Carib Scope

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  • Farmers urged to report cases of praedial larceny

    Farmers urged to report cases of praedial larceny

    Jamaican authorities are implementing an aggressive multi-faceted strategy to combat praedial larceny (agricultural theft) that has already yielded dramatic results, with conviction rates skyrocketing by over 2,000% in recent years. Franklin Witter, State Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, revealed these developments during a sensitization session with the Jamaica Constabulary Force in St Catherine.

    The comprehensive approach encompasses five key pillars: enhanced traceability systems, rigorous enforcement and compliance protocols, widespread public education campaigns, strengthened institutional frameworks, and significant legislative reforms. This coordinated effort has produced remarkable outcomes – arrests surged from merely 78 cases in 2023 to 381 in 2025, while convictions exploded from just 9 to 209 during the same period.

    Current statistics indicate 115 documented cases of agricultural crimes year-to-date, with Area 5 (encompassing St Catherine and St Thomas) accounting for 34 incidents. The financial impact has been substantial, with stolen produce valued at approximately $14.5 million. Law enforcement efforts have led to 102 arrests and 36 convictions to date, while recovering stolen goods worth $1.18 million.

    Minister Witter emphasized the critical importance of farmer reporting, noting that underreporting effectively empowers criminals. He encouraged greater community solidarity among agricultural workers, urging them to “be each other’s keepers and supporters” through formal farmer associations.

    The traceability component has been significantly enhanced through multiple systems including standardized receipt books, cattle tagging initiatives, and the Agricultural Business Information System. St Catherine has emerged as the most compliant parish, with farmers purchasing 591 receipt books between April 2025 and January 2026 alone.

    Institutional strengthening includes the establishment of the dedicated Agricultural Protection Branch (APB), which treats praedial larceny as a direct threat to national food security. The APB provides focused attention on both thieves and those who purchase stolen produce.

    Legislative enhancements under the Agricultural Produce (Amendment) Act, 2023 have substantially increased penalties, with fines up to $3 million and prison sentences of up to three years. The government has broadened the definition of agricultural produce, mandated dealer registration, and expanded receipt book accessibility. Strengthened laws now permit victim impact statements, giving farmers formal representation in court proceedings.

    Ongoing public education efforts include targeted sensitization sessions in hotspot areas to promote registration, traceability, and community awareness about combating agricultural theft.

  • Foreign Affairs ministry urges Jamaicans to avoid travel to Middle East

    Foreign Affairs ministry urges Jamaicans to avoid travel to Middle East

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade has issued an urgent travel advisory strongly discouraging all citizens from traveling to Middle Eastern territories following significant military escalation between the United States, Israel, and Iran this past Saturday.

    The governmental body confirmed it is actively monitoring developing military hostilities throughout the region. Officials have specifically instructed Jamaican nationals currently residing in or visiting Middle Eastern countries to exercise extreme vigilance and prepare to shelter in place as security conditions deteriorate.

    The advisory comes in direct response to coordinated US-Israeli aerial strikes targeting Iranian military assets, which both nations justified as necessary defensive measures against perceived Iranian threats. Iran subsequently launched retaliatory missile volleys targeting both Gulf states housing US military installations and Israeli territories.

    In a previously recorded video statement, former US President Donald Trump explicitly characterized the military operation’s objectives as the comprehensive dismantling of Iran’s military infrastructure and the removal of the political leadership established after the 1979 revolution.

    Jamaican citizens requiring consular assistance or facing emergencies abroad are directed to contact the Ministry’s dedicated crisis response channels at consular@mfaft.gov.jm or the emergency hotline: +1 876 391 8105.

  • Netanyahu says ‘many signs’ Khamenei is dead after Israel, US attack Iran

    Netanyahu says ‘many signs’ Khamenei is dead after Israel, US attack Iran

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made a dramatic televised announcement suggesting that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei may have been killed during a coordinated military operation targeting his compound in Tehran. The alleged strike, which Netanyahu characterized as a “powerful surprise” attack, reportedly destroyed Khamenei’s residential complex in the Iranian capital.

    In his address to the nation, Netanyahu described Khamenei as a “cruel tyrant” who had “spread terror across the world” while oppressing the Iranian people and relentlessly pursuing Israel’s destruction. The Israeli leader asserted that both objectives had been neutralized through the military action, stating: “That plan is no more—and there are many signs that this tyrant is no longer alive.”

    The claims gained additional traction through reports from two major Israeli television networks. Public broadcaster Kan announced via social media that “Ali Khamenei is dead,” while Channel 12 cited anonymous sources making similar claims. Notably, Iranian authorities have yet to confirm or deny these allegations, leaving the supreme leader’s status uncertain.

    Netanyahu further revealed that the operation, which he described as a “decisive” joint effort with the United States, had successfully eliminated high-ranking officials within Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and senior figures involved in the country’s nuclear program. The Israeli prime minister warned that the campaign would continue “as long as necessary,” with plans to strike “thousands of targets” associated with what he termed Iran’s “terror regime” in the coming days.

    The unprecedented nature of these claims, combined with the lack of independent verification from Tehran, creates a highly volatile geopolitical situation. If confirmed, Khamenei’s death would represent the most significant leadership change in Iran since the 1979 revolution, with potentially far-reaching consequences for regional stability and international security.

  • Green Island Police Station telephone lines temporarily down

    Green Island Police Station telephone lines temporarily down

    Residents of Hanover, Jamaica, received official notification from the Green Island Police Station regarding a significant service interruption affecting its primary telephone communications. According to a public advisory released on Saturday, the station confirmed that all standard telephone lines are temporarily non-operational due to unforeseen technical difficulties.

    Police authorities have assured the community that restoration teams are actively working to resolve the telecommunications outage and return services to normal capacity at the earliest opportunity. While the exact cause of the disruption remains unspecified, the station emphasized the temporary nature of the situation.

    To maintain essential public communication during this period, the Hanover law enforcement division has instituted an alternative contact protocol. Citizens requiring urgent police assistance or needing to make critical inquiries are directed to utilize the emergency contact number 876-525-7905 until further notice.

    The Green Island Police Station extended formal apologies for any inconveniences resulting from the service disruption and acknowledged public understanding and cooperation while technical resolutions are underway. This transparent communication approach reflects the department’s commitment to maintaining community connectivity despite infrastructure challenges.

  • Dominican Republic to build ‘economic wall’ on border with Haiti

    Dominican Republic to build ‘economic wall’ on border with Haiti

    SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – In a landmark address marking the nation’s 182nd Independence anniversary, President Luis Abinader unveiled a transformative infrastructure initiative: a network of dry ports along the volatile border with Haiti. Declaring it the most ambitious logistics project in regional history, Abinader framed the development as a dual-purpose strategy to bolster national sovereignty and stimulate economic growth.

    The project, fueled by an estimated US$300 million in private investment, will operate under a free trade zone framework. President Abinader characterized this as a strategic state decision designed to enhance development and competitiveness. He positioned the dry ports as an ‘economic wall’—a complementary structure to the recently constructed border wall. This economic barrier aims to revitalize impoverished border provinces, streamline formal trade channels with Haiti, and decisively dismantle pervasive smuggling networks.

    Citing successful precedents in Mexico and the United States, Abinader emphasized that the dry port model has proven effective for centralizing customs operations, normalizing cross-border commerce, and converting peripheral regions into dynamic hubs of development. He further elaborated that true border stability cannot exist amidst widespread informality, asserting that security is achieved not merely through surveillance but via job creation, organized trade, and the generation of tangible economic opportunities.

    Functioning as inland logistics platforms connected to maritime ports via rail or road, dry ports provide comprehensive services including customs clearance, storage, and container transshipment. This system is engineered to alleviate congestion in coastal port areas and efficiently channel goods to inland consumption and production centers.

  • Macron urges diplomacy, says France not involved in US strikes on Iran

    Macron urges diplomacy, says France not involved in US strikes on Iran

    PARIS, France — In a decisive move to address escalating Middle East tensions, French President Emmanuel Macron convened an emergency defence council meeting at the Élysée Palace late Saturday. The session, which followed a trilateral discussion with British and German leaders, centered on de-escalation strategies amid the ongoing conflict between the United States-Israel alliance and Iran.

    President Macron articulated a firm stance favoring diplomatic resolution over military action. ‘France was neither warned of nor involved in the recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran,’ he emphasized, noting this position aligned with regional nations and allied countries. The French leader challenged the efficacy of military solutions, stating, ‘Nobody can think that the issues of Iran’s nuclear programme, ballistic activities, regional destabilisation efforts can be simply solved with strikes.’

    The defence council meeting occurred hours after Macron’s coordinated call with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. This diplomatic consultation produced a joint statement from the three NATO members condemning Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Gulf nations while explicitly distancing themselves from the US-Israeli offensive operations. The unified European position underscores a significant divergence in approach among Western allies regarding Middle East conflict resolution, with France leading calls for restraint and negotiated settlements.

  • UN chief condemns Mideast ‘escalation’ as Security Council to meet

    UN chief condemns Mideast ‘escalation’ as Security Council to meet

    UNITED NATIONS — Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a forceful condemnation of military escalation in the Middle East following coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel against Iranian targets, prompting an emergency session of the UN Security Council on Saturday.

    In an official statement, Guterres emphasized that recent attacks—including Iran’s retaliatory measures—severely jeopardize international peace and security. ‘I call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation,’ he declared ahead of his scheduled address to the Council at 4:00 pm EST (2100 GMT).

    The extraordinary meeting was convened following formal requests from five nations: France, China, Russia, Bahrain, and Colombia, according to diplomatic sources. The Russian mission to the UN characterized the US-Israeli operations as an ‘unprovoked act of armed aggression’ against Iran and stated it would demand that both countries ‘immediately cease their illegal and escalatory actions.’

    In parallel communications, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi submitted a letter urging the Security Council to take immediate measures against what he termed ‘illegal aggression’ by the US and Israel. Araghchi warned that both nations ‘shall bear full and direct responsibility for all ensuing consequences,’ including potential escalation resulting from their actions.

    The military confrontation escalated sharply when US and Israeli forces conducted strikes citing perceived threats from Iran, which responded with missile volleys directed toward Gulf states hosting US military installations and toward Israeli territory.

  • Caribbean-American congresswoman condemns Trump’s intention to nationalise federal elections

    Caribbean-American congresswoman condemns Trump’s intention to nationalise federal elections

    NEW YORK — Caribbean-American Congresswoman Yvette Clarke has issued a forceful condemnation of President Donald Trump’s suggested federal intervention in national elections, characterizing the move as an unprecedented power grab. The Democratic representative from New York’s 9th Congressional District, herself the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, asserted that Trump’s motivations stem from an inability to win elections through legitimate means.

    Clarke, who chairs the influential Congressional Black Caucus, declared that the president has consistently demonstrated readiness to subvert democratic institutions to maintain political control. She dismissed the rationale behind the proposed executive order as founded on thoroughly discredited allegations of Chinese interference in the 2020 electoral process.

    The Brooklyn lawmaker’s concerns were echoed in a joint statement from House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Representative Joe Morelle, the ranking member on the Committee on House Administration. Their collective rebuke characterized Trump’s position as fundamentally undemocratic, accusing the president of fabricating conspiracy theories to rationalize seizing electoral authority.

    The political confrontation emerged following Trump’s recent assertions that federal intervention becomes necessary when states allegedly fail to conduct elections with proper integrity. The president specifically targeted Democratic-controlled urban areas, claiming they exhibit ‘horrible corruption’ in electoral processes that warrants federal oversight.

    This developing constitutional clash highlights deepening tensions between the executive and legislative branches regarding the fundamental mechanics of American democracy, with opposition lawmakers vowing to resist any presidential overreach into state-controlled electoral systems.

  • $153m capacity building project to tackle poverty in vulnerable communities

    $153m capacity building project to tackle poverty in vulnerable communities

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican government has formally committed J$153 million to a comprehensive poverty alleviation initiative targeting low-income communities during the 2026/27 fiscal period. This strategic investment, designated for the ‘Capacity Building for Education and Livelihoods Development Project,’ represents a collaborative effort between the Government of Jamaica and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

    The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) has been appointed as the implementing agency for this multifaceted program, which focuses on both infrastructure development and human capital enhancement. Official documentation outlining the budgetary allocation was presented to the House of Representatives by Finance Minister Fayval Williams through the 2026/27 Estimates of Expenditure.

    Key operational objectives for the upcoming fiscal year include the continued construction of a specialized education facility at Frankfield Primary School and initiating rehabilitation work on the special education block at Lowe River Primary School. The project will also finalize safe passage infrastructure improvements at Old Harbour and Grange Hill Primary School while conducting comprehensive program audits and beneficiary satisfaction assessments.

    The project has already demonstrated significant progress according to December 2025 reports. Notable achievements include the establishment of national Special Education Standards, agricultural technique training for 20 young farmers through a capacity-building program, and specialized education training for 27 teachers.

    Infrastructure milestones show the Frankfield Primary special education block at 40% completion, with safe passage works at Old Harbour Primary reaching 85% completion and Grange Hill Primary at 40% completion. The initiative has further supplied 161 literacy and numeracy equipment units to the Early Simulation Programme while nearing completion (90%) of rehabilitation works on Top Quarter Road.

  • Soul to Soul set for March 6 at Perry’s

    Soul to Soul set for March 6 at Perry’s

    The acclaimed Soul to Soul music event, celebrated as the premier soul music gathering, is set to make its triumphant return to Spanish Town on March 6th. This annual spectacle will transform Perry’s Club on Jobs Lane in St. Catherine into an epicenter of musical excellence and vibrant energy.

    Originally conceived in 2007 as a personal birthday celebration by founder Kevin Cole, the event has evolved remarkably over seventeen years. From its humble beginnings, Soul to Soul has established itself as an indispensable fixture within Jamaica’s entertainment landscape, earning recognition for its exceptional curation of soul music experiences.

    The event’s history reflects a journey of growth and adaptation. Following a temporary suspension, organizers successfully resurrected the gathering in 2015 within Spanish Town before expanding its reach to Kingston audiences in 2020. This strategic expansion demonstrated the event’s growing appeal and organizational capability.

    Event promoter Basco expressed enthusiasm about the 2024 edition, stating: ‘Our decision to return to Spanish Town has yielded extraordinary results. The event continues to evolve positively, exceeding our expectations with each iteration.’

    Attendees can anticipate an electrifying musical showcase featuring renowned performers including DJ Steelie Basement, Little Richie, Master Rodge, and the dynamic hosting talents of DJ Madness. The organizers promise an immersive audio experience that celebrates the rich heritage and contemporary expressions of soul music.

    The event promises to deliver an unforgettable fusion of premium musical selections, high-energy atmosphere, and exceptional vibes, maintaining its reputation as Jamaica’s definitive soul music celebration.