Carib Scope

分类： politics

  • Cuba: Díaz-Canel assesses social impact of economic changes

    Cuba: Díaz-Canel assesses social impact of economic changes

    In an official meeting focused on the country’s ongoing development agenda, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez has reaffirmed the Cuban government’s core governing philosophy: that economic expansion holds no genuine value unless it delivers tangible, broad-based improvements to national social development. The official statement of the meeting was published on the presidency’s official website.

    In his remarks to participants, Díaz-Canel made clear that the accumulation of national economic wealth is an empty goal without two critical conditions: first, that it actively funds and advances widespread social programs that lift up vulnerable communities, and second, that all generated prosperity is distributed in alignment with the principles of social justice. “For us, it makes no sense to generate economic wealth if it does not impact and support social programs—and, above all, if that wealth is not distributed based on the concept of social justice,” he said.

    The president underlined that this unwavering commitment to social justice is what defines the socialist identity of the 176 sweeping economic and social transformation initiatives currently being rolled out across the country. He drew a clear contrast between Cuba’s development model and the free-market shock policies pushed by capitalist systems, noting that these same capitalist governments are the ones responsible for the hostile actions targeting Cuba: including diplomatic attacks, long-standing economic blockades, and a punishing energy embargo that has strained the country’s resources.

    Beyond framing the core ideological foundation of Cuba’s current reforms, the meeting also spotlighted two key pillars for successful implementation of these changes. First, participants emphasized that the Cuban people and their local grassroots organizations hold an irreplaceable, central role in rolling out transformation at the community level. Second, the gathering stressed that all economic actors—both entities managed by the state and emerging non-state business operations—share a collective obligation to uphold social responsibility as part of their operations.

    Díaz-Canel also detailed the inclusive, bottom-up process that has shaped the current wave of reforms. He explained that the transformation planning process began with extensive consultation with members of the Communist Party of Cuba and the Young Communist League, before expanding out to workplaces and residential communities, where neighborhood organizations have played a fundamental role in shaping priorities and ensuring reforms reflect local needs.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Government to Permanently Employ 10 Young People From Rastafarian Community

    Antigua and Barbuda Government to Permanently Employ 10 Young People From Rastafarian Community

    Antigua and Barbuda’s national Cabinet has given formal approval to a full-time government employment scheme for 10 young people from the Nyabinghi Theocracy Community based at Creekside, following in-depth negotiations with the community’s High Priest Ambassador Bongo Sela, Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant confirmed during a post-Cabinet press briefing this Thursday.

    Discussions around the initiative grew out of the community’s existing work in the agricultural sector, where members already grow sweet potatoes and a range of other staple food crops. Community leaders told Cabinet that the group is eager to scale up its food production output, while creating opportunities for its younger generation to build hands-on skills in sustainable farming, irrigation management and other agricultural trades. In response, Cabinet agreed to formalize the employment positions, with clear oversight and accountability frameworks in place to guide the programme’s implementation.

    Addressing questions from reporters at the briefing, Merchant pushed back against early speculation that the roles would be short-term temporary positions, emphasizing that the 10 young community members will enter permanent full-time public employment. “They’re from the community and employed by government to work within the community,” Merchant explained, confirming that the programme’s focus remains exclusively on legal food crop production, with no provision for marijuana cultivation under the government-funded initiative.

    While Merchant acknowledged that some Rastafarian communities across the country hold official licenses for marijuana cultivation as part of their cultural practices, he stressed that this new employment project is strictly focused on boosting national food output. “This program does not include the cultivation of marijuana,” he reiterated. The government’s core goals for the initiative are twofold: to strengthen Antigua and Barbuda’s overall national food security, and to generate sustainable community income that can support further development projects for the Nyabinghi Theocracy Community. Unlike many public sector investment projects, the government does not anticipate receiving direct financial returns from this agricultural pilot.

    As talks progressed, Cabinet also addressed a separate proposal to include young people from outside the Nyabinghi community who regularly associate with the group. Cabinet leaders advised the community to pause plans to integrate these external individuals into the initial phase of the programme, citing concerns about unvetted participation. An unstructured recruitment process for outsiders, Cabinet noted, could expose both the community and the agricultural initiative to unnecessary risk, including potential reputational damage if outside actors used the community as a base for illegal or unethical activity.

    Instead, Cabinet recommended that the first phase of the programme focus exclusively on youth already embedded within the Nyabinghi community, where the group’s established leadership can provide consistent, effective supervision and accountability. Merchant added that external candidates could be considered for future expansion of the scheme, provided they demonstrate a genuine, long-term commitment to engaging in productive, structured agricultural work.

    Looking ahead, Cabinet signaled that similar agricultural employment proposals from other Rastafarian communities across Antigua and Barbuda will be eligible for government support, as part of the nation’s broader national strategy to scale up domestic food production and reduce reliance on imported food staples.

  • Lawyer warns Dominican officials could face legal action over pension rulings

    Lawyer warns Dominican officials could face legal action over pension rulings

    In Santo Domingo, top Dominican Republic public finance and pension officials are on the brink of facing formal legal action after failing to comply with binding court orders requiring adjusted pension payments and retroactive benefits for four long-serving retired public employees, their legal representative has confirmed.

    Attorney Oliver Moisés Batía Burgas, who represents the four retirees, outlined that the total unpaid retroactive pension differences owed to his clients through September 30, 2026, amounts to 53.06 million Dominican pesos (RD$). This outstanding balance continues to expand by an additional RD$743,136 every month, on top of a 1% monthly interest charge mandated by the original court rulings for all delayed retroactive payments.

    Four formal payment orders and default notices were officially delivered to the targeted officials on October 1, granting a five-business-day grace period to fulfill the court-ordered obligations. If no compliance is achieved within that window, the legal process will move forward.

    The four claimants—Manuel Emilio Pérez Suárez, Carlos Jeremías Santana Montás, Juan Bautista Moreno Castro, and Leocadio Valentín Lebrón Jiménez—each logged more than 30 years of public service before retiring. Individual claims break down as follows: Carlos Jeremías Santana Montás seeks RD$18,610,958.65, Leocadio Valentín Lebrón Jiménez is owed RD$11,723,895.17, Juan Bautista Moreno Castro claims RD$7,519,357.75, and Manuel Emilio Pérez Suárez’s unpaid benefits total RD$15,209,422.46.

    All legal disputes have already gone through full judicial review: initial rulings were issued by the Superior Administrative Court, and subsequent cassation appeals were heard and decided by the Supreme Court of the Dominican Republic. The binding rulings in these four cases were handed down between 2023 and 2026, with the most recent final decision dated July 31, 2026.

    Batía emphasized that the served notices are the mandatory procedural step required before initiating new legal action against non-compliant public officials. He noted that different legal pathways will be pursued depending on the official, with any proceedings against Finance Minister Magín Javier Díaz required to be filed directly before the Supreme Court of Justice, in line with Dominican judicial rules for senior public officials.

    The attorney stressed that all rulings have already obtained res judicata status, meaning they are final, binding, and cannot be retried. The retirees are not seeking new administrative concessions, he explained—they are simply demanding that already-finalized court orders be enforced. The unpaid pension differences trace back to December 2020, and the total outstanding obligation will keep growing until the ordered adjustments and full payment are completed, Batía added.

    All allegations of official non-compliance and potential liability remain unadjudicated for the purpose of new legal proceedings, and any final determination will rest with the competent Dominican courts.

  • Abinader launches second phase of new police patrol model in La Altagracia

    Abinader launches second phase of new police patrol model in La Altagracia

    On a Friday ceremony held in the coastal Dominican province of La Altagracia, President Luis Abinader formally inaugurated the second phase of the country’s ambitious Model of Police Service and Patrol (MSPP), a cornerstone initiative of the national government’s ongoing public safety reform agenda. As part of this expansion, 990 newly trained and fully equipped police officers have been deployed to the province, where local law enforcement operations have been reorganized into 84 geographic quadrants and 39 patrol corridors covering seven key population centers: Verón, Higüey, Villa Cerro, La Otra Banda, El Hoyo de Friusa, Bayahibe and San Rafael de Yuma.

    The rollout in La Altagracia marks a major milestone in the government’s broader police modernization program, which has set a target of rolling out the new patrol model across all 24 national police departments by 2026. Unlike traditional policing models that rely on reactive response, the MSPP framework leverages granular territorial crime data, standardized operational protocols, specialized officer training and ongoing performance oversight to strategically deploy personnel where and when they are most needed.

    Speaking at the launch, Interior and Police Minister Faride Raful highlighted the proven effectiveness of the new model in the four regions where it was first implemented. Official ministry data shows that between January and July of this year, reported robbery incidents dropped by 35% across those pilot departments, translating to 1,046 fewer criminal cases than the same period prior to the reform.

    Raful emphasized that expanding the program to La Altagracia carries unique strategic importance, noting the province’s rapid population growth and its status as one of the Dominican Republic’s core hubs for tourism and commercial activity. A visible, well-trained, and responsive police presence is critical to supporting continued economic growth and protecting both residents and visitors, she added.

    As part of the national initiative, more than 1,000 officers have now completed training through the Basic Police Tactical System (SITAB), a curriculum designed to modernize policing practices. Coursework focuses on core competencies including constructive community engagement, standardized tactical response, evidence-based decision-making, proportional use of force, and officer mental and physical resilience.

    Beyond training and reorganization, the new model also conducts targeted needs assessments for each patrol territory to address gaps in personnel, mobility and equipment, directly strengthening local operational capacity. According to government officials, the ultimate goal of this expansion is to embed the principles of police reform into the daily lives of Dominican citizens by building a police service that is more organized, more accessible to communities, and better prepared to address public safety needs, all while upholding constitutional protections, human rights and individual dignity.

  • Mexico: President Claudia Sheinbaum marks two years in power

    Mexico: President Claudia Sheinbaum marks two years in power

    When Claudia Sheinbaum took office as Mexico’s first female head of the executive branch, she inherited a policy framework forged by her predecessor Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who led the country from 2018 to 2024. Staying consistent with her predecessor’s fiscal philosophy, Sheinbaum has continued rolling out strict administrative austerity measures, while placing a core policy priority on expanding what she calls “efficient tax collection” across the country.

    This policy focus has already delivered measurable, historic results. Official data shows that total federal government revenue hit an all-time record of 6.046 trillion Mexican pesos, equivalent to roughly 334.162 billion U.S. dollars, in the last full calendar year. Updated figures running through August 2026 indicate that revenue has grown by an additional 149 billion pesos (around 8 billion U.S. dollars) when compared to the same eight-month period in 2025.

    Sheinbaum’s administration has redirected these growing public funds into high-priority domestic investments that directly benefit Mexican communities. Funding has been channeled into expansive social assistance programs projected to reach more than 42.86 million people by the end of 2026, alongside upgrades to educational and healthcare facilities, affordable housing developments, critical water infrastructure, new road and rail connections, and expanded public security initiatives.

    These strong fiscal gains come against a volatile global economic backdrop, marked by shifting U.S. trade tariff policies and sustained upward pressure on global oil prices. Despite these external headwinds, the economic model implemented by the current Mexican administration has posted clear positive outcomes that outperform many regional projections.

    Beyond economic policy, Sheinbaum has carved out a clear diplomatic stance in relations with the United States, which has faced renewed tensions since Donald Trump returned to the U.S. presidency. While Sheinbaum has openly committed to maintaining productive cross-border collaboration on shared priorities, she has drawn a firm line on Mexico’s national autonomy, making clear that the country’s sovereignty is non-negotiable. In her framing, bilateral cooperation between the two North American neighbors will continue, but it will never come at the cost of Mexican subordination to U.S. interests.

  • Dr Lynette Holder appointed chair of BRA Board

    Dr Lynette Holder appointed chair of BRA Board

    In an official statement released this week, the Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA) has confirmed a key leadership transition at the highest level of its governing body, announcing that Dr. Lynette Holder will take up the position of Board Chair starting July 31, 2026.

    Dr. Holder currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Small Business Association of Barbados, bringing with her a decades-long career marked by cross-sector expertise and regional leadership impact. Widely recognized as an accredited governance specialist, she has established a reputation as a trailblazer in financial services supervision, a vocal advocate for small business growth across Barbados, and a seasoned authority on strategic business administration. Her professional portfolio boasts more than 35 years of hands-on business experience spanning Barbados and the broader Caribbean region, a track record that BRA officials say positions her uniquely to guide the revenue authority forward.

    She will step into the role vacated by Sandra Osborne, who has led the BRA Board for the past 12 years. Importantly, all other sitting members of the BRA Board will retain their positions, a decision designed to preserve institutional continuity in the agency’s regulatory oversight and long-term strategic direction. The senior management and full staff of BRA have issued a collective message of sincere gratitude to Osborne, honoring her years of dedicated service and steady leadership.

    Jason King, BRA’s Revenue Commissioner, emphasized the significance of this transition in his remarks on the appointment. “We are delighted to welcome Dr. Holder as board chair,” King said. “Her robust governance credentials and deep, nuanced understanding of Barbados’ business landscape will be an invaluable asset to the authority as we carry out our core mandate. We also want to place on record our sincere thanks to Sandra Osborne for her outstanding contribution to the organization over the past 12 years, and we wish her every success in all her future pursuits.”

  • Bramble dismisses need for Plan B, confident court will not rule against him

    Bramble dismisses need for Plan B, confident court will not rule against him

    A high-stakes election petition trial over dual citizenship eligibility for parliamentary office is moving forward in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with top leaders of the ruling New Democratic Party (NDP) standing firm in their defense of their legal and constitutional status.

    The case stems directly from the November 2025 general election, where defeated Unity Labour Party (ULP) candidates have mounted legal challenges against two elected NDP officials. Carlos Williams, who lost his bid against NDP leader and current Prime Minister Godwin Friday, challenged Friday’s eligibility over his dual Vincentian-Canadian citizenship. Separately, Luke Browne of the ULP brought an identical challenge against Foreign Affairs Minister Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble, who secured a second victory as the Member of Parliament for East Kingstown. At the heart of the legal dispute is a critical open question of constitutional interpretation: whether holding Canadian citizenship counts as owing allegiance to a foreign power under Section 26(1)(a) of the country’s constitution, or if dual citizens from other Commonwealth nations are protected from disqualification under existing constitutional provisions.

    On Tuesday, both Prime Minister Friday and Minister Bramble underwent cross-examination before Justice Gertel Thom. Court proceedings resumed on Wednesday, when several NDP supporters from the island of Bequia were cross-examined regarding their sworn affidavits submitted as part of the defense case.

    Speaking to reporters from iWitness News outside the Kingstown High Court after Wednesday’s proceedings, Bramble made clear he would not address hypothetical questions about whether he would renounce his Canadian citizenship if the High Court rules against his position. Bramble emphasized that he holds absolute confidence in the defense’s case, arguing that his dual citizenship does not violate any constitutional bar to serving in parliament or running for elected office. “My understanding of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution convinces me of that; and the fact of the matter is, if that was really the case, this would have happened a long time ago,” Bramble stated. He added, “I am confident that we will win the case, so that question wouldn’t even need to be considered.”

    Prime Minister Friday echoed Bramble’s confidence, telling reporters that he remains optimistic about the outcome and views the ongoing trial as a standard part of the constitutional process. Friday noted that Vincentian voters were fully aware of both his and Bramble’s dual citizenship status ahead of the November election, and still elected both officials by overwhelming margins — Friday for the Northern Grenadines constituency, and Bramble for East Kingstown. “Because I know that this is not a matter that affects our eligibility, and it certainly doesn’t affect our performance, our commitment, and the hard work that you’re doing on behalf of the people,” Friday said.

    The Prime Minister did express regret that he is required to spend extensive time in court rather than fulfilling his governing duties for the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Even so, he rejected any claims that the election petition itself represents an infringement on the country’s democratic process, framing the court battle as a legitimate component of the nation’s constitutional framework. “Everybody has their day in court,” Friday said, reiterating that the 2025 election results reflect the clear will of voters, who overwhelmingly supported the NDP and its leadership. “What is the most democratic thing that happens in our system of government is that the people vote, and last November, the people voted overwhelmingly for the New Democratic Party, for me as prime minister, for Bramble as representative for East Kingstown.”

    Bramble confirmed that the NDP is allowing the legal challenge to run its full course, and the party is fully complying with all court procedures. “But we are so very confident that we will prevail, but the process must take its course,” he said.

    Defense attorney Shirlan “Zita” Barnwell explained that pursuing a court ruling on the matter is a critical step to establishing a clear, definitive interpretation of the constitution, even if some have argued the NDP leaders could simply renounce their foreign citizenship to end the dispute. Barnwell pointed out that the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution only references eligibility for Commonwealth citizens, with no explicit requirement that candidates hold exclusive Vincentian citizenship. The core unresolved question for the court, Barnwell noted, is whether dual citizenship with another Commonwealth nation disqualifies a candidate from parliament, or if Commonwealth citizenship status protects their eligibility to run for office. The attorney added that the legal ambiguity around whether another Commonwealth country counts as a “foreign power” under the constitution has left many Vincentian voters unclear on the current rules. “As far as we are concerned, as far as what the law appears to be saying, there is absolutely nothing wrong in being a Vincentian and Canadian at the same time when you are running for political office,” Barnwell added.

    As of this week, the trial remains ongoing.

  • Cabinet Says Police Will Get More Resources Where Crime-Fighting Gaps Are Identified

    Cabinet Says Police Will Get More Resources Where Crime-Fighting Gaps Are Identified

    The government of Antigua and Barbuda has formally committed to directing extra funding, upgraded equipment and tailored support to the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, following a recent Cabinet meeting focused on addressing national crime rates. This commitment will only go into effect for areas where verifiable, legitimate operational needs have been confirmed by police leadership.

    Speaking to reporters immediately after the closed-door Cabinet session, senior official Maurice Merchant shared details of the administration’s new directive. He confirmed that Prime Minister Gaston Browne has ordered consistent, ongoing check-ins with the top command of the Royal Police Force to track progress on ongoing crime reduction initiatives across the twin-island nation.

    “Prime Minister Browne has directed that sustained engagement be maintained with the leadership of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda to advance their crime-fighting mandate,” Merchant stated during the press briefing.

    According to Merchant, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of regular communication between political leadership and police command to proactively spot gaps in resourcing, equipment, or operational support that could slow the force down as it carries out its core public safety duties. Any unmet needs that are validated through this process will receive swift backing from the national government.

    Merchant added that the full Cabinet has reaffirmed this policy stance, noting that “where legitimate needs are identified, the government will continue to provide the police with appropriate support.” The overarching goal of this additional resourcing is to sharpen the force’s operational capacity across three key areas: crime prevention, criminal detection, and criminal investigation.

    In a notable show of confidence in the force, both Prime Minister Browne and the full Cabinet also publicly commended the Royal Police Force for the measurable improvements it has delivered in recent months in the fight against violent crime and general criminal activity across Antigua and Barbuda.

    This latest discussion around police resourcing forms a single piece of the administration’s broader, holistic strategy to tackle crime at a national level. The full strategy combines enhanced resourcing for law enforcement with updated, stricter criminal legislation and expanded rehabilitation programs for offenders, designed to address both the immediate and root causes of crime in the country.

  • US court imposes US$7 000 fine on convicted ex-ICBL chief Innes

    US court imposes US$7 000 fine on convicted ex-ICBL chief Innes

    A decades-long leadership career in the insurance industry has ended in a federal conviction for 71-year-old Ingrid Innes, the former chief executive of the Insurance Corporation of Barbados Limited (ICBL). Innes has been handed a sentence of time already served and ordered to pay a $7,000 fine after entering a guilty plea in a U.S. federal court for her role in a transnational bribery conspiracy connected to ex-Barbadian government minister Donville Inniss.

    In 2021, Innes received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, and for months she prepared to fight the charges against her. But declining health and fears over insufficient medical access in the event of incarceration forced her to abandon her original trial strategy. She ultimately pled guilty this week to two bribery counts tied to a total of approximately $36,000 in payments directed to Inniss between 2015 and 2016, when he served as Barbados’ Minister of Industry and Commerce.

    At the time of the payments, the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC) — the government agency Inniss oversaw — was a client of ICBL, where Innes was top executive. Prosecutors argue the unauthorized payments were bribes to help ICBL secure additional government-linked contracts. The illicit transfers were disguised using two fraudulent invoices created by Kamante Millar, ICBL’s former chief financial officer. Millar reached a plea deal with prosecutors after the scheme was uncovered, and later testified against Innes, other ICBL leaders, and Inniss during previous proceedings.

    Court records show the invoices — one for $16,536.73 in 2015 and a second for $20,000 in 2016 — were used to route funds to Inniss’ U.S.-registered dental business, Crystal Dental Lab. Innes, a Canadian national, says she was told the payments were legitimate consulting fees when she was asked to approve them. She added that she was informed that parliamentary acceptance of payments from government contractors and elected officials owning private businesses were common and not explicitly illegal under local Barbadian regulations.

    To date, no charges related to the scheme have been filed by Barbadian authorities against any of the involved individuals, despite the U.S. indictment referencing Barbados’ own Prevention of Corruption Act. It also remains unconfirmed whether the payments violated domestic Barbadian law, and whether they were intended to sway decisions of the BIDC board, a body Inniss did not have direct control over.

    In a statement to local outlet Barbados TODAY, Innes took accountability for her poor judgment in approving the two transfers. “I understand my actions fell short of the high standards expected of me as CEO,” she said. “I have accepted responsibility for my mistakes, and I look forward to putting this matter behind me so I can focus on my health and family.”

    The case stretches back to 2018, when U.S. law enforcement first uncovered the scheme. That August, a federal grand jury in Brooklyn returned an indictment against Innes and former ICBL senior vice-president Alex Tasker on one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and two counts of money laundering. Inniss was charged separately in an indictment unsealed on August 6, 2018, and later added as a co-defendant alongside Innes and Tasker in an updated indictment. Inniss was found guilty on all three counts by a federal jury in 2020.

    ICBL itself voluntarily disclosed the suspicious payments to U.S. authorities, and as a result received a prosecution declination under the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Corporate Enforcement Policy. The company agreed to forfeit $93,940.19 in profits that U.S. prosecutors say were gained through the bribery scheme. The investigation was led by the FBI’s New York Field Office and International Corruption Squad, a specialized unit the bureau rolled out across the U.S. in 2015 to tackle cross-border foreign corruption cases.

  • Elections : Working visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs to the CEP

    Elections : Working visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs to the CEP

    As Haiti gears up for its upcoming general elections, a high-level diplomatic delegation led by Foreign Minister Raina Forbin paid a working visit to the headquarters of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) in Pétion-ville earlier this week. Forbin was joined by two senior ministry officials: Chief of Staff Winnie Hugot Gabriel and Director General Christian Toussaint, for closed-door working discussions focused on advancing one of the election cycle’s most anticipated institutional initiatives.

    The core focus of the gathering was to advance ongoing joint planning between the Foreign Ministry and the CEP for a landmark pilot project that would allow members of the Haitian diaspora to cast ballots in the upcoming elections. For the world’s fifth-largest diaspora population relative to its home country’s population, this initiative marks a historic step toward expanding inclusive political participation for Haitians living abroad.

    Beyond the broad framework of the pilot project, the two sides also worked through critical practical and procedural details. These included coordinating next steps with host governments in countries where the pilot will launch, tracking progress from earlier exploratory missions to those regions, and establishing clear operational guidelines that ensure all overseas voting activities align with both Haiti’s domestic legal and institutional framework and the regulations of host nations.

    Following the meeting, both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to sustained collaboration and open dialogue throughout the preparation process. The end goal of their joint work is to build a structured, reliable electoral system that enables organized, smooth participation for diaspora voters across all pilot locations.

    In an official statement released after the meeting, the CEP reiterated its foundational pledges for the entire upcoming electoral process: conducting all activities in an inclusive, impartial, transparent, and accountable manner. The council also stressed it will remain strictly aligned with core principles of electoral independence and institutional integrity, while upholding the constitutional right of every Haitian citizen, regardless of residency, to take part in the country’s democratic governance.