Carib Scope

作者： admin

  • Police disrupt PoS peace walk

    Police disrupt PoS peace walk

    On a recent afternoon in Port of Spain, a grassroots initiative to confront rising gang violence ended in police confrontation and multiple arrests, highlighting a tense clash between community activism and public order regulations under a state of emergency.

    Organized by the local group Peace Foundation TT, the peace walk was conceived as a response to a surge in brutal gang-related killings, including the recent deaths of two children in separate incidents in Belmont and Morvant. Fed up with ongoing bloodshed across Trinidad and Tobago’s communities, organizers called on residents to gather on Piccadilly Street dressed in white, to march through nearby neighborhoods and call for cross-community unity and an end to violent crime. The event was scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m., but law enforcement had advance notice and moved quickly to deploy a large contingent of uniformed police officers, supported by Defence Force soldiers, to the area ahead of the start time.

    The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) confirmed after the incident that no formal application for the public gathering had been submitted, a requirement under the country’s current state of emergency regulations. Senior Superintendent Raymond Thom explained to reporters that without an approved application, authorities had no way to assess the size of the crowd, the scope of the march route, or the intentions of participants, making it necessary to divert resources to manage the unauthorised assembly. Thom stressed that law enforcement fully supports the goal of ending gang violence and building community peace, but noted that the unpermitted status of the event forced officers to redirect time and personnel away from existing anti-crime operations to respond. “We have to prepare to protect the public. We have no idea about the magnitude, or how large the crowd would be, the number of persons that will be gathering and exactly what is the intent,” Thom said, rejecting claims that the large police deployment was an excessive overreaction.

    As participants began to assemble, officers moved through the crowd ordering attendees to disperse and return to their homes. The heavy police presence kept many prospective participants away, according to organising team member Lynelle Gaskin. She told reporters shortly after 3 p.m. that many people who had planned to attend had opted to stay away after seeing the large law enforcement deployment. “I feel it is just how the officers are around that they are not coming around as yet,” Gaskin said, adding that she remained hopeful more people would join the event. She emphasized that community residents are exhausted by constant violence and are eager to build unity and connection between neighbourhoods long divided by gang rivalry.

    Despite the police order to disperse, a large group of around 200 participants did proceed with a truncated march, walking through the Mango Rose, Duncan Street, and St Paul Street communities before returning to the original gathering point on Piccadilly Street, where they were again ordered to leave by officers. One of the event’s lead organisers, Kendal Lewis, called the walk a partial success, saying “We got about 60% of what we wanted to get done.”

    The confrontation turned heated when an argument broke out between police and one woman who had attempted to join the gathering. The woman was heard telling officers she was only searching for her sister, repeating, “I am not rioting,” as bystanders called on officers to leave her alone. Two female officers pinned the woman against a nearby parked car before handcuffing and arresting her. As of yesterday evening, police had not announced whether the woman would face formal charges. In addition to her arrest, two men who were standing near the assembly area were taken into custody on suspicion of robbery, police confirmed to reporters.

    Among the participants was prominent local activist and businessman Fuad Abu Bakr, who said he saw a promotional flyer for the event and chose to attend because he fully supported the mission. “I believe in it 110%. I thought it was essential for me as a citizen, as someone who is very familiar with this community as well, to come and try to be a part of an initiative as such. That is what this is supposed to be about,” he said, noting that despite the standoff, officers had behaved respectfully toward participants.

    Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander, who attended the event to speak with community members, defended the police response, rejecting claims that the deployment of officers and soldiers was excessive. He emphasized that the government shares the community’s frustration with unregulated gang violence and the loss of innocent lives, including children. “We, as a Government, we’re not interested in gangs and having no conversation about gangs. I am willing to have a conversation with law-abiding citizens who have seen enough bloodshed and the lives lost of people, both old and young, including of children, on the nation’s streets to crime and violence that has no meaningful meaning at all,” Alexander said. He added that if organizers follow the formal process to register future events, the government is open to sitting down with law-abiding activists to discuss actionable changes to reduce violence across the country.

    The confrontation comes as Trinidad and Tobago continues to grapple with persistently high rates of gang-related homicide, prompting widespread public calls for both government action and grassroots community intervention to curb bloodshed.

  • Warner: No-protest zones attempt to ‘muzzle’ population

    Warner: No-protest zones attempt to ‘muzzle’ population

    Jack Warner, a one-time national security minister in Trinidad and Tobago who reemerged from political retirement less than two years ago to campaign alongside the United National Congress (UNC) during the country’s general election, has publicly denounced the recently enacted no-protest zone policies as a deliberate attempt to silence the nation’s citizens.

    In an exclusive interview with TV6’s *Morning Edition* this week, Warner pulled no punches in his assessment of the new government regulations, but was quick to frame his criticism as constructive feedback rather than a partisan attack. Anyone interpreting his words as an assault on the ruling administration, he argued, is simply overly sensitive. “I have no regrets about supporting the UNC during the election campaign,” Warner emphasized, “and my comments here are not meant to tear anyone down.”

    When pressed to respond to recent remarks from UNC leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who confirmed the ruling government has no plans to roll back the State of Emergency regulations that ban all demonstrations within 500 meters of 15 designated state institutions, Warner made his position clear: if he still held a seat in government today, he would never back such a ban. Without a legitimate, peaceful outlet to voice their discontent, Warner warned, ordinary people will inevitably turn to more extreme, destructive channels to make their voices heard.

    Warner stressed that peaceful protest is a foundational pillar of any functional democracy, noting that the current administration itself rose to power in large part through public demonstrations against the previous government. He drew a historical parallel to the 1974 mobilization of the Blue River Action Committee, reminding audiences that past efforts to stifle public dissent in the country have always failed to achieve their intended goals.

    “This is nothing less than an attempt to muzzle the Trinidadian people, and it is a dangerous one at that,” Warner said. “It is dangerous because when you cut off the peaceful outlet, people will find other means, and those other means will be destructive in ways our country cannot afford to handle right now.”

    Addressing the growing economic and social strain on working people, Warner added: “You have to understand that people are hurting right now, and they need a way to express that pain. If their protest is constructive, that is all the better, but even when it is critical, as long as it remains nonviolent, we have no right to ban it. Our leaders need to listen to what people are saying, correct the mistakes that have been made, and stop closing off the space for public debate. For as long as I can remember, protesting near Parliament has been a normal, accepted part of our democracy. Banning that practice? Something is fundamentally wrong here.”

    The former minister also commented on a recent wave of protests sparked by the police shooting death of Joshua Samaroo and the controversial decision to file criminal charges against Samaroo’s common-law wife, Kaia Sealy. Last week, a demonstration held outside the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) resulted in the arrest of three organizers: lead protester Alyssa Phillip, her mother Camille Caresquero, and local blogger Jason Da Silva. Warner said he was stunned by the overwhelming show of police force deployed to control the demonstration, which was led primarily by women.

    “I’ve kept asking myself: do our leaders understand what this does to our country’s international image? Do they get how this looks to tourists who are considering visiting our shores? Do they see how this feeds the narrative of rising violence and authoritarianism that is already spreading online?” Warner said. “When you see hundreds of heavily armed police officers deployed to break up a protest of just 100 women, that is a drastic failure of judgment. I was amazed when I saw it, and I am still amazed now.”

    The no-protest zone regulations have already drawn widespread criticism from the political opposition, and earlier this week a coalition of national trade unions formally called on the government to rescind the policy immediately.

  • Penny to ‘rotate’ senators tomorrow

    Penny to ‘rotate’ senators tomorrow

    As Trinidad and Tobago prepares to open a new parliamentary term this Friday, Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles has publicly confirmed she will implement a planned rotation of the Opposition’s six appointed Senate seats, a shakeup that is widely expected to include the departure of embattled senator Janelle John-Bates.

    Beckles made the announcement during a press briefing held Wednesday at her Port of Spain office on Charles Street, confirming that both the House of Representatives and the Senate will convene simultaneously tomorrow to mark the start of the new session. Under the country’s Constitution, the Opposition Leader holds the exclusive authority to appoint six members to the Senate, and Beckles framed the upcoming rotation as a regular, ongoing policy rather than a one-time move.

    “From time to time, my policy will be to rotate senators,” Beckles told reporters. She declined to release the full list of incoming and outgoing appointees ahead of the official opening, noting that a formal public announcement would be delivered when parliament convenes. While Beckles did not explicitly name John-Bates, she openly acknowledged that one of the senators up for rotation is facing a pending matter before the Senate Privileges Committee and has already submitted a resignation offer.

    She explained: “In making that decision, I have considered many factors, including the fact that there has been a matter before the Privileges Committee. On Friday, considering all the factors, including the fact that I do have before me an offer of resignation together with all that has transpired over the last couple of weeks or months, and my right to rotate from time to time—which is what I will be doing not just on Friday but over the coming months and years—I will be making an adjustment.”

    The controversy surrounding John-Bates stems from her decision to assist former Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh in editing and reviewing his witness statement ahead of his appearance before the Public Accounts and Appropriations Committee (PAAC), which was probing the state’s process for pharmaceutical acquisition, importation, and approval. After the involvement was discovered in mid-April, PAAC chairman Jagdeo Singh adjourned the inquiry following a closed-door meeting on April 13.

    The Opposition quickly removed John-Bates from her PAAC posting on April 21, replacing her with fellow Opposition Senator Vishnu Dhanpaul. The governing party ramped up pressure on the senator days later, tabling a motion on April 29 to remove her from the Joint Select Committee on National Security. On May 1, Government Senator David Nakhid filed a formal privilege motion in the Senate against John-Bates and fellow Opposition member Faris Al-Rawi over their roles in the witness memorandum submitted to PAAC.

    The following day, John-Bates submitted her resignation from the Senate. No formal investigation by the Privileges Committee ever moved forward, as the entire matter lapsed when the first session of the 13th Republican Parliament dissolved on May 23.

    Beckles pushed back Wednesday against critics who have accused her of dragging her feet on a final decision regarding John-Bates’ seat, framing the delay as a commitment to due process. “Whilst there are those who argued about me taking time, I understand the importance of the judicial process and of justice, natural justice in particular,” she said. “As a lawyer myself of more than 30 years, I recognise the importance of the right to be heard.”

    Local news outlet The Express reached out to John-Bates by phone Wednesday to ask whether she had been formally notified of her upcoming removal from the Senate. Her only response was, “No comment at this time.”

  • Man to be tried for murder over chopping death in Glen

    Man to be tried for murder over chopping death in Glen

    A fatal dispute rooted in a conflict over a plumrose has led to a Glen resident being ordered to face a murder trial at the country’s highest criminal court, court documents confirmed this week.

    Deondre McDonald, who was 27 at the time of the alleged incident, stands accused of murdering 21-year-old Ronaldo Andrews Adams, also a resident of Glen, in the East St. George community on May 14, 2025.

    Chief Magistrate Colin John made the ruling to commit the case to the High Court during a paper committal proceeding held at the Serious Offences Court on Monday. A paper committal is a procedural step in criminal justice that allows a magistrate to review whether sufficient evidence exists to advance a case to a higher court for trial, rather than holding a full preliminary hearing with live witness testimony. During this process, the magistrate reviews written witness statements alongside representatives from both the prosecution and the defense to assess the strength of the case against the accused.

    With the committal now complete, McDonald’s murder trial will proceed to be scheduled and heard by the High Court in due course.

  • ‘Shrek’ caught in clothing he wore to steal

    ‘Shrek’ caught in clothing he wore to steal

    A resident of Kingstown has been handed a concurrent five-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to two counts of trespassing with intent to commit theft, caught by law enforcement wearing the exact clothing captured on the victim’s security cameras.

    The defendant, Jamel Miller, also known by the alias Shrek, entered his guilty plea before Senior Magistrate Tammika McKenzie at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court during a hearing held on May 27. Court documents outline two separate offenses that Miller committed on the private property of Shenice Williams, a 33-year-old therapist residing in McKies Hill. The first incident took place on April 29, and the second occurred nearly a month later on May 22, with Miller entering Williams’ fenced yard on both occasions with the intention of carrying out a theft.

    Court records detail the long sequence of troubling events that led to Miller’s eventual capture. Starting in January of this year, Williams began noticing consistent damage to her vehicle, which she parked on her private driveway. The unexplained scratches quickly left her on edge, and the situation escalated when she heard unexpected knocking on her bedroom window one night. Following the incident, Williams reported feeling too unsafe to sleep in her own home.

    Williams’ property is secured by a five-foot wire perimeter fence, two metal entry gates, and a network of closed-circuit security cameras that are linked to her mobile phone, allowing remote access to live and recorded footage. On the morning of April 29 at approximately 7 a.m., Williams received an alert from her camera system on her cell phone. Pulling up the recorded footage, she identified a slim, dark-skinned male wearing a red shirt, long trousers, and slippers who had entered her property at 2:45 a.m. that same day.

    A second unauthorized entry was captured on May 22. That night, around 11 p.m., Williams was at a local bar in Richmond Hill when she received another security alert. Checking the remote footage, she spotted the same individual, again wearing a red shirt paired with white pants and carrying a red-and-black backpack, exiting her yard. She immediately contacted the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force to file a report. Patrol officer PC1090 Williams led a team of officers to the property shortly after the call, but the intruder had already left the area by the time they arrived.

    The following morning at 8:30 a.m., Williams provided the recorded CCTV footage to investigating officers. The footage was distributed across local patrol units, and Miller was quickly identified as the person captured on camera. Law enforcement apprehended Miller on White Chapel Road in central Kingstown, transporting him to the headquarters of the Criminal Investigation Department for formal processing. After being informed of the charges against him and read his official police caution, Miller was interviewed in the presence of PC871 Lewis.

    When officers showed Miller the CCTV footage, they immediately noticed he was wearing the exact same red shirt and white pants that he had on during the May 22 intrusion captured on camera. Miller did not deny his involvement, confessing that he was the person seen in the recordings and providing a voluntary written statement to investigators admitting his guilt.

    In her final sentencing ruling, Senior Magistrate McKenzie ordered a five-month prison term for the first trespassing charge and a three-month term for the second offense. The sentences are set to run concurrently, meaning Miller will serve a total of five months behind bars beginning from the date of his conviction.

  • SVG Embassy in Havana celebrates 34 years of ties with Cuba

    SVG Embassy in Havana celebrates 34 years of ties with Cuba

    HAVANA, Cuba — In a gathering that blended diplomatic ceremony with heartfelt fraternity, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and Cuba marked the 34th anniversary of their formal diplomatic relations on Saturday, with a celebratory event hosted by SVG’s Havana embassy. More than three and a half decades after the two Caribbean nations first established official ties, the occasion brought together over 36 ambassadors and chargés d’affaires accredited to Cuba, senior Cuban government representatives, Vincentian students studying on the island, and special guests who have shaped the bilateral partnership over decades.

    Speaking at the reception, SVG’s Ambassador to Cuba Angella Jackson — herself a graduate of a Cuban university — framed the three-decade partnership as a model of South-South cooperation built on shared respect and mutual solidarity. “This is 34 years of friendship rooted in respect, solidarity, and cooperation between two brotherly peoples,” Jackson told attendees. She outlined Cuba’s long-standing contributions to SVG’s development, noting that the island has trained hundreds of Vincentian professionals, deployed medical teams during SVG’s most critical moments, and shared technical expertise through transformational national projects.

    Key landmark infrastructure projects, including Argyle International Airport and the Georgetown Diagnostic Centre, alongside the daily work of Cuban medical professionals in Kingstown, stand as tangible proof that the bilateral bond extends far beyond formal diplomatic exchanges, Jackson said. “This friendship is not only diplomatic — it is deeply human,” she emphasized.

    In turn, Jackson reaffirmed SVG’s unwavering support for Cuba on the international stage, where the small Caribbean nation has long defended Cuba’s sovereignty and spoken out against the decades-long U.S. economic blockade. Acknowledging the severe energy challenges and widespread blackouts currently impacting Cuban households, Jackson extended explicit solidarity from SVG, a country that has itself weathered repeated natural disasters and adversity. “We know what it means to face hardship, and we know the Cuban people, like our own, are deeply resilient. Cuba is not alone,” she said, pledging that SVG will continue to stand with the island.

    Drawing from her own experience as a young student who came to Cuba to study and grew into a diplomatic leader, Jackson noted that 34 years of partnership has demonstrated that South-South cooperation is not just a concept — it is a living, impactful reality. “I came here as a young Rasta, and I transformed into a professional woman; a person who understands that we should not give only from what is left over, but from what we have,” she said.

    The event paid special tribute to Cuban engineers, construction workers and medical professionals who have delivered projects and care across SVG, including those who worked on Argyle International Airport and served with the long-standing Cuban Medical Brigade. Jackson called these professionals living, breathing examples of the bilateral friendship, adding: “Here, there is not only diplomacy. Here, there is family.” Closing her remarks, she called for continued deepening and diversification of ties, noting that small and large nations alike, when united by mutual respect, can work together to build a more equitable global order. “Thank you, Cuba, for 34 years of unconditional brotherhood. Long live the relations between our peoples!” she said.

    Cuba’s Vice Minister of International Relations Josefina Vidal Ferrero joined the event alongside other senior Cuban foreign affairs officials, including Rafael Dausa Cespedes, Director for America, Mexico and the Caribbean, and representatives from Cuban civil society organizations such as the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the People. Vidal Ferrero recalled that diplomatic ties were first established in 1992 under then-SVG Prime Minister Sir James Mitchell of the New Democratic Party — the same party that currently holds office in Kingstown. “The history of these 34 years reflects what two peoples who are geographically, historically and culturally close can achieve. We have helped and supported one another over these more than three decades,” she said.

    Vidal Ferrero highlighted that to date, nearly 400 Vincentian students have accessed free university education in Cuba — including Ambassador Jackson herself, who graduated with a degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Ciego de Ávila in 2007. Noting that two of Jackson’s three children, who have Cuban heritage, were in attendance at the event, Vidal Ferrero called the ambassador a living reflection of the fraternal bond between the two nations.

    She went on to outline a long roster of shared achievements, from a national program to bring electric lighting to thousands of Vincentian homes, to hundreds of life-changing eye surgeries performed by Cuban specialists that restored sight to Vincentian residents. Alongside regional partners Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba also contributed core engineering and construction support to build Argyle International Airport, a transformative infrastructure project for SVG’s economy and connectivity. When La Soufriere volcano erupted in SVG in 2021, Cuba was among the first nations to deploy emergency support, and today maintains a permanent presence of medical staff, construction experts, and energy and civil aviation specialists across the country.

    Vidal Ferrero also emphasized that SVG has reciprocated this solidarity, standing with Cuba through its own challenges — including devastating hurricanes and the widespread shortages caused by the long-standing U.S. blockade, which Vidal Ferrero described as a “genocidal” policy that targets the Cuban people through hunger and deprivation. She noted that SVG has consistently joined its Caribbean neighbors in denouncing the blockade, and that Cuba will never forget this unwavering support. “Our gratitude is eternal,” she said.

    Beyond diplomatic remarks, the event featured a vibrant cultural program showcasing the heritage of both nations, centered on Vincentian cultural traditions. Three Vincentian students studying in Cuba performed Alston “Becket” Cyrus’ iconic patriotic ballad “St. Vincent, My Homeland”, while veteran 35-year-old steelpan arranger and band captain Tillal Webb wowed the crowd with steelpan arrangements of global hits including Kevin Lyttle’s “Turn Me On” and Enrique Iglesias’ “Bailando”. Webb was later joined by the Band Gala Mayor for a set that included additional Vincentian classics and the iconic Cuban folk song “Guantanamera”, alongside original compositions from band leader Alejandro Mayor. The celebratory gathering concluded with a joint toast to the future of the bilateral partnership.

  • Renson Haynes to manage Sports Council

    Renson Haynes to manage Sports Council

    A new chapter for sports development in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is underway, following an official announcement from the country’s Ministry of Sports that names ex-national team footballer Renson Haynes as the new head of the National Sports Council (NSC).

    Haynes’ tenure in the top administrative role officially commenced on May 4, marking a transition that sports officials hope will inject fresh energy into the nation’s growing sporting ecosystem. In its official statement announcing the appointment, the Ministry highlighted the extensive cross-cutting expertise that Haynes brings to the table, spanning key areas including sports governance, executive leadership, and large-scale organizational operations.

    The appointment underscores the persistent dedication of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines government to upgrading the systems that support sports administration and grassroots to elite sports growth across the country, the release emphasized.

    In his new post as NSC manager, Haynes will take on a broad portfolio of core responsibilities. These include steering the day-to-day operational activities of the entire council, overseeing upkeep and access to all national sporting infrastructure, leading the rollout of new and existing national sports programs and community-focused initiatives, and driving progress for both competitive athletes and local sporting organizations across all 32 islands of the nation.

    The Ministry closed its statement by expressing full confidence in Haynes’ capabilities, noting that his longstanding commitment to sports growth, professional track record, and personal passion for advancing local athletics will deliver meaningful, positive change to St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ entire sporting sector.

  • Congres zet rem op Trumps Iran-oorlog

    Congres zet rem op Trumps Iran-oorlog

    In a historic vote that exposed deep partisan rifts and growing pushback against unilateral executive war powers, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a landmark resolution on Wednesday that curbs President Donald Trump’s ability to launch military action against Iran without explicit congressional approval. The measure passed by a razor-thin margin of 215 votes to 208, with four House Republicans breaking ranks to join all voting Democrats in advancing the bill – marking the first successful congressional challenge to Trump’s Iran policy this year.

    The resolution represents an explicit rebuke of Trump’s February 28 decision to launch a large-scale military assault on Iran without prior congressional authorization, a move that ignited an ongoing conflict that will enter its 100th day this coming Saturday. Trump has repeatedly downplayed the scope of the hostilities, dismissing the conflict as a mere “skirmish” or a “short-term operation,” but his consistent pattern of deploying military force without congressional sign-off has fueled mounting frustration across Capitol Hill and among the American public.

    The vote laid bare intraparty divisions within the Republican caucus. The four GOP defectors – Tom Barrett, Warren Davidson, Brian Fitzpatrick and Thomas Massie – defied House Speaker Mike Johnson, a top Trump ally who rallied party members to oppose the resolution. Massie, who recently lost his Republican primary re-election bid in large part due to opposition from Trump, framed the resolution’s passage as a clear signal that lawmakers are ready to end the open-ended conflict. Barrett echoed constitutional concerns, emphasizing that the U.S. Constitution explicitly grants Congress the sole power to declare war, and that any previous congressional authorization for military action against Iran has long expired.

    House Democrats celebrated the vote as a critical win for the separation of powers and called on the U.S. Senate to quickly take up and pass the same measure. They have drawn attention to the soaring financial cost of the conflict and its ambiguous legal standing. Official Pentagon data puts current U.S. spending on the conflict at roughly $29 billion, but many independent defense analysts estimate the true total cost will run into the hundreds of billions of dollars. Lawmakers and military officials have also raised growing alarms about the depletion of critical U.S. weapons stockpiles, which has left gaps in the country’s own defense preparedness.

    Public discontent with the conflict has surged across the United States in recent months. New public polling shows 60 percent of U.S. adults now disapprove of Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict, a notable increase from earlier surveys. The ongoing hostilities have already driven up global fuel prices, contributing to domestic inflation and widespread economic uncertainty, which has in turn amplified public criticism of the administration’s policy.

    The resolution now moves to the Senate, where a matching bill has already been advanced through procedural steps. But the measure faces an steep uphill battle: Trump has already signaled he will veto any legislation that seeks to limit his military authority against Iran. Overturning a presidential veto requires a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and the Senate, a threshold that supporters are far from reaching at this stage.

    Even so, Wednesday’s House vote marks a significant shift, demonstrating growing willingness among members of both parties to check presidential war-making power, and underscores the persistent political tensions that continue to surround Trump’s approach to the Iran conflict.

  • Column: SML ondersteunen

    Column: SML ondersteunen

    The launch of professional football through the Suriname Major League (SML) has unlocked a key opportunity for Surinamese top clubs to compete at the regional level. Just a short time after its establishment, the league has already cemented its value as a launching pad for Surinamese football, with no one able to deny its early positive impact.

    Under the current structure, both the SML champion and runner-up earn guaranteed spots in regional competitions organized by the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf). This season, SML champion Broki will test its mettle against other top Caribbean sides in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup, while runner-up Robinhood will compete in the Concacaf Club Shield. Importantly, the winner of the Club Shield also earns a subsequent berth to the higher-tier Concacaf Caribbean Cup, extending the opportunity for Surinamese clubs to gain international exposure. While these regional qualifying opportunities are a major win for the local game, the new league still faces critical structural gaps that limit its growth. The most pressing issue is the overall lack of competitive matches across the entire Surinamese football season.

    Currently, too few clubs hold the professional license required to compete in the SML, resulting in a season that is far too short to build fan momentum or improve player quality. It is acknowledged that strict licensing requirements are necessary to maintain professional standards, so unvetted clubs cannot be added to the top flight hastily. At the same time, the absence of a promotion and relegation system between the SML and lower divisions saps the league of much-needed competitive tension, as top-flight clubs face no consequence for poor on-field performance. To address the shallow league structure, lower-division clubs must step up to meet licensing requirements, expanding the number of participants and allowing for a full, competitive season.

    Beyond expanding the core league membership, a second solution to the lack of matches is the introduction of additional knockout cup competitions. The SML steering committee will need to prioritize outreach to the local business community to secure sponsorship for these new tournaments. While large domestic companies can take on full sponsorship individually, smaller firms should also be given the opportunity to pool resources in a consortium to back a cup. Notably, large companies that hold or have historically held monopoly positions in the Surinamese market, which generate substantial annual revenues, could launch and sponsor a cup as a meaningful part of their corporate social responsibility commitments.

    Given the uncertain timeline for more lower-tier clubs to meet professional licensing requirements, local businesses could take inspiration from English football’s structure and add multiple cup competitions alongside the existing league and current domestic cup. Any new cup would need to offer an attractive prize purse to drive full commitment from participating clubs and players. Additionally, introducing performance-based valuations and awards for players and coaches would incentivize higher quality of play, which in turn would draw more fans back to stadiums to watch matches.

    Ultimately, the long-term growth of professional football in Suriname is not the responsibility of the SML alone. The future of the local game depends entirely on the active support of all stakeholders, including the government, local business community and football governance bodies. Financial backing from FIFA will not last indefinitely, so urgent action is needed now to secure alternative funding sources that can not only keep local football operational, but also make it a more engaging, competitive product for fans across the country.

  • VIDEO: Bush fire at Tarreau

    VIDEO: Bush fire at Tarreau

    A wildfire has broken out in the Tarreau region, with flames spreading across bush land as of early this evening, according to initial on-site reports. The emergency situation, captured in on-the-ground video footage, shows active flames moving through dry vegetation in the area. Local authorities have not yet released additional details regarding the size of the blaze, potential causes, any reported injuries, or structural damage to nearby properties. Emergency response teams are expected to be deployed to assess the situation and contain the spread of the fire as quickly as possible. Residents in surrounding communities are being urged to stay alert for updated evacuation orders and safety guidance from local officials.