Carib Scope

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  • Permanent Secretary Walter Christopher (l) with other delegates at the 39th FAO Conference

    Permanent Secretary Walter Christopher (l) with other delegates at the 39th FAO Conference

    BRASILIA, BRAZIL – From March 2nd to 6th, 2026, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) convened its 39th Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), setting a strategic agenda for the future of the region’s food systems. The high-level gathering, which brought together senior government officials and agricultural ministers, focused on comprehensive strategies to overhaul agri-food systems to be more efficient, resilient, and sustainable.

    The conference’s agenda was structured to address the most pressing challenges facing the region. A primary focus was mitigating food price inflation and its direct impact on food security and nutritional outcomes for vulnerable populations. Delegates engaged in critical discussions on the ‘One Health’ approach, exploring integrated pathways to tackle interconnected issues affecting animal, plant, and environmental health. The sustainable management of vital resources, particularly soil and water, was also a central topic, recognizing their foundational role in agricultural productivity.

    A significant portion of the proceedings was dedicated to reviewing the FAO’s accomplishments in the LAC region during the 2024-2025 biennium, highlighting progress made in advancing the transformation toward sustainable agri-food systems. Building on this assessment, the conference directed efforts toward establishing clear priorities for the upcoming 2026-2027 biennium and beyond. These future initiatives will be guided by the FAO’s Reviewed Strategic Framework for 2022-2031, ensuring alignment with long-term global sustainability goals.

    In a pivotal side event, representatives from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) held a strategic meeting with key figures, including the FAO’s Assistant Director-General for the region, the Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), and Brazil’s Vice Minister of Agriculture alongside senior program officers. This collaboration underscored a reinforced commitment to multilateral cooperation in tackling shared agricultural and food security challenges across the hemisphere.

  • Dominica gov’t explores maritime fuel solutions with Fortescue’s Green Pioneer

    Dominica gov’t explores maritime fuel solutions with Fortescue’s Green Pioneer

    The Caribbean nation of Dominica is leveraging its volcanic resources to pioneer a new era in sustainable shipping. Central to this initiative is the presence of the ‘Green Pioneer,’ a vessel owned by Australian mining giant Fortescue, which is demonstrating a groundbreaking application of the island’s geothermal energy.

    This demonstration is intrinsically linked to the imminent commissioning of Dominica’s first major geothermal power plant in Laudat, projected for the end of March. The project showcases a tangible pathway from renewable power to practical fuel. The abundant geothermal energy is being used to produce green ammonia, a zero-carbon fuel with significant potential for the global maritime industry.

    Fortescue, which has an ambitious ‘Real Zero’ by 2030 goal to eliminate all its greenhouse gas emissions, is using the Green Pioneer as a working prototype. The company has successfully converted two of the ship’s four engines to operate on a proprietary dual-fuel system that uses a mix of ammonia and diesel. This technological milestone follows two years of intensive research and development, culminating in its first successful fuel transfer in Singapore in 2024.

    The initiative positions Dominica not just as a user of green technology, but as a potential exporter of green ammonia for maritime bunkering. This could create a substantial economic advantage for the country, allowing it to tap into the burgeoning global market for clean fuels. The project underscores a critical evolution in the shipping sector, demonstrating how naturally occurring resources can be harnessed to create viable, environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional fossil fuels and significantly reduce the carbon footprint of one of the world’s most emission-intensive industries.

  • Massive Port Project Filed for Review: Have Your Say!

    Massive Port Project Filed for Review: Have Your Say!

    Belize City stands at the precipice of a significant coastal transformation as Port of Belize Limited advances its comprehensive development proposal. The ambitious project, detailed in a substantial 600-page Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), has formally entered the crucial review phase with the Department of the Environment (DOE).

    The proposed development envisions substantial expansion of cargo handling capabilities alongside new cruise infrastructure at the Caesar Ridge Road location within Port Loyola. This dual-purpose initiative aims to simultaneously boost commercial trade operations and enhance tourism reception capacity, potentially reshaping both the economic landscape and physical coastline of Belize’s primary port city.

    Minister of Sustainable Development Orlando Habet emphasized the rigorous nature of the approval process, clarifying that the environmental assessment does not represent automatic endorsement. ‘The Department of Environment is not there to stop a project but to entertain the submission of those proposals and to study them,’ Habet stated, highlighting that the extensive marine works—including dredging activities and mangrove removal—necessitate a full Environmental Impact Assessment due to the project’s substantial scale.

    The technical evaluation will be conducted by the National Environmental Appraisal Committee (NEAC), comprising expert panelists who will scrutinize the documentation and recommend specific conditions to mitigate potential environmental harm before the DOE renders its final decision.

    Public participation represents a cornerstone of this review process, with a hybrid consultation session scheduled for March 25 in Belize City. Minister Habet stressed the project’s multifaceted implications, noting it carries ‘economic, environmental, and social impacts’ that warrant thorough community engagement. Citizens can access the complete ESIA through the DOE’s digital portal or physically at four designated Belize City libraries: Port Loyola Public Library, Belize National Library Service and Information System, Leo Bradley Library, and Turton Library Center.

    The window for public commentary remains open until April 1, allowing stakeholders to submit formal responses regarding the proposed port development’s potential consequences.

  • Water Supply Interruption Sends All Belmopan Students Home Early

    Water Supply Interruption Sends All Belmopan Students Home Early

    In an unprecedented emergency response, educational institutions across Belize’s capital faced an early closure on March 6, 2026, after a major disruption to Belmopan’s municipal water supply. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology mandated the immediate suspension of all academic activities commencing at noon, affecting the entire spectrum of educational facilities from early childhood centers to university campuses.

    The ministerial directive, communicated to schools shortly before midday, characterized the decision as an essential precautionary measure to address mounting public health concerns stemming from the complete absence of running water. Educational administrators received instructions to implement orderly early dismissal protocols to minimize disruption to students and staff.

    While the precise catalyst for the water supply failure remains undisclosed, the crisis has triggered widespread operational challenges throughout the city. The sudden suspension of normal school operations has forced thousands of families to make alternative arrangements with minimal advance notice.

    Municipal authorities and water management officials have yet to establish a definitive timeline for restoration services, leaving residents and educational institutions in a state of uncertainty regarding the duration of the infrastructure emergency. The incident has raised urgent questions about the resilience of urban water systems and emergency preparedness protocols in Belize’s capital city.

  • Consumer Affairs Division and Bureau of Standards to Host Webinar on Consumer Protection

    Consumer Affairs Division and Bureau of Standards to Host Webinar on Consumer Protection

    The national Prices and Consumer Affairs Division has announced a collaborative webinar with the Bureau of Standards, scheduled for March 11th, 2026. This virtual event, running from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., represents a significant initiative to enhance consumer confidence in both domestic and regional markets.

    The webinar’s primary objective is to fortify trust in the quality and reliability of goods and services, with particular emphasis on import commodities and intra-regional trade operations. During the session, officials will elucidate the Bureau of Standards’ crucial function in safeguarding consumer interests while demonstrating the institution’s technical competence and regulatory capabilities.

    Key discussion points will include how established standards can effectively champion consumer rights, the mutual responsibilities of both businesses and customers in commercial transactions, and detailed guidance on navigating official complaint procedures. The event seeks to empower participants with practical knowledge about their rights while promoting fair trade practices across the region.

    Interested members of the public are encouraged to participate in this educational session by registering through the QR code provided on official promotional materials. This engagement opportunity reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to transparent governance and consumer education.

  • Can Belize Grow Its Cacao Industry Into a Major Export Sector?

    Can Belize Grow Its Cacao Industry Into a Major Export Sector?

    Belize has embarked on an ambitious agricultural initiative with the establishment of the National Cacao Committee, a strategic body designed to elevate the nation’s cacao sector into a significant export-oriented industry. The committee convened its inaugural session this week, uniting government representatives, agricultural producers, and export specialists to formulate a comprehensive development strategy.

    Berisford Codd, Senior Trade Economist, emphasized the distinctive socioeconomic dimension of Belize’s cacao production. “This crop possesses unique characteristics as it’s predominantly cultivated by small-scale farmers. Approximately one thousand agricultural producers stand to gain substantially from targeted sector investments,” Codd stated during the committee’s foundational meeting.

    Although not currently a dominant export commodity, cacao already generates between $3-12 million annually for Belize’s economy, with the Toledo District serving as the primary production hub. This region’s cacao cultivation functions as an economic cornerstone for rural and indigenous communities.

    Industry stakeholders identify considerable expansion potential, particularly given escalating international demand for premium-quality cocoa products. Codd highlighted the competitive advantages of Belizean cacao: “Market demand exists unequivocally, our production narrative is compelling, and the flavor characteristics are truly exceptional.”

    The committee has established multiple strategic priorities for immediate implementation, including production scale enhancement, processing infrastructure modernization, and digital transformation through national farmer registries and geospatial farm mapping. Additional focus areas encompass rural transportation infrastructure improvement and regulatory framework modernization to attract investment.

    Legislative reform emerged as a critical discussion point, potentially enabling strengthened oversight mechanisms and industry-wide certification standards. Codd explained, “Appropriate legislation would facilitate registry development and create conditions for governmental support initiatives, including comprehensive certification programs.”

    The tri-ministerial leadership structure comprises the Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Ministry, Agriculture Ministry, and Rural Transformation Ministry, collaborating with industry representatives from the Toledo Cacao Growers Association, Belize Cacao, and Maya Mountain Cacao – the nation’s predominant exporter.

  • Optique Hospital, Trinidad Eye Hospital, GPHC team up to conduct complex retinal surgery to save child’s only seeing eye

    Optique Hospital, Trinidad Eye Hospital, GPHC team up to conduct complex retinal surgery to save child’s only seeing eye

    In an unprecedented display of regional medical cooperation, a team of ophthalmologists from Guyana and Trinidad has successfully performed a highly complex retinal detachment surgery on a 13-year-old patient in Georgetown, potentially preventing irreversible blindness in the child’s only functional eye.

    The surgical intervention, conducted this week at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), represented a landmark achievement for advanced ophthalmological care in the Caribbean region. The patient presented with severe retinal detachment requiring immediate intervention—a procedure typically necessitating international referral due to its technical complexity and specialized equipment requirements.

    Dr. Ronnie Bhola, Consultant Vitreous and Retina Surgeon from Trinidad Eye Hospital, led the surgical team in collaboration with local specialists from Optique Eye Hospital and GPHC. The surgery ranks among the most demanding procedures in vitreoretinal ophthalmology, requiring precision instrumentation and advanced surgical expertise.

    Remarkably, the collaborative initiative eliminated the substantial financial burden typically associated with such procedures. While comparable surgeries abroad frequently exceed US$50,000 in surgical costs alone—excluding travel and accommodation expenses—this procedure was fully funded through the partnership between the participating institutions, ensuring zero financial obligation for the patient’s family.

    This case signifies a strategic advancement in developing sustainable subspecialty ophthalmic services within Guyana and the wider Caribbean region. The collaboration demonstrates how regional expertise integration with local infrastructure can deliver world-class medical care without necessitating international travel.

    The successful outcome reflects positively on Guyana’s healthcare investment climate and the potential for continued medical advancement through regional partnerships. Optique Eye Hospital, scheduled to open soon at 350 New Market Street in Georgetown, aims to further expand access to advanced ophthalmological services, potentially transforming Guyana into a regional hub for specialized eye care.

  • Trump Says ‘Cuba is going to fall pretty soon’

    Trump Says ‘Cuba is going to fall pretty soon’

    In a striking declaration during a CNN interview on Friday, United States President Donald Trump asserted that Cuba’s communist government is on the verge of collapse. Trump indicated that Cuban leadership is demonstrating unprecedented eagerness to engage in diplomatic negotiations with Washington.

    “Cuba is going to fall pretty soon,” the president stated emphatically. “They want to make a deal so badly.”

    Trump revealed his consideration of assigning Secretary of State Marco Rubio to manage potential talks with Havana, marking a significant development in U.S.-Cuba relations. “They want to make a deal, and so I’m going to put Marco over there, and we’ll see how that works out,” Trump commented during the exchange.

    This represents the second instance in forty-eight hours that Trump has addressed Cuba’s political future. Speaking before a White House audience just a day earlier, he suggested Americans might soon regain travel access to the Caribbean nation, stating it could be “a question of time.”

    The administration’s current foreign policy priorities, however, remain centered on resolving tensions with Iran before pivoting to other international matters. “We want to finish this one [Iran] first,” Trump clarified, indicating a sequential approach to diplomatic engagements.

    These statements emerge amid growing economic instability in Cuba, including a massive recent blackout that affected approximately two-thirds of the island. The widespread power outage, which encompassed the capital city of Havana, represents the latest manifestation of an escalating energy crisis confronting the nation.

  • Alex Browne Challenges Randy Baltimore’s Nomination in St. Philip’s North By-Election

    Alex Browne Challenges Randy Baltimore’s Nomination in St. Philip’s North By-Election

    A significant legal challenge has emerged in Antigua and Barbuda’s upcoming by-election, casting uncertainty over the candidacy of Randy Baltimore for the St. Philip’s North constituency. Alex Browne has formally contested Baltimore’s nomination, citing constitutional violations regarding his civil service status.

    The controversy centers on Section 39(g) of the nation’s Constitution, which explicitly prohibits public office holders from being elected to the House of Representatives. Baltimore, who served as Principal Inspector of Customs, announced his resignation effective February 20 through a press release dated February 19, just days before his nomination on February 25.

    However, Browne’s challenge references Section 28(1) of the Civil Service Regulations, which mandates that permanent officers must provide at least three months’ notice before resigning. According to this interpretation, Baltimore should have initiated his resignation process by November 2025 to qualify for the March 16 election.

    The electoral dispute presents a complex constitutional interpretation regarding the transition from civil service to political candidacy. Browne’s notice, dated March 5, 2026, directly advises voters that Baltimore is constitutionally disqualified from parliamentary election, creating potential voter confusion ahead of the scheduled by-election.

    This development introduces unexpected legal dimensions to the electoral process, potentially affecting campaign strategies and voter decisions. The challenge highlights the intricate balance between civil service regulations and political participation rights within Antigua and Barbuda’s democratic framework.

  • Unclaimed Winnings of Million Dalla Jackpot Donated

    Unclaimed Winnings of Million Dalla Jackpot Donated

    In an unprecedented redistribution of fortune, the Belize Government Lotteries Limited (BGLL) has channeled an unclaimed million-dollar jackpot from December 2025 toward national betterment initiatives. The substantial prize, which went unclaimed within the stipulated timeframe, has been formally allocated to two prominent nonprofit organizations serving critical community needs.

    The Belize Red Cross and Pathlight Belize have each been granted checks amounting to $55,555.55. This strategic reallocation transforms what would have been an individual’s windfall into a powerful resource for public welfare. BGLL officials emphasized that while the original prize winner failed to materialize, the funds will now achieve a broader societal impact through structured developmental programs.

    Lily Bowman, Director General of the Belize Red Cross, acknowledged the profound significance of this contribution. “This recognition of our work is both gratifying and transformative,” Bowman stated. The infusion of capital arrives at a pivotal moment, enabling the organization to revitalize its emergency response capabilities ahead of the anticipated 2026 hurricane season. Specifically, funds will facilitate the first comprehensive update to the National Intervention Team training program since 2018, ensuring volunteer readiness for rapid emergency deployment.

    Beyond disaster preparedness, the Red Cross will amplify its nationwide health initiatives, blood donation campaigns, psychosocial support services, and water-sanitation-hygiene (WASH) projects across over 100 communities. The donation also strengthens the organization’s capacity to mobilize personnel and solidify its auxiliary role in government-led humanitarian efforts.

    Concurrently, Pathlight Belize will direct its portion toward expanding educational access and leadership development programs for marginalized populations. This investment promises to create lasting opportunities in underserved communities, addressing systemic educational disparities.

    The reallocation, underwritten by RF&G Insurance, demonstrates a innovative model for leveraging unclaimed assets toward public good, setting a potential precedent for future lottery operations.