Carib Scope

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  • The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Celebrated the 114th National Day and 42nd Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations with St. Christopher and Nevis

    The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Celebrated the 114th National Day and 42nd Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations with St. Christopher and Nevis

    On October 9, 2025, the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in St. Christopher and Nevis hosted a grand reception at the picturesque Palms Court Gardens restaurant to commemorate the 114th National Day of Taiwan and the 42nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. The event underscored the enduring partnership and mutual respect shared by Taiwan and St. Kitts and Nevis.

    Ambassador Edward Tao, in his opening address, likened the 42-year friendship to ‘fine rum—smoother and richer with time.’ He extended his gratitude to the Government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis for their unwavering support in international forums and their commitment to shared values of democracy, freedom, and mutual respect.

    The Right Honourable Dr. Denzil Llewellyn Douglas, Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of St. Kitts and Nevis, lauded Taiwan as a reliable and valued partner. He highlighted Taiwan’s significant contributions to the Federation’s development across various sectors and reaffirmed the Government’s dedication to advocating for Taiwan on the global stage.

    The celebration was graced by prominent figures, including Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke, Hon. Konris Maynard, Hon. Garth Wilkins, the Acting Commander of the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force, senior government officials, business leaders, and members of the diplomatic corps.

    Attendees were treated to a vibrant showcase of Taiwanese culture, featuring a dynamic Dragon Dance, the traditional Third Prince performance, and a heartfelt rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ for Taiwan. The festivities reflected the deep-rooted friendship and shared joy between the peoples of Taiwan and St. Kitts and Nevis.

  • How faith carried Marquita Jordan beyond cancer

    How faith carried Marquita Jordan beyond cancer

    At 72, Marquita Jordan reflects on a life-altering journey that began over three decades ago when she discovered a lump in her right breast. Initially dismissed by her doctor as benign, Jordan’s intuition led her to seek a second opinion. A mammogram revealed the harsh truth: she had breast cancer. The diagnosis, initially perceived as a death sentence, marked the start of a profound battle marked by resilience, faith, and healing.

  • Another historic chapter for Fort Thomas as new site for transformative symbol of Love Museum and Monuments, celebrating Caribbean and global heritage

    Another historic chapter for Fort Thomas as new site for transformative symbol of Love Museum and Monuments, celebrating Caribbean and global heritage

    In a groundbreaking move for cultural preservation and tourism development, the historic Fort Thomas property in Basseterre, Saint Kitts, is set to become a world-class heritage destination. Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew led the official ground-breaking ceremony for The Symbol of Love Museum and Monuments, a $30 million project poised to redefine the region’s tourism and cultural landscape. The initiative marks a significant milestone for the 8.7-acre site, which has remained dormant for over two decades since its acquisition by the government in 1999. Prime Minister Drew emphasized the project’s dual focus on preserving local heritage and fostering global connections. The development, led by Caribbean developer ABL Inc., will feature two flagship institutions: the Caribbean Museum of History and the International Museum. These museums will highlight the region’s resilience, creativity, and unity while showcasing its ties to global human progress. The site will also include botanical gardens, restaurants, cafés, and replicas of world heritage monuments, creating a seamless blend of education, culture, and leisure. The project, funded entirely through foreign direct investment, follows a lease-to-own model, ensuring accountability and local benefits. It will generate jobs, entrepreneurship opportunities, and renewed vitality for the Fortlands area. Minister of Tourism Marsha Henderson praised the initiative for aligning with the Federation’s sustainable tourism agenda, emphasizing its potential to empower local communities and preserve cultural heritage. The development is expected to position Saint Kitts and Nevis as a regional hub for history, heritage, and human connection, further enhancing its reputation as an innovative and authentic tourism destination.

  • PM confirms Canada asked that Huggins be removed as CG

    PM confirms Canada asked that Huggins be removed as CG

    Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has acknowledged that former Consul General to Toronto, Fitz Huggins, exceeded the permissible duration of his diplomatic posting in Canada. Gonsalves revealed that Kingstown had requested an additional three-month extension for Huggins, which was granted by the Canadian government until the end of September. This development follows speculation within the Vincentian community in Canada regarding the abrupt conclusion of Huggins’ 12-year tenure. Gonsalves addressed the matter on NBC Radio, refuting claims by the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) that Huggins was dismissed, emphasizing that his government did not terminate his role. He clarified that Canada imposes limits on the duration of consular postings, and Huggins had surpassed this period. Huggins, who served with distinction, had sought additional time to complete ongoing initiatives, prompting SVG to request an extension from Ottawa. Gonsalves highlighted that similar regulations exist in the United States for diplomatic personnel. Huggins, in a Facebook post on October 2, hinted at legal action against detractors while expressing gratitude for his assignment and community support. His tenure was marked by contributions such as sending medical supplies and decommissioned vehicles to SVG, though he was also embroiled in controversy over the purchase of a government-leased vehicle. Gonsalves defended Huggins’ actions, noting that the vehicle was acquired at a higher cost than the lease terms, saving SVG money. Huggins’ appointment in 2013 was seen as a political compromise, as he had initially sought to become the Unity Labour Party’s candidate for East St. George in the 2015 elections, a position ultimately secured by the Prime Minister’s son, Camillo Gonsalves.

  • Senator: Review rules for dads with multiple newborns

    Senator: Review rules for dads with multiple newborns

    Senator Gregory Nicholls has called for amendments to the Family Leave Bill to better align with the complexities of contemporary family structures in Barbados. During a Senate debate, Nicholls highlighted scenarios where fathers may have multiple children born within a 12-month period, emphasizing that the current legislation should not compel them to choose which child to bond with. He argued that the primary goal of the Family Leave Bill is to foster familial connections and support the developmental needs of children, and thus, no child should be disadvantaged due to legislative constraints. Nicholls proposed that fathers with parenting responsibilities across multiple households should be entitled to leave for each child, ensuring equitable bonding opportunities. He clarified that his suggestion is not meant to promote irresponsible fatherhood but to safeguard the rights of parents to fulfill their familial obligations without jeopardizing their employment. Nicholls underscored the importance of the parent-child bond during early developmental stages, advocating for a legal framework that prioritizes the welfare of children and strengthens family ties.

  • Verwarring en felle reacties rond gratieverzoek 8 December-zaak

    Verwarring en felle reacties rond gratieverzoek 8 December-zaak

    A significant controversy has emerged in Suriname surrounding a pardon request submitted by attorney Irvin Kanhai on behalf of four convicts in the high-profile 8 December case. The request, filed on September 17, 2025, with the President’s Cabinet, involves Stefanus Dendoe, Ernst Gefferie, Benny Brondenstein, and the fugitive Iwan Dijksteel. While Kanhai has provided evidence of submission, including a receipt shown to journalists, President Jennifer Simons claimed during a tribute event for the late NDP leader Desi Bouterse that she was unaware of any such request, stating it had not officially reached her. The situation escalated on Wednesday when a statement surfaced, allegedly signed by Dendoe, Gefferie, and Brondenstein, explicitly distancing themselves from the pardon petition. The statement, dated October 11, 2025, asserts that they never authorized Kanhai or anyone else to file the request on their behalf. The three convicts, currently in the medical ward of the Santo Boma penitentiary, have raised questions about the legitimacy of the request and their representation. The issue has sparked intense reactions across society and politics, with NDP Vice Chairman Ramon Abrahams suggesting that the matter had been previously discussed within the party, emphasizing the public’s will as reflected in recent elections. Kanhai has declined to comment, leaving the validity of the pardon request and its initiator unclear. The case threatens to become a sensitive political and legal issue, particularly as the four convicts are notably absent from the list of detainees set to receive pardons for Suriname’s 50th Independence Day.

  • Deputy Premier the Honourable Eric Evelyn Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Cooperatives Nevis Island Administration World Food Day Message 2025

    Deputy Premier the Honourable Eric Evelyn Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Cooperatives Nevis Island Administration World Food Day Message 2025

    On October 16, 2025, Deputy Premier and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Cooperatives of the Nevis Island Administration, the Honourable Eric Evelyn, delivered a powerful message in observance of World Food Day. This annual event, established by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1979, unites over 150 nations in addressing global food security and the fundamental right to nourishment for all. The theme for 2025, ‘Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future,’ emphasizes the urgent need for global collaboration to transform agri-food systems and ensure sustainable access to healthy diets. This year’s theme also commemorates the 80th anniversary of the FAO, founded in 1945. Minister Evelyn highlighted the importance of partnerships across governments, organizations, and communities to tackle challenges such as conflict, climate change, and resource scarcity. He underscored the Ministry of Agriculture’s efforts to enhance food security on Nevis, stressing that collaboration is essential to achieving greater food sovereignty. The Minister called for strengthened ties with allied agencies, farmers, fishermen, and educational institutions to promote local production, climate-smart practices, and nutritional education. He urged Nevisians to support sustainable farming and fishing practices, reduce waste, and prioritize locally grown foods. Minister Evelyn concluded with a rallying cry for collective action, emphasizing that a better future for Nevis contributes to a healthier, more equitable world. ‘Hand in Hand, we can make a difference,’ he declared, wishing everyone a Happy World Food Day 2025.

  • Trump says he’s considering strikes on land to combat Venezuelan drug cartels; authorises CIA operations in Venezuela, raising pressure on Maduro

    Trump says he’s considering strikes on land to combat Venezuelan drug cartels; authorises CIA operations in Venezuela, raising pressure on Maduro

    In a significant escalation of U.S. efforts to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he has authorized the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to conduct covert operations in Venezuela. This move, first reported by The New York Times, is part of a broader strategy aimed at removing Maduro from power, with the Trump administration offering a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction on drug trafficking charges.

    Trump justified the decision by citing the migration of Venezuelans to the United States and the trafficking of drugs, particularly fentanyl, as primary concerns. ‘I authorized for two reasons really,’ Trump stated in the Oval Office. ‘Number one, they have emptied their prisons into the United States of America…they came in through the border. They came in because we had an open border. And the other thing are drugs.’ However, Trump has not provided evidence to support his claim that Venezuela is sending former prisoners to the U.S.

    The new authority granted to the CIA allows for lethal operations in Venezuela and a range of activities in the Caribbean. Trump also revealed that the U.S. is considering land strikes to combat drug cartels, stating, ‘We are looking at land now, because we’ve got the sea very well under control.’ The Pentagon recently disclosed to Congress that Trump has determined the U.S. is engaged in ‘a non-international armed conflict’ with drug cartels.

    Venezuela’s government condemned Trump’s remarks, calling them a violation of international law and accusing the U.S. of pursuing a ‘regime change’ operation to seize the country’s oil resources. Foreign Minister Yvan Gil announced that Venezuela’s Permanent Mission to the UN would raise the issue with the Security Council and the Secretary-General.

    Critics, including Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, have expressed concerns that the administration is moving the U.S. closer to outright conflict. ‘The American people deserve to know if the Administration is leading the U.S. into another conflict, putting service members at risk or pursuing a regime-change operation,’ Shaheen stated.

    The Trump administration has conducted at least five strikes on vessels in the Caribbean since September, killing 26 people described as ‘narcoterrorists.’ However, the administration has yet to provide evidence to Congress supporting claims that the boats were carrying narcotics, raising questions about the legal basis for these actions.

  • Police concerned about violence in schools

    Police concerned about violence in schools

    Assistant Commissioner of Police Trevor ‘Buju’ Bailey has expressed deep concern over the escalating violence in schools across St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Speaking to iWitness News, Bailey highlighted the urgent need for young people to adopt de-escalation strategies, noting that impulsive behavior often leads to severe consequences. He revealed that a significant portion of these incidents involve young girls, though boys are also culpable. Bailey’s remarks followed a recent stabbing at North Union Secondary School, where a 15-year-old student was critically injured by a 16-year-old classmate. The incident underscores the growing problem of school violence, with reports emerging almost weekly. Bailey emphasized the importance of early intervention, urging parents, counselors, and community institutions to play a proactive role in guiding students. He stressed that addressing behavioral issues before they escalate into serious offenses is crucial for rehabilitation, rather than relying solely on punitive measures. Bailey called for a collective effort to transform troubled youth into model citizens, advocating for counseling and support over punishment.

  • Belize Government Lotteries Launches “Fi We Boledo” Mobile App

    Belize Government Lotteries Launches “Fi We Boledo” Mobile App

    Belize Government Lotteries Ltd. has unveiled its cutting-edge mobile gaming platform, the ‘Fi We Boledo’ App, revolutionizing the way Belizeans engage with lottery games. This innovative app enables users to purchase Boledo, Ordinary Lottery, and Jackpot Lottery tickets seamlessly from their mobile devices. Designed with user convenience in mind, the platform ensures instant payouts and robust security measures. Players can select their numbers, place wagers, and receive winnings directly into their Digi Wallet or local bank account. The app also features secure payment options through trusted providers and provides access to historical game results. Available for download on both Android and iOS devices, the ‘Fi We Boledo’ App marks a significant step forward in modernizing lottery access while upholding transparency and security. The launch of this digital service underscores Belize Government Lotteries Ltd.’s commitment to enhancing user experience and embracing technological advancements. Fi We Fun, Fi We Profits, Fi We Boledo!