Carib Scope

分类： politics

  • Government to Renovate Its Own Buildings in St. John’s, Works Minister Says

    Government to Renovate Its Own Buildings in St. John’s, Works Minister Says

    The Antiguan government has announced it will commence comprehensive renovations of its administrative buildings in St. John’s as part of a broader urban renewal strategy. Works Minister Maria Browne revealed the plan during a public consultation on the capital’s redevelopment, emphasizing that the state must demonstrate leadership in the revitalization effort.

    Minister Browne identified multiple government-owned properties requiring significant upgrades and repairs. These improvements will serve as a visible commitment to enhancing both the aesthetic appeal and functional capacity of the nation’s capital. The initiative positions public infrastructure as a model for the private sector, showcasing the standards that the government encourages all property owners to adopt.

    The announcement occurs within the context of ongoing dialogues addressing urban deterioration, infrastructure modernization, and the collective responsibility shared between public institutions and private stakeholders. Browne’s statements underscore a philosophical approach to urban renewal where governmental action precedes private sector participation, creating a tangible benchmark for quality and investment in the built environment.

    This coordinated approach signals a new chapter in St. John’s development strategy, combining public sector initiative with calls for complementary private investment to achieve comprehensive urban transformation.

  • Opposition Leader says NDP gov’t looking for CBI ‘mirage’

    Opposition Leader says NDP gov’t looking for CBI ‘mirage’

    In a heated parliamentary session debating the EC$1.89 billion revenue and expenditure estimates, Opposition Leader Ralph Gonsalves launched a scathing critique against the New Democratic Party (NDP) administration’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program ambitions. The former Prime Minister characterized the initiative as fundamentally unworkable, declaring “the end of CBI is nigh” and accusing the government of pursuing “a mirage.”

    Gonsalves highlighted structural deficiencies in the program’s implementation, noting the allocated budget of merely $10 and the absence of dedicated staff or operational framework within the Prime Minister’s Office. He speculated that outsourcing might be the government’s only viable option, while expressing skepticism about revenue projections reaching EC$200 million.

    The opposition leader extended his criticism to broader economic concerns, predicting imminent difficulties in meeting public sector salary obligations and funding essential programs. He specifically noted the EC$270 million capital program—EC$4 million less than revised 2025 estimates—as insufficient for driving meaningful economic growth.

    Prime Minister Godwin Friday countered these assertions, affirming the program’s realism and operational readiness. Having secured plans during their 24-year opposition period, the NDP administration emphasized leveraging regional experiences and established best practices. Friday referenced the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank’s newly assumed regulatory role and ongoing consultations with EU representatives as evidence of program legitimacy.

    The Prime Minister positioned CBI as a global phenomenon rather than a Caribbean-specific initiative, acknowledging potential adjustments to address international security concerns while maintaining the program’s fundamental viability. This exchange occurs against the backdrop of recent OECS-wide reforms establishing standardized regulatory frameworks across five member states, with implementation deadlines set for October 2025.

  • National debt at $3.5b as ULP gov’t spent ‘like a drunken sailor’ in 2025

    National debt at $3.5b as ULP gov’t spent ‘like a drunken sailor’ in 2025

    Prime Minister Godwin Friday has disclosed a staggering national debt of EC$3.54 billion (US$1.31 billion) as of December 31, 2025, painting a dire fiscal picture during his presentation of the 2026 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure to Parliament on Thursday. The revelation came as Friday’s New Democratic Party administration, elected in a landslide victory on November 27, 2025, took office after unseating the Unity Labour Party that had governed for nearly 24 years.

    The debt figure represents a substantial EC$400 million more than previously estimated by the new government and shows a 13% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Friday characterized the previous administration’s spending patterns as irresponsible, stating they had spent “like a drunken sailor” during the election year.

    Breaking down the debt structure, domestic debt reached EC$993 million, marking a 1.1% year-on-year increase, while external debt surged to EC$2.55 billion, representing an alarming 18.7% increase. A particularly concerning element was the public sector overdraft, which ballooned to nearly EC$200 million despite parliamentary authorization limiting it to EC$85 million.

    The 2026 budget of EC$1.89 billion, approved by lawmakers, represents a 2% increase over the 2025 budget. It includes recurrent expenditure of EC$1.31 billion and capital expenditure of EC$577.2 million. Financing will come from current revenue of EC$906.9 million and capital receipts of EC$978.7 million.

    Friday emphasized the severe debt servicing burden, revealing that 39.5 cents of every tax dollar collected will be allocated solely to debt repayment, totaling EC$358 million for 2026. This includes interest payments of EC$120.7 million, amortization of EC$215.4 million, and sinking fund contributions of EC$22 million.

    The Prime Minister defended his government’s approach, stating they must first address the cost-of-living crisis while gradually cleaning up the fiscal mess inherited from the previous administration. The disclosure has sparked intense parliamentary debate about the nation’s economic future and the challenges facing the new government.

  • Sapoen: Laat Grondwet keuze open voor hoogste instantie; ook investeringen in basis

    Sapoen: Laat Grondwet keuze open voor hoogste instantie; ook investeringen in basis

    In a landmark address to De Nationale Assemblee, Assembly Member Raymond Sapoen (NDP) positioned ongoing deliberations on judicial and prosecutorial reforms within the broader framework of constitutional governance. Emphasizing the Constitution’s role as the supreme law safeguarding civil rights and separation of powers, Sapoen characterized the current parliamentary deliberations as ‘historic’ for involving all state powers in modernizing Suriname’s justice system.

    Regarding the proposed cassation (supreme judicial) instance, Sapoen acknowledged widespread legal community support for a third judicial tier beyond appeals. He referenced societal concerns about judicial verdicts’ quality, independence, and reliability as drivers for reform. However, he criticized the explanatory memorandum accompanying the proposals as insufficient, stressing that such transformative changes require detailed justification regarding necessity and integration into Suriname’s legal architecture.

    Notably, Sapoen advocated for constitutional flexibility by defining the supreme judicial body as a ‘highest judicial instance’ for legal violation reviews without pre-committing to a specific model. This approach retains options for regional solutions like the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), potentially with specialized Surinamese civil law chambers, though he emphasized this requires thorough study and political preparation.

    The parliamentarian raised substantive questions about proposed amendments to Article 139 concerning the Court of Justice’s oversight of case processing, demanding clarity on alternative supervisory models. He also highlighted constitutional inconsistencies in appointing prosecutors-general, noting discrepancies between constitutional provisions and 2024 judicial status legislation that must be resolved with constitutional primacy.

    On retirement age, Sapoen supported reinstating the pension age of 65 for standing magistrates (including prosecutors-general) as a systemic correction to reestablish functional distinction between prosecution and judiciary rather than personalizing the debate.

    While expressing theoretical support for a College of Prosecutors-General to mitigate concentration risks in small societies, he criticized the proposal’s lack of justification for member numbers and advocated odd-numbered compositions for decisiveness.

    Sapoen concluded by emphasizing that cassation establishment must not divert resources from strengthening first and second instance courts, maintaining that institutional capacity building remains a perpetual government obligation.

  • Even with fuel shortages, Cuba will not be defeated by the empire

    Even with fuel shortages, Cuba will not be defeated by the empire

    Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez delivered a forceful condemnation of escalating United States aggression against his nation during an extraordinary session of Havana’s Provincial Party Committee on Friday. The First Secretary of Cuba’s Communist Party Central Committee characterized recent U.S. actions as part of a coordinated campaign to destabilize the island nation through economic warfare and military threats.

    Díaz-Canel specifically referenced Thursday’s executive order by former President Donald Trump imposing tariff sanctions on oil suppliers to Cuba, describing it as a malicious attempt to ‘deprive us of fuel, something necessary for any country to develop its economy.’ He framed this within a broader pattern of aggression that began with January’s invasion of Venezuela and the ‘kidnapping’ of its legitimate leadership.

    The Cuban leader presented a detailed analysis of what he termed the ‘Trump corollary to the Monroe Doctrine’—a policy of imposing peace through force that he argued consistently produces chaos rather than stability. He drew direct parallels between current U.S. foreign policy and historical fascism, stating that ‘the president of the Empire is behaving like Hitler, with a criminal policy of contempt that aims to take over the world.’

    Díaz-Canel emphasized Cuba’s resilience despite decades of pressure, noting that even Trump had indirectly acknowledged the nation’s endurance by stating that ‘not much more pressure can be exerted’ against Cuba. This admission, argued the President, effectively debunks the narrative of Cuba as a ‘failed state’ and confirms that the country’s economic challenges stem primarily from external pressure rather than internal failures.

    The address highlighted Cuba’s preparation for potential military confrontation, referencing the heroic resistance of 32 Cuban combatants who died opposing the U.S. invasion of Venezuela on January 3. ‘The Empire has to calculate what an attack on Cuba would cost it,’ warned Díaz-Canel, emphasizing that the nation’s military, government, and united population remain prepared to confront any aggression with determination.

    Despite the escalating tensions, the Cuban president reaffirmed his nation’s commitment to peaceful dialogue conducted ‘on equal terms, with respect, and without preconditions.’ He announced plans to pursue international complaints against the latest coercive measures through global forums while continuing to work with allied nations and the international community.

  • Cuba condemns and denounces new escalation of U.S. economic blockade

    Cuba condemns and denounces new escalation of U.S. economic blockade

    The Cuban Revolutionary Government has issued a forceful condemnation of what it characterizes as a dangerous escalation in United States policy aimed at imposing a total fuel blockade against the island nation. This response comes following an executive order signed by the U.S. President on January 29, 2026, which declares a national emergency and authorizes trade tariffs against countries supplying petroleum products to Cuba.

    The Cuban statement describes the executive order as containing “an extensive list of lies and defamatory accusations,” particularly rejecting the assertion that Cuba represents an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security. The government maintains this justification demonstrates “contempt for the truth, public opinion, and government ethics” in pursuing aggression against Cuba.

    According to the Cuban analysis, this policy represents a consolidation of economic pressure measures initiated during the Trump administration, now extending to include “blackmail, threats, and direct coercion of third countries” to prevent fuel from reaching Cuban shores. The government characterizes this approach as embodying “a dangerous way of conducting U.S. foreign policy by force” that seeks to guarantee American “imperialist hegemony.”

    The statement frames the executive order as a violation of international law and the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace. It further asserts that after 67 years of failed attempts to undermine Cuba’s revolutionary process, the U.S. government now threatens regional security and stability.

    Cuba reaffirms its historical willingness to engage in diplomatic dialogue based on principles of international law, sovereign equality, and mutual respect. The government emphasizes that Cuba poses no threat to U.S. national interests or citizen welfare, noting that American visitors have consistently been treated with “respect and hospitality.”

    The declaration concludes with a commitment to confront this “new attack with firmness, equanimity, and the certainty that reason is absolutely on our side,” invoking the revolutionary slogan “Homeland or Death, We Shall Overcome!”

    The statement positions this development as a critical test for the international community, challenging nations to determine whether they will accept such coercive economic measures or stand in solidarity against aggression and impunity.

  • VS-Iran spanningen: diplomatiek offensief om oorlog te voorkomen

    VS-Iran spanningen: diplomatiek offensief om oorlog te voorkomen

    As tensions between the United States and Iran approach critical levels, nations across the Middle East and beyond are engaging in urgent diplomatic maneuvers to prevent catastrophic military escalation. The situation has intensified following President Donald Trump’s renewed threats of military intervention unless Iran accepts stringent limitations on its nuclear program and ballistic missile development.

    The current crisis stems from massive protests that erupted across Iran in late 2025, initially sparked by deteriorating economic conditions but gradually evolving into broader challenges to the Islamic Republic’s governing structure. In response to the unrest, Tehran has demonstrated military preparedness, with officials declaring their forces “200 percent ready” to defend the nation despite international mediation attempts.

    Iran’s military capabilities have expanded significantly with the recent announcement of 1,000 new strategic drones, including attack drones and systems designed for reconnaissance and cyber operations targeting land, air, and maritime objectives. This development follows last year’s American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which occurred just before planned peace negotiations with Israel.

    Diplomatic channels have activated across multiple fronts. Iranian officials have engaged in high-level talks with Turkey, including discussions between Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have all participated in telephone diplomacy aimed at preserving regional stability. India dispatched a special delegation to Tehran, while China used United Nations platforms to advocate for national sovereignty and condemn military adventurism.

    Russia has emphasized the critical importance of negotiated solutions, warning that military action would further destabilize the already volatile region. European powers have taken a different approach, focusing primarily on condemning Iran’s harsh treatment of protestors while remaining cautious about addressing war risks. France explicitly rejected military intervention and called for supporting the Iranian people through peaceful means.

    The European Union implemented new sanctions targeting 15 Iranian individuals and six entities for serious human rights violations, following similar designations by the United States, Canada, and Australia that labeled Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. Tehran condemned these measures as hypocritical, particularly citing Western inaction regarding Israeli operations in Gaza.

    Despite these extensive diplomatic efforts, regional experts remain skeptical about their effectiveness in reducing US-Iran tensions. Professor Adnan Hayajneh of Qatar University noted that American policymakers predominantly listen to domestic considerations rather than regional voices, increasing the likelihood of military confrontation.

  • Krijgsraad: onvoldoende bewijs dat Veira opdrachtgever was

    Krijgsraad: onvoldoende bewijs dat Veira opdrachtgever was

    In a landmark judicial ruling on Friday, the Court of Martial Justice has fully exonerated Danielle Veira, former head of the Directorate of National Security (DNV), of all criminal charges related to the 2020 kidnapping incident involving Rodney Cairo. The court determined that evidence presented during proceedings failed to establish Veira’s role as either the mastermind or accomplice in the controversial operation.

    The comprehensive acquittal covers multiple serious allegations including kidnapping and attempted kidnapping, unlawful confinement, trespassing, and the unauthorized issuance of firearm permits. The court’s decision represents a significant judicial outcome in a case that has drawn considerable public attention.

    Presiding Judge Cynthia Valstein-Montnor emphasized that the central question throughout deliberations was whether the operation genuinely constituted an official DNV action. “The crucial question was whether this was indeed a DNV operation,” Valstein-Montnor stated during the proceedings. The court noted that only one convicted co-suspect, Imro Miedema, had testified that Veira could be contacted when police requested explanations, while other objective evidence confirming her role as orchestrator remained absent.

    Regarding allegations of improper weapons distribution, the judicial panel acknowledged that providing informants and civilians with weapons and permits had occurred previously within DNV operations. The court further noted that such practices had historically taken place even under presidential instruction, making it unreasonable to hold Veira solely criminally responsible for what appeared to be an established organizational practice.

    Based on these determinations, the court concluded that Veira committed no criminal offenses and discharged her from all further legal prosecution, effectively ending one of the most closely watched security corruption cases in recent years.

  • Social : US bishops urge the Trump administration to extend TPS

    Social : US bishops urge the Trump administration to extend TPS

    In a significant humanitarian appeal, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has called upon the Trump administration to reverse its decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 300,000 Haitian immigrants facing imminent legal limbo. With the February 3rd, 2026 deadline approaching, Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, Chairman of the Conference’s Committee on International Justice and Peace, emphasized the critical nature of the situation in a January 29th statement.

    The religious leaders highlighted the severe security conditions in Haiti that make repatriation impossible, citing the U.S. State Department’s Level 4 travel advisory warning of ‘life-threatening risks’ including widespread kidnapping, civil unrest, and terrorist activities. Adding to these concerns, the Federal Aviation Administration has implemented a complete flight ban from all U.S. cities to Port-au-Prince, effectively eliminating safe return corridors.

    While acknowledging that TPS was designed as temporary relief, the bishops emphasized that current circumstances demand executive action. They noted that despite previous calls for congressional legislation to create pathways to permanent status for long-term TPS holders, no such legislative solution has materialized, leaving the administration with both the authority and moral responsibility to act.

    The statement concluded with a powerful invocation of solidarity with the Haitian community worldwide and a prayer to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, patroness of Haiti, seeking divine intervention for a population facing unprecedented uncertainty and danger.

  • BDF Soldiers Question Transparency in Equipment Procurement

    BDF Soldiers Question Transparency in Equipment Procurement

    Growing unease has emerged within the ranks of the Belize Defense Force regarding the transparency of military equipment procurement procedures. Service members have expressed concerns about recent structural changes that transferred authority for sourcing essential gear—including weapons and footwear—from military personnel to the Ministry of Defense.

    The shift in procurement responsibility has sparked questions about contract allocation processes and overall transparency in governmental decision-making. The concerns circulating among soldiers highlight potential issues in how critical defense resources are acquired under the new system.

    Former Defense Minister Oscar Mira addressed the matter cautiously, noting, “It would not be appropriate for me to comment on a ministry I no longer lead.” Mira detailed the established tender process during his administration, emphasizing strict adherence to procedural protocols. “When I was at the Ministry of National Defense, that tender process was followed to the letter,” he stated, describing a system designed to prevent issues through comprehensive oversight, including final approval from the contractor general.

    When questioned about potential familial connections to defense contracts, Mira acknowledged that relatives had previously participated in tender processes and received contracts under prior administrations. His comments come amid ongoing discussions within military circles about whether current procedures maintain the same level of transparency as previous systems.

    The emerging internal dissent highlights broader questions about governance and accountability within Belize’s defense infrastructure, with soldiers seeking reassurance that equipment procurement remains free from preferential treatment or procedural irregularities.