Carib Scope

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  • Construction starts on road connecting Nisibón to Uvero Alto

    Construction starts on road connecting Nisibón to Uvero Alto

    The Dominican Republic has officially broken ground on a major infrastructure initiative designed to unlock further tourism potential in one of the country’s most popular coastal regions. Tourism Minister David Collado launched the reconstruction of the access corridor leading to Uvero Alto Beach, starting from the Las Lagunas de Nisibón district, with dual goals of upgrading local connectivity and driving sustainable tourism development across the nation’s eastern corridor.

    The project spans 9.2 kilometers of roadway, split into three distinct construction segments that will create a direct, improved link between the Uvero Alto tourism cluster and the existing Miches–Nisibón highway. A full suite of upgrades is planned for the corridor, including modernized drainage infrastructure, targeted soil stabilization to extend road lifespan, updated directional and safety signage, new pedestrian sidewalks and curbs, enhanced street lighting, full asphalt resurfacing, reinforced retaining walls, complete culvert reconstruction, and comprehensive erosion control measures to protect the roadway from coastal weather damage.

    Being delivered by the national Committee for Infrastructure in Tourist Zones, the initiative carries a total investment of 711 million Dominican pesos, equivalent to approximately 13.8 million U.S. dollars. Government officials project that the upgraded road will cut travel times and improve safety for both local residents and out-of-town visitors, while creating a seamless connected route between major hotel developments and the scenic Uvero Alto–Nisibón coastline, a major draw for domestic and international travelers alike.

    Speaking at the official groundbreaking ceremony, Minister Collado emphasized the far-reaching economic benefits the project is expected to deliver to local communities in Nisibón, Uvero Alto, and surrounding areas. He reaffirmed that the eastern region of the Dominican Republic retains its position as the country’s top tourism hub, welcoming more than 5.4 million international and domestic visitors in 2023 alone, a figure that reflects steadily growing demand for the region’s beaches, resorts, and recreational offerings.

    Immediately following the groundbreaking event, Collado held a closed-door working meeting with hotel operators and key tourism industry stakeholders at the Grand Bávaro Princess resort. During the session, attendees reviewed current industry performance metrics, discussed ongoing challenges facing the sector, and collaborated on developing actionable strategies to sustain consistent visitor growth through continued public-private partnership across all levels of the tourism ecosystem.

  • Leisure : Did you know ? #17

    Leisure : Did you know ? #17

    Nestled in the hedgerows and wild gardens of Haiti, a climbing vine known locally as Asosi (scientific name Momordique) has long held a central place in the Caribbean nation’s traditional healing practices. Now, this little-documented native plant is drawing new attention for its potential to support modern medical research, while highlighting the urgent value of preserving indigenous ethnobotanical knowledge for marginalized communities.

    For generations, Haitian communities have relied on Asosi’s distinctive serrated leaves and intensely bitter fruits to treat a range of common ailments. Preparations of the plant, most often steeped into infusions or added to therapeutic baths, are traditionally used as a depurative to “purify the blood,” as well as to address topical skin infections and reduce fever. In rural regions of Haiti where access to modern clinical healthcare remains severely limited, this widespread climbing vine has served as a trusted, accessible primary care resource for locals.

    Modern science is beginning to validate the traditional uses of Asosi: researchers have confirmed that the plant contains a range of biologically active compounds that are currently the subject of ongoing studies focused on developing new treatments for type 2 diabetes, a chronic condition that affects growing numbers of people across Haiti and the globe. Even with its notoriously bitter taste, the plant remains a staple of local traditional pharmacopoeia in underserved rural areas.

    Beyond its medicinal value, protecting the natural habitats where Asosi grows wild delivers dual benefits: it preserves a free, accessible “green pharmacy” for low-income communities that lack reliable access to conventional medications, and it protects a native species that acts as a natural ecological regulator in local hedgerows and untended green spaces. This makes conservation of Asosi’s growing areas both a public health priority and an ecological win for Haiti.

    This profile of Asosi originates from the fact sheets published alongside quiz answers on HaitiLibre’s QuizHaitiLibre platform, an online educational resource that lets users test their general knowledge across a wide range of topics focused on Haiti and global affairs. The free, no-registration quiz platform offers content for all experience levels, with three difficulty tiers—normal, intermediate, and advanced—available in both French and English. New quiz content is added to the platform on a monthly rolling update, with 28 new games added to the site in the most recent update on April 8. Visitors can explore the full collection of existing quizzes, including previous installments of the platform’s “Did You Know” educational series covering Haitian culture, botany, and history, at https://quiz.haitilibre.com/en.

  • Economic recovery and security challenges : discussions between the PM of Haiti and IMF

    Economic recovery and security challenges : discussions between the PM of Haiti and IMF

    In a high-stakes diplomatic meeting focused on Haiti’s path forward, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé and his official delegation sat down with International Monetary Fund (IMF) representatives to deliberate on three of the Caribbean nation’s most pressing priorities: advancing the ongoing national economic program, addressing rampant insecurity, and locking in key structural reforms.

    The gathering, which took place ahead of planned national elections at the end of 2026, opened with positive recognition of Haiti’s recent policy efforts from the IMF side. IMF officials highlighted tangible progress in public financial governance, noting that the country has managed to maintain a satisfactory level of foreign reserves even amid a volatile global economic landscape that has put unprecedented pressure on small, developing nations across the world.

    For their part, Prime Minister Fils-Aimé and his delegation reaffirmed that restoring full security and reestablishing sovereign state authority across the entire country remains the government’s top immediate priority. Armed gang violence has displaced hundreds of thousands of Haitians and disrupted basic governance in large swathes of the nation, particularly in urban centers, and the government is prioritizing the stabilization of these gang-controlled areas. The reestablishment of security, officials stressed, is a non-negotiable precondition to creating the stable, trusted environment required to hold what the government has pledged will be credible, free, inclusive, and democratic elections by the close of 2026.

    Beyond security, the two sides also centered conversations on inclusive economic growth that delivers tangible benefits to Haitian communities. A core topic of these talks was expanding job opportunities, especially for young Haitians, who make up a large share of the country’s population and have faced disproportionately high unemployment in recent years. Delegates also delved into plans to advance ongoing tax reform efforts, with a focus on boosting transparent, equitable revenue collection and tightening border control measures to cut down on illicit trade and protect domestic revenue streams.

    In the final segment of discussions, both parties aligned on the critical need to strengthen Haiti’s judicial institutions and root out systemic impunity. These steps, both sides agreed, are foundational to consolidating the rule of law across the country and rebuilding public trust in state institutions, which has been eroded by years of political instability and violence.

    At the conclusion of the meeting, the IMF reiterated its long-standing commitment to standing with Haiti as it works to address its interconnected challenges. The organization confirmed it will continue to provide targeted technical assistance and policy support aligned with the Haitian government’s stated national priorities to help advance reform and stabilization efforts.

  • Volledige RvC Canawaima ontslagen na ingrijpen regering

    Volledige RvC Canawaima ontslagen na ingrijpen regering

    In a swift decision following allegations of misconduct at state-owned ferry operator Canawaima, all three members of the company’s Supervisory Board (Raad van Commissarissen, RvC) have been removed from their posts. The action was finalized on 22 April following closed consultations between Raymond Landveld, Suriname’s Minister of Transport, Communication and Tourism, and national President Jennifer Simons.

    Union leadership confirmed the government’s intervention to local outlet Starnieuws, noting that the ruling came in direct response to concerns raised by organized labor just days prior. Dayanand Dwarka, chair of the Canawaima workers’ union, confirmed that Minister Landveld had officially notified him of the dismissal order. Just this Monday, the union had formally withdrawn all confidence in the incumbent RvC over reports of widespread wrongdoing at the state-run enterprise, which operates the critical ferry link between South Drain in Suriname and neighboring Guyana. After meeting with Landveld to discuss the allegations, union representatives agreed to pause planned industrial action that would have disrupted ferry services to avoid harming the thousands of passengers who rely on the cross-border connection. In the meeting, the minister had given a formal commitment that the government would step in to address the union’s concerns.

    To the surprise of many observers, the government delivered on that promise in less than a week. The union has praised the rapid response from the country’s executive branch. Dwarka emphasized that both Minister Landveld and President Simons acted decisively to resolve the crisis. Even as the union celebrates this outcome, however, Dwarka warned that the problems at Canawaima are not an isolated incident. Across multiple state-owned enterprises in Suriname, he argued, national interests are often not prioritized, opening the door to mismanagement and graft.

    Dwarka, who also serves as deputy chair of Suriname’s largest trade union center C-47, said the incident has made it clear that systemic reform is needed across the country’s state-owned sector. C-47 is calling for permanent structural changes, including a requirement that trade unions get a permanent seat on the supervisory boards of all state enterprises. For frontline workers, good governance is not an abstract policy goal: it directly determines their job security and long-term livelihoods, Dwarka explained.

    The speed of the RvC’s dismissal has drawn particular attention: the entire board took office less than two months before corruption allegations emerged. Dwarka called that timeline deeply worrying, noting that improper activity began almost immediately after the board assumed oversight responsibilities. The union has pushed for tangible, long-term changes to strengthen the company’s oversight function rather than just replacing the dismissed board members.

    Minister Landveld has signaled openness to the union’s core demand: he has confirmed that he will discuss the proposal to add a union representative to Canawaima’s newly formed supervisory board with President Simons as the process to appoint a new RvC moves forward.

  • The Prime Minister of Haiti is holding numerous political meetings in the United States.

    The Prime Minister of Haiti is holding numerous political meetings in the United States.

    In a packed week of diplomatic engagement aimed at advancing Haiti’s stability and democratic transition, Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé has held a series of back-to-back high-level meetings with top U.S. political leaders across the executive and legislative branches since launching his official U.S. visit on April 20, 2026.

    The first and most critical of these talks was a strategic meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, centered on deepening bilateral cooperation across three core pillars: Haitian national security, domestic political stabilization, and the upcoming electoral process. The two leaders aligned on shared priorities that included expanding capabilities for the newly formed Gang Repression Force (FRG), rebuilding core state institutions, laying the groundwork for free, inclusive and internationally credible general elections, and moving forward with the renewal of the long-standing HOPE/HELP trade agreements. Both parties confirmed that tangible progress has already been made in standing up the FRG, and jointly called for the full, rapid deployment of the force to execute its security mandate across Haiti.

    Following the meeting with Secretary Rubio, Fils-Aimé sat down with Republican Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart, Vice Chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee. Their discussion centered on Haiti’s ongoing security crisis, national efforts to reassert state authority across gang-controlled territories, and the preconditions required to hold a legitimate democratic election. The Haitian Prime Minister underscored that lasting security is an non-negotiable foundation for any successful democratic transition and the holding of peaceful general elections. In response, Díaz-Balart reaffirmed that the U.S. Congress remains deeply invested in long-term Haitian stability, and encouraged continued progress on restoring public safety and strengthening democratic governing institutions.

    The Prime Minister’s tour also included a meeting with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a long-standing congressional supporter of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian migrants living in the U.S. Fils-Aimé used the meeting to stress that TPS protections remain a lifeline for thousands of Haitian nationals residing in the United States, amid Haiti’s ongoing humanitarian and security collapse. He called on U.S. authorities to maintain their focus on the ongoing crisis in Haiti, framing the meeting as part of a broader diplomatic push to extend and preserve protections for the Haitian diaspora at a time when the country’s domestic situation remains extremely fragile.

    Fils-Aimé also held bilateral talks with Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock, who serves as senior pastor of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church. The pair covered a wide range of bilateral priorities, from Haiti’s ongoing security challenges to the country’s long-term economic and institutional development. Discussion also turned to inclusive economic growth, specifically targeted policies to create new job opportunities for Haitian youth and expand social programs that underpin domestic stability.

    A working session with Republican Congressman Gregory Murphy expanded on these core themes, with talks covering security, the ongoing humanitarian crisis, and economic priorities. The two leaders agreed that closer international cooperation is critical to expanding security gains and creating the stable conditions needed for a credible electoral process. On economic policy, they highlighted the importance of maintaining consistent, predictable terms for trade programs like HOPE/HELP, which support existing Haitian jobs and sustain the country’s struggling productive sector. The discussion also addressed the urgent humanitarian situation, with both sides agreeing that emergency response efforts must be paired with long-term sustainable solutions rooted in economic recovery and job creation.

    The final key meeting on Fils-Aimé’s schedule was with Kristi Noem, the U.S. Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas initiative and former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, who left that post on March 31, 2026. The pair aligned on core priorities for Haiti: strengthening national security, consolidating institutional stability, and delivering a transparent, inclusive and credible electoral process. They also emphasized the need for closer cooperation with regional partners to counter drug trafficking, disrupt transnational criminal networks operating in and through Haiti, and address the growing challenges of irregular migration across the Americas.

  • 72 Dominicans repatriated from the U.S. arrive at AILA after serving prison sentences

    72 Dominicans repatriated from the U.S. arrive at AILA after serving prison sentences

    Santo Domingo, the capital city of the Dominican Republic, has received a plane carrying 72 Dominican citizens who were deported from the United States. The chartered flight, arranged by the U.S. government, touched down at Las Américas International Airport, carrying 65 male and seven female deportees. The vast majority of this group had already completed court-mandated prison sentences in correctional facilities across multiple U.S. states.

  • PM lays out education reform plan

    PM lays out education reform plan

    The Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia has launched an ambitious, multi-faceted strategic plan to modernize and revitalize its national education system, with Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre detailing wide-ranging reforms designed to expand equitable access to learning, embed a culture of lifelong education, and align academic offerings with the shifting demands of the 21st-century workforce.

    Pierre laid out the full details of the reform agenda as he presented the government’s 2026/2027 budget to the House of Assembly on Tuesday evening, anchoring the plan in his administration’s core policy perspective. “A fundamental belief of my administration is that learning is a lifelong endeavour, and our policies are designed to achieve this national goal,” the prime minister told legislators.

    This overarching vision will guide investment and policy changes across three priority areas from the start: early childhood education, specialized support for learners with disabilities, and technical and vocational skills training. Building on two existing flagship access programs—the First Generation Scholarship Programme and the one university graduate per household initiative—Pierre confirmed both initiatives will not only be preserved but scaled up to reach more eligible learners across the island.

    This year alone, 25 new fully partnered scholarships will be made available through a collaboration with New York-based Monroe College, and senior government leaders will soon hold formal talks with the University of the West Indies (UWI) to open up additional spots for Saint Lucian students at the regional institution.

    A core infrastructure priority of the reform plan is the full upgrade of traditional learning spaces into technology-integrated smart classrooms. “We must upgrade our classrooms into smart classrooms,” Pierre said, noting the renovated spaces will foster more dynamic, interactive learning experiences while helping curricula evolve to match workplace needs.

    The prime minister also addressed a long-standing challenge facing the island’s education sector: a persistent shortage of qualified instructors in high-priority STEM fields, specifically science and mathematics. To close this gap, the government will increase recruitment for these roles and introduce a new “master teacher” model, where experienced, expert educators will lead instruction and mentor less experienced staff in these critical subject areas.

    Beyond curriculum and infrastructure changes, the reform plan recognizes the foundational role of family engagement in student success. Pierre warned that without intentional, supportive parenting, many children will struggle to reach their full academic and personal potential. In response, a cross-government joint initiative bringing together the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Youth Development, and the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund will provide targeted resources to parents, while also working to improve overall student retention across all school levels.

    This program will include early screening to identify students at risk of dropping out, and expanded technical and vocational pathways for learners whose strengths and interests fall outside the traditional academic track.

    Vulnerable student groups, particularly boys, who make up a disproportionate majority of the island’s high school dropouts, will receive targeted, tailored support under the new plan. Males currently account for most school departures before graduation, so the reforms will add targeted counselling, peer mentorship, and behavioural support, alongside a dedicated student support program for students in Forms Four and Five.

    Early childhood education remains a central pillar of the entire transformation agenda, with Pierre emphasizing that these early developmental years are “the most critical and receptive for learning.” To raise quality and consistency across the sector, the government will standardize early childhood education through a new national play-based curriculum, and a comprehensive quality assessment will be conducted for all public and private early childhood centres across the island. More than $1 million has been allocated in this year’s budget to launch the first phase of this work.

    Technical and vocational education and training (TVET), a key lever for aligning education with labour market demands, will see dramatic expansion under the plan. Four existing secondary schools are already in the process of being converted into dedicated technical and vocational institutes. The government will also deepen its collaboration with the Centre for Adolescent Renewal and Education (CARE) to support positive behavioural development, cut national dropout rates, and boost graduate employability through structured, work-focused training.

    Additional support through the regional OECS Skills and Innovation Project will help Saint Lucia develop national TVET standards and curricula that are directly mapped to current and projected labour market needs. The government will also introduce targeted training subsidies for vulnerable learners, alongside a new Grants Management Facility to support education-focused innovation and youth entrepreneurship.

    To deliver on these TVET expansion goals, the national Programme for Education Realignment and Transformation will fund the construction of new TVET laboratories and hands-on training workshops in selected secondary schools, all outfitted with modern, industry-standard tools and digital technology to give learners practical, job-ready experience before they enter the workforce.

  • Abusing elderly could bring $100K fine, jail under new bill

    Abusing elderly could bring $100K fine, jail under new bill

    A sweeping new bill aimed at strengthening protection for Barbados’ senior population was introduced to Parliament on Tuesday, bringing with it unprecedented harsh penalties for elder abuse and mandatory reporting requirements for professionals who encounter suspected mistreatment in their line of work. The Older Persons (Care and Protection) Bill, sponsored by Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Adrian Forde, establishes comprehensive new frameworks to safeguard the health, safety and dignity of all people aged 65 and older, covering everything from residential care facility standards to rules governing how family members must treat elderly relatives under their care.

    Under the bill’s core protection provisions, anyone found guilty of abusing or neglecting an older person faces steep consequences. Perpetrators can receive summary convictions carrying fines as high as $100,000, a prison sentence of up to five years, or both penalties combined. This accountability extends across all groups responsible for elder care, including family members, professional caregivers, institutional facilities, and even government entities that provide care services. Minister Forde emphasized that the severe penalties send an unambiguous warning to potential abusers, covering all forms of harm: physical, psychological, emotional abuse, neglect, abandonment, and financial exploitation of older adults.

    A centerpiece of the new legislation is its mandatory reporting requirement, which imposes a legal duty on a wide range of professionals to flag suspected abuse to law enforcement or relevant authorities. The mandated group includes all healthcare workers, from doctors and nurses to pharmacists, who are required to report suspected abuse if they observe signs of mistreatment during examinations or identify patterns of potential pharmacological abuse through medication dispensing records. The requirement also applies to hospital administrators, social workers, law enforcement officers, telecommunications technicians, and any other worker who may encounter evidence of elder abuse in the course of their job. For example, a technician repairing an older person’s phone or computer who discovers evidence of abuse will now be legally required to report their findings.

    Failing to fulfill this mandatory reporting obligation carries a fixed fine of $10,000. To address common barriers to reporting, such as fear of retaliation or victimization, the legislation includes robust protections for individuals who come forward. Reports can be submitted anonymously, and anonymous submissions receive the same level of review and investigation as named reports. Additionally, anyone who submits a report in good faith is protected from legal repercussions, even if an investigation ultimately finds the report was not fully accurate based on the information the reporter had at the time.

    To enable rapid intervention in life-threatening situations, the bill grants authorized officers new powers to act quickly without first obtaining a court order. If inspectors find an older person living in an immediately unsafe environment – such as a facility with a collapsing roof, severe vermin infestation, or exposure to life-threatening diseases like leptospirosis – officers can move the older person to a safe location immediately to protect their health. For non-emergency cases, any concerned individual with reasonable grounds to believe an older person is at risk can apply to the court for a relocation order, placing the senior in a safe, supervised care setting for up to six months, with ongoing court oversight and regular reviews to arrange permanent alternative care if needed.

    Authorized officers assigned to implement the legislation also gain explicit new powers to conduct investigations, enter residential or care premises, interview relevant parties, and conduct on-site assessments of living and care conditions for older adults.

    Finally, the bill establishes a formal national register of elder abuse cases, to be administered by the Social Empowerment Agency (SEA). The register will collect key details for each case, including the personal contact information of the vulnerable older person, the nature, timing and location of the reported abuse, contact details for the alleged perpetrator, contact information for the older person’s caregiver, family or friends, and any additional information the SEA deems relevant. All information held in the register is strictly confidential, with access limited only to authorized personnel, the SEA executive director, and individuals granted access via court order or legal provision. Unauthorized disclosure of information from the register carries a penalty of up to $10,000.

  • Mirador Sur Sensory Park opens to expand accessible public spaces

    Mirador Sur Sensory Park opens to expand accessible public spaces

    In a landmark step toward building more inclusive urban public spaces in the Dominican Republic, Banco Popular Dominicano has partnered with the National District City Hall to inaugurate the Mirador Sur Sensory Park, a purpose-built recreational area focused on breaking accessibility barriers and fostering cross-community social connection in Santo Domingo.

    The core of the new development is a 340-square-meter sensory playground, which received a RD$5 million investment from Banco Popular. Unlike traditional play spaces, the area is outfitted with specialized equipment crafted to stimulate all five senses and encourage comfortable interaction among visitors of all physical and cognitive abilities. This initiative is not an isolated community project: it is integrated directly into the national bank’s long-term corporate sustainability strategy, which aligns with the United Nations’ Principles for Responsible Banking and centers on delivering measurable, tangible social benefits across the country.

    Beyond the sensory playground itself, an additional RD$10 million was earmarked for comprehensive upgrades to the broader surrounding grounds of Mirador Sur Park. The cross-cutting improvements include the installation of 90 new energy-efficient lamps to boost nighttime safety, complete renovations to the existing calisthenics and skate areas, construction of new public restrooms, placement of additional waste receptacles throughout the space, and an upgraded security network powered by high-resolution IP monitoring cameras.

    Christopher Paniagua, speaking on behalf of Banco Popular, emphasized that the collaborative project embodies the financial institution’s longstanding commitment to advancing sustainable development and elevating quality of life for local communities. For her part, National District Mayor Carolina Mejía praised the park’s role in advancing social inclusion, noting that it creates a welcoming, secure environment tailored specifically to meet the diverse play and recreational needs of children with disabilities and different ability levels.

    Organizers and city leaders hope the new Mirador Sur Sensory Park will serve as a replicable national model for how urban public spaces can center accessibility, inclusive recreation, and sustainable development simultaneously, setting a new standard for community projects across the Dominican Republic.

  • Strike Averted! Government Greenlights Tiered Bus Fares

    Strike Averted! Government Greenlights Tiered Bus Fares

    In a last-minute breakthrough that defuses a week-long standoff that threatened to paralyze intercity public transit across Belize, the national Cabinet has formally approved a new tiered bus fare system, persuading the Belize Bus Association (BBA) to call off a planned strike that would have disrupted travel for thousands of daily commuters.

    The agreement comes after weeks of mounting pressure from bus operators, who have long argued that outdated fixed fare rates left them unable to cover rising operating costs. Following urgent formal requests from the BBA, Cabinet stepped in to broker a solution that balances the financial needs of service providers with the economic realities of ordinary commuters, avoiding sudden, across-the-board price hikes that would have strained household budgets.

    Transport Minister Dr. Louis Zabaneh explained that the final policy was shaped by detailed negotiations that weighed both operating expenses for bus companies and the potential financial impact of fare increases on the traveling public. Rejecting a proposed flat rate increase that would have burdened all riders equally, policymakers settled on a three-tiered structure designed to deliver transparency and fairness for both drivers and passengers.

    Under the new framework, three service levels will carry distinct per-mile rates: standard regular bus service will be priced at $0.18 per mile, express service will cost $0.20 per mile, and a newly created premium service will be set at $0.22 per mile. The premium tier will come with strict service standards to justify the slightly higher cost: operators offering premium service must use buses no older than seven years, provide spacious bucket seating, on-board Wi-Fi, and operate nonstop routes between major municipalities and high-density population centers.

    Despite the formal approval of the new fare structure, the changes will not go into effect immediately. Minister Zabaneh noted that transport officials still need several additional days to finalize the detailed pricing for individual routes, round all final fares to the nearest $0.25 for customer convenience, and confirm that every existing stop along intercity highway routes is properly accounted for in the new pricing model.

    The new fares will apply exclusively to intercity highway routes operated by BBA and National Bus Company (NBC) members, including service for large communities located along these intercity corridors. Zabaneh added that government teams are working closely with BBA leadership and the NBC to ensure all route details are incorporated correctly before the new system launches.

    For the BBA, the approval marks the end of a nearly two-decade long campaign to update the country’s fare structure and create a more equitable operating environment for independent and association bus operators. With the strike now called off, stakeholders and commuters alike are turning their attention to the rollout of the new system, waiting to see how the tiered model will function in daily practice across Belize’s transit network.