Carib Scope

作者： admin

  • Attempted robbery, shooting at La Clery supermarket

    Attempted robbery, shooting at La Clery supermarket

    Authorities in Saint Lucia have launched a comprehensive investigation into a violent armed robbery attempt at Falcon Mart Supermarket in La Clery, formerly known as Wintrades Supermarket. The incident unfolded around 1:00 PM on January 19th, marking a dramatic escalation of criminal activity in the commercial district.

    According to preliminary police reports, a group of four armed individuals initiated what appears to have been a coordinated robbery attempt at the popular retail establishment. The situation turned violent when at least one assailant discharged their weapon, striking the supermarket’s security guard during the confrontation. Emergency services promptly transported the wounded guard to a nearby medical facility for urgent treatment, though authorities have yet to disclose his current medical status.

    Law enforcement personnel quickly secured the perimeter and initiated forensic analysis of the crime scene. Investigators are currently gathering witness testimonies and reviewing available surveillance footage to identify the perpetrators and reconstruct the sequence of events. The supermarket remained closed following the incident as police continued their evidence collection process.

    The community of La Clery has expressed growing concern over this brazen daylight criminal activity, with local business owners calling for enhanced security measures in commercial areas. This incident represents one of the most serious armed robbery attempts in the area in recent months, highlighting ongoing challenges in urban security management.

    Police Commissioner Severin Moncherry has assured the public that all necessary resources are being deployed to apprehend those responsible. ‘We are treating this incident with the utmost seriousness and will pursue every lead until these individuals are brought to justice,’ Moncherry stated in a brief press address.

    As the investigation progresses, authorities have urged anyone with relevant information to come forward and assist with the ongoing manhunt. Further updates are expected as police develop additional leads in the case.

  • BLA still dealing with backlog

    BLA still dealing with backlog

    Barbados transportation authorities are executing a comprehensive recovery plan to address significant delays in vehicle registration services stemming from a systemic technical failure last October. Transport Minister Santia Bradshaw confirmed the ongoing efforts during an inspection visit to the Barbados Licensing Authority’s (BLA) headquarters in Pine, St. Michael.

    The operational crisis emerged on October 20 when the BLA’s legacy registration platform experienced catastrophic failure, necessitating complete system replacement. This disruption halted all vehicle-related services for nearly a week, prompting the November rollout of an entirely new digital platform that requires extensive staff training.

    Minister Bradshaw acknowledged particular challenges affecting existing vehicle owners: “We had numerous complaints from persons who already had vehicles… they couldn’t complete registrations because the system couldn’t access their historical data.” The technical breakdown created a mounting backlog of pending inspections and certificate issuances that continues to impact residents.

    To accelerate resolution, the BLA has deployed a multi-faceted approach including recruitment of additional staff and engagement of retired licensing officers familiar with agency operations. These experienced former employees are assisting with customer service and data entry while receiving training on the new system during weekend and after-hours sessions to minimize service disruption.

    Minister Bradshaw emphasized the critical importance of data accuracy during the manual information transfer process, noting that both the Ministry’s IT team and specialists from the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Smart Technology (MIST) have dedicated personnel working exclusively on system troubleshooting. “We’ve actually rebuilt the system with four additional technical staff, and MIST has assigned a dedicated team specifically for licensing issues,” Bradshaw stated.

    While no definitive completion date has been announced, the Minister indicated that phased training and continuous system improvements are expected to gradually resolve the backlog, with a progress update anticipated within the coming week. The situation has caused considerable public frustration, with many residents paying insurance premiums on vehicles they cannot legally operate due to registration delays.

  • Dominica Lions Club members and district governor make courtesy call to president Sylvanie Burton

    Dominica Lions Club members and district governor make courtesy call to president Sylvanie Burton

    In a significant demonstration of civic engagement, the Dominica Lions Club delegation, accompanied by the District Governor of Lions Clubs International District 60B, was formally received by Her Excellency President Sylvanie Burton at the presidential residence on January 16, 2026. This high-level courtesy call formed an integral component of the District Governor’s official agenda, highlighting the organization’s sustained commitment to national development through voluntary service.

    The dialogue centered on the Lions Club’s multifaceted contributions to Dominican society, particularly their impactful interventions in healthcare accessibility, youth development programs, disaster response coordination, and community enhancement initiatives. The District Governor articulated the organization’s strategic vision for the region, emphasizing three core priorities: enhancing service delivery effectiveness, cultivating leadership capabilities among members, and expanding participatory engagement across the district’s operations.

    President Burton expressed profound appreciation for the organization’s dedicated service, acknowledging both its local impact and global humanitarian network. She specifically emphasized the critical role of civil society organizations in fostering social cohesion and driving national progress, with particular commendation for engaging young men in constructive community activities. The President also recognized the Leo Club’s instrumental role in shaping youth development trajectories through structured mentorship and service opportunities.

    The Dominica Lions Club reaffirmed its institutional commitment to maintaining collaborative partnerships with national stakeholders while continuing to operationalize the Lions Clubs International motto, “We Serve,” through concrete community-driven projects and humanitarian interventions.

  • Reception held to honour repeat visitors

    Reception held to honour repeat visitors

    Amid global instability and evolving geopolitical landscapes, Barbados maintains its position as a secure and dependable travel destination, according to Tourism Minister Ian Gooding-Edghill. The minister’s remarks came during a special reception at Bide Mill Great House in St. George on Friday evening, honoring visitors with exceptional loyalty to the island nation.

    Addressing an audience of repeat travelers, Gooding-Edghill emphasized Barbados’ unwavering commitment to visitor safety and satisfaction. “You can be absolutely confident that Barbados continues to offer a secure environment for relaxation, dining, and vacationing,” he assured, while encouraging attendees to both maintain their visitation patterns and promote the destination within their personal networks.

    The event specifically recognized tourists who have demonstrated remarkable dedication, with all honorees having visited Barbados for a minimum of 25 consecutive years. The minister characterized these longstanding visitors as indispensable partners in maintaining the vitality of the tourism sector.

    “This evening we acknowledge your steadfast connection to our nation and your extraordinary achievement of making 25 or more visits to our island paradise,” Gooding-Edghill stated. He highlighted their substantial economic contributions and role in sustaining the tourism industry’s longevity, particularly noting the meaningful relationships built between visitors and Barbadian hospitality professionals.

    The minister further elaborated on the strategic importance of loyal tourists, describing them as key ambassadors who enhance sector resilience through personal recommendations to family and peers. In a special recognition, Gooding-Edghill commended local operator Gaird ‘G’ Charles of G Fish Watersports for providing exemplary service to a visitor with disabilities, citing such actions as emblematic of the values that foster repeat tourism.

  • ABLP Opens St. Philip’s North Branch Centre in Willikies

    ABLP Opens St. Philip’s North Branch Centre in Willikies

    The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) has officially launched its new Constituency Branch Centre in St. Philip’s North, establishing a strategic operational base designed to enhance political outreach and community development. The inauguration ceremony, held on Sunday, signifies a substantial investment in local infrastructure to facilitate deeper political connectivity.

    Randy Baltimore, the elected representative for St. Philip’s North, articulated the center’s multifaceted mission. He emphasized its primary role as a centralized hub for fostering grassroots participation, hosting constituent assemblies, and spearheading initiatives aimed at local socioeconomic advancement. The facility is poised to become the nucleus for civic engagement and collaborative planning between residents and party officials.

    The opening event attracted a diverse gathering of dedicated party members, enthusiastic supporters, and community residents. Organizers characterized the inauguration as a pivotal move towards consolidating relationships between the electorate and the party’s leadership structure. This initiative is viewed as a critical component of the ABLP’s broader strategy to fortify its presence and reinforce its commitment to decentralized, community-focused governance within the constituency.

  • New cooperative to fund aloe vera project

    New cooperative to fund aloe vera project

    In a strategic move to revitalize local agriculture and stimulate economic development, Member of Parliament Chad Blackman has announced the establishment of the Ear of Corn Cooperative Society (ECCS) in St James North. The initiative, unveiled during a farmers’ forum at Gordon Greenidge Primary School, represents a comprehensive approach to integrating agricultural production with high-value market opportunities.

    The cooperative’s flagship project will focus on commercial aloe vera cultivation, targeting global markets for processed goods rather than raw commodity exports. Blackman emphasized the unique advantage Barbados holds, noting that the island naturally grows the exact aloe species demanded by international cosmetic and pharmaceutical manufacturers. “For any product containing aloe—soaps, lotions, anything—examine the ingredients,” Blackman stated. “The premium species used worldwide grows abundantly in our backyards.”

    The ECCS framework addresses multiple challenges simultaneously: it unites previously fragmented farmers, establishes direct connections to retail and tourism sectors, and creates pathways for value-added production. Blackman, drawing on his experience as Barbados’s former ambassador to the Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, positioned agriculture as fundamental to national development rather than a peripheral activity.

    Ryan Medford, ECCS founder, highlighted the critical need for coordination among producers. Historically, farmers operating independently created seasonal gluts by planting identical crops simultaneously, undermining their bargaining power and depressing prices. “The issue isn’t retailers,” Medford clarified. “It’s our lack of collective planning.” The cooperative will implement contract farming models to align production with market demand, ensuring stable pricing and consistent supply.

    The project strategically leverages St James North’s diverse assets—agricultural lands, urban centers, and prime tourism locations—to create integrated economic opportunities. Blackman articulated the vision: “We’re connecting food security and nutrition with tourism, our primary revenue generator, while enabling locals to capture more value from both sectors.”

    Support agencies including the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation, the Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Authority, and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture have committed resources to the initiative. The cooperative has progressed beyond conceptualization to formal registration as a legal entity, signaling its transition to operational status.

    Byron Gibson of HARVEST Cooperative, which facilitated ECCS’s establishment, underscored the broader mission: elevating agricultural workers from the “base of the financial pyramid” through structured cooperation and value chain integration. The project embodies a national development philosophy where agriculture forms the foundation of sustainable economic progress.

  • Kromosoeto krijgt een jaar strafvermindering in CBvS-zaak

    Kromosoeto krijgt een jaar strafvermindering in CBvS-zaak

    The Court of Justice of Suriname has delivered its appellate ruling in the case against Ginmardo Kromosoeto, former director of Surinamese Postal Savings Bank (SPSB), reducing his prison sentence from five to four years. The decision, announced on January 19th, represents a partial victory for the defendant while maintaining significant criminal penalties.

    The appellate court’s reduction stemmed specifically from Kromosoeto’s acquittal on charges of participating in a criminal organization. Judicial authorities determined that prosecuting Kromosoeto on this particular charge was unjustified, as several other defendants in the broader SPSB case had not faced similar allegations. This prosecutorial inconsistency influenced the court’s sentencing considerations.

    Despite the sentence reduction, Kromosoeto remains in detention related to the SPSB matter, having already spent over two and a half years in preliminary custody awaiting trial outcomes. His defense attorney, Murwin Dubois, had previously petitioned for his client’s release from pretrial detention, but the court denied this motion.

    The case has drawn attention to Suriname’s judicial processes, particularly regarding white-collar crime prosecution. The Public Ministry had initially sought an eight-year prison term, significantly harsher than both the original and revised sentences. Kromosoeto’s reduced sentence still includes a substantial financial penalty of SRD 150,000 (approximately $40,000 USD), with a 12-month incarceration alternative should he fail to payment.

  • Lawyers concerned about delay in hearing sex cases involving children

    Lawyers concerned about delay in hearing sex cases involving children

    Senior legal professionals in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are raising urgent concerns about systemic delays plaguing the judicial processing of child sexual offense cases, warning that prolonged timelines are causing secondary trauma to young victims.

    Bar Association President Shirlan “Zita” Barnwell highlighted the alarming pattern during a special High Court session, noting that cases involving children under 13 face particularly egregious delays. While acknowledging the anecdotal nature of the evidence, Barnwell cited concrete examples where victims aged 8 at the time of violation reached 11 years or older before their cases reached trial.

    The procedural bottleneck creates devastating consequences for victims who must relive their trauma years after the incidents. Barnwell emphasized that teenagers often face additional psychological barriers including shame and reluctance to testify, potentially compromising justice. She called for systemic reforms to ensure cases are resolved within two years to minimize retraumatization.

    Attorney Grant Connell reinforced these concerns with disturbing accounts of child sexual abuse, including a pregnant 11-year-old victim rendered nearly catatonic by her experience. Connell advocated for strengthened legislation and enhanced police powers to address what he described as rampant abuse against minors.

    Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Duane Daniel acknowledged the regional nature of the problem, citing limited court capacity with only one criminal High Court currently operational. However, he noted that some delays stem from necessary psychological assessments to determine victims’ readiness for testimony, emphasizing the balance between expediency and preventing retraumatization.

    The legal experts collectively emphasized that addressing the crisis requires coordinated improvements across investigative, prosecutorial, and judicial processes, with particular attention to vulnerable child victims.

  • Republic Financial Holdings Ltd exceeds US$200 million climate finance goal

    Republic Financial Holdings Ltd exceeds US$200 million climate finance goal

    Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL) has achieved a significant milestone in its sustainability journey by exceeding its climate finance mobilization target. The Caribbean-based financial group has allocated approximately US$235.5 million toward climate-related initiatives, surpassing its original US$200 million goal set in 2021 by nearly 18%.

    The climate financing strategy, designed to support the transition to low-carbon economies across RFHL’s operational territories, has seen renewable energy projects emerge as the primary beneficiary. Accounting for 46.46% of total allocations, renewable energy initiatives form the cornerstone of RFHL’s climate financing portfolio. Sustainable transportation follows closely, representing 40.28% of funded projects.

    Geographically, Trinidad and Tobago leads in climate financing distribution with 42.17% of total funds, followed by Barbados at 25.36%. Guyana and Ghana account for 12.17% and 10.36% respectively, demonstrating RFHL’s expanding commitment to both Caribbean and African markets.

    Group President and CEO Nigel Baptiste emphasized the achievement reflects growing regional demand for sustainable finance solutions. ‘This milestone underscores the critical role financial institutions can play in supporting the transition to more resilient, low-carbon economies,’ Baptiste stated, acknowledging the collaborative efforts across RFHL’s branches and subsidiaries.

    The financed projects span multiple sectors including renewable energy production, eco-friendly transportation, energy efficiency measures, and sustainable agriculture. These initiatives aim to enhance climate resilience while promoting long-term environmental and economic stability.

    Looking forward, RFHL has committed to expanding its sustainability initiatives with particular focus on supporting vulnerable and low-income communities through specialized financing programs and technical assistance for climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.

  • West Indies U19s suffer heavy defeat against Afghanistan in Namibia

    West Indies U19s suffer heavy defeat against Afghanistan in Namibia

    In a stunning display of cricketing prowess, Afghanistan’s Under-19 team delivered a crushing 138-run defeat to the West Indies during their ICC Under-19 World Cup encounter in Namibia on Sunday. The comprehensive victory significantly shifts the tournament dynamics for both teams.

    Opting to bowl first after losing the toss, the Caribbean side found themselves immediately on the back foot as Afghan openers Khalid Ahmadzai and Osman Sadat constructed a formidable 86-run opening partnership. West Indies bowler Vitel Lawes eventually broke through, but the relief proved temporary as captain Mehboob Taskin joined Sadat to build another substantial 77-run stand, ultimately propelling Afghanistan to a commanding total of 262-6 from their 50 overs. Despite the challenging conditions, Jakeem Pollard and Lawes emerged as silver linings for the West Indies bowling attack, each claiming three wickets.

    The Afghan bowling unit then demonstrated why they are considered one of the most dangerous in the tournament, unleashing a devastating powerplay performance that saw three West Indian batsmen return to the pavilion within the first five overs. Wicketkeeper-batsman Jewel Andrew provided the only resistance for the Caribbean team, crafting a determined half-century against a relentless and disciplined Afghan attack. His efforts, however, proved insufficient as the West Indies batting lineup collapsed dramatically, bowled out for a meager 124 runs in 31.2 overs.

    The result leaves the West Indies in a precarious position as they prepare for their crucial January 22 showdown against tournament favorites South Africa. This upcoming match now represents a virtual must-win scenario for the Caribbean side if they hope to advance to the knockout stages of the competition.