Carib Scope

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  • United States Secretary of State among distinguished international guests for historic 50th CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting in Saint Kitts and Nevis

    United States Secretary of State among distinguished international guests for historic 50th CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting in Saint Kitts and Nevis

    BASSETERRE, Saint Kitts and Nevis – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is poised to host one of its most significant diplomatic gatherings in history as world leaders and international dignitaries assemble for the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government from February 24-27, 2026.

    The landmark summit, convened under the theme ‘Beyond Words: Action Today for a Thriving, Sustainable CARICOM,’ has attracted unprecedented international attention with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio leading the distinguished roster of global participants. Secretary Rubio is scheduled to deliver a keynote address during Wednesday’s Opening Plenary Session, highlighting the strategic importance Washington places on Caribbean partnerships.

    The high-level assembly will feature addresses from an impressive array of international figures including Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir, Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey, United Arab Emirates Minister of State Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, and African Export-Import Bank President Dr. George Elombi. Their collective presence demonstrates growing global recognition of CARICOM’s geopolitical significance.

    Host nation Saint Kitts and Nevis, currently holding the rotating CARICOM chairmanship under Prime Minister Dr. Terrance M. Drew, will guide deliberations on pressing regional concerns including climate finance architecture, food and energy security frameworks, and evolving regional security challenges. The gathering of over 200 delegates represents one of the most substantial diplomatic convergences in the Caribbean Community’s five-decade history.

    Prime Minister Drew emphasized the transformative potential of this golden jubilee meeting, stating: ‘The world’s eyes will be on Saint Kitts and Nevis as we host this landmark gathering. Our theme challenges us to move from deliberation to decisive action. The caliber of international participation reflects a shared commitment to building a resilient, sustainable, and prosperous Caribbean.’

    The summit marks a pivotal moment for regional integration efforts and represents a significant diplomatic achievement for the Drew administration, which assumed the CARICOM leadership role on January 1, 2026.

  • Sant Kitts and Nevis welcomes regional and international leaders for historic CARICOM 50 Opening Ceremony

    Sant Kitts and Nevis welcomes regional and international leaders for historic CARICOM 50 Opening Ceremony

    BASSETERRE, SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS – February 23, 2026 – The Caribbean Community embarks on a monumental chapter as Saint Kitts and Nevis prepares to host the fiftieth regular meeting of the CARICOM Conference of Heads of Government. The grand opening ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, February 24th at 4:00 PM local time at the prestigious Marriott Dome in Frigate Bay.

    This landmark assembly, commemorating five decades of regional integration, will convene under the compelling theme “Beyond Words: Action Today for a Thriving, Sustainable CARICOM.” The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis assumes a position of leadership as the current CARICOM Chair, with Prime Minister Dr. Terrance M. Drew steering the community’s agenda through the first half of 2026.

    The ceremony will feature addresses from an esteemed roster of Caribbean leaders, including CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett, outgoing Chair and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Surinamese President Dr. Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, and Vincentian Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday.

    The event promises to be a vibrant showcase of Caribbean cultural heritage through performances, setting the stage for three days of high-level diplomatic discussions. Attendees will include heads of government from member and associate states, international dignitaries, and representatives from regional institutions.

    Prime Minister Drew emphasized the historical significance of the gathering, stating: “This ceremony transcends formal proceedings—it embodies Caribbean unity and reaffirms our shared dedication to tangible progress. Our theme ‘Beyond Words’ communicates to our citizens and the global community that CARICOM is transitioning into an era defined by implementation, resilience, and sustainable prosperity.”

  • Ministry of Sustainable Development Categorically Refutes Disinformation Being Spread by Managing Director of St Kitts Marine Works Ltd

    Ministry of Sustainable Development Categorically Refutes Disinformation Being Spread by Managing Director of St Kitts Marine Works Ltd

    The Ministry of Sustainable Development has issued a formal rebuttal against what it characterizes as malicious disinformation spread by Regiwell ‘Reggie’ Francis, Managing Director of St. Kitts Marine Works Ltd. The controversy centers on the company’s unauthorized occupation of Crown lands at the New Guinea Industrial & Commercial Development zone.

    According to the Ministry’s statement released February 23, 2026, despite a cordial meeting between government officials and Francis on February 19 aimed at resolving longstanding land regularization issues, the businessman subsequently disseminated distorted information regarding the factual and legal circumstances.

    The Ministry revealed that St. Kitts Marine Works Ltd has occupied approximately 26.68 acres of Crown land for nearly two decades without paying rent, additionally constructing seawall and berthing facilities on adjacent seabed without proper leases or compensation to the state. The company initially entered a land purchase agreement in January 2021 for the concessionary price of EC$6,013,893.60, but failed to fulfill the terms, paying only a partial deposit of EC$50,000.

    The government’s calculations indicate the company now owes EC$13,284,092.75 as of February 2026 under the terms of the failed agreement. Furthermore, the Ministry alleges the business has encroached on sixteen adjacent commercial lots allocated to other landowners who have complied with their obligations.

    In what the Ministry describes as a reasonable regularization framework, the government has proposed a 10-year renewable lease for the occupied land at negotiated rates, a separate seabed lease at EC$4,000 monthly, and application of the previous deposit toward rental payments. The proposal requires the company to vacate the unauthorized adjacent lots immediately.

    The statement emphasized that Crown lands constitute public assets held in trust for citizens, and no entity is entitled to occupy them indefinitely without lawful tenure or state compensation. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, fairness, and orderly development while supporting continued economic activity.

  • Column: Suriname blijft worstelen, maar hoop gloort aan de horizon

    Column: Suriname blijft worstelen, maar hoop gloort aan de horizon

    For decades, Suriname has been trapped in a recurring cycle of systemic challenges that continue to plague its transportation, agricultural, and environmental sectors. Public transport operators face persistently ambiguous and fluctuating fare regulations, while rice farmers—the backbone of the nation’s economy—repeatedly confront seasonal irrigation shortages and unfavorable pricing structures. Meanwhile, citizens regularly battle worsening urban flooding and inefficient waste management systems that remain unresolved despite years of political discussions.

    The renewal processes for bus permits undergo constant procedural changes without achieving meaningful efficiency or transparency. Critical water canal maintenance appears neglected, resulting in increasingly severe flooding during routine rainfall. The rice sector, vital to Suriname’s economic stability, faces the same fundamental challenges season after season without sustainable solutions.

    Despite periodic changes in government leadership, the approach remains consistently characterized by temporary fixes and partial measures that provide momentary relief rather than comprehensive solutions. The waste management crisis continues as a persistent eyesore, with paid garbage collection systems remaining in discussion phases while trash accumulation worsens.

    Suriname nevertheless possesses unique advantages that many nations lack. The country experiences none of the catastrophic natural disasters—hurricanes, earthquakes, or tsunamis—that regularly devastate other regions. Its air quality remains pristine, and abundant high-quality drinking water is readily available—resources that millions globally still struggle to access. Additionally, Suriname maintains a peaceful society characterized by rich cultural diversity and remarkable social harmony.

    These blessings often go underappreciated as citizens focus on daily frustrations, yet they provide a solid foundation for transformative development. Realizing this potential requires leadership willing to break from traditional patterns and implement long-term vision rather than short-term fixes. The nation needs administrators who view the country as a collective responsibility rather than a personal playground, prioritizing communal welfare over individual interests.

    The path forward demands courageous leadership committed to substantive change, combined with active citizen engagement and renewed institutional trust. While Suriname’s challenges are significant, the capacity for meaningful transformation exists within its societal framework. Through determined collaboration and visionary governance, Suriname can transcend its cyclical problems and build a future worthy of its citizens’ pride and aspirations.

  • Authorities launch international training program for emergency rescue teams

    Authorities launch international training program for emergency rescue teams

    SANTO DOMINGO – In a significant move to bolster national disaster preparedness, Dominican authorities have inaugurated a comprehensive international training and certification initiative designed to enhance specialized search and rescue (SAR) capabilities. The program specifically targets operations in collapsed structures and confined spaces, aiming to elevate the technical and operational proficiency of emergency response teams across the country.

    This strategic endeavor represents a collaborative inter-institutional partnership, spearheaded by the National Office for Seismic Evaluation and Vulnerability of Infrastructure and Buildings (Onesvie). The initiative is being executed in coordination with major international and domestic partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the National School of Risk Management (Esnageri), and the National Emergency and Security System 9-1-1.

    Official communications clarify that the program’s core objective is to systematically reduce seismic vulnerability and significantly improve emergency response outcomes for disasters triggered by earthquakes and catastrophic structural failures. This will be achieved through the rigorous implementation of internationally recognized training protocols and certification standards.

    The curriculum is structured around four specialized courses. The foundational training commenced with the Incident Command System (ICS), which is being delivered by instructors from the American Safety & Rescue Institute. This module carries international accreditation certified by Texas A&M University. A subsequent series of advanced courses, slated for March, will complete the training cycle. These will encompass critical skill sets in hazardous materials (HAZMAT) management, confined space rescue techniques, and advanced strategies for rescue operations in collapsed buildings.

  • Baby girl found abandoned on Anacaona Street in San Juan de la Maguana

    Baby girl found abandoned on Anacaona Street in San Juan de la Maguana

    In a distressing incident that has unsettled the local community, a three-month-old female infant was discovered abandoned on Anacaona Street in San Juan de la Maguana this past Sunday. The child was found carefully wrapped in a small blanket and appropriately dressed, left unattended on a neighborhood curb. Alert residents promptly notified municipal authorities, who swiftly responded to secure the infant’s safety. Emergency services transported the baby to a nearby medical facility for comprehensive health evaluation, where physicians confirmed the child remains in stable condition despite the traumatic circumstances. The identity of those responsible for abandoning the infant remains unknown as investigations continue. The case has been formally referred to the National Council for Children and Adolescents (Conani), the Dominican Republic’s primary agency responsible for protecting vulnerable minors. Community members expressed profound shock regarding the incident, highlighting ongoing concerns about child welfare in the region.

  • Abinader leads second diversion of Guayubín River at Boca de los Ríos Dam

    Abinader leads second diversion of Guayubín River at Boca de los Ríos Dam

    SANTIAGO RODRÍGUEZ – In a significant development for national infrastructure, Dominican President Luis Abinader presided over a pivotal ceremony for the Boca de los Ríos Dam project. The event centered on the second strategic diversion of the Guayubín River, signaling the final construction phase of this major hydroelectric initiative managed by the Dominican Hydroelectric Generation Company (Egehid).

    At the project site, President Abinader initiated the removal of a temporary cofferdam. This action authorized heavy machinery to carve a new channel, redirecting the river’s flow into specially constructed diversion galleries. This engineered pathway will guide water toward the emerging dam structure for the remainder of the construction period.

    José Augusto Caputo, the Project Director, emphasized the operation’s critical nature, stating, ‘This second river diversion represents a fundamental milestone for the project’s advancement and denotes a crucial transition within the construction sequence.’

    Egehid’s General Manager, Rafael Salazar, provided technical context, noting that an initial diversion in March 2023 enabled construction crews to build the dam’s primary structure on dry land. He clarified that this latest maneuver will temporarily restore the river to its natural course, channeled through the concrete diversion galleries. Upon project completion, these galleries will be permanently sealed, initiating the reservoir filling process.

    Concurrently, this phase enables construction to commence on a lower segment of the closure dam adjoining the main wall. The project also progresses with the arrival of the first three massive radial spillway gates. Each gate, an engineering feat in itself, measures 12 meters in width, 14 meters in height, and weighs roughly 110 tons, with installation preparations now underway.

  • A date that marked the maturity and crystallization point of the project conceived by Martí

    A date that marked the maturity and crystallization point of the project conceived by Martí

    Granma, Cuba’s official newspaper, has republished significant excerpts from Army General Raúl Castro Ruz’s historic addresses delivered on February 24th across pivotal moments in the nation’s development. These speeches reveal the ideological continuity and constitutional evolution of the Cuban Revolution.

    The compilation begins with Castro’s 1976 address at Havana’s Karl Marx Theater, marking the proclamation of Cuba’s first socialist Constitution—the first in the Americas. He recalled Fidel Castro’s description of the document as embodying José Martí’s aspiration for “the full dignity of humankind,” approved by 95.7% of eligible voters aged sixteen and over.

    In his 2008 parliamentary address, Castro assumed leadership responsibilities while emphasizing Fidel’s irreplaceable role as Commander-in-Chief. He affirmed the Communist Party as “the sure guarantee of the unity of the Cuban nation” and heir to the people’s trust, referencing Article 5 of the Constitution approved by 97.7% of voters. He connected historical struggles against U.S. intervention to contemporary challenges, invoking Martí’s principle of choosing “the hard path of duty.

    The 2013 speech featured Castro’s unequivocal declaration: “I was not elected president to restore capitalism in Cuba, nor to surrender the Revolution. I was elected to defend, maintain, and continue perfecting socialism.” He reiterated Fidel’s standard for revolutionary cadres: never coveting positions but earning them through merits, work, virtues, and patriotism.

    The most recent excerpt from 2018 honored the 123rd anniversary of Cuba’s War of Independence resurgence. Castro highlighted José Martí’s strategic brilliance in founding the Cuban Revolutionary Party and achieving national unity. He quoted Fidel’s historical assessment: “We would have been like them then, and they would be like us today!” affirming the enduring commitment to revolutionary ideals across generations.

  • Leftist groups march in National District calling for national sovereignty

    Leftist groups march in National District calling for national sovereignty

    Hundreds of activists converged at Plaza La Trinitaria in Santo Domingo’s National District early Thursday morning, launching a significant demonstration organized by a coalition of leftist political organizations. The protest saw participants marching through key thoroughfares including Josefa Brea, Francisco Henríquez y Carvajal, Jacinto de la Concha, and José Reyes streets, culminating at the statue of revolutionary leader Francisco Alberto Caamaño on El Conde.

    The diverse coalition included the Communist Party of Labor, Dominican Popular Movement, Caamañista Movement, Force of the Revolution, Homeland for All Party, and Dominican Leftist Front, with additional support from the United Left Movement, Broad Front, and People for Political and Social Change.

    Protesters voiced strong opposition to foreign intervention, specifically demanding the immediate withdrawal of U.S. military personnel and aircraft from Dominican airports. The demonstration also featured international solidarity appeals, with participants calling for the release of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. Chants of ‘Yankees out of the country and the Caribbean’ and ‘Freedom for Maduro and Cilia’ echoed through the streets, alongside calls for regional peace and opposition to Canadian mining company Barrick Gold’s operations.

    The event concluded with the reading of a joint proclamation by organizers and a poetic recitation by Ernesto Vantroi, emphasizing cultural resistance and national sovereignty protections.

  • FLASH : 19 new games on the «Quiz.HaitiLibre» platform

    FLASH : 19 new games on the «Quiz.HaitiLibre» platform

    HaitiLibre’s innovative gaming platform, Quiz.HaitiLibre, has significantly expanded its offerings with the addition of 19 new interactive quizzes less than a month after its initial launch. The platform continues to provide completely free access without requiring user registration, maintaining its dual-language support in both French and English.

    Contrary to what the platform’s name might suggest, the quiz content extends far beyond Haitian-specific topics. The developers have created a comprehensive knowledge-building experience with three distinct thematic categories: ‘Haiti’ for exploring the nation’s rich cultural heritage, ‘World’ for global diversity education, and ‘Expert’ for players seeking more challenging intellectual stimulation.

    Each quiz has been meticulously designed to provide an immersive educational experience. Every question includes detailed explanatory notes, transforming gameplay into genuine learning opportunities. The platform caters to diverse knowledge levels by offering three difficulty settings, ensuring accessibility for both casual players and serious trivia enthusiasts.

    The development team has committed to a monthly expansion schedule, promising continuous addition of new quizzes to maintain user engagement. Player feedback has played a crucial role in the platform’s development, with positive comments and suggestions driving ongoing improvements. The creators encourage users to share their gaming experiences and invite friends to join the educational platform.

    Available at https://quiz.haitilibre.com/en, Quiz.HaitiLibre represents a growing resource for combining entertainment with knowledge acquisition through its regularly updated content library.