Carib Scope

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  • PM Browne Predicts ABLP Could Win All Seats Including Barbuda In The Next General Election

    PM Browne Predicts ABLP Could Win All Seats Including Barbuda In The Next General Election

    Prime Minister Gaston Browne has projected an unprecedented electoral victory for his ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP), forecasting a complete parliamentary takeover in upcoming elections—including the traditionally opposition-held Barbuda constituency. During his weekly radio address on Pointe FM’s Browne and Browne show, the leader articulated unwavering confidence in his party’s organizational strength while characterizing opposition forces as institutionally fractured.

    The political commentary emerged alongside strategic preparations for the March 16 by-election in St. Philip’s North, necessitated by the retirement of veteran parliamentarian Sir Robin Yearwood after half-century of service. Browne confirmed formal procedures are underway with nomination day established for February 25 and polling scheduled for mid-March. Voters were urged to update their electoral identification cards promptly.

    Browne dismissed the narrow 93-vote margin that preserved ABLP’s hold on St. Philip’s North in 2023 as anomalous, attributing the slender win to extraordinary circumstances including pandemic aftermath, Ukraine conflict-induced inflation, LIAT airline’s collapse, and aggressive opposition campaigning. ‘Presently, the government is settled and the country stable,’ Browne asserted, suggesting voters would reject exchanging stability for uncertainty.

    The Prime Minister introduced customs official Randy Baltimore as ABLP’s candidate, framing his selection as part of deliberate succession planning developed through decades of collaboration with Yearwood. Browne further intensified political rhetoric by labeling Barbuda’s incumbent representative Trevor Walker as ‘non-performing’ and suggesting his constituency could fall to Labour Party advancement.

    Describing the main opposition United Progressive Party as an ‘imploding institution’ grappling with leadership crises, Browne contended they stand ‘in no position to win anything.’ The St. Philip’s North by-election represents the first electoral measurement since Yearwood’s departure and serves as a crucial barometer for national political sentiment ahead of general elections.

  • A’ila rises on Mt Pimard

    A’ila rises on Mt Pimard

    Saint Lucia’s tourism landscape is undergoing a transformative expansion with the imminent opening of the first phase of the massive A’ila Resort project. Perched on the slopes of Mt Pimard in Rodney Bay, the development offers breathtaking panoramic views encompassing Pigeon Island and extending as far as Martinique.

    The project’s inception traces back to developer Yunus Dogan’s initial visit to the island, where he found himself captivated by both Saint Lucia’s natural beauty and the genuine warmth of its people. This personal connection sparked the ambitious development that broke ground in early 2025.

    The inaugural phase features a 65-room wellness hotel operated by TheLifeCo, scheduled to welcome guests beginning March. This strategic emphasis on wellness aligns perfectly with Saint Lucia’s tourism evolution. Dexter Percil, Director of Global Marketing at the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, confirmed the island’s deliberate pivot toward wellness tourism, noting that A’ila Resort will significantly enhance their promotional efforts while addressing critical room capacity needs.

    Tourism and Investment Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire emphasized the project’s importance in replenishing the island’s accommodation inventory, particularly after the loss of several hotel properties along the Reduit strip last year. The minister expressed considerable excitement about both the immediate opening and subsequent phases planned through 2027.

    The project’s local impact has been substantial already. According to administrative consultant Sean Bonete, hundreds of Saint Lucians have gained employment during construction, with the resort expected to create numerous permanent positions across various skill levels. When fully completed, the development is projected to employ over 800 nationals directly while generating additional indirect economic benefits for surrounding communities.

    TheLifeCo wellness center will serve as a holistic retreat offering natural therapies and programs designed to help guests reconnect with themselves through conscious living practices. Project manager Aslihan Ozgur explained that Saint Lucia’s pristine natural environment and vibrant culture made it an ideal location for expanding their mission that began in Turkey two years ago.

    The comprehensive $1.3 billion development, representing one of Saint Lucia’s largest tourism projects under Invest Saint Lucia, will eventually include a family hotel, adults-only resort, luxury villas, residential units, a shopping boulevard, and one of the country’s largest conference facilities. Subsequent phases are targeted for completion between late 2026 and 2027.

  • Saint Lucian ballers in Jamaica transfer tangle

    Saint Lucian ballers in Jamaica transfer tangle

    Two prominent Saint Lucian footballers, Vino Barclett and Melvin Doxilly, find themselves embroiled in a professional struggle to resume their careers in Jamaica’s Premier League. The longtime teammates, who have played together since their teenage years for both the Saint Lucia national team and Cavalier SC, now face uncertain futures with their respective clubs.

    Barclett, the 26-year-old goalkeeper from Vieux Fort, earned recognition as the Caribbean’s top goalkeeper less than two years ago after leading Kingston club Cavalier SC to their first Caribbean Cup title. Since joining Cavalier in 2021, he has demonstrated exceptional performance with 43 clean sheets in 102 appearances, including 29 games during the 2024-25 season.

    Doxilly, who recently turned 28, is a versatile defender from Caye Mange, Gros Islet, capable of playing multiple positions including midfield, center back, and right fullback. His defensive prowess helped Mount Pleasant FA secure the national title in the 2022-23 season, showcasing his value to Jamaican football.

    The professional standoff emerged when both players found themselves sidelined by their clubs. Barclett submitted his termination notice to Cavaliers in July and has not seen playing time since, while Doxilly has participated in only one match this term—the season opener against Montego Bay on August 24, 2025—followed by four months of training without game action.

    Their case is being handled by Canadian sports lawyer Andrew Werners, founder of Pitchside Sports Consulting and former legal counsel to the World Leagues Association. Werners has invoked FIFA Regulations Section 4, Article 15, which permits established professionals (aged 21 or older) who have appeared in fewer than 10% of their club’s official matches to terminate contracts prematurely for sporting just cause.

    The situation has been complicated by alleged administrative delays from the Jamaica Football Federation, which according to Werners has failed to process registration documents in the FIFA Transfer Matching System months after initial requests. This has prompted Werners to file an official protest with FIFA.

    The prolonged inactivity poses significant concerns for Saint Lucia’s men’s national team head coach Stern John, as both players are considered automatic selections for upcoming CONCACAF and FIFA engagements. Doxilly has occasionally captained the ‘Piton Boyz,’ while Barclett has earned multiple CONCACAF Team of the Week honors, making their current situation particularly damaging to national team preparations.

  • Here’s How You Can Do Your Part This Fire Season

    Here’s How You Can Do Your Part This Fire Season

    Belize has officially entered its annual fire season, which spans from February 15 to June 15, with forestry officials warning that human-caused fires represent the most significant threat to forest ecosystems and rural communities. Chief Forest Officer Victoria Chi emphasized that the majority of wildfires originate from agricultural burning practices and residential waste disposal that rapidly escalate beyond control.

    According to Chi, inadequate safety measures during routine farming activities frequently lead to fires spreading into surrounding vegetation. “Individuals often initiate burns for agricultural purposes without implementing necessary precautions or following established best practices, resulting in these fires escaping containment,” she stated. The department has additionally identified hunting-related activities as another contributing factor, where vegetation is cleared to attract game species.

    While human activity remains the primary cause, natural phenomena such as “dry lightning” events in regions like Mountain Pine Ridge also contribute to wildfire outbreaks during periods of low rainfall.

    In response to extensive fires recorded in 2024, the Forest Department has enhanced its national emergency response capabilities through expanded coordination networks and intensified training programs. A recent simulation exercise conducted at San Miguel Camping Ground in Mountain Pine Ridge brought together firefighters and protected area managers for practical wildfire management training.

    The department urges public cooperation through several critical preventive measures: obtaining free burning permits from the Agriculture Department prior to any agricultural burning, establishing proper firebreaks, maintaining water and firefighting equipment on site, avoiding burning during windy conditions, never leaving fires unattended, and immediately reporting wildfires to authorities including the Forest Department (610-1524), NEMO (936), police (911), fire services (990), or regional agricultural departments.

  • MP Richard Lewis Says Cook’s Landfill Crisis ‘Has Reached a Breaking Point

    MP Richard Lewis Says Cook’s Landfill Crisis ‘Has Reached a Breaking Point

    The Cook’s Landfill in Antigua’s St. John’s Rural West Constituency has evolved into a severe public health emergency, with mounting evidence of systemic failures and environmental contamination. According to local representatives, the facility accepts virtually all waste types—including raw sewage and combustible materials—without adequate separation protocols, leading to widespread groundwater and surface water pollution.

    The ecological damage extends beyond immediate surroundings, with confirmed mangrove contamination creating pathways for toxins to reach marine environments. Compounding these concerns, the recent relocation of Five Islands Primary School closer to the hazardous site has intensified fears regarding children’s health and safety.

    While the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has acknowledged the crisis and pledged intervention, community members express skepticism due to historical patterns of unfulfilled commitments. Operational deficiencies include critical staffing shortages, inadequate equipment, absent safety protocols, and the lack of essential machinery like tire shredders. Current practices see waste frequently left uncovered due to soil shortages, exacerbating contamination risks.

    Residents of Five Islands, Hatton, and Denfields report enduring prolonged exposure to health hazards, reaching what local MP Richard S. Lewis describes as a ‘breaking point.’ The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) faces urgent calls to implement comprehensive Waste Diversion Plans, improved operational policies, and immediate protective measures for both staff and surrounding communities.

    Technical recommendations include creating isolated tire storage with protective trenches to prevent fire spread until specialized equipment becomes available. The situation demands proactive management rather than reactive responses, emphasizing waste separation at source and systematic operational reforms.

  • Streekziekenhuis Atjoni stabiliseert zwaargewonde politiebrigadier

    Streekziekenhuis Atjoni stabiliseert zwaargewonde politiebrigadier

    In a dramatic demonstration of emergency medical capabilities, Streekziekenhuis Atjoni successfully stabilized a critically injured police brigadier in the early morning hours, highlighting its growing importance in Suriname’s regional healthcare network.

    The officer was urgently transported to the hospital’s Emergency Department in Pokigron—approximately 188 kilometers from Paramaribo—following a stabbing incident. Acting under established protocols, the attending physician immediately engaged the Medical Coordinator to address the acute situation. The medical team executed precise interventions to stabilize the victim and treat multiple stab wounds.

    Following stabilization, the patient was transferred via ambulance to the Emergency Department of Academisch Ziekenhuis Paramaribo for specialized continuing care.

    Since inaugurating its Emergency Department on May 22, 2020, Streekziekenhuis Atjoni has significantly expanded its acute care capabilities. The facility reached full operational status in July 2023 and now provides comprehensive services including laboratory diagnostics, pharmaceutical services, emergency general practitioner care, routine medical practice, and inpatient bed facilities. The hospital has further enhanced its specialist capabilities with the recent addition of an internist specializing in oncology and a gynecologist to its medical staff.

    Hospital administration confirms that ongoing development continues toward complete operationalization of the regional medical center, representing a substantial advancement in healthcare accessibility for the region.

  • Saint Lucia weighs future of Cuban medical aid as US pressure mounts

    Saint Lucia weighs future of Cuban medical aid as US pressure mounts

    A delicate healthcare partnership that has sustained Saint Lucia’s medical infrastructure for decades now faces unprecedented pressure amid escalating diplomatic tensions between Washington and Havana. For years, Cuban medical professionals have served as a critical workforce solution, staffing rural clinics and emergency departments that would otherwise remain vacant due to the Caribbean nation’s persistent brain drain of local nursing and specialist talent.

    The longstanding arrangement faces potential disruption as the United States intensifies its opposition to Cuba’s medical brigade programs throughout the Caribbean region. Health Minister Moses Jn Baptiste confirmed the government is developing contingency plans to address possible geopolitical shifts that might jeopardize this vital healthcare collaboration.

    While expressing gratitude for Cuba’s humanitarian assistance, Minister Jn Baptiste highlighted the broader regional challenge of medical personnel migration that has left Caribbean governments struggling to maintain adequate healthcare coverage. The administration is actively pursuing alternative training and recruitment partnerships, including potential agreements with African nations following Barbados’ successful recruitment of Ghanaian nurses.

    Concurrently, the government is boosting domestic training capabilities through enhanced support for nursing programs at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College to encourage more Saint Lucians to enter the healthcare profession.

    The diplomatic friction escalated recently when the US Embassy in the Eastern Caribbean alleged Cuban medical workers face withheld wages, passport confiscation, forced family separation, and intimidation tactics—claims vigorously denied by Saint Lucia and neighboring Caribbean governments.

    External Affairs Minister Alva Baptiste maintained that Cuban doctors in Saint Lucia are legally employed and not subjected to forced labor conditions. Regional leaders from Jamaica to Trinidad have expressed strong opposition to Washington’s position, with some, like former St. Vincent Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, declaring they would sacrifice US visas before expelling Cuban medical professionals.

    Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre acknowledged the reality of US diplomatic pressure while emphasizing Saint Lucia’s commitment to navigating these geopolitical challenges without compromising national interests or healthcare accessibility. The government is proactively developing alternative arrangements to insulate the country’s health system from external political shocks, though no definitive decisions have been finalized.

  • Magnitude 4.0 Earthquake Recorded North of the Leeward Islands

    Magnitude 4.0 Earthquake Recorded North of the Leeward Islands

    A moderate seismic event measuring 4.0 on the Richter scale was detected in the Eastern Caribbean region earlier today, as confirmed by the Seismic Research Centre (SRC) at The University of the West Indies. The tremor occurred precisely at 1:24 p.m. local time (17:24 UTC) on Saturday, with preliminary coordinates placing the epicenter at latitude 16.85N and longitude 62.74W.

    The seismic activity originated at a relatively shallow depth of approximately 10 kilometers beneath the Earth’s surface. Geographical positioning data indicates the quake was situated approximately 49 kilometers south of Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis; 59 kilometers west of Brades, Montserrat; and 103 kilometers west-southwest of St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda.

    Initial assessments from regional authorities indicate no immediate reports of structural damage, injuries, or casualties resulting from the seismic activity. The SRC has emphasized that their preliminary location data was automatically generated through advanced computer algorithms and may undergo refinement following comprehensive analysis by seismic experts.

    This event occurs within the geologically dynamic Lesser Antilles arc, a region known for significant tectonic activity. The area represents a convergent boundary where the Caribbean and North American tectonic plates interact, creating a seismically active zone that regularly produces earthquakes across varying magnitude levels. The region’s complex geological framework continues to be closely monitored by seismic research organizations.

  • Dominica signs $2.1 million contract for smart retrofit of Wesley health centre

    Dominica signs $2.1 million contract for smart retrofit of Wesley health centre

    The Dominican government has solidified its dedication to nationwide healthcare modernization through a substantial $2.1 million investment in smart infrastructure upgrades for the Emelda James Health and Wellness Centre in Wesley. The contract signing ceremony, attended by high-ranking officials, highlighted the administration’s strategic focus on creating weather-resistant medical facilities capable of operating under any circumstances.

    Minister of Culture, Youth, Sports and Community Development, representing Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, emphasized the profound significance of the project during the formal proceedings. “This ceremony transcends mere contractual formalities—it embodies our reinforced pledge to equitable healthcare access,” she stated. “We guarantee safe, reliable, and contemporary medical services for all communities, irrespective of environmental conditions or unforeseen challenges.”

    Funded through collaborative partnerships with the World Bank, the Pan American Health Organization’s Smart Hospitals Initiative, and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Regional Health Project, the $2,114,095.78 endeavor represents a key component of Dominica’s comprehensive health infrastructure overhaul. Project managers have targeted June of this year for completion.

    Fidel Grant, Parliamentary Representative for Wesley Constituency, characterized the initiative as a transformative investment in community healthcare resilience. “This project extends beyond conventional construction—it constitutes a strategic allocation of resources toward sustainable healthcare excellence for Wesley and the broader North East region,” Grant explained. The retrofitted facility will incorporate advanced backup systems, optimized operational layouts, enhanced accessibility features, and eco-conscious improvements designed to maintain uninterrupted service during extreme weather events.

    Health Minister Cassanni Laville underscored the broader implications of the smart retrofit program, noting its alignment with national health system modernization objectives. “This initiative manifests our determination to equip medical facilities across Dominica with contemporary, resilient infrastructure capable of evolving alongside growing public health demands,” Laville affirmed. Despite existing healthcare infrastructure in the Wesley district, the investment specifically targets elevated care standards and improved environments for both medical professionals and patients.

    The Emelda James Health and Wellness Centre modernization epitomizes Dominica’s dual commitment to healthcare excellence and climate adaptation, positioning the nation as a regional leader in sustainable medical infrastructure development.

  • COMMENTARY: A protest against the smearing of China’s image

    COMMENTARY: A protest against the smearing of China’s image

    A long-term Chinese resident in Dominica has publicly condemned what they describe as a deliberate smear campaign against China through manipulated protest signage. The individual, who has legally resided and worked in Dominica for over two decades, expressed profound disappointment upon encountering imagery that strategically arranged words to form the acrostic “CHINA” in a negative context.

    The controversy emerged from local reporting on February 13th, 2026, concerning police removal of anti-mining signs at Deux Branches. The author specifically references visual materials accompanying these reports that allegedly portray China in a distorted manner through wordplay tactics.

    Addressing the core issue, the resident clarifies that Chinese contracting companies are solely engaged in legitimate construction activities for Dominica’s new international airport project. Quarrying operations at Stone Field, which have been suspended since early 2026, exclusively provide aggregate materials for airport construction—not copper mining as alleged by protesters.

    The author characterizes copper mining allegations as fundamentally misleading to the Dominican public, particularly condemning the deliberate visual manipulation that targets China’s national image. They note such actions cause emotional distress to Dominica’s Chinese community while misrepresenting construction realities.

    Supporting evidence includes testimonies from Marigot area residents who reportedly prioritize airport development over temporary environmental concerns. One resident contextualized vegetation impact by recalling post-hurricane recovery: “We experienced severe hurricane in 2017, which destroyed most of the island’s vegetation. Yet after several years, everything has returned to normal.”

    The commentary concludes by advocating for cessation of unfounded accusations against Chinese entities and expressing anticipation for the airport’s completion—a project deemed crucial for national mobility and economic prosperity that will benefit future Dominican generations.