Carib Scope

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  • Should Belize’s BPO Sector Be Unionised?

    Should Belize’s BPO Sector Be Unionised?

    The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) has launched a significant initiative to organize workers within the nation’s rapidly expanding Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry. This movement, spearheaded by Ashley Longford, Director of the Young Vanguard, centers on safeguarding the rights of predominantly young employees who dominate this sector.

    Longford characterized unionization as a fundamental objective for NTUCB, highlighting concerning workplace conditions where employees frequently experience isolation and lack adequate representation. She revealed that many workers metaphorically describe their situation as resembling ‘modern-day slavery,’ emphasizing the urgent need for structural protections.

    Demographic analysis shows Belize’s BPO workforce consists primarily of individuals aged 18-30, with many transitioning directly from secondary education into these positions. This vulnerability prompts concerns about potential exploitation. The Young Vanguard initiative aims to educate these young workers about their legal protections and labor rights under Belizean law.

    According to Longford, formal union representation would empower employees through collective bargaining capabilities and establish crucial accountability mechanisms for employers. This would theoretically reduce fears of unjust termination or mistreatment while promoting more equitable working environments.

    The NTUCB has scheduled preliminary discussions with BPO management representatives for early 2026, intending to facilitate dialogue about mutual benefits. Longford frames this development as a potential ‘win-win’ scenario—enhancing worker security while simultaneously creating more stable and productive operational frameworks for employers.

    This organizing effort represents a critical juncture for Belize’s evolving economic landscape, where balancing business growth with worker protections remains paramount.

  • PM complains about media workers virtually attending news conferences

    PM complains about media workers virtually attending news conferences

    Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell of Grenada has publicly addressed the conspicuous absence of journalists at physical press conferences, attributing the trend to a lingering ‘long Covid’ effect on media engagement practices. During an exclusive interview on the Grenada Broadcasting Network (GBN), the Prime Minister revealed his perplexity at frequently arriving at designated venues only to find empty rooms, with the sole presence being cameras from the Government Information Service (GIS).

    The phenomenon, which Mitchell colloquially termed ‘long Covid,’ reflects a sustained preference for virtual participation that originated during the pandemic’s peak in 2020. Since assuming office in June 2022, the Prime Minister has maintained a hybrid approach to media briefings, offering both in-person and virtual attendance options. However, he noted that most journalists have consistently chosen the remote option, creating what he described as a disconnect in direct government-media interaction.

    Mitchell’s administration has demonstrated particular commitment to public communication during crises, having conducted an impressive 19 news conferences following Hurricane Beryl in 2024 to keep citizens informed about recovery operations. Despite this accessibility, the Prime Minister expressed frustration that media professionals often claim they receive ‘too much information’ during briefings and require additional time to process the content before formulating questions.

    The government’s transition to virtual press conferences began as a necessary adaptation during the Covid-19 pandemic through GIS coordination. This digital approach has persisted as a standard practice, with many journalists continuing to favor remote access despite the restoration of in-person opportunities. Mitchell emphasized his willingness to maintain regular briefings—whether weekly or post-Cabinet—but stressed that meaningful engagement requires physical media presence, noting that he cannot ‘do their work for them.’

    Complementing press conferences, the Prime Minister highlighted his accessibility through regular appearances on radio programs, where he and government officials address public inquiries and provide project updates. While acknowledging room for improvement in government-media relations, Mitchell reaffirmed his commitment to transparency through whatever communication channels prove most effective.

  • Nominations Open January 6 for the 2025 Antigua & Barbuda National Music Awards

    Nominations Open January 6 for the 2025 Antigua & Barbuda National Music Awards

    The Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda has officially launched the nomination process for its prestigious 2025 National Music Awards (ABNMA), with submissions opening January 6, 2026. The Ministry of Creative Industries, through its Department of Culture, announced the commencement of the awards’ second edition, which will culminate in a grand ceremony on February 26, 2026, in St. John’s.

    This national initiative serves as the country’s premier platform for honoring exceptional achievements across the musical landscape. The awards recognize diverse contributors including performers, composers, educators, media specialists, producers, and cultural advocates who have significantly enriched the twin-island state’s musical heritage and entertainment sector.

    The 2025 edition introduces a substantially expanded awards framework designed to encompass a broader spectrum of creative and industry contributions. The comprehensive categories now include:

    – MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR honors covering instrumental excellence, steelpan performance, and vocal artistry across genres including Soca, Calypso, Reggae/Dancehall, and Gospel
    – Producer and Songwriter recognition awards
    – People’s Choice categories for Best Recording Artist, Band & DJ, Song & Sound, and Events
    – Emerging artist development awards including the Ricardo Drue Foundation Award for musicians aged 25 and under
    – Special Recognition Awards for individuals and organizations with over a decade of contribution
    – Lifetime Achievement Award honoring those with 20+ years of significant national impact

    The nomination process emphasizes accessibility and transparency, offering both online and in-person submission options through the Ministry of Creative Industries headquarters on Old Parham Road. The program welcomes nominations from the public, provided they have the nominee’s permission, ensuring both accuracy and willingness to participate.

    Nominees are encouraged to prepare comprehensive submission packages including tailored biographies, professional images, project summaries, and other supporting materials that demonstrate their qualifications for specific award categories. Detailed guidelines for each category will accompany the official nomination forms.

    This expanded awards framework reflects the nation’s deepening commitment to celebrating artistic excellence while simultaneously fostering innovation, education, cultural preservation, and industry development. The ABNMA continues to evolve as a unifying cultural force that inspires emerging creatives, showcases national talent, and enriches Antigua and Barbuda’s cultural identity on the global stage.

  • BLP candidate shift ‘strategic recalibration’ ahead of possible poll, says analyst

    BLP candidate shift ‘strategic recalibration’ ahead of possible poll, says analyst

    Political analyst Devaron Bruce has identified the Barbados Labour Party’s (BLP) decision to replace St Michael Central MP Arthur Holder as a strategic maneuver indicating potential early general elections. The party’s selection of attorney Tyra Trotman as the replacement candidate, despite her previous affiliation with the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), suggests a significant political recalibration.

    Bruce characterized the development as “curious” yet strategically coherent, noting that Trotman carries endorsements from both outgoing MP Holder and Prime Minister Mia Mottley. However, the unexpected emergence of business executive Dr. Lynette Holder as a contender has introduced complexity to the candidate selection process.

    The political scientist acknowledged potential internal friction due to Trotman’s previous role as president of the Young Democrats before switching allegiances. Bruce emphasized that despite her brief DLP association, Trotman never held elected office or government membership, having distanced herself from the DLP’s political trajectory.

    Bruce suggested the BLP leadership prioritizes political potential over longstanding party loyalty, potentially creating tensions among veteran members who may feel overlooked. The analyst dismissed anticipated criticism from the DLP as lacking credibility, noting that their own political leader had previously switched parties and won election twice on a BLP ticket.

    The recent nomination activities across multiple constituencies, including St Thomas and St Joseph, strongly indicate impending elections. This assessment was echoed by DLP Senator Andre Worrell, who questioned the timing of candidate changes and suggested internal disunity within the governing party.

    These developments reflect broader political realignments in Barbados, with parties positioning themselves for potential electoral contests through strategic candidate placements and coalition-building efforts.

  • Cuba honors 32 soldiers killed in aggression against Venezuela

    Cuba honors 32 soldiers killed in aggression against Venezuela

    Cuba has issued a formal condemnation of what it describes as an act of ‘state terrorism’ following a lethal assault that resulted in the deaths of numerous Cuban military and intelligence personnel stationed in Venezuela. The deceased, comprising officers from both the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) and the Ministry of the Interior (Minint), were present in the South American nation under a bilateral security and defense cooperation agreement, responding to an official request from the Venezuelan government.

    The extensive list of casualties includes high-ranking officers such as Colonels Humberto Alfonso Roca Sánchez (67) and Lazaro Evangelio Rodriguez Rodriguez (62), alongside several majors and captains. The attack also claimed the lives of numerous lieutenants and first officers, including Lieutenant Colonel Orlando Osoria Lopez (45) and First Officer Giorki Verdecia García (30). Additionally, reserve soldiers and non-commissioned staff were among the victims, highlighting the significant loss experienced by Cuba’s security apparatus.

    The Cuban government has explicitly attributed responsibility for this escalation to Washington, condemning the United States for promoting military and political actions that threaten the sovereignty and stability of Venezuela. This incident represents a severe deterioration in the already tense relations between Cuba and the United States, potentially signaling a new phase of confrontation in the Caribbean region with far-reaching implications for international diplomacy and regional security arrangements.

  • Panama: Broad ront for Democracy Party decries US attack on Venezuela

    Panama: Broad ront for Democracy Party decries US attack on Venezuela

    The Panamanian advocacy organization Frente Amplio por la Democracia (FAD) has issued a scathing condemnation of United States foreign policy under former President Donald Trump, characterizing it as a modern-day colonization project targeting Latin America and the Caribbean. In an official statement delivered to Prensa Latina, the group articulated grave concerns regarding what they perceive as resource-driven imperialism disguised as counter-narcotics operations.

    The organization specifically referenced the armed aggression against Venezuela, which reportedly resulted in approximately 80 fatalities, including 32 Cuban internationalist combatants. FAD contends that the official narrative of combating a ‘drug-trafficking dictatorship’ served merely as a pretext for seizing control of Venezuela’s extensive petroleum reserves and other natural resources. According to their assessment, this resource grab included the alleged kidnapping attempts targeting President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.

    Expanding their critique beyond Venezuela, FAD highlighted the Trump administration’s confrontational approach toward multiple nations, including Colombia, Mexico, Greenland, Canada, and Iraq. This pattern of behavior, the group argues, demonstrates a consistent doctrine of global interventionism threatening national sovereignty worldwide.

    In response to these developments, FAD is demanding transparency from Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino regarding a memorandum of understanding established with Washington. The organization insists that the administration provide a full public accounting of its commitments to the U.S. government concerning the Panama Canal, emphasizing concerns about national sovereignty and potential foreign influence.

    Concluding their statement, FAD reaffirmed their commitment to international law, self-determination principles, and peaceful dialogue. They issued a dual demand: the immediate cessation of U.S. interventionism in Venezuela and the unconditional release of President Maduro and his wife from what they describe as unlawful detention.

  • Alberg nieuwe directeur van SAIL: Focus op herstel visverwerking en export

    Alberg nieuwe directeur van SAIL: Focus op herstel visverwerking en export

    Suriname American Industries Ltd (SAIL NV) has ushered in a new era of leadership with the formal appointment of Ifuel Alberg as its Managing Director. The ceremonial presentation, held today, positions Alberg as the executive tasked with revitalizing the financially distressed state-owned enterprise.

    In his inaugural address, Alberg expressed both pride and determination in accepting the leadership role. He characterized his appointment as a pivotal new beginning for an organization many had considered beyond redemption. “My fundamental objective is to restore perspective and viability to SAIL, for the enterprise itself and for its dedicated workforce,” Alberg declared.

    A cornerstone of his revival strategy involves resuscitating the company’s fish processing operations. Alberg emphasized the critical need to return to SAIL’s traditional operational model, which encompasses in-house processing, domestic sales, and direct export channels. “Reestablishing this integrated chain is absolutely essential for achieving a sustainable recovery,” he stated in comments disseminated by Suriname’s Communication Service.

    The new director also highlighted significant external challenges, particularly geopolitical tensions involving Venezuela. These have disrupted the supply chain for key species like red snapper, partly due to SAIL’s dependency on fishing vessels affiliated with the Venezuelan state enterprise NOA (Nueva Organización de Atunes).

    Beyond operational restart, Alberg pledged to bring greater organization to Suriname’s fish sales sector. While acknowledging everyone’s right to livelihood, he stressed that all commercial activities must adhere to stringent hygienic and orderly standards. As a certified enterprise, SAIL intends to play an active role in guaranteeing healthy and safe fish products for Surinamese consumers.

    To achieve this, Alberg plans to forge robust collaborations with the Fish Inspection Institute, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, and other relevant stakeholders.

    Looking ahead, Alberg outlined ambitious two-year goals: first, to firmly reestablish SAIL’s presence in the domestic market, followed by resuming independent export operations. “SAIL must reclaim control over its production and export functions,” the director asserted, committing to keep the public informed through timely and transparent updates. “We invite all stakeholders to participate in the regrowth and redevelopment of SAIL.”

    The appointment ceremony was attended by District Commissioner Glenda Kranenburg, representatives from various state-owned enterprises, and members of the Board of Commissioners, led by Chairman Gordon Touw Ngie Tjouw.

  • Three to compete for Carnival Princess 2026

    Three to compete for Carnival Princess 2026

    Roseau’s Rotaract Club has officially unveiled the three young contestants who will compete for the coveted title of Carnival Princess 2026 in an eagerly anticipated cultural event. Dubbed the “Fabulous Three” by organizers, these contestants were introduced to the public during a special Facebook Live launch event on Monday evening.

    The distinguished contestants include Shanell Benjamin from Woodfordhill Primary School, sponsored by Morancie and Sons; Arianna Challenger representing Paix Bouche Primary School, backed by the Stephen Paboy Thomas Foundation and Belle Lavi Villa; and Fanayé Shillingford of Bagatelle Primary School, supported by Springfield Trading.

    Event organizers are mobilizing community support, urging Dominica residents to attend in significant numbers to cheer on these talented young ambassadors of culture. The grand Carnival Princess Show is scheduled for Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Carnival City venue, with festivities commencing at 3:00 PM. The competition represents a cherished tradition that highlights cultural pride, youthful talent, and community spirit through vibrant performances and presentations.

  • BLP denies leadership involvement in candidate selection

    BLP denies leadership involvement in candidate selection

    The Barbados Labour Party (BLP) has formally refuted allegations suggesting its senior leadership improperly influences candidate selection during contested nomination proceedings. In an official communiqué released by Chief Executive Officer Senator Patricia Parris, the party categorically denied any involvement of its Political Leader, Chairman, or General Secretary in endorsing specific candidates when multiple individuals seek nomination.

    Senator Parris clarified that these three officers collectively constitute the Candidate Selection Committee, maintaining what she described as ‘scrupulous impartiality’ throughout the process. The committee ensures equitable treatment and equal opportunities for all prospective candidates when they present their credentials before relevant party branch members.

    The statement emphasized that any suggestions implicating the Political Leader or other party officials in favoring particular candidates during contested nominations are fundamentally false and motivated by improper intentions. ‘Those acquainted with BLP’s operational protocols recognize that such allegations stem from falsehoods and ulterior motives,’ the release asserted.

    This official rebuttal emerges against a backdrop of intensifying public discourse regarding internal party nomination mechanisms within Barbados’ political landscape. The BLP’s response signals its commitment to transparent internal democratic processes while addressing circulating misinformation about its candidate selection procedures.

  • Brother admits to cutlass threat due to row

    Brother admits to cutlass threat due to row

    A Barbadian laborer has received a judicial reprimand and restraining order following a violent familial confrontation that involved multiple weapons. Samuel Stephen Kenny Fitzherbert Worrell, 38, admitted before the District ‘A’ Traffic Court to threatening his brother John Williams with lethal intent and assault during a December 23 encounter.

    The court proceedings revealed a deeply fractured relationship between the siblings. According to testimony, the incident escalated when Williams was cycling along Yearwoods Road in Black Rock and encountered Worrell. The defendant allegedly issued verbal threats before brandishing a cutlass from his backpack. Williams responded by dismounting his bicycle and arming himself with a rock before retreating to report the incident to authorities.

    In his defense, Worrell presented an alternative account, claiming he was merely traversing the track when he spotted his relative and addressed him with a derogatory term. Worrell asserted that Williams immediately dropped his bicycle, produced a pair of scissors, and gathered rocks in preparation for assault. Only then, Worrell contended, did he draw the cutlass he routinely uses for property maintenance work.

    Presiding Magistrate Alison Burke delivered a mixed verdict, convicting Worrell but issuing a discharge with a stern reprimand for the threatening language. The court noted Worrell’s extensive criminal history—nine previous convictions including six similar offenses—in its decision to impose a one-year binding-over order to keep the peace. Magistrate Burke specified that any violation would result in a $1,000 immediate fine or a six-month prison sentence. She additionally issued explicit instructions for the defendant to maintain maximum possible distance from his brother during future encounters.