Carib Scope

作者： admin

  • Father of five killed on pedestrian crossing

    Father of five killed on pedestrian crossing

    A 64-year-old man has become the country’s inaugural traffic fatality for the new year after being struck at a designated pedestrian crossing on Bahamas Games Boulevard, sparking calls for accountability from grieving relatives. Vincent Hepburn, a father of five, was returning to his Yellow Elder Gardens residence on Saturday afternoon when the collision occurred mere houses from his home. Despite sustaining critical injuries, he succumbed to his wounds hours later at a medical facility.

    Family members attribute the tragedy to negligent driving practices, emphasizing that although Hepburn experienced partial blindness in his left eye, he frequently utilized the crossing and possessed extensive familiarity with the area after residing there throughout his lifetime. Investigators discovered a bag of groceries near the accident scene, supporting the family’s assertion that he was returning home to prepare a meal—an activity they described as his passionate pursuit.

    Law enforcement authorities initially omitted the incident from daily crime reports, prompting inquiries from media outlets. Following Tribune investigations, police released an official statement confirming a collision between Hepburn and a black Nissan Juke vehicle. Officers documented visible injuries on the victim and noted front-end damage to the stationary Nissan Juke parked on the eastern roadway shoulder.

    The Hepburn family expressed profound distress over the inadequate police communication protocols, noting they learned about the accident through their 88-year-old grandmother’s frantic phone call rather than official channels. Hospital visits revealed extensive blood loss before medical staff delivered the ultimate devastating news—marking the first intimate encounter with tragedy for the closely-knit family unit.

    Bianca Hepburn remembered her father as their protective cornerstone who consistently emphasized familial loyalty and support. Their final interactions included discussions about Junkanoo participation gifts and recent shared experiences during Christmas services and holiday gatherings. Cooking served as their mutual love language, with heartfelt messages accompanying prepared meals—a tradition now transformed into cherished memories alongside the physical memento of his bedside cover she preserved.

  • WATCH: Man injured in altercation with security guard at Mandeville market bar

    WATCH: Man injured in altercation with security guard at Mandeville market bar

    MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Law enforcement authorities are conducting intensive interrogations of a private security operative following a late-night shooting incident at a bar near the Mandeville market. The investigation centers on the guard’s use of his legally registered firearm during a physical confrontation that erupted Tuesday evening.

    According to preliminary police reports, the violent encounter occurred approximately after 9:00 pm along Manchester Road, adjacent to the market’s side entrance. Initial findings indicate an escalating dispute between the security guard and another individual within the establishment culminated in the drawing of a knife.

    Official statements confirm that the security personnel responded to the perceived threat by discharging his weapon, striking the alleged aggressor. The wounded man was subsequently transported to a medical facility where he remains hospitalized receiving treatment for his injuries.

    Criminal investigators continue to piece together the precise sequence of events, examining witness testimonies and forensic evidence to determine whether the firearm discharge constituted justified self-defense or excessive force. The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding security protocols in public spaces and the appropriate use of lethal force by licensed weapon holders.

  • Trump says Venezuela to hand over oil stocks worth billions

    Trump says Venezuela to hand over oil stocks worth billions

    In a dramatic development following a U.S. military operation that ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, President Donald Trump announced plans to redirect tens of millions of barrels of Venezuelan oil to American ports. The controversial declaration came just days after U.S. special forces extracted Maduro and his wife from Caracas to face drug trafficking charges in New York.

    Trump specified that approximately 30-50 million barrels of premium Venezuelan crude, previously under international sanctions, would be shipped to the United States. The estimated $2 billion in anticipated revenue would be placed directly under presidential oversight, though the legal framework for such an arrangement remains unclear.

    The political vacuum left by Maduro’s removal has been filled by interim President Delcy Rodriguez, a former vice president and energy minister from Maduro’s inner circle. While Rodriguez has pledged cooperation with Washington, she simultaneously asserts Venezuelan sovereignty, stating unequivocally that “no foreign agent governs Venezuela.”

    This contradiction highlights the precarious position of the new administration, which must balance Trump’s demands for control over Venezuela’s oil industry and severed ties with Cuba, China, Iran, and Russia against domestic pressure from hardliners who still control the military and security apparatus.

    The transition has been marred by violence, with Venezuelan authorities reporting 23 military personnel killed during the U.S. operation and Cuba acknowledging 32 casualties among its military advisors. Attorney General Tarek William Saab mentioned “dozens” of additional civilian and military deaths without providing specific figures, prompting Rodriguez to declare seven days of national mourning.

    International observers have expressed concern over Trump’s assertion of American dominance, with former Venezuelan diplomat Alfredo Toro Hardy describing the situation as “something not seen in Latin America for over a century.” Meanwhile, the White House has dismissed involvement from Venezuela’s democratic opposition, further complicating the path toward legitimate governance.

    The situation remains volatile as Rodriguez attempts to consolidate power while navigating competing demands from Washington and powerful domestic factions, including Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, who continue to demonstrate influence through street mobilizations and control of security forces.

  • Belize clamping down on drones

    Belize clamping down on drones

    Belizean aviation authorities are implementing comprehensive drone regulations to address growing security risks to aircraft operations. The Department of Civil Aviation has initiated a public consultation process for new operational directives that will establish standardized licensing requirements and flight restrictions for both recreational and commercial drone use.

    According to Nigel Carter, Director of Civil Aviation, the updated regulations will replace the current fragmented approval system and align Belize’s drone policies with international aviation standards. The primary motivation stems from safety concerns, as aircraft in Belize frequently operate at low altitudes of approximately 500 feet even during transit, creating potential collision risks between manned and unmanned aircraft.

    The regulatory changes recognize drones’ importance as essential tools for various industries, including agriculture, surveying, and businesses utilizing Geographic Information Systems for land mapping and crop monitoring. However, the mandatory nature of these rules has raised concerns among drone operators, who face potential penalties for non-compliance.

    Operators have scheduled an emergency meeting to discuss the implications of the new directive, even as aviation officials emphasize the consultation process aims to incorporate stakeholder feedback. Carter confirmed that authorities are currently gathering input from the drone-operating community before reviewing concerns and meeting with operators to clarify regulatory positions.

    The proposed framework would establish clear, mandatory rules governing all drone operations in Belize, standardizing licensing procedures and operational limits while harmonizing national regulations with international standards observed in the United States, Europe, and global aviation authorities.

  • Yanique Taylor Wellington given nod as Indecom deputy commissioner

    Yanique Taylor Wellington given nod as Indecom deputy commissioner

    Jamaica’s Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) has announced the appointment of Yanique Taylor Wellington as its new deputy commissioner, filling the vacancy created by the departure of Assistant Commissioner Hamish Campbell who held the operational leadership role from 2013 through December 2025.

    Taylor Wellington assumes comprehensive operational responsibilities previously managed by Campbell, bringing substantial institutional expertise to the position. Her distinguished tenure at Indecom includes serving as Director of Complaints since January 2022 and previously as Senior Legal Officer. The legally-trained professional represented the commission during the critical West Kingston Commission of Enquiry in 2015 and notably argued before the UK Privy Council in the landmark Dane Lewin vs Albert Diah case, which resulted in a pivotal ruling affirming Indecom’s authority and reinforcing police accountability mechanisms. Prior to joining Indecom, she served as a senior prosecutor at Jamaica’s Integrity Commission.

    In her initial statements as deputy commissioner, Taylor Wellington highlighted alarming trends in police-related fatalities, revealing a 65% year-over-year increase in fatal security force shootings during 2025, with 311 individuals killed compared to the previous year. Particularly disturbing is the 300% surge in fatalities recorded in the first five days of 2026, with 12 persons shot dead by security forces compared to three during the same period in 2025.

    Taylor Wellington emphasized Indecom’s commitment to “independently, impartially, and promptly investigate all incidents involving security force shootings.” She assured citizens that recent fatal encounters would undergo thorough and objective examination, with appropriate actions taken should legal violations be identified.

    Notably, Indecom’s investigations into these incidents revealed concerning procedural gaps. While eight firearms were recovered across six recent shooting incidents, no body-worn cameras were activated by involved officers during any of these encounters. One Jamaica Constabulary Force member reportedly possessed equipment but claimed inability to activate it due to missing mounting accessories.

    All officers involved have been formally served with Section 21 Notices under the Independent Commission of Investigations Act (2010), requiring them to submit detailed statements and attend investigatory interviews.

  • AI, outdated visuals fuel misinformation after Maduro capture

    AI, outdated visuals fuel misinformation after Maduro capture

    WASHINGTON, DC — In the aftermath of the dramatic capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro by US forces, social media platforms have become inundated with sophisticated visual disinformation, blurring the boundaries between reality and fabrication. The digital landscape has been flooded with artificially generated and repurposed imagery that has collectively garnered millions of engagements, signaling a new era of AI-powered misinformation.

    Fact-checkers from AFP identified numerous deceptive posts circulating on major platforms including X and Facebook shortly after the operation. One widely-shared image purported to show Maduro in US custody, flanked by American military personnel near an aircraft. However, investigation revealed the photograph was entirely AI-generated, featuring a noticeably younger-looking Maduro. Google’s Gemini AI tool detected a SynthID watermark, confirming its artificial origins.

    Another viral image depicted an American soldier posing with a hooded Maduro, but digital archivists confirmed this was actually footage from the 2003 capture of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, repurposed two decades later to mislead contemporary audiences.

    Disinformation monitoring service NewsGuard reported identifying seven fabricated or misrepresented visual materials related to the Venezuela operation that accumulated over 14 million views within 48 hours on X alone. This phenomenon represents what analysts term ‘AI slop’ – mass-produced synthetic content created through inexpensive AI tools that transform simple text prompts into photorealistic imagery.

    Chiara Vercellone, senior analyst at NewsGuard, noted: ‘While many of these visuals don’t radically distort factual circumstances, they represent another weapon in the misinformer’s arsenal that proves increasingly difficult for fact-checkers to debunk due to their approximation of reality.’

    The disinformation wave extended to highest levels of political influence, with former President Donald Trump amplifying a viral video on his Truth Social platform claiming to show Venezuelans celebrating Maduro’s capture by running through streets in their underwear. AFP’s verification team traced this footage to UCLA’s quarterly ‘Undie Run’ tradition among college students, recorded weeks before the Venezuela operation.

    Adding to the confusion, humorous AI-generated clips circulated alongside legitimate news coverage, including one depicting Maduro and Trump dancing together in the Oval Office and another showing the ousted leader posing with prisoners in orange jumpsuits.

    The developments occur amid serious geopolitical proceedings, with Maduro pleading not guilty to drug trafficking and ‘narco-terrorism’ charges in a New York courtroom on Monday. Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez asserted that no foreign power governs her nation, responding to Trump’s statement that Washington would ‘run’ Venezuela during transition period.

  • No angels died in St Toolies

    No angels died in St Toolies

    MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Tensions between community reassurance and police accountability emerged in Porus following a deadly security operation that resulted in four fatalities. Manchester’s commanding officer, Superintendent Carey Duncan, addressed residents of St. Toolies during a community walk-through on Tuesday, defending police actions that occurred the previous day.

    Superintendent Duncan asserted that police only employ lethal force when confronted with direct threats, stating: “Our responses are consistently proportional to threats directed against us. When perpetrators receive clear instructions to surrender their weapons and instead aim firearms at officers, we respond with equivalent force.” He emphasized that innocent bystanders not posing threats would not have been harmed during Monday’s operation.

    The confrontation claimed the lives of three local men—23-year-old Byron McDonald, 26-year-old Teshawn Porteous, and 19-year-old Rasheed Johnson. Police reported a fourth unidentified individual attempted to flee the scene during an alleged exchange of gunfire before being fatally shot in the neighboring Toll Gate area. This incident brings Jamaica’s security forces-involved fatalities to twelve for the current year, with authorities confirming the seizure of a firearm from the scene.

    While relatives of the deceased had protested the shootings, many St. Toolies residents expressed support for the police presence. Community members praised law enforcement efforts and requested sustained patrols, particularly near the St. Toolies River area where criminal activity has been reported.

    Superintendent Duncan advised residents to remain vigilant against migrant criminals, urging community cooperation: “St. Toolies is traditionally close-knit and family-oriented. If strangers enter your community, we implore you to notify us for proper vetting. Not every newcomer poses a threat, but some do require scrutiny.”

    In response to community concerns, Duncan committed to maintaining consistent police patrols, clarifying that Monday’s operation was “strictly intelligence-driven” based on nationwide intelligence gathering rather than reflecting negatively on the community itself.

    Councillor Claudia Morant Baker (Jamaica Labour Party, Porus Division) endorsed the police approach, thanking authorities for enabling residents to “sleep in peace” knowing problematic elements had been removed from the community.

    The superintendent ruled out imposing curfews unless intelligence indicates impending violence, while also addressing illegal transportation methods. He specifically condemned the dangerous practice of unregulated motorcycle taxis transporting multiple passengers without helmets, emphasizing that such operations would never receive legal authorization.

    Police and local officials conducted a thorough assessment of the shooting location during Tuesday’s engagement, seeking to balance community security concerns with appropriate law enforcement practices.

  • ‘Hope Beyond Melissa’ tackling post-storm trauma

    ‘Hope Beyond Melissa’ tackling post-storm trauma

    In the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic landfall in October 2025, Jamaica continues to confront profound psychological trauma among its population. The Category 5 storm, compounded by the earlier impact of Hurricane Beryl in July 2024, has created unprecedented mental health challenges, particularly in coastal communities where residents experienced life-threatening situations.

    Recognizing the critical need for intervention, St Elizabeth South Western MP Floyd Green initiated the emergency mental health program ‘Hope Beyond Melissa.’ This comprehensive response effort, implemented in partnership with the Southern Regional Health Authority, represents one of Jamaica’s most significant disaster mental health mobilizations.

    Clinical psychologist Amanda Fraser leads the program, which rapidly deployed over 30 mental health professionals within days of the hurricane’s impact. The team has since expanded to include 51 psychologists, six psychiatrists, and numerous clergy members providing essential psychosocial support across at least 35 affected communities.

    The program’s approach focuses on community-based care, establishing child-friendly spaces even in areas with complete infrastructure destruction. Fraser emphasizes the transformative nature of their work: ‘Seeing the gratitude for mental health support in a country where it has been stigmatized represents a remarkable shift in attitudes.’

    To date, the initiative has provided critical psychological first aid to more than 1,500 survivors, including both residents and emergency responders. The program’s success has prompted calls for expanded intervention, with the Ministry of Health now mobilizing resources for broader implementation.

    Particular concern remains for elderly survivors who have lost lifelong investments and face retirement in precarious circumstances. Green emphasizes the need for consistent, widespread mental health support across all severely affected regions, noting that the psychological impact of losing everything in hours requires sustained professional intervention.

    The program continues to seek additional mental health professionals to address the overwhelming need, representing a new paradigm in post-disaster psychological care for Caribbean nations facing increasingly severe weather events.

  • Courtney Wilson returns to stage with Boopsie’s Homecoming

    Courtney Wilson returns to stage with Boopsie’s Homecoming

    Courtney Wilson, a foundational pillar of Jamaica’s theatrical scene, marks his triumphant return to the stage in Jambiz International’s newest comedic production, ‘Boopsie’s Homecoming’. Having originated his iconic Shaggy character in the company’s ‘Cinderellisha and the DJ Prince’ 24 years ago, Wilson now embodies Larry, the scheming accomplice to his sister Petal in this domestic drama unveiled on Boxing Day at Kingston’s Courtleigh Auditorium.

    The narrative centers on Boopsie (portrayed by Glen Campbell), a Jamaican expatriate residing in the United States who has diligently financed the construction of his dream home through years of remittances to his wife. His anticipated homecoming transforms into profound disillusionment upon discovering the funds have mysteriously vanished with minimal construction progress to show.

    Though Wilson confesses to never personally participating in such financial deception, he channels profound empathy for Boopsie’s betrayal, drawing upon analogous personal experiences of familial trust violation in business contexts, as revealed in his Jamaica Observer interview.

    His extensive collaborative history with Campbell—Jambiz’s perennial lead—and playwright Patrick Brown (company co-founder and principal writer) creates exceptional synergistic dynamics. Wilson attributes their sustained success in productions like ‘Indecent Proposal’, ‘Room 513’, ‘Windscream Posse’, and ‘Lockdown’ to this deeply ingrained professional familiarity, noting their mutual awareness of each other’s artistic strengths and vulnerabilities both onstage and off.

    Hailing from West Kingston and raised in the McIntyre Villa community (colloquially termed Dunkirk), Wilson’s artistic journey commenced at Excelsior High School through Jamaica Cultural Development Commission events before formalizing his craft with a performing arts degree from Excelsior Community College.

    His uninterrupted tenure with Jambiz since 2002 has provided both artistic refinement and economic stability—a crucial combination for a family man within the acting profession. Wilson emphasizes his enthusiasm for challenging, diverse roles that maintain his creative engagement and financial security.

    The production features Daindra Harrison and Renae Williams alternating as the duplicitous Petal, with David Crossgill completing the ensemble as Papa. Performance schedules maintain Wednesday-through-Friday evening showings at 8:00 PM, supplemented by dual Saturday and Sunday performances at 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM.

  • Barita to acquire JN Fund Managers in $4.2 billion deal

    Barita to acquire JN Fund Managers in $4.2 billion deal

    Jamaica’s financial sector is poised for significant consolidation following regulatory approval of Barita Investments Limited’s landmark acquisition of JN Fund Managers Limited. The Financial Services Commission’s no-objection clears the path for Barita’s parent company, Cornerstone Financial Holdings Limited, to execute its most ambitious expansion move yet—a transaction valued at approximately $4.2 billion that will create Jamaica’s largest asset manager with combined assets under management exceeding $500 billion.

    The acquisition represents a strategic pivot for both institutions. For vendor Jamaica National Group, the sale concludes a necessary divestment strategy following three consecutive years of aggregated losses totaling $8.54 billion. The group has characterized the asset sales as a means to “cauterise the financial bleed” and bolster its core banking subsidiary.

    Barita’s aggressive expansion comes amid concerning financial indicators. The acquirer reported a 21% decline in consolidated net profit to $3 billion for the twelve months ending September 2025, alongside a 15% reduction in net operating revenue. The company’s balance sheet shows significant reliance on short-term funding, with repurchase agreements comprising 79% of its $114.58 billion total liabilities. Adding to the complexity, Barita has delayed publication of its audited financial statements until January 2026.

    The premium valuation—approximately 140% of Barita’s most recent annual net profit and significantly above JNFM’s stated equity of $3.19 billion—suggests the price reflects strategic positioning rather than the target’s financial performance. JNFM itself reported a net loss of $568.05 million for the year ending March 2024, with operating revenue plummeting 63% due to impairment losses.

    The transaction occurs within broader industry consolidation trends. Cornerstone recently entered a strategic partnership with Proven Management Limited, with Bank of Jamaica Governor Richard Byles indicating this likely involves Cornerstone acquiring a stake in PML. This expansion strategy has included both successes, such as Cornerstone’s $3.67 billion stake sale to the National Insurance Fund, and setbacks including a terminated acquisition attempt of Clarien Group Limited.

    Market analysts will closely monitor Barita’s ability to execute the complex integration, realize projected synergies, and manage its leveraged balance sheet amid Jamaica’s post-Hurricane Melissa economic recovery. The deal signals a transformative shift in Jamaican finance toward leveraged acquisition strategies and privately-held conglomerate models, potentially reshaping the sector’s competitive dynamics for years to come.