Carib Scope

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  • Mound Mania is fully back!

    Mound Mania is fully back!

    After years of absence, the iconic fan entertainment zone at Kingston, Jamaica’s Sabina Park made its triumphant return on Wednesday, rebranded as Mound Mania, bringing back the signature mix of live cricket action, nonstop music, and communal celebration that defined generations of match days at the historic ground. While batters and bowlers contested the opening One-Day International between the West Indies and Sri Lanka on the outfield, off the boundary ropes, the revived fan hub came alive with energy, drawing patrons eager to reconnect with a beloved piece of local cricket culture.

    Though initial attendance was modest due to a midweek scheduling and a condensed marketing timeline, the energy inside the venue never wavered from the first delivery at 9:30 a.m. through the final close of play just before 7 p.m. Resident DJ collective Renaissance Sound, made up of DJ Delano, DJ Jerome, and DJ Niney Badness, kept a continuous soundtrack flowing, pairing every boundary, wicket and scheduled break with upbeat tracks that kept the crowd engaged throughout the entire day. The festive atmosphere got an extra boost from an unplanned birthday celebration for local media personality and Zip 103 FM host Venus, who called her first trip to the new Mound Mania the perfect birthday treat. “There were bars, we had lunch, comfortable seating, and it was such a good experience,” Venus shared. “I’ll be back.”

    For organizers, the relaunch represents more than just a fan zone refresh—it is an effort to restore one of the most vibrant and iconic parts of the Sabina Park match experience that has been missing for years. Kino Johnson, director of Mound Mania, noted that the opening day turnout aligned with expectations, especially given the barriers the project faced. “We expected more kinks, more delays and hiccups; however, with a slow kind of return to the vibe we’re accustomed to at the mound, we’re pretty content with how things turned out,” Johnson explained. He added that the condensed launch timeline and midweek match date were the primary factors behind the smaller opening crowd, but noted that attendance grew steadily throughout the day, calling the opening a solid first step for the revived attraction.

    Former West Indies vice-captain Carlton Baugh Jr. echoed that optimism, noting that the low turnout was entirely expected for a weekday match, and predicted far bigger crowds for upcoming weekend fixtures. “It was a weekday opening match and so we expected it would be a little bit scanty, but over the weekend we should have a better turnout,” Baugh Jr said. “We’re looking forward to Jamaica supporting the West Indies team. We’re looking towards a good series and good vibes. This is cricket, lovely cricket, and everyone should come out and enjoy.”

    Organisers are particularly bullish on the upcoming T20 matches in the series, where day-night fixtures are expected to draw far larger crowds, allowing the Mound Mania experience to hit its full stride. “Mound Mania is fully back,” said co-director Sean Green. “The vibe is here and, for the rest of the series, we’ll build on it. We will have some day-night matches and with that comes a lot more excitement. We’ll have live entertainment, performances, and just an overall experience that will have you feeling like you would back in the days when the mound was the place to watch cricket.” Green emphasized that the mound has always set the energetic tone for the entire stadium, arguing that a vibrant fan zone directly elevates the on-field performance: “The mound builds the atmosphere for the rest of the stadium. Once that tone is set, then West Indies will play well.”

    Even though the West Indies lost the opening ODI on home soil, the successful return of the iconic fan zone gave supporters a separate reason to celebrate: the comeback of a decades-old cherished tradition that many hope will once again become a defining part of match days at Sabina Park for years to come.

  • A ‘Forte’ for justice

    A ‘Forte’ for justice

    Jamaica’s legal community is mourning the loss of one of its most respected judicial figures, former Court of Appeal President Justice Ian Forte, who passed away at his home early Friday at the age of 89. Tributes have flowed from across the country’s justice ecosystem, honoring Forte’s decades of trailblazing service, transformative leadership, and enduring contributions to Jamaican and Caribbean jurisprudence.

    Forte’s decades-long career at the pinnacle of Jamaica’s legal system established him as a foundational figure in the nation’s judicial framework. He first joined the appellate bench in January 1988, before rising to the presidency of the Court of Appeal in 1999, a post he held until his retirement in 2005. Beyond his leading role in Jamaica’s highest court, Forte also earned regional acclaim, serving on the Court of Appeal for the Cayman Islands and extending his legal influence across the Caribbean and beyond. During his tenure, he was awarded the Order of Jamaica, the nation’s recognition of extraordinary distinction in national life. Forte is survived by his wife, Marlene Malahoo Forte, a sitting Jamaican parliamentarian.

    In a joint statement released Friday, Chief Justice Bryan Sykes, the current head of Jamaica’s judiciary, and current Court of Appeal President Marva McDonald-Bishop expressed profound sorrow at the passing of the legendary jurist.

    Sykes, who counted Forte as a personal mentor, offered a deeply personal tribute, highlighting Forte’s far-reaching impact on both the national legal system and his own career. “Justice Forte was a jurist of exceptional ability whose contribution to the development of the law and the administration of justice in Jamaica and the region, including Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, will be remembered with deep respect and gratitude,” Sykes said.

    Recalling a formative conversation that changed the trajectory of his professional life, Sykes shared that Forte reached out decades ago to ask if he had ever considered a judicial career. “It was a simple question, posed in his characteristically quiet and courteous manner, but it caused me to reflect seriously on a path that I had not previously contemplated. In many respects, that conversation planted a seed that would eventually grow into a lifelong commitment to judicial service,” Sykes reminisced.

    As a young attorney appearing before Forte, Sykes noted that the late judge embodied the highest standards of judicial practice. “He was a judge who was invariably prepared, punctual, and thoroughly aware of the details of every case before him. He listened carefully to counsel and, importantly, he was persuadable. He approached each matter with an open mind and a genuine willingness to be guided by sound legal argument. That is one of the highest qualities a judge can possess,” Sykes added. He described Forte as soft-spoken and unfailingly respectful to all, but noted that his gentle demeanor hid a formidable legal mind and unshakeable commitment to justice. “His example left a lasting impression on me and on many others within the profession,” Sykes said, adding that Forte remained revered across generations of legal professionals and the general public alike for his wisdom, humility, and devotion to public service.

    McDonald-Bishop, who now occupies the post Forte once held, echoed Sykes’ praise, highlighting Forte’s enduring legacy and transformative mentorship. As the eighth president to lead the Jamaican Court of Appeal, Forte brought steady, principle-centered leadership to the institution, strengthening its operations and bolstering public trust in the judiciary’s work, she said.

    “His judgments reflected careful scholarship, sound reasoning, and an abiding commitment to fairness which will endure for generations to come,” McDonald-Bishop said, noting that she personally benefited from Forte’s guidance throughout her own career. “As one who now occupies the office he once held with such distinction, I am especially grateful for his mentorship and exemplary leadership, the confidence he expressed in my ability to lead the Court of Appeal, and his never-failing encouragement and inspiration. I am deeply mindful of the enduring influence of his leadership and the example he set for those who have followed, which I sincerely hope to emulate,” she added.

    Jamaica’s Justice Minister Delroy Chuck also released a statement honoring Forte’s legacy, calling him a towering figure in the nation’s justice system whose decades of public service shaped Jamaica’s modern legal framework. Forte previously served as director of public prosecutions before ascending to the appellate bench, a role where he set a lasting standard of integrity and commitment to the public interest that continues to inspire prosecutors today, Chuck noted.

    “His unwavering commitment to the rule of law, judicial excellence, and the fair administration of justice helped shape and strengthen the foundations of our legal system during some of its most transformative years,” Chuck said. “For more than three decades Justice Forte stood at the forefront of the administration of justice, influencing legal thought, strengthening judicial institutions, and helping to ensure that the courts remained a trusted guardian of the rights and freedoms of the Jamaican people.”

    Chuck added that Forte’s reputation for scholarly excellence and unassailable integrity earned him respect across the Caribbean. “As we mourn his passing, we also celebrate a life of exceptional achievement and service. Jamaica has lost one of its most accomplished legal minds but his legacy will endure through the institutions he helped build, the jurisprudence he helped develop, and the countless lives he touched throughout his distinguished career,” Chuck said.

  • Bridging the bureaucracy

    Bridging the bureaucracy

    TRELAWNY, Jamaica — The long-awaited $230-million Troy Bridge officially opened to the public Friday, with Jamaican Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness using the milestone to call for sweeping public sector reform, arguing the five-year construction timeline drove unnecessary costs and exposed deep flaws in the country’s bureaucratic approval processes.

    The new crossing replaces a 152-year-old bridge that was irreparably damaged when Tropical Storm Grace swept across Jamaica in 2021. For years after the original structure collapsed, residents of Troy and neighboring communities faced daily disruptions: students were forced to take longer, more costly routes to reach their classrooms, while local agricultural producers saw their transportation expenses surge when moving crops to regional markets.

    In his opening address, Holness drew a clear, hard lesson from the half-decade-long project: the bridge would have cost taxpayers at least 30 percent less if construction had been completed just four years earlier. He told the gathered audience that overly rigid, process-obsessed bureaucracy had needlessly delayed what was a widely supported priority, noting that calls for a replacement bridge crossed political lines — with both Marisa Dalrymple Philibert, the then-Speaker of the House and MP for Trelawny Southern, and Mikael Phillips, MP for Manchester North Western, uniting behind the project.

    Holness emphasized that while transparency and accountability remain non-negotiable pillars of good governance, the Troy Bridge project demonstrates that following procedural checkboxes is not enough. “Good governance must also be in delivering outcomes,” he said. “A modern State must be capable of asking the necessary questions without endlessly delaying the necessary answer. We’re not going to allow critical infrastructure to be tied up in procedures and processes that satisfy procedures and processes and don’t deliver. Let Troy be a lesson to Jamaica.”

    Addressing the repeated public questions about why the project took so long to complete, Holness acknowledged the concerns were entirely legitimate. He argued that far too often, Jamaican public institutions prioritize process over the end results communities rely on, writing off the human cost of delayed action. “The people of Troy did not need an endless debate, they just simply needed a bridge,” he said. “Empathy requires us to reconsider not only the risk of action, but the cost of inaction.”

    For local residents, Holness noted, the bridge’s value only became universally clear after it was lost. “Like much of our infrastructure, people scarcely note it when it was working, but when Tropical Storm Grace destroyed the bridge in 2021 everyone suddenly understood its value,” he said, framing the new crossing as far more than concrete and steel — it is a critical connection that will unlock economic opportunity for the region for generations to come. Holness added that he expects the new structure to remain a vital community link for at least 150 years, matching the lifespan of its predecessor.

    Beyond the infrastructure itself, Holness positioned the Troy Bridge as a turning point for Jamaica’s approach to public investment. His administration has already launched the National Agency for Reconstruction and Resilience (NaRRA), a new body designed to cut through unnecessary red tape for critical projects while retaining strong safeguards for accountability, transparency, and procedural integrity.

    “NaRRA will seek to structure projects, order them, cut unnecessary bureaucratic red tape, but at the same time gives a high level of accountability, transparency, and ensures the integrity of the processes,” Holness explained. “NaRRA will not only help us to recover from the hurricane and build resilience, but more importantly, NaRRA will show us that there is a better way to build Jamaica.”

    The prime minister pushed back against the framing that Jamaica must choose between accountability and efficiency, arguing that both goals can coexist with smarter regulatory design. “The purpose of a process is to produce a result. When the process itself becomes an obstacle to result, then responsible leaders have an obligation to improve the process,” he said. “The objective is not to choose between accountability and efficiency. The objective is to achieve both. The objective is not to weaken safeguards. The objective is to make our safeguards smarter.”

    Holness confirmed that the government remains fully committed to modernizing the country’s public investment and approval systems, cutting redundant layers of review, shortening approval timelines, and creating dedicated accelerated pathways for all critical infrastructure projects. “Because efficiency is not the enemy of accountability,” he stressed, closing by framing the new bridge as the first marker of a more effective, outcome-focused government for Jamaica.

  • Senators spar over NHT withdrawals

    Senators spar over NHT withdrawals

    A heated debate unfolded in Jamaica’s Senate on Friday surrounding the National Housing Trust (Amendment) (Special Provisions) Act, 2026, culminating in the unamended passage of legislation that extends the government’s authority to siphon up to JMD 11.4 billion annually from the state-run National Housing Trust (NHT) into the national Consolidated Fund for another five years. The controversial extension has sparked sharp pushback from opposition lawmakers, who are calling for a significant portion of the withdrawn funds to be directed toward long-overdue housing recovery for communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa.

    Leading the opposition’s proposal is Senator Lambert Brown, who is urging the administration to allocate a minimum of $4 billion each year from the annual drawdown to construct new permanent homes for storm victims across western Jamaica. In his address to the chamber, Brown noted that thousands of families in the parishes of St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover and St James continue to live in precarious conditions more than eight months after the Category 5 storm swept across the island in October last year, destroying or damaging thousands of residential properties.

    Brown’s call for targeted housing funding was echoed by fellow opposition Senator Floyd Morris, the party’s housing spokesperson. Morris criticized the ongoing withdrawals from the NHT, a public fund established to support affordable homeownership for contributing Jamaicans, calling it a systematic plunder of public resources. He told senators that the government has already pulled a total of $114 billion from the trust since 2016, and the new five-year authorization would open the door for an additional $57 billion in total transfers. Morris proposed an amendment to the bill that would cut the extension from five years to two and require all withdrawn funds to be directed to Hurricane Melissa housing recovery, a change that was not adopted before the final vote.

    The opposition’s proposals were firmly rejected by Kamina Johnson Smith, Leader of Government Business in the Senate, who pushed back on the claim that a lack of funding is the core barrier to solving Jamaica’s ongoing housing crisis, including post-hurricane recovery. Johnson Smith argued that the country’s housing challenges stem not from insufficient capital, but deep-rooted structural bottlenecks, including limited local construction capacity, widespread shortages of licensed contractors, unresolved land titling disputes, and bureaucratic delays in development planning. She emphasized that redirecting a portion of NHT withdrawals would do nothing to break these logjams or speed up the delivery of affordable homes to affected families.

    Defending the five-year extension, Johnson Smith rejected claims that the annual transfers would undermine the NHT’s ability to fulfill its core mandate of delivering housing solutions to Jamaican contributors. She added that the government is committed to a strategic, long-term “build back better” approach to post-hurricane recovery, rather than a scattered, short-term fix that fails to address the root causes of slow progress. Temporary measures like tarpaulins, she noted, are an immediate stopgap rather than a permanent solution to the housing crisis, aligning with the government’s focus on addressing underlying structural barriers instead of just injecting new funding.

  • Magnum now title sponsor of Reggae Sumfest

    Magnum now title sponsor of Reggae Sumfest

    One of Jamaica’s most iconic cultural celebrations, Reggae Sumfest — the annual festival that has become a global bastion for reggae and dancehall music — has locked in a landmark title sponsorship partnership with Magnum Tonic Wine, the beloved local beverage brand with deep roots in Jamaican youth culture. The official partnership signing ceremony was held on Friday, June 5 at the New Kingston headquarters of J Wray & Nephew, bringing together leaders from both sides to mark the start of the collaboration.

    Josef Bogdanovich, CEO of Downsound Entertainment — the organizers that have owned and operated Reggae Sumfest since 2016 — framed the new sponsorship as far more than a financial arrangement, calling it a meaningful vote of confidence in Jamaica’s homegrown music culture. In a conversation with Jamaica Observer, Bogdanovich emphasized that Magnum’s support stretches back to the earliest days of the festival’s modern iteration, aligning perfectly with the event’s core mission to elevate dancehall on a global stage.

    “I have enormous respect for Magnum and the entire team for believing in our vision and sticking with us from the start,” Bogdanovich shared. “Magnum isn’t just a sponsor — it’s the drink of the young people who show up for dancehall, who love to celebrate, and that energy matches exactly what we build this festival around. We’re already looking forward to great things coming out of this partnership.”

    Over the years since Downsound Entertainment took over the festival brand, the team has centered its work on constant growth, pushing to bring world-class production and top-tier talent to each year’s event while lifting up the cultural significance of reggae and dancehall. “Every year, we ask ourselves how we can top what we’ve done before,” Bogdanovich explained. “It’s a challenge we embrace naturally — we just get it done, and we always work to elevate the experience, bring in the best artists from across the globe, and push this music to new heights.”

    The 2025 edition of Reggae Sumfest is scheduled to open on Saturday, July 18 at an all-new location: Plantation Cove in St Ann. This year’s move was necessitated by extensive damage to the festival’s long-time home, the Catherine Hall venue, caused by Hurricane Melissa. But the shift has opened up new opportunities for a reimagined event experience. The new coastal site is more than double the size of the former venue, offering stunning beachfront views and a more flexible layout for event production. “We’re already planning something really magical for this space — our production evolves every year, and this venue lets us try things we never could before,” Bogdanovich said. “We’re excited, we’re prepared, and attendees are going to be blown away.”

    When asked whether the festival would return to Montego Bay’s Catherine Hall in future years if the 2025 St Ann event goes well, Bogdanovich noted that all options remain on the table as Reggae Sumfest continues its global expansion. “Anything is possible,” he said. “We’re growing the Reggae Sumfest brand, and we’ve had requests to bring the festival to destinations across the world — the Caribbean, England, New York, and Toronto all want us, and we’re ready to meet that demand.”

    Pavel Smith, marketing manager for Magnum Tonic Wine, echoed the enthusiasm for the new partnership, noting that Magnum has long positioned itself as a core supporter of the dancehall community. “This is a pivotal moment for dancehall culture, and Magnum has always been its champion,” Smith said, declining to share the exact financial value of the sponsorship investment, but confirming it is a substantial commitment. “This partnership is a perfect synergy between two brands that live and breathe dancehall. The investment we’ve made is significant, and it will let us continue growing and advancing this culture across the Jamaican market. For us, being part of the Reggae Sumfest platform is a perfect fit.”

    Smith also teased exclusive Magnum-branded activations for festival attendees, promising one-of-a-kind experiences that can’t be missed. “If you don’t show up to the Magnum zone, you’re going to miss something truly monumental,” he said. “Attendees can expect special surprises, popular Magnum bucket deals, exclusive entertainment, and surprise guest appearances that we’re keeping under wraps for now.”

    In a photo captured by Predi Photography following the signing, members of the Downsound Entertainment team — including assistant Markaelo Ricketts, marketing head Karla Jankee, assistant Malcolm Miller, executive administrator and data controller Leeann Dunkley, and sponsorship manager Dealo Gordon — accepted customized Magnum branded merchandise, offering an early preview of the innovative, on-brand experience planned for festival goers this July.

  • 7-year old child murdered, pensioner injured

    7-year old child murdered, pensioner injured

    A brutal early-morning attack has left a 7-year-old boy dead and a 72-year-old female pensioner hospitalised in the Essequibo region of Guyana, with local law enforcement launching a full criminal investigation into the alleged murder and attempted murder.

    The incident unfolded at approximately 4:45 a.m. on Friday, 5 June 2026, at a residence in Phase 3 of the Zeelugt New Housing Scheme, located along the East Bank Essequibo. Both victims reside at the same address, authorities confirmed.

    According to initial investigative details, the young victim, identified as Adriel Aftab Mohamed, lived at the property with extended family members. Roughly 20 minutes after the alleged attack, a relative arrived at the home and made the grim discovery: the 72-year-old woman suffering from visible injuries, and the young boy unresponsive inside the property.

    Emergency responders quickly transported the injured pensioner to the De Kinderen Regional Hospital for urgent care. As of the latest update, her condition has been classified as stable, and she remains admitted for ongoing treatment.

    Members of the Guyana Police Force’s Regional Division #3 responded promptly to the scene, launching a forensic sweep to collect evidence. Investigators documented visible injuries on the child’s body, and recovered a bladed weapon suspected to be the weapon used in the attack, which has been taken into police custody as evidence.

    The child’s body was transferred to the De Kinderen Regional Hospital, where a duty doctor officially pronounced him dead on arrival. It has since been moved to Ezekiel Funeral Home, where it will remain until a post-mortem examination is conducted to determine the official cause of death.

    As part of the ongoing investigation, law enforcement has interviewed multiple persons of interest connected to the case. Investigators have also confirmed that closed-circuit television cameras are operational in the area surrounding the attack site, and footage from these devices is currently being reviewed to identify potential leads. Police are currently working to track down the suspect responsible for the violence, with the investigation still active and evolving.

  • Belize Ranks 5th in Regional Clean Energy Report as LAC Output Surges

    Belize Ranks 5th in Regional Clean Energy Report as LAC Output Surges

    As nations across the globe accelerate their transition away from fossil fuels toward low-carbon energy systems, a new 2026 regional energy report highlights strong progress across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) — with Belize emerging as one of the region’s top performers in renewable electricity generation.

    Released by the Latin American and Caribbean Energy Organization (OLACDE), the latest report tracks regional energy output for January 2026, revealing that total LAC electricity generation hit 171 terawatt-hours (TWh) that month. This marks a 9.6% jump from December 2025, a surge primarily driven by the rebound of hydropower generation after widespread drought and hydrological constraints that had limited output across the region in prior months eased.

    When ranked by the share of total electricity generated from renewable sources, Belize secured the 5th spot in the regional ranking, with 90.9% of its domestic power coming from clean renewable resources in January. Only four LAC nations outperformed Belize: Paraguay, which hit a perfect 100% renewable generation rate, Costa Rica at 97.8%, Uruguay at 96.5%, and Ecuador at 91.6%. Colombia, Brazil and Venezuela also landed in the region’s top tier of renewable energy performers, per the report’s findings.

    Across the entire LAC region, renewables now make up 66% of the total energy mix, with hydropower alone accounting for 44.5% of all regional electricity generation. Natural gas remains the most widely used fossil fuel in the region, making up 23.8% of total output. OLACDE notes that natural gas largely functions as a flexible backup capacity for regional grids that have integrated high levels of variable renewable energy sources like wind and solar.

    Despite the overall strong growth in clean energy, the report also identifies key seasonal vulnerabilities that challenge grid stability across the region. Compared to December 2025, solar generation dropped by 30% in January, geothermal output fell by 36%, and wind generation declined by 11%. OLACDE analysts emphasize that these seasonal fluctuations underscore the critical need for investment in dispatchable energy technologies that can offset the intermittency of variable renewables and keep regional grids stable through changing seasonal conditions.

    Looking at longer-term year-over-year trends, regional electricity output saw a far more modest 1.2% growth in January 2026 compared to the same month in 2025. Hydropower added an extra 10.8 TWh to overall output year-over-year, but lower solar generation pulled total regional output down by 11.2 TWh, offsetting much of the hydropower gain.

  • UWP Senator calls for national reflection on raising boys

    UWP Senator calls for national reflection on raising boys

    In the wake of the fatal killing of local woman Joy St Omer, a senior opposition politician in Saint Lucia has sparked urgent public debate, arguing that outdated and inadequate socialization practices for boys and young men are a root contributor to the nation’s ongoing crisis of femicide and gender-based violence.

    United Workers Party Senator Elisha Norbert, a former educator with a Christian upbringing, laid out his perspective on the drivers of violence against women in an exclusive interview with local outlet St Lucia Times. Drawing on decades of both personal experience and professional observation working with young people, Norbert connected patterns of male violence against women to systemic gaps in how boys are taught to process emotion, cope with setbacks, and respect women.

    Raised in a devout Christian household, Norbert noted his upbringing instilled a core value of care and protection for women. “The Bible teaches us to care for women like fine china,” he explained, adding that women’s innate tendencies toward love, forgiveness, and compassion are too often twisted and exploited by emotionally stunted men in abusive relationships. It is a devastating sight, he said, to watch women continue extending kindness and support to partners even as they endure repeated harm.

    Drawing on his years as a classroom teacher, Norbert pointed to shifting parenting norms that shield boys from the healthy, age-appropriate experience of failure. He cited a common modern example: parents pushing back against coaches for raising their voices at young players during football matches, depriving children of the chance to process disappointment on the field.

    Too many boys today grow up never learning that setbacks are a normal part of life, he argued. They never get the opportunity to lose a game, sit with their frustration, and be guided to process that emotion in a healthy way—learning that it is okay to not win every contest. Over time, this lack of emotional practice leaves men without the regulation skills to handle rejection, conflict, or unmet expectations in adulthood.

    “Honestly, I believe society is raising weak men,” Norbert said. “We’ve lost a lot in the way we raise our men, and I think we’re reaping the rewards of that. It’s detrimental to the stability of a man’s emotional regulation, and they lash out with their might and their strength and their rage that has never been controlled.”

    To reverse this trend, Norbert is calling for a broad, nationwide conversation in Saint Lucia focused on rethinking how boys are raised and educated. The core priority, he says, must be redirecting greater investment and attention to building boys’ emotional intelligence from an early age, equipping them to handle life’s challenges without turning to violence.

  • BTIA President Efrén Pérez Ratified for Second Term Atop Regional Tourism Federation

    BTIA President Efrén Pérez Ratified for Second Term Atop Regional Tourism Federation

    In a significant development for Central America and the Caribbean tourism sector, Efrén Pérez, current president of the Belize Tourism Industry Association, has secured unanimous approval to serve a second consecutive term as president of the Federation of Tourism Chambers of Central America and the Dominican Republic (FEDECATUR). The official ratification was announced during the III Ibero-American Forum on Sustainable Tourism, Innovation, and Development, a high-profile industry gathering hosted in San Pedro Sula, Honduras that drew hundreds of stakeholders including tourism leaders, public sector representatives, global intergovernmental body delegates, and private sector executives from across the Ibero-American region.

    FEDECATUR’s Board of Directors highlighted the key achievements of Pérez’s first term to justify their unanimous decision to re-appoint him. During his initial mandate, Pérez spearheaded meaningful progress in institutional strengthening for the regional federation, and advanced a cohesive regional policy agenda focused on three core pillars: cross-market tourism integration, environmentally sustainable tourism practices, and industry innovation through new technologies and business models.

    Speaking after the confirmation, Pérez framed the renewed mandate as a collective vote of confidence in the shared vision of a more connected, competitive, and fully integrated tourism economy across Central America and the Dominican Republic. “Our ongoing commitment remains centered on amplifying the voice of the private tourism sector across the region, and building a strategic, constructive partnership with regional governments,” Pérez stated. “Together, our goal is to drive inclusive economic growth, expand quality job opportunities, and deliver long-term prosperity for local communities that depend on tourism.”

    For his second term, FEDECATUR has already laid out a clear policy roadmap. Key priorities include expanding and deepening public-private sector dialogue on regional tourism challenges, upgrading air and land transportation connectivity across member states, lowering regulatory barriers that hinder cross-border visitor mobility, and embedding sustainable development as a non-negotiable core pillar of all regional tourism policy. The federation also plans to strengthen collaborative ties with international tourism bodies and multilateral institutions to access funding, technical expertise, and global market opportunities for member stakeholders.

    As the leading representative body for the organized private tourism sector across eight nations, FEDECATUR counts Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and the Dominican Republic among its core membership. The organization works to align industry priorities, advocate for policy reforms that benefit regional tourism, and position Central America and the Dominican Republic as a cohesive, competitive global tourism destination.

  • Doctors Benjamin and Mansoor Appointed to Lead Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre Board

    Doctors Benjamin and Mansoor Appointed to Lead Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre Board

    Following its recent weekly policy meeting, the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has given formal approval to a slate of leadership appointments for statutory and advisory bodies falling under the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs. The changes mark a key step in the government’s ongoing institutional renewal agenda, launched in the wake of the general election held on April 30 this year.

    The most high-profile of the confirmed appointments is the new leadership team for the board of the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, the country’s leading public healthcare facility. Dr. Philmore Benjamin will take on the role of executive chairman, with Dr. Edward Mansoor stepping into the position of deputy chairman. Completing the 10-member board are Martin Camacho, who will serve as board secretary, alongside regular members Dr. Karen Josiah, Randy Agrippa, Kasmin Green, Akeem Edwards, and Kiva Dean. Two senior public health officials will hold ex officio seats on the board: Kevin Silston from the national Medical Benefits Scheme, and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kamara De Castro.

    The Cabinet’s approvals extended beyond the hospital’s governing board to two other critical public institutions under the health ministry portfolio. Veteran nurse Margaret Smith was named as the new chair of the Antigua and Barbuda Nursing Council, the statutory body tasked with upholding professional training and practice standards for the country’s nursing workforce, and guaranteeing consistent high-quality care for patients across all healthcare settings. Dan Lee Phillip was also appointed as chairman of the board for the National Solid Waste Management Authority, the agency responsible for public waste collection, disposal and environmental sanitation across the nation.

    Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant publicly confirmed the full list of appointments during a post-Cabinet media briefing held on Friday. He clarified that all nominations for the roles were first submitted to Cabinet for review by Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph, before receiving final formal approval. Merchant emphasized that the appointments are not isolated personnel changes, but an integrated part of the new administration’s broader plan to strengthen core public sector institutions after taking office following the general election.