Games.

    Leading Barbados’ medal haul was FIDE Master Hannah Wilson, who turned in a dominant two-part performance across the youth and open adult sections. Competing in the Under-18 girls’ draw, Wilson outperformed a competitive field of 35 players, racking up seven points across nine matches to claim the division’s gold medal. She then returned to compete in the women’s open section, where she finished tied on seven points with fellow Barbadian Candidate Master Chanon Reifer-Belle. Only a narrow tie-break separated the two compatriots, with Wilson claiming second place and Reifer-Belle taking third in the final standings.

    In other youth divisions, Charis Stuart turned in an impressive runner-up finish in the Under-14 Open. Facing 65 other competitors across nine rounds of play, Stuart posted seven and a half points to secure his spot on the podium. In the Under-12 Open, Jeremiah Farley joined a five-way tie for first place, but was bumped to second overall after tie-breaking calculations were applied. Young competitor Raef Clarke also claimed a podium position in the Under-8 Open, scoring six points to finish third. Nia-Snow Clarke rounded out Barbados’ youth results, taking fifth place in the Under-10 girls’ division with a total of five points.

    In the senior open division, Emar Edwards represented Barbados as the country’s sole entry, finishing 20th overall out of 101 competing players in the large open draw.

    This year’s CARIFTA Chess Championships ran in a hybrid format, with all competitors competing online from monitored national host sites overseen by official tournament arbiters, allowing broad global participation despite logistical challenges. Tournament organizers have called the 2024 event a complete success, citing high participation levels and smooth competition management.

    Looking ahead, Wilson and Reifer-Belle are already scheduled to compete next, representing Barbados at the Central American and Caribbean Games set to run from July 25 to 28 in the Dominican Republic, where they will look to carry their strong CARIFTA form into the next regional competition.

  • Caribbean AI Forum opens with focus on cegional Cooperation and responsible AI development

    Caribbean AI Forum opens with focus on cegional Cooperation and responsible AI development

    On July 23, 2026, the first-ever Caribbean Artificial Intelligence Forum (CAIF 2026) kicked off in Trinidad and Tobago, launched in a collaborative effort by the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), The University of the West Indies (UWI) St. Augustine Campus and the campus’ Artificial Intelligence Innovation Centre (AIIC). Drawing hundreds of cross-sector stakeholders from across the region and around the world—including senior diplomats, government policymakers, academic leaders, tech innovators, development agency representatives, youth delegates and private sector leaders—the two-day gathering convenes under the central theme “AI for Caribbean Transformation: Governance, Innovation and Resilience for a Shared Digital Future.”

    Regional leaders have framed the forum as a defining milestone in the Caribbean’s ongoing digital transition, creating a dedicated space for coordinated dialogue, cross-stakeholder partnership and actionable planning to shape the responsible growth of artificial intelligence across the bloc. A flagship highlight of the inaugural event is the official launch of the long-awaited Caribbean AI Task Force Report, a landmark document packed with evidence-based recommendations designed to guide uniform regional AI policy framing and on-the-ground implementation across Caribbean small island developing states. Beyond the report launch, the forum’s agenda covers a broad spectrum of pressing AI-related topics, from regulatory governance and cybersecurity frameworks to data sovereignty, workforce upskilling, ethical AI development, climate resilience applications and inclusive economic growth.

    In opening remarks to delegates, Jaya Ramoutar, Executive Portfolio Manager in Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence, spoke on behalf of CTU President and Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence Senator Dominic Smith. Ramoutar emphasized that regional cooperation has always been the cornerstone of collective progress for Caribbean nations, a principle that must extend to AI strategy. “The Caribbean has never succeeded by acting alone. Our greatest advances have always been achieved through regional cooperation,” Ramoutar noted. “Across generations, Caribbean nations have advanced through collaboration, shared institutions, common advocacy, and a deep understanding that small states can exercise meaningful influence when we coordinate our efforts. That same spirit must now guide our approach to AI and digital transformation.”

    Nigel Cassimire, CTU Deputy Secretary-General and Head of Regional Policy Development, expanded on this vision, noting that a structured, regionally aligned approach is critical to ensuring AI advances Caribbean national priorities. “AI must be harnessed to reduce our vulnerabilities and amplify our strengths. That requires a forum that sets the pace and the structure for action: standards that fit our scale, governance that protects our citizens, capacity development pathways that keep talent in the region, and financing models that help make pilot projects sustainable and scalable,” Cassimire explained.

    Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Campus Principal of UWI St. Augustine, highlighted the institution’s decades-long legacy of AI leadership in the region, a history that predates the current global AI boom. Long before AI became a mainstream global policy topic, the campus’ Faculty of Engineering hosted the Caribbean’s first ever AI conference back in 1989, laying the groundwork for the innovation and research ecosystem that exists today. “As a regional university, we have always been committed to advancing knowledge in service of society,” Professor Antoine said. “Long before the global surge in interest in AI, the Faculty of Engineering hosted the Caribbean’s first AI conference in 1989, establishing a foundation for innovation and scholarship that continues to this day.”

    Dr. Craig Ramlal, who serves both as Executive Director of UWI’s AIIC and Chair of the CTU Caribbean AI Task Force, stressed that the Caribbean cannot afford to be left behind in the global AI revolution, even as individual Caribbean states have small domestic markets. “The Caribbean cannot afford to remain on the sidelines of the AI revolution. Our markets may be small individually, but together we have the scale to develop harmonised AI policies, strengthen regional innovation, protect our data sovereignty and build an AI ecosystem that reflects Caribbean priorities,” Dr. Ramlal said. “The work of the Caribbean AI Task Force demonstrates that regional cooperation is not simply desirable—it is essential if the Caribbean is to compete and thrive in the global digital economy.”

    Over the course of the two-day forum, delegates will dive into targeted discussions on a range of priority topics, including AI governance frameworks tailored to small states, national AI strategy development, intellectual property rules for AI innovation, cybersecurity for AI systems, ethical AI guidelines, increasing gender diversity in AI fields, AI literacy for the general public, workforce development, AI applications for climate resilience, and AI-driven economic transformation. Organizers say the end goal of CAIF 2026 is to produce concrete, actionable recommendations that will boost cross-regional policy coordination, spur homegrown innovation, strengthen regional AI capacity, and position the Caribbean as a global leader in responsible, inclusive artificial intelligence development that centers the needs of small island developing states.

  • Region joins forces to prepare agriculture sector for possible El Niño impacts

    Region joins forces to prepare agriculture sector for possible El Niño impacts

    As the El Niño climate phenomenon looms over the Americas, agricultural leaders from across the hemisphere have gathered in San José to launch a coordinated regional preparedness initiative, aimed at shielding the continent’s agriculture and food systems from potential climate disruptions.

    The gathering, held at the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Executive Committee meeting, brought together cabinet ministers, deputy ministers and senior agricultural officials from across the region. Attendees used the forum to exchange on-the-ground lessons from past climate events, outline each nation’s unique preparedness priorities, and map out collaborative pathways to reinforce the agricultural sector’s ability to withstand climate shocks.

    While individual nations will retain ownership of their domestic preparedness and response frameworks, IICA has committed to delivering tailored support aligned with each country’s specific needs. A formal resolution adopted at the meeting tasks the institute with coordinating cross-national efforts: this includes updating collective action plans, scaling up the spread of proven successful strategies, expanding public access to real-time risk data and available resource inventories, and fostering South-South cooperation between regional partners.

    The resolution also opens the door for broader global collaboration, inviting international development organizations, multilateral financial institutions, development cooperation agencies, private sector actors and academic research institutions to contribute both technical expertise and critical financial backing to the initiative.

    Curt Delice, IICA’s Director of Operations and Regional Integration, emphasized that proactive, early action is the single most critical factor in reducing El Niño’s damage to the agricultural sector. “The response to El Niño must precede the emergency,” Delice explained. “We need to turn climate alerts and scientific data into concrete policy decisions, targeted investments and on-the-ground actions that protect farm output, producer incomes and rural livelihoods. Timely intervention cuts down on both losses and overall response costs. To scale this work effectively, we have to integrate cutting-edge science, innovative technologies, modern risk management frameworks, social protection systems and sustainable financing. No single country can tackle this challenge alone. We need a shared strategic roadmap, expanded cross-sector alliances, and sufficient resourcing to meet this threat head-on.”

    IICA reports that its national field offices have already begun engaging with local agricultural stakeholders to map priority needs and identify gaps that require additional external support. To date, almost 30 percent of member states have formally submitted specific technical cooperation requests tied directly to El Niño preparedness, and institute projections indicate that roughly 80 percent of all member countries will submit additional needs over the coming six months.

    Cross-national collaboration will center on three core priority areas: upgrading regional risk monitoring and early warning systems to provide more timely and accurate alerts, supporting on-farm adaptation measures and post-event recovery planning, and strengthening water management infrastructure and strategy through investments in efficient irrigation systems and comprehensive water security planning.

    IICA has stressed that El Niño’s impacts will not be uniform across the region, with different geographic zones facing distinct climate hazards. For example, countries in the eastern Caribbean are projected to face prolonged higher-than-average temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns and severe water shortages, while other parts of the hemisphere may confront extreme rainfall events, widespread flooding and dangerous landslides.

    Hugo Chavarría, Manager of IICA’s Innovation and Bioeconomy Program, noted that the detailed needs assessment data collected from individual member states will allow the institute to develop far more targeted, context-appropriate solutions to protect agricultural production, rural incomes and vulnerable farming communities across the region.

    Despite the challenge ahead, IICA highlighted that the region already has a strong existing foundation of climate resilience work to build on. A recent regional inventory identified 88 ongoing initiatives focused on climate resilience, climate risk management and agricultural adaptation, 25 of which are already directly aligned with El Niño preparedness and response efforts.