Carib Scope

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  • France supports Dominican Republic in tackling sargassum crisis

    France supports Dominican Republic in tackling sargassum crisis

    PARIS – In a significant bilateral meeting, French President Emmanuel Macron and Dominican leader Luis Abinader forged a cooperative front against the escalating sargassum seaweed crisis plaguing Caribbean coastlines. President Macron explicitly recognized the Dominican Republic’s pivotal strategic importance in developing regional solutions for the environmental challenge, which severely impacts marine ecosystems and tourism-dependent economies.

    The high-level discussions, held during President Abinader’s two-day official visit to France, served to reinforce the strong and trusting diplomatic relationship between the two nations. Macron reiterated France’s commitment to deepening this bilateral partnership, emphasizing shared interests in environmental sustainability and economic stability.

    Parallel to the presidential dialogue, Abinader addressed the inaugural session of an anti-corruption conference organized by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In his keynote speech, he positioned governmental integrity as a foundational element of his administration’s philosophy and a critical catalyst for both economic growth and democratic consolidation in the Dominican Republic.

    Concurrently, the Dominican government has proactively implemented a specialized regulatory framework aimed at mitigating the sargassum invasion. This comprehensive initiative outlines standardized protocols for the efficient collection, ecological disposal, and potential commercial utilization of the seaweed. The move represents a direct response to the alarming proliferation of sargassum, which has caused substantial damage to pristine beaches and threatened the vitality of the nation’s crucial tourism industry.

  • Soca Monarch returns: Archer promises high-octane comeback for Crop Over

    Soca Monarch returns: Archer promises high-octane comeback for Crop Over

    The Barbadian cultural landscape is set for a significant revitalization with the official reinstatement of the Soca Monarch competition to the Crop Over festival calendar. Senator Shane Archer, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister for Youth and Culture, made the landmark announcement during his budget presentation, emphasizing this move represents more than mere nostalgia—it’s a strategic investment in the island’s creative future.

    Following extensive consultations with cultural stakeholders and industry practitioners, Archer revealed the competition would return with heightened intensity and prize money equivalent to the prestigious Pic-O-De-Crop finals. “Our young entertainers must see the opportunity that those before us had,” Archer declared, referencing how the platform launched careers of icons like Lil Rick and Alison Hinds. The modern iteration will embrace all soca substyles, from traditional to bashment and party soca.

    Industry leaders have welcomed the decision as a vital economic stimulus. Ingrid Holder of Live Wire Entertainment noted the competition provides crucial revenue streams for artists while acknowledging the prize parity as “long overdue.” However, she advocated for format revisions, suggesting separate categories for Power Soca and Groovy Soca to prevent high-energy performances from overshadowing melodic entries.

    Former Soca Monarch Mikey Mercer endorsed the revival, believing the competitive element will regenerate excitement and particularly benefit the declining Power Soca subgenre. The return marks a reversal from the National Cultural Foundation’s 2023 decision to replace the competition with developmental workshops and showcases like Soca 5.0, which aimed to create music with year-round appeal but faced criticism for lacking competitive stakes.

    The revival addresses concerns from organizations like the Barbados Association of Creatives and Artistes, who argued that removing the competitive platform hindered new talent development and diminished seasonal excitement. While specific dates and prize structures remain forthcoming, the government promises a comeback that captures the intensity of Barbados’ greatest cultural eras.

  • McIntyre siblings shine on opening day of BSSAC finals

    McIntyre siblings shine on opening day of BSSAC finals

    Harrison College’s athletic dynasty shone brightly at the Usain Bolt Complex as siblings Luke and Laila McIntyre delivered a masterclass in distance running during the Dasani BSSAC Finals opening day. The CARIFTA Games-bound athletes not only defended their titles but shattered expectations with record-breaking performances.

    Laila McIntyre, fresh from breaking the BSSAC 1500m record just last week, obliterated her own previous mark in the Open girls’ 3000m with a stunning time of 10:14.07. Her performance demolished last year’s record of 10:34.32 by more than twenty seconds, leaving competitors Alexis Lashley of The St Michael School and Taryn Sutherland of Combermere to claim second and third places respectively.

    “I’m overwhelmed with my performance today,” Laila told Barbados TODAY. “Given my inconsistent results in 3000m events this season, achieving this time fills me with tremendous gratitude, especially with the CARIFTA Games in Grenada approaching next week.”

    The younger McIntyre sibling revealed her strategic shift from swimming to track focus this year: “Last season I prioritized swimming preparation for CARIFTA, but this year I recognized the need to intensify my training regimen and maintain consistency for the track championships.”

    Not to be outdone, brother Luke McIntyre dominated the Open boys’ 5000m, securing victory in 16:03.07 ahead of Harrison College teammate Zindzele Renwick-Williams and St George Secondary’s Tamarion Lynch.

    The day’s field events saw Combermere’s Davion Thorne reclaim podium position for the two-time defending champions with a gold medal leap of 14.00m in the Under-20 boys’ triple jump. Jaquan Williams of Coleridge and Parry secured silver (13.87m) while Lynch added a second bronze to his collection (13.81m).

    Preliminary 400m heats across all divisions set the stage for thrilling finals, with several athletes emerging as strong contenders. Standout performances included St Leonard’s Boys’ Jalino Hamlet (U15 boys, 50.72s) who appears poised to challenge his own record of 49.28s, and St George Secondary’s Shamari Greenidge-Lewis who led U20 boys qualifying in 47.34s.

    The abbreviated opening day of track finals established clear favorites while demonstrating the remarkable depth of young athletic talent progressing through Barbados’ competitive sports system.

  • Migration strengthens controls on foreign labor permits

    Migration strengthens controls on foreign labor permits

    The Dominican Republic’s General Directorate of Migration (DGM) has enacted sweeping regulatory changes that significantly tighten the requirements for temporary work permit renewals for foreign employees. This comprehensive overhaul introduces mandatory formal employment contracts processed through the Ministry of Labor, marking a substantial shift in the country’s immigration compliance framework.

    Under the newly implemented resolution, which emerged from an extensive internal review process, employers now bear increased responsibility for their foreign workforce. The updated regulations explicitly invalidate sworn statements as acceptable substitutes for formal contracts, aligning enforcement procedures with the existing Migration Law 85-04 and its corresponding regulatory provisions.

    The revised framework establishes clear limitations on permitted employment activities, specifically prohibiting foreign workers from engaging in informal sectors including motorcycle taxi operations, street vending, and delivery services. These restrictions ensure temporary permit holders exclusively perform duties outlined in their officially sanctioned employment contracts.

    Renewal applicants must navigate a detailed documentation process through the government’s official digital platform, submitting multiple verifiable components: valid passport credentials, temporary worker identification, medical certification, proof of Social Security (TSS) registration, and a renewed employment contract confirming ongoing employment. Employers assume contractual obligations to maintain employment throughout the authorized period and coordinate the worker’s repatriation following contract termination.

    The DGM emphasizes that these measures aim to enhance regulatory compliance, increase procedural transparency, and establish greater legal certainty for both employers and foreign workers while addressing previously identified irregularities in application processing.

  • Symmonds urges creatives to protect, profit from culture

    Symmonds urges creatives to protect, profit from culture

    Barbados stands at a critical economic crossroads where its creative industries must transition from cultural pride to commercial profitability or risk irreversible decline, according to a stark warning from Minister of Energy, Business Development and Commerce Kerrie Symmonds. Speaking at the Third Annual Barbados Orange Economy Consultation hosted by the Barbados Coalition of Service Industries, the senior cabinet member delivered a forceful critique of the region’s historical pattern of endless deliberation without decisive action. Symmonds emphasized that while his portfolio includes the demanding energy sector, developing Barbados’s orange economy—encompassing creative and cultural industries—remains an absolute priority for national economic diversification. The minister pointed to the cautionary tale of Trinidad and Tobago’s steelpan, an instrument invented in the Caribbean but now predominantly manufactured and monetized by foreign entities in the United States, Japan, and China, which collectively control over 40% of global production. Similarly, he warned that Barbados’s national sport of road tennis faces appropriation unless the island establishes legal protections and commercial frameworks. Symmonds expressed particular frustration with the region’s failure to capitalize on the 2008 Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union, which granted Caribbean entertainers access to 27 European markets but lacked the necessary funding and technical support for implementation. He criticized how external agendas on human rights and gender identification had overshadowed trade priorities, creating what he termed ‘policy incoherence.’ To address these challenges, the government is finalizing infrastructure for a junior stock exchange to provide equity financing for creative businesses. The minister urged creative practitioners to adopt the aggressive advocacy strategies employed by Barbados’s tourism and cruise sectors, emphasizing that cultural expression must evolve from passion pursuit to protected commercial enterprise through geographical indicators and specialized manufacturing standards.

  • WATCH: MP Lewis Says UPP Is Handling Internal Issues Privately as Election Nears

    WATCH: MP Lewis Says UPP Is Handling Internal Issues Privately as Election Nears

    With general elections in Antigua and Barbuda anticipated within months, Member of Parliament Richard Lewis has publicly affirmed the United Progressive Party’s (UPP) confidence and internal resolve. Representing St. John’s Rural West, Lewis acknowledged during an appearance on Observer AM that while internal divisions exist, they are being handled through private, internal channels rather than public discourse. He emphasized that such internal disagreements are a common feature of all political organizations and stressed the party’s commitment to resolving matters behind closed doors to project a unified front. Lewis articulated the party’s core philosophy that ‘unity is strength,’ a principle guiding their preparations for the imminent electoral contest. He contrasted the UPP’s position with that of the ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP), which he characterized as deeply unpopular. Lewis expressed strong conviction that by conveying the correct message to the electorate, the UPP is strategically positioned to secure victory. His statements occur amidst a period of intensified political maneuvering and public speculation regarding party cohesion, setting the stage for what analysts predict will be a highly competitive election.

  • BUT urges swift action after suspected gastro outbreak at St Paul’s Primary

    BUT urges swift action after suspected gastro outbreak at St Paul’s Primary

    The Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) is urgently advocating for the temporary shutdown of St. Paul’s Primary School following a suspected gastroenteritis outbreak that has resulted in massive student absenteeism. Union officials report that over 100 students were absent from classes by Tuesday, with many cases directly linked to the suspected illness outbreak while others remained home as a precautionary measure.

    BUT vice-president André Holder addressed journalists outside the Brittons Cross Road educational facility on Wednesday, highlighting concerning patterns of student absence. He specified that the suspected outbreak appears to be concentrated in the school’s hall area, though not all absences were necessarily illness-related.

    Despite the alarming health situation, the school has remained operational with significantly reduced attendance. The union insists that immediate closure is necessary to conduct comprehensive cleaning, sanitization, and ventilation procedures throughout the campus. Holder proposed keeping the institution closed through the remainder of the week to ensure proper remediation measures.

    This incident has brought broader systemic issues to light regarding environmental health and sanitation problems plaguing educational institutions across Barbados. Holder revealed multiple concerning reports including recent cases of cowitch exposure, rodent infestations, and cockroach problems at various schools throughout the island.

    The BUT emphasizes that these matters are being treated with utmost seriousness due to potential impacts on both student and teacher welfare. Holder stressed the critical need for enhanced maintenance programs across all educational campuses to address these recurring health and safety concerns.

    While the Ministry of Health has conducted an initial assessment of St. Paul’s Primary, and the Ministry of Education Transformation has been formally notified, education officials have not yet publicly responded to the situation or the union’s recommendations for temporary closure.

  • CTUSAB raises alarm over ‘non-functioning’ QEH theatres

    CTUSAB raises alarm over ‘non-functioning’ QEH theatres

    A critical healthcare crisis is unfolding at Barbados’ premier medical institution, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), where a significant failure of air-conditioning systems has forced the shutdown of two-thirds of its surgical operating theaters since January. The Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB) has sounded the alarm, with General Secretary Dennis De Peiza revealing the issue may have persisted since November, raising grave concerns about patient welfare and potential loss of life due to postponed surgeries.

    The hospital administration confirmed that six of its nine theaters are non-operational. In response, QEH management has implemented contingency measures, optimizing the three functional theaters by extending schedules and increasing flexibility to continue essential procedures. The company responsible for maintenance, TMR, is actively working on a long-term solution, including the installation of new equipment, with efforts underway to restore full capacity as early as this week.

    QEH assures the public that emergency and urgent surgeries have continued uninterrupted, while elective procedures are being actively managed. All affected patients have been contacted with updates, and a dedicated Patient Advice and Liaison Service is available for those awaiting communication.

    Simultaneously, De Peiza highlighted a parallel crisis in the hospital’s Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department, citing ongoing patient flow issues and recent surges. He proposed a strategic reorganization involving the creation of a dedicated trauma center to handle critical cases like gunshot wounds, heart attacks, and strokes separately from less urgent ailments. This model, he argued, would require proper planning, budgetary allocation for immediate staff recruitment, and is exemplified by the existing efficient asthma bay protocol.

    In a related development, Health Minister Senator Lisa Cummins, during Senate debates on the Appropriations Bill, acknowledged systemic challenges, noting that over 20% of A&E patients could be treated elsewhere. She announced a significant allocation of over $30 million dedicated to enhancing patient care across public healthcare facilities, addressing infrastructure gaps and extended operating hours at polyclinics to alleviate pressure on the QEH.

  • Inflation Up in February 2026…Ironically, Gas Had Offered Some Relief

    Inflation Up in February 2026…Ironically, Gas Had Offered Some Relief

    The Statistical Institute of Belize has documented a discernible uptick in consumer prices for February 2026, with the national inflation rate reaching 0.7%. This economic development was predominantly propelled by escalating costs across essential categories including food commodities, residential electricity, and commercial restaurant services.

    A detailed analysis of the food sector reveals significant price surges, with pork products escalating by over 15% and beef steak prices advancing by nearly 9%. The cost of sugar witnessed a substantial 16% increase, while vegetable items including tomatoes and carrots recorded double-digit price growth. Conversely, the market experienced price reductions for certain fresh fruits including watermelon and plantain, which provided partial mitigation against the broader food basket inflation.

    The energy sector contributed additional inflationary pressure following the implementation of increased electricity rates per kilowatt-hour at the commencement of 2026. The consumer services sector, particularly dining establishments and healthcare providers, also implemented moderate price increases. The apparel industry demonstrated modest inflation, predominantly affecting men’s clothing and footwear categories.

    Contrasting these trends, the transportation sector experienced deflationary relief as fuel prices declined substantially year-over-year. Regular gasoline prices decreased by 7.5%, premium gasoline by 6.1%, and diesel prices fell by 1.5%. This reduction in transportation costs partially counterbalanced the inflationary pressures from other consumer categories.

    Regional analysis indicates significant geographic variation, with Punta Gorda recording the highest municipal inflation rate at 2.2%, while Orange Walk maintained the most stable pricing environment with merely 0.2% inflation. The cumulative inflation rate for the initial bimonthly period of 2026 stands at 0.4%.

    Market analysts note that the February fuel price relief proved transient, as March witnessed a rapid reversal of this trend following geopolitical disruptions in global oil markets related to conflict in Iran, which drove petroleum prices upward once more.

  • Belize Made Nearly $1.4 Billion in the Final Quarter of 2025

    Belize Made Nearly $1.4 Billion in the Final Quarter of 2025

    The Central American nation of Belize concluded 2025 with robust economic performance, recording a substantial 4.7% GDP growth in the final quarter according to official data released by the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB). The country’s total economic output reached $1.396 billion between October and December 2025, demonstrating broad-based expansion across multiple sectors.

    Economic analysts note particularly strong performance in primary industries and services. The agricultural sector showed remarkable vitality with increased production of bananas, corn, and beans, while the fishing industry capitalized on strengthened international demand for shrimp and lobster exports. The construction industry emerged as a standout performer, registering an impressive 10% growth fueled by increased imports of building materials and expanded project financing through commercial loans.

    Tourism contributed significantly to the economic upswing, with visitor arrivals showing notable improvement. Cruise passenger traffic surged by nearly 14%, bringing 301,500 visitors to Belize’s shores during the quarter. The services sector overall proved to be the largest growth driver, expanding by approximately $39 million, with financial services including banking and insurance companies growing by an remarkable 18% due to increased loans, deposits, and insurance revenues.

    Government revenue collection also strengthened, with ‘Taxes on Products’ increasing by 4.6% from $167.1 million in Q4 2024 to $174.8 million in the same period of 2025. Despite these widespread gains, some sectors experienced challenges. Citrus production declined, sugarcane harvesting was suspended during the period, and livestock production including cattle and pigs recorded slight decreases, indicating selective pressures within the otherwise thriving economy.