Carib Scope

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  • Staatsraad: Begroting moet Suriname voorbereiden op toekomst na olie

    Staatsraad: Begroting moet Suriname voorbereiden op toekomst na olie

    As Suriname prepares to welcome major new oil and gas revenues that stand to reshape its national economy, the country’s highest advisory body has issued a stark call for proactive long-term planning, warning against the risk of overreliance on the fossil fuel sector that has plagued resource-rich nations globally.

    In a strategic advisory report presented Friday to President Jennifer Simons by Vice Chair Amzad Abdoel, the Suriname Council of State argues that annual budget deliberations currently underway in the National Assembly must extend beyond short-term spending allocations for the coming year. Instead, policymakers must center discussions on how the country can position itself to leverage both the opportunities and mitigate the inherent risks of the impending oil revenue influx. The report, the second of its series from the Council, draws on consultations with multiple government ministries, public agencies and independent economic experts to deliver approximately 30 targeted recommendations, united by a core message: expected oil revenues must be used to build structural economic resilience, not deepen dependence on a single volatile industry.

    The Council highlights that decades of international experience demonstrate that resource-dependent economies that fail to pursue broad diversification remain extremely vulnerable to global oil price volatility and sudden external economic shocks. To guard against this so-called “resource curse”, the advisory body is pushing for immediate strategic investments in non-oil sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and export-oriented industries, which will allow Suriname to build a diversified economy anchored in multiple robust pillars.

    Beyond diversification, the report identifies food security, public healthcare, education, national security, currency and price stability, and energy security as foundational priorities for long-term sustainable development that require enhanced policy focus and public resourcing. The Council also emphasizes that headline gross domestic product growth alone is not enough to deliver lasting shared prosperity for Suriname. To improve outcomes, the government must strengthen policy implementation efficiency and allocate public funds more strategically, by tying annual budget allocations directly to measurable social and economic outcomes, so the public can clearly track what impact public spending delivers.

    The timing of the advisory comes as the National Assembly enters its deliberation phase for the new national budget. The Council stresses that this is a critical window to make bold policy choices that prioritize long-term economic resilience over quick short-term gains, as the country transitions into a new era of oil-led revenue flows.

  • Film intervention launched in honour of slain Barbadian teen

    Film intervention launched in honour of slain Barbadian teen

    Against a backdrop of rising youth violence tearing at Caribbean communities, local film producer Kerri Birch has launched a groundbreaking creative project named “Once Upon a Frame” — a labor of love and activism built to honor the life of 13-year-old Shawnathon Chase, who was killed in a fatal shooting last year while attending a community netball match at Silver Hill’s hard court in Christ Church.

    Shawnathon was not just a victim of senseless violence; he was an aspiring young writer with a growing body of work, and his death has become a catalyst for change. Reflecting on the tragic loss, Birch emphasized that Shawnathon’s killing is far from an isolated incident, pointing to a worsening pattern of youth violence that is eroding community cohesion, destabilizing family units, and putting an entire generation of young people in danger across the region.

    Developed in partnership with production company 13 Degrees North and Shawnathon’s grieving parents, Sean and Zabida Chase, the initiative will transform original short stories written by young creators into four completed short films. Among the adapted works is “Kite Heist”, a story penned by Shawnathon before his death, alongside another youth-created story “Intergalactic Pup”, which Birch confirmed will be produced entirely using artificial intelligence technology.

    Once post-production is complete, the four films are scheduled to premiere on national public television, with additional selections planned for screenings at leading international film festivals to spread the project’s message to a global audience.

    Birch, who has centered her work on community-centered storytelling, explained the core philosophy behind the initiative: youth violence takes root when young people are disenfranchised, feeling invisible, unheard, and cut off from opportunities to build stable, fulfilling futures. Instead of leaving vulnerable teens to fall through the cracks, “Once Upon a Frame” replaces idleness with creative imagination, replaces social isolation with collaborative skill-building, and replaces risky, empty lifestyles with a clear sense of purpose. Beyond creative expression, the project also equips participating young people with professional film production skills that can open doors to sustainable careers in the creative economy.

    The initiative has already secured backing from a coalition of corporate sponsors, and Birch’s team is currently holding exploratory talks with officials from Barbados’ Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Science and Technology to expand support for the program. In closing, Birch issued a call for broad national investment in youth-focused interventions, arguing that the critical policy question facing the country is not whether public and private stakeholders can afford to fund programs like “Once Upon a Frame” — but whether the nation can afford not to prioritize the safety and opportunity of its young people.

  • Youth leaders urged to drive community change

    Youth leaders urged to drive community change

    On a recent Saturday, Barbados’ Division of Youth Affairs brought together emerging youth leaders from across the country at a capacity-building workshop held at the Radisson Aquatica, with a clear mission: to empower youth-led organizations to claim their central role in advancing national development.

    Addressing the gathered participants, Senator Roshanna Trim opened by pushing back against the common narrative that youth development is solely a government responsibility. While she acknowledged that the state and relevant ministries carry a formal duty to nurture young people’s growth, she stressed that independent youth organizations fill an irreplaceable niche in communities nationwide. “Every community deserves the vibrancy, the creativity, and the innovation of young people,” Trim told the audience, arguing that local youth groups bring energy and fresh perspective that no government agency can replicate on its own.

    Trim, 31, highlighted a unique strength that sets youth-led initiatives apart from established, older-led organizations: natural peer-to-peer relatability. Young people navigating the shared pressures of modern life naturally connect with one another, she explained, creating a level of trust that crosses generational gaps. She noted that even a decade and a half difference in age can create noticeable divides in communication styles and cultural context, making youth-led outreach far more effective for engaging younger demographics. The core message, she emphasized, was for young leaders to recognize this inherent power rather than fixating on formal titles, and to focus on the tangible impact of their work driving social transformation.

    Sharing decades of on-the-ground experience alongside Trim was Sophia Greaves-Broome, community development executive and CEO of the Pinelands Creative Workshop, who has spent 30 years leading civil society and multi-sectoral community programs. Greaves-Broome offered blunt, practical guidance for young leaders looking to build lasting, impactful organizations, focusing heavily on long-term sustainability in an increasingly challenging funding landscape.

    She stressed that organizational longevity starts with a clear, inclusive vision that can inspire others to commit their time and energy. “It must be an inclusive vision where people can say, ‘I can align to that, I can respect that, I can work with that, I can give up my time for that,’” she explained, adding that deep personal sacrifice and unwavering belief in one’s mission are non-negotiable for lasting success.

    Greaves-Broome also warned that the traditional donor model that once supported community nonprofits has shifted dramatically, evolving into a hyper-competitive space where funders demand measurable return on investment. To adapt, she urged young leaders to move beyond rigid, outdated organizational structures and embrace flexible social enterprise models that can generate sustainable revenue. She added that leaders must cultivate a habit of constant self-evaluation, regularly reexamining and restructuring their organizations to stay relevant in a rapidly changing social and economic environment.

    Closing her remarks, Greaves-Broome reminded the emerging leaders that meaningful community transformation takes consistent, long-term effort, encouraging them to prioritize ongoing personal learning and maintain political neutrality to keep their work focused on serving the public good.

  • COMMENTARY: A review of Jerome A. Robinson’s memoir – ‘A Time of Rapid Change in Dominica’

    COMMENTARY: A review of Jerome A. Robinson’s memoir – ‘A Time of Rapid Change in Dominica’

    In early 2026, I acquired a newly released memoir that shines a long-overdue spotlight on one of Dominica’s most important unsung nation builders. Titled *A Time of Rapid Change in Dominica* and published by Micotrin Press in 2025, the work brings to life the legacy of Jerome A. Robinson, the first Dominica-born Crown Surveyor and Commissioner of Lands. The memoir was brought to publication through the dedicated work of his family, most notably his daughter Dr. Jean-Marie Lawrence, a Professor of Technology Systems at East Carolina University.

    Before the generation of architects who built modern Dominica fades from collective memory, documenting and sharing their stories is a critical act of national preservation. Jerome A. Robinson stands indisputably among these foundational figures, and his memoir is far more than a chronicle of one man’s life—it is an irreplaceable addition to Dominica’s official historical record. Deep gratitude is owed to his daughters Lena Bellevue and Dr. Jean-Marie Lawrence for safeguarding his experiences, achievements and observations for coming generations.

    ## The Robinson Family: A Century-Long Legacy of Public Service
    For anyone raised in Dominica, the Robinson name is synonymous with distinguished contribution across nearly every sector of national life. The family built its reputation on excellence across education, skilled trades, construction, business and public administration.

    Joffre Robinson was a widely respected educator. Cephas Robinson was a pioneering builder who oversaw construction of iconic Dominican landmarks including local churches, banana boxing plants, sections of Melville Hall Airport, and the original Vick’s Supermarket, now known as Lindo Mart. Belgrave Robinson served with distinction as Chief Education Officer. Edgar Robinson earned acclaim as a skilled welder, while Ken Robinson emerged as one of Dominica’s most innovative entrepreneurs: he operated a local supermarket, launched the island’s first tire-retreading business, founded a music recording studio, and ran a successful bakery and mini-mart alongside his wife Eileen.

    During my years at Dominica Grammar School, our woodworking instructor at the Technical Wing was Ernest Alfred “Robo” Robinson, a disciplined, patient and meticulous educator who traveled to Los Angeles, California, to complete advanced training in vocational woodworking education. In my third year of study, I had the privilege of learning English literature from Robinson’s niece, Ianthe Robinson. As a cadet with the Dominica Grammar School Cadet Corps, I also worked closely with the late Edmund Robinson, our Company Sergeant Major who like many Robinsons was affectionately nicknamed “Robo.” A sharp, disciplined leader, he later became my colleague when we both taught at the school.

    The Robinson family embodies Dominica’s rich, mixed cultural heritage, with ancestry tying together Scottish-Irish, African and Kalinago roots. During the colonial era, thousands of Scottish-Irish migrants arrived in the British West Indies as indentured servants, and many went on to rise to leadership roles as estate managers, clerks, surveyors and colonial administrators.

    ## Jerome Robinson’s Early Journey: From Childhood to Academic Excellence
    Jerome Robinson was born August 22, 1934, the youngest child of Ellis and Florisca Robinson (née Joseph). He was the grandson of Alexander “Ellick” Robinson, who also served in colonial administration. Scholarly work on Kalinago history by Peter Hulme even makes reference to “Mr. Robinson, who is the government man coming among the Caribs,” underscoring the Robinson family’s multi-generational ties to public service in Dominica.

    Robinson’s memoir opens with vivid recollections of his childhood during the turbulent years of World War II, when German U-boats sank more than 400 ships across the Caribbean. These events are explored in greater depth in Dominican author Clement “Baba” Richards’ work *Seawolves in Warm Waters*, but Robinson offers personal, on-the-ground accounts of encounters with wartime refugees, Marigot police patrols targeting smugglers, and beloved childhood travels across the island alongside his father Ellis. Encouraged by his mother to prioritize education, Jerome first attended school in Laudat, where his brother Joffre served as village schoolmaster. He excelled academically and earned admission to the prestigious Dominica Grammar School.

    A striking historical detail connects Robinson directly to the school’s origins: the institution’s first campus was once the private residence of his paternal grandfather, Alexander Robinson. That historic structure still stands today at Piper’s Step, on what was then Queen Mary Street—now renamed Independence Street—in the capital Roseau. While studying at the Grammar School, Robinson’s sharp academic skills caught the attention of legendary headmaster Victor A. A. Archer, who recommended he pursue a career in surveying, setting the course for his lifelong legacy.

    ## Breaking Barriers: Mapping Dominica Through Harsh Conditions
    For young Dominicans today, it is important to contextualize Robinson’s achievements: it was only after World War II that native Dominican professionals gradually began to take on senior leadership roles in the colonial public service. Before that shift, almost all senior department heads were British expatriates or other European transplants. When the author was growing up, the post of Crown Surveyor was held by Karol Winski, a Polish surveyor who preceded Robinson. Robinson spoke warmly of Winski’s mentorship, crediting his guidance with giving him the skills to eventually rise to the top role in the Survey Department.

    In July 1954, at just 20 years old and after 18 months working as a pupil surveyor in the field, Robinson earned a scholarship to study surveying in Trinidad. He completed the three-year program in 1957, passed the rigorous examinations of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), and was awarded the prestigious Michael Dixon Prize for his outstanding academic performance.

    Returning home, Robinson took on the grueling work of surveying one of the Caribbean’s most mountainous island terrains. His memoir details grueling expeditions: climbing the slopes of Morne Diablotin while carrying fragile, heavy surveying equipment, fording rain-swollen rivers while protecting his precision theodolite, and spending weeks at a time working in remote, uninhabited forests. He explains that the Royal Engineers had placed metal survey markers on Dominica’s highest peaks in 1945, and his team was tasked with re-locating and verifying these markers to prepare for the publication of a new national map in 1961.

    Robinson also recounts the extraordinary challenges of conducting aerial survey photography in Dominica, where constant cloud cover over the island’s steep mountains and deep valleys repeatedly derailed efforts to capture accurate map data. Long before satellite technology revolutionized surveying work, Robinson and his team set up base camps deep in the interior, living in tents for days on end while enduring meager rations, constant rainfall and extremely primitive living conditions. Still, they pushed through to complete their work.

    These firsthand accounts reveal not just the technical difficulties of mid-20th century surveying, but also the extraordinary dedication, discipline and resilience of the pioneers who literally mapped out the modern Dominican nation against overwhelming odds.

    ## A Landmark Achievement: The First Native-Born Crown Surveyor
    In 1962, Robinson took the initiative to pursue postgraduate studies, traveling to Glasgow to attend the Royal College of Science and Technology. After successfully completing his program, he returned to Dominica and was officially appointed Crown Surveyor and Commissioner of Lands—making history as the first native-born Dominican to hold this senior position.

    Robinson’s breakthrough was far more than a personal career milestone: it stood as a powerful symbol of the gradual rise of local leadership within the colonial civil service, proving that Dominicans had the skill, discipline and professionalism to govern their own country ahead of full independence.

    ## A Personal Connection: Robinson’s Impact On My Own Education
    I had the rare privilege of taking introductory surveying classes taught by Jim Robinson during the 1977–1978 academic year, shortly before Dominica gained full independence. At the time, I was a Sixth Form student in Form 6B at Dominica Sixth Form College, preparing for the Cambridge University Advanced Level examinations scheduled for mid-1979. When our Geography teacher Alfred Leevy was reassigned to other duties, our cohort lost access to A-Level Geography instruction, and the exam was ultimately canceled for our group. Even so, Jim Robinson volunteered his time to teach the surveying component of our geography curriculum, coming in fully prepared to every class, showing endless patience, and committed to making sure every student understood both the theoretical science and practical application of surveying work. I have remained grateful for his contribution to my education ever since.

    Beyond my time as his student, I have a deeper family tie to the Robinsons: I am married to his niece, Joan Robinson, daughter of builder Cephas Robinson and his wife Ernestina. Joan is an active member of the Marigot History Working Group alongside Dr. Peter Alfred, Deborah Blackman, Sandra Green and Alvin Abrahm, where she works to document and preserve the family history of communities in Marigot.

    ## A Memoir That Belongs In Every Dominican Home And School
    One of the greatest strengths of *A Time of Rapid Change in Dominica* is that it explores a critical, under-taught chapter of Dominican history: the story of how the island was surveyed, measured, mapped and organized for modern administration. The 177-page volume is richly illustrated, adding vivid authenticity to the narrative, with photos ranging from Robinson’s survey team setting up a makeshift camp in the island’s interior to portraits of Robinson during his studies in the United Kingdom. If the work has one small shortcoming, it is that it devotes relatively limited space to Robinson’s immediate family, all of whom have gone on to achieve great things in their own right.

    This memoir deserves a permanent place on the shelf of every Dominican school library. It teaches young Dominicans that the nation they inherited was built through the sacrifices of dedicated public servants, who worked with limited resources but unlimited determination. Their work was rooted in integrity, professional excellence and an unshakable sense of duty to the public good.

    Dr. Jean-Marie Lawrence has provided an invaluable service to the Dominican people by preserving her father’s legacy. Her work should serve as a call to action for other Dominican families to document the lives of their parents and grandparents before those irreplaceable memories are lost forever.

    Jerome Robinson also built a rich family life that sustained his commitment to public service. He and his wife Annette Robinson (née Butler) raised seven daughters—Jean-Marie, Esther, Denise, Carol, Lena, Anthea, and Elizabeth—whose own achievements reflect the same values of education, discipline and service that defined their father’s extraordinary career.

    As a nation, we must celebrate this generation of Dominicans, who accomplished so much with so little. Their stories remind us that nation-building is rarely glamorous. It is forged through decades of quiet sacrifice, consistent professional excellence and faithful service to the public good.

    For these reasons, I strongly encourage Dominican educational authorities to add this memoir to school and public library collections across the island, and I urge every Dominican family to support similar efforts to preserve our shared national memory.

    History is not made only by politicians and world-famous leaders. It is also made by surveyors, teachers, engineers, nurses, builders, civil servants and countless ordinary citizens, whose daily work quietly laid the foundations that modern Dominica stands on today. Jerome A. Robinson was exactly one of these foundational nation builders. Thanks to this thoughtful, well-researched memoir, future generations will know his story.

  • CAF establishes Venezuela Recovery and Reconstruction Fund

    CAF establishes Venezuela Recovery and Reconstruction Fund

    In the wake of the destructive earthquakes that hit Venezuela on June 24, the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) has unveiled a targeted new initiative to drive the country’s rebuilding: the Venezuela Recovery and Reconstruction Fund. This dedicated mechanism is structured to collect, mobilize, and direct combined contributions from public, private, and international stakeholders toward the most pressing recovery needs identified by Venezuelan authorities, building on the $300,000 in emergency humanitarian aid CAF already committed to immediate relief efforts.

    Unlike scattered, uncoordinated aid efforts that often slow disaster response, the new fund centralizes all incoming donations under a unified framework of transparent administration and clear accountability. Donations are open to a wide range of partners, including national governments, multilateral organizations, private corporations, philanthropic foundations, individual givers, and other collaborative groups. All allocated resources will be aligned exclusively with recovery and reconstruction priorities formally set by the Government of Venezuela, with the core goal of delivering a unified, efficient response that eliminates fragmented efforts and speeds up the delivery of critical support to earthquake-impacted communities.

    To kickstart the initiative, CAF has made an initial seed commitment of $1 million to launch the fund and finance the first round of prioritized projects. In a move designed to maximize impact for affected communities, CAF will not levy any administrative or implementation fees for managing the fund, ensuring 100 percent of all contributed funds go directly toward emergency response and long-term reconstruction work.

    “Natural disasters demand a collective response rooted in humanity and solidarity, and Venezuela needs our support now more than ever,” said Sergio Díaz-Granados, Executive President of CAF. “As Venezuela is a founding member of CAF and hosts our organization’s headquarters, launching this reconstruction fund is a natural expression of our commitment. This is an agile, fully transparent mechanism, and we invite governments and private sector actors across the globe to join us. By combining our resources, we can build a truly effective response. Our promise extends beyond the immediate emergency: we will stand with the Venezuelan people through every step of the long recovery and reconstruction journey ahead.”

    The fund is intentionally designed to adapt to the three distinct phases of disaster response, evolving with changing needs on the ground. In its first phase, the mechanism will support immediate life-saving assistance, including the distribution of humanitarian supplies, provision of essential goods, and logistical backing for Venezuelan institutions leading the emergency response. The second phase will focus on rehabilitating critical public services, including healthcare systems, water and sanitation infrastructure, energy networks, education facilities, and digital connectivity. In the final long-term phase, the fund will back broader recovery and resilience-building efforts, including early permanent reconstruction, the restoration of local livelihoods, and infrastructure upgrades to reduce community vulnerability to future natural disasters. All interventions will be rolled out incrementally, based on detailed damage assessments and updated priorities confirmed by the Venezuelan government.

    To uphold full transparency, all fund resources are held as a ring-fenced pool completely separate from CAF’s own operating capital. The mechanism built in end-to-end traceability for every individual intervention, requires regular public financial reporting, and mandates independent third-party audits to ensure accountability. Donations may be made in either U.S. dollars or euros, and resource deployment is structured for maximum flexibility: funds can be executed through pre-vetted eligible implementing partners, or directly managed by CAF when that approach delivers greater efficiency.

    CAF’s longstanding institutional ties to Venezuela—dating back to the country’s role as a founding member and permanent host of the bank’s headquarters—reinforce the organization’s commitment to standing with the Venezuelan people and their governing institutions through every stage of this emergency response, recovery, and reconstruction process. The bank is leveraging its existing technical expertise and financial network to mobilize solidarity from across the Latin American and Caribbean region and the wider global community. For more information on how to contribute or participate in the initiative, interested parties can access details via the official link for the Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela.

  • 2026–2027 Moroccan Government Scholarship for Undergraduate and Graduate Studies

    2026–2027 Moroccan Government Scholarship for Undergraduate and Graduate Studies

    In a collaborative initiative between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Government of Grenada, Moroccan authorities have opened applications for fully funded undergraduate and graduate scholarship opportunities for Grenadian citizens to study at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI) for the 2026–2027 academic year. Administered through Morocco’s official national agency, the program covers nearly all student expenses, removing financial barriers for qualified Grenadian applicants seeking high-quality English-medium higher education.

  • Recensie biografie oud-president Shankar

    Recensie biografie oud-president Shankar

    # A Critical Review of the Ramsewak Shankar Biography: Uncovering the Integrity of Suriname’s Former Leader
    Published: June 28, 2026, 08:56

    In a June 7, 2026 commentary on Starnieuws, Asha Remesar offered high praise for historian Eric Jagdew and Suriname’s former president Ramsewak Shankar, released in conjunction with the launch of Jagdew’s new book *Ramsewak Shankar: een technocraat als minister, manager en president in Suriname*. But Remesar’s piece lacked substantive evidence to back up her acclaim. This in-depth review fills that gap, offering a detailed assessment of the work and the portrait it paints of one of Suriname’s most misunderstood modern leaders.

    First, a key clarification: contrary to its billing, the book is not a traditional biography, but a structured autobiography. As veteran Surinamese politician Jagernath Lachmon often prefaced his answers with the phrase “in my humble opinion”, reviewer Roy Khemradj makes the same distinction here. A conventional biography, such as the earlier work *Man van het moment* on former Surinamese leader Henck Arron, incorporates perspectives from third parties who shared experiences with the subject. By contrast, this work draws from more than 25 in-depth interviews where Shankar shared his life experiences directly with Jagdew, who wove these accounts into the broader context of Suriname’s modern political history.

    Specifically, the book covers the period from Suriname’s movement to restore democracy, through the November 1987 general elections and Shankar’s inauguration as president, up to his forced resignation in December 1990. Regardless of the labeling debate, the text carries substantial informational and historical value. Drawing on prior knowledge from biographies of both Henck Arron and Frank Essed (including Khemradj’s own work *De Mobilisatie van het Eigene* on Essed), the reviewer gains a far more nuanced understanding of the 1987 presidential candidate selection process by the NPS and VHP parties. Some NPS members had pushed to nominate Frank Essed for the presidency, and the book reveals that Shankar was initially Lachmon’s pick for vice president.

    One particularly revelatory new detail is the true origins of the widely discussed Leonsberg Accord. According to Shankar, the catalyst was an offhand comment by politician Willy Soemita at a Front coalition meeting held at the venue De Olifant: Soemita joked that no stars could be seen in the night sky because military leaders had picked all of them to adorn their epaulettes. The joke enraged the military top brass, setting the stage for the eventual agreement.

    The book’s structure is also unusual: most biographies open with the subject’s family background, childhood and school years, but this text leads with a concise history of British Indian indentured labor in Suriname, focusing on successful descendants of indentured workers. It highlights Hindustani “pioneers and intellectuals” who built careers in small-scale agriculture, healthcare, education and the judiciary, before presenting a list of Hindustani graduates of the AMS medical school between 1952 and 1960. Shankar’s name does not even appear until page 49, and his personal life story does not begin until page 73. This opening framing inadvertently casts Shankar primarily as a “Hindustani president”, even as Jagdew’s core goal is to present him as a Surinamer who always prioritized the national interest over ethnic or factional concerns.

    Long before he took the presidency, Shankar served as director of the Stichting Machinale Landbouw (SML), Suriname’s mechanized agriculture foundation, from 1971 to 1981. As a trained agricultural economist, he turned a loss-making rice operation into a highly profitable enterprise, even managing to secure two harvests per year. In 1981, however, Shankar and his entire board resigned abruptly. Jagdew only notes briefly that the resignation stemmed from “the role and power of the People’s Militia in a personnel issue at SML”, leaving out critical details. Curious to learn more, Khemradj reached out to Shankar directly for clarification.

    Shankar shared that the issue centered on the SML head of human resources. A female job applicant had filed a complaint of sexual misconduct during her interview, leading the board to fire the official. But the man was also an active member of the People’s Militia in Wageningen, and eventually Shankar received a call from Paramaribo – ultimately from then-military leader Dési Bouterse – ordering the SML to reinstate him. Shankar refused, choosing to resign with his entire leadership team rather than back down. After his departure, the rice operation went into steady decline, he confirmed.

    This previously unreported anecdote perfectly encapsulates Shankar’s unyielding integrity, a throughline that defined his time in office as well. Few Surinamese today appreciate that no post-Shankar president has inherited such a staggering array of challenges to tackle in barely two years in office. Jagdew, a skilled narrative historian, makes this case convincingly. The book reads like a vivid historical reenactment, and decisively dismantles the long-held myth that Shankar was a weak leader – a jab based on a crude pun on his first name, “Ram-is-zwak” (Ram-is-weak).

    Shankar was ultimately forced out of office in his fight to fully restore democracy and the rule of law, and to curtail military influence over civilian governance. Tensions boiled over after Shankar revoked the special investigative powers of the Military Police. Military leaders were also vehemently opposed to Shankar’s plan to amend the Surinamese constitution in 1991, for which he had already convened a special constitutional commission.

    These two flashpoints were the direct trigger for the military intervention that became known as the 1990 Christmas Coup on December 24. The book also reveals that Jagernath Lachmon, the veteran VHP leader nicknamed “the man of bending reed”, played a behind-the-scenes coordinating political role in the coup. Aware that tensions with the military were reaching a breaking point, Shankar defied his own party leader and called for early snap elections before the coup could be carried out. A recorded speech announcing the election order was already prepared for broadcast, but military forces seized the recording at the last minute.

    Once again, Shankar had refused to compromise his principles. His resignation was not announced by Shankar himself, but by leaders of the Front for Democracy and Development. Today, as the former president prepares to turn 89 on November 6, 2026, this long-overdue reevaluation of his legacy makes clear that his commitment to democratic governance and personal integrity has earned him a far more prominent place in Suriname’s modern history than he has been afforded in popular memory.

  • Temporary road closure to facilitate We Pan Fest — The Carenage, St George’s

    Temporary road closure to facilitate We Pan Fest — The Carenage, St George’s

    Organizers and law enforcement in Grenada are putting advance traffic arrangements in place ahead of the upcoming We Pan Fest, with the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) officially releasing a public advisory outlining a temporary vehicular road closure that will take effect in June 2026.

    Per the official announcement from the Office of Commissioner of Police, the section of The Carenage public road running from its intersection with Hughes Street toward Sendall Tunnel will be closed to all non-emergency motor vehicle traffic on Sunday, June 28, 2026, between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. This temporary restriction is being implemented to clear space for the We Pan Fest event, allowing organizers to host activities safely and comfortably for attendees.

    Crucially, the closure order does not apply to emergency response vehicles of any kind. RGPF stressed that full, unimpeded access must be maintained for emergency vehicles across the affected stretch of road for the entire duration of the event, to preserve public safety and enable rapid response if any urgent incident occurs.

    For all other private and commercial motorists, the full traffic restriction will remain in place throughout the 8-hour closure window. The police force is urging all drivers who regularly travel along this route to plan their journeys in advance, and make use of marked alternative routes during the closure period to avoid unnecessary delays or congestion.

    In closing the advisory, RGPF expressed gratitude to the Grenadian public, local residents, and road users for their understanding, patience, and ongoing cooperation as law enforcement works to balance two key priorities: upholding public safety across the island, and enabling community events like We Pan Fest to run smoothly and successfully.

    Disclaimer: NOW Grenada does not take responsibility for the opinions, statements, or third-party contributed media content featured in this public advisory. Users may click the designated reporting link to submit any claims of content abuse.

  • SVG sees spike in HIV among older men, young adults

    SVG sees spike in HIV among older men, young adults

    Public health authorities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines have sounded the alarm over a sustained upward trend in new HIV infections, with data revealing a concerning concentration of cases among two distinct demographic groups: young adults between 25 and 29 years old, and men aged 60 and older. The announcement was made during an official press briefing hosted by the Ministry of Health on Thursday, June 25, 2026, by Chief Health Promotion Officer Shanika John, who tied the urgent warning to the upcoming Vincymas carnival, the island nation’s largest annual celebration widely known as “the hottest carnival in the Caribbean region.”

    At the briefing, John outlined the emerging epidemiological pattern that has prompted renewed public outreach. While more women than men continue to seek out voluntary HIV testing across the country, a disproportionate share of newly confirmed positive cases are found among men, concentrated heavily in the two identified age brackets. Officials chose not to publish raw case counts during the public briefing, but they emphasized that the overall upward trend in new infections is unambiguous and affects all age groups, with the two demographics standing out as particularly high-priority areas for intervention.

    John pointed to shifting sexual behaviors and a widespread false sense of invulnerability as key factors driving increased risk, especially among younger populations. “For those younger persons, we do understand that you get creative and that you get innovative with your sex practices,” she noted. “But we’re asking you to remember that HIV and AIDS are still a major threat, and you cannot tell by looking if somebody is HIV positive. The only way to protect yourself is to take consistent precautions.”

    Her core public guidance centers on three key actions: consistent condom use during every sexual encounter, particularly with non-regular partners; regular voluntary testing, even for people who experience no visible symptoms; and avoiding the dangerous misconception that HIV status can be determined by outward appearance. John stressed that even people living with HIV may show no obvious symptoms for years, while remaining capable of transmitting the virus to others.

    The timing of the warning is no coincidence, as St. Vincent and the Grenadines prepares for the weeks-long Vincymas carnival, a period marked by increased cross-border travel, large social gatherings, elevated alcohol consumption, and higher rates of casual sexual encounters. Officials warn that these factors create ideal conditions for accelerated HIV transmission, as revellers often let their guard down in the festive atmosphere.

    Positioning the HIV prevention message as part of a broader set of public health guidelines for the carnival season, John urged attendees to prioritize responsible behavior over short-term pleasure. “From the Ministry of Health, we really don’t want you drinking, but we do understand the nature of what’s happening. So we’re going to ask you to do so within moderation,” she said. She also reminded people with pre-existing chronic health conditions to stay consistent with their medication routines during the busy celebration, cautioning against neglecting long-term health for temporary enjoyment.

    The gender and age pattern identified by officials highlights a persistent gap in HIV detection and control efforts. Because fewer men come forward for routine testing, undiagnosed cases may be more common in the male population, creating hidden chains of transmission that are harder to interrupt through treatment and public health outreach. This gap is particularly pronounced among the 25–29 and 60+ age groups that are already seeing higher rates of new positive cases.

    While the briefing did not include updated data on HIV treatment access or outcomes, the focus on early testing and prevention signals that authorities are concerned about both rising new infections and late diagnoses, which lead to more severe health outcomes for patients and increase the risk of ongoing transmission to sexual partners.

    The HIV warning was one component of a broader public health update covering multiple carnival-related priorities, including mental health support, substance use reduction, food and water sanitation, and preparedness for increased hospital demand during the event. By framing sexual health as an integral part of overall public health rather than a separate, niche issue, officials hope to normalize prevention behaviors and reduce stigma around HIV testing.

    “ We ask persons to have a safe and festive season,” John said. “Your health and energy is a shared responsibility.”

    Moving forward, the Ministry of Health plans to ramp up targeted public outreach, expand community testing access, and distribute free condoms across the country to slow the rise in new infections. Young adults and older men will be the primary focus of these interventions, based on the epidemiological patterns shared at this week’s briefing.

  • James serves notice of lawsuits over alleged police brutality

    James serves notice of lawsuits over alleged police brutality

    A sitting senator and practicing attorney from St. Vincent and the Grenadines is moving forward with high-stakes legal action against the island nation’s government, alleging two of the most egregious recent examples of police brutality and abuse of power in the country’s recent history. At a Wednesday press conference held in the capital city of Kingstown, Carlos James revealed that his legal firm has already submitted formal statutory notices under the territory’s Crown Proceedings Act on behalf of two vulnerable male residents who say they suffered unprovoked, brutal harm at the hands of serving police officers.

    The first case centers on Kenton Harris, a chronically mentally ill man from Lodge Village who is legally unable to manage his own personal and legal affairs. Harris’ ordeal gained nationwide public attention after a graphic video filmed on May 21, 2026 near Coreas on Hillsboro Road in Kingstown circulated widely on social media. The footage, which went viral and was covered extensively by local media outlets, shows multiple uniformed officers repeatedly beating Harris while he was already in handcuffs. But according to James, the alleged abuse of Harris began months before the viral confrontation was captured on camera.

    James outlined three separate alleged assaults by officers of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (SVGPF) against the vulnerable man. The first took place on March 11 at Kingstown’s Central Police Station, where James says officers physically attacked Harris, leaving him with a fractured left arm that required emergency medical intervention. More than three months after that initial incident, James says no formal investigation has been launched. While an inquiry has been opened into the May 21 beating, no official updates on potential criminal charges against the involved officers have been released to the public one month after the assault. The third alleged attack occurred while Harris was being held in a police holding cell and transported to Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH), following which James says Harris’ physical and mental health declined drastically. After the third assault, Harris was first transferred to the Mental Health Rehabilitation Centre (MHRC) in Glen, then rushed back to MCMH for urgent orthopedic care.

    The formal notice of upcoming civil proceedings, which James read in full during the press briefing, names the Attorney General as the defendant and is being pursued through Harris’ mother and litigation friend, Anesta Harris-Robinson. The claims against state agents include assault and battery, professional negligence, misfeasance in public office — defined as deliberate, oppressive and malicious misuse of state power to target a mentally disabled individual — and multiple violations of Harris’ constitutional rights, most notably his fundamental right to protection from cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment. James is seeking aggravated and exemplary damages for the what the legal document describes as “highly oppressive, high-handed and arbitrary” conduct, alongside compensation for pain and suffering, lost amenities, lost earnings and future earning capacity, past and future medical and rehabilitation costs, as well as legal fees and accrued interest. James also confirmed that his legal team is exploring the possibility of filing an additional constitutional motion, noting that the Harris case could set a critical precedent for reforming police interactions with mentally ill citizens across the country.

    The legal notice also includes a formal demand that the Attorney General’s Chambers preserve and turn over a full suite of evidence related to both the March 11 and May 21 incidents within a 14-day window. Required records include holding cell logs and occurrence book entries from Kingstown Central Police Station, full custody records and rosters for the incident dates plus two days before and after, formal statements from five named officers and all on-duty holding cell staff, any available surveillance footage from across the police station, and complete medical records, admission logs and diagnostic images from both MHRC and MCMH related to Harris’ care.

    Speaking briefly at the press conference, Harris-Robinson called for accountability for her son. “I would like to see justice for my son, because what the police and them do to him, they didn’t have the right to do it. They’re very wrong, and I would like to see justice for him,” she said. James emphasized that local police have long been aware of Harris’ mental health condition, a fact that increased rather than decreased their legal duty of care to the man. “For the very reason that he’s known, it gives even a greater level of responsibility on the officers… His mental condition warrants that, and that duty of care, in my opinion, was broken,” James said.

    The second, even more disturbing case outlined by James involves Louis Mercury, a resident of Redemption Sharpes who was shot multiple times by police inside MCMH on March 29. According to James, Mercury arrived at the public hospital around 8 p.m. that day to receive treatment for injuries he had sustained earlier in the Vermont area. Instead of being directed to the Accident and Emergency Department, Mercury was placed in a hospital ward corridor. When a hospital security guard ordered him to leave the area and Mercury refused to go until he received the medical care he needed, the guard called in a uniformed officer from the police Special Services Unit (SSU). James claims that the officer loaded his service weapon, and during the subsequent confrontation, fired between seven and eight rounds at Mercury from point-blank range, every one of which struck the man. “Our client posed no threat to life and did not resist the officer,” James stated in the legal notice.

    Mercury was hit in both arms and his right leg, and underwent emergency life-saving orthopedic surgery, remaining hospitalized for five weeks before being discharged on May 5. Mercury joined James at the press conference in a wheelchair, and James confirmed that the 54-year-old is now permanently unable to walk, his right arm is almost completely immobile, and a bullet remains lodged in his right leg. Mercury requires additional corrective surgeries that will require significant blood transfusions, James said. “As we speak, Mr. Mercury is unable to walk, he’s unable to use his right hand and is unable to fend for himself,” James added. Mercury told reporters he feels his fundamental rights have been taken from him. “I want justice for what happen to me dey. I’m feeling like my rights being affected like I don’t have none, no rights,” he said, issuing a public appeal for community members to donate blood to the hospital blood bank in his name to support his upcoming procedures.

    The second statutory notice of intended civil proceedings also names the Attorney General as a defendant, with the SSU officer listed as an unknown defendant, and copies the Commissioner of Police. The claim alleges unlawful, disproportionate and extremely reckless use of lethal force by the on-duty officer, alongside assault and battery, negligence, misfeasance in public office, and statutory state liability for the harmful acts carried out by its agents and employees. Mercury is seeking compensation for pain and suffering, permanent disability, past and future lost earnings, medical expenses, aggravated and exemplary damages, legal costs and accrued interest.

    James questioned how a trained, experienced officer could justify using such extreme force in that context. “What will possess a right-thinking, trained, experienced police officer at close range to use a service firearm to unleash not just one or even two shots to a member of the public, but at least seven to eight bullets across the body of a citizen…?” James said. “This is not someone escaping and running into the hills and you’re firing at the person and you’re hoping one or two of the bullets hit. You’re standing in front of the individual and you have unleashed seven to eight rounds of ammunition, paralysing this person.” James added that the proportionality and necessity of the force used demand rigorous, independent scrutiny, saying “We are to ask the question whether or not this is, in fact, lethal force, excessive force, far removed from any of the training that any officer would receive… and whether or not that is proportionate in the circumstances.”

    James also alleged that attempts to file a formal internal complaint about the shooting were blocked by police administration. He said Mercury’s relatives first notified a senior police officer of the shooting, and on that officer’s advice, visited the Police Public Relations and Complaints Department to submit a formal grievance. But James says a staff member at the department refused to take their statement, claiming the incident had already been reported to a senior officer. “Here it is that someone is going to lodge a formal complaint… and is being advised that a statement cannot be taken,” James said. “I find it very strange… Those are my instructions on behalf of the family… and hence the reason why, when I inquired, nobody seems to be aware of a man being shot seven to eight times by the police.” With the statutory notices now filed, the government is now required to respond to the claims in both civil and potentially criminal court in the coming weeks.