Carib Scope

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  • Liberty Caribbean: Translate connectivity into prosperity

    Liberty Caribbean: Translate connectivity into prosperity

    At the forefront of Caribbean digital advancement, Liberty Caribbean—the parent company of Flow, Liberty Business, and BTC—has issued a powerful appeal to regional governments, regulators, and industry stakeholders. The telecommunications giant is pushing for a concerted effort to convert the region’s substantial connectivity investments into measurable economic prosperity and social development.

    During her keynote address at CANTO Connect 2026, CEO Inge Smidts presented a strategic framework for leveraging the Caribbean’s digital infrastructure to generate employment, enhance services, and foster scalable innovation. “With connectivity established as our foundational achievement, the critical question we now face is what we intend to build upon this foundation,” Smidts asserted, emphasizing the urgency of concerted action.

    The address, delivered under the conference theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean—From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness,’ outlined three interconnected priorities: grounding technological advancement in Caribbean cultural identity, developing intelligent people-centered networks, and accelerating the transformation of telecommunications providers into technology platforms that generate local opportunities.

    Smidts championed enhanced public-private collaboration models that extend beyond traditional financing to incorporate co-regulation initiatives, regulatory sandboxes, and shared governance structures. She articulated that alignment between governmental vision, industry capability, and academic scrutiny creates the necessary conditions for meaningful impact.

    Liberty Caribbean has committed to facilitating connections between investors and developers, aligning government programs with cloud infrastructure, and expanding apprenticeship pipelines to empower Caribbean entrepreneurs. The company’s JUMP inclusion program exemplifies this approach, combining subsidized access, devices, and entrepreneurial training to support households and microenterprises.

    Recognizing the Caribbean’s vulnerability to natural disasters, Smidts emphasized the life-saving importance of resilient network design. “In a region characterized by hurricane zones, active fault lines, and volcanic activity, connectivity becomes critical infrastructure during emergencies,” she noted, highlighting successful collaborations with satellite providers and governments to restore communications within hours rather than days.

    Specific developments in Trinidad and Tobago were cited as exemplary progress, including the Blueprint Revitalisation Plan, successful billion-dollar bond roadshows, and innovative digital initiatives such as the ANANSI digital assistant, partnerships with UNESCO and UNDP on AI assessment, and collaborative efforts with OpenAI to transform education and public services.

  • Noticiero 5 Semanal Marks One Year of Informing Belize — En Español

    Noticiero 5 Semanal Marks One Year of Informing Belize — En Español

    BELIZE CITY, BELIZE – March 3, 2026 – Noticiero 5 Semanal, Belize’s pioneering Spanish-language television newscast, is commemorating its first anniversary this week after revolutionizing media accessibility for Spanish-speaking communities nationwide. Launched in March 2025 by Greater Belize Media, the program has established itself as an essential information source for Spanish-dominant households across the multicultural nation.

    The weekly broadcast, airing Thursdays at 7:00 p.m., has developed a distinctive format that combines comprehensive national coverage with innovative audience engagement features. Each episode delivers meticulously produced segments covering political developments, community affairs, cultural events, and issues impacting daily life in Belize. The program’s success demonstrates the growing demand for linguistically diverse news content in the Central American nation.

    A signature innovation of Noticiero 5 Semanal is its interactive weekly poll, which invites viewer participation on pressing national issues. The production team collects responses throughout the week and incorporates them into the broadcast, creating an unprecedented platform for Spanish-speaking citizens to contribute to public discourse.

    The program further expands its perspective through ‘Pulso Internacional,’ a dedicated segment examining major regional and global developments that affect Belizean communities. This international coverage provides context and connections beyond national borders.

    Producer Hipolito Novelo expressed both gratitude and ambition regarding the program’s trajectory. ‘The overwhelming acceptance across Belize has been both humbling and motivating,’ Novelo stated. ‘We’ve cultivated viewership beyond our borders and demonstrated that this service addresses a genuine need within the population. Our evolution over these twelve months merely sets the foundation for greater innovation in coming years.’

    Noticiero 5 Semanal has significantly enhanced its digital footprint, expanding social media engagement and attracting younger, digitally-native audiences who primarily consume news through online platforms. This multi-platform approach ensures the program remains relevant amid changing media consumption patterns.

    The anniversary coincides with News Five’s Audience Survey 2026, which invites viewers to shape the future of Belizean media through direct feedback.

  • Health Workers Stage Protest at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre Over Pay, Pension Concerns

    Health Workers Stage Protest at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre Over Pay, Pension Concerns

    Healthcare professionals at Antigua’s Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre initiated industrial action on Tuesday, highlighting systemic grievances that have persisted for up to seventeen years. The demonstration, organized under the guidance of the People’s Union, centered on two primary issues: outstanding pandemic compensation and unresolved pension arrangements for long-serving staff.

    Ralph Potter, President of the People’s Union, confirmed during an on-site interview that employees have exhausted all conventional channels attempting to resolve these matters. According to Potter, hospital management has consistently failed to address concerns that predate the current medical facility’s 2007 opening. The protest culminated in a delegation meeting with administrative officials who committed to elevating these issues to the board of directors.

    The financial grievances include non-payment of a promised $1,000 monthly COVID-19 risk allowance for certain frontline workers, with some staff never receiving these pandemic compensation payments. More critically, pension uncertainties affect employees who transferred from the former Holberton Hospital and other government departments during the medical center’s establishment. With several staff approaching retirement age, the absence of clarity regarding their pension status has created significant anxiety.

    Additionally, workers expressed dissatisfaction with their designated bargaining agent, the Antigua Trades and Labour Union, which they elected over two years ago. Feeling inadequately represented, staff sought intervention from the People’s Union to accelerate resolution of their complaints. Allegations of workplace victimization and preferential treatment within the institution further complicated the dispute.

    Hospital management has not issued any public statement regarding the allegations or the protest action at this time.

  • SVG bracing for higher prices, fewer visitors amidst Middle East war

    SVG bracing for higher prices, fewer visitors amidst Middle East war

    Prime Minister Godwin Friday has issued a stark warning regarding the potential economic repercussions for St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) stemming from the escalating military confrontation between the United States, Israel, and Iran. Speaking at a press briefing in Kingstown, the Prime Minister emphasized that while the physical conflict remains geographically distant, its economic impact will be profoundly felt by the Caribbean nation.

    The recent coordinated strikes by U.S. and Israeli forces targeting Iranian military infrastructure, leadership, and nuclear facilities have triggered a series of retaliatory measures from Iran. These counter-strikes have expanded across the Middle East, affecting numerous countries and resulting in significant military and civilian casualties according to international reports.

    Prime Minister Friday identified two primary areas of concern for SVG’s economy: energy price volatility and imported inflation. He projected a ‘high likelihood of experiencing a severe energy and fuel-cost shock’ within the coming year, which would inevitably affect transportation costs and overall economic activity. As a finance minister, Friday particularly highlighted the vulnerability of SVG’s tourism sector—the nation’s largest foreign exchange earner and fastest-growing economic segment—which faces potential declines in long-haul arrivals and occupancy rates due to increased travel costs and regional instability.

    The government is implementing proactive measures to monitor early warning indicators including freight costs, insurance quotes, and supermarket pricing trends. Drawing parallels to recent economic challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic, the administration is developing contingency plans to address potential supply chain disruptions and scarcity of essential imports, particularly in construction materials and energy supplies. Previous mitigation measures including VAT-free shopping days and social assistance programs may be expanded to counter anticipated cost of living pressures.

    Prime Minister Friday concluded that while SVG cannot control international events, his government remains focused on developing responsive strategies to cushion the nation from global economic shocks arising from the Middle East conflict.

  • City to Take Over Key Highway Sections After Major Upgrades

    City to Take Over Key Highway Sections After Major Upgrades

    The Belize City Council has formally approved a landmark agreement that will transfer jurisdiction of critical highway segments from national to municipal control. This strategic move follows the passage of a motion introduced by Mayor Bernard Wagner during the Council’s October 2024 session, establishing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing (MIDH).

    The transfer encompasses significant portions of the city’s transportation network: the George Price Highway stretching from Faber’s Road roundabout to its convergence with Central American Boulevard; the complete span of Central American Boulevard from that junction to the Princess Margaret Drive ‘flag’ roundabout; and the Philip Goldson Highway section between the flag roundabout and Chetumal Street roundabout.

    Mayor Wagner articulated that this decision resolves longstanding administrative ambiguities regarding maintenance responsibilities for these vital corridors. ‘For years, a jurisdictional grey area has persisted concerning upkeep of medians and adjacent infrastructure,’ Wagner stated. ‘This formalization eliminates uncertainty and establishes clear municipal accountability.’ Deputy Mayor Pollard drew parallels to previous jurisdictional challenges with Cemetery Road, noting the arrangement would place Central American Boulevard entirely under city purview.

    Chief Engineer Evondale Moody provided crucial clarification regarding the implementation timeline, noting that under the Public Roads Act, MIDH currently maintains authority over all highway systems, including urban segments. Moody detailed the existing highway alignment, explaining how the official corridor forms a loop connecting the Save U roundabout with the George Price Highway junction.

    The transfer process will unfold gradually over a three-year period coinciding with comprehensive infrastructure enhancements. Moody confirmed: ‘The Council has agreed to adopt these sections exclusively after MIDH completes necessary upgrading works. The Memorandum will likely be executed upon project conclusion, facilitating the official jurisdiction handover.’

    The motion received unanimous support from council members following thorough deliberation, marking a significant step toward decentralized infrastructure management in Belize’s urban center.

  • Most schools now fully compliant with nutrition policy – education chief

    Most schools now fully compliant with nutrition policy – education chief

    Barbados has achieved remarkable success in implementing its National School Nutrition Policy, with 85% of the island’s 105 public schools now fully compliant with the removal of added-sugar beverages. Chief Education Officer Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw revealed these findings during Monday’s House Estimates hearings, highlighting what she described as a profound cultural transformation in student eating and drinking habits.

    The comprehensive policy, launched in February 2023 to address childhood obesity, applies to both public and private educational institutions and establishes rigorous nutritional standards that prohibit sugary drinks while restricting high-fat and high-salt snacks. The Ministry of Educational Transformation has supported this initiative through specialized training programs for canteen concessionaires and vendors, overcoming initial resistance through collaborative efforts with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados.

    Dr. Archer-Bradshaw emphasized the significant behavioral changes observed, noting that students have consumed over 4.2 million bottles of water through school hydration initiatives. “This represents for us a behavioral change, and we are happy to see this,” she stated, adding that children are now drinking substantially more water.

    Beyond nutritional improvements, the ministry has prioritized physical activity through programs like the Healthy Youth Through Physical Education initiative, which designates specific days for structured movement activities including skipping, jumping jacks, and aerobics. Fourteen major initiatives are planned for the current academic year, including a partnership with the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Athletic Championships that will reward the most active participants.

    The ministry will also enhance vendor training and accelerate the review process for approved alternative snacks, with an updated list scheduled for publication by April’s end to ensure adequate preparation time for the upcoming academic year.

  • Pierre Voices ‘extreme concern’ as nationals caught in Mideast crossfire

    Pierre Voices ‘extreme concern’ as nationals caught in Mideast crossfire

    Saint Lucian citizens residing and working across multiple Middle Eastern nations are confronting warfare realities far beyond their expectations, as military engagements between the United States, Israel and Iran intensify dramatically.

  • NDP govt’s VAT-free day was illegal — Camillo

    NDP govt’s VAT-free day was illegal — Camillo

    In a significant political development, former Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves has characterized the recently implemented VAT-free shopping day as fundamentally illegal. The initiative, executed on December 19 by the newly elected New Democratic Party (NDP) administration, fulfilled a major campaign pledge but has now sparked serious constitutional concerns.

    Gonsalves, who served in the previous Unity Labour Party (ULP) government that held power for 25 years before its electoral defeat in November 2020, articulated his position during an appearance on Star Radio, the ULP’s affiliated station. While emphasizing that his comments represented personal views rather than official party stance, the former minister delivered a detailed legal critique.

    “I am not here to criticize the concept of a VAT-free day itself,” Gonsalves stated, acknowledging the government’s legitimate right to implement campaign promises. “However, I personally consider it more of a political gimmick than substantive help for vulnerable populations, primarily benefiting those with disposable income for major appliance purchases.”

    The core of his argument rests on legal technicalities within the Value Added Tax Act. Gonsalves, leveraging his expertise as a legal professional, emphasized that “nothing in existing legislation authorizes any entity to suspend law arbitrarily. Simply declaring ‘no VAT today’ constitutes a violation of established statute.”

    He proposed the proper legislative pathway would require parliamentary amendment to the VAT Act, specifically granting the Finance Minister authority to suspend VAT collection on specific items for designated periods through official Gazette publication. With the NDP commanding a supermajority of 14 out of 15 parliamentary seats, Gonsalves noted such amendment would face minimal opposition.

    The former minister suggested political convenience motivated bypassing proper legislative channels, as the government sought rapid implementation before Christmas. This approach, he warned, creates “a tension between legal protocol and political sentiment” where “the decision was made at highest levels to ignore the law and legislate from cabinet.”

    Gonsalves expanded his critique to address broader democratic concerns within Caribbean small island states, referencing similar supermajority situations in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and St. Lucia. He cautioned against the regional trend of governing from cabinet rooms rather than through transparent parliamentary processes, emphasizing that “democracies are built on adherence to law, respect for majority, but protection of minority.”

    While reiterating he wasn’t opposing the policy itself, Gonsalves concluded that “ignoring the law is a bad start even if the outcome is politically desirable. We are a country of laws founded on a Constitution, and we cannot bypass them when convenient.”

  • Vendors highlight mounting pressures from rent, taxes and unpredictable spending

    Vendors highlight mounting pressures from rent, taxes and unpredictable spending

    Small enterprises in St. Lucia are confronting an escalating operational crisis characterized by unsustainable overhead costs and unpredictable revenue streams, according to extensive testimonies from local vendors. The fragile island economy presents unique challenges that threaten the survival of passionate entrepreneurs despite apparent market demand.

    Commercial rental expenses emerge as the most significant financial burden, typically ranging from two to five times higher than residential rates. Landlords frequently demand substantial upfront payments including two-to-three-month deposits plus first month’s rent. The fixed nature of these payments creates particular hardship during seasonal downturns such as post-Christmas periods or rainy seasons, with tenants possessing minimal protection against sudden rent increases.

    Taxation and regulatory compliance present additional layers of financial pressure. Business owners must navigate a complex web of mandatory payments including business registration fees, trade licenses, Inland Revenue filings, Value Added Tax (where applicable), National Insurance contributions, import duties, customs service charges, and environmental levies. These fixed costs persist regardless of profitability, creating particular strain during periods of low income.

    Import dependency compounds operational challenges for creative industries and retail sectors. Approximately 98% of materials required by artisans and manufacturers must be imported, subjecting businesses to shipping fees, customs duties, service charges, brokerage fees, port handling costs, and storage charges. In numerous instances, these ancillary fees surpass the actual value of imported goods, forcing vendors to either raise consumer prices or accept diminished profit margins.

    The digital marketplace and periodic events have become essential survival mechanisms for many entrepreneurs. Social media platforms enable product promotion and order generation, while organized events by institutions like CDF, Export Saint Lucia, and the Ministry of Commerce provide crucial sales opportunities. This event-driven revenue model creates unpredictable cash flow patterns, with vendors experiencing extended sales droughts followed by intense demand bursts during cultural celebrations like Independence and Jounen Kweyol.

    Customer spending patterns reflect broader economic pressures on the island. While consumer intention to support local businesses remains strong, practical purchasing power is constrained by high living costs, rising utility expenses, and stagnant wages. The tourism sector provides some relief through souvenir purchases, with visitors often preferring authentic artisan products over mass-market alternatives.

    Beyond financial pressures, business owners face significant personal strain from extended working hours, multifaceted role requirements (including marketing, accounting, and production), and constant pricing justification. Many operators supplement business income with personal savings or secondary employment to maintain operations during cash flow shortages.

    The collective testimony reveals an entrepreneurial ecosystem where passion and product quality are insufficient guarantees against structural economic challenges. Vendors have suggested potential mitigation measures including government concessions on imported materials and enhanced support mechanisms to address the fundamental imbalance between fixed costs and variable revenues.

  • More Manatees Killed in Boat Collisions in Just One Month

    More Manatees Killed in Boat Collisions in Just One Month

    Belizean authorities have issued an urgent plea to maritime operators following a distressing spike in manatee fatalities caused by boat collisions throughout February. The Belize Fisheries Department’s alert comes after the national Marine Mammal Stranding Network documented eight manatee strandings across multiple coastal communities last month.

    Scientific analysis confirmed three adult manatees succumbed to traumatic injuries consistent with high-impact vessel strikes. On February 11th, marine responders recovered an adult female manatee bearing fatal collision wounds in Belize City waters. Mere days later on Valentine’s Day, another adult female was found fatally injured near Hopkins. The pattern continued on February 16th when an adult male manatee was discovered in Belize City with catastrophic injuries attributed to boat propulsion systems.

    Beyond these confirmed cases, two male calves were reported stranded in Consejo Shores and Placencia respectively. While the Placencia calf’s death resulted from perinatal complications, the Consejo Shores incident remains under investigation. Additional strandings involving adult manatees occurred in Gales Point and Corozal, with another male calf reported in Gales Point—all currently undergoing forensic examination.

    The Greater Caribbean manatee enjoys absolute legal protection under Belizean wildlife statutes. Legislation explicitly prohibits harming, harassing, or killing these marine mammals, with violations carrying substantial financial penalties and potential criminal prosecution.

    Marine biologists emphasize that vessel collisions represent the most significant anthropogenic threat to manatee populations, particularly in shallow coastal ecosystems where these herbivores frequent seagrass beds and nursery areas. The Fisheries Department has intensified calls for mariners to reduce speeds in designated manatee protection zones, rigorously observe no-wake ordinances, and maintain vigilant watch in critical habitats including Corozal Bay, Belize City harbors, Gales Point lagoons, and the Placencia peninsula estuary network.