Carib Scope

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  • Blue Economy Minister Sets Record Straight on Skimmers

    Blue Economy Minister Sets Record Straight on Skimmers

    BELIZE CITY – The Minister of Blue Economy, Andre Perez, has publicly addressed and dismissed circulating concerns regarding the operational status of Belize’s sargassum skimmers. Contrary to reports suggesting the vessels were abandoned, Minister Perez clarified that both skimmers have been actively undergoing scheduled routine maintenance for the preceding two weeks.

    In a statement made on March 5, 2026, Perez emphasized that the machinery is expected to be fully operational and redeployed for seaweed harvesting by the upcoming week. Dismissing images depicting rust and neglect as misleading, the Minister attributed the vessels’ current state to the normal wear of marine equipment and the ongoing servicing process.

    Furthermore, Perez revealed that the government’s strategy to combat the recurring sargassum influx is being significantly bolstered. Additional cleanup machinery is slated to arrive and commence operations shortly, forming a critical expansion of the nation’s mitigation efforts. The Minister stressed that the existing skimmers, while vital, are insufficient alone to manage the scale of the challenge, making the new equipment essential for an effective response.

    The government’s proactive stance aims to ensure the protection of Belize’s coastline and tourism industry from the environmental and economic impacts of sargassum seaweed.

  • ‘Portion Matters’ says MOHW on Healthy Dieting Practices

    ‘Portion Matters’ says MOHW on Healthy Dieting Practices

    BELIZE CITY – In response to mounting public discourse surrounding national dietary guidelines, Belize’s Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) has clarified its position on healthy eating practices, emphasizing that portion control is as critical as food selection in combating obesity. This development follows significant online debate sparked by a ministry-issued flyer promoting affordable, nutritious meals, which some citizens questioned for its practicality and nutritional value.

    The controversy emerged during World Obesity Day observances, drawing attention to Belize’s escalating obesity rates. While the initial flyer intended to showcase locally available, healthy options, it unexpectedly ignited a vibrant public conversation about realistic dietary practices.

    Robyn Daly, Technical Advisor for Nutrition at MOHW, expressed enthusiasm about the ongoing dialogue. “We’re very pleased that we’re having this conversation,” Daly stated. “The feedback from the postings has generated substantial reviews, comments, and engagement – which we welcome.”

    Daly clarified that the displayed foods represented merely examples of nutritious local options, not comprehensive dietary prescriptions. The critical missing component, she explained, was portion guidance. “When we talk about obesity, we also need to look at portion,” Daly emphasized. “The foods did not talk about portions. They were just pictures of foods that we have locally available here.”

    The nutrition advisor acknowledged the oversight while celebrating the public’s heightened health consciousness. She confirmed that additional educational materials are in development, promising more comprehensive nutritional information in future communications. These will include broader food categories, notably fruits, which were absent from the initial flyer despite being both healthy and affordable.

    MOHW officials indicate they will leverage this unexpected public engagement to amplify nutrition education efforts nationwide. The ministry views the lively exchange as an opportunity to foster sustained dialogue about healthy eating habits, portion management, and affordable nutrition options accessible to all Belizeans.

  • Noticiero 5 Semanal Celebrates One Year Anniversary

    Noticiero 5 Semanal Celebrates One Year Anniversary

    BELIZE CITY – Noticiero Cinco Semanal, Belize’s pioneering Spanish-language weekly newscast, has commemorated its inaugural year of broadcasting, establishing itself as an essential media voice for the nation’s Spanish-speaking population. Launched in March 2025 by Greater Belize Media, the program has experienced consistent growth by delivering content that resonates deeply with both domestic and international audiences.

    The Thursday evening broadcast at 7:00 PM has become a staple for viewers seeking comprehensive coverage ranging from national developments to cultural features, complemented by interactive polls and global news summaries specifically curated for Belizean perspectives. The program’s success stems from its unique positioning as the only Spanish-language news product catering specifically to Belize’s linguistic diversity.

    Co-producer Benita Keme-Palacio emphasized the program’s foundational mission: “The team identified the overwhelming need to provide this service to Belizeans who primarily speak Spanish. Our growth throughout this first year demonstrates how profoundly the community has embraced having representation in Spanish-language media.”

    The production operates in close collaboration with News Five, with journalists working throughout the week to compile and translate the most relevant stories into a cohesive Spanish-language format. This ensures Spanish-speaking citizens receive information simultaneously with their English-speaking counterparts, eliminating previous information disparities.

    The program’s impact became particularly evident during a recent outreach to Independence in southern Belize, where producers discovered substantial viewership despite the region’s distance from the broadcasting center. This discovery has inspired plans for expanded regional coverage throughout Belize in coming months.

    Noticiero Cinco Semanal maintains multiplatform accessibility through traditional television broadcasting and active social media engagement via Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram, ensuring content reaches Belizeans both domestically and within the international diaspora.

  • LETTER: Desmond Charles and Charlesworth Tabor Kicked Out. Who Will She Purge Next?

    LETTER: Desmond Charles and Charlesworth Tabor Kicked Out. Who Will She Purge Next?

    A significant internal crisis has engulfed the United Progressive Party (UPP) as prominent voices within the organization demand the immediate removal of leadership figures Gisele Isaac and Jamale Pringle. This urgent call to action comes amid growing concerns over the party’s direction and internal cohesion.

    The current turmoil represents a dramatic fall from grace for a party that previously enjoyed two successful terms under Baldwin Spencer’s leadership, followed by Harold Lovell’s near-victory that came within a mere six votes. The political landscape has shifted considerably since those achievements, with the UPP now facing severe challenges including organizational disarray, internal divisions, and significant defections.

    The situation reached a critical juncture following the recent removal of two longstanding party members—Desmond Charles and Charlesworth Tabor—from the Executive committee. Charles, recognized as a key strategic architect behind the party’s near-victory in 2023, contributed substantially through polling operations, campaign infrastructure development, and direct candidate support during periods of limited financial backing. Similarly, Tabor provided years of dedicated service including legal counsel and active participation in party activities.

    According to internal sources, the dismissals appear connected to the leadership’s intolerance of constructive criticism rather than any substantive failures in performance. This pattern of purging dissenting voices has created an environment where open dialogue is suppressed in favor of blind loyalty to the current leadership.

    The timing of these developments raises serious questions about strategic judgment, occurring just before a crucial by-election where party unity would typically be prioritized. Critics argue that Isaac and Pringle have demonstrated minimal concern for the party’s cohesion, public reputation, or political viability through these actions.

    Further scrutiny falls on Pringle’s political inheritance—a traditionally safe seat previously held by Charlesworth Samuel—which critics claim has been mismanaged through ineffective representation and lackluster leadership. The current leadership faces accusations of relying on sycophantic support rather than demonstrating genuine governing capability.

    The article concludes with an urgent appeal for change, rejecting appeals for sympathy and demanding competent leadership focused on performance rather than pity. The final message serves as both a warning and a challenge to party elders to address these critical issues before the window for meaningful reform closes entirely.

  • Nippes : Deployment of approximately one hundred police officers from the 35th graduating class

    Nippes : Deployment of approximately one hundred police officers from the 35th graduating class

    In a significant move to enhance regional security, approximately one hundred newly graduated officers from the 35th cohort of the Haitian National Police (PNH) were formally deployed across the Nippes Department on March 4th, 2026. The operational deployment ceremony, held in Miragoâne, was overseen by Divisional Commissioner Louis Jeune Pierre Michelet with support from Deputy Divisional Commissioner Jean François Jean Michel and key officials from the Nippes Departmental Directorate (DDNI).

    This strategic personnel reinforcement aligns with the national policy of strengthening security infrastructure and community relations throughout Haiti’s territories. The initiative specifically aims to address the security needs of Nippes residents through increased police presence and operational capabilities.

    During the ceremony, 94 of the expected 100 officers received their official assignments to various police stations, substations, and operational units within the department. The proceedings began with a spiritual blessing led by Reverend Father Mackley, parish priest of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus in Berquin, who invoked divine protection for the officers embarking on their community service roles.

    Following the ceremonial events, the new recruits conducted an orientation patrol through downtown Miragoâne, familiarizing themselves with their operational environment while establishing visible police presence in the community. The DDNI coordinated comprehensive logistical support to ensure safe transportation and smooth integration of all officers into their respective posts, facilitating effective deployment across the department.

  • FLASH : Armed child soldiers, aged 11 to 14, on the front lines

    FLASH : Armed child soldiers, aged 11 to 14, on the front lines

    During a critical meeting on March 4th, Haitian National Police Director General Vladimir Paraison presented United Nations Independent Expert William O’Neill with a harrowing assessment of the nation’s security collapse, describing conditions as ‘utter hell.’ The engagement occurred as O’Neill prepares his comprehensive report on Haiti’s deteriorating situation.

    Paraison detailed how criminal gangs have evolved into sophisticated paramilitary forces, employing hardened combat tactics including trench warfare, improvised traps, and Molotov cocktails. These developments have made law enforcement operations increasingly perilous, particularly in the West and Artibonite regions where violence has reached catastrophic levels.

    The most disturbing revelation concerned the systematic exploitation of children by terrorist organizations. Police authorities disclosed that gangs routinely employ children as young as 8-10 years old as lookouts, while arming adolescents aged 11-14 and deploying them as frontline combatants. This calculated strategy creates profound moral dilemmas for police officers, many of whom are parents themselves.

    Haitian police face severe operational constraints beyond the psychological warfare. A critical shortage of logistical resources continues to hamper effectiveness, with authorities placing their hopes on the imminent deployment of the specialized Gang Repression Force (FRG).

    The institutional incapacity to address this humanitarian tragedy was further highlighted by the inadequate facilities of the Brigade for the Protection of Minors, which possesses only a single large room and no proper center for detention or rehabilitation of child soldiers. Police leadership emphasized the necessity of a multidimensional response involving state institutions, the Institute for Social Welfare, and international partners like UNICEF to address educational and social dimensions.

    Despite these challenges, Haitian authorities affirmed their commitment to human rights protocols, noting that systematic briefings on engagement rules precede all operations. The Inspector General’s Office is currently investigating 174 allegations of rights violations. In a demonstration of transparency, police leadership invited UN representatives to observe field operations firsthand, providing direct insight into the complexities of urban combat in Port-au-Prince’s dense environments.

  • Guyanese stranded in Dubai due to Israel-US strikes on Iran; gov’t says assistance being provided

    Guyanese stranded in Dubai due to Israel-US strikes on Iran; gov’t says assistance being provided

    A group of at least ten Guyanese citizens find themselves stranded in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), following a dramatic escalation of military conflict in the Persian Gulf. The individuals, who had traveled to Dubai on February 26th to attend a wedding, were scheduled to depart on March 3rd but became trapped after the region was plunged into turmoil by retaliatory airstrikes initiated by Iran.

  • WHO bevestigt 13 aanvallen op gezondheidsvoorzieningen in Iran

    WHO bevestigt 13 aanvallen op gezondheidsvoorzieningen in Iran

    The World Health Organization has officially verified 13 separate assaults on medical infrastructure in Iran during ongoing military operations involving the United States and Israel. The UN health agency is currently investigating reports indicating four healthcare workers have been killed and 25 others injured in these incidents.

    WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus disclosed during a press briefing that approximately 100,000 individuals have fled Iran due to the conflict, while Lebanon has witnessed the displacement of over 60,000 people. The WHO chief made these statements without attributing blame to specific parties involved in the hostilities.

    Hanan Balkhy, a WHO representative, provided additional details confirming damage to four ambulances in Iran, with hospitals and other medical facilities sustaining minor damages from nearby bombardment operations. One Tehran-based hospital required complete evacuation according to earlier UN assessments.

    A WHO spokesperson confirmed to Reuters: “For Iran, we have verified 13 attacks on healthcare facilities, resulting in three fatalities and no injuries. In Lebanon, three attacks have been confirmed with three deaths and six injuries.”

    The Iranian ambassador to the UN in Geneva had previously submitted a formal communication to Tedros earlier this week, asserting that ten healthcare facilities had been impacted by military actions.

    Balkhy further noted that the WHO’s logistical hub in Dubai, which supplies medical provisions to dozens of countries, has been temporarily incapacitated due to regional transportation restrictions.

    The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies separately reported that three of its personnel sustained injuries from military strikes in Iran since February 28th.

    These confirmed attacks on medical infrastructure and the escalating displacement figures highlight the worsening humanitarian crisis emerging from the conflict. Aid organizations are raising alarms about the increasing challenges in delivering medical services and humanitarian assistance within an increasingly perilous operational environment.

  • Pensioner, man injured in Two Mile Hill blaze

    Pensioner, man injured in Two Mile Hill blaze

    A rapidly spreading midday fire completely destroyed a two-bedroom wooden residence in Bishops Land, Two Mile Hill on Wednesday, leaving a nonagenarian and another local man hospitalized with burn injuries. The blaze erupted shortly after noon at the home of Noel Owen Marshall, who is in his nineties, and advanced with such intensity that despite prompt intervention, the structure was reduced to ashes.

    The emergency response mobilized ten firefighters from the Bridgetown and Worthing stations, under the leadership of Divisional Fire Officer Tremell Perch and Station Officer Bourne. Utilizing two water tenders and a tanker, crews managed to contain the flames, though not before adjacent properties sustained damage.

    In a remarkable display of communal solidarity, neighbors initiated a critical rescue operation as the situation developed. An alert resident, Dora, described transitioning from initial alarm to organized action, noting that ‘everybody worked together as one.’ Particular praise was directed at resident Andy Brown, who is credited with saving Marshall’s life by forcibly entering the burning building, dismantling a fence to reach the elderly occupant moments before the home was fully engulfed. ‘If it wasn’t for Andy, he would have burned in the house,’ Dora emphasized.

    Following his extraction, Marshall received immediate medical attention from ambulance personnel on-site before being transferred to a medical facility. While he is reported to have suffered significant burns, the community remains hopeful for his recovery.

    The fire’s impact extended to the neighboring house owned by Pamela Lashley, who arrived to find exterior damage including cracked windows, melted wiring, and compromised eaves. Despite the damage, she expressed profound gratitude that the outcome was not more severe, stating, ‘I am very glad. I give God thanks that it wasn’t anything worse.’ Lashley also conveyed her deep concern for Marshall, adding, ‘I am sorry for my neighbour… I am hoping and praying that he pulls through this.’

    Authorities have confirmed that an investigation into the origin of the fire is currently ongoing.

  • US House rejects War Powers Resolution to curb Trump’s attacks on Iran

    US House rejects War Powers Resolution to curb Trump’s attacks on Iran

    In a decisive political move, the U.S. House of Representatives has blocked a bipartisan war powers resolution that sought to restrict military engagement with Iran. The Thursday vote concluded with a narrow margin of 212-219, effectively endorsing President Donald Trump’s authority to continue ongoing operations across the Middle East without additional congressional approval.

    The resolution, co-sponsored by Republican Representative Thomas Massie and Democratic Representative Ro Khanna, aimed to compel the withdrawal of U.S. forces from hostilities unless Congress explicitly authorized further military action. The vote demonstrated strong partisan alignment, with only two Republicans supporting the measure and four Democrats opposing it.

    This development follows the Senate’s earlier rejection of a similar proposal, highlighting consistent Republican support for the administration’s military strategy. The operations, which began over the weekend, included air and naval strikes that resulted in the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and triggered significant retaliatory measures from Iran, including drone and missile attacks throughout the region.

    The human cost of the escalating conflict has been substantial, with six U.S. service members and approximately 1,230 Iranians reported killed since the hostilities intensified. These military actions occurred following weeks of strained negotiations concerning Iran’s nuclear program, with the Trump administration opting to proceed without seeking formal congressional approval.

    Representative Massie, breaking with his party, cited the 1973 War Powers Resolution in his support for the measure, stating that none of its required conditions for presidential military action—a declaration of war, specific statutory authorization, or a national emergency created by an attack on the United States—were currently met.