Carib Scope

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  • Migrant apprehensions drop sharply in 2025 as RBDF records 78 percent decline

    Migrant apprehensions drop sharply in 2025 as RBDF records 78 percent decline

    NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) has reported a dramatic 78% decrease in migrant apprehensions for 2025, intercepting 440 individuals compared to 2,019 the previous year. This sharp decline reflects a significant shift in migration patterns across the critical Bahamas-Florida maritime corridor.

    According to official data, interdictions fell sharply across all major routes. US Coast Guard cutters and RBDF vessels apprehended 84 Cuban nationals near the Cay Sal Banks attempting to reach Florida. An additional 64 Haitian nationals were intercepted on direct routes from Haiti to The Bahamas.

    The most substantial segment involved 292 migrants of mixed nationalities who allegedly exploited tourist visas to enter The Bahamas before attempting clandestine passage to the United States from Northern islands including Bimini and Grand Bahama. These individuals were intercepted by US Coast Guard assets and subsequently repatriated to Grand Bahama.

    This downward trend continues from 2024, which itself saw a 37% reduction from 2023 figures. Defence Force officials attribute the sustained decline primarily to US immigration policies, specifically the Temporary Protected Status and two-year Residency Sponsorship Programs for nationals from Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela.

    The reduced migration coincides with a major US Coast Guard operation announced earlier this year, surging maritime assets including cutters, aircraft, and specialized forces to reinforce border security across strategic zones including the Florida Straits, US territories, and the Bahamas-Florida corridor. This enhanced presence, coordinated with Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense partners, aims to deter illegal migration, narcotics trafficking, and other transnational threats.

  • Thompson, Clayton to open season at JAAA Fuller-Anderson meet on Saturday

    Thompson, Clayton to open season at JAAA Fuller-Anderson meet on Saturday

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A constellation of Jamaican track and field talent is set to ignite the season at the Puma JAAA Fuller-Anderson Development Meet this Saturday at GC Foster College. The event features an electrifying lineup of Olympic and World Championship medalists making their seasonal debut in the 60m sprints.

    Headlining the men’s competition is Olympic silver medalist Kishane Thompson, who enters the arena with a formidable personal best of 6.48 seconds. He faces formidable opposition from World Championship 200m bronze medalist Bryan Levell (PB: 6.59s) and the exceptionally quick Gary Card of Dynamic Track club, who boasts the field’s fastest time at 6.42 seconds. The competition deepens with the inclusion of Ackeem Blake, Rohan Watson, Guyana’s Emmanuel Archibald, and promising former high school standouts Dejour Russell, Adrian Kerr, and Jeevan Newby. Adding an intriguing dimension is the participation of 400m hurdler Roshawn Clarke, testing his speed in the shorter event.

    The women’s 60m promises equally thrilling contests with MVP’s Tia Clayton (PB: 7.14s) squaring off against her relay silver medalist teammate Jonielle Smith (7.18s). The field intensifies with the presence of national contender Natasha Morrison (7.09s), Serena Cole (7.20s), and a strong Barbadian contingent featuring Sadia Williams (7.24s) and Kishawn Niles (7.12s). With nine heats scheduled for the men’s event, typically run as timed finals, the meet offers a critical early-season assessment of athlete preparedness and sets the stage for the upcoming international calendar.

  • EMA strengthens noise control for Carnival events

    EMA strengthens noise control for Carnival events

    The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) of Trinidad and Tobago has unveiled comprehensive noise management protocols for the upcoming Carnival season, marking a significant shift in how cultural celebrations will be acoustically regulated. These measures represent the government’s latest effort to address longstanding community concerns while preserving traditional expressions.

    Under the enhanced framework, event organizers must now comply with stringent location-specific requirements, including detailed site plans that identify proximity to residential zones and proposed noise mitigation strategies. The EMA has implemented a transparent public notification system, making all noise variation applications accessible through its official website alongside a user-friendly public comment portal.

    High-risk areas—those with historical noise complaints or near sensitive facilities like healthcare institutions—will face additional requirements including formal resident notification processes and comprehensive noise management plans. The authority has adopted intelligence-led monitoring prioritizing events with previous compliance issues.

    Environmental Police Unit officers will collaborate with event organizers to facilitate immediate corrective actions when violations occur, followed by enforcement proceedings under the Noise Pollution Control Rules (2001). The EMA has developed supporting documentation including an Event Variation Information Guide and Quick Reference Guide to assist compliance.

    The initiative aims to reduce noise-related grievances while encouraging improved sound engineering practices. The EMA will conduct ongoing monitoring of complaint trends and provide public updates on outcomes, with potential implementation of pre-event sound testing to establish acceptable noise levels.

    This balanced approach seeks to protect community wellbeing while maintaining Carnival’s cultural vitality through collaboration with government agencies, event promoters, and citizens.

  • JPS meets with St Elizabeth councillors

    JPS meets with St Elizabeth councillors

    Local government representatives in St Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica, are engaged in critical discussions with the nation’s primary electricity provider, Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), seeking concrete timelines for restoring power to communities still without electricity nearly three months after Hurricane Melissa’s devastation.

    The high-stakes meeting, convened in Santa Cruz and attended by JPS Chief Executive Officer Hugh Grant, follows the utility company’s previous refusal to address media inquiries. Councillor Christopher Williams (Jamaica Labour Party, Santa Cruz division) expressed cautious optimism, noting that JPS had requested detailed information about affected communities earlier this week. “We have furnished JPS with that information, so today we are expecting to get some timeline from them,” Williams stated.

    Significant areas remain without power across multiple divisions, including critical infrastructure such as the Santa Cruz Infirmary on Institution Drive. The Santa Cruz division alone reports outages in Rocky Hill, Park Mountain, Good Hope, Abraham, Burnt Ground, New River, and Brighton. Similarly, Councillor Donovan Pagon (People’s National Party, Braes River division) identified Braes River, Elim, Red Ground, George’s Valley, Grosmond, and sections of Wilton, Southampton, and Northampton as still awaiting restoration.

    Residents have been burdened by substantial generator costs, creating mounting pressure on local representatives. Williams acknowledged the growing frustration among constituents, emphasizing that any delay beyond the end of January would be “disheartening.”

    The closed-door negotiations occur against the backdrop of national restoration statistics presented to Parliament by Energy Minister Daryl Vaz. According to official figures, 491,000 of the original 542,000 customers who lost power during the October 28, 2025 hurricane have been reconnected, representing approximately 92-93% national restoration. However, the remaining 51,000 disconnected customers are concentrated in hard-hit regions like St Elizabeth, where infrastructure damage was most severe.

  • Chutney Soca Monarch semi-finals head to Port of Spain for the first time

    Chutney Soca Monarch semi-finals head to Port of Spain for the first time

    The Chutney Soca Monarch competition enters a new era as organizers announce the semi-final round will be held at Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain for the first time in its history. This landmark change for Carnival 2026 marks a significant departure from previous editions, bringing the preliminary competition to the nation’s capital on January 30th.

    Three-time champion KI Persad makes a highly anticipated return after a decade-long absence, seeking an unprecedented fourth title in the competition. The veteran performer joins 32 other qualified artists who will compete for a spot in the February 8th finals at Skinner Park in San Fernando.

    Defending champion Machel Montano, who captured the 2025 crown with his collaborative hit ‘Pepper Vine’ featuring chutney legend Drupatee Ramgoonai and Lady Lava, will return to protect his title. However, 2025 CSM Queen Reshma Ramlal (Warrior Princess) has announced she will not defend her crown, expressing gratitude for her previous victory alongside Montano.

    Organizers Southex implemented a revamped selection process this year, conducting live in-person screenings at GM Labs with documented proceedings that will feature in a 30-minute finals preview. The competition roster includes notable qualifiers such as 2023 winner Ricardo ‘Daddy Chinee’ Melville, top female artists Rasika Dindial and Lady Lava, and a reserved wildcard entry that brings the total semi-final competitors to 34 artists.

    The event enjoys substantial sponsorship support from the National Carnival Commission, Guardian Media Network, and multiple beverage brands, with free admission offered to the public for the semi-final round at Flava Food Village.

  • No defensive driving certification needed for under 25s

    No defensive driving certification needed for under 25s

    The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has officially refuted circulating social media allegations suggesting that drivers under age 25 face substantial penalties for lacking defensive driving certification. In an official statement dated January 14, the ministry clarified that no such regulatory framework exists within Trinidad and Tobago’s legal system.

    Contrary to viral online misinformation, the ministry emphasized that neither the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act nor any subsidiary legislation contains provisions mandating defensive driving courses as a prerequisite for insurance acquisition or retention for young motorists. The purported $10,000 penalty for non-compliance was categorically dismissed as baseless speculation without legal foundation.

    Authorities have issued renewed calls for public vigilance against digital misinformation, urging citizens to consult exclusively official government communication channels for verified information regarding transportation policies and regulatory requirements. This incident highlights ongoing challenges governments face in combating the rapid spread of unverified claims through social media platforms, particularly those involving financial penalties that could cause unnecessary public concern.

  • Bank chief slams Davis over ‘uninformed’ food vat removal

    Bank chief slams Davis over ‘uninformed’ food vat removal

    A leading Bahamian banking executive has launched a scathing critique of the government’s recent decision to eliminate Value-Added Tax (VAT) on unprepared grocery items, characterizing the policy shift as a politically motivated maneuver that jeopardizes fiscal stability. Gowon Bowe, Chairman of the Clearing Banks Association and CEO of Fidelity Bank, denounced the move as “an uninformed and understudied exercise” that prioritizes popular appeal over economic responsibility.

    Bowe challenged the policy’s fundamental design, highlighting its failure to target relief toward lower-income households. He noted that high-income earners would receive identical tax benefits as those most severely impacted by rising living costs, describing the approach as a crude “hacksaw” solution rather than a precision “scalpel.” The banking executive questioned the policy’s consistency with the Davis administration’s previous criticisms of VAT exemptions under the prior government, which international financial institutions had found to reduce revenue collection efficiency while increasing administrative burdens.

    The financial expert raised concerns about inevitable revenue shortfalls, warning that the government would eventually need to recover lost funds through alternative tax measures. He characterized taxation as a “zero-sum game” where exemptions in one sector necessitate increases elsewhere. Bowe particularly criticized the timing alongside the reintroduction of the RISE program, which effectively increases Social Security contributions through tax collection rebalancing.

    Regarding practical impact, Bowe calculated that a $100 grocery bill would only yield a $10 saving from VAT removal—a marginal benefit that fails to offset escalating costs in fuel, utilities, and other essential services. He argued that true economic relief requires targeted measures rather than broad-based tax cuts that provide negligible assistance to those experiencing severe financial strain.

    The banking chairman concluded that the decision exemplified a pattern of policy-making through “popular vote rather than studied analysis,” undermining The Bahamas’ post-COVID economic recovery and long-term growth prospects. He urged policymakers to focus on consolidating economic gains rather than distributing them prematurely through fiscally irresponsible measures.

  • Auditor General’s UHWI findings confirm ministerial oversight failure — Dr Dawes

    Auditor General’s UHWI findings confirm ministerial oversight failure — Dr Dawes

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A damning report from Jamaica’s Auditor General has uncovered severe procurement breaches and misuse of tax-exempt status at the University Hospital of the West Indies, revealing systemic governance failures within the nation’s public health system that have cost taxpayers millions.

    Opposition Health and Wellness spokesperson Dr. Alfred Dawes has declared the findings confirm a persistent pattern of administrative negligence and failed oversight. “For more than a year, I have consistently raised concerns about procurement practices across the Ministry of Health and Wellness and its agencies,” stated Dr. Dawes on Wednesday. “Each time, those warnings were dismissed, with the minister assuring the country that systems were sound. The Auditor General has now confirmed this was untrue.”

    The audit revealed that hundreds of millions of dollars were committed without basic documentation, directly contradicting repeated public assurances from Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton that procurement rules were being followed. This follows a familiar pattern of irregularities, including the Integrity Commission’s earlier exposure of an improper $80 million payment to Market Me and the acquisition of a $31 million drill for Bustamante Hospital for Children—a transaction publicly praised by the minister despite its procedural flaws.

    Dr. Dawes dismissed government attempts to attribute these failures to previous administrations as implausible. “This Government has been in office for nearly a decade, with full parliamentary majority and control of the public health system. After three consecutive terms, excuses about inherited weaknesses lack credibility,” he asserted.

    The consequences extend beyond financial waste, directly impacting healthcare delivery. “When procurement systems fail, hospitals go without essential equipment, services deteriorate, healthcare workers are left unsupported, and patients ultimately pay the price,” Dr. Dawes emphasized. “This is how a health system is driven into crisis—not by chance, but by poor governance and failed political oversight.”

    Calling for independent accountability measures, Dr. Dawes stressed that the public cannot trust internal reviews conducted by the same leadership that presided over these failures. “A system cannot credibly investigate itself. A committee appointed by the minister to examine wrongdoing within a system he oversees is like a man on trial choosing his own jury. Jamaicans deserve independent scrutiny, meaningful reform, and accountability that prioritizes patients and public funds.”

  • Police seize gun in Manchester

    Police seize gun in Manchester

    MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Law enforcement authorities in Manchester successfully recovered an illegal firearm during an early morning operation in the Belretiro district on Wednesday. The seizure occurred approximately at 12:30 a.m. following a police intervention targeting suspicious individuals.

    According to Superintendent Carey Duncan, head of the Manchester police division, officers attempted to apprehend two men whose behavior aroused suspicion in the area. The individuals fled upon police approach, initiating a pursuit through the district. Despite the suspects successfully evading capture, law enforcement personnel conducted a thorough search of the immediate vicinity.

    The subsequent inspection yielded significant results: authorities discovered a 9mm semi-automatic pistol equipped with a magazine containing six live rounds of ammunition. The weapon was found abandoned in the area where the suspects had been observed, indicating they may have discarded it during their escape attempt.

    Superintendent Duncan, through an official audio release, confirmed the operational details and emphasized the continued efforts of Jamaican police to remove illegal weapons from circulation. The seizure represents another step in ongoing initiatives to combat gun-related violence and enhance public safety across Manchester parishes.

    Police investigations continue as authorities work to identify and locate the two individuals connected to the firearm.

  • All schools have reopened — Education Ministry

    All schools have reopened — Education Ministry

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s education system has successfully resumed operations across all 1,010 schools nationwide following the disruption caused by Hurricane Melissa. Chief Education Officer Terry-Ann Thomas-Gayle confirmed the comprehensive reopening during a post-Cabinet press briefing held Wednesday.

    The educational restoration encompasses all 446 institutions located within the three regions most affected by the hurricane. These include region three (covering St. Ann and Trelawny parishes), region four (including Hanover, St. James, and Westmoreland), and region five (encompassing Manchester and St. Elizabeth).

    Detailed operational data reveals varied learning modalities across the affected regions. In region three, 109 schools have returned to full face-to-face instruction while 14 institutions have implemented rotational schedules to facilitate recovery efforts. Region four shows 127 schools operating with traditional in-person learning alongside 37 utilizing rotational systems. Region five reports 135 schools conducting normal face-to-face classes with only seven maintaining rotational arrangements.

    Thomas-Gayle emphasized the ministry’s precautionary approach, stating: ‘Our reopening policy prioritized safety above all considerations. We maintained close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness to guarantee that all learning environments met safety standards for operational readiness.’

    The education official acknowledged ongoing challenges, noting that infrastructure repairs, electrical system restoration, power supply continuity, and water tank replacements remain priority areas requiring continued attention from ministry teams.