Carib Scope

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  • Government reconstitutes Spicemas Corporation board

    Government reconstitutes Spicemas Corporation board

    The Grenadian government has officially constituted a new governing board for the Spicemas Corporation (SMC), the exclusive entity mandated to oversee all carnival operations both domestically and internationally. This strategic appointment, effective January 1, 2026, will see the board serve a two-year term concluding in 2028.

    Cabinet approval for the board reconstitution occurred during its December 22, 2025 meeting, with formal notification published in the February 6, 2026 Government Gazette. The announcement was authorized by Desiree Stephen, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, the Creative Economy and Culture.

    The newly appointed board features diverse representation across Grenada’s cultural and institutional landscape. Kirt Ross assumes the role of Chairman, leading a team that includes Frances Purcell, Deloni Edwards, Tessa McQuilkin, Dale Neptune, Cecilia Griffith, Lorenzo Sylvester, and Roy McEwen. Institutional representation comprises Paul Christopher from the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF), Kelvin Jacob serving as Chief Cultural Officer, Dwight Logan representing Carriacou & Petite Martinique constituencies, and a designated representative from the Grenada Steelpan Association.

    Established under the 2011 Spicemas Corporation legislation, SMC maintains exclusive authority over carnival operations, organization, management, and global promotion. The corporation’s comprehensive mandate includes organizing and controlling carnival events independently or through partnerships, developing carnival-related business activities approved by the board, and ensuring timely disbursement of competition prize monies.

    Additional critical functions involve creating specialized sub-committees for carnival production, coordinating all festival activities, developing marketing strategies, securing financial sponsorships, serving as the central coordinating body for carnival events, and establishing participation guidelines for carnival shows. This structural framework ensures Grenada’s premier cultural celebration maintains both its traditional integrity and contemporary relevance on the world stage.

  • Afval hoopt zich op in Havana door Amerikaanse olieblokkade

    Afval hoopt zich op in Havana door Amerikaanse olieblokkade

    The streets of Havana have transformed into landscapes of accumulating waste, creating a visible humanitarian crisis directly linked to tightened U.S. sanctions targeting Cuba’s fuel supplies. With only 44 of Havana’s 106 garbage trucks operational due to severe fuel shortages, municipal waste collection has slowed to a critical level, leaving cardboard boxes, plastic bottles, and assorted debris piled at street corners throughout the capital.

    Residents now navigate around growing waste mountains while some scour through discarded materials for reusable items. Jose Ramon Cruz, a Havana local, reported: ‘The garbage is everywhere in the city. It’s been over ten days since a garbage truck last came through.’ Similar scenes are emerging across other Cuban cities, with the island’s 11 million inhabitants using social media to warn about impending public health risks.

    The Cuban government has implemented rationing measures to protect essential services in a nation already grappling with severe shortages of food, fuel, and medicine. The country’s oil supply has dramatically declined over the past two months after Venezuela—once Cuba’s primary supplier—halted deliveries in mid-December. Mexico similarly ceased fuel shipments following U.S. threats of import tariffs for nations supplying Cuba.

    Amid the crisis, Russian media reports indicate preparations to ship crude oil and fuel to Cuba, though no concrete timeline has been established. The current situation represents an escalation of the U.S. embargo maintained since 1960, with the Trump administration intensifying pressure through sanctions against vessels transporting oil to Cuba and tariff threats against suppliers.

    The United Nations has expressed deep concern, with Secretary-General António Guterres urging renewed dialogue and respect for international law. UN teams are currently collaborating with Cuban authorities to support humanitarian assistance efforts. Meanwhile, leaders from Mexico and Venezuela continue warning about the severe humanitarian consequences of the blockade.

    This developing garbage crisis in Havana serves as a stark demonstration of how geopolitical tensions directly impact civilian populations, creating urgent needs for solutions that alleviate human suffering and safeguard public health.

  • Renaming of Newtown Health and Community Centres reflects the nation’s commitment to service and community spirit, says Prime Mister Dr. Drew

    Renaming of Newtown Health and Community Centres reflects the nation’s commitment to service and community spirit, says Prime Mister Dr. Drew

    In a significant ceremony held in Newtown on February 17, 2026, Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew presided over the formal renaming of two vital community institutions, framing the event as a profound affirmation of national values rather than merely procedural. The Newtown Health Centre has been redesignated to honor Nurse Millicent West and Mr. Kennedy Earle Clarke, while the Newtown Community Centre’s halls now bear the names of Mr. Lloyd Lazar and Teacher Myrtle Neal, commemorating their exceptional contributions to community development.

    Addressing attendees including government officials, community leaders, and relatives of the honorees, Dr. Drew characterized the occasion as a powerful declaration of Saint Kitts and Nevis’ collective identity. He emphasized that the ceremony transcended symbolic gesture, serving instead as a tangible reinforcement of the nation’s commitment to service excellence, compassion, and social upliftment.

    The Prime Minister elaborated on the institutional significance of these centers, describing the health facility as a critical safeguard for both physical and mental wellness, while labeling the community center as an essential incubator for social cohesion, educational advancement, and creative expression. Together, he noted, these establishments form the foundational pillars of human development—health and meaningful connection.

    Dr. Drew articulated the deeper implications of naming public institutions after exemplary citizens, noting that such acts create enduring narratives that inspire future generations. The designations intentionally prompt curiosity about the honorees’ legacies, encouraging citizens to inquire about their contributions and values, thus ensuring continuity of community spirit.

    The Prime Minister specifically praised the Newtown and East Basseterre communities for their demonstrated resilience and perseverance, highlighting that genuine progress emerges from dedicated service and shared responsibility. He held up the four honorees as embodiments of these principles, demonstrating how committed individuals can profoundly shape national destiny through their contributions.

    The ceremony concluded with a collective recognition that these namings serve dual purposes: honoring past achievements while simultaneously challenging current and future generations to perpetuate this legacy through their own acts of community service and civic engagement.

  • Fear and Fiction vs Fact and Evidence

    Fear and Fiction vs Fact and Evidence

    In a compelling rebuttal to opponents of Grenada’s proposed Age of Civil Responsibility (ACR) Bill, reproductive health experts have presented empirical evidence challenging the widespread fear that granting adolescents access to sexual information and services encourages early sexual activity.

    Tonia Frame, President of the Grenada Planned Parenthood Association (GPPA), and Fred Nunes, Consultant with Advocates for Safe Parenthood: Improving Reproductive Equity (ASPIRE), have systematically dismantled what they term ‘fictional claims fueled by fear.’ They point to Argentina’s groundbreaking three-tiered model as conclusive evidence that evidence-based health policy produces dramatically different outcomes than fear-based approaches.

    Argentina’s framework, implemented six years ago, established distinct autonomy levels: full independence for ages 16-18, conditional access for 13-15 year-olds (provided no serious risk exists), and required adult accompaniment for children 12 and under, with the child selecting their preferred adult.

    The results have been nothing short of remarkable. Within this six-year period, Argentina’s adolescent fertility rate plummeted from 62.6 to 27 per 1,000 women—a staggering reduction of nearly 57%. This data directly contradicts the assertion that increased access correlates with increased sexual activity among youth.

    The advocates emphasize that Grenada currently faces a critical crossroads: persist with ineffective practices that yield ‘horrible results’ or embrace courageous, evidence-based reform. They reference the definition of madness as continuing the same actions while expecting different outcomes, urging policymakers to replace obstacles and ignorance with carefully structured access and comprehensive education.

    This position statement represents a significant intervention in Grenada’s ongoing debate about sexual health policy, reproductive equity, and the rights of adolescents to make informed decisions about their health and bodies.

  • West Indies Men Secure Super Eight Spot with Three Consecutive Victories

    West Indies Men Secure Super Eight Spot with Three Consecutive Victories

    The West Indies Senior Men’s cricket team has emphatically secured their place in the Super Eight stage of the ICC T20 World Cup following a dominant performance against Nepal at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. This decisive nine-wicket triumph marks their third consecutive victory in the tournament, maintaining an unblemished record in the group phase.

    The Caribbean squad’s clinical display against Nepal showcased their comprehensive strength across all departments. After electing to field first, the West Indies bowling attack dismantled Nepal’s batting lineup, reducing them to 23-4 just beyond the powerplay overs. Pace bowler Jason Holder delivered a standout performance, claiming 4 wickets for 27 runs to elevate his tournament tally to 7 wickets and secure his position among the tournament’s top five wicket-takers.

    Supported by Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Roston Chase, and Shamar Joseph—each contributing a wicket—the West Indies restricted Nepal to a modest 133-8 from their allotted 20 overs. The batting response proved equally impressive, with captain Shai Hope leading the charge with an unbeaten 61 runs that included five boundaries and three sixes, simultaneously surpassing the personal milestone of 1,500 T20I runs.

    Hope found able partnership with Shimron Hetmyer, who continued his exceptional tournament form with 46 runs from 32 deliveries. Their unbroken 91-run stand for the second wicket demonstrated the team’s batting depth and composure under pressure. Hetmyer’s tournament statistics now stand at 133 runs across three innings with a remarkable average of 66.50.

    The West Indies’ journey to the Super Eight has been characterized by multiple match-winning performances. Earlier victories saw Hetmyer’s blistering 64 against Scotland and Sherfane Rutherford’s career-best 74 against England, complemented by Romario Shepherd’s hat-trick and Gudakesh Motie’s spin mastery.

    With one group match remaining against Italy on February 19th in Kolkata, the West Indies have already guaranteed their advancement regardless of the outcome. As pre-seeded second in their group, they will maintain this seeding through the Super Eight stage, where they face formidable opponents including India, South Africa, and Zimbabwe beginning February 23rd.

    Captain Shai Hope emphasized the team’s strategic approach, stating: ‘Our focus remains on maintaining momentum while recognizing that lifting the trophy requires executing our process effectively—playing our best cricket, peaking at the right moment, and growing as a cohesive unit.’

    The tournament structure advances the top two teams from each Super Eight group to the knockout stage, with the West Indies positioned as strong contenders based on their current form and comprehensive team performance.

  • Kingsmen confirm launch of Caribbean Premier League Franchise in Jamaica

    Kingsmen confirm launch of Caribbean Premier League Franchise in Jamaica

    Jamaica’s sporting landscape is set for a transformative development as Kingsmen Sports Enterprise officially announced its acquisition of a Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise on February 17th, 2026. This strategic move represents more than just athletic expansion—it constitutes a comprehensive commitment to Jamaica’s economic infrastructure, cultural heritage, and cricket development.

    The newly established franchise, backed by a U.S.-based investment consortium with demonstrated expertise in sports technology and community development, approaches this venture as a long-term partnership rather than a temporary sporting initiative. The ownership group, which recently expanded its portfolio with a Pakistan Super League team, aims to cultivate substantial sports tourism opportunities and stimulate year-round economic activity centered around cricket and entertainment.

    Fawad Sarwar, Group President of Kingsmen Sports Enterprise, articulated the broader vision: “Our ambition extends well beyond the cricket pitch. This franchise will function as an economic catalyst—generating employment, bolstering local enterprises, and establishing Jamaica as an international destination for cricket, cultural experiences, and sportainment.”

    Economic projections indicate substantial direct and indirect benefits, including enhanced hotel occupancy, localized employment, vendor collaborations, and expanded tourism extending throughout the year. The franchise will implement a preferential procurement strategy, prioritizing Jamaican suppliers, service providers, and creative professionals to ensure economic benefits remain within local communities.

    Cultural integration forms a cornerstone of the Kingsmen philosophy. The franchise plans to embrace CPL’s celebrated reputation as the “Biggest Party in Sport” by incorporating authentic Jamaican music, culinary traditions, fashion, and community festivities into the matchday experience.

    From a sporting perspective, the initiative includes significant investment in player development pathways. The franchise will establish academies, enhance coaching standards, implement data-driven scouting systems, and engage youth programs to ensure Jamaican talent remains fundamental to the team’s competitive future.

    “This initiative revolves around creating multidimensional opportunities,” Sarwar emphasized. “Opportunities for aspiring cricketers, business owners, artists, hospitality workers, and communities that view cricket as both cultural legacy and economic future.”

    The Jamaica franchise launch aligns with Kingsmen’s global cricket strategy, blending world-class infrastructure, elite athletic development, and community-oriented investment models. Additional details regarding team branding, community programs, and inaugural events will be unveiled in the coming months ahead of the 2026 CPL season.

  • Sharpshooters Fire Warning Shot with 5–0 Sweep of Obsidian

    Sharpshooters Fire Warning Shot with 5–0 Sweep of Obsidian

    The third week of the NPPA 8-Ball League commenced with a resounding declaration of intent from one of its competing teams. Following a narrow defeat in their season opener against Ball Breakers two weeks prior, Sharpshooters reemerged from a temporary hiatus with a point to prove. Their Monday night performance transcended mere victory, evolving into a comprehensive 5-0 dismantling of Obsidian.

    The narrative surrounding the match amplified its significance. Obsidian had previously secured a win against Ball Breakers, the very team that had handed Sharpshooters their initial loss. This setup positioned the encounter as a crucial benchmark for measuring early-season form. However, the anticipated close contest failed to materialize, instead transforming into a showcase of sheer dominance.

    Sharpshooters established their authority from the outset. The trio of Head Hunter, Joel, and Rock implemented a strategy defined by disciplined positioning and clinical shot execution, immediately placing Obsidian under sustained pressure. The match was characterized by an absence of unforced errors and casual misses, replaced by a display of efficient and purposeful play.

    By the time the middle-order players entered the fray, the accumulating momentum had become overwhelming. Competitors Shadi and Hazel sealed the victory with methodical precision, completing the clean sweep and delivering Obsidian’s most decisive defeat of the current campaign.

    The most notable aspect of the victory was not flashy individual performances but collective composure. Sharpshooters demonstrated superior table control, dictating the pace of each rack and severely limiting their opponent’s opportunities. This systematic victory underscored that such a decisive outcome in league play results from preparation converging with opportunity.

    This result substantially alters the early-season landscape. Within a fortnight, Sharpshooters have transitioned from a team seeking answers to one demanding them from the entire league. Their performance served unambiguous notice: they have arrived not merely to participate, but to contend for the championship.

    The league action continues tonight as the Back to Back Champion Titans face off against last year’s third-place finishers, the paper-favored Money Team, at Kennedy’s Bar in the city center. Week Three has undoubtedly intensified the competition.

  • US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson dies

    US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson dies

    The United States mourns the loss of Reverend Jesse Jackson, the monumental civil rights leader and two-time presidential candidate, who passed away peacefully at age 84 on Tuesday morning surrounded by family. His death marks the conclusion of a lifelong crusade for racial equality and social justice that reshaped American society.

    Jackson’s family confirmed his passing through an official statement, celebrating his “unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human rights” that catalyzed global movements for dignity and freedom. The reverend had battled Parkinson’s disease since his 2017 diagnosis, a condition he described as a “physical challenge” that never diminished his activist spirit.

    Jackson’s political journey began in the turbulent 1960s when he emerged as a key figure in Martin Luther King Jr.’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He was present at the Lorraine Motel when Dr. King was assassinated in 1968—a traumatic moment that fueled his determination to continue the fight for civil rights.

    His legacy includes founding two groundbreaking organizations: Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) in 1971 and the National Rainbow Coalition in 1984, which later merged to form the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. These platforms amplified voices of the disenfranchised and mobilized voter registration drives that transformed American electoral politics.

    Jackson’s historic presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988 broke barriers as the first serious African American bids for the White House, paving the way for future generations of Black political leadership. Beyond domestic issues, he advocated internationally for human rights and diplomatic solutions to global conflicts.

    The Jackson family has announced public observances will be held in Chicago, with final arrangements for memorial services to be coordinated by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. He is survived by his wife Jacqueline, five children, and multiple grandchildren—a family that shared their patriarch with the world in pursuit of a more just society.

  • NODS Awaits Test Results After Oil-Based Seepage at Cooks Landfill

    NODS Awaits Test Results After Oil-Based Seepage at Cooks Landfill

    Authorities in Antigua remain in a state of heightened alert as laboratory analyses continue to identify the precise composition of petroleum-based pollutants that escaped from the Cooks Sanitary Landfill. The National Office of Disaster Services (NODS), which has partially activated the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), is coordinating a multi-agency response while awaiting definitive scientific data.

    Deputy Director of NODS Craig Cole confirmed that environmental samples gathered from multiple affected sites by the Department of Analytical Services are undergoing comprehensive screening for various potential contaminants. Technical experts have specifically recommended testing for petroleum hydrocarbons while emphasizing the necessity of evaluating possible long-term public health consequences. The department has formally advised establishing a rigorously funded, long-term environmental monitoring strategy to track persistent risks.

    Containment operations are actively underway, with crews deploying specialized booms to restrict further dispersion of the unidentified substance. As a preventive public health measure, the Fisheries Department has instituted an immediate ban on harvesting, selling, or consuming aquatic organisms from coastal waters between Seaforth Beach and Pinchin Bay. Senior Fisheries Officer Mark Archibald characterized the prohibition as a necessary precaution pending conclusive investigation findings.

    Initial assessments conducted by the West Indies Oil Company revealed no visible oil film within or beyond the existing containment barriers. Nevertheless, the company is proceeding with the deployment of an additional 4,500 feet of containment boom to reinforce environmental protection efforts. Officials acknowledge ongoing uncertainties regarding suspended particulates in water columns and sediments within the affected marine area and their potential health implications.

    The NEOC has scheduled a subsequent strategic meeting for Friday, coinciding with the anticipated release of laboratory results. A comprehensive media briefing will follow this meeting to communicate findings and future action plans to the public.

  • Is CARICOM at a Foreign Policy Turning Point?

    Is CARICOM at a Foreign Policy Turning Point?

    A significant diplomatic crisis is unfolding within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) as it prepares for its 50th Regular Meeting of Heads of Government. The 14-member bloc finds itself grappling with profound foreign policy divisions, primarily triggered by Trinidad and Tobago’s dramatic shift toward accommodating U.S. interventionist strategies in the region.

    The fracture began in September 2025 when Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced new foreign policy principles at the UN General Assembly. This move has since evolved into what CARICOM insiders describe as a fundamental paradigm shift, creating widespread mistrust among fellow member states who question Port-of-Spain’s commitment to the bloc’s traditional multilateral diplomacy approach.

    The so-called ‘Donroe Doctrine’—referencing U.S. interventionist policies—has created ripple effects across CARICOM, compelling small states to reconsider long-established positions. Nowhere is this tension more evident than in relations with Cuba, a traditional CARICOM partner that has provided decades of medical and educational support to member nations.

    Recent developments reveal a pattern of changing allegiances. Guyana has formally terminated its bilateral medical cooperation agreement with Cuba, following similar moves by Antigua and Barbuda in late 2025 after mounting U.S. diplomatic pressure. While Guyanese authorities deny American influence, the timing suggests alignment with Washington’s priorities.

    The situation places CARICOM nations in a difficult position. As Saint Lucia Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre revealed, the United States has pressured countries to cease educational cooperation with Cuba, despite diplomatic denials from the U.S. Embassy accredited to Barbados.

    The upcoming summit (February 24-27) will serve as a critical forum for addressing these tensions. CARICOM Chair Terrance Drew has conducted shuttle diplomacy, including a recent meeting with Persad-Bissessar that reportedly yielded positive signs. However, the bloc faces urgent need for a fundamental reset of political relations amid growing geopolitical pressures.

    The stakes are exceptionally high, as the outcome could determine whether CARICOM moves toward greater regional unity or continues fragmenting under external influence. All eyes will be on how Trinidad and Tobago’s delegation approaches these delicate deliberations and whether the summit can mark a genuine turning point for Caribbean foreign policy cohesion.