Carib Scope

作者： admin

  • Oecumenische dienst sluit nationale rouwdag af na tragedie in Commewijne

    Oecumenische dienst sluit nationale rouwdag af na tragedie in Commewijne

    Suriname observed a National Day of Mourning on Friday with an ecumenical service at the Cathedral Basilica, addressing the profound grief following the devastating Commewijne tragedy that claimed nine lives, including five children. Bishop Karel Choennie led the solemn ceremony, delivering a powerful sermon that explored the incomprehensible nature of evil while emphasizing communal solidarity and spiritual comfort.

    Addressing a congregation united in sorrow, Bishop Choennie selected Matthew 11:27-30 as his scriptural foundation, highlighting Jesus’ invitation to those burdened by life’s heaviest loads. “Jesus speaks not to those who have everything in order,” Choennie articulated, “but precisely to people like us today: weary, broken, and heavily laden with grief.” He clarified that faith offers no simple explanations for such tragedies but creates space for mutual comfort and shared suffering.

    The bishop addressed the additional complexity arising from the subsequent suicide of perpetrator Dennis Aroma in police custody, acknowledging this development deepened the community’s confusion. “Some questions remain temporarily unanswered,” Choennie noted. “Rather than judging, we must carry our pain together. This isn’t weakness—it is humanity.”

    Central to his message was the Christian symbolism of the cross as representing both senseless suffering and divine proximity within that suffering. Choennie encouraged attendees to entrust their grief, helplessness, and unanswered questions to God, whom he described as “not absent in any tear, but intimately near.”

    While acknowledging persistent sorrow, the bishop simultaneously called for hope—not as an eliminator of pain but as a destination for carrying that pain. He specifically requested prayers for surviving victims still fighting for their lives in hospitals and for all families shattered by the violence.

    The service concluded with heartfelt gratitude expressed by victims’ family members toward the community for their moral support. Bishop Choennie ended with an urgent appeal for social cohesion, stating: “Let us look out for one another, remain vigilant for signals of distress, and build tightly-knit communities. Only together can we bear this grief and gradually rise again.”

  • UvAV herhaalt zorgen bij president over ontwikkelingen bij NV EBS

    UvAV herhaalt zorgen bij president over ontwikkelingen bij NV EBS

    In a formal communication addressed to President Jennifer Simons, the Union of Assertive Trade Unions (UvAV) has expressed profound concerns regarding escalating governance issues at N.V. Energiebedrijven Suriname (EBS), the national energy corporation. The labor organization contends that current operational practices within EBS are systematically eroding managerial credibility, disrupting workforce harmony, and diminishing public trust in both the state-owned enterprise and its fiscal management.

    Since July of the previous year, multiple correspondence attempts have been initiated by UvAV, all remaining unanswered by the presidential office. This includes urgent legal communications from the union’s legal counsel that similarly failed to elicit substantive response.

    The union’s allegations center on CEO Leo Brunswijk’s authoritarian leadership approach, accusing him of implementing unilateral decisions affecting collective labor agreements without consulting employee representatives. This management style has reportedly fostered significant internal unrest and created elevated risks of operational escalation.

    A particularly contentious development involves the recent termination of union chairman Marciano Hellings, which UvAV asserts constitutes retaliatory action for his critical stance toward management. Notably, this dismissal proceeded despite formal objections from the authorized termination commission, establishing what the union describes as an intimidating precedent for workforce representation.

    Further allegations include serious suspicions of fraudulent activities by senior leadership, unjustified employee terminations, and compromised salary distributions. These circumstances have allegedly resulted in both tangible and intangible damages to the state enterprise.

    The UvAV has urgently petitioned presidential intervention through comprehensive investigative measures by competent authorities. The union specifically requests potential temporary suspension of the CEO and entire executive board during any investigation to prevent potential evidence tampering or operational interference.

    Finally, the labor organization has formally requested presidential consultation to address both the EBS crisis and broader societal implications, expressing confidence that timely intervention could prevent further deterioration of the state enterprise and protect employee welfare.

  • Pollution Violation of the Environmental Law must have consequences

    Pollution Violation of the Environmental Law must have consequences

    Environmental advocate Ivonne Arias has issued a forceful call for comprehensive legal enforcement and public education reforms to address the Dominican Republic’s escalating river pollution crisis. Arias contends that systemic failures in implementing environmental regulations have perpetuated ecological damage, demanding immediate consequences for violators including corporate entities and negligent officials.

    The environmental specialist emphasized that mere financial penalties prove insufficient deterrents. She advocates for criminal prosecution against businesses discharging waste into waterways, stating that environmental damage constitutes a crime against public welfare. Arias highlighted how pollutant discharge not only contaminates water supplies but critically depletes oxygen levels, devastating aquatic ecosystems.

    Beyond enforcement, Arias outlined necessary preventive measures including nationwide river surveillance systems and educational initiatives promoting environmental stewardship. She criticized institutional bureaucracy that hinders environmental protection efforts while acknowledging some governmental and private sector attempts at improvement.

    The environmentalist stressed that without consistent monitoring and follow-up on violations, pollution incidents will continue recurring. She urged authorities to develop transparent environmental planning while insisting that both legal application and cultural respect for natural resources must become national priorities to achieve meaningful ecological preservation.

  • What the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic said about the capture of Nicolás Maduro

    What the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic said about the capture of Nicolás Maduro

    In a dramatic escalation of bilateral tensions, the White House confirmed this Saturday that American forces executed a comprehensive military operation targeting Venezuela, resulting in the apprehension and subsequent expulsion of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. The operation, characterized as large-scale, represents the most significant development in the protracted standoff between Washington and Caracas.

    The official disclosure, disseminated through the White House’s social media channels and formally verified by the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic, stated unequivocally: ‘President Nicolás Maduro, along with his wife, has been captured and airlifted out of the country.’ The announcement emphasized that the mission was conducted in concert with U.S. law enforcement agencies, underscoring a coordinated interagency approach.

    This military offensive culminates half a year of increasingly hostile relations, characterized by a substantial U.S. naval presence in the Caribbean Sea and repeated formal accusations from the Venezuelan government alleging American plans for military intervention. The strategic operation signals a decisive shift from diplomatic posturing to direct action, potentially reshaping the political landscape of the region and setting a profound precedent for international power dynamics.

  • Cuba denounced the direct attack against Venezuela: it is state terrorism

    Cuba denounced the direct attack against Venezuela: it is state terrorism

    Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez has issued a forceful condemnation of what he characterizes as “criminal attacks” by the United States against Venezuela, urgently calling for international intervention. The First Secretary of the Communist Party Central Committee made his declaration via social media following reports of armed assaults on multiple Venezuelan cities in the early hours of Saturday.

    The Venezuelan government has officially described the coordinated attacks on military and civilian installations across Caracas, Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira states as “grave military aggression.” In response to the offensive, Venezuelan authorities activated national defense protocols and declared a “state of external commotion” before the international community.

    President Díaz-Canel emphasized that the attacks represent a brutal assault on Latin America’s established Zone of Peace, characterizing the operations as “state terrorism against the courageous Venezuelan people and against Our America.” This escalation follows weeks of heightened military tension, including the deployment of US naval and air forces to the Caribbean region and the establishment of a blockade against the South American nation.

    Senior Cuban officials have unanimously condemned the actions, with National Assembly President Esteban Lazo Hernández and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz joining diplomatic efforts to mobilize international response. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla further denounced the operations as “cowardly acts against a nation that has not attacked the United States or any other country,” asserting the urgent need for global solidarity in defense of regional peace.

  • At the Anti-Imperialist Tribune today, the Cuban people condemn the military aggression against Venezuela

    At the Anti-Imperialist Tribune today, the Cuban people condemn the military aggression against Venezuela

    The Cuban government has issued a formal summons for its citizens to participate in a mass condemnation ceremony protesting what it characterizes as “Yankee imperialist military aggression” against Venezuela. The rally is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. at Havana’s José Martí Anti-Imperialist Tribune, with organizers indicating that attendees will represent the entire Cuban population in demonstrating solidarity with the Bolivarian Republic.

    The event is framed as both a rejection of United States military operations and a show of support for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Moros alongside the combined Popular, Military, and Police Fusion forces. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, who also serves as First Secretary of the Communist Party’s Central Committee, has publicly denounced the American actions as a “criminal attack” violating regional stability.

    In official statements, Díaz-Canel condemned the operation as “state terrorism directed against the courageous Venezuelan people and against our America,” asserting that Washington’s actions constitute a “brutal assault” on Latin America’s established peace framework. The government’s mobilization call concludes with the revolutionary slogan: “Homeland or Death, We Shall Overcome!”

    The ceremony represents the latest development in escalating tensions between Havana and Washington regarding Venezuela’s political future, with Cuban authorities positioning themselves as steadfast allies to Maduro’s administration amid increasing international pressure.

  • Cuban collaborators in Venezuela are protected

    Cuban collaborators in Venezuela are protected

    Cuban Health Minister Dr. José Angel Portal Miranda has publicly denounced what he characterized as an act of aggression by the United States government against Venezuela. The minister made these statements through his official X (formerly Twitter) account on January 3, 2026, confirming that Cuban medical personnel stationed in Venezuela remain secure despite the escalating tensions.

    Following reports of the alleged attack, Cuban health authorities established continuous communication channels with the leadership of their medical mission in Venezuela. Dr. Portal Miranda emphasized that all Cuban collaborators operating within Venezuela’s healthcare system are currently protected and accounted for.

    The minister’s social media post included a firm condemnation of the United States’ actions, which he described as a direct violation of Venezuelan sovereignty and an assault on regional peace. The Cuban government’s response aligns with its longstanding diplomatic position opposing foreign intervention in Venezuela’s internal affairs.

    This development occurs within the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Caribbean region, where Cuba maintains significant medical diplomacy programs despite facing its own economic challenges and international sanctions. The Cuban medical brigade in Venezuela represents one of Havana’s most substantial overseas humanitarian initiatives, with thousands of healthcare professionals providing services across the South American nation.

  • Hospital Ney Arias reports fewer emergencies

    Hospital Ney Arias reports fewer emergencies

    Santo Domingo’s Ney Arias Lora University Traumatology Hospital has documented a substantial reduction in emergency medical cases during the recent New Year celebrations. Hospital director Dr. Julio Landrón revealed that emergency department visits declined by approximately 20% compared to the previous year’s holiday period, while hospital admissions saw a more dramatic decrease of nearly 50%.

    Detailed statistics show that during the most recent holiday, the trauma center recorded only 33 hospitalizations, significantly lower than the 60 admissions documented during the 2024 New Year celebrations. Emergency room visits similarly dropped from 150 cases last year to a considerably lower figure this season.

    Medical authorities attribute this positive trend to multiple factors, including heightened public awareness and more cautious behavior during festivities. The implementation of preventive measures by government agencies and improved coordination between emergency services and medical personnel contributed to more effective case management and timely responses to incidents.

    In preparation for the upcoming Three Kings Day holiday, the hospital has strengthened all operational units, ensuring adequate staffing and maintaining fully stocked medical supply departments. Dr. Landrón emphasized the importance of continued public responsibility, urging citizens to exercise moderation and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent avoidable accidents and injuries.

  • Mass Shooting Leaves One Dead, Independence on Edge!

    Mass Shooting Leaves One Dead, Independence on Edge!

    Independence Village, Stann Creek District, Belize – A tranquil New Year’s Eve celebration turned into a scene of horror as a mass shooting erupted at the Feel Good Restaurant and Bar, resulting in one fatality and six individuals sustaining gunshot wounds. This incident, now recognized as one of the most severe mass shootings in Belize’s history, has plunged the community into a state of shock and mourning.

    According to authorities, the assailant arrived on a motorcycle and discharged multiple rounds at a specific individual believed to be the primary target. The intended victim, struck several times, frantically sought refuge by dashing through the crowded establishment and vaulting a fence into the backyard, leaving behind a Rastafarian head wrap in his desperate escape. The gunman subsequently fled the scene.

    Among the wounded was Rome, a survivor who recounted his experience. He was awaiting an order of fried chicken with his back to the door, enjoying music and a drink, when the shooting commenced. Initially mistaking the gunfire for a lone firecracker, he continued his activities until he noticed blood streaming down his body. Disoriented and intoxicated, he has little recollection of how he was transported to the hospital but confirmed he never lost consciousness.

    The community’s loss was personified by Keith Neal, who succumbed to his injuries at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital on Thursday after being transferred from the Southern Regional Hospital. His sister, Shannon Neal, described him as a humble, non-confrontational man whose world revolved around providing a better life for his five-year-old daughter and his niece. He was a regular at the establishment, simply seeking to enjoy the New Year’s festivities.
    His family is now burdened with funeral preparations and the heartrending duty of preserving his memory for his young daughter while vehemently demanding justice. Shannon Neal asserts that her brother identified his assailant while on the ground, a individual reportedly well-known within the community.

    Law enforcement, under the direction of ASP Stacy Smith, has secured surveillance footage and several pieces of evidence deemed critical to the investigation. Police are actively seeking two persons of interest and have cautioned the public that harboring or concealing wanted individuals is a criminal offense. While the investigation is ongoing, a drug-related motive is among the primary angles being explored by detectives.

  • Puerto Rico suspends most of its flights and restricts airspace for US airlines

    Puerto Rico suspends most of its flights and restricts airspace for US airlines

    In a significant disruption to Caribbean air travel, San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport announced the suspension of most U.S. carrier operations Saturday. The flight cancellations stem from a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directive establishing temporary restricted airspace over Puerto Rico, a measure directly linked to recent U.S. military activity targeting Venezuela.

    The airport administration clarified that the restriction, initially effective for approximately 24 hours, is solely motivated by air safety considerations concerning the military operations and is unrelated to any local conditions at the airport or within Puerto Rico itself. The order specifically impacts U.S. commercial airlines, resulting in the suspension or potential cancellation of the majority of their flights to and from the capital.

    Crucially, the FAA provision does not extend to foreign-based airlines or military aircraft, which continue to operate under established authorization protocols. The duration of the restriction remains subject to ongoing evaluation and may be extended pending further review by federal authorities.

    In response to the travel chaos, airport officials strongly advised passengers with upcoming flights to directly confirm their flight status with their respective airlines before heading to the airport. They emphasized relying solely on official channels for the most current information. The airport confirmed it is maintaining continuous communication with federal aeronautical authorities and committed to providing prompt updates on any developments.