Carib Scope

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  • SSB Invests Contributors’ Funds in BEL, Projects $4M Return

    SSB Invests Contributors’ Funds in BEL, Projects $4M Return

    In a strategic financial maneuver aimed at bolstering long-term sustainability, Belize’s Social Security Board (SSB) has allocated over $6.2 million to acquire debentures from Belize Electricity Limited (BEL). The investment, characterized as a secure lending instrument rather than equity participation, is projected to yield approximately $4 million in net returns upon maturity in 2035.

    Vanessa Vellos, PR and Communications Officer for SSB, clarified the investment’s security mechanisms, noting that debentures guarantee repayment regardless of corporate performance—unlike shares which fluctuate with market conditions. “Even if a business encounters challenges, their obligation to repay debenture holders remains intact,” Vellos emphasized.

    The bonds were acquired at a discounted rate of $6.2 million against a face value exceeding $7.1 million. Upon maturation, SSB anticipates receiving the full principal amount supplemented by an estimated $3.2 million in accrued interest, culminating in a substantial financial gain for the social security fund.

    Vellos highlighted BEL’s monopolistic position in Belize’s energy sector as a key factor in the investment’s viability. “The absence of market competitors, coupled with BEL’s consistent profitability and increasing energy demand driven by national economic growth, makes this a strategically sound investment,” she explained.

    While acknowledging BEL’s recent financial headwinds, Vellos affirmed that these conditions don’t compromise the investment’s security, noting that SSB’s capital functions as a secured loan requiring mandatory repayment. Historical precedents demonstrate BEL’s consistent adherence to repayment schedules for previous ventures with SSB.

    The Board reinforced its commitment to rigorous due diligence processes, with Vellos stating: “Our investment decisions undergo exhaustive analysis to ensure optimal performance and security of contributors’ funds. The public can remain confident in our stewardship of these resources.”

  • Ontvoerde man levend en in veiligheid aangetroffen

    Ontvoerde man levend en in veiligheid aangetroffen

    In a remarkable turn of events, Steven Maito, the 41-year-old businessman violently abducted from his Zwartbontstraat residence on Thursday evening, has been located alive and in secure condition. The victim had endured hours of uncertainty after being seized by four armed and masked assailants in a meticulously planned operation.

    Police authorities have officially confirmed Maito’s safe recovery while expressing gratitude to all parties who contributed to determining his whereabouts. Investigators have maintained strict confidentiality regarding the precise circumstances of his discovery, citing the ongoing nature of the criminal investigation.

    The breakthrough in the case emerged Saturday when law enforcement located the victim’s stolen Toyota Vigo pickup truck abandoned in a remote wooded area near Zanderij. The vehicle has been impounded for comprehensive forensic analysis, with investigators describing this development as highly significant to understanding the violent abduction’s mechanics.

    According to the detailed statement provided by the victim’s wife, the traumatic incident unfolded approximately at 10:00 PM Thursday. She reported awakening to the sound of her husband’s vehicle, only to witness four masked figures dressed in black overpowering him on their property. The perpetrators were allegedly armed with handguns and potentially other heavy weaponry.

    Security footage from neighborhood cameras captured the chilling sequence of events: the assailants emerging from adjacent woodland, subduing the victim, and forcibly departing in his own vehicle toward the Santigronweg under threat of lethal force.

  • Pringle Says St. Philip’s North By-Election Is a “Change Election,” Pledges Full UPP Support for Alex

    Pringle Says St. Philip’s North By-Election Is a “Change Election,” Pledges Full UPP Support for Alex

    United Progressive Party leader Jamale Pringle has characterized the upcoming St. Philip’s North by-election as a definitive political watershed, framing the March 16 contest as a transformative opportunity for the constituency. Speaking at the formal nomination of candidate Alex, Pringle delivered a robust endorsement of his party’s contender while issuing sharp criticism against the governing party’s candidate.

    Pringle expressed unwavering confidence in Alex’s campaign preparations, noting the candidate’s extensive community engagement and grassroots mobilization efforts. “Brother Alex has demonstrated exceptional commitment through his consistent groundwork,” Pringle stated. “This election represents a clear choice between progress and stagnation—a genuine change election for St. Philip’s North.”

    The UPP leader emphasized Alex’s rapid accomplishments and deep connections with local residents, asserting that the candidate has maintained continuous engagement with constituency members despite the compressed campaign timeline. “His dedication remains evident through ongoing community presence and genuine constituent relationships,” Pringle added.

    In contrasting the political alternatives, Pringle launched pointed criticism at the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party’s candidate, suggesting the ruling party’s representative would merely perpetuate what he characterized as an unsatisfactory legacy. “The alternative offers no substantive improvement—merely continuation of Sir Robin’s troubling legacy of inaction,” Pringle asserted.

    The party leader concluded with a pledge of comprehensive organizational support, vowing to deploy the United Progressive Party’s full resources behind Alex’s campaign. “A unified and mobilized UPP will operate at maximum capacity to secure electoral victory on March 16,” Pringle committed.

  • GTAWU and SGU sign collective bargaining agreement

    GTAWU and SGU sign collective bargaining agreement

    In a significant development for labor relations in Grenada, the Grenada Technical and Allied Workers’ Union (GTAWU) and St. George’s University Limited (SGU) formally ratified a comprehensive Collective Bargaining Agreement on February 12, 2026. The six-year pact, covering July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2028, was executed under the supervision of Labour Commissioner Sparkle Grenade-Courtney.

    The signing ceremony featured representation from both organizations’ leadership. SGU’s delegation included Chief Campus Operations Officer Greg Hendel, Vice President Business Administrator Dawne Buckmire, Human Resources Director Camila Williams-Johnson, and legal counsel Skeeta Chitan-Sylvester. GTAWU’s representation was led by President General André Lewis, accompanied by Chief Grievance Officer Trevor Xavier, Shop Stewards Kevon Noel and Gleaner Lewis, Workers’ Representative Ron Greaves, and Industrial Relations Officer Kadisha Andrew.

    Key provisions of the landmark agreement establish minimum starting salaries at 20% above Grenada’s national minimum wage threshold. The compensation package includes structured annual increments: four consecutive 4% raises for the 2022-2026 periods, followed by two 5% increases for the final two years of the contract.

    Additional benefits encompass enhanced night differential allowances, full reimbursement of driver’s license fees, comprehensive health insurance coverage, uniform and protective clothing provisions, pension benefits, and a formalized grievance procedure framework.

    Notably, both parties committed to ongoing negotiations regarding the unresolved status of SGU’s ‘Unvaccinated Workers’ who have been barred from campus premises since June 2021. The discussions will focus on compensation arrangements for these employees’ years of service prior to the implementation of vaccination mandates.

  • NDP: 25 februari blijft ideologisch fundament van de partij

    NDP: 25 februari blijft ideologisch fundament van de partij

    The National Democratic Party (NDP) of Suriname commemorated the 46th anniversary of the February 25th Revolution today, reaffirming its commitment to the ideological foundations established during the 1980 military intervention. Rather than treating the date as mere historical nostalgia, the party positions it as the bedrock of its political philosophy centered on national sovereignty, social justice, and economic independence.

    The revolution, spearheaded by the late Desiré Delano Bouterse and a cadre of young military officers, initially emerged as a political intervention but subsequently evolved into what the NDP describes as a broader national awakening. This transformative period fundamentally reshaped Suriname’s trajectory toward self-determination and collective national identity, breaking from external dependencies and internal divisions.

    At the core of the NDP’s ideology lie five foundational pillars that continue to guide its political platform:

    1. National Sovereignty and Self-Determination: Suriname maintains absolute autonomy in directing its political, economic, and diplomatic course without external influence or domination.

    2. Social Justice: Development must benefit all citizens equally, with guaranteed access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities alongside protection for socially vulnerable groups.

    3. Economic Independence: Strategic control over natural resources and domestic production sectors remains essential for sustainable growth and financial self-sufficiency.

    4. National Unity: The nation transcends ethnic, religious, and social differences, with unity in diversity serving as a prerequisite for stability and progress.

    5. Robust State Institutions: Effective governance requires strong institutions capable of steering development and safeguarding national interests.

    The NDP acknowledges the complex historical legacy of the revolution and recognizes that February 25th evokes diverse emotions within Surinamese society. However, the party maintains that this period represented a fundamental turning point in nation-building, shifting development metrics from purely economic indicators to encompass dignity, civic participation, and national pride.

    In light of contemporary challenges including economic pressures, global power shifts, and geopolitical tensions, the NDP calls for renewed national solidarity. The party emphasizes that current circumstances demand leadership grounded in the principles of sovereignty, justice, and courage that defined the revolution.

    On this 46th anniversary, the NDP extended congratulations to its members and the Surinamese people, expressing hope that ‘the spirit of courage, national unity, and self-determination will continue to inspire collaborative efforts toward building a strong, just, and independent Suriname.’

  • No one is coming to save us

    No one is coming to save us

    In a profound address resonating across the Eastern Caribbean, Dr. Didacus Jules, Director General of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), has amplified Professor Justin Robinson’s stark declaration that ‘No One is Coming to Save Us.’ This statement, originally articulated in a widely circulated article, serves as a catalyst for redefining regional sovereignty and self-reliance in an increasingly fragmented global landscape.

    Dr. Jules contextualizes this realization not as a cause for despair but as a necessary awakening from long-held illusions. The past year has dismantled the Caribbean’s enduring belief that international systems, historical partnerships, or benevolent allies would provide sanctuary during crises. Major powers are recalibrating strategies to serve their own interests, concessional finance is diminishing, migration pathways are constricting, and the rules-based international order proves malleable to the whims of the powerful. This represents a fundamental structural shift, not a temporary disruption.

    For the OECS, the path forward is neither isolation nor empty bravado, but deliberate design. True sovereignty for small states, argues Jules, is not achieved through solitary defiance but through strategic pooling of capacities where size is a disadvantage and collective action where fragmentation weakens influence. The Eastern Caribbean already demonstrates this principle through functional realities: a common currency, a unified Supreme Court, free movement of people, and coordinated diplomatic representation. These are not theoretical constructs but operational systems that enhance, rather than dilute, national sovereignty.

    The contemporary geopolitical environment demands an evolved operational model. Incremental reform is insufficient in a world where geopolitics directly governs access to finance, trade, data, energy, and mobility. In this context, fragmentation across countries and sectors has transitioned from a manageable inconvenience to a strategic liability.

    Dr. Jules outlines a concrete framework for actionable self-reliance:

    1. Treating regional systems—education, digital infrastructure, climate resilience, energy, and data governance—as strategic assets that generate competitiveness and bargaining power, not merely as social expenditures.

    2. Making fragmentation economically and politically costly by strengthening regional platforms that reduce transaction costs, attract capital, and amplify collective voice. This requires unprecedented political discipline, establishing national-interest red lines on core matters like regional integration, citizenship, and external alignment that transcend electoral cycles.

    3. Replacing rigid planning with disciplined adaptability, designing institutions capable of learning, adjusting, and course-correcting amid perpetual uncertainty.

    4. Converting vulnerability into exportable expertise by developing climate resilience, disaster management, renewable energy, and digital services at regional scale rather than as isolated national experiments.

    5. Speaking with one coherent, data-grounded voice or accepting the consequence of being spoken for in international forums.

    Ultimately, Dr. Jules reframes development as a political and institutional choice rather than a technical problem awaiting external solutions. The OECS experience proves that self-preservation is within regional capacity—requiring clarity of purpose, courage for deeper integration, and discipline to build enduring systems. This moment represents not a rejection of global engagement, but a determination to engage the world on terms that protect agency, dignity, and future sovereignty.

  • Public Consultations Set for Workplace Violence and Harassment Bill 2026

    Public Consultations Set for Workplace Violence and Harassment Bill 2026

    The government of Antigua and Barbuda has initiated a crucial phase of public engagement for its proposed Workplace Violence and Harassment (Prevention) Bill 2026, scheduling consultation sessions to gather vital stakeholder input. These forums, designed to incorporate diverse perspectives before legislative advancement, will convene on two separate dates: February 25th at 5:00 PM at the Bolans Wesleyan Holiness Church, followed by a second session on March 4th at 2:30 PM within the Parliament Building in St. John’s.

    Government organizers are issuing a broad invitation to ensure comprehensive representation from across the workforce ecosystem. Employers, employees, trade union delegates, and concerned citizens are all actively encouraged to contribute to these pivotal discussions. This initiative represents a significant component of the administration’s broader strategy to reinforce legal protections and foster safer professional environments.

    The prospective legislation itself establishes a comprehensive framework to combat workplace misconduct. Its provisions are slated to introduce mandatory preventive protocols, establish clear and confidential reporting channels, and implement robust safeguards for victims. The law’s jurisdiction will extend to both public institutions and private sector enterprises, ensuring uniform standards of protection.

    According to official statements, these consultations serve a fundamental democratic purpose: to collect informed feedback and substantive recommendations directly from the populace. This collaborative approach aims to strengthen the bill’s effectiveness and legitimacy before it enters the formal legislative pipeline for debate and enactment.

  • Youth ambassadors commend region’s resilience, urge bold action at 50th CARICOM Heads gathering

    Youth ambassadors commend region’s resilience, urge bold action at 50th CARICOM Heads gathering

    ST. KITTS AND NEVIS – At the landmark 50th CARICOM Heads of Government Conference opening on February 24, youth ambassadors from St. Kitts and Nevis delivered a powerful call to action that resonated through the gathering of regional leaders. Aquanjé Robinson and Siobhan Phipps-Harding, serving as CARICOM Youth Ambassadors, articulated a compelling vision for tangible progress beyond diplomatic formalities.

    Phipps-Harding extended a warm welcome on behalf of the host nation, expressing pride in staging this golden jubilee of Caribbean unity. However, she quickly pivoted to the core message: “Our Region’s people and youth are no longer looking for togetherness written in ink; but they are looking for progress etched into our landscapes.” This statement underscored the growing impatience with symbolic gestures without substantive implementation.

    Both ambassadors identified critical challenges facing the Caribbean community, including climate volatility, unsustainable debt burdens, and brain drain migration patterns that deprive the region of its most talented citizens. They emphasized that these issues require more than discussion—they demand concrete solutions.

    Robinson framed the Caribbean response through the lens of historical resilience: “Our resilience is not a modern buzzword; it is our inheritance. It is woven into our shared history, from the resistance of our ancestors to the reconstruction of our islands after every storm.” This resilience, he argued, must now translate into bold, purposeful action rather than mere survival.

    The youth ambassadors outlined specific pillars for a transformed CARICOM: digital connectivity to bridge educational and economic divides, food security to reduce import dependency, and climate justice that provides actual protection for vulnerable communities. Their vision emphasized regional integration that transcends geographical separation.

    Concluding with a unified message, both ambassadors reminded leaders: “Let this 50th Meeting be remembered not for the elegance of its speeches, but for the boldness of your vision and your implementation, moving beyond words, together.” They expressed confidence that “our Region’s future is bright because we are building it together,” signaling both hope and expectation for concrete outcomes from the historic gathering.

  • WATCH: Alex Browne ready to take the fight to Labour in March 16 by-election

    WATCH: Alex Browne ready to take the fight to Labour in March 16 by-election

    In a significant political development, United Progressive Party (UPP) nominee Alex Browne has characterized his candidacy in the St. Philip’s North by-election as a “seminal moment in history,” framing the upcoming contest as a definitive opportunity for transformative change in the constituency. The by-election, scheduled for March 16, was necessitated by the retirement of longstanding parliamentary representative Sir Robin Yearwood.

    Following his formal nomination, Browne expressed profound humility and honor at his selection, acknowledging divine providence in the process. “We have work to do and we are praying about this moment,” Browne stated. “We will continue to pray and work because this moment must be remembered for generations that today is Saturday for change in St. Philip’s North.”

    The UPP leadership has thrown its full support behind Browne’s campaign, with Political Leader Jamale Pringle emphasizing the candidate’s extensive groundwork and preparation. Pringle unequivocally described the contest as a “change election” and pledged the party’s complete mobilization to secure victory. “Brother Alex has been putting in the work… This is the election,” Pringle affirmed, signaling the party’s strategic commitment to capturing the seat.

    The March 16 by-election represents not merely a routine electoral exercise but a potential watershed moment in St. Philip’s North political landscape, with both candidate and party framing it as a historic pivot point that could reshape the constituency’s future trajectory.

  • Baltimore Says Labour ‘Strong and Ready’ After Nomination in St. Philip’s North

    Baltimore Says Labour ‘Strong and Ready’ After Nomination in St. Philip’s North

    The political landscape in St. Philip’s North, Antigua and Barbuda, is heating up as Randy Baltimore officially becomes the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) candidate for the crucial March 16 by-election. The nomination process concluded successfully Wednesday at the Nelvie N. Gore Primary School in Willikies, marking the formal commencement of electoral preparations.

    Baltimore, who recently resigned from his position as principal customs officer to pursue his political ambitions, expressed profound optimism about his party’s prospects. ‘The Labour Party in this constituency is strong and ready,’ Baltimore declared in post-nomination remarks to state media, highlighting the substantial supporter turnout during nomination proceedings as evidence of robust grassroots backing.

    The by-election follows the retirement of political stalwart Sir Robin Yearwood, whose five-decade parliamentary tenure established a formidable legacy. Baltimore emphasized his commitment to building upon this foundation, stating: ‘With Sir Robin passing the torch, it is my philosophy to continue and to build on that foundation going forward.’

    Baltimore will compete against United Progressive Party candidate Alex Browne in what promises to be a closely contested race. Browne previously lost the seat by a narrow margin of fewer than 100 votes during the 2023 general election, setting the stage for a potential reversal.

    The ABLP candidate differentiated his campaign through emphasis on community connectivity and proven track record. ‘I’m connected with the people,’ Baltimore asserted. ‘My commitment and work have been evident for years, even before politics.’ He referenced several constituency initiatives already implemented, including health fairs and educational support programs, as demonstration of his practical engagement with community needs.

    Policy priorities identified by Baltimore center on infrastructure development, educational enhancement, and healthcare improvement. He specifically pledged to lobby government for continued road works and infrastructure projects while expanding scholarship opportunities for constituents.

    With campaigning intensifying ahead of the March vote, Baltimore urged constituents to ensure voting readiness: ‘The most important thing right now is to pick up your cards. Get your cards renewed.’ He framed the election as representing ‘a new era, a new life, a new vision’ for both the party and constituency.

    The candidate also outlined plans for expanded elderly outreach programs, emphasizing the need for senior residents to ‘feel more embraced within our community.’ Baltimore’s nomination ceremony was attended by cabinet ministers, party supporters, and family members, with his wife Nikisha and mother expressing strong personal pride in his political journey.