Carib Scope

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  • Gary Francis, Dwight Powell promoted to ACP

    Gary Francis, Dwight Powell promoted to ACP

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Constabulary Force has announced significant leadership promotions within its ranks. Senior Superintendents Dwight Powell and Gary Francis have been elevated to the prestigious position of Assistant Commissioner of Police, marking a substantial advancement in their law enforcement careers.

    The promotions were formally declared by Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake during a ceremony held on Tuesday. The official appointment documents were presented to both officers at the commissioner’s office in a formal proceeding that recognized their exemplary service and dedication to law enforcement excellence.

    These strategic promotions are scheduled to take effect on December 1, 2025, providing both officers with approximately eighteen months to prepare for their enhanced responsibilities within the organization’s command structure. The advancement of Powell and Francis represents part of ongoing organizational development within the Jamaica Constabulary Force as it continues to strengthen its leadership framework and operational capabilities.

    Such promotions typically reflect recognition of outstanding performance, leadership qualities, and significant contributions to public safety and police administration. The move demonstrates the constabulary’s commitment to rewarding professional excellence and ensuring experienced leadership within Jamaica’s primary law enforcement institution.

  • NWC extends MSME amnesty to December 31

    NWC extends MSME amnesty to December 31

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant relief measure for small businesses grappling with economic pressures, Jamaica’s National Water Commission (NWC) has announced the extension of its financial amnesty program for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) until December 31, 2025. The initiative, initially scheduled to conclude in November 2025, provides substantial debt forgiveness opportunities for qualifying businesses.

    Andrew Canon, Content Creation and Development Manager at NWC, confirmed the extension, emphasizing the commission’s commitment to supporting local enterprises during challenging economic times exacerbated by Hurricane Melissa. “We recognize the widespread impact of the hurricane on small businesses,” Canon stated during an interview with JIS News at the National Emergency Operations Centre. “This amnesty represents our tangible effort to provide financial reprieve and support recovery.”

    The program offers structured financial benefits: eligible businesses with inactive accounts disconnected for over three months qualify for a 50% debt write-off. Similarly, active accounts carrying arrears exceeding $30,000 for more than 180 days receive equivalent relief. Approved applicants gain additional protections, including a 90-day grace period to settle remaining balances without service interruption and potential negotiated settlement arrangements for exceptional circumstances. The amnesty additionally provides complete waiver of reconnection fees where applicable.

    Canon clarified that the program contains specific eligibility requirements rather than constituting a universal forgiveness initiative. “Interested parties must consult our official channels for detailed conditions,” he noted, directing businesses to the NWC’s website and customer service departments for personalized assessments. The targeted approach ensures that enterprises most affected by economic hardships receive appropriate support while maintaining the utility’s operational sustainability.

    The extension reflects Jamaica’s broader disaster response strategy, coordinated through the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), acknowledging the prolonged recovery period needed after significant weather events. This policy demonstrates how public utilities can adapt billing practices to function as social safety nets during regional crises.

  • UPDATE: Missing 6-y-o returns home

    UPDATE: Missing 6-y-o returns home

    CLARENDON, Jamaica — In a relieving conclusion to a community-wide search effort, six-year-old Anka Glasgow from Inglewood Drive, Victoria Avenue, has been confirmed safe and has returned to her family. The young girl had been reported missing to local authorities on the afternoon of Tuesday, December 9, prompting an immediate and urgent response.

    The Clarendon Police had escalated the situation by issuing a high-alert bulletin, mobilizing resources and seeking public assistance to locate Anka. The precise circumstances surrounding her disappearance and the details of her return have not been fully disclosed by officials at this time. The police have acknowledged her safe recovery and are likely to conduct a standard welfare check and follow-up investigation to ascertain the events of the past days.

    The incident underscores the critical effectiveness of rapid-response alert systems in missing persons cases, particularly those involving children. The community’s apprehension has now turned to relief as the situation was resolved without apparent harm to the child.

  • More than 30,000 flee eastern DR Congo for Burundi—sources

    More than 30,000 flee eastern DR Congo for Burundi—sources

    NAIROBI, Kenya—A severe humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Central Africa as over 30,000 civilians from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have sought refuge in neighboring Burundi within a single week. This mass exodus was triggered by a major military offensive led by the M23 rebel faction, which is advancing towards the strategic border city of Uvira.

    According to confidential sources within Burundi’s administration who spoke with AFP on Tuesday, the pace of displacement has accelerated dramatically, with more than 8,000 individuals crossing the border daily during the past 48 hours. This alarming figure has been independently verified by a representative from the United Nations refugee agency.

    The current assault marks a significant escalation in the prolonged regional conflict, occurring almost exactly one year after M23 forces captured Goma and Bukavu—the two most important urban centers in eastern DRC. The contested territory, abundant with valuable mineral resources, has been embroiled in violent instability for three decades, with various armed groups vying for control.

    International observers note that the M23 militia receives substantial backing from Rwanda, further complicating diplomatic relations in the region and hampering efforts towards peaceful resolution. The rapid closure of main supply routes and critical infrastructure around Uvira has left civilian populations with minimal options for safety, prompting this sudden cross-border movement.

  • CDB president says corruption is a significant barrier to development

    CDB president says corruption is a significant barrier to development

    BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – In a powerful statement marking International Anti-Corruption Day, Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) President Daniel Best identified systemic corruption as one of the most formidable obstacles to sustainable development across Caribbean nations. The Barbados-based financial institution used the occasion to reinforce its institutional commitment to the foundational principles of effective development: transparency, integrity, and accountability.

    Citing alarming United Nations statistics provided by Secretary-General António Guterres, Best revealed that approximately one trillion US dollars are paid in bribes annually worldwide, with an additional $2.6 trillion stolen through corrupt practices. These astronomical figures represent resources that could otherwise transform living conditions and build prosperous societies, particularly in Caribbean countries already operating within constrained fiscal environments and substantial debt obligations.

    For vulnerable small island states served by the CDB, Best emphasized that resources lost to corruption directly equate to forfeited essential infrastructure, diminished education and healthcare services, and missed economic advancement opportunities. Consequently, the Bank regards anti-corruption not as peripheral concern but as central to its developmental mandate.

    The CDB’s Office of Integrity, Compliance, and Accountability has served as the institutional anchor for governance frameworks throughout the past decade, encompassing ethics, accountability, and compliance mechanisms. Through sustained capacity-building initiatives, including specialized training and knowledge-sharing programs, the Bank has demonstrated regional leadership in promoting anti-corruption practices and robust governance standards.

    This year’s theme, “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” aligns directly with CDB’s operational priorities and strategic vision. Recognizing youth development as fundamental to institutional strategy, the Bank is committed to empowering the next generation with values, knowledge, and tools necessary to champion integrity across all sectors. Young Caribbean citizens bring technological fluency, fresh perspectives, and determination to challenge outdated practices that have historically impeded progress.

    By investing in youth-led initiatives and creating platforms for young voices in governance discussions, the CDB aims to foster a generation that will both demand and deliver higher standards of institutional integrity throughout the region.

  • Members of Parliament to receive training on filing statutory declarations

    Members of Parliament to receive training on filing statutory declarations

    In a significant move to bolster governmental transparency, Jamaica’s House of Representatives will conduct mandatory training for all Members of Parliament on Tuesday, December 16th. Speaker Juliet Holness announced the session will commence at 10:00 AM in the parliamentary chamber, following collaborative discussions with the Integrity Commission.

    The comprehensive training initiative aims to provide detailed guidance for completing statutory financial declarations, which all parliamentarians must submit by the statutory deadline of December 31st, 2025. Holness emphasized that the program is designed to strengthen compliance mechanisms and ensure every representative is thoroughly prepared to fulfill their legal obligations accurately.

    ‘This session will provide essential guidance for the proper completion of statutory declarations due December 31st,’ Holness stated. ‘This initiative supports transparency, strengthens compliance, and ensures all members are fully equipped to meet the requirements set before us.’

    The training assumes particular importance for first-term parliamentarians who may lack previous experience with the declaration process. However, the Speaker noted that even seasoned legislators would benefit from refreshed guidance, providing ‘greater certainty regarding how we complete these declarations and conduct our reporting.’

    Statutory declarations serve as critical anti-corruption instruments, requiring detailed disclosure of assets, income, liabilities, and financial interests. The Integrity Commission has consistently advocated for enhanced compliance and more precise reporting from public officials in recent years.

    This training initiative emerges amid heightened public scrutiny of political accountability mechanisms across the Caribbean region. Recent corruption allegations have intensified demands for stronger oversight of elected officials, making the parliamentary session particularly timely. Holness concluded that Parliament must ‘lead by example’ in demonstrating commitment to ethical governance and financial transparency.

  • Kenyan troops arrive in Haiti

    Kenyan troops arrive in Haiti

    PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Haiti’s transitional leadership has formally received the fifth deployment of Kenyan specialized police personnel, marking a significant reinforcement of the multinational security initiative combating gang violence in the Caribbean nation. Interim President Laurent Saint-Cyr personally welcomed the 230-strong contingent at Toussaint Louverture International Airport on Monday, signaling the growing international cooperation against organized criminal elements seeking to destabilize the country.

    The arrival ceremony witnessed high-level participation from both Haitian and international representatives. Kenya’s delegation included Deputy National Security Advisor Joseph Boinett and Principal Deputy Inspector General James Kamau. The Haitian side featured Armed Forces Commander Lieutenant General Derby Guerrier and Acting Police Director Vladimir Paraison, alongside diplomatic officials from Canada, France, and Kenya’s Consul General Noor Gabow.

    This deployment occurs within the framework of the United Nations-approved Gang Repression Force (FRG), which received Security Council authorization in September. The international security contingent is projected to eventually reach 5,500 military and police personnel from multiple nations. The mission’s operational mandate encompasses gang dismantlement operations, securing humanitarian corridors, and enhancing local law enforcement capabilities through intelligence-driven missions and arrest authorities.

    The rotation coincided with the departure of 100 Kenyan officers concluding their service term. President Saint-Cyr acknowledged their contributions while assuring continued coordination between Haitian authorities and international forces. FRG Commander Godfrey Otunge emphasized operational improvements based on previous mission experiences, committing to actions aligned with Haiti’s national interests.

    Kenyan representatives reiterated their nation’s commitment to Haitian stability, with Boinett conveying President William Ruto’s solidarity message: ‘Kenya will stand with the Haitian people to guarantee peace and stability during this transitional phase.’ The newly arrived officers join existing contingents from Guatemala, El Salvador, the Bahamas, and Jamaica, expanding the international security presence at a critical juncture in Haiti’s security landscape.

  • Angostura Chill upsizes for the holidays

    Angostura Chill upsizes for the holidays

    In a strategic move to capitalize on holiday season demand, Angostura Chill has launched oversized 750ml glass bottles of its premium non-alcoholic beverages. Dubbed the ‘Big Chill’ collection, these multi-serve formats debut in two distinctive flavors: Sorrel and Bitters alongside Pear and Bitters, specifically designed to enhance Christmas gatherings and traditional celebrations throughout Trinidad and Tobago.

    The expansion represents a significant innovation in the non-alcoholic beverage sector, leveraging Angostura’s globally recognized aromatic bitters to create uniquely flavored carbonated soft drinks. Acting CEO Ian Forbes emphasized this launch establishes “a new benchmark for festive refreshment” while demonstrating the company’s commitment to consumer-driven innovation within the bitters-based beverage category.

    Angostura Chill’s product range now encompasses five flavor profiles, including Lemon Lime and Bitters, Blood Orange and Bitters, and Ginger and Bitters. These are available across multiple packaging formats—both cans and glass bottles—distributed nationally through retail networks and six dedicated Angostura Solera Wines and Spirits locations.

    The brand’s Caribbean expansion continues strategically, with exports reaching CARICOM markets including Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana, Antigua, St. Lucia, and St. Kitts. Caribbean Bottlers maintains exclusive distribution rights within Trinidad and Tobago, while the company strengthens its regional footprint in the non-alcoholic beverage segment.

    Consumers can acquire the new Big Chill bottles at key retail locations including M6 Plaza in Chaguanas, Albion Energy Plaza in Port of Spain, East Gates Mall in Trincity, and Angostura’s Laventille headquarters. The beverages are designed for versatile consumption—straight from the bottle, over ice, or as cocktail-style garnished refreshments—suitable for diverse social occasions.

  • Cabinet approves additional $42 million to restore small businesses

    Cabinet approves additional $42 million to restore small businesses

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican government has escalated its disaster response efforts with a substantial financial injection to support small enterprises devastated by Hurricane Melissa last October. Cabinet officials have sanctioned an additional J$42 million in recovery funding, specifically targeting commercial rehabilitation in the hardest-hit parishes.

    Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, addressed the Senate last Friday regarding the comprehensive support package. The allocation will prioritize structural renovations and infrastructure improvements across multiple regions including Middle Quarters in St. Elizabeth, alongside targeted areas in St. James, Trelawny, and Hanover—all severely affected by the hurricane’s path.

    This latest financial commitment supplements the initial J$20 million approved on November 10th, which successfully restored 44 retail establishments at Border, St. Elizabeth. Those earlier interventions included concrete foundation reinforcement, hurricane-resistant roof strapping systems, and flood prevention infrastructure featuring boulder-and-concrete revetments behind commercial properties.

    The current phase expands restoration efforts to include modernized customer amenities such as upgraded kitchens, seating areas, and sanitary facilities. Simultaneously, the ministry is addressing power infrastructure vulnerabilities through emergency generator distribution. Through transparent tender processes, 15 generators have already been procured with an additional 25 units in the acquisition pipeline.

    Minister Hill detailed the strategic deployment of 11 gasoline generators throughout South St. James, enabling businesses without refrigeration to resume perishable goods sales amid ongoing power disruptions. This temporary energy solution supports community commerce until Jamaica Public Service Company restores permanent electricity infrastructure.

    Comprehensive damage assessments conducted between November 10 and December 1, 2025, identified 1,293 businesses requiring intervention. Notable damage concentrations occurred in Accompong Maroon village where 25 enterprises necessitated repairs, with wooden structures experiencing complete destruction and concrete buildings sustaining substantial roof damage. While some shops maintain partial operations, the ministry confirms ongoing generator installations will address persistent power reliability challenges.

  • Official funeral for Jimmy Cliff to held on December 17

    Official funeral for Jimmy Cliff to held on December 17

    KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaican government will hold an official state funeral for the late reggae pioneer Jimmy Cliff on Wednesday, December 17, a ceremony befitting his monumental status in the nation’s cultural history. The service is scheduled to commence at 10:00 a.m. at the National Indoor Sports Centre.

    The formal announcement was made by Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, who emphasized the government’s decision to honor Cliff was a direct recognition of his “immense contribution to Jamaican Culture and Entertainment.” The arrangements are being meticulously coordinated by a collaborative effort involving the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Culture, and the family of the late icon.

    Born James Chambers in 1944, Jimmy Cliff achieved global acclaim as a foundational figure in popularizing reggae music. His passing on November 24, 2025, at the age of 81, prompted an outpouring of grief from fans and dignitaries worldwide.

    Minister Grange stated that the memorial service will serve as a national platform for the country to collectively “bid farewell to an outstanding son of Jamaica; an icon.” In a poignant adherence to the artist’s own desires, the ceremony will forego traditional eulogies in favor of a celebration through the art forms he championed: exclusively featuring spoken word tributes, dance performances, and musical renditions.