Carib Scope

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  • Tell US no to refugees, deportees — Gonsalves

    Tell US no to refugees, deportees — Gonsalves

    A prominent Caribbean political figure is advocating for a unified regional rejection of a United States proposal concerning the transfer of migrants. Ralph Gonsalves, the former long-serving Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and current opposition leader, has publicly called on CARICOM member states to firmly refuse a U.S. request to accept refugees and deportees from third countries.

    Gonsalves revealed that the U.S. State Department had approached his administration with this proposal shortly before the recent general elections. Speaking on his party’s radio station, Star Radio, he detailed his firm rejection of the idea, arguing it serves neither American nor Caribbean interests. His central contention is that accepting a minimal number of individuals—estimated at just 10-20 persons annually per Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) member—would be symbolically insignificant for U.S. policy objectives while creating substantial security risks for the region.

    The seasoned politician, who held office for nearly a quarter-century, expressed deep concern that such a program would inevitably lead to connections between some deportees and existing regional criminal networks. He characterized the potential incoming individuals as likely to include problematic elements, warning Caribbean nations against creating what he termed ‘another Haiti situation’ in terms of security challenges.

    Gonsalves framed the U.S. proposal within broader geopolitical strategies, including the America-first policy and historical doctrines of hemispheric dominance. He cautioned that without a concerted CARICOM-wide position, larger powers would systematically pressure individual smaller nations into compliance.

    Rather than outright confrontation or complete submission, Gonsalves proposed a middle path of strategic negotiation. He suggested CARICOM could leverage this situation to advance other regional requests, such as visa-free travel arrangements for Caribbean citizens to the U.S., the revitalization of the PetroCaribe energy initiative with Venezuela, and joint resource exploitation projects. This approach, he argued, would demonstrate the bloc’s willingness to cooperate on mutually beneficial issues while standing firm on matters of existential importance like border security and migration policy.

    The opposition leader concluded by urging the current government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to adopt a clear position of refusal and to champion this stance within regional forums, emphasizing that collective action is the only way to prevent larger nations from dividing and overwhelming smaller states.

  • An American-led Venezuela shatters Dominican exceptionalism

    An American-led Venezuela shatters Dominican exceptionalism

    The Dominican Republic stands at a critical juncture as its longstanding position as the Caribbean’s stable economic haven faces unprecedented challenges. For two decades, the nation benefited from regional instability, attracting capital and talent by default while neighboring countries grappled with crises. This era of asymmetric advantage is rapidly closing as geopolitical shifts reshape the competitive landscape.

    Venezuela’s economic renaissance, backed by substantial American investment and operational scale, represents a structural transformation rather than theoretical possibility. Simultaneously, Cuba’s impending transition threatens to further redistribute regional capital and talent. These developments will fundamentally reprice Caribbean economic dynamics, challenging the Dominican Republic’s current development model.

    Critical examination reveals fundamental flaws in the nation’s innovation strategy. Punta Bergantín, initially promoted as a ‘Silicon Beach of the Global South,’ demonstrates concerning execution gaps. Instead of innovation infrastructure, the project has prioritized conventional tourism assets—hotels, resorts, and recreational facilities. This discrepancy between branding and implementation risks degrading the country’s credibility as a serious innovation destination.

    The national development approach continues emphasizing physical assets: expanded airports, additional marinas, and real estate developments. While nearshoring initiatives and semiconductor manufacturing represent positive steps, they remain tactical advantages dependent on labor arbitrage rather than sustainable competitive differentiation.

    The nation’s innovation ecosystem suffers from structural deficiencies. With research and development investment languishing below 0.3% of GDP—significantly lower than innovation-driven economies’ 2-3%—the Dominican Republic lacks crucial architecture: coherent venture capital systems, startup operating standards, corporate integration pathways, and exportable digital IP pipelines.

    An imminent talent crisis compounds these challenges. The educated Venezuelan diaspora, currently residing in the Dominican Republic, represents one of the hemisphere’s most capitalized migrant populations comprising engineers, entrepreneurs, and professionals. As Venezuela reopens, this talent exodus will accelerate, creating a vacuum of expertise, institutional memory, and entrepreneurial energy.

    The solution requires immediate, coordinated action across five domains: formalizing innovation as a distinct industry with proper policy frameworks; building comprehensive venture infrastructure beyond mere funding; professionalizing startups as export vehicles rather than experimental projects; creating cross-border moats through Dominican IP exports; and integrating public-private execution mechanisms.

    Without cohesive innovation architecture, the Dominican Republic risks maintaining beautiful infrastructure while the region economically reengineers around it. The window for strategic response is narrowing rapidly as competitive pressures intensify across the Caribbean basin.

  • Encouraging results with Jusvinza

    Encouraging results with Jusvinza

    Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez has announced encouraging preliminary results from clinical trials investigating the use of the Cuban biotechnology product Jusvinza for patients suffering from chronic post-Chikungunya arthritis. The findings were presented during a high-level meeting at the Palace of the Revolution attended by scientific experts and government officials, including Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz.

    The clinical studies, initiated on December 2, 2025, have demonstrated notable improvement in patients from Havana and Matanzas provinces who received Jusvinza treatment. Researchers reported that the drug exhibits a strong safety profile and early evidence of clinical effectiveness in addressing the debilitating inflammatory condition that follows Chikungunya virus infection.

    Dr. Julio Esmir Baldomero Hernández, Director of Clinical Research at the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), indicated that comprehensive data from the study is expected by early March 2026. The research incorporates long-term evaluations focusing particularly on treatment safety and the persistence of therapeutic benefits. The study has been conducted in strict compliance with good clinical practices, receiving endorsement from Cuba’s Center for State Control of Medicines, Equipment, and Medical Devices (Cedmed) after a rigorous inspection.

    According to Dr. Miguel Hernán Estévez del Toro, Director of the Hermanos Ameijeiras Surgical Clinical Hospital and a renowned Cuban rheumatologist, a significant percentage of Chikungunya patients develop chronic inflammatory arthropathy after three months of infection. The condition shares inflammatory mediators with rheumatoid arthritis, leading to similar limitations in quality of life and functional capacity when left uncontrolled.

    ‘Having a product capable of slowing the inflammatory progression of this disease would be tremendously beneficial,’ stated Dr. Estévez del Toro. In response to these findings, Cuba’s Ministry of Public Health has launched a national survey through its Innovation Committee, the National Group, and the Cuban Society of Rheumatology to develop consensus treatment guidelines that incorporate Jusvinza alongside rehabilitation therapies.

    Dr. María del Carmen Domínguez, principal investigator of the study, emphasized that repurposing Jusvinza—originally developed for rheumatoid arthritis and COVID-19—represents a significant scientific achievement. The drug demonstrates immunomodulatory capabilities even with repeated administrations over time, presenting a substantial molecular challenge that researchers have successfully addressed.

    Experts at the meeting also noted a declining incidence of Chikungunya virus infections across Cuba, suggesting that the breakthrough treatment could arrive as the epidemic wave recedes.

  • World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos van start; wereldwijd leiders bijeen

    World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos van start; wereldwijd leiders bijeen

    The 2026 World Economic Forum (WEF) commenced officially on Monday in Davos, Switzerland, gathering approximately 3,000 participants from over 130 countries. The prestigious assembly brings together heads of state, government officials, corporate executives, and civil society leaders for a four-day convention running through January 23. This year’s theme, ‘A Spirit of Dialogue,’ emphasizes fostering cooperation during an era marked by complex geopolitical and economic challenges.

    Suriname’s Vice President Gregory Rusland is among the distinguished attendees, having received a special invitation to join an exclusive meeting of forty international decision-makers comprising heads of state, CEOs, and ministers. Rusland is scheduled to engage with global leaders on the critical topic: ‘From Commitments to Implementation: Scaling Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality.’

    For decades, the annual WEF summit has served as a crucial platform for addressing pressing global issues including economic growth, multilateral cooperation, technological advancement, and climate change. The 2026 program features more than 200 sessions covering diverse subjects such as global risks, economic inequality, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development.

    Key discussion topics this year include the role of dialogue in an increasingly fragmented global economy. According to recent WEF risk analysis, economic confrontations including trade conflicts and protectionist measures have gained significant prominence on the world stage. The forum will also address the growing divide between economic elites and broader populations. Larry Fink, CEO of investment firm BlackRock and interim co-chair of the forum, emphasized the need for economic systems to evolve toward generating broader societal benefits and reducing distrust.

    Additional focal points include digital innovation and artificial intelligence, investments in strategic sectors like defense and technology, the future of energy and climate policy, and the vital role of international cooperation in tackling global challenges.

    The geopolitical dimension features prominently in this year’s agenda. National security advisors from multiple countries convened in Davos to discuss sensitive matters including policy responses to trade conflicts surrounding Greenland, which have recently created tensions between the United States and European nations. The presence of numerous state leaders and government heads underscores the forum’s continued importance as a diplomatic platform for international collaboration amid global uncertainties including conflict zones and challenges in multilateral relations.

  • Operation Altagracian 2026 begins with over 9,000 personnel deployed

    Operation Altagracian 2026 begins with over 9,000 personnel deployed

    The Dominican Republic has initiated Operation Altagracian 2026, a comprehensive security and emergency response deployment designed to safeguard millions of pilgrims during the annual festivities honoring Our Lady of Altagracia. The operation commenced on Tuesday and will continue through Wednesday, January 21st at 6:00 PM, mobilizing an impressive force of 9,121 personnel including emergency responders, volunteers, and institutional collaborators throughout the country’s eastern region.

    President Luis Abinader authorized the large-scale operation, which is being coordinated through the Emergency Operations Center (COE) in collaboration with multiple government agencies and the Government of La Altagracia province. The primary mission focuses on ensuring safe passage for citizens traveling to the Basilica Cathedral of Our Lady of Altagracia in Higüey, the spiritual center of celebrations for the nation’s patron saint. Security and assistance coverage extends along all major routes from the Juan Carlos Bridge on Las Américas Avenue to the basilica itself.

    COE Director Juan Manuel Méndez García identified traffic accidents as the foremost concern during the religious gatherings and emphasized the importance of responsible behavior among travelers. The operational framework includes 113 ambulances, 153 first aid stations, and two fully equipped field hospitals operated by the Dominican Red Cross and Civil Defense. A sophisticated Mobile Command Center will coordinate with the Directorate of Out-of-Hospital Emergency Services (DAEH) to manage response efforts.

    The Ministry of Defense is providing aerial surveillance through helicopter support, while a specialized three-ring security perimeter will be established around the basilica complex. DIGESETT personnel will manage traffic flow and safety, with the Military and Police Commission of the Ministry of Public Works offering roadside assistance including mobile workshops and crane services. Authorities have reiterated warnings against driving under the influence of alcohol and urged compliance with official safety guidelines throughout the religious observances.

  • Column: Wanneer staatsbezit privé wordt opgericht, faalt de controle

    Column: Wanneer staatsbezit privé wordt opgericht, faalt de controle

    A significant governance crisis has emerged surrounding GuySure, the Guyanese subsidiary of Surinamese state-owned enterprise Grassalco. Official corporate registration documents from Guyana reveal that the company’s shares are formally held by private individuals with connections to Grassalco, contradicting previous representations that it represented a state-controlled regional expansion.

    The disclosure directly challenges the narrative presented during GuySure’s inauguration in Georgetown last May, which was attended by then-President Chan Santokhi, suspended Grassalco CEO Wesley Rozenhout, and former Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin. The high-profile political ceremony had positioned the venture as Suriname’s strategic state-owned presence in neighboring Guyana.

    Investigative findings indicate critical irregularities in documentation handling. Key GuySure documents were only entered into Grassalco’s official records and archives this January—months after both the company’s establishment and its high-profile launch. Forensic analysis confirmed no evidence of external hacking or digital manipulation, suggesting internal procedural deviations.

    The administrative process displayed multiple anomalies including missing сопроводительные документы, irregularities in dossier preparation, and archival inconsistencies. Investigators have not ruled out intentional manipulation or backdating of documents, raising concerns about potential criminal offenses such as document forgery and abuse of position.

    This case transcends political dimensions, touching fundamental principles of legal governance and state property protection. Unlike the separate 4-kg gold investigation, this matter involves international corporate registration, state assets, and possible cross-border legal violations that demand rigorous independent criminal investigation without political interference.

    The central question remains how a purported state subsidiary transformed into a private ownership structure without transparency or accountability, revealing systemic failures in both institutional controls and their appointed guardians.

  • Palomino Dam reopens with new ecotourism route and camping rules

    Palomino Dam reopens with new ecotourism route and camping rules

    SANTO DOMINGO – In a significant move to balance tourism growth with environmental preservation, the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources will inaugurate a new ecotourism route at the Palomino Dam on January 21, 2026. This development within the José del Carmen Ramírez National Park responds to a five-year surge in hiking and nature-based tourism, prompting authorities to implement enhanced safety and conservation frameworks.

    The initiative, orchestrated by the Vice Ministry of Protected Areas and Biodiversity, follows a comprehensive evaluation and restructuring of access protocols to the protected zone. A pivotal component is a newly established overnight stay protocol, formally introduced to tour operators, local guides, and Ministry of Tourism officials during a virtual conference held on December 30.

    Under the stringent new regulations, prospective campers are required to seek authorization a minimum of 15 days prior to their visit via the Ministry’s dedicated digital platform. Each visiting group must appoint a designated leader and be accompanied by at least one certified local guide for every ten participants. Overnight capacity is strictly limited to 120 visitors. The regulations explicitly prohibit alcohol, tobacco, controlled substances, and single-use plastics, mandating a ‘pack-in, pack-out’ waste policy to ensure zero environmental footprint.

    An integral part of the rollout includes a specialized training program to certify local guides as Nature Interpreter Guides, a qualification that will eventually become compulsory for all guided visits. Future plans also entail the construction of permanent, eco-friendly overnight facilities to minimize ecological disruption and bolster sustainable local economic development. This new route replaces the previous access path to the Palomino Dam, which was closed in August 2025 as a preventive measure to safeguard both visitors and the region’s delicate ecosystem.

  • José Horacio Rodríguez calls alleged ITLA salary deductions for politics “deplorable”

    José Horacio Rodríguez calls alleged ITLA salary deductions for politics “deplorable”

    SANTO DOMINGO – A prominent political leader in the Dominican Republic has issued a stern condemnation following explosive allegations of coerced political contributions from public institution employees. José Horacio Rodríguez, who heads the Democratic Option party, characterized as ‘deplorable’ a recent investigative report claiming that staff at the Technological Institute of the Americas (ITLA) were pressured to donate up to five percent of their salaries to support a political movement.

    Rodríguez asserted that this incident is not isolated but rather symptomatic of a pervasive and deeply entrenched pattern of illicit political financing plaguing the nation. He emphasized that such practices represent a clear breach of Dominican law and called for an immediate and comprehensive official investigation into the matter. The party president contextualized the allegations within a troubling history of political scandals, noting that the misuse of funds for political gain has previously been linked to more severe criminal activities, including corruption and drug trafficking.

    Highlighting the corrosive effect of money in politics, the former congressman advocated for sweeping systemic reforms. His proposal centers on substantially reducing the overall financial burden of political campaigns by implementing stricter expenditure caps. Furthermore, Rodríguez pushed for enhanced transparency mechanisms and robust oversight to prevent financial misconduct. He pointed to international benchmarks for inspiration, specifically citing Belgium’s framework for regulated political advertising and France’s stringent limits on broadcast campaign time as viable models for the Dominican Republic to emulate. The ultimate goal, he stressed, is to ensure that political financing operates with integrity and truly serves the public interest, rather than undermining democratic institutions.

  • Atherley rules himself out of February 11 election

    Atherley rules himself out of February 11 election

    In a significant political development, former opposition leader Bishop Joe Atherley has officially declared he will not stand as a candidate in Barbados’ upcoming general election, despite reaffirming his enduring dedication to the nation’s political landscape. The announcement came during an exclusive interview with Barbados TODAY on Monday.

    Atherley, who previously secured the St Michael West constituency for the Barbados Labour Party in 2018 before establishing the People’s Party for Democracy and Development (PdP) as the sole opposition voice, emphasized that his withdrawal from candidacy does not signal retirement from public service. ‘I remain deeply engaged in the political process and maintain my commitment to advancing the interests of Barbadian citizens,’ he stated.

    The former parliamentarian articulated a philosophy of principle-driven service over partisan allegiance, noting: ‘My primary allegiance lies with the national colors of Barbados—blue, yellow, and gold—rather than any party label. I operate based on Christian principles and ministerial profession, remaining available to serve the people in whatever capacity circumstances permit.’

    This declaration coincides with the formation of the People’s Coalition for Progress, an alliance comprising the United Progressive Party, New National Party, and Conservative Barbados Leadership Party. Notably, Atherley clarified that neither he nor the PdP are participating in this coalition effort, distinguishing the current political landscape from the previous Allied Party for Progress arrangement during the January 2022 elections.

    Atherley’s decision creates strategic implications for Barbados’ opposition framework as the nation approaches its electoral process, with his continued involvement expected to take forms beyond conventional candidacy.

  • BADMC to review yam prices by April

    BADMC to review yam prices by April

    Barbados faces a significant setback in its campaign against soaring food prices following a major agricultural theft that forced authorities to delay a crucial price reduction initiative. The Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC) has revealed that the theft of approximately 10,000 pounds of yams from its St. John farmland has compromised plans to make the staple food more affordable for consumers.

    Dr. Claire Durant, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of BADMC, confirmed that the stolen produce, valued at nearly $70,000, was specifically cultivated as part of a strategic intervention to combat escalating market prices. Current retail rates for yams have reached concerning levels of $6-7 per pound, creating financial strain for many Barbadian households.

    The corporation had targeted a ambitious price reduction to approximately $2.50 per pound by 2026 through increased domestic production. However, the substantial theft has necessitated a recalibration of this timeline, with consumers now unlikely to see meaningful price relief before the conclusion of the year’s first quarter.

    This incident forms part of a disturbing pattern of praedial larceny across the island. Recent statistics indicate approximately 50,000 pounds of yams were stolen during the Christmas and New Year period alone, including a separate 20,000-pound theft from veteran farmer Richard Armstrong’s private holdings in St. John.

    Dr. Durant emphasized the disproportionate impact on smaller agricultural operators, noting that while the BADMC can absorb such losses, individual farmers face potentially catastrophic consequences from similar thefts.

    In response to the escalating crisis, the corporation has implemented enhanced security measures including increased police patrols and community vigilance initiatives. The BADMC has also introduced a numbered receipt book system to improve supply chain transparency, enabling better verification of produce legitimacy throughout the distribution network.

    Agriculture Minister Indar Weir has issued stern warnings to both vendors and consumers, emphasizing that stolen produce inevitably enters commercial channels and urging heightened due diligence across the sector. Meanwhile, the vending community, represented by the Barbados Association of Retailers, Vendors, and Entrepreneurs (BARVEN), has rejected suggestions of widespread complicity, maintaining that most vendors operate through legal sourcing channels.