Carib Scope

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  • MUB Points Finger At Belize Team over Tikal Backlash

    MUB Points Finger At Belize Team over Tikal Backlash

    The 2026 Miss Universe Belize pageant has found itself at the center of widespread public outrage after a major cultural misstep during a segment dedicated to celebrating Belizean national heritage. What was meant to be a moment to highlight the Central American nation’s unique cultural legacy instead drew intense criticism when an image of Tikal, Guatemala’s most famous pre-Columbian archaeological site, was featured prominently on broadcast screens.

    In an official statement released on Tuesday, the Miss Universe Belize (MUB) organization broke its silence on the controversy, placing full responsibility for the error on the local Belizean production team contracted to handle all visual elements for the event. “We were equally surprised to see Tikal appear on screen during that heritage segment,” the organization noted, confirming that every graphic, design and piece of artwork used throughout the competition was curated and selected exclusively by the local Belizean production professionals. MUB has declined to release the name of the specific team or private agency tasked with the visual production work, leaving questions about accountability still unanswered for many viewers.

    The Tikal blunder is not the only misstep to plague this year’s pageant, which marks the first edition under new ownership by an El Salvador-based company. National Director Destiny Wagner, who was appointed to her role just seven weeks before the August 15 grand finale, previously addressed a separate error in a Monday Facebook post. During the final elimination round, hosts incorrectly announced a Top Six semifinalist group instead of the planned Top Five, creating widespread confusion among both contestants and audiences. Wagner issued a formal apology for that mistake, saying “It should not have happened, and I sincerely apologize to the delegates and everyone watching who was understandably confused.”

    Wagner explained that the string of production errors – which also included a disruptions during the competition’s question-and-answer round – stem directly from the extremely compressed seven-week timeline the organizing team was forced to work within. From her appointment on June 26 to the live grand finale, the team had to rush to put every element of the event together, leaving little room for error checking or revisions. “Was everything perfect? No! We are learning. We are growing. We are adapting,” Wagner said in her statement, framing the mistakes as growing pains for the newly restructured organization.

    Moving forward, MUB has pledged to implement stricter international standards for both production quality and competition scoring in future pageants to prevent similar missteps. The organization emphasized that the missteps from this year’s event will serve as important lessons to strengthen the pageant program long-term. Now, MUB is calling on the Belizean public to set aside the controversy and rally behind the newly crowned titleholder, Caleigh-Rose West, who will go on to represent Belize at the upcoming international Miss Universe competition. “It is in your hands, and in the hands of all Belizeans, to speak positively about Belize and about what we want to project to the world through our worthy representative,” the organization’s statement concluded.

  • Antigua Cruise Port Nominated for Caribbean’s Best Cruise Terminal 2026

    Antigua Cruise Port Nominated for Caribbean’s Best Cruise Terminal 2026

    Antigua and Barbuda’s cruise tourism sector has reached a notable new milestone, with Antigua Cruise Port (ACP) earning a nomination for Caribbean’s Best Cruise Terminal at the 2026 World Cruise Awards, and the twin-island nation picking up a second nod for Caribbean’s Best Cruise Destination 2026. This dual recognition arrives as the country wraps up years of targeted upgrades to its cruise offerings, marking a key milestone in its ongoing transformation into a leading regional cruise hub.

    The nominations are the direct outcome of a multi-year public-private partnership between the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and Global Ports Holding (GPH), which has poured strategic investment into expanding port infrastructure and elevating the overall visitor experience. Since GPH took over port operations in 2019, ACP has steadily boosted the destination’s overall capacity and competitive standing in the fast-growing Caribbean cruise market.

    Core infrastructure upgrades include the construction of a fifth berth, a game-changing expansion that allows the port to accommodate the world’s largest modern cruise vessels, which were previously unable to dock at the facility. Complementing this marine expansion is the ongoing Upland Development Project, a wide-ranging initiative to improve landside visitor amenities that is on track to wrap up by fall 2026.

    A landmark achievement came earlier this year in January 2026, when ACP officially unveiled its custom-built new cruise terminal. Spanning more than 10,000 square feet, the purpose-built facility adds dedicated space for streamlined passenger processing and turnaround operations, directly supporting the country’s long-term goal of establishing Antigua and Barbuda as a premier homeporting gateway in the Caribbean. Homeporting allows cruise lines to base their operations out of a destination, bringing greater economic benefits through longer visitor stays and increased local spending.

    In comments on the nomination, Gasper George, General Manager of Antigua Cruise Port, emphasized that the honor extends far beyond new concrete and expanded facilities. “This nomination represents more than the physical infrastructure at the port,” George explained. “It recognizes an evolving cruise experience supported by the people who bring it to life every day – from the Antigua Cruise Port team to taxi drivers, tour guides, vendors, merchants, restaurants, attractions and other tourism partners across the country.”

    The dual nomination for both the port and the broader destination highlights the full value chain of Antigua and Barbuda’s cruise offering: it celebrates both the world-class gateway that welcomes hundreds of thousands of cruise visitors annually, and the one-of-a-kind experiences that await visitors once they step ashore. From powdery white-sand beaches and centuries of rich cultural history to vibrant local cuisine and the famously warm hospitality of the islands’ residents, every element of the visitor journey has been recognized by the World Cruise Awards nominations.

    Public voting for the awards closes on Friday, August 21, 2026. Port leaders are encouraging anyone who has visited Antigua Cruise Port or experienced the destination’s cruise offerings to cast a vote online to support the country’s ongoing work to grow its tourism sector and raise the bar for service quality. “We encourage all who have experienced Antigua Cruise Port to show their support in our commitment to growth and service, as we continue to elevate the destination and cruise tourism product,” the ACP team said. “Let’s show the world why Antigua and Barbuda deserves to be recognized among the Caribbean’s very best.”

  • DYEC Talent Hunt 2026 to showcase young Dominican talent

    DYEC Talent Hunt 2026 to showcase young Dominican talent

    A promising new initiative centered on nurturing young Dominican talent is set to kick off later this month, as the Dominica Young Entrepreneurs Club (DYEC) reaches out to the local community for broad public support. The organization’s upcoming flagship event, Talent Hunt 2026, is crafted specifically to create a accessible, high-energy stage for young people to display their unique skills, original creative visions, and long-term personal and professional aspirations.

    In an official press announcement shared by DYEC, the event will feature a dynamic lineup of performances spanning multiple art forms, from soulful music and high-energy dance to side-splitting comedy and other crowd-pleasing entertainment genres. Alongside emerging young contestants, established local entertainers and community performance groups—including the well-known Sisserou Singers—will also take the stage to add to the event’s festive atmosphere. A curated panel of experienced judges will evaluate contestants throughout the showcase, providing valuable feedback and recognition for standout acts.

    This annual talent showcase is far more than a one-night entertainment event, DYEC leadership emphasizes: it is a core reflection of the organization’s long-standing mission to drive holistic youth development across the island. All of DYEC’s work is guided by the foundational belief that “The Youth Is Our Greatest Investment,” a principle that shapes every program and initiative the club runs.

    Beyond spotlighting young talent, Talent Hunt 2026 serves a critical fundraising purpose for DYEC’s ongoing community programs. These ongoing initiatives provide vulnerable and aspiring young people across Dominica with a comprehensive suite of support, including one-on-one mentorship, professional skills training, entrepreneurial capacity building, strategic business guidance, and targeted psychosocial assistance—with a particular focus on supporting at-risk youth populations.

    Event organizers explain that all proceeds from ticket sales and community donations will go directly toward sustaining and expanding these impactful programs, while also giving competing young people a chance to gain valuable public exposure, receive encouragement for their craft, and connect with community supporters invested in their success.

    “Purchasing a ticket to Talent Hunt 2026 means you’re doing far more than reserving a spot for an entertaining night out,” organizers shared in their statement. “You’re directly contributing to a movement that builds pathways to opportunity, nurtures untapped young potential, and invests in the long-term development of the next generation of Dominica’s leaders and creators.”

    DYEC is encouraging community members of all ages to attend the event with family and friends, turn out to cheer on the competing young contestants, and add their support to this island-wide effort to lift up local youth.

    Mark your calendars: DYEC Talent Hunt 2026 is scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 22, 2026, beginning at 5:00 PM at The Factory, located on Valley Road in Roseau.

  • Minstens 30 doden bij instorting goudmijn in Centraal-Afrikaanse Republiek

    Minstens 30 doden bij instorting goudmijn in Centraal-Afrikaanse Republiek

    A devastating mine collapse at a small-scale artisanal gold mining site in western Central African Republic (CAR), just kilometers from the country’s border with Cameroon, has left a minimum of 30 miners dead, with rescue operations continuing Wednesday as local authorities warn the final death toll could climb significantly higher.

    The structural failure occurred on Tuesday near the village of Zamboye, a small settlement located a short distance from Garoua-Boulai, a major border city in Cameroon. Souleymane Bi, deputy mayor of Nana-Mambere, the CAR prefecture that administers the area, confirmed that rescuers recovered dozens of bodies in the immediate hours following the collapse, while injured miners have been transferred to local medical facilities for treatment.

    Describing the scene as catastrophic, Bi issued an urgent plea for outside assistance: “This is a terrible tragedy. We are calling on international aid organizations and people of goodwill to step forward and provide support to the affected community.” Local officials currently estimate the death toll could reach as high as 40, though the exact number of people killed remains unconfirmed, as multiple victims are still believed trapped under fallen debris.

    One surviving miner who witnessed the disaster spoke to local media, describing the sudden and catastrophic nature of the collapse: “The entire ground caved in completely, burying dozens of people alive. There are still people trapped under the rubble, and rescue teams are working nonstop to reach them.”

    The CAR national government issued a public statement extending its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased, affirming that it is “working urgently to deliver aid and support to all those affected by this terrible incident.”

    Fatal mine collapses are a persistent, deadly crisis in the Central African Republic, where thousands of workers are employed in unregulated, often informal small-scale mining operations that operate entirely outside of government oversight. These sites lack even basic safety infrastructure and protective measures, creating extremely hazardous working conditions that lead to repeated deadly accidents year after year.

    This latest collapse marks the fourth major fatal mining disaster in CAR in 2024 alone. Back in June, a collapse at the Be-Mbari gold mine, another small-scale site located along the CAR-Cameroon border, killed dozens of workers. In March, a landslide at an artisanal mine near the village of Ngourroum in western CAR killed seven miners, and just one month prior in February, approximately 20 miners lost their lives in a mining accident in Gordi, a remote mining area in the country’s northeastern region.

  • Grenada at 13th Commonwealth Youth Parliament, Australia

    Grenada at 13th Commonwealth Youth Parliament, Australia

    Two young Grenadian parliamentarians have carried their nation’s voice to one of the Commonwealth’s most prominent youth governance gatherings, wrapping up a week of global dialogue focused on emerging threats and opportunities for democratic systems in the digital age. Tariq Miller and Kerri Ann Marrast represented Grenada at the 13th Commonwealth Youth Parliament (CYP13), held this year in Sydney, Australia, joining more than 50 young leaders from 50+ member nations across the bloc.

    This year’s flagship youth governance event centered on the timely theme of “Democracy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”, bringing emerging debates around AI’s dual impact on democratic institutions to the forefront of the Commonwealth’s youth agenda. Over the seven-day gathering, delegates took part in mock parliamentary debates, skills-building leadership workshops, and cross-national dialogues designed to equip the next generation of leaders with tools to address 21st-century governance challenges. For Grenada, Miller and Marrast brought forward unique small-state perspectives to conversations about how AI can strengthen inclusive governance, as well as the disproportionate risks that unregulated AI poses for smaller developing democracies.

    Following the conclusion of CYP13, Grenada’s Ministry of Youth issued a public statement congratulating the two delegates for their successful participation and for upholding Grenada’s reputation on the global Commonwealth stage. “We are incredibly proud of Tariq and Kerri Ann for amplifying the voices of Grenada’s young people at this critical international forum,” the ministry noted in its statement.

    Beyond international participation, Grenada’s Youth Parliament Programme is gearing up for a key domestic milestone: national elections for new youth representatives are scheduled to take place across the country this December. The upcoming process will give the highest-performing debaters from each of Grenada’s parish-level youth parliaments the chance to campaign among their peers, win election to the national body, and take on two core roles: advocating for youth-led policy priorities to national government leaders, and serving as official youth ambassadors to the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

    For young Grenadians and community members seeking additional details about the upcoming national election or the broader Youth Parliament Programme, officials with the Ministry of Youth and Sports have shared multiple contact points. Interested parties can reach the ministry via phone at 1 (473) 440-6917, extension 22017, or follow the ministry’s official social media channels for ongoing updates and announcements.

    This report was shared via contributor submission to NOW Grenada, which notes that it does not take responsibility for the opinions, statements, or third-party media content included in contributor-submitted materials. Users may flag abusive content via the platform’s official reporting channel.

  • Electricity Bills Just Went Up, Again

    Electricity Bills Just Went Up, Again

    Starting from August 2026, most electricity customers across Belize will face another increase in their monthly utility bills, after the nation’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC) gave final approval for a 1.5 cent per kilowatt-hour Cost of Power Adjustment (COPA) proposed by Belize Electricity Limited (BEL).

    This latest rate adjustment is not a random one-off increase, but the first formal change rolled out under a groundbreaking new regulatory sandbox program designed by PUC. This experimental framework shifts the industry toward a more transparent, monthly-based system that tracks BEL’s real-time power generation and procurement costs, replacing the older static pricing model that often lagged behind actual market fluctuations.

    According to statements from BEL, over the previous six months, the utility’s actual power costs have run 4.3 cents per kWh higher than the baseline reference cost that PUC previously approved. Under the new regulatory sandbox rules, however, monthly COPA adjustments — whether upward or downward — are capped at 1.5 cents per kWh. This cap prevents consumers from being hit with the full cumulative cost increase in a single billing cycle, spreading the extra cost out over multiple months to soften the financial blow.

    The new surcharge will not apply to all customers: low-income households enrolled in the Social Rate program remain fully exempt from the COPA adjustment. Additionally, the extra charge is not subject to the country’s Goods and Services Tax, and will be listed as a separate line item on customer bills rather than being hidden in the base electricity rate, to improve billing transparency for consumers.

    Unlike permanent base rate increases, future monthly COPA adjustments are not locked in as ongoing growth. Every month, BEL is required to submit fully verified financial and operational data to PUC, which will then re-evaluate the upcoming month’s adjustment based on the utility’s actual power costs. Depending on market conditions and procurement outcomes, future adjustments could range from additional small increases to decreases, a neutral zero adjustment, or even customer rebates if power costs drop below the reference baseline.

    BEL has emphasized that the new monthly adjustment mechanism is designed to balance two key priorities: helping the utility recover the actual costs it incurs to purchase and supply power to customers across the country, while also shielding consumers from sudden, dramatic spikes in electricity prices that could disrupt household budgets. For August 2026, though, the immediate impact for non-Social Rate customers will be a clear extra cost of 1.5 cents added to every kilowatt-hour they consumed during the billing period.

  • Guardian Life renews Tridents partnership

    Guardian Life renews Tridents partnership

    A key partnership in Caribbean cricket is set to continue into the upcoming 2026 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season, as regional insurance provider Guardian Life of The Caribbean Limited has formally renewed its sponsorship agreement with the Barbados Tridents franchise. This extended deal marks the second consecutive year of collaboration between the financial services firm and the Barbados-based cricket team, which is restoring the iconic Tridents name for the 2026 campaign after a period of rebranding.

    John Mumby, Chief Operating Officer of the Barbados Tridents, expressed enthusiasm for the continued backing from the regional insurance giant. “We sincerely appreciate their continuing support and are excited to be building on that foundation in 2026,” Mumby said in an official statement from the franchise. The shared commitment between the two organizations reflects a shared investment in growing competitive cricket across the Caribbean and supporting homegrown athletic talent.

    The 2026 Tridents roster boasts a mix of international cricket stars and promising local Barbadian players. Headlined by South African wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock, Guyanese spin bowler Gudakesh Motie, and Australian all-rounder Chris Green who will serve as team captain, the squad also features three emerging Barbadian talents: Ramon Simmonds, Zachary Carter and Zishan Motara. This blend of experienced international playmakers and young local athletes positions the Tridents as a competitive contender for the 2026 CPL title.

    Fans will get their first chance to see the team in action on home soil when the Tridents host their home leg of the tournament at Bridgetown’s historic Kensington Oval between September 5 and 13. The scheduled home stand includes five men’s CPL matches and three fixtures from the women’s competition, giving local supporters multiple opportunities to engage with top-tier Caribbean cricket.

  • Saint Lucia celebrate Dominica tapeball success

    Saint Lucia celebrate Dominica tapeball success

    One of the Caribbean’s most anticipated cross-border amateur cricket competitions, the Saint Lucia/Dominica Tapeball Cricket Series, wrapped up in a celebration of sport and community last Sunday at Dominica’s Jolly John Playing Field, located in the Kalinago Territory. After a full week of fast-paced, high-energy matches across multiple divisions, the tournament concluded with five heart-pounding final-day encounters that crowned Saint Lucia Youth as champions of the flagship T10 Blast competition. The victory capped off a dramatic run of play that kept cricket fans across both islands on the edge of their seats from opening day to the final delivery.

    The road to the T10 final began on Sunday morning with two opening knockout clashes. In the first fixture, Dominica’s Dynamic Stars got off to a strong start, overcoming Saint Lucia Veterans B to secure their spot in the next round. The second match saw Saint Lucia Youth dominate hosts Kalinago Veterans, earning a convincing win that pushed them directly into the tournament final. Local side Kalinago Youth claimed victory in the third preliminary match, but their run ended in the semifinal, where Dynamic Stars pulled off a solid win to book their place against Saint Lucia Youth in the title decider.

    Weather and time constraints forced a slight adjustment to the final, cutting the contest from 10 overs per side to seven. Choosing to bat first after winning the toss, Saint Lucia Youth put on an explosive batting display, posting an imposing total of 124 runs for the loss of five wickets — a score that put significant pressure on the Dynamic Stars batting line-up. The Dominica side fought back hard, reaching 75 runs after eight completed overs and hitting the 100-run mark in the second-to-last over, setting up a tense finale off the final six balls. But Saint Lucia’s bowlers held their nerve under pressure, restricting Dynamic Stars to just 109 runs by the final delivery and securing a memorable 15-run victory to lift the T10 trophy.

    The final day of action capped off a week of competition that began with earlier divisional matches on Thursday. In that 20-over full-length fixture, the Saint Lucia national side bounced back from two opening-game defeats to secure a convincing six-wicket consolation win against the home side Kalinago Nationals. Kalinago Nationals posted a solid total of 161 runs for 8 wickets after batting first, with top contributions from Neo Davis (46 runs) and Frederick Paris (32 runs). Saint Lucia’s bowlers Magaran Shoulette and Atanus Alberson each claimed two wickets to keep the home side’s total within reach. The Saint Lucian chase was seamless: the visitors reached the target of 162 for the loss of four wickets in just 16.3 overs, led by a man-of-the-match innings of 74 runs from Alvin Lafeuille. Supporting contributions from Jason Simon (30 runs) and Orey Changoo (24 runs) anchored the run chase, despite strong bowling from Kalinago’s Jason Paris, who took two wickets, and Keenan Paris and Abbisha Etienne, who took one wicket each.

    Following the conclusion of all matches, the closing ceremony featured an awards presentation to recognize top performers and divisional champions across the tournament. In the T20 divisions, Kalinago Youth (Dominica) took home the youth championship title, while Saint Lucia Veterans A claimed the veterans crown. Additional honours went to Saint Lucia Mixed Team, who won the invitational trophy, and Saint Lucia Veterans B, who took home the Division 2 title.

    Individual awards also highlighted the tournament’s standout players. Jason Simon of Saint Lucia topped the tournament’s run-scoring charts in the youth division, while Sean Auguste was the leading run-getter among veterans. Keenan Paris of Dominica finished as the top wicket-taker in youth cricket, with Glen Eurysthee claiming the same honour in the veterans division. Wicketkeeping awards went to Orey Changoo (Saint Lucia, youth) and Abbot Lucien (Dominica, veterans). Rounding out the individual honours, Neo Davis was named youth Most Valuable Player, and Glen Eurysthee earned the veterans MVP award.

  • WCMF 2026 set to feature Ne-Yo, Machel Montano and top local, regional and continental acts

    WCMF 2026 set to feature Ne-Yo, Machel Montano and top local, regional and continental acts

    One of the Caribbean’s most anticipated annual cultural celebrations is making its return next year, with organizers ready to deliver a three-day celebration of global Creole-influenced sounds. Dominica’s iconic World Creole Music Festival (WCMF) is scheduled to run from October 23 to 25, 2026, at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium, holding its traditional spot in the heart of the island’s national Independence season.

    Organized by the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA), the event has already opened ticket sales to the public, with a full range of visitor accommodations — from small guesthouses and private apartments to luxury villas and full-service hotels — still available for travelers planning to attend. This year’s assembled lineup draws musical talent from across six countries and four continents, blending award-winning international stars with beloved regional and local Dominican acts.

    Headlining the international roster are a host of household names across multiple genres: Grammy-winning R&B performer NE-YO, Trinidad and Tobago’s legendary soca icon Machel Montano, British reggae mainstay Maxi Priest, top Jamaican dancehall artists Alkaline and Skillibeng, groundbreaking South African amapiano DJ Uncle Waffles, iconic Jamaican reggae performer Capleton, and Haitian American singer-songwriter Fridayy. Additional international acts include Haiti’s famous kompa groups Klass and Tabou Combo; Guadeloupe’s Les Aiglons, Jean-Marc Ferdinand and Edday; Martinique’s rising star Maurane Voyer; Democratic Republic of the Congo soukous legend Diblo Dibala; Trinidad and Tobago’s Full Blown; Grenada’s V’ghn; and Saint Lucia’s DYP Band, featuring a roster of guest performers Shemmy J, Tall Boy, Sedale, Hollywood HP, Nerdy, Andrew Biscuit and Ezra D’Funmachine.

    Dominica’s own rich musical scene takes center stage alongside its international guests, with a local contingent that includes iconic bands Midnight Groovers, TK International, Asa Bantan, Signal Band, and Extasy Band, plus solo artists Colton T, Mr. Ridge, Pudaz, Reo, Nice, Gwada G and Shaxx. A curated lineup of DJs — Osocity, Kevin Crown, Optimistic Sounds, and DJ Outkast — will also keep crowds moving between full band sets.
    True to its mission, the 2026 festival will showcase an extraordinary diversity of Afro-Caribbean and global rhythms, including bouyon, soca, dancehall, reggae, cadence-lypso, kompa, soukous, amapiano, and contemporary R&B.

    In an official press release announcing the lineup, DDA Chief Executive Officer Marva Williams noted that the WCMF has long served as a critical bridge connecting Dominican musical traditions to regional and global audiences. “For nearly three decades, the World Creole Music Festival has provided a distinctly Dominican platform where our music meets the sounds of the Caribbean and the world,” Williams said. “The 2026 lineup continues that tradition, but WCMF is also part of something much bigger. We invite visitors to spend some time with us in Dominica this October and immerse themselves in the spirit of our Independence season, with WCMF as one of its major highlights. Come for the music, but stay for the culture, the cuisine, the traditional wear, the village celebrations, our people and the incredible beauty of the Nature Island. There is so much more to experience and this is one of the most exciting and authentic times of year to discover Dominica.”

    Beyond its cultural impact, the festival has become a core driver of Dominica’s tourism sector during the key Independence period. DDA data shows the 2025 iteration of the three-day festival drew more than 42,000 attendees across its three nights. In the nine-day window surrounding the 2025 event, the island recorded 10,540 visitor arrivals — a 48% increase compared to the same period in 2024, and 61% higher than 2023 visitor numbers.

  • Caribbean Media Freedom Award Goes to Belizean Journalist Jules Vasquez

    Caribbean Media Freedom Award Goes to Belizean Journalist Jules Vasquez

    On Tuesday, the global conversation around independent journalism shifted its focus to the Caribbean, as a landmark new regional award was launched to honor the individuals and institutions that stand guard over the public’s fundamental right to accurate, uncensored information. The inaugural Caribbean Defender of Media Freedom Award was jointly presented by the Center for Media Integrity of the Americas and the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) during the opening ceremony of the CBU’s 57th Annual General Assembly, hosted this year in Georgetown, Guyana.

    Three standout nominees were shortlisted for the first iteration of the award, each representing a distinct, critical front in the ongoing fight for independent journalism across the region: Jules Vasquez, an investigative journalist from Belize; Wesley Gibbings, a veteran journalist and media freedom advocate from Trinidad and Tobago; and the Media Institute of the Caribbean, a regional non-profit supporting journalistic work.

    After deliberation, judges selected Vasquez, news director of 7News Belize, as the first recipient of the honor. Vasquez has built his decades-long career on high-stakes investigations into systemic corruption and demands for public sector accountability, work that has repeatedly pushed for transparency in governance across Belize. In his emotional acceptance speech, Vasquez emphasized that the award was not a solo achievement. “When we stand here solitary, there is a suffering family behind us that you don’t see, a family who misses their father or mother… And then it’s on to the next one, back on the rollercoaster that we are all on. I’m always aware that I don’t stand here alone. Behind me is a committed team of professionals, past and present,” he said.

    The two other nominees, while not selected for the top honor, have each left indelible marks on Caribbean press freedom. Gibbings, a veteran broadcaster and journalist, was recognized for more than 40 years of work building institutional infrastructure for press freedom across the Caribbean. He is the founder of the Association of Caribbean Media Workers, serves as Vice President of the Media Institute of the Caribbean, and holds the distinction of being the Caribbean region’s only representative on the Council of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange. In his role as an Acting Independent Senator in Trinidad and Tobago, Gibbings has led legislative efforts to enshrine legal protections for journalists’ confidential sources, a key safeguard against government overreach.

    The Media Institute of the Caribbean, meanwhile, earned its nomination for more than a decade of regional outreach supporting working journalists. Founded in 2012, the institute has delivered training to more than 800 journalists across over 25 Caribbean and Latin American countries through more than 525 targeted workshops. It has also led a coordinated regional campaign to adopt national Freedom of Information legislation in partnership with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and runs critical support programs focused on digital safety for journalists targeted by harassment, as well as mental health resources for reporters working under high pressure.

    Organizers of the award note that the three nominees together highlight a core truth about the fight for media freedom across the Caribbean: this battle cannot be won by a single newsroom, a lone journalist or one isolated organization. Instead, it relies on a collective of dedicated actors who remain committed to holding power to account in the face of mounting challenges, including growing political pressure, widespread financial instability for local news outlets, the rapid spread of disinformation, and the disruptive impact of new digital technologies.

    Following the presentation of the inaugural award, the CBU will host its 37th Media Awards Gala on the evening of August 19, with a live broadcast set to begin at 7:00 pm local time. The event will be streamed globally on News 5 Live’s official Facebook and YouTube channels for audiences unable to attend in person.