Carib Scope

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  • Montego Bay United beat Treasure Beach FC to reclaim JPL lead

    Montego Bay United beat Treasure Beach FC to reclaim JPL lead

    Montego Bay United has surged back to the top of the Jamaica Premier League standings following a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Treasure Beach FC on Sunday. The crucial match, held at St Elizabeth Technical Sports Complex in Santa Cruz, marked Montego Bay’s sixth consecutive triumph over the newly promoted side this season.

    With this win, Montego Bay now sits at 29 points, narrowly edging past previous league leaders Racing United who stumbled with a scoreless draw against Waterhouse FC at a rain-affected Ferdie Neita Park. The championship race has intensified as teams navigate challenging field conditions and tight competition.

    In other Sunday fixtures, Molynes United and Mount Pleasant FA played to a 0-0 stalemate—their second drawn encounter this season. Chapelton Maroons continued their impressive form with a 2-1 victory over Harbour View FC, securing consecutive wins and climbing to sixth position with 18 points. Meanwhile, the scheduled match between Dunbeholden FC and Spanish Town Police FC was postponed due to waterlogged pitch conditions at Dunbeholden Sports Complex.

    Montego Bay’s offensive breakthrough came after two previous scoreless matches, ending a 195-minute goal drought dating back to December 15. Dwight Merrick opened the scoring in the seventh minute, capitalizing on a weak clearance from Treasure Beach goalkeeper Mowey Morgan by slotting home from six yards. Deonjay Brown extended the advantage in the 22nd minute with a close-range finish after defensive miscues from the hosts. Though Tommy Lawrence pulled one back for Treasure Beach in the 38th minute, the home side couldn’t convert several promising opportunities to equalize.

    At Turner Field in Clarendon, Chapelton Maroons demonstrated resilience by overcoming a missed first-half penalty to defeat Harbour View for the second time this season. Zhaine Pinnock’s early third-minute strike was later canceled out by Rohan Brown’s 65th-minute equalizer, but Sean Leighton’s dramatic 85th-minute winner secured three valuable points for the ascending Chapelton side.

  • Morgan urges police to stay focused amid ‘campaign’ to undermine 2025 murder reduction gains

    Morgan urges police to stay focused amid ‘campaign’ to undermine 2025 murder reduction gains

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Government Senator Marlon Morgan has issued a robust defense of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), calling on officers to maintain professionalism and focus despite what he characterizes as a coordinated media campaign seeking to discredit their crime reduction accomplishments.

    In a Sunday statement, Morgan asserted that certain media outlets are exploiting police-involved fatal shootings to overshadow what he described as historic crime reduction progress. He emphasized that Jamaica has witnessed murder rates plummet to a three-decade low in 2025, an achievement he believes is being systematically undermined by sensationalized reporting.

    “A vulgar and misleading campaign has been orchestrated by segments of the press through news reports, commentary, editorials, and even cartoons,” Morgan stated. “This concerted effort aims to diminish the JCF’s remarkable success in achieving the lowest murder rate in 31 years.”

    The senator criticized what he perceives as an unfair narrative that implicitly connects the decline in homicides to increased police lethal force incidents. He urged law enforcement personnel to remain “relentless and professional” in their duties without being discouraged by what he termed reckless media tactics.

    Morgan challenged critics who question police methods when confronting armed criminals, asking: “When faced with marauding gunmen determined to avoid justice and the mandatory 15-year sentence for firearm possession, what alternatives do we expect officers to pursue? We cannot expect them to sing ‘kum-by-yah’ or exchange pleasantries with criminals wielding superior firepower.”

    While acknowledging the importance of police accountability, Morgan emphasized that public discourse should shift from merely counting fatal shootings to examining whether each incident was legally justified. He pointed to existing oversight mechanisms including the Independent Investigation Commission (Indecom), ongoing body-worn camera implementation, and internal JCF investigative processes as adequate safeguards for proper review.

    The senator concluded that both media and citizens should allow established accountability processes to determine the justification of police actions rather than engaging in premature judgments that could undermine law enforcement effectiveness and morale.

  • WATCH: New Year’s Day blaze at business establishment leaves operators, staff in limbo

    WATCH: New Year’s Day blaze at business establishment leaves operators, staff in limbo

    A catastrophic fire that erupted in the early hours of New Year’s Day has completely destroyed a longstanding catering bar and grill on Spanish Town Road in St. Andrew, Jamaica, leaving more than 15 employees without livelihoods. The blaze, which ignited shortly after midnight, consumed the premises of Paradise Catering and Dobby’s Hideaway Bar and Grill, resulting in extensive damage to warehouses and the near-total loss of operational equipment. Miraculously, no staff injuries were reported.

    Managing Director Chef Ricardo Esson, surveying the charred remnants of his establishment, expressed profound distress over the impact on his workforce. Characterizing his team as family, Esson revealed that the financial devastation would force him to implement a reduced work schedule once operations resume, potentially placing staff on a week-on, week-off rotation. The timing compounds the tragedy, with Esson highlighting the particular hardship faced by newly hired employees suddenly deprived of income.

    The property owner, 80-year-old Vincent Myers, described the incident as the destruction of his life savings, having operated his business at the location for over three decades. Myers emphasized the necessity of strategic rebuilding with proper materials rather than temporary structures, though he remains optimistic about customer retention with adequate support.

    Whitfield Town Division Councillor Eugene Kelly underscored the broader community impact, noting that approximately 20 employees supported hundreds of family members across multiple generations. Kelly advocated for establishing governmental emergency funds specifically for small businesses, which he identified as economic lifelines for inner-city communities. He emphasized that many such enterprises lack sufficient insurance coverage for catastrophic events, necessitating systemic support mechanisms for recovery and rebuilding.

  • Sobers: PM is ‘on top of things’

    Sobers: PM is ‘on top of things’

    Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers has vigorously defended Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar against allegations of inadequate leadership following the dramatic capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Speaking at a press conference at UNC headquarters in Chaguanas on January 4, Sobers asserted the Prime Minister remains fully engaged and in control of the situation despite her absence from public addresses.

    The minister confirmed that US military forces executed a precision operation in Caracas at approximately 2:00 AM on January 3, extracting Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores to face trial in New York on multiple criminal charges including narcotics trafficking. The mission reportedly involved Delta Force operatives and was months in planning with CIA coordination.

    Sobers emphasized Trinidad and Tobago’s non-involvement in the extraction operation while reaffirming the nation’s continued support for the Venezuelan people during this transitional period. He dismissed suggestions that Venezuela considers Trinidad complicit in Maduro’s removal, stating diplomatic relations remain intact and all Trinidadian citizens in Venezuela have been accounted for.

    The minister highlighted strengthened US-Trinidad security cooperation, referencing November meetings between Persad-Bissessar and US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, joint military exercises with US Marines, and the installation of anti-narcotics radar systems at ANR Robinson International Airport. Sobers credited these collaborations with significantly reducing crime rates through combined US intervention and the Prime Minister’s strategic vision.

    Addressing concerns about transparency, Sobers maintained the government handles the evolving Venezuela situation with necessary discretion through the National Security Council, which the Prime Minister chairs. He defended the administration’s diplomatic approach to US-Venezuela tensions and dismissed criticisms about the press conference location at party headquarters rather than government facilities.

  • Beckles: Where is Kamla?

    Beckles: Where is Kamla?

    Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles has launched a scathing critique against Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s conspicuous absence from an official press conference addressing escalating regional security tensions. The January 4 briefing, attended by Foreign Affairs Minister Sean Sobers and Housing Minister David Lee, occurred amid heightened geopolitical instability following the US military’s interception of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the positioning of American naval assets in the southern Caribbean, including radar installations within Trinidad and Tobago’s territory.

    Beckles questioned the Prime Minister’s leadership through an online statement, asserting that the nation rightfully expected her presence during a period of international crisis. She characterized the government’s communication effort as fundamentally inadequate, noting that attending ministers appeared unprepared to address critical national security concerns. Instead, Beckles alleged, the conference devolved into discussions about Housing Development Corporation (HDC) matters—a diversion she labeled as frivolous political rhetoric.

    The Opposition Leader detailed specific failures during the briefing, highlighting Minister Sobers’ contradictory statements regarding both the venue selection and his participation in the National Security Council. His assertion that the Prime Minister need not address the nation because ‘no one in Trinidad feels unsafe’ drew particular criticism from Beckles, who emphasized the public’s right to transparency regarding airport operations, flight disruptions, and security cordons in Port of Spain.

    Beckles further challenged the government’s position on CARICOM relations, its engagement with the Tobago House of Assembly on security matters, and its adherence to international law under the UN Charter. The conference concluded abruptly when Minister Lee terminated the session without accommodating further media inquiries, leaving multiple questions about governmental coordination and leadership unanswered.

    In her closing remarks, Beckles contrasted Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar’s absence with the public engagements of other world leaders, including Barbados’ Mia Mottley, Guyana’s Irfaan Ali, and former US President Donald Trump, questioning why Trinidad and Tobago’s leadership remained unavailable during a definitive moment for national and regional security.

  • Pope: Put people first in Venezuela

    Pope: Put people first in Venezuela

    In a significant diplomatic intervention, Pope Leo XIV has issued a heartfelt appeal for peace and stability in Venezuela through his official social media channels. The pontiff utilized both X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook on January 4th to express his profound concern regarding the escalating political situation in the South American nation.

    The Pope’s message emphasized that the welfare of Venezuelan citizens must take precedence above all other considerations. His Holiness articulated a clear vision for conflict resolution, advocating for the immediate cessation of violence and the pursuit of justice through peaceful means. The comprehensive address, available through digital platforms, further elaborated on essential prerequisites for national reconciliation.

    Leo XIV specifically highlighted the critical importance of preserving Venezuela’s constitutional sovereignty and maintaining the established rule of law. He stressed the necessity of safeguarding fundamental human rights and civil liberties for all citizens without exception. The pontiff particularly drew attention to the nation’s most vulnerable populations, who continue to endure severe economic hardships.

    The spiritual leader concluded his appeal with a call for collective prayer, invoking the intercession of Venezuelan saints—Our Lady of Coromoto, José Gregorio Hernández, and Carmen Rendiles—both canonized during his papacy. This religious dimension underscores the Vatican’s deep commitment to both spiritual and practical resolution of the ongoing crisis.

  • Gonzalo Garcia hits treble as Real Madrid thrash Betis without Mbappe

    Gonzalo Garcia hits treble as Real Madrid thrash Betis without Mbappe

    In a spectacular La Liga showdown at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Real Madrid delivered a commanding 5-1 performance against Real Betis on Sunday, largely fueled by a remarkable hat-trick from young Spanish striker Gonzalo Garcia. The 21-year-old academy product, stepping into the void left by injured superstar Kylian Mbappé, demonstrated exceptional prowess with three clinically taken goals that dismantled the visiting side’s defense.

    The match began with Madrid establishing early dominance, culminating in Garcia’s opening strike at the 20-minute mark. The young forward doubled his tally shortly after halftime with a spectacular volley that left Betis goalkeeper Claudio Bravo helpless. Teammate Raul Asencio further extended Madrid’s advantage before Cucho Hernandez managed a consolation goal for the visitors, who currently sit sixth in the league standings.

    Garcia completed his historic hat-trick in the 82nd minute with an ingenious flicked finish, sending the Bernabéu crowd into raptures. Fran Garcia added a fifth goal in the dying moments to seal the comprehensive victory. The result carries significant implications for the title race, reducing Barcelona’s lead at the summit to just four points following the champions’ narrow 2-0 victory over Espanyol in Saturday’s Catalan derby.

    The performance provided much-needed relief for manager Xabi Alonso, whose position had come under scrutiny following recent inconsistent results. Alonso’s decision to start Garcia proved inspired, with the young forward making the most of his limited opportunities this season. Despite competing for minutes with world-class attacking talents including Mbappé, Rodrygo Goes, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Junior, Garcia emphasized his commitment to contributing whenever called upon.

    This victory not only strengthens Madrid’s title challenge but also highlights the club’s impressive depth and the effectiveness of their youth development system, capable of producing players ready to perform at the highest level when called upon.

  • Daniel John buzzing with ‘Mixed Signals’

    Daniel John buzzing with ‘Mixed Signals’

    Emerging musical talent Daniel John is experiencing a significant career breakthrough with his latest single, “Mixed Signals,” achieving remarkable traction across both domestic and international music platforms. The multi-genre performer has generated substantial industry buzz as his composition steadily ascends various music charts, capturing attention from audiences and critics alike.

    John’s distinctive sound represents an innovative fusion of reggae, R&B, pop, and hip-hop elements, creating what the artist describes as a “musical melting pot.” His confidence in the track’s potential for mainstream success appears well-founded, with numerous music experts and local influencers expressing similar optimistic projections about the single’s commercial viability.

    The recording has received substantial promotional support through features on established radio programs including Zip FM and Sun City Radio. Additionally, “Mixed Signals” has been incorporated into multiple popular dancehall mixtapes and has become a fixture in local party rotations, demonstrating its broad appeal across different listening environments.

    Currently residing in the United States, John attributes his musical predisposition to his family background. As the son of a former reggae artist and current music producer, he was exposed to musical creativity from early childhood. “I recall watching my father practice on his keyboard in our basement and distribute his mixtapes at neighborhood block parties,” John recounted. “He introduced me to the alto saxophone at age six, and I’ve maintained instrumental proficiency ever since.”

    Though musically inclined throughout his academic years, John only began pursuing music professionally in 2017 when he approached his father about creating a collaborative composition. The resulting track, “Hello Dad,” marked his official entry into the music industry and established his artistic trajectory.

    The artist is currently focused on intensive promotion for “Mixed Signals” while simultaneously recording new material with multiple producers, indicating a productive period of creative output and career development.

  • Valencia woman shot dead

    Valencia woman shot dead

    A fatal ambush in Valencia has claimed the life of 52-year-old Nancy Almarales, who was shot dead while traveling in a private hire vehicle during the early hours of January 4. The incident occurred as Almarales was returning to her Clarence Trace residence to retrieve an item.

    According to eyewitness accounts and preliminary police reports, unidentified gunmen opened fire on the vehicle, unleashing a barrage of bullets that struck both occupants. Despite the sustained attack, the driver demonstrated remarkable presence of mind by maneuvering the damaged vehicle to the nearby Valencia Police Post, where he ultimately collided with the station’s perimeter wall.

    Law enforcement personnel responding to the crash discovered both individuals with critical injuries. The driver managed to relay details of the ambush to officers before losing consciousness. Emergency medical services transported him to a medical facility where he remains under treatment, currently listed in stable condition. Tragically, Almarales succumbed to her injuries at the scene despite attempts to save her.

    Family members revealed to news outlets that Almarales had been pursuing entry into the quarrying industry, reportedly forming a business partnership with a prominent attorney from the Sangre Grande region. Relatives disclosed they had previously expressed concerns about her involvement in this sector, citing specific death threats she allegedly received from rival quarry operators in December.

    This tragedy marks the latest chapter in a series of violent incidents affecting Almarales’ family. Her common-law husband, Sherwin Coxall, was fatally shot on June 11, 2024, in St Albans Village, Valencia. The pattern of violence continued with the murder of her brother-in-law, Devon Coxall, who was killed at his Williams Trace Extension residence on May 31, 2025. Local authorities are investigating potential connections between these incidents and the recent attack.

  • Minority Leader on TPP’s Blueprint: ‘It’s pure desperation’

    Minority Leader on TPP’s Blueprint: ‘It’s pure desperation’

    Tobago’s political landscape is embroiled in intense debate as the Tobago People’s Party (TPP) unveils its comprehensive 20-year development strategy, drawing sharp criticism from political opponents just days before the crucial Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election on January 12.

    TPP political leader Farley Augustine presented the ambitious blueprint during a January 1 event at Uptown Fascinators pan tent in Scarborough. The extensive document, scheduled for official publication on January 5, outlines strategic initiatives spanning constitutional authority, tourism enhancement, healthcare delivery, and public sector modernization through 2045, with specific focus on the 2026-2030 implementation period.

    However, THA Minority Leader Kelvon Morris launched a scathing attack on the proposal, characterizing it as “pure desperation” from a party facing imminent electoral defeat. In a WhatsApp interview with Newsday, Morris asserted that the TPP had hastily assembled a document built upon “lies, recycled failures and empty promises” while shamelessly appropriating policies from the PNM’s Big Bold Red initiative launched December 21, 2024, at Magdalena Grand Beach & Golf Resort.

    Morris, who is contesting the Darrel Spring/Whim electoral district, further intensified his criticism by labeling the TPP as essentially a satellite organization of the United National Congress (UNC), accusing its leadership of remaining conspicuously silent while Tobagonians faced job losses and economic hardships. He specifically referenced alleged abuses of contract workers and ignored industrial court rulings by the current administration.

    The Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce has adopted a more measured stance regarding both development plans. President Curtis Williams acknowledged both blueprints as “ambitious and exciting visions for Tobago’s future” while emphasizing that implementation effectiveness would ultimately determine their success. Williams stressed that transparency, accountability, and meaningful stakeholder engagement must remain central to any development agenda, particularly regarding decision-making authority, procurement processes, and financing mechanisms.

    The Chamber president confirmed their organization’s readiness to collaboratively engage with whichever party assumes governance while maintaining vigilant oversight regarding actionable timelines and measurable outcomes to ensure campaign promises translate into tangible economic progress for Tobago’s business community and general population.