Carib Scope

作者： admin

  • Galibi al twee weken zonder water en stroom: Alles staat stil, dit is een ramp

    Galibi al twee weken zonder water en stroom: Alles staat stil, dit is een ramp

    The indigenous village of Galibi in Suriname’s Marowijne district has descended into a severe humanitarian crisis, enduring over two weeks without electricity and running water despite the recent completion of a solar energy project. Village Captain Ricardo Pané describes the situation as catastrophic, with daily life completely paralyzed.

    The power outage has triggered a chain reaction of problems: perishable food in refrigerators and freezers is spoiling, causing significant financial losses for households. Residents have been forced to rely on rainwater collection, while some families resort to using well water for cooking. Captain Pané emphasized the inequality in access, noting that not every household has a well, and many cannot afford frequent trips to Albina to purchase drinking water and ice.

    This crisis forced the community to endure the recent holiday season without basic utilities. Technical teams from the Ministry of Natural Resources have attempted twice to repair a defective generator, but both efforts proved unsuccessful. The electrical failure has simultaneously crippled the water supply system, leading to school closures and severely limited operations at government offices and health services.

    The situation is particularly frustrating given that PowerChina completed a solar panel project in November, which included a successful 72-hour trial operation. Captain Pané expressed bewilderment at the continued attempts to fix the old generator when a functional alternative exists. Additionally, the water installation has been malfunctioning for an extended period, with collaborative efforts underway with Total Energy to acquire a larger compressor to restore water pumping capabilities.

    “The government is fully aware of this emergency,” Pané stated. “Why must it reach this breaking point? We have urgently contacted both the district commissioner and the minister, and now await their response. This cannot continue—households are completely immobilized. Sanitation, laundry, everything has stopped. This is nothing short of a disaster.”

  • ILO reports Dominican unemployment at 4.9% in 2025

    ILO reports Dominican unemployment at 4.9% in 2025

    SANTO DOMINGO – The Dominican Republic has solidified its position as a regional leader in employment, maintaining one of Latin America’s lowest jobless rates according to newly released international data. Minister of Labor Eddy Olivares, citing the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Labour Panorama 2025 report, announced the national unemployment rate reached approximately 4.9% in 2025, significantly outperforming the regional average of 6%.

    The nation’s economic resilience is largely attributed to robust expansion in labor-driven sectors including services, construction, and tourism. Minister Olivares credited this sustained employment recovery to the strategic public policies enacted under President Luis Abinader’s administration. These measures, which emphasize economic growth, social dialogue, and human-centric labor reforms, have collectively fortified the national job market.

    Looking forward, government projections indicate optimism for further improvement, with unemployment potentially dipping below the current 4.9% threshold by 2026. Strategic priorities will focus on enhancing youth employment opportunities, addressing workforce gender disparities, and accelerating the formalization of jobs. In collaboration with private sector partners and worker representatives, the Ministry of Labor plans to expand initiatives such as job placement services, first-job programs, vocational skills training, and comprehensive labor inspections. These coordinated efforts aim to cultivate an inclusive and sustainable labor framework for the future.

  • Column: Wie mag een president uit bed lichten?

    Column: Wie mag een president uit bed lichten?

    The recent detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife by United States authorities has ignited a profound debate about sovereignty, power politics, and the erosion of international legal norms. While Washington justifies the action as part of anti-narcotics operations, the incident represents a dangerous precedent in international relations.

    Maduro, despite controversies surrounding his administration, remains the democratically elected leader of a sovereign nation. International law explicitly protects sitting heads of state from foreign arrest and prosecution, establishing clear protocols through treaties, diplomatic channels, and international courts for addressing allegations against foreign leaders. The unilateral action bypasses these established mechanisms, substituting legal process with power-based intervention.

    The global response has been notably muted, revealing a troubling hypocrisy in the international community’s application of principles. Many nations that rightly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine now demonstrate selective outrage when the United States violates international norms. This double standard undermines the very foundation of global governance.

    The United Nations Security Council remains paralyzed, particularly when a veto-wielding permanent member is directly involved in such actions. This institutional impotence exposes the fundamental flaw in the international system: rules only bind those without power to ignore them.

    Historical patterns suggest economic motivations behind the intervention, with Venezuela’s vast oil reserves and strategic location likely influencing the calculus. This echoes previous US military interventions in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya, which consistently produced chaos rather than democracy or stability.

    The silence of neighboring countries, including Suriname and CARICOM nations, carries significant implications. While caution is understandable, failure to defend sovereignty principles ultimately legitimizes their violation. Smaller nations particularly depend on a rules-based international order where might doesn’t automatically equal right.

    The operation reportedly resulted in casualties, though details remain scarce—another characteristic of interventions where accountability often follows action rather than preceding it.

    This situation transcends Venezuela or Maduro personally. It represents a critical test for whether international law maintains meaningful authority or merely serves as convenient rhetoric when aligned with powerful interests. The normalization of arbitrary power today establishes dangerous precedents that could affect any nation tomorrow.

  • CNTU launches pilot nighttime route from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

    CNTU launches pilot nighttime route from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

    Santo Domingo has initiated an innovative nighttime public transportation pilot program in response to the growing need for safe transit options for overnight workers. The National Central of Unified Transporters (CNTU) unveiled plans for a new route operating from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. along the Duarte Highway–John F. Kennedy corridor.

    CNTU President William Pérez Figuereo emphasized the program’s primary objective: providing secure and dignified transportation for hundreds of night-shift employees who previously struggled with limited mobility options. The initiative specifically targets security personnel, restaurant staff, retail employees, street vendors, and day laborers who cannot access conventional taxi services due to financial constraints.

    The transportation union projects that approximately 500 businesses along the designated corridor could experience operational benefits from the extended service hours. Pérez Figuereo additionally highlighted potential secondary advantages, including reduced daytime traffic congestion as some commercial activities might shift to nighttime operations.

    Addressing security concerns inherent to nighttime operations, the CNTU leadership has formally requested protection support from the National Police and Ministry of Defense for participating drivers. Despite acknowledging the initiative’s potential initial lack of profitability, Pérez Figuereo strongly encouraged other transportation organizations to implement similar programs, framing the service as essential social infrastructure rather than purely commercial enterprise.

  • Authorities warn of sargassum arrival on Caribbean coasts by late January 2026

    Authorities warn of sargassum arrival on Caribbean coasts by late January 2026

    Santo Domingo environmental authorities have issued an alert regarding a significant sargassum seaweed incursion anticipated to reach Caribbean coastlines by January 2026. José Ramón Reyes, Vice Minister of Coastal and Marine Resources at the Ministry of Environment, indicated the algal phenomenon would likely follow patterns previously observed across the Antilles and Mexican coastlines.

    Unusual early detections have already been recorded, with sargassum appearing in atypical regions including northern coastal areas and eastern zones as early as December. Current nationwide estimates suggest approximately 800,000 tons of sargassum are present, though officials acknowledge difficulties in quantifying the full extent across all affected regions.

    In response to this growing environmental challenge, the Dominican government is implementing multiple strategic initiatives. The Ministry has established collaborative agreements with KOICA (Korean International Cooperation Agency) and the European Union’s Euroclima program to develop an advanced early warning system. This technology will provide coastal communities with critical 48 to 72-hour alerts before sargassum arrivals.

    Complementary monitoring efforts include a pilot project utilizing camera networks and drone surveillance in heavily impacted areas, developed through partnership with SOS Carbón. The Dominican Republic has additionally elevated the sargassum crisis to international forums, advocating for its recognition as a regional environmental emergency requiring coordinated multinational response strategies.

  • Wereldwijde machtsstrijd: Venezuela en Groenland centraal

    Wereldwijde machtsstrijd: Venezuela en Groenland centraal

    In a dramatic geopolitical development, Delcy Rodríguez has been sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. special forces. The ceremony took place before the National Assembly, dominated by Maduro loyalists, where Rodríguez condemned American intervention and vowed to pursue peace and stability.

    Meanwhile, Maduro appeared in a New York courtroom pleading not guilty to serious charges including narco-terrorism and weapons possession. The U.S. government alleges Maduro collaborated with drug cartels to smuggle thousands of tons of cocaine into the United States over an extended period.

    President Donald Trump indicated willingness to work temporarily with Rodríguez but issued a clear warning that her tenure depends on compliance with American demands. The U.S. administration confirmed it would temporarily govern Venezuela until a secure and just transition can be established, including access for American oil companies to Venezuela’s substantial reserves.

    The political crisis follows disputed elections marred by fraud allegations that triggered widespread protests and severe government crackdowns. The U.S. operation resulted in approximately 80 casualties, including 32 Cuban military personnel who had provided personal security for Maduro. The U.S. State Department is preparing to reopen its Caracas embassy pending political stability.

    Simultaneously, renewed U.S. interest in Greenland has created additional geopolitical friction. President Trump reiterated his desire to annex the autonomous Danish territory, valued for its strategic location and mineral resources. Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen firmly rejected the proposition, stating Greenland is “not for sale” and maintains the right to determine its own future.

    Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and European allies, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Germany’s Foreign Minister, emphasized the importance of sovereignty and democratic decision-making. Though not an independent NATO member, Greenland’s strategic significance is amplified through its association with Denmark and its resource-rich Arctic position.

    These parallel developments illustrate escalating global power competition over influence, resources, and security. From Latin America to the Arctic, local leaders are asserting self-determination principles and demanding respect for international law amid great power rivalry.

  • Honor and glory!

    Honor and glory!

    Havana has confirmed the deaths of 32 Cuban military personnel during operations in Venezuela, characterizing the incident as a direct result of what it describes as “U.S. state terrorism” against the Bolivarian Republic. According to official reports from Cuban state media outlet Granma, the casualties occurred during combat operations where Cuban forces exhibited “fierce resistance” against unspecified aggressors.

    The deceased personnel were reportedly deployed on official missions at the request of Venezuelan authorities, operating under both Cuba’s Revolutionary Armed Forces and Ministry of the Interior. Their duties involved collaboration with counterpart agencies within the South American nation, though specific operational details remain undisclosed.

    This development represents a significant escalation in the ongoing geopolitical tensions between Cuba, Venezuela, and the United States. Cuban authorities have framed the incident as another chapter in what they characterize as Washington’s aggressive policies toward leftist governments in Latin America.

    The announcement, accompanied by military photographs of the deceased operatives, appears designed to bolster domestic support while internationally condemning U.S. foreign policy. The timing and nature of the disclosure suggest calculated diplomatic messaging aimed at multiple audiences, both domestic and international.

    This incident marks one of the largest single losses of Cuban military personnel abroad in recent decades and will likely have substantial implications for Cuba-Venezuela relations and their collective stance against U.S. influence in the region.

  • UN Secretary-General raises concerns over Venezuela’s long-term stability

    UN Secretary-General raises concerns over Venezuela’s long-term stability

    United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a stark warning regarding Venezuela’s deteriorating stability in the wake of recent U.S. military operations within the South American nation. During an emergency session of the UN Security Council convened on January 5th, Guterres articulated profound apprehensions about the potential escalation of regional instability and the dangerous precedent set by these developments.

    The Secretary-General emphasized that the current crisis represents an alarming escalation of Venezuela’s prolonged political and economic turmoil, which has drawn international scrutiny since the controversial July 2024 presidential elections. Guterres revealed that electoral observation panels commissioned by the Venezuelan government itself had identified serious procedural irregularities, while repeated calls for electoral transparency from international bodies went unheeded.

    The situation reached a critical juncture with a pre-dawn U.S. military strike that resulted in approximately 40 casualties and the subsequent capture of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. Both were transported to New York where they faced federal charges related to firearms and cocaine trafficking, entering not guilty pleas during their Monday arraignment.

    Guterres expressed particular concern over interim President Delcy Rodríguez’s declaration of a nationwide emergency decree on January 3rd, which significantly expanded government security powers. The UN chief stressed that the military action constituted a clear violation of international law, specifically the UN Charter’s prohibition against the use of force against sovereign states’ territorial integrity.

    The Secretary-General concluded that maintaining international peace and security depends entirely on member states’ unwavering commitment to uphold these fundamental principles, warning that the current trajectory could have devastating consequences for Venezuela and the broader Latin American region.

  • Gunman Kills Lord’s Bank Resident as Family Sleeps

    Gunman Kills Lord’s Bank Resident as Family Sleeps

    The tranquil village of Lord’s Bank, Belize, was shattered by a brutal homicide in the early hours of Sunday, January 5th, 2026. Phillip Nicholas, a 57-year-old local handyman described by family as exceptionally kind and devoted, was fatally shot while sleeping beside his wife and grandchild.

    According to police reports, an unidentified male intruder forced entry into the Nicholas residence around 2:00 AM while the family slept. Multiple gunshots were fired, resulting in Nicholas’s immediate death. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith confirmed that two individuals have been detained for questioning as investigators work to establish a motive.

    The attack occurred under circumstances that highlight the community’s normally peaceful nature. The family had left their door unlocked—a common practice in this secluded area where security concerns were previously minimal. Remarkably, the assailant specifically targeted Nicholas, leaving both his wife Zelma and their grandchild physically unharmed despite their proximity.

    Zelma Nicholas, now widowed after 22 years of marriage, described her husband as a ‘jovial person’ who cherished family above all else. ‘He loved to dance and make a clown of himself,’ she recalled in an emotional tribute. ‘He was a helpful person—sometimes I had to stop him from doing chores because he would want to do everything.’

    Beyond his family life, Nicholas had become an integral part of the Belize National Library Service community. Though not formally employed by the institution, he served as a dedicated handyman on the compound. Principal Librarian Feline Cayetano expressed profound shock at his sudden death, noting that Nicholas had become ‘part of the library family’ after initially arriving through a private security company.

    As criminal investigations continue, the grieving family has adopted a posture of spiritual resignation. ‘God is the seer and overseer of everything,’ Zelma Nicholas stated. ‘I will leave it in the hands of God.’ The community has begun memorializing Nicholas with visible symbols of mourning, including a black bow displayed outside the library where he spent his days.

  • Young Father Found Stabbed to Death in Supermarket Parking Lot

    Young Father Found Stabbed to Death in Supermarket Parking Lot

    The Ladyville community was plunged into mourning on Sunday afternoon following the brutal stabbing death of 26-year-old Patrick Uh in the parking lot of New Moon Supermarket. The incident occurred around 2:00 PM near Mile 10 of the Philip Goldson Highway, where authorities discovered Uh’s body lying face up on a wooden pallet with critical chest wounds.

    Investigators have recovered a broken knife from the crime scene, though no suspects or motives have been identified. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith confirmed that authorities are examining multiple surveillance recordings from the area, hoping the footage will provide crucial evidence in the ongoing investigation.

    The victim’s common-law wife, Roxana Aldana, identified Uh’s body and shared poignant memories of her partner. She described Uh as a dedicated family man who had recently returned to truck driving and was attempting to reduce his drinking habits to focus on their four-year-old daughter.

    Aldana recounted her final conversations with Uh, revealing that she had grown accustomed to his pattern of staying out drinking and returning home in the early morning hours. Their last communication occurred hours before his death, when she became concerned after being unable to reach him.

    The grieving partner remembered Uh as fundamentally non-confrontational despite his drinking habits, stating he was ‘not a problem person’ who avoided conflicts. The couple had envisioned expanding their family, with Uh expressing gratitude for their daughter and hopes for a son in the future.

    The tragedy has left the family facing profound grief rather than new year celebrations, with a young child now awaiting explanations about her father’s permanent absence. Community members and relatives are calling for justice as police continue their investigation into this shocking daylight homicide.