Carib Scope

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  • Suriname uit grote bezorgdheid over escalatie na luchtaanvallen op Venezuela

    Suriname uit grote bezorgdheid over escalatie na luchtaanvallen op Venezuela

    The Surinamese government has expressed profound concern regarding the deteriorating security situation in the region following overnight airstrikes targeting Venezuela. President Jennifer Simons participated in an emergency summit of CARICOM heads of state before convening urgent national consultations with political and security authorities to assess implications for Suriname and neighboring nations.

    In an official statement, the government confirmed it had ‘taken note with great concern of the escalation of the security situation in our region resulting from nocturnal aerial attacks on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.’ The emergency CARICOM summit brought together regional leaders to coordinate responses to the developing crisis.

    President Simons subsequently convened an emergency meeting with Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk, ministers of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, Defense, Justice and Police, the Chairman of the National Assembly, parliamentary faction leaders, and all national security authorities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established contact with Surinamese diplomatic representation in Venezuela, confirming all personnel remain safe.

    The government has committed to ensuring the security of Surinamese citizens potentially affected by the escalating situation and is working to facilitate the safe return of any nationals stranded in the region. Within CARICOM frameworks, ongoing discussions will address the broader regional implications, with particular solidarity expressed for Caribbean islands experiencing immediate economic disruption from the crisis.

    Suriname has issued an appeal to international organizations including the Organization of American States, the United Nations, and the global community to actively promote regional peace and uphold international legal order. The government emphasized that vulnerable nations can only thrive within a functioning international legal framework committed to by all countries.

    Meanwhile, authorities are implementing necessary measures in anticipation of potential refugee movements and have called for public calm during this period of regional instability.

  • FULL LIST: Cancelled Flights From U.S to Antigua

    FULL LIST: Cancelled Flights From U.S to Antigua

    The escalating political and economic situation in Venezuela has created significant ripple effects across Caribbean aviation, with VC Bird International Airport in Antigua and Barbuda experiencing substantial flight disruptions throughout Thursday. Airport authorities confirmed extensive cancellations and delays affecting multiple major international carriers serving the Eastern Caribbean hub.

    American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, JetBlue, and Air Canada all reported substantial schedule modifications impacting routes connecting Antigua to key North American gateways including New York’s JFK and Newark, Miami, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Toronto. The airport’s operations team maintained continuous communication with airline partners to assess the evolving situation and coordinate response measures.

    Travelers faced widespread itinerary changes as numerous flights were grounded entirely while others operated with significant delays. The airport authority emphasized that the situation remained fluid throughout the day, with schedule adjustments occurring in real-time as carriers evaluated operational safety and logistical considerations related to Venezuelan airspace restrictions and regional aviation infrastructure impacts.

    Aviation analysts note that the disruptions highlight the interconnected nature of Caribbean air travel networks and their vulnerability to geopolitical developments in the region. The Venezuela situation has particularly affected flight paths and operational calculations for carriers serving Eastern Caribbean destinations that typically utilize Venezuelan airspace or coordinate with regional aviation authorities.

    VC Bird International officials urged all passengers with scheduled travel to directly contact their airlines for the most current flight status information and rebooking options before proceeding to the airport. The airport authority expressed appreciation for passenger patience during the extraordinary circumstances and committed to providing regular updates through official communication channels.

  • President Simons voert veiligheidsoverleg over ontwikkelingen in Venezuela

    President Simons voert veiligheidsoverleg over ontwikkelingen in Venezuela

    Surinamese President Jennifer Simons convened high-level consultations with government ministers, security agencies, and political leaders on January 3rd to address the escalating situation in neighboring Venezuela. The emergency meetings focused on regional security implications and reaffirmed Suriname’s commitment to international legal standards.

    The comprehensive briefing brought together ministers of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation, Justice and Police, and Defense at the Presidential Cabinet. Following the ministerial session, President Simons engaged in separate discussions with leadership from various security services, the Chairman of the National Assembly, and parliamentary faction leaders to assess the evolving developments in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

    Suriname officially endorsed and expressed full support for the CARICOM (Caribbean Community) declaration regarding the Venezuelan crisis. The South American nation emphasized that the international legal order must be consistently respected and upheld by all parties involved.

    President Simons stressed the critical importance of maintaining calm, stability, and security throughout the region to preserve the foundations of peace and cooperation among neighboring states. As a nation committed to dialogue and collaborative solutions, Suriname called on all involved parties to pursue peaceful resolutions while upholding the principles of international law and regional solidarity. The government’s statement highlighted that regional stability remains paramount for continued development and cooperation among Caribbean and South American nations.

  • VS wil Venezuela samen besturen en olie-industrie hervormen

    VS wil Venezuela samen besturen en olie-industrie hervormen

    In a historic development that marks an unprecedented escalation of U.S. involvement in Latin America, President Donald Trump announced from his Mar-a-Lago estate that the United States will govern Venezuela directly until a “secure transition” of power can be established. The declaration follows a meticulously planned military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife.

    Speaking at a press conference with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at his side, Trump characterized Maduro as a leader who has “perpetually engaged in violence, terror, and subversion against the United States,” threatening both American citizens and regional stability. The president revealed that overwhelming evidence of Maduro’s crimes had been obtained by U.S. judicial authorities, describing the situation as “both horrifying and breathtaking.”

    The military operation, codenamed “Absolute Resolve,” was executed on January 2 at 22:46 local time after months of preparation. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine disclosed that over 150 aircraft provided air cover while intervention forces stormed Maduro’s residence in Caracas. Venezuelan air defenses were neutralized, and despite one helicopter being struck, it remained operational. Maduro and his wife surrendered without further incident and were taken into custody by the U.S. Department of Justice.

    Trump has appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to lead a governance team that will oversee Venezuela’s administration. The president expressed skepticism about opposition leader María Corina Machado’s capacity to lead, questioning her popular support among Venezuelans.

    In a significant policy statement, Trump indicated that ground troops would be deployed if necessary and promised that U.S. oil companies would invest billions to restore Venezuela’s damaged oil infrastructure. Profits from these ventures would be partially returned to Venezuela while providing compensation to the United States.

    International reactions have been mixed, with allies including Italy and Israel expressing support while other nations warn of escalation and emphasize the importance of dialogue and international law. Regional neighbors are monitoring developments closely due to potential impacts on refugee flows and stability. Brazil temporarily closed its border with Venezuela but has since reopened it.

    The legal legitimacy of the operation remains contentious, as Trump did not consult Congress beforehand, raising questions about the action’s compliance with international legal standards.

  • Cuba denounces attack on Venezuela as an act of state terrorism

    Cuba denounces attack on Venezuela as an act of state terrorism

    During a significant address at Havana’s Anti-Imperialist Tribune, Cuba’s leadership delivered a vehement condemnation of a recent military operation conducted against Venezuela. The Saturday dawn incursion was characterized as a treacherous act forming part of a broader neo-fascist strategy designed to forcibly overthrow the Venezuelan government and appropriate the nation’s vast natural resources, with petroleum reserves representing a primary target.

    The Cuban head of state explicitly dismissed Washington’s justification of combating narco-terrorism as entirely disingenuous, asserting instead that the operation’s true objective involves dismantling the regional integration and resistance project initiated under former Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez.

    In a firm rejection of hemispheric hegemony, the leader unequivocally denounced the Monroe Doctrine and all extraterritorial claims over Latin American territories. The address included a formal demand for the United States to provide immediate proof of life regarding Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his spouse.

    Drawing stark parallels to contemporary global conflicts, the Cuban leadership compared the operation’s characteristics to crimes against humanity perpetrated by Israeli Zionism in Gaza, emphasizing numerous violations of international law and ethical standards.

    The warning extended beyond regional implications, with the statement characterizing the event not merely as an attack against Venezuela but as a genuine threat to global humanity. The address urgently called upon the international community to mobilize decisively against the advancement of modern fascism disguised as foreign policy.

    Concluding with a powerful declaration of solidarity, Cuba reaffirmed its readiness to defend, “with its own blood if necessary,” the independence and sovereignty of the Americas.

  • Trump Says US Will Run Venezuela Following Maduro’s Capture

    Trump Says US Will Run Venezuela Following Maduro’s Capture

    In an extraordinary military operation of unprecedented scale, United States forces successfully captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a meticulously planned overnight mission. The operation, codenamed ‘Operation Absolute Resolve,’ involved more than 150 aircraft deployed from 20 land and sea-based locations across the Western Hemisphere.

    Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine revealed that the mission required months of intensive preparation and coordination across all branches of the US military and intelligence community. Speaking from President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, Caine detailed how intelligence gathering included CIA operatives monitoring Maduro’s movements and routines throughout the summer.

    The extraction force encountered resistance during the operation, resulting in multiple defensive engagements. Maduro and his wife were successfully taken into custody by approximately 3:29 a.m. Eastern Time and transported to the USS Iwo Jima. They are currently en route to New York where Maduro faces federal charges from a 2020 indictment, with a superseding indictment unsealed Saturday.

    President Trump declared the mission a success and announced that the United States will assume control of Venezuela indefinitely to oversee a transition of power. ‘We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,’ Trump stated, adding that he plans to authorize US oil companies to take over Venezuela’s energy infrastructure.

    The operation has already sparked domestic protests across major US cities under the banner ‘No War on Venezuela,’ while US forces remain in the region at heightened readiness levels. General Caine emphasized that any failure during the complex mission could have jeopardized the entire operation, noting that ‘failure is never an option for America’s joint force.’

  • Flight disruptions sweep Eastern Caribbean following U.S. strike on Venezuela

    Flight disruptions sweep Eastern Caribbean following U.S. strike on Venezuela

    Air travel across the Eastern Caribbean descended into chaos Saturday as escalating geopolitical tensions triggered widespread flight disruptions. Multiple international carriers suspended operations or adjusted routes following a U.S. military strike on Venezuela, creating a cascade of cancellations and delays that stranded thousands of passengers.

    Airports throughout the region reported severe schedule irregularities, particularly affecting U.S.-based carriers. Both inbound and outbound flights experienced significant disruptions, with some aircraft forced to return mid-flight while others were abruptly removed from schedules. JetBlue Flight 2017 to Port of Spain was among those compelled to turn back during its journey, according to Flight Radar 24 data.

    The operational chaos extended beyond American carriers. European airline KLM confirmed it could not operate scheduled flights to Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten due to airspace closures near Curaçao, affecting approximately 1,200 passengers across five flights. All aircraft already en route were safely returned to Amsterdam.

    Flight Aware data revealed 1,445 U.S. departures experienced delays Saturday with 599 cancellations. While no formal explanation was immediately issued, airline representatives at Trinidad’s Piarco International Airport cited the U.S. military action as the direct cause for disruptions.

    The disruptions followed a Federal Aviation Administration advisory warning of a ‘worsening situation and heightened military activity’ in Venezuelan airspace. The notice, effective until February 19, cautioned that threats could endanger aircraft at all altitudes during overflight, arrival, and departure phases.

    Six international carriers—TAP, LATAM, Avianca, Iberia, Gol, and Caribbean—have indefinitely suspended Venezuela flights, according to Marisela de Loaiza, president of the Airlines Association in Venezuela. Turkish Airlines will suspend operations from Monday through Friday.

    The aviation crisis unfolds amid heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas. The Trump administration has authorized at least 21 strikes on alleged drug-trafficking vessels since September, resulting in at least 83 fatalities. President Trump recently indicated he had ‘sort of made up’ his mind regarding further operations against Venezuelan leadership.

    In response, President Nicolás Maduro has deployed thousands of troops in preparation for potential conflict. The FAA noted that while Venezuela hasn’t expressed intent to target civil aviation, its military possesses advanced fighter aircraft, anti-aircraft artillery, and man-portable air defense systems capable of threatening commercial flights.

    Airlines urged passengers to monitor flight status through official channels as conditions continue evolving rapidly. Travel operators recommended contingency planning including flexible accommodation arrangements and alternative travel dates, with recovery timelines remaining uncertain.

  • Travel advisory: Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA)

    Travel advisory: Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA)

    The Grenada Airports Authority (GAA) has issued an official travel advisory indicating that airlines serving Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA) may implement temporary flight schedule modifications due to evolving airspace conditions and operational factors. This development requires heightened passenger vigilance regarding flight status verification.

    In response to these dynamic aviation circumstances, the GAA strongly recommends that all travelers confirm their flight arrangements directly with their respective airlines before departing for the airport. This precautionary measure aims to prevent unnecessary congestion at terminal facilities and ensure smoother travel experiences amidst potential scheduling disruptions.

    Aviation authorities in Grenada maintain continuous monitoring of the situation, with commitments to provide subsequent updates as operational conditions evolve. The GAA has formally acknowledged public cooperation and understanding regarding these necessary aviation adjustments, emphasizing the importance of passenger flexibility during this period of potential air travel variability.

    The notice concludes with standard media responsibility disclaimers common to public advisory communications, reinforcing that contributor opinions and statements don’t necessarily reflect organizational positions.

  • Trump posts first images of Maduro in handcuffs

    Trump posts first images of Maduro in handcuffs

    In a significant address from his Mar-a-Lago estate in South Florida, former President Donald Trump publicly commended a recent US-led military operation targeting Venezuelan leadership. The operation, which resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, was characterized by Trump as an extraordinary tactical success.

    Trump emphasized the operation’s flawless execution, specifically highlighting the absence of American casualties and the complete preservation of US military assets. “Witnessing the operation unfold was profoundly impressive—a display of military precision where not one American service member was lost and not a single piece of US equipment was compromised,” he stated, suggesting the full details might remain classified from public view.

    The former president detailed the substantial scale of the involvement, noting the deployment of numerous helicopters, aircraft, and personnel. His remarks framed the mission as a testament to US military capability and strategic planning, underscoring a high-stakes international intervention achieved with maximum operational efficiency and minimal risk to American forces.

  • US to “run” Venezuela- Trump

    US to “run” Venezuela- Trump

    In a dramatic escalation of tensions, United States President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the US would assume direct administrative control of Venezuela to oversee a “safe transition” of power. This declaration came hours after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and extracted from the country during a pre-dawn military operation involving missile strikes on multiple military installations in and around the capital.

    Addressing a press conference, President Trump stated that the United States would be “very strongly involved” in Venezuela’s crucial oil industry, signaling a significant shift in the nation’s economic control. “We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” Trump asserted, adding that the intervention aimed to prevent a recurrence of the political instability that has plagued Venezuela for years.

    The Maduros are reportedly being transported to New York where they will face indictment on unspecified charges. This development follows months of heightened tensions between the two nations, during which the US accused Maduro of involvement in drug trafficking and conducted more than twenty airstrikes in maritime areas near Venezuela since September—accusations that Maduro has consistently denied.

    In response to the intervention, Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez declared that the country “will prevail … not negotiate … not give up.” The Venezuelan government has condemned the operation as an act of “military aggression” by Washington, claiming that both civilian and military installations across multiple states were targeted.

    The capture occurred despite Maduro’s indication just two days earlier that he was open to negotiating a deal with the US to combat drug trafficking, suggesting a rapid breakdown in diplomatic communications between the two nations.