Carib Scope

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  • Inauguration : 58 million Euros for the Hinche/Saint-Raphaël section of the RN3

    Inauguration : 58 million Euros for the Hinche/Saint-Raphaël section of the RN3

    Haiti achieved a significant infrastructure milestone on January 13, 2026, with the formal inauguration of the newly rehabilitated Hinche/Saint-Raphaël segment of National Route 3 (RN3). The ceremony was presided over by Laurent Saint Cyr, President pro tempore and Coordinator of the Transition Council, alongside Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s transportation development.

    The €58.14 million infrastructure project represents a substantial international investment in Haiti’s transportation network, financed through collaborative funding from the European Union and the French Development Agency (AFD). The comprehensive rehabilitation encompasses 43.27 kilometers of critical roadway with a standardized width of 7 meters, including the strategic Hinche bypass in the Northern Department.

    The inauguration ceremony gathered distinguished attendees including multiple international ambassadors—Hélène Roos (European Union), Antoine Michon (France), and Marco Antonio Peñín Toledano (Spain)—alongside Minister of Public Works Raphaël Hosty, National Authorizing Officer of the European Development Fund Charles Jean Jacques, and local municipal leaders. Representatives from Vorbe & Fils Construction S.A., the executing contractor, were also present to mark the project’s completion.

    This enhanced transportation corridor establishes vital connectivity between Haiti’s Central Plateau and Northern regions, fundamentally transforming logistics capabilities for both passenger travel and commercial freight movement. Government officials emphasized that the project demonstrates their committed political strategy positioning road infrastructure as a cornerstone for economic revitalization, enhanced territorial integration, and strengthened national cohesion.

    The Haitian government extended profound appreciation to the European Union, AFD, and partner nations, acknowledging their sustained support as strategic allies in Haiti’s development journey. This project stands as a tangible manifestation of international cooperation aimed at fostering sustainable growth and improved mobility across the Caribbean nation.

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    A Barbados-based disability-led organization is calling for increased financial support to scale its innovative training initiative designed to foster self-sufficiency among disabled and marginalized individuals. The Love Circle, founded three years ago as an inclusive collective of both disabled and non-disabled members, has strategically pivoted from temporary aid provision to comprehensive skills development after identifying systemic gaps in conventional support structures.

    Executive Director Ralbert Ashton explained the organization’s evolution, noting that repetitive assistance patterns revealed the limitations of short-term solutions. “We observed the same individuals returning consistently for food parcels and utility bill support,” Ashton stated. “This cyclical dependency prevented us from extending help to others in need and prompted our transition from handouts to sustainable empowerment.”

    Launched in September 2024 at the Barbados Council for the Disabled, the pilot program currently serves 18 participants through practical skill-building workshops. Curriculum components range from artisanal soap and candle crafting to decorative balloon artistry and commercial food preparation—all strategically designed to create income-generating opportunities.

    Funding remains the primary constraint for program sustainability. Current support derives mainly from religious organizations including Seventh-day Adventist churches and Beach Church, supplemented by personal contributions from Love Circle members—many surviving on modest pensions themselves. A recently organized fundraising concert yielded limited returns due to insufficient publicity, highlighting the organization’s promotional challenges.

    Despite financial hurdles, The Love Circle is pursuing strategic partnerships to enhance program impact. Ongoing discussions with the Small Business Association aim to provide formal business development support for aspiring entrepreneurs, while future collaborations with the Labour Office could institutionalize program benefits.

    The organization has already equipped several participants with professional tools and equipment to launch micro-enterprises. With adequate funding, planned expansions include upholstery workshops, winemaking courses, and additional soap-making classes responding to demonstrated community interest.

    “The demand for practical skills training is undeniable,” Ashton emphasized. “Our participants have shown remarkable engagement—what we require now is sustained investment to transform potential into lasting economic independence.”

  • Debris cleared after Ashdeane Village flooding complaints

    Debris cleared after Ashdeane Village flooding complaints

    An elderly Barbadian man’s prolonged flooding ordeal has been resolved after public works crews cleared drainage debris linked to a government well installation. Seymour Burnett, 77, of Ashdeane Village, St Michael, had been virtually confined to his home due to persistent floodwaters that created accessibility challenges for the mobility-impaired pensioner.

    The breakthrough came after St Michael North West MP Neil Rowe intervened, confirming that leftover materials from a previous contractor’s drainage operations had been completely removed. “I’m pleased to report that the debris has been eliminated, and I extend gratitude to the drainage department for their prompt action,” Rowe stated during an onsite assessment with Barbados TODAY.

    On Tuesday, drainage department personnel executed comprehensive remediation work—extracting remaining debris, laying fresh milling material, and regrading the terrain to elevate it above water level. These measures specifically targeted flood mitigation for Burnett’s residence and adjacent properties.

    The resolution follows escalating concerns last week regarding Burnett’s living conditions, where recurrent flooding compounded by severe mosquito infestations had created unhealthy circumstances. Local residents attributed these problems to inadequately maintained public drainage infrastructure.

    Rowe acknowledged that initial remediation attempts in late 2023 had proven insufficient when a privately hired contractor removed approximately three skip-loads of debris but failed to complete the job. The MP formally apologized to Burnett and fellow residents for the inconvenience caused by these previous incomplete works.

    The elderly beneficiary expressed profound relief at seeing conclusive action, voicing optimism that these latest interventions would deliver a permanent solution to the chronic flooding issues that had compromised his quality of life.

  • Energía 2000 receives first LNG shipment for Manzanillo Power Plant

    Energía 2000 receives first LNG shipment for Manzanillo Power Plant

    MONTE CRISTI, Dominican Republic – In a landmark development for the nation’s energy sector, Energía 2000 has successfully received the inaugural shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) at the Manzanillo port. This delivery represents a critical milestone preceding the operational launch of the highly anticipated Manzanillo Power Land plant.

    The initial consignment, comprising 50,000 cubic meters of LNG, was transported by the vessel LNGShips Empress to the newly constructed Manzanillo Energy marine terminal. Upon arrival, the cargo was securely transferred to the Energo Feeze, a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) that has been stationed at the port since September. This vessel will serve as a permanent fixture, a first for the country’s energy infrastructure.

    Company officials confirmed that the delivery was authorized only after rigorous operational and safety assessments were satisfactorily completed. The LNG will be utilized during the comprehensive testing phase required before the plant’s full commissioning.

    Upon achieving full operational status, the facility is projected to contribute a substantial 440 megawatts to the national electricity grid. This output equates to approximately 12% of the Dominican Republic’s current total generation capacity, a significant injection expected to substantially bolster the stability and reliability of the national power system.

    Beyond enhancing grid capacity, the project is hailed for its multifaceted benefits. Energía 2000 emphasizes that the initiative fortifies national energy security by diversifying the energy mix and introduces a cleaner-burning fuel alternative to reduce environmental impact. Furthermore, the project is catalyzing economic development and generating employment opportunities within the Montecristi province, specifically benefiting the community of Pepillo Salcedo.

  • Economy : Customs strengthens its mission of protection and mobilization of tax revenues (video)

    Economy : Customs strengthens its mission of protection and mobilization of tax revenues (video)

    Haiti’s General Customs Administration (AGD) has demonstrated significant operational success through intensified fiscal controls and security enforcement, Director General Gérald Remplais announced during the 32nd edition of Tuesdays of the Nation on January 13, 2026.

    Remplais detailed the agency’s dual mission of revenue mobilization and societal protection, highlighting enhanced measures against trafficking networks dealing in narcotics, firearms, counterfeit medications, and other illicit goods. These efforts align with the World Customs Organization’s 2026 thematic focus on customs agencies serving as protective forces through vigilance and commitment.

    The implementation of strengthened protocols has yielded substantial financial returns, with the AGD reporting unprecedented revenue collection during the first quarter of the 2025-2026 fiscal year. October 2025 generated 11.24 billion gourdes, followed by 10.58 billion in November, and a remarkable 13.26 billion gourdes in December 2025.

    Looking forward, the AGD is advancing its modernization initiative with several technological enhancements. An automated messaging system integrated within the customs platform will enable users to pre-calculate import duties, increasing transparency and efficiency. The administration also plans to implement online payment facilitation and optimize workspace infrastructure across Haiti, with particular attention to the Cap-Haïtien customs facility.

  • Smart Staff Face Uncertainty Amid BTL Takeover Plans

    Smart Staff Face Uncertainty Amid BTL Takeover Plans

    Workforce apprehension mounts at telecommunications provider Smart as Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) advances its corporate acquisition strategy. Internal sources reveal a palpable climate of professional insecurity, with employees expressing deep concerns about their future career trajectories rather than immediate operational duties.

    According to confidential informants, strategic initiatives targeting long-term corporate objectives have encountered significant paralysis due to the impending ownership transition. The organization’s Chief Executive Officer reportedly disclosed during internal deliberations that he received initial notification about the potential transaction merely in late December, highlighting the suddenness of these developments.

    Corporate leadership has acknowledged potential workforce reductions as a plausible scenario while emphasizing that terminations remain unconfirmed. News Five investigations indicate management has suggested possible reassignment opportunities for existing personnel during the transitional phase. However, employees received sobering advisories regarding the immediate suspension of retirement benefits and performance incentives upon deal finalization, with benefit structures subject to post-acquisition renegotiation.

    In a notable interim measure, staff members received authorization to utilize accrued vacation time as a provisional security measure. Despite assurances of severance packages for potentially displaced workers, fundamental concerns persist regarding employment contract continuity and organizational stability. “Management encourages maintaining optimistic outlooks,” an anonymous employee commented, “but practical future planning remains challenging amidst persistent uncertainty.”

  • Abinader congratulates Chile’s president-elect José Antonio Kast

    Abinader congratulates Chile’s president-elect José Antonio Kast

    Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – In a significant diplomatic gesture, Dominican President Luis Abinader initiated a telephone conversation with Chile’s president-elect José Antonio Kast to formally congratulate him on his recent electoral success. The high-level exchange, which occurred during Chile’s ongoing political transition period, focused primarily on reinforcing the strategic partnership between the two nations.

    Through an official statement released on his social media platforms, President Abinader revealed that both leaders engaged in substantive discussions regarding future collaboration frameworks. They mutually committed to intensifying diplomatic dialogue and expanding cooperative initiatives across multiple sectors, with particular emphasis on projects delivering tangible benefits to their respective populations.

    This diplomatic outreach occurs against the backdrop of Chile’s presidential transition following its landmark election, underscoring the Dominican government’s proactive approach to international relations. The conversation symbolized the Abinader administration’s dedication to maintaining active diplomatic channels and strengthening inter-American partnerships within the Latin American region. Political analysts view this early engagement as indicative of the importance both nations place on sustained bilateral cooperation and regional stability.

  • UDP Sets Conditions, Meets Ashcroft on BTL Deal

    UDP Sets Conditions, Meets Ashcroft on BTL Deal

    In a significant political development, United Democratic Party Leader Tracy Panton has established firm conditions regarding the proposed BTL telecommunications deal while confirming a high-level meeting with business magnate Lord Michael Ashcroft. The opposition party asserts it will not support any public acquisition that materially affects public interest or creates monopolistic market conditions.

    The meeting between Panton, UDP Chair Sheena Pitts, and Ashcroft—whose Waterloo Group Charitable Trust holds a commanding 77% stake in telecommunications provider Smart—represents a strategic move by the opposition to position itself as a government-in-waiting. Panton characterized the discussion as transparent dialogue necessary for responsible governance.

    Addressing monopoly concerns, Panton drew parallels to existing utility monopolies in electricity and water services, acknowledging that small market economies sometimes necessitate single providers due to population size constraints. However, she maintained the UDP’s unequivocal opposition to telecommunications monopolization that could harm public interests.

    In a revealing development, Panton disclosed that BTL’s chairman has subsequently sought emergency meetings with opposition figures—a move she characterized as reactive rather than proactive. The UDP leader framed her engagement with all investors as essential preparation for national leadership, emphasizing her right to determine appropriate meeting schedules and venues as the prospective prime minister.

  • BTL Faces $15M Hit After CCJ Severance Ruling

    BTL Faces $15M Hit After CCJ Severance Ruling

    In a significant financial development, Belize Telecommunications Limited (BTL) confronts a substantial monetary setback ranging between $11 million to $15 million following a groundbreaking judicial decision by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). The ruling, delivered after extensive legal proceedings, fundamentally alters severance compensation protocols throughout Belize’s corporate landscape.

    BTL Chairman Markhelm Lizarraga disclosed during a recent press conference that the company must now compensate hundreds of former employees whose severance claims were previously denied. The CCJ determined that pension benefits cannot legally substitute for statutory severance payments, invalidating BTL’s long-standing interpretation of labor regulations.

    Former employee Bernard Pitts Jr., who participated in the litigation, emphasized that the legal challenge transcended individual financial gain. “This fight was about correcting a fundamental misinterpretation of labor law,” Pitts stated. “The judiciary has clarified that social legislation cannot equate pension schemes with severance entitlements.”

    Justice Jamara’s ruling established that companies cannot retrospectively claim pension contributions as severance payments, particularly when employees weren’t compensated appropriately upon termination. The controversy originated when collective bargaining agreements were amended to suggest pension benefits absorbed severance obligations.

    Chairman Lizarraga confirmed BTL’s compliance with the judgment despite the unexpected financial impact. The company has initiated disbursements to over two hundred qualified former employees through legal representatives Courtenay and Coye. “We are honoring the ruling and have begun distributions to those legally entitled to receive compensation,” Lizarraga affirmed.

    This precedent-setting case carries profound implications for Belize’s labor market, establishing clearer boundaries between pension benefits and severance rights while reinforcing worker protections under national social legislation.

  • Public Consultation Held on Scarlet Macaw Sanctuary

    Public Consultation Held on Scarlet Macaw Sanctuary

    A contentious public consultation unfolded in Red Bank Village regarding a proposed Scarlet Macaw sanctuary in the Maya Mountains, highlighting deep divisions between conservation efforts and community land rights. The government’s initiative to establish a protected feeding ground for hundreds of endangered Scarlet Macaws has sparked significant local opposition after suggestions emerged that some farmers might face relocation.

    Local tour guide Basilio Mes emerged as a vocal advocate for the sanctuary, revealing that concerns began early last year when private individuals began surveying the macaw feeding hills. “Myself and several guides approached the village council,” Mes explained, “unaware that the Ministry of Sustainable Development had already initiated protection discussions for these critical habitats.”

    The consultation revealed the complex balance between ecological preservation and community access. Mes emphasized that private ownership of the hills would severely impact local livelihoods: “The people of Redbank would lose access entirely once these lands go into private hands. We’re advocating for a sanctuary model that maintains sustainable access for guides, villagers, and farmers alike.”

    Historical context provided by Mes illustrated dramatic population declines, from thousands of birds to mere hundreds, attributing this decrease to human encroachment into natural habitats. The proposed sanctuary represents both a conservation imperative and a socioeconomic challenge for residents whose livelihoods depend on access to these traditional lands.