Carib Scope

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  • Penny disappointed with Govt’s response

    Penny disappointed with Govt’s response

    In the wake of two powerful earthquakes that rocked central Venezuela last Wednesday, collapsing structures across the capital Caracas and driving up a growing death toll, Trinidad and Tobago’s Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles has publicly voiced deep disappointment over the ruling government’s response to the unfolding humanitarian crisis.

    Speaking at a press briefing hosted by the People’s National Movement (PNM) at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Port of Spain on Thursday, Beckles issued sharp criticism of an official statement released by the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs, labeling the document “insensitive” and openly questioning whether any senior official had reviewed and vetted the communication before it was made public.

    The Opposition Leader extended formal condolences to the affected people and government of Venezuela, emphasizing that the death toll continues to climb as rescue teams pull more victims from the rubble of destroyed buildings. She stressed that moments of international humanitarian crisis demand a response rooted in compassion, solidarity, and clear leadership – standards she said the government’s current statement failed to meet.

    Beckles argued that the ruling administration should have laid out the specific details of any assistance Trinidad and Tobago planned to offer to Venezuela immediately after the disaster, rather than releasing a vague, generic statement. She pointed out that other nations across the globe have already extended clear, direct offers of concrete aid to Venezuela, noting that as one of Venezuela’s closest geographic neighbors with a permanent diplomatic mission already operating in Caracas, Trinidad and Tobago is uniquely positioned to offer timely, meaningful support.

    She called on the government to move beyond generic words of sympathy and immediately publish a transparent outline of the practical assistance the country is prepared to deploy to help Venezuela respond to the disaster and support its recovery efforts.

  • Ramsukul pleit voor invoering Starlink en versnelling digitale transformatie

    Ramsukul pleit voor invoering Starlink en versnelling digitale transformatie

    Speaking during parliamentary budget deliberations in Suriname, ruling VHP party lawmaker Kishan Ramsukul has issued a urgent call for the South American nation to dramatically speed up its digital transformation efforts, warning that the country cannot afford to fall further behind regional and global peers.

    Ramsukul centered a key part of his address on pushing for the rapid regulatory approval of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service, pushing back against a common local misconception that the service would directly compete with state-owned telecom provider Telesur. He emphasized that Starlink’s core purpose is to deliver connectivity to remote and inland regions of Suriname where traditional terrestrial telecom infrastructure has failed to deliver reliable or sufficient coverage. By filling this coverage gap, the MP argued, Starlink would unlock new economic opportunities for marginalized inland communities and help bridge the country’s digital divide. He urged the Surinamese government to finalize all necessary legislation and regulatory frameworks without delay to bring Starlink online, allowing Suriname to join the dozens of countries that already offer the service to users.

    Beyond satellite internet, Ramsukul also voiced sharp criticism of the slow digital progress in Suriname’s banking sector, noting that both ordinary citizens and local business owners face daily disruptions from outdated financial infrastructure. He pointed to unnecessarily long processing times for interbank transfers and the limited availability of modern digital payment options as persistent pain points holding back economic activity. The lawmaker called for urgent upgrades to the sector, including the rollout of instant bank transfers, modern unified digital payment platforms, and streamlined electronic payment processing systems. “Digitalization is no longer a luxury for our financial sector—it is an absolute necessity, and our institutions must keep up with global developments,” Ramsukul stated.

    Ramsukul also pushed for broader digitalization of Suriname’s public administration, outlining a series of practical reforms including the introduction of official digital driver’s licenses, a major expansion of online government service portals, and the simplification of bureaucratic administrative processes. He explained that expanding digital public services would not only cut red tape and save valuable time for residents and businesses, but also improve government transparency, increase operational efficiency, and create a more attractive investment climate for foreign and domestic companies.
    “If Suriname wants to develop into a competitive, modern economy, we must first build a modern digital infrastructure to support that growth,” Ramsukul told the National Assembly. Digital transformation, he emphasized, is now an indispensable foundation for broad economic growth, increased foreign direct investment, and inclusive development across all regions of the country.

  • Antigua And Barbuda Tops Best Honeymoon Destinations In The Caribbean Listing By Caribbean Journal

    Antigua And Barbuda Tops Best Honeymoon Destinations In The Caribbean Listing By Caribbean Journal

    For couples planning their post-wedding getaway, few places in the world can compete with the romantic appeal of Antigua and Barbuda. This twin-island Caribbean nation has curated a landscape of love that caters to every type of couple, from pairs craving grand, all-inclusive celebrations to those seeking quiet, sequestered luxury far from the crowds. What sets the destination apart above all else is its iconic natural offering: 365 pristine beaches, giving visiting couples a new private stretch of golden sand to explore for every day of their stay.

    The region’s adults-only all-inclusive resort scene is widely considered the best in the Caribbean, setting a high bar for laid-back barefoot luxury that other destinations struggle to match. Leading the pack of couple-focused retreats are Hammock Cove and Hermitage Bay, two intimate all-suite properties designed almost exclusively with pairs in mind, prioritizing privacy and shared connection over crowded common spaces.

    For couples who want to take seclusion up a notch, Jumby Bay offers an elevated experience spread across its own private island, accessible only by boat. Here, guests leave behind rigid schedules, room keys and the noise of daily life, trading them for unspoiled white shorelines and total peaceful silence.

    On the other end of the spectrum for active couples who want more than just relaxation, St. James’s Club anchors Antigua’s southeastern coast with a lively, energetic vibe. The resort offers no shortage of on-demand activities, including the increasingly popular game of pickleball, for pairs who want to stay moving during their trip.

    When it comes to pure high-end luxury, two properties stand out. Hodges Bay brings a sleek, modern sophistication to Antigua’s north shore, even featuring an outpost of the acclaimed Japanese restaurant Katsuya for food-loving couples. Meanwhile, Carlisle Bay remains one of the Caribbean’s most understatedly refined retreats, with low-key luxury that lets the natural beauty of the island take center stage.

    Across every style and budget, Antigua and Barbuda fills a rare niche for honeymooners: it is a destination that lets each couple customize their experience to match their ideal romantic vibe, whether they want a bustling, celebratory trip full of new experiences or a secluded getaway where they barely leave their room together. This article is an excerpt from a larger feature ranking the 10 best Caribbean honeymoon destinations to visit right now.

  • ABHTA Trains Hospitality Professionals in Kitchen Management and Leadership

    ABHTA Trains Hospitality Professionals in Kitchen Management and Leadership

    Antigua and Barbuda’s leading tourism industry body has marked a major milestone in workforce development for the local hospitality sector, closing out its second annual professional training program focused on elevating kitchen operations and leadership for culinary teams across the islands.

    The Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA) wrapped its 2024 iteration of *Kitchen Management Essentials: People, Systems & Service*, a two-day intensive training held June 17–18 at the Muriel O’Mard Campus. The program brought together culinary professionals from a wide range of local hotels, restaurants, and hospitality outlets, all aiming to refine their core management capabilities that underpin smooth, profitable kitchen operations.

    Led by Olvanah Richardson, Executive Sous Chef at Antigua’s renowned Blue Waters Hotel, the curriculum covered a comprehensive set of high-priority topics for modern kitchen management. Sessions delved into foundational team leadership strategies, rigorous food safety protocols, efficient inventory tracking and management, accurate food costing to protect profit margins, practical waste reduction techniques that cut costs and support sustainability, and consistent execution of high-quality customer service standards.

    At the conclusion of the program, all participants who completed the full training received official certificates, celebrating both their successful mastery of new skills and their ongoing commitment to continuous professional growth within the hospitality sector. For many attendees, the training fills a critical gap between hands-on culinary experience and the management expertise needed to advance into senior kitchen leadership roles.

    Looking ahead, ABHTA has already announced its next targeted professional development initiative for local hospitality workers: the *Supervisory Management Development Course*, scheduled to run from September 10 to October 15, 2026. The association confirmed that interested hospitality professionals can reach out directly to ABHTA’s administrative team for full details on curriculum, eligibility, and registration for the upcoming course.

    Industry observers note that ongoing workforce training initiatives like these play a key role in strengthening Antigua and Barbuda’s competitive position in the global luxury travel market, by ensuring local hospitality teams maintain the high standards of service and operational efficiency that international travelers expect.

  • Massale vissterfte in Moeroekreek: NMA start onderzoek

    Massale vissterfte in Moeroekreek: NMA start onderzoek

    On June 26, Suriname’s National Environmental Authority (NMA) issued an urgent public warning banning local residents from catching, consuming, or selling fish caught from the Moeroekreek waterway in Saramacca District, following the discovery of a widespread unexplained mass fish die-off in the region.

    The alert was triggered after reports of dead and dying fish came from communities near the upper reaches of the Saramacca River, where the Moeroekreek is located, just a short distance from the Indigenous village of Pikin Saron. The NMA has confirmed it holds serious suspicions that an as-yet unidentified toxic contaminant has entered the water system, and has launched a high-priority joint investigation alongside other relevant government agencies to pinpoint the source and nature of the pollution.

    Environmental officials also warned that the suspected contamination is likely moving downstream with the current, spreading northward along the Saramacca River. As a precaution, residents of all riverbank communities along this stretch of the waterway have been urged to heighten their vigilance and follow strict safety guidance while investigation results are pending.

    The NMA outlined four key public safety recommendations for all residents in the affected area: First, avoid catching, eating, or selling any dead or sick fish harvested from the region. Second, do not use water from Moeroekreek or its immediate surrounding tributaries for drinking, food preparation, or any other household purposes for the time being. Third, limit unnecessary direct contact with the water as much as possible to reduce potential exposure risks. Fourth, report any new cases of mass fish mortality immediately to the district commissioner or other competent local authorities.

    The authority emphasized that the investigation into the incident is being treated as a top public health and environmental priority. It confirmed that once more information becomes available about the root cause of the die-off and potential risks to human health and local ecosystems, the affected communities and general public will receive timely, full updates.

  • More Companies to Pay Windfall Tax Under New Government Policy

    More Companies to Pay Windfall Tax Under New Government Policy

    The government of Antigua and Barbuda has formally given the green light to a key policy change that expands the country’s existing windfall profits tax to a much broader group of businesses, with all new revenue generated by the adjustment earmarked exclusively for the government’s popular free tertiary education initiative.

    The confirmation of the final decision came during a post-Cabinet press briefing held on Thursday, where Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant addressed lingering questions from reporters about whether the tax would be expanded beyond its original narrower scope.

    Merchant made clear that the policy adjustment has already secured full Cabinet approval, laying out that the expanded levy will apply to every profit-generating company operating across Antigua and Barbuda that crosses the threshold of 1 million Eastern Caribbean dollars in annual profits. When clarifying the scope of the new rule, he emphasized: “All companies within Antigua and Barbuda who make a million plus dollars, they would be required to pay that tax—on profits, that is.”

    Unlike generic windfall taxes often introduced to address sudden excess profits, this expansion is explicitly designed to build a stable, long-term funding stream for the administration’s flagship free post-secondary education program. That funding will cover a range of education costs, including tuition support for local students enrolled at the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, one of the country’s main tertiary education institutions.

    Before the tax can go into effect, the government must first pass necessary amendments to existing national legislation through the country’s Parliament. Merchant confirmed that this is the only major procedural step remaining before the policy can be implemented.

    Thursday’s formal confirmation of the plan aligns with earlier public comments from Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who first signaled the administration’s intent to broaden the windfall tax as a way to lock in sustainable long-term financing for the free tertiary education program. With the Cabinet having now signed off on the final decision, the process of advancing the required legislative changes through Parliament is expected to move forward in the coming weeks.

  • Venezuela: Dodental blijft stijgen na zware aardbevingen, internationale hulp op gang

    Venezuela: Dodental blijft stijgen na zware aardbevingen, internationale hulp op gang

    On Wednesday evening, a pair of powerful back-to-back earthquakes struck northern Venezuela, leaving a devastating trail of destruction and loss of life that has put the already crisis-battered nation to an extreme test. As of the latest official update from Venezuelan Health Minister Carlos Alvarado, the confirmed death toll has climbed to 235. Speaking in an interview with state television, Alvarado confirmed that local hospitals received 235 people who arrived with no vital signs or succumbed to their injuries shortly after admission. Rescue teams are currently working around the clock in dangerous, rubble-strewn conditions to locate any remaining survivors trapped under collapsed structures.

    Geological data confirms that the two tremors hit within one minute of each other: an initial 7.2-magnitude foreshock followed immediately by a 7.5-magnitude main shock, the most powerful seismic event to hit Venezuela in more than a century. The epicenter was located off the country’s northern Caribbean coast, with the worst damage concentrated in the coastal state of La Guaira, which authorities have formally declared a disaster zone. Dozens of buildings across the state have collapsed, including the well-known Hotel Eduard. Damage has also been reported in the capital city of Caracas and at the country’s main international airport, disrupting travel and logistical operations.

    The disaster comes at an extraordinarily vulnerable moment for Venezuela, whose economy has already been crippled by years of deep recession, hyperinflation, and long-running U.S. and international sanctions. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that total economic damage from the earthquakes could reach as high as 7% of Venezuela’s annual gross domestic product, equivalent to more than $7.5 billion. A major point of concern for humanitarian groups is whether existing international sanctions will block or slow the delivery of life-saving aid to affected communities. Experts from the Center for Economic and Policy Research and other research institutions warn that current financial restrictions and complex bureaucratic requirements make it extremely difficult for donors and aid organizations to move funds and emergency supplies into the country.

    Despite these structural barriers, an international humanitarian response has mobilized rapidly in the aftermath of the quakes. The United States, which has recently pursued diplomatic rapprochement with the interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez, has committed to deploy search-and-rescue teams, medical supplies, and general humanitarian aid. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed this support during a phone call with Rodríguez. Beyond the U.S., a wide range of nations have pledged support: Canada is contributing $3.5 million in initial emergency aid, Mexico is sending specialized medical and rescue personnel, Brazil is delivering more than 9 tons of emergency equipment including a field hospital and water purification systems, and Cuban medical personnel already based in Venezuela have been reassigned to support disaster response efforts. Iran, Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands and dozens of other countries have also pledged to send rescue teams, emergency equipment, or financial support. The International Monetary Fund has also announced it is working with Venezuelan authorities to support a $200 million reconstruction fund for long-term recovery.

    In a notable policy shift prompted by the emergency, the Venezuelan government has partially lifted a nearly two-year-long block on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). According to VE Sin Filtro, a local digital freedom watchdog, multiple internet service providers have restored access to the platform, though slow loading times for images and video remain common. Andres Azpurua, director of VE Sin Filtro, noted that the government relaxed restrictions under pressure from the public and the U.S. Embassy, after authorities recognized that open access to information is critical during a large-scale disaster. Most independent news websites remain blocked across the country, however.

  • Antigua and Barbuda nominated for Caribbean’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destination 2026

    Antigua and Barbuda nominated for Caribbean’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destination 2026

    Building on a successful 2025 victory in the same global competition, Antigua and Barbuda has earned a second consecutive nomination for the coveted title of Caribbean’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destination 2026 from the World Culinary Awards, cementing its growing reputation as a rising global food tourism hotspot.

    This latest nomination places the twin-island Caribbean nation alongside a select group of international destinations recognized by the World Culary Awards for their expanding culinary appeal, unwavering commitment to culinary excellence, deliberate innovation, and dedication to delivering authentic, culture-forward dining experiences. The award category specifically highlights destinations that have strategically leveraged local food culture as a core driver of tourism, drawing international travelers who prioritize unique, culturally immersive culinary adventures over generic dining experiences.

    Shermain Jeremey, lead for Antigua and Barbuda Culinary Month at the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, emphasized the significance of the repeat nomination for the destination. “As Antigua and Barbuda continues to elevate and expand its culinary tourism product, this nomination reinforces our position as a must-visit destination for food lovers worldwide,” Jeremey said.

    She added that a second consecutive win would carry meaningful weight for the nation’s culinary identity: “To win this award for a second year would signal that the destination is not only offering high-quality cuisine but is also developing a strong culinary identity rooted in local culture, traditions, and creativity.”

    Public voting for the 2026 World Culinary Awards officially opened on June 25 and will remain open to voters globally through August 14, 2026.

    Media inquiries about the nomination and Antigua and Barbuda’s culinary tourism initiatives can be directed to Maria Blackman or Kayla Christian, both representatives of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority.

  • Four CARICOM Economies Earned More From the World Than They Spent in 2025

    Four CARICOM Economies Earned More From the World Than They Spent in 2025

    New 2025 economic data compiled from the International Monetary Fund’s April 2026 World Economic Outlook shows a stark divide across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) bloc: just four of its 14 member states recorded current account surpluses, meaning they earned more revenue from global markets and cross-border transactions than they spent on foreign goods, services and transfers. The remaining ten nations ran sustained current account deficits, a pattern that has become the norm for most small, open economies in the region. For context, a country’s current account balance aggregates the total value of its exports of goods and services, cross-border income flows such as remittances, and subtracts total spending on imports and outgoing international transfers. A surplus signals a net positive inflow of foreign currency, while a deficit means the country spends more abroad than it brings in.

    Among the four surplus economies, Guyana stands out as the clear leader, posting a current account surplus equal to 12.9% of its total gross domestic product, fueled almost entirely by booming crude oil exports that have transformed the small Caribbean nation’s economic profile in recent years. Next in line is Trinidad and Tobago, another regional energy powerhouse, which recorded a smaller but still solid surplus of 3.1% of GDP, driven by its long-standing oil and natural gas export sectors. The two remaining surpluses are far more modest, and rely on very different economic drivers: Haiti’s surplus comes almost exclusively from remittances sent home by Haitians living and working abroad, while Jamaica’s surplus is supported by a combination of remittances and international tourism revenue.

    For the other ten CARICOM members, current account deficits are the status quo, with the gaps between foreign earnings and spending covered by a mix of international tourism receipts and foreign direct investment. Belize recorded the smallest deficit among the group, at just 3.5% of GDP, a relatively manageable gap for the small tourism-dependent economy. At the opposite end of the spectrum, two nations posted extremely deep deficits: Dominica recorded a deficit equal to 38% of GDP, while Suriname’s deficit hit 53% of GDP. Importantly, CARISTATS notes these large deficits do not signal economic distress in either country: both stems from heavy capital spending on imported infrastructure and energy development equipment, financed by large inflows of foreign capital that offset the current account gap.

    The overall trend underscores a long-standing structural divide across the CARICOM bloc: the only economies that consistently earn more from the world than they spend are those with abundant energy reserves to export or those that rely heavily on remittances from overseas workers, while the majority of member states, most of which depend on tourism as their primary foreign exchange earner, continue to import more goods and services than they generate from international activity. This data release comes from independent regional statistics project CARISTATS, which publishes its economic analysis for free to the public. The organization has called for voluntary future subscription pledges from readers who value its work, with no charges applied until payment systems are formally activated.

  • Regering houdt vast aan standpunt over Tigri na ophef rond kaart op SEOGS

    Regering houdt vast aan standpunt over Tigri na ophef rond kaart op SEOGS

    A diplomatic row over a displayed map at a major Surinamese energy conference has put the long-running Tigri territorial dispute back in the spotlight, with Suriname’s vice president reaffirming the country’s long-held position while committing to peaceful negotiations with neighboring Guyana.

    Speaking Thursday during budget debates in Suriname’s National Assembly, Vice President Gregory Rusland addressed questions from ruling VHP party legislator Mahinder Jogi, who pressed for government clarity following cross-border criticism of the map shown at the 2026 Suriname Energy, Oil & Gas Summit (SEOGS). Guyanese parties had raised formal objections to the map’s depiction of the contested Tigri region, prompting Jogi’s request for details on what concrete actions Suriname’s administration had taken in response.

    Rusland confirmed that the Surinamese government has reviewed statements from multiple Guyanese private sector organizations regarding the map presented at SEOGS 2026. He stressed that the government maintains its long-standing, unchanged position on the disputed border region. At the same time, Rusland emphasized that Suriname remains committed to building positive, constructive ties with Guyana, rooted in the principles of mutual respect, good neighborly relations and peaceful diplomatic dialogue.

    The vice president pushed back against framing the energy summit as a stage for territorial tensions, noting that SEOGS functions as an international platform designed to drive investment, innovation and cross-border collaboration in the energy sector, not to advance political or territorial disputes. He acknowledged that maps including contested border areas can lead to diverging interpretations, but reiterated that such disagreements should only be resolved through official diplomatic channels, not public controversy.

    “Suriname attaches great importance to expanding cooperation with Guyana across energy, trade, infrastructure and regional development. This cooperation must continue to grow in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect,” Rusland added. His comments echo earlier statements from Foreign Minister Melvin Bouva, who had previously confirmed that Suriname’s position on Tigri is unambiguous and that the country has already taken official diplomatic action with Guyana regarding the dispute.

    Opposition NDP legislator Ebu Jones, a former Surinamese ambassador to Guyana, voiced full support for the government’s response. Jones drew on his own diplomatic experience, recalling that he had personally filed a formal protest during an official meeting when an incorrect map of Suriname was presented by the other side. He noted that it is standard diplomatic practice for nations to issue protests when they disagree with a map or territorial stance, acknowledging that Guyana has a right to voice its objections.

    “That Guyana protests is their right. But that does not change our position,” Jones said, reaffirming that Suriname’s territorial claim remains unaltered. “Tigri belongs to Suriname, and Tigri will remain Suriname’s.”

    Despite the vice president’s explanation, Jogi said he accepted the government’s commitment to positive bilateral relations but argued that his core question about specific diplomatic steps Suriname has taken in response to the map controversy remains unanswered.