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  • Babonneau targeted for boost under Community Business Project

    Babonneau targeted for boost under Community Business Project

    A new chapter of community-led economic development kicked off in Babonneau on April 29, as stakeholders from across public, private, and civil society groups gathered at Fond Latisab Creole Park in Fond Assau to formally launch the Community Business Revitalisation Project (CBRP), an initiative designed to inject targeted resources into local communities while preserving unique cultural heritage.

    Funded by the Taiwan Embassy and implemented by the Taiwan Technical Mission, the CBRP operates in partnership with three key local and national stakeholders: the Babonneau Youth Synergy, the Babonneau Constituency Council, and Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Commerce. Centered on expanding community-based tourism, the initiative places youth participation at the heart of its strategy, recognizing young residents as key drivers of long-term local growth.

    Unlike top-down development schemes, the CBRP follows a community-first framework that lets local residents themselves identify the highest-priority areas for investment. Once priorities are set, the project brings its full range of resources and implementation expertise to turn those community-led ideas into tangible action. Its core objectives are threefold: generate sustainable local economic opportunities, protect and celebrate unique cultural heritage, and lift up small and medium-sized local enterprises.

    Speaking at the official launch, Taiwan Ambassador Nicole Su highlighted the untapped tourism potential of Babonneau’s distinct cultural identity, drawing on her own past experience in the area. “I remember the Creole festival here at Babonneau,” Su said in her address. “The experience was lively, vibrant, and unforgettable, and this is why we think we can bring tourists here in Babonneau, because Creole culture is unique and precious.”

    This project builds on pre-existing development work that the Taiwan Technical Mission has already completed in Babonneau, including the installation and ongoing maintenance of directional community signage, plus branding and amenity upgrades to the Fond Latisab Creole Park itself.

    Aldrick Edward, outgoing president of the Babonneau Youth Synergy, outlined upcoming activities for the CBRP’s next phase, set to begin in the near future. Two key free programs will launch shortly: cultural dance workshops that celebrate local Creole traditions, and business management classes designed to equip emerging local entrepreneurs with the skills they need to grow successful ventures.

    Babonneau marks the third community to join the CBRP rollout, which first launched in 2023 across four target Saint Lucian communities: Fond St Jacques, Laborie, Babonneau, with Dennery South tentatively scheduled as the final location. The initiative has already delivered tangible results in the first two participating communities, serving as a proof of concept for the community-led model.

    In Fond St Jacques, CBRP collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce has delivered a full overhaul of the local interpretation centre, professional training for new tour guides, and hands-on culinary instruction led by renowned Chef Orlando. The project has also supported young entrepreneurs to develop detailed business plans and launch a new agro-tourism park. Additional community-focused outcomes include the launch of the popular Dasheen Festival, a free educational summer camp for local students, and support to establish a community gift shop – all delivered at no direct cost to the Fond St Jacques community.

    In Laborie, the CBRP has backed the construction of a purpose-built sewing room for local crafters, alongside ongoing sewing skills workshops. The facility received a full refurbishment, and project specialists provided support to strengthen product branding for local craft goods. The initiative also supported a comprehensive upgrade and revitalization of Laborie’s existing community gift shop to better serve both local residents and visiting tourists.

    Ambassador Su emphasized that building long-term intergenerational impact by strengthening the capacity of small and medium-sized local businesses is a core, non-negotiable goal of the entire CBRP initiative. By centering community voice and investing in both cultural preservation and economic opportunity, the project aims to create sustainable growth that benefits current residents and future generations alike.

  • Second Suspect Charged in Killing of Teen

    Second Suspect Charged in Killing of Teen

    A high-profile homicide investigation that has gripped Belize City since mid-April has reached a new milestone, with law enforcement announcing charges against a second suspect connected to the shooting death of 19-year-old Jamir Cambranes. Investigators confirmed that the ongoing case is built on a solid foundation of digital and surveillance evidence that has allowed them to steadily advance their probe.

    Cambranes was killed in a gun attack on April 21, an act of violence that sent shockwaves through the local community and prompted an urgent, full-scale response from Belize City police. In the days immediately following the fatal incident, investigators completed a review of closed-circuit television footage and collected forensic evidence from the crime scene, leading to the arrest and murder charge of 33-year-old Kenrick Robinson.

    On Wednesday, authorities announced the latest breakthrough in the investigation: 21-year-old Kameron Heusner, a local fisherman and college student based in Belize City, has been arrested and formally charged with murder. A court-issued arrest warrant was secured as the investigation progressed, allowing law enforcement to take Heusner into custody and file official charges.

    To date, investigating officials have not publicly disclosed a confirmed motive for the killing. However, police spokespeople have emphasized that rigorous technical analysis and methodical investigative work have been the driving force behind the case, enabling investigators to quickly identify both suspects and connect them to the fatal shooting. Investigations remain ongoing as authorities work to finalize their case ahead of trial proceedings.

  • Antigua and Barbuda scientist Alexandra Hughes completes ocean acidification training in Jamaica

    Antigua and Barbuda scientist Alexandra Hughes completes ocean acidification training in Jamaica

    A growing environmental threat to Caribbean marine ecosystems has received a boost in regional preparedness, as a young scientific professional from Antigua and Barbuda has completed specialized training focused on understanding and monitoring ocean acidification. Alexandra Hughes, a graduate assistant attached to Antigua and Barbuda’s Department of Analytical Services, completed the intensive instruction at a training event hosted in Jamaica this cycle.

    The foundational ocean acidification training course was co-organized by two leading institutions in global marine science: the University of the West Indies, and the Ocean Acidification International Coordination Centre operating under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The entire program was fully sponsored by the IAEA, which has made expanding developing nation capacity on climate-linked ocean issues a key priority for the Latin America and Caribbean region.

    Throughout the multi-day training, Hughes did not only gain new technical skills — she also took the opportunity to represent her home country’s scientific work as a featured speaker in a panel discussion. During her panel contribution, she outlined the ongoing projects and core missions of Antigua and Barbuda’s Department of Analytical Services, and led a productive conversation about how targeted ocean acidification research can be formally integrated into the island nation’s existing national environmental work framework.

    Unlike many general environmental conferences, this training was designed specifically to build hands-on capacity for early-career scientists across the Caribbean. It gathered early-to-mid-career researchers from 12 different Caribbean island and coastal nations, delivering interactive, practical training on field monitoring protocols, laboratory sample processing, and data analysis techniques that are critical for tracking local changes in ocean chemistry linked to acidification.

    Ocean acidification is a climate change-linked phenomenon that occurs when the world’s oceans absorb excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, pushing seawater chemistry toward a lower, more acidic pH level. For the Caribbean, which relies heavily on healthy coral reef ecosystems, commercial and artisanal fisheries, and coastal tourism for national livelihoods, this trend poses an outsized long-term threat. Acidification erodes coral skeleton formation, weakens shellfish populations, and disrupts entire marine food webs that underpin billions in regional economic activity and hundreds of thousands of jobs.

    Regional environmental and science officials from the Caribbean Environment Programme and participating national institutions have emphasized that training local scientific talent through cooperative initiatives like this one is a critical first step to building effective collective and national policy responses. For small island developing states like Antigua and Barbuda, which are among the most vulnerable to climate change impacts but often lack specialized scientific capacity, investment in training like this creates ripple effects that strengthen entire regional response networks. Officials from Antigua and Barbuda’s Department of Analytical Services noted that Hughes’ new expertise will allow the agency to launch its own local monitoring efforts, and contribute national data to regional ocean acidification research initiatives in coming years.

  • High-profile 2021 drug seizure at northern business now a cold case

    High-profile 2021 drug seizure at northern business now a cold case

    For years after a large-scale illicit drug seizure at a commercial location on a northern St. Lucia island in April 2021, the public has maintained relentless demands for transparency around the case. Local residents have repeatedly called for updates on any arrests, pending criminal charges, and the overall progression of the probe, turning the unresolved seizure into a lingering topic of public concern across the island.

    At a recently held police press briefing this week, local media outlet St Lucia Times pushed law enforcement officials to break their silence and share the latest status of the long-dormant investigation. Shervon Matthieu, the current Assistant Superintendent of Police heading the Gangs, Narcotics and Firearms Unit, confirmed during the conference that the high-profile case has formally been reclassified as a cold investigation.

    Dominic Leonty, Superintendent in charge of the Central Police Station, laid out the specific reasons that led to the case’s current status in an interview with reporters. He explained that after five years of investigative work, authorities have failed to obtain the critical information required to advance the case toward prosecution.

    Leonty detailed the legal and procedural barriers that have stalled progress on the case. “With reference to that incident… as it relates to possession, there are a number of things that need to be proven… You would have to find out who was responsible for bringing that container there. With possession, there is a chain of custody, so once it is broken, you have a problem,” he said.

    He also noted the inherent difficulty of securing clear ownership of contraband in drug trafficking cases, quipped, “Now remember, once you have said it is drugs, do you think that somebody would put up their hand and say, ‘Hey, it’s mine?’”

    Crucially, the case predates the tenures of the island’s current top law enforcement leadership. The seizure happened long before Verne Garde took office as Police Commissioner, and well before Matthieu was appointed to lead the specialized narcotics and gangs unit.

    Despite the formal cold case classification, St. Lucia police emphasized that the investigation will not be closed entirely. The probe remains open on an inactive basis, with authorities prepared to reactivate full investigative work immediately should any new credible tip or piece of evidence emerge that can break through the current deadlock.

  • Unlmtd Stages Solo Protest on BelCan Bridge

    Unlmtd Stages Solo Protest on BelCan Bridge

    In a bold shift from digital activism to on-the-ground public demonstration, prominent Belizean artist Bernard Cayetano, who performs and organizes under the pseudonym “Unlmtd”, has brought his calls for systemic change to one of the country’s heavily trafficked crossings. On Wednesday, April 30, 2026, Cayetano launched a one-person protest on Belize’s BelCan Bridge, aiming to force nationwide attention to what he frames as ongoing systemic oppression that marginalizes ordinary Belizean citizens.

    Cayetano stood alone on the bridge for hours, holding a hand-painted placard emblazoned with the rallying cry “Enough is Enough.” The demonstration caused only minor delays for motorists passing through the area, but its unusual nature immediately captured attention from both on-site bystanders and online audiences, with many drivers slowing down to acknowledge the artist’s message before continuing their commute.

    Speaking to reporters covering the protest, Cayetano framed Belizean ordinary people as being held hostage by unfair governing systems in their own homeland. He pointed specifically to recent policy changes in the country’s transport sector as a clear example of top-down decision-making that excludes input from everyday citizens who are most impacted by the rules. The artist argued that while a large share of the Belizean public shares his frustration with the country’s current political and social trajectory, widespread fear and complacency have kept most people from taking public action.

    “Everybody sees what is going on, but we would rather wait out the five-year election term than speak up now,” Cayetano explained. He emphasized that all Belizeans deserve a more fair, inclusive governing system, and urged his fellow citizens to raise their voices in protest sooner rather than waiting for electoral cycles to bring incremental change. Even as he carried out his demonstration without additional supporters on the bridge, Cayetano remains unshaken in his commitment to his cause. He noted that every large, meaningful shift in social and political systems begins with a single, brave voice willing to stand up and be heard.

  • Businesses urged to support athletes more

    Businesses urged to support athletes more

    Barbados’ top sports official is pushing the private sector to take a more active and transformative role in advancing the island’s sports ecosystem, calling out longstanding gaps in corporate support for local athletic talent. Minister of Sport Charles Griffith made the call during a special forum focused on unlocking the commercial potential of Barbadian sports, held at the Wildey Gymnasium to mark World Intellectual Property Day. The event, themed “Who Owns the Game? Unlocking the Business of Sport in Barbados”, brought together key industry stakeholders to discuss strategies for growing sports as a viable economic sector.

  • Marabella tenants win appeal in $3m flooding damage case

    Marabella tenants win appeal in $3m flooding damage case

    In a landmark split decision that reshapes landlord-tenant liability rules across Trinidad, the Court of Appeal has handed down a pivotal ruling that reverses a prior High Court judgment, opening the door for two affected commercial tenants to secure millions in compensation for property damage caused by an unforeseen plumbing failure.

    The legal dispute traces back to a 2018 flooding event at Marabella’s Allum’s Shopping Centre. A PVC angle valve connected to an upper-level unit’s kitchen sink, leased by local firm O.T.I. Trinidad Ltd, unexpectedly failed. The resulting leak seeped downward into five ground-floor commercial suites, two of which are operated by Western Industrial Solutions Ltd and entrepreneur Debera Rampersad, who runs the retail outlet Debera Fashion Step Up and Save. The damaged inventory and forced business interruptions pushed the two affected tenants to claim more than TT$3 million in total losses.

    When the case first went to trial, High Court Justice Avason Quinlan-Williams dismissed the claims against the property owner, J.T. Allum and Company Ltd. The trial judge ruled that commercial landlords cannot be held responsible for sudden plumbing failures that occur within spaces exclusively controlled and occupied by their tenants, clearing the company of any legal obligation to compensate the businesses for their losses.

    But the appellate court, a three-judge panel led by Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh alongside Justices of Appeal Nolan Bereaux and James Aboud, rejected this lower-court interpretation of property law. In a 2-1 majority decision delivered Wednesday, the panel found that even though the landlord was not found to be negligent in causing the pipe failure, it still bears legal responsibility for the resulting damage under the law of private nuisance.

    Writing the lead judgment for the majority, Justice Bereaux — whose reasoning was backed by Chief Justice Boodoosingh — explained that the critical factor establishing liability is the landlord’s reserved right under all commercial leases for the property to enter tenant-occupied spaces to conduct inspections and complete necessary repairs. This retained right, the justice argued, is sufficient to uphold a nuisance claim against the property owner. He further noted that the landlord had previously argued in separate legal proceedings against the upper-floor tenant that the site’s plumbing was already in a state of disrepair, meaning the company cannot now claim the hidden defect was unidentifiable through reasonable inspection.

    Justice Bereaux also clarified a longstanding point of nuisance law: when a landlord explicitly retains the right to conduct repairs on a property, they can be held liable for damage caused to third parties even if they had no direct, actual knowledge of the hazardous defect before the incident occurred.

    Justice Aboud issued a dissent, arguing the appeal should have been thrown out. He characterized the pipe failure as an isolated, entirely unforeseeable event: the 10-year-old pipe joint had failed suddenly with no warning signs, and this does not meet the legal standard for a private nuisance. He also cautioned that the majority’s legal reasoning could impose an unfair and unreasonable burden on commercial landlords across the country, forcing them to conduct exhaustive searches for hidden defects in spaces fully occupied and controlled by their tenants.

    On the separate claim of negligence brought by the tenants, the appellate court was unanimous. The full panel agreed to dismiss the negligence claim, as no evidence presented during the trial linked the landlord’s actions or inactions to the pipe failure itself. The court also upheld the trial judge’s ruling to exclude proposed testimony from former landlord employee Vedesh Gopaul, finding his statements about the original plumbing installation were not relevant to the core legal questions in the case.

    The matter will now return to the High Court, where a Master will assess and determine the final amount of damages to be awarded to the two successful appellants. The appellate court also left in place an earlier unrelated order requiring Rampersad to settle all outstanding back rent owed to the property owner, which has no connection to the 2018 flooding incident. Attorneys Chanka Persadsingh and Anand Rampersad represented the two affected tenants, while Shankar Bidaisee, instructed by Rachael Jaggernauth, appeared on behalf of the landlord.

  • ECAB Announces Permanent Closure of Woods Branch Effective June 1, 2026

    ECAB Announces Permanent Closure of Woods Branch Effective June 1, 2026

    In a formal announcement that has drawn attention from local business communities and area residents, the ECAB organization has confirmed that its Woods Branch location will cease all operations permanently starting on June 1, 2026. The planned shutdown marks the end of an era for the branch, which has served customers in the Woods region for an unspecified number of years. The announcement, released through official organizational channels, gives stakeholders and customers nearly three years advance notice to adjust their plans and make alternative arrangements for the services previously provided at this location. While specific details behind the decision to close the branch have not been fully disclosed at this stage, the multi-year lead time indicates that the organization has been working on long-term strategic planning that led to this final call. Customers who rely on the Woods Branch for regular services have been encouraged to reach out to ECAB’s central administration or other nearby branch locations to learn more about how the transition will impact their access to services moving forward. The company has also indicated that it will release additional updates, including information about staff transitions and service reallocation, in the months leading up to the 2026 shutdown date.

  • Regional cricket in mourning following death of Norman Gilbert

    Regional cricket in mourning following death of Norman Gilbert

    The Caribbean cricketing community is in mourning this week following the unexpected death of Norman Gilbert, a beloved former leader of Grenada’s cricket governing body and long-serving member of the Windward Islands Cricket Board. Dr. Kishore Shallow, president of Cricket West Indies (CWI), has released an official statement extending heartfelt sympathies to Gilbert’s loved ones and the regional cricketing fraternity after the sudden passing.

    In his address, Shallow highlighted the widespread respect Gilbert earned across the sport throughout his decades of service, pointing to his well-documented integrity, quiet humility, and rare ability to motivate everyone from emerging young players to senior cricket administrators and industry stakeholders. Shallow emphasized that Gilbert’s impact stretched far beyond his official roles, cementing his status as one of the most influential stewards of the game in the Eastern Caribbean.

    “On behalf of the entire Cricket West Indies organization, I want to extend our deepest condolences to Norman’s family, his close friends, and every member of the cricketing community across Grenada and the wider region,” Shallow wrote in the statement.

    Shallow remembered Gilbert as a deeply committed, forward-thinking leader who served cricket with exceptional distinction throughout his tenure. His consistent, unshakable commitment to growing and elevating cricket in Grenada, paired with his authentic enthusiasm for lifting up the sport at every level from grassroots to elite competition, has left a permanent, meaningful mark on the region’s cricketing ecosystem.

    Notably, Shallow noted that Gilbert’s contributions went far beyond the day-to-day work of sports administration. Gilbert was a true custodian of cricket who firmly believed in the game’s unique ability to bring divided communities together and improve life for residents across the island. “At this incredibly difficult time, the entire CWI family stands in full solidarity with the Grenada Cricket Association and the people of Grenada as they grieve this enormous loss,” Shallow added. “Norman’s legacy will endure long through the countless lives he touched, and the robust foundation he helped build for cricket in Grenada. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

  • Student Named UK High Commissioner for a Day

    Student Named UK High Commissioner for a Day

    In a unique opportunity that bridges youth leadership development and international diplomacy, a young Belizean student has gained unprecedented hands-on experience in diplomatic operations after being selected for a signature outreach programme run by the British High Commission based in Belize.

    Nineteen-year-old Chloé Martinez earned the title of High Commissioner for a Day 2026, beating dozens of other applicants in a rigorous competitive selection process. Judges ultimately selected Martinez for her clear, forward-thinking policy vision, long-standing track record of local community engagement, and unwavering dedication to building inclusive, accessible leadership structures that lift up marginalized groups.

    During her one-day appointment, Martinez shadowed incumbent UK High Commissioner to Belize Alistair White, taking a seat at closed-door official meetings, sitting in on bilateral coordination discussions, and gaining first-hand insight into the quiet, behind-the-scenes work that drives successful diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Belize. The experience let Martinez move beyond the textbook understandings of diplomacy she had learned in the classroom, and see how negotiation, relationship-building, and cultural awareness shape daily diplomatic work.

    The programme wrapped up with a public Women’s Networking Event, which drew cross-sector attendees from Belize’s national government, private business sector, local civil society organizations, and the wider diplomatic corps based in the country. The interactive gathering centered on three core goals: expanding access to mentorship opportunities for emerging women leaders, growing female representation in senior decision-making roles, and strengthening intergenerational support networks that connect established women leaders with young people just starting their careers.

    In comments following the event, High Commissioner White emphasized that immersive programmes like High Commissioner for a Day fill a critical gap in youth development. He noted that the initiative is intentionally designed to give young women the practical, on-the-ground experience and built confidence they need to pursue senior leadership and decision-making roles across all sectors, both within Belize and internationally.

    Following Martinez’s selection, the British High Commission issued an official statement congratulating her on the achievement, and extended gratitude to all local and institutional partners that made the 2026 iteration of the programme possible. The statement reaffirmed the British government’s long-term commitment to supporting and empowering the next generation of women leaders across Belize, through targeted development initiatives and leadership programming.