Carib Scope

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  • UWI Vice-Chancellor Sir Hilary Beckles named NYU Distinguished Scholar

    UWI Vice-Chancellor Sir Hilary Beckles named NYU Distinguished Scholar

    Leading Caribbean academic leader Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, who currently serves as Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI), has earned a new high-profile international appointment: he will hold the title of Distinguished Scholar at New York University (NYU) for the 2026–2027 academic year.

    During his tenure in this distinguished role, Beckles will be hosted by NYU’s Centre for the Study of Africa and the African Diaspora, an institution globally recognized for its cutting-edge research on African and diaspora studies, which is currently headed by prominent scholar Professor Michael Gomez.

    In an official statement released by UWI following the announcement of the appointment, Beckles expressed his enthusiasm for the new opportunity, framing it as a rare chance to reestablish his academic connection to NYU while collaborating directly with leading researchers focused on advancing the study of African history.

    “This appointment is a deeply valued recognition of scholarly fellowship, particularly because this centre has built its global reputation on exceptional, groundbreaking research,” Beckles explained in his remarks. He recalled that his last academic affiliation with NYU dates back to 1994, when he worked as a visiting scholar at the university’s Centre for Latin American and Caribbean Studies — a position he was succeeded in by the iconic Barbadian poet and scholar Professor Kamau Brathwaite. “Returning to NYU after 32 years, this time working alongside some of the world’s leading scholars of African history, will be an incredibly special experience,” he added.

    As a key public engagement component of his distinguished scholar appointment, Beckles will deliver a high-profile public lecture on 13 October 2026, tackling an under-explored critical topic in global economic and slavery studies: the underrecognized economic contributions of enslaved Black women to the transatlantic slavery system.

    The lecture, carrying the formal title “The Economics of Wealth Creation: Why Enslaved Black Women Were the Financial Core of the Slavery Business Model”, is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. local time at Hemmerdinger Hall, located in NYU’s Silver Centre in downtown Manhattan.

    This latest appointment is only one entry in a long line of international academic honours that Beckles has accumulated over his decades-long career. In 2022, he was named Honorary International Historian of the Year by the Association of American Historians, and he has previously held the prestigious title of Chancellor’s Distinguished Professor-at-Large at Cornell University, another top U.S. research institution.

    UWI’s official statement emphasized that this new recognition not only spotlights Beckles’ decades of impactful scholarship and his far-reaching academic leadership on the global stage, but also strengthens the institution’s ongoing commitment to expanding cross-border academic collaboration and open scholarly dialogue between global research communities.

  • EU gives Saint Lucia till June 2028 to end CIP – or risk visa-free access

    EU gives Saint Lucia till June 2028 to end CIP – or risk visa-free access

    A long-running diplomatic standoff between the European Union and five Eastern Caribbean nations over Citizenship by Investment Programmes (CIP) has reached a critical turning point, after Brussels delivered a non-negotiable ultimatum: wind down these golden passport schemes by June 2028, or forfeit visa-free travel access for all citizens to the 27-nation Schengen Area.

    For the Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia, the mandate has forced a high-stakes choice between two critical national interests. CIP, which grants citizenship to foreign applicants in exchange for substantial investment in the country, pumps critical revenue into Saint Lucia’s public finances, while unimpeded Schengen access enables affordable, easy travel for thousands of ordinary Saint Lucians each year.

    The dispute has simmered for years, rooted in European security concerns. EU regulators have long argued that citizenship-by-investment programmes open a security loophole: foreign nationals from high-risk countries can acquire Caribbean passports that grant them visa-free entry to the entire Schengen bloc, bypassing the bloc’s strict background check protocols for entry.

    In response to these concerns, Eastern Caribbean governments with active CIP schemes have already implemented sweeping reforms, including strengthening cross-border due diligence processes for new applicants and working toward unified regional regulations for the programmes. But last week’s high-level talks in New York, which brought together Saint Lucia Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne, EU Internal Affairs and Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner, senior officials from the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, confirmed that these incremental changes had done nothing to shift the EU’s core position.

    Speaking at a pre-Cabinet press briefing on Monday, Pierre made clear the EU’s position is final. “The Europeans are adamant,” he told reporters. “There were some people who thought that that could be negotiated. But [Commissioner Brunner] was clear. He said, once you have a programme, that’s it.”

    The ultimatum puts Pierre’s government in an uncomfortable position: as recently as March, the prime minister had explicitly rejected calls to end the programme, telling local media outlet *St Lucia Times* that “Saint Lucia has no intention of stopping the CIP programme. We will do all we can to strengthen the programme.”
    When asked Monday whether he still stood by that commitment in the face of the EU’s threat, Pierre reaffirmed the value of the programme to his country. CIP contributes roughly 10% of Saint Lucia’s total annual government revenue – a major contributor to public spending, though not the nation’s largest source of income. “It’s a programme that we would not like to lose because it has done quite a bit for our country, but we are going to try to protect it,” he said, adding that the government’s priority remains protecting Saint Lucian citizens and the country’s financial system. As of yet, the government has not announced any plans to begin winding down the scheme.

    While diplomatic channels remain open, Pierre acknowledged that the space for compromise has shrunk dramatically. A regional technical team, with Saint Lucia represented by Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ernest Hilaire, is scheduled to hold follow-up talks with EU officials in October to explore potential paths forward. But the prime minister admitted the outcome remains uncertain. “So it’s a very difficult proposition that we have,” he said. “But we’re going to work with them to see if we can come to a solution.”

  • Two Armed Men Carjack Driver in Sandhill

    Two Armed Men Carjack Driver in Sandhill

    On a Saturday in Sandhill, a quiet community within Belize District, a violent highway carjacking carried out by two armed suspects has left local resident Sandeep Kumar injured and prompted an active manhunt by Belizean law enforcement.

    According to official statements from Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero, who leads the country’s National Investigations Branch, the attack unfolded gradually as Kumar traveled along the area’s main highway. The victim first noticed a second vehicle trailing his car, before hearing multiple gunshots fired during the pursuit. The suspects then maneuvered their vehicle directly in front of Kumar’s Honda Civic, cutting off his path and trapping him on the road.

    Two male suspects then exited their vehicle – identified as a red Chevrolet Equinox – both carrying concealed firearms. In a violent confrontation, the pair struck Kumar in the head with one of their weapons before dragging him out of his own car. The suspects then fled the scene, driving the stolen Honda Civic toward the direction of Belize City.

    Responding officers launched an immediate search operation following Kumar’s official report, and ultimately located both vehicles abandoned in the nearby community of Maxboro. A background check confirmed that the red Equinox used by the suspects is registered to a vehicle rental company based in Belize’s Cayo District. Forensic teams have already completed evidence processing and collection from both recovered vehicles, but authorities confirmed that the two perpetrators successfully fled the area before officers arrived.

    As of the latest update, the investigation remains ongoing, with law enforcement continuing to pursue leads to identify and apprehend the two at-large suspects. Local police have not yet released additional details about possible descriptions of the suspects or any stolen personal items that may have been taken during the attack.

  • Two Suspects in Custody After Dennis Francis Shot in Villa

    Two Suspects in Custody After Dennis Francis Shot in Villa

    In the early hours of Sunday, September 27, a violent shooting incident shook the Villa neighborhood of Antigua and Barbuda, leaving a local man wounded and prompting a swift law enforcement response that has already put two suspects behind bars. The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda confirmed the developments in an official media statement released Monday, September 28, 2026.

    The victim of the attack has been identified as 47-year-old Dennis Francis, a resident of E.A. Stephen Street, Villa. According to preliminary accounts of the incident compiled by investigators, the shooting unfolded at approximately 3:40 a.m. as Francis was walking along Gordon Street in the area. Three unidentified men travelling in a silver Toyota Vitz approached Francis, police reports state. All three attackers were dressed in full dark clothing, leading investigators to believe the incident may have been pre-planned.

    Faced with the unexpected confrontation, Francis attempted to flee the scene to escape harm. It was during this attempted escape that gunfire was exchanged, and Francis was struck by at least one bullet. He suffered penetrating gunshot wounds to his lower back and abdomen, and emergency responders were called to the scene immediately. Emergency Medical Services transported the injured man quickly to the territory’s main public healthcare facility, the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, for urgent treatment.

    As of Monday, authorities have confirmed that Francis’s condition is listed as stable, and his wounds are not considered life-threatening. He remains in hospital receiving care while investigators continue to piece together the full circumstances of the attack.

    In a notable win for rapid law enforcement, the Royal Police Force announced that two male suspects connected to the shooting were taken into police custody within just 24 hours of the incident occurring. Both suspects are currently cooperating with officers as the Criminal Investigations Department continues its ongoing inquiry into the attack.

    Investigators have not yet released further details about the suspects’ identities or potential motives for the shooting, as the case remains active. To advance the inquiry, law enforcement officials are issuing a public appeal for any community members who may have information related to the incident to step forward. Anyone who witnessed the early-morning attack, has knowledge of the suspects or the silver vehicle involved, or can offer any other details that may assist the investigation is urged to contact the Criminal Investigations Department directly at 462-3913 or 462-3914. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crimestoppers at 800-TIPS (8477), or individuals can reach out to the nearest local police station to share information.

    The Royal Police Force has confirmed that it will release additional public updates as the investigation progresses, once more details are confirmed and cleared for release.

  • OAS aan VN: Haïti-macht moet doorgaan

    OAS aan VN: Haïti-macht moet doorgaan

    Thirty-two active member states of the Organization of American States (OAS) have collectively called on the United Nations Security Council to extend the mandate of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) deployed in Haiti, and to allocate the necessary personnel, funding, equipment, and logistical support to enable the force’s full operational deployment.

    The joint statement, released publicly on September 25, reaffirms OAS member states’ support for the Haitian people, as well as their commitment to upholding Haiti’s sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity. It also underscores that long-term solutions to Haiti’s ongoing security and political crises must be led by Haitian stakeholders themselves.

    The statement follows an official visit to Haiti led by OAS Secretary-General Albert R. Ramdin from August 16 to 19. Following the trip, Ramdin framed security improvements and the upcoming national elections as interconnected urgent priorities for the country. He emphasized that simply extending the GSF’s mandate would not be enough to address the crisis. “A mandate on its own does not deliver results,” Ramdin noted, arguing that the international intervention force must be given tangible resources to deliver the security outcomes that the Haitian public desperately needs.

    Currently, the GSF faces a major deployment gap. During a UN Security Council meeting in July, it was reported that the GSF has an authorized troop strength of 5,500 personnel, but only roughly 1,000 troops had been deployed to Haiti as of that meeting. The Dominican Republic’s foreign minister warned at that July meeting that “logistical obstacles cannot be allowed to stand between the international community and the protection of an entire people.” The most recent September data from the UN Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH) puts the current deployed strength of the support mission at just under 1,600 personnel, with projections that this number will triple by the end of 2025.

    The OAS joint statement outlines a clear set of core priorities for the GSF, including restoring legitimate state authority in territories currently controlled by armed gangs, securing uninterrupted access to Haiti’s airports and seaports, reopening critical transportation corridors, protecting civilian populations, and supporting the long-term reestablishment of the Haitian National Police in recaptured areas. The statement also calls for tangible progress in the process of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) of former gang members, and stresses that all GSF operations must comply fully with international humanitarian law and global human rights standards.

    Haiti’s upcoming electoral timeline is already under significant strain. The first round of presidential and parliamentary elections is scheduled for December 13 this year, marking the first national elections held in the country since 2016. However, during his post-visit remarks in August, Ramdin expressed deep concern that with only three months remaining before voting, voter registration is severely behind schedule. After nearly one month of registration operations, only roughly 260,000 Haitians had successfully registered to vote, and many gang-controlled municipalities lack any functional registration centers entirely. Compounding these challenges, an estimated 1.47 million Haitians have been displaced by ongoing gang violence, creating major barriers to running an inclusive, accessible electoral process.

    The UN Security Council is expected to hold discussions on extending the mandate of both the GSF and UNSOH by the end of September. In his remarks, Ramdin urged OAS member states and international partners to follow through on their existing commitments to Haiti. “Now is the time to scale up international support for Haiti, not draw it down,” he said.

  • Junior Achievement Saint Lucia celebrated at Americas summit

    Junior Achievement Saint Lucia celebrated at Americas summit

    Junior Achievement (JA) Saint Lucia has been honored with a top regional accolade at the recent JA Americas Leadership Summit held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The award recognizes the island nation’s successful efforts to rebuild its youth entrepreneurship and financial literacy program after years of pandemic-related disruption, highlighting the critical role of cross-sector private sector collaboration in driving youth development forward.

    This award marks a defining milestone not just for JA Saint Lucia, but also for the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, which has stewarded the program locally for nearly 30 years. JA Saint Lucia was first integrated into the Chamber’s portfolio of youth-focused initiatives back in 1996, and for decades it has delivered hands-on learning opportunities that equip young people with practical skills in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, leadership development, business operations, and workplace readiness.

    When the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe in 2020, it brought unprecedented disruption to community programs across Saint Lucia, including JA. Pandemic-related lockdowns, safety restrictions, and economic uncertainty forced JA activities to pause for multiple years, putting the long-term future of the program at risk. However, Chamber leadership never wavered in their commitment to reviving the program that has shaped thousands of young Saint Lucians over generations.

    “While the pandemic created an unprecedented interruption, we were determined that it would not bring an end to Junior Achievement in Saint Lucia,” explained Brian Louisy, Executive Director of the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture. “The Chamber remained committed to finding a way to revive the programme and worked closely with our members to mobilise the support and resources needed to make its return possible.”

    At the center of this resurgence story is Cheryl Renwick, who serves dual roles as Director of JA Saint Lucia and Director of the Chamber of Commerce. Renwick’s persistent leadership and strategic outreach to the local business community created a clear pathway for private sector investment in the program’s revival. Her work laid the groundwork for early Chamber members to step forward with the seed funding required to restart JA activities across the island.

    Today, alongside the revived JA Saint Lucia program, the Chamber continues to operate the local Youth Business Trust, which supports young entrepreneurs to launch and scale their own ventures. Chamber leadership has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to strengthening youth-focused programming across Saint Lucia, with plans to expand access to JA’s hands-on learning model for more young people across the island in the coming years. The regional recognition awarded at the JA Americas Leadership Summit serves as a testament to what collaborative private sector action can achieve to empower the next generation of leaders and innovators.

  • Potatoes Cost $90 More in Belize Than Mexico. Why?

    Potatoes Cost $90 More in Belize Than Mexico. Why?

    Across Belize, vendors and wholesale distributors are sounding the alarm over cripplingly high produce prices, which they attribute to the exclusive import monopoly held by the Belize Marketing and Development Corporation (BMDC) over key vegetable products.

    At Belize City’s bustling Michael Finnegan Market, local vendors have raised dual complaints about both exorbitant costs and subpar quality of the produce they are forced to source through the state-controlled entity. Just miles away, at BMDC’s Orange Walk distribution hub, local outlet News Five observed convoys of trucks loading up on imported staples—including potatoes, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, lettuce and celery—bound for grocery stores and market stalls across the nation.

    While some bulk buyers acknowledge that the quality of BMDC’s imported goods is acceptable for retail sale, nearly all agree that pricing remains the intractable core issue. Lester Lemus, a wholesaler operating in western Belize, explained that he currently pays more than $1.20 per pound for potatoes sourced through BMDC. Just across the border in Chetumal, Mexico, an identical sack of potatoes costs nearly $90 less—a gap that has squeezed margins and forced retailers to pass steep costs onto consumers.

    When asked why he continues to source from BMDC despite the price difference, Lemus made clear that local vendors have no other option. “This is the only place we can buy. We don’t get import licenses for anything from the government. This is the only legal importer, and if we want to sell produce legally, we have to buy from them,” he said.

    Lemus went on to note that the current system effectively functions as a monopoly, posing risks to both small businesses and ordinary consumers across the country. “As a business owner, I can absorb the extra costs to an extent, but as a Belizean, this should trouble all of us. Monopolies never benefit the general public in any way,” he added.

    BMDC administrators have pushed back on claims of an abusive monopoly, noting that the agency does not oppose competition—including from informal cross-border traders. Administrator Valentin Carillo clarified that the restriction on multiple importers does not stem from BMDC policy, but rather from import permit regulations overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture, which controls permits for key vegetable products.

    Senior Project Officer Sergio Tillett defended the current single-importer structure, arguing that opening up the market to multiple independent importers would make supply management far more difficult when domestic potato and vegetable production increases. “If you leave imports open to ten different importers, how can regulators control what volume of product enters the country? That would create a glut when local farmers harvest their crops, undercutting domestic producers,” Tillett argued.

    BMDC leadership also cited external market factors driving up prices, including unfavorable exchange rate fluctuations and rising shipping and logistics costs across the northern border with Mexico. Carillo acknowledged that the agency has room to adjust, saying BMDC could trim its own profit margins to ease cost pressure on retailers and consumers. However, he added that the agency is required by regulation to remain financially self-sufficient, limiting how much it can cut prices.

    As consumers across Belize continue to bear the burden of inflated produce costs, News Five has planned a primetime special investigation into the system that keeps BMDC as the sole legal importer, asking how much extra ordinary Belizeans are paying to keep the state-owned agency profitable. The broadcast is scheduled to air tonight at 6 p.m., and residents are encouraged to tune in for the full investigation.

  • Nexa Credit Union supports education and law enforcement

    Nexa Credit Union supports education and law enforcement

    Grenada-based financial cooperative Nexa Credit Union has doubled down on its longstanding pledge to advance local community development by delivering two targeted donations that will uplift education and public safety institutions across both Grenada and the neighboring island of Carriacou.

    The first gift, which includes an electric kettle and microwave, was formally handed over to the Department of Teacher Education at T.A. Marryshow Community College (TAMCC). These new appliances come as the department prepares to accommodate a growing cohort of 144 teacher trainees enrolled for the 2026–2028 academic cycle, addressing a critical need for upgraded basic facilities on campus. Trainees and department staff often spend extended working and study hours on site, and the donation will directly improve their daily comfort and practical needs while on campus.

    The second contribution went to the Northern Division of the Royal Grenada Police Force, specifically the Carriacou Police Station, in the form of a new Samsung television. This new equipment is designed to serve both the station’s operational duties and the overall wellness of its officers. On the professional side, it will enable officers to stay current with breaking news broadcasts, access real-time public safety updates, and host community safety awareness sessions. During off-hours between long shifts, it will also provide officers with a welcome option for recreational downtime.

    Randy Frank, Deputy General Manager of Nexa Credit Union, emphasized the organization’s deep-rooted commitment to supporting the key institutions and frontline people that serve Grenada’s communities daily. “Whether equipping future educators during long study hours or supporting the wellbeing and operational efficiency of our police officers in Carriacou, we remain dedicated to uplifting our communities,” Frank explained in a statement confirming the gifts.

    These two targeted donations are not isolated acts of charity; they form part of Nexa Credit Union’s broader formal corporate social responsibility agenda, which intentionally prioritizes investment in education, public service personnel wellness, and institutional development across the country. By focusing on high-impact, essential everyday amenities that directly improve daily working and learning conditions for students, educators, and public service staff, Nexa once again upholds its core brand promise: “With you, wherever your road leads.”

    Members of the public seeking more information about Nexa Credit Union’s community initiatives and services can visit the official website at nexacreditunion.com, or follow the organization’s official pages on Facebook and Instagram.

  • Over 200 OECS trade in services practitioners receive specialised training

    Over 200 OECS trade in services practitioners receive specialised training

    Against a backdrop of growing global economic integration and the rising importance of services as a core growth engine for small island economies, the Trade Policy Development Unit of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission has rolled out an ambitious cross-sector capacity-building programme designed to strengthen trade policy development, regulatory reform, and trade negotiation capacity across OECS Protocol Member States. The initiative engages key services trade stakeholders from three critical spheres: the public sector, private industry, and civil society.

    Officially named *Technical Support to OECS Independent Protocol Member for Specialised Training to Strengthen and Enhance Knowledge Capacity, Policymaking, and Negotiating Skills of Public and Private Sector Stakeholders in the Services Sector*, the 12-month project receives full financial backing from the European Union through the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Regional Integration through Growth, Harmonisation, and Technology (RIGHT) Programme.

    The initiative kicked off with a well-received Inception Meeting in February 2026, which laid out programme priorities and aligned stakeholder expectations across participating member states. Between June and August 2026, the OECS commission delivered in-person national training sessions in six member states: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. A final virtual training session for Montserrat is scheduled for September 2026, bringing the national-level training phase to a close.

    For small island developing states across the Eastern Caribbean, the services sector has long been recognized as the most critical driver of sustainable economic growth and economic diversification, moving regional economies away from overreliance on a small number of traditional commodity sectors. Beyond boosting near-term economic activity, this capacity-building initiative directly advances implementation of the commitments laid out in the Revised Treaty of Basseterre, which sets the framework for the creation of a fully integrated OECS Economic Union – a single, unified financial and economic space across the bloc.

    Speaking at the launch of the Regional Specialised Services Sector Training and Capacity Building Workshop in Antigua and Barbuda, Delores Francis, Senior Technical Specialist for Trade at the OECS Commission, emphasized the long-term value of the programme. “This series of specialised workshops forms part of the OECS Commission’s continuing investment in supporting OECS Protocol Member States to enhance and strengthen the technical skills and knowledge needed to confidently navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of international services trade,” Francis explained. “Our goal is to help stakeholders translate the commitments of trade agreements and the Revised Treaty of Basseterre into tangible commercial opportunities for local businesses and everyday citizens across the region.”

    The comprehensive training curriculum is structured across nine targeted modules that build participants’ technical expertise and core competencies in three core areas: services trade policy formulation, regional integration, and international trade negotiation. Key modules cover high-priority topics tailored to the region’s needs: exploration of complementarities and regulatory convergence between the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and the Protocol on the OECS Economic Union (ECEU); guidance on identifying non-conforming measures (NCMs) under Articles 26 and 27 of the Revised Treaty of Basseterre and adoption of best-practice frameworks for intergovernmental regulatory cooperation; hands-on training with leading digital trade tools, including the interactive Trade in Services for Development (TS4D) Competitiveness Diagnostic Dashboard and the WTO Statistical Portal; and strategic capacity-building for shaping negotiating positions in emerging areas such as e-commerce, digital trade, and the WTO Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on E-Commerce.

    The curriculum also addresses modern global trends, including the growing servicification of manufacturing, highlighting how expanded business services can boost national employment, increase overall economic output, and strengthen regional participation in global value chains. The initiative prioritizes 10 high-growth priority sectors with strong potential for the region: information and communications technology (ICT), higher education, architecture, engineering, cultural industries, the blue economy, digital health, business process outsourcing (BPO), construction, and medical tourism.

    By addressing long-standing regulatory bottlenecks, reducing unnecessary trade barriers, and equipping public, private and civil society stakeholders with modern policy-making and negotiating skills, this project lays the foundation for a sustainable pathway toward stronger regional economic competitiveness and deeper, more effective integration across the OECS bloc.

  • Strengthening animal health care and management at Limlair Livestock Facility

    Strengthening animal health care and management at Limlair Livestock Facility

    A three-day official working visit focused on boosting animal health infrastructure and advancing agricultural development has recently wrapped up on Carriacou, Grenada’s sister isle, carried out by the Veterinary and Livestock Division under the country’s Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Forestry. The trip was centered on strengthening operational capacity at the Limlair Livestock Facility, a state-of-the-art production hub that opened its doors earlier in 2024 as a core pillar of Grenada’s national food security strategy. The facility was launched with the explicit goal of expanding domestic livestock output to boost the country’s homegrown protein supply and cut long-term dependence on imported agricultural goods.

    During the three-day visit, the visiting veterinary team completed a full set of core activities designed to shore up the facility’s operations. These included comprehensive whole-herd health screenings to identify potential underlying conditions, on-site medical treatment for animals requiring care, and interactive hands-on training sessions for local farm assistants to build their long-term capacity for animal care and facility management. As a critical part of the visit, the division also handed over a full shipment of high-priority veterinary medications, specialized agricultural equipment, and core operational supplies, all targeted at supporting the ongoing care and breeding management of the facility’s purebred livestock herd.
    The handover ceremony saw Dr. Donelle Bleasdille-Smith, lead representative of the Veterinary and Livestock Division, officially transfer the critical resources to Benson Patrice, Senior Agricultural Officer for the Carriacou Division of Agriculture. This targeted intervention forms part of the ministry’s ongoing national initiative to ensure the facility’s purebred herd remains healthy and that local on-site staff have all the tools and resources required to manage the facility to global standards.
    In comments following the handover, Dr. Bleasdille-Smith reaffirmed the national division’s long-term commitment to sustained technical support for the Limlair facility. “The Veterinary and Livestock Division will maintain a consistent presence here, sending a specialized monitoring and care team once every month to conduct routine herd health checks, detect emerging illnesses at early stages, and prevent outbreaks that could threaten the entire herd,” she explained.
    Patrice welcomed the ongoing national support, emphasizing that the delivered medications, equipment and supplies fill critical gaps in the facility’s current operational capacity. “I am extremely pleased to accept these critical resources from the Ministry of Agriculture of Grenada,” Patrice said. “These items were urgently needed to support the care of the animals here at Limlair, and they will directly help us maintain high standards of animal health and overall wellbeing. We also benefited from Dr. Bleasdille-Smith’s on-site expertise, as she administered medications directly to animals in need and led training for our farm assistants, who will now be able to support routine care work on an ongoing basis.” Patrice added his sincere gratitude for the consistent support from the national ministry, noting that the resources will directly contribute to the facility’s long-term development and support the ongoing health of the herd.
    Lisa Walker, Farm Manager of the Limlair Livestock Facility, highlighted the value of the collaborative partnership between the national Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Forestry and the local Carriacou Division of Agriculture. “Dr. Bleasdille-Smith has done exceptional work during this visit, and our collaborative relationship is going from strength to strength,” Walker noted. “This visit has also given us a valuable opportunity to upskill our local workers, which is a core priority as we work to build Limlair into a regional center of excellence for livestock production. The data from this round of herd health assessments will be critical to help us determine the optimal timeline to launch our planned breeding program.”
    Walker also shared a key positive update on the facility’s early progress: no livestock fatalities have been recorded since the initial herd was transferred to the facility, a result she called a clear positive indicator of the facility’s early success and strong care protocols.
    Looking ahead, the Limlair facility has already begun developing plans to cut operational costs and boost long-term sustainability by shifting away from reliance on imported animal feed, with a new initiative to produce all required feed on-site at the facility. This shift is projected to lower overall production costs, make the facility’s operations more economically and environmentally sustainable, and further strengthen Grenada’s domestic livestock sector as a whole.
    The Limlair facility is one of three specialized livestock production stations currently in preparation across Grenada, all working toward the shared national goal of moving the country closer to full food sovereignty through expanded local agricultural production.