Carib Scope

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  • Seabreeze MP laughs off health rumours caused by seafood poisoning

    Seabreeze MP laughs off health rumours caused by seafood poisoning

    Bahamian Member of Parliament for Seabreeze Leslia Brice turned to lighthearted wit to put widespread health rumors to rest during an address to the House of Assembly this week, revealing that a simple unexpected reaction to a weekend lobster meal was behind the recent public concern over her wellbeing.

    The incident unfolded Saturday, when Brice had an unanticipated adverse reaction shortly after eating the crustacean. News of the sudden episode spread quickly through local networks, sparking unconfirmed speculation about the severity of her condition that soon reached the public sphere. In the hours that followed, Brice was flooded with calls, texts and messages of concern from close family, friends and political supporters across her constituency.

    Addressing the chamber, Brice framed the moment with characteristic good humor, joking that the unexpected challenge came not from a political rival or a contentious legislative debate, but from a single piece of lobster that derailed her weekend plans. She went on to acknowledge the outpouring of support she received, noting that constituents in Seabreeze reached out en masse, with many even saying they were prepared to travel to her side immediately to offer support.

    “Madam Speaker, that is love, that is the connection, that is the bond that I share with the people of Sea Breeze,” Brice told the chamber, emphasizing how moved she was by the community’s response.

    Brice extended her sincere gratitude to everyone who reached out with well wishes and prayers, noting that the widespread show of care underscored the deep, trusting relationship she has built with the residents she represents during her time in office. The lawmaker also used the moment to quash any remaining uncertainty about her ability to serve, drawing a parallel between the recent health scare and the grueling general election campaign she just navigated to secure her seat.

    “Now, I want to be clear, I was not about to let that little lobster take me out, Madam Speaker,” she said. “I survived a gruelling and intense campaign. I walked those streets, I knocked on those doors, I stood in the heat for hours, and I am still standing. And if a whole election could not slow me down, a piece of seafood certainly was not going to stop me.”

    The address quickly drew a warm reaction from fellow representatives and observers, closing out public speculation about Brice’s health while highlighting the popular lawmaker’s well-known sense of humor and close connection to her constituency.

  • Jamaica to host 2029 Our Ocean Conference in Montego Bay

    Jamaica to host 2029 Our Ocean Conference in Montego Bay

    At the closing ceremony of the 11th iteration of the Our Ocean Conference held in Mombasa, Kenya, Jamaica officially announced that it will welcome global ocean governance stakeholders to Montego Bay for the 13th edition of the landmark summit in June 2029. The handover of conference hosting responsibilities marks a significant milestone for global ocean protection efforts, placing Jamaica’s iconic coastal city at the center of international marine conservation dialogue once again.

    Matthew Samuda, Jamaica’s Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, formally accepted the hosting mandate on the island nation’s behalf, framing the opportunity as a weighty global commitment rather than merely an event to organize. In his closing address, Samuda expressed that Jamaica takes on this role with profound gratitude, intentional humility, and a deep-seated sense of accountability to the global community. “This is more than the acceptance of an event. It is the acceptance of a responsibility to the world’s oceans, to future generations, and to the billions of people whose lives, livelihoods, food security, culture, and prosperity depend on a healthy marine environment,” he told attendees.

    Samuda opened his remarks by extending gratitude to the Kenyan government and people for their warm hospitality and visionary leadership throughout the 11th conference, which operated under the unifying theme “Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future.” He went on to highlight the unique historical significance Montego Bay holds for the global ocean governance framework, recalling the city’s central role in the years-long negotiations that produced the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) — a foundational treaty that still guides international marine policy and conservation work today. “Montego Bay is not simply a beautiful coastal city. It is a place etched into the history of global ocean governance,” Samuda emphasized.

    Looking ahead to the 2029 summit, Samuda outlined Jamaica’s core priority for the conference: shifting the focus from non-binding pledges to tangible, actionable implementation and measurable, verifiable conservation outcomes. “The world does not need simply another conference; the world needs outcomes,” he stated, underscoring growing global frustration with empty commitments amid accelerating marine ecosystem degradation, ocean acidification, and overexploitation of marine resources.

    As the handover process moves forward, Jamaica is preparing to collaborate closely with Canada, which has been selected to host the 12th Our Ocean Conference before Jamaica’s turn in 2029. Samuda closed by extending an open invitation to all global leaders, marine scientists, non-governmental organizations, private sector stakeholders, and community representatives, saying Jamaica eagerly anticipates welcoming the global community to Montego Bay five years from now to advance collective action for healthy, resilient oceans.

  • Adriano Espaillat backs deportation for immigrants convicted of violent crimes

    Adriano Espaillat backs deportation for immigrants convicted of violent crimes

    As national conversations over U.S. immigration enforcement and deportation rules continue to roil policymakers and communities across the country, Democratic Congressman Adriano Espaillat has laid out a measured, targeted approach to how the nation should handle immigrant residents convicted of crimes. Speaking from New York in a recent televised public appearance, the lawmaker drew a clear line between immigrants who have committed violent felonies and those convicted of low-level, non-violent minor offenses, arguing that one-size-fits-all automatic deportation does not align with American legal principles.

    For immigrants convicted of severe violent crimes — including homicide and sexual assault — Espaillat affirmed that they must be held fully accountable through the existing U.S. criminal justice system. When existing federal or state law explicitly requires deportation following a conviction for such offenses, he stressed that those legal mandates must be enforced without exception. This position marks a break from more hardline progressive stances that call for sweeping rollbacks of deportation authority, positioning Espaillat as a voice seeking common ground in the polarizing immigration debate.

    When it comes to minor offenses, however, the Dominican-born congressman pushed back against mandatory automatic deportation policies. He pointed out that a large share of these low-level cases involve long-term U.S. residents and parents who have put down roots in American communities, many of whom have lived in the country for decades. Instead of permanent separation from their families and communities through deportation, Espaillat argued these individuals should be granted a meaningful chance to take accountability for their actions and rebuild their lives within the U.S.

    Espaillat brought personal context to his policy arguments, drawing on his own childhood experiences with aggressive immigration enforcement in his family. He reflected that harsh, overreaching immigration raids targeting immigrant communities were common long before the creation of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), noting that aggressive enforcement has a long and troubling history in the country that continues to shape immigrant trust in public institutions today.

    Central to Espaillat’s framework is a unwavering commitment to due process for all immigrants, regardless of the offenses they are accused of. He emphasized that deportation proceedings should never be initiated before an individual has completed their process through the criminal justice system and received a formal conviction. Any removal action, he added, must be carried out in strict compliance with existing U.S. law and the constitutional protections that apply to all people within the country’s borders, regardless of immigration status.

  • Banreservas honors Minerva Mirabal’s centenary with art exhibition

    Banreservas honors Minerva Mirabal’s centenary with art exhibition

    On the 100th anniversary of Minerva Mirabal’s birth, a groundbreaking new exhibition opened this week at the Banreservas Cultural Center in Santo Domingo, pulling back the curtain on the little-explored creative identity of one of the Dominican Republic’s most revered heroines.

    Titled “A Century: The Artistic Dimension of Minerva Mirabal,” the showcase is a joint venture between the cultural center and the Mirabal Sisters Foundation. It marks the first time such a comprehensive collection of Mirabal’s creative output has been made available to the public, spanning a diverse range of mediums from paintings and sculptures to personal memorabilia, archival photographs, and video presentations. Each piece on display weaves together her lifelong passions for creative expression, social justice, and individual freedom.

    At the official opening ceremony, Franklin Soriano, Vice President of Communications and Social Responsibility at Banco de Reservas, underscored the institution’s longstanding dedication to expanding public understanding of iconic Dominican figures. Soriano emphasized that the exhibition pushes beyond the well-documented narrative of Mirabal’s political activism and historical importance, framing her first and foremost as a skilled visual artist whose work carries deep emotional sensitivity and unique creative vision.

    After a successful debut run in the Dominican city of Santiago, the exhibition has moved to its current venue at the Banreservas Cultural Center’s Ada Balcácer Gallery, where it will remain open to the public through August 9. The showcase features 16 original works created by Mirabal herself, paired with nine complementary pieces from prominent contemporary Dominican artists including Miguel Núñez, Pedro Pascual, Virgilio García, and Radhamés Mejía.

    To help visitors engage more deeply with Mirabal’s undertaught artistic contributions, the cultural center has planned a full roster of accompanying public programming, including guided exhibition tours, academic lectures, and hands-on educational activities. Minou Tavárez Mirabal, Minerva Mirabal’s daughter, shared her appreciation for the initiative, noting that the exhibition does more than celebrate her mother’s legacy—it honors all the activists who fought to entrench democracy and human rights across the Dominican Republic.

    Curated by veteran art critic Abil Peralta and seasoned museum specialist Guadalupe Casasnovas, the exhibition reframes public understanding of this towering Dominican historical figure. For decades, Mirabal has been celebrated globally for her fearless role in the fight against dictatorship, but this new showcase makes clear that her legacy extends far beyond political activism, cementing her place in the Dominican art world as well.

  • Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico seek closer collaboration in judicial affairs

    Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico seek closer collaboration in judicial affairs

    Two Caribbean jurisdictions, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, have opened a new chapter of cross-border partnership with formal discussions aimed at deepening collaborative work across their judicial sectors. The talks center on three core pillars: reciprocal exchange of specialized legal knowledge, enhanced institutional coordination, and expanded academic training opportunities for public legal servants on both sides.

    The high-level meeting, hosted at the headquarters of the Dominican Ministry of Justice in Santo Domingo, brought together key top legal officials from both regions. Leading the Dominican delegation was Minister of Justice Antoliano Peralta, while Puerto Rico’s delegation was headed by Secretary of Justice Lourdes Gómez Torres and Attorney General Omar Andino Figueroa.

    During the closed-door discussions, participating officials conducted a comparative review of the operational frameworks and organizational structures of their respective justice institutions. Both sides expressed mutual interest in advancing a slate of joint collaborative initiatives, ranging from long-term academic exchange programs and cross-institutional internships to targeted specialized training courses for sitting judicial and legal staff.

    The Dominican delegation also included multiple vice ministers of justice, Roberto Santana, the Director of the Dominican Penitentiary Services, and Jaime Francisco Rodríguez, Rector of the Institute of Higher Education for Penitentiary Staff (ISEEPENC). Senior authorities from both sides emphasized that structured experience-sharing and the exchange of proven best practices will deliver tangible value, strengthening the efficiency and fairness of justice administration across both territories.

    After wrapping up the initial bilateral negotiations, the Puerto Rican delegation traveled to the Dominican Attorney General’s Office for a follow-up meeting with Dominican Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso. Per their official itinerary, the visiting delegation will next take part in an academic forum hosted by the Dominican National School of the Judiciary, before concluding their visit with scheduled tours of other key institutions that make up the Dominican judicial system.

  • WATCH: Barbados named Climate-Smart Country of the Year at Caribbean summit

    WATCH: Barbados named Climate-Smart Country of the Year at Caribbean summit

    The first-ever Climate Smart Awards drew to a close on Wednesday, wrapping up a two-day Climate Smart Summit hosted at Bridgetown’s Hilton Barbados Resort, with Barbados claiming the highest honor: Climate-Smart Country of the Year. The Caribbean island nation was selected for the award in recognition of its groundbreaking leadership across three critical climate action pillars: scaling up renewable energy expansion, unlocking unprecedented volumes of climate finance, and building robust long-term climate resilience plans. Accepting the award on Barbados’ behalf, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Ryan Straughn emphasized that the honor is a testament to nearly a decade of deliberate advocacy and creative policy innovation in the global climate finance space. Speaking to Observer Online, Straughn noted that the award validates the small island nation’s years of work amplifying the underrepresented voices of climate-vulnerable small island developing states in global climate negotiations. For eight years, Barbados has pushed for systemic change through the Bridgetown Initiative, a landmark framework that calls for a complete overhaul of global development finance structures, specifically reforming how wealthy nations support low-income and climate-vulnerable countries in mitigating and adapting to climate change impacts. Straughn highlighted that Barbados has pursued aggressive, creative financial restructuring that has proven even small nations can deliver impactful climate action by partnering effectively with both multilateral development banks and global commercial markets. Beyond delivering certainty to creditors, the minister pointed to the nation’s pioneering work on natural disaster clause financing instruments, which give vulnerable countries greater flexibility to invest in resilience rather than diverting critical resources to debt service during climate crises. Racquel Moses, CEO of the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator—the organizer of the summit and awards—credited Barbados with extraordinary progress in expanding renewable energy capacity, noting the country has achieved 95% growth in renewable energy generation since the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015. Moses added that Barbados has set a regional benchmark for climate accountability by consistently meeting its Paris Agreement obligations, including on-time submission of its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and has mobilized higher levels of climate finance than any other country in the Caribbean. Moses explained that award assessments were based on a rigorous set of criteria, including renewable energy growth and ambition post-2015, national climate vulnerability and preparedness, NDC compliance, and climate finance mobilization capacity. Beyond the top national honor, the ceremony recognized a diverse range of organizations and projects driving climate action across the Caribbean, spanning philanthropy, community leadership, innovative technology, and on-the-ground adaptation and mitigation work. The Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) was named Climate Smart Philanthropist of the Year, while Curaçao took home the award for Climate-Smart Overseas Territory of the Year. Shalini Maharaj, a technical officer at CBF, told Observer Online the award highlights the regional fund’s core mission of strengthening long-term climate resilience and protecting Caribbean biodiversity. Established to deliver a steady, sustainable stream of funding for conservation efforts across the region, CBF’s work supports targeted initiatives that protect and preserve the Caribbean’s unique natural ecosystems. “It’s a tremendous honor to have our work recognized by the region,” Maharaj said. “Every person involved with CBF, from the board of directors to our on-the-ground staff, works tirelessly to deliver on our vision and mission. This acknowledgment of our hard work is incredibly gratifying, and this win is not just for our organization—it’s a victory for the entire Caribbean.” Several major global philanthropic organizations also received recognition for their climate action investment across the region, including the John Templeton Foundation, ClimateWorks Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and the Bezos Earth Fund. The remaining award categories honored local and regional projects driving tangible climate impact: Kukki Aquaculture took home Climate Smart Adaptation Project of the Year, GrenadaGrows won Climate Smart Mitigation Project of the Year, Finca Chocolat claimed the Nature-Based and Ecosystem Resilience Award, and PROTOFABTT was recognized with the Innovation and Technology for Climate Award. Special recognition awards went to the Inter-American Development Bank and New Energy Events, while the Clara Lionel Foundation won the event’s People’s Choice Award for its climate work in the region.

  • Punta Bergantín develops native species nursery to support sustainable tourism and conservation

    Punta Bergantín develops native species nursery to support sustainable tourism and conservation

    On Puerto Plata’s scenic North Coast, a landmark sustainable tourism initiative is turning conservation commitments into tangible action: the Punta Bergantín tourism development project has launched a specialized plant nursery focused on cultivating native and endemic plant species, a core step forward in its ambitious environmental sustainability strategy. The project’s ultimate goals are to safeguard regional biodiversity and repair damaged natural ecosystems along the coast, setting a new benchmark for responsible tourism development in the Caribbean.

    This conservation collaboration brings together three key stakeholders: the Punta Bergantín project leadership, the Puerto Plata Provincial Directorate of Environment, and the Santiago Botanical Garden, combining technical expertise, regulatory support, and on-the-ground execution to deliver meaningful ecological impact. So far, the partnership has already integrated 355 individual specimens of at-risk native plant species into the nursery’s conservation program, and completed the planting of 1,260 native tree specimens across the project’s development area. These initial actions lay a strong foundation for scaled-up ecological restoration and long-term biodiversity conservation across the region.

    Leonela Vólquez, who leads community engagement, sustainability, and research efforts for the Punta Bergantín project, framed the new nursery as far more than a temporary conservation gesture—she describes it as a strategic, long-term investment that ties environmental protection directly to the future of the region’s tourism sector. Beyond propagating rare plants, the facility will drive landscape regeneration across degraded coastal areas, create a protected refuge for vulnerable plant species at risk of extinction, offer hands-on environmental education opportunities for local communities and visitors, and strengthen the North Coast’s reputation as a premier nature-focused travel destination.

    Vólquez emphasized that the nursery is fully aligned with the project’s core guiding principle: that tourism growth must go hand-in-hand with measurable, concrete action to conserve and restore natural resources, rather than prioritizing development over ecological health. The facility will serve as the primary production hub for native and endemic plant species needed for the project’s ongoing restoration work, while supporting a broader tourism model that is more climate-resilient, environmentally accountable, and deeply rooted in the region’s unique natural landscape.

    In its first full year of operation, the nursery will specifically provide safe haven for 11 plant species classified by conservation experts as either endangered or critically endangered, filling a critical gap in regional plant conservation efforts. The nursery is not an add-on to the Punta Bergantín project—it is a central, required component of the development’s official Environmental Management Plan, as well as its Tree Transplanting, Compensation, and Reforestation Program, two frameworks that structure and regulate all of the project’s sustainability and environmental protection work moving forward.

  • Dominican Republic and U.S. sign nuclear cooperation agreement

    Dominican Republic and U.S. sign nuclear cooperation agreement

    In a significant step forward for bilateral energy collaboration, the United States and the Dominican Republic have formalized a new partnership in the civilian nuclear sector through a recently signed memorandum of understanding in Washington, D.C. The agreement, crafted to deepen cross-border cooperation, is set to advance shared goals of bolstering regional energy security, driving technological advancement, and expanding mutually beneficial economic relations between the two nations.

    The signing ceremony brought together top officials from both governments: U.S. Under Secretary of State Christopher Landau signed on behalf of the United States, while Joel Santos, the Dominican Republic’s Minister of Energy and Mines, represented his country. According to official statements from the U.S. State Department, the MOU lays out a structured framework for future collaborative work focused exclusively on the peaceful applications of nuclear technology. A core priority embedded in the agreement is upholding rigorous global standards for nuclear safety, operational security, and non-proliferation, ensuring all activities align with international regulatory norms.

    Senior officials from both sides emphasized that the new partnership underscores a shared commitment to building deeper ties in the civilian nuclear space. It also opens the door to exploring new collaborative opportunities that will support long-term energy diversification strategies and inclusive economic growth in the Dominican Republic and across the broader Caribbean region.

    The State Department highlighted that nuclear technology delivers a broad array of critical benefits across civilian sectors beyond power generation. These life-enhancing and development-focused applications include improved medical diagnostics, more accessible advanced cancer treatment, more productive agricultural practices, and cutting-edge scientific research. The framework agreement is expected to clear the path for targeted joint projects and knowledge-sharing technical cooperation in each of these high-impact areas in the coming years.

    Importantly, authorities have clarified that the memorandum does not grant immediate authorization for the transfer of nuclear materials, specialized equipment, or sensitive technology. Instead, it functions as a foundational platform for ongoing dialogue, relationship-building, and the development of potential future initiatives centered on civilian nuclear energy and innovative nuclear technology applications.

    For bilateral relations between the U.S. and the Dominican Republic, the signing marks a measurable new milestone in energy cooperation. It also draws attention to the expanding role that advanced low-carbon technologies play in advancing sustainable development and strengthening energy resilience across Caribbean nations, many of which face growing challenges from energy price volatility and climate change.

  • Body believed to be missing 12-y-o Christal McLean found in Portland river

    Body believed to be missing 12-y-o Christal McLean found in Portland river

    PORTLAND, Jamaica — In a tragic development that has shaken the small community of Portland, remains widely suspected to be those of 12-year-old missing local girl Christal McLean were recovered from the Rio Grande at Grants Level on Wednesday. The body was found in an advanced state of decomposition, leaving community members on edge as authorities work to confirm key details of the case.

    McLean, who lived in the quiet neighborhood of Berrydale in Portland, was first registered as a missing person by authorities on Friday, June 12. After two full days of intensive search operations failed to turn up any trace of the child, Portland police took the step of issuing a public high alert on Monday, urging community members to come forward with any information that could help locate her.

    According to official investigative records, the last confirmed sighting of McLean placed her at her own home around 7:00 a.m. on the day she disappeared, before she was noticed missing and reported to authorities.

    The grim discovery unfolded just after midday on Wednesday, when a group of recreational rafters navigating the Rio Grande accidentally came across the remains. The rafters immediately contacted local law enforcement to report their find, and officers responded quickly to secure the scene. Investigators have confirmed that the remains were already in a far-advanced state of decomposition when they were recovered.

    Local residents who gathered at the site after police arrived shared additional observations about the scene: the body’s head was submerged under the river’s water, and a discarded bag was found a short distance from the remains. Inside that bag, residents reported, were clothing items believed to belong to McLean, as well as a collection of school books.

    McLean was a student who had previously attended Boundbrook Primary School and was currently enrolled at Port Antonio High School, which serves the Portland region.

    At this stage of the investigation, the Portland Police Department has not confirmed the identity of the remains or the cause of death. Both key details will be determined once a full forensic autopsy is completed, and law enforcement says they are currently awaiting the autopsy results to move the investigation forward.

  • Afreximbank advances push for Caricom EXIM bank

    Afreximbank advances push for Caricom EXIM bank

    BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — As the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) continues expanding its footprint in the Caribbean, a landmark plan to launch a dedicated regional export-import bank for the Caribbean Community (Caricom) is moving steadily through official approval channels, bringing new hope for easing the region’s long-standing access gaps to affordable development capital.

    Okechukwu Ihejirika, acting chief operating officer of Afreximbank’s Caribbean Office, shared updates on the proposal Wednesday on the sidelines of the Climate Smart Summit held in the Barbadian capital. Speaking to Observer Online, he confirmed that the draft plan for the Caricom EXIM Bank has already completed its presentation to Caricom’s Council of Foreign Ministers and is now advancing through the regional review process.

    “The initiative is currently under formal review. It was just presented to foreign ministers recently, so we expect to receive clearance from Caricom heads of government in the near term,” Ihejirika explained. He added that all feasibility studies for the project have been finalized, the full proposal has been circulated to relevant stakeholders, and implementation work will begin immediately once regional leaders formally approve the need for the new institution.

    The proposed bank is designed to directly address a persistent economic challenge across the Caribbean: both public sector bodies and private businesses have long struggled to secure low-cost, long-term financing to support trade expansion and development projects. If established, the institution would fill a critical gap in the regional financial ecosystem by tailoring lending products to the specific needs of Caribbean economies.

    In addition to advancing the new regional bank plan, Ihejirika announced a major expansion of Afreximbank’s own investment commitments to the region. When the bank launched its Caribbean regional hub in Barbados in 2023, it set an initial approved investment envelope of $1.5 billion. That cap has now been tripled to $5 billion to meet growing demand for financing across key strategic sectors.

    Afreximbank’s current priority areas for investment in the Caribbean include infrastructure development, cross-border trade facilitation, and projects that build climate resilience — a critical focus for small island developing states that are disproportionately vulnerable to extreme weather and sea-level rise. To date, since opening its Barbados office, the bank has already approved close to $700 million in credit facilities for projects across multiple Caribbean nations, Ihejirika said.

    Full additional details on the proposed Caricom EXIM Bank, including an analysis of its potential long-term impacts on regional development financing, will be featured in the upcoming Friday edition of *Business Week*.