Carib Scope

分类： politics

  • Simons kondigt verscherpte voorwaarden aan voor gronduitgifte

    Simons kondigt verscherpte voorwaarden aan voor gronduitgifte

    In a significant policy shift, Suriname’s government has announced stricter criteria for land allocation, as revealed by President Jennifer Simons during the first round of the General Political Considerations (APB) in the National Assembly on Thursday. The President emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive revision of the land allocation policy to ensure transparency and accountability in land use.

    Simons highlighted that the government must ensure land is utilized for its designated purposes, whether for industrial activities, housing, agriculture, or social projects. She acknowledged that past practices often allocated land with the hope of productive use, but these expectations frequently fell short. To address this, the government is drafting legislative amendments, set to take effect in 2026, which will clearly define permissible land uses and enforce stricter compliance measures.

    Under the new framework, applicants will be required to demonstrate their readiness to execute proposed projects. Simons stressed that land allocated for business ventures must come with binding obligations. If no tangible results are achieved within two to three years, the land rights will be automatically revoked.

    The President also pointed out Suriname’s unique regional position, noting the country’s vast unused agricultural lands despite its abundant available land. She argued that utilizing previously allocated agricultural areas could boost agro-production without encroaching on forests.

    However, the Ministry of Land Policy and Forest Management (GBB) faces significant administrative challenges, including illegal land allocations and prolonged delays in processing applications. Simons underscored the necessity of a thorough policy overhaul to address these systemic issues and ensure efficient land management.

  • Border Meeting Draws Criticism for Ignoring Narco Concerns

    Border Meeting Draws Criticism for Ignoring Narco Concerns

    On November 14, 2025, officials from Belize and Mexico’s Quintana Roo convened in the Corozal Free Zone to discuss bilateral cooperation on trade, border management, and environmental challenges. The meeting, attended by high-ranking delegates including Belize’s Minister Thea Ramirez and CEO Narda Garcia, focused on issues such as gender-based violence, beach erosion in Chetumal Bay, and the introduction of a special border pass for residents of Mexico’s southern states. Additionally, both parties agreed to update key economic agreements, with Mexican officials highlighting the potential for Belize’s ports to reduce shipping costs for Quintana Roo businesses and facilitate access to CARICOM markets.

    However, the meeting drew sharp criticism from Belizean citizens, particularly on social media, for its failure to address the escalating narco-trafficking threats in the region. Recent incidents, including an alleged execution attempt on a Corozal Free Zone businessman linked to Mexican cartels, have heightened concerns. Many questioned the absence of police representation and the delegation’s focus, with one commenter labeling the event as a ‘family trip’ rather than a serious diplomatic engagement. The oversight has sparked debates about the priorities of regional cooperation and the urgent need to tackle organized crime.

  • Cummings wants Grace to say if she got 2 salaries while on contract

    Cummings wants Grace to say if she got 2 salaries while on contract

    Daniel Cummings, Chairman of the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), has intensified scrutiny over the EC$144,000 one-year contract awarded to Grace Walters, a Hospital Administrator and Unity Labour Party (ULP) candidate for North Windward. Cummings raised critical questions about the contract’s timeline and Walters’ dual roles, demanding clarity on whether she continued to receive her EC$8,000 monthly salary as a hospital administrator while simultaneously benefiting from the EC$12,000 monthly consultancy contract. Speaking at an NDP campaign event in Owia, Cummings challenged Walters to disclose if she was paid EC$20,000 monthly from the Treasury until August. He further questioned the transparency of the contract’s awarding process, asking whether it was publicly tendered or authorized by the Public Service Commission. Walters, a first-time candidate aiming to retain North Windward for the ULP, defended the contract, stating it is common for public sector workers to receive such agreements. She revealed she had taken no-pay leave to contest the election, emphasizing her qualifications for the consultancy role. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, ULP leader, countered by referencing Cummings’ own past contract with the Central Water and Sewerage Authority. Cummings, however, stood by his criticisms, accusing the ULP of long-standing corruption and defending his integrity. The controversy has sparked debates about accountability and transparency in government contracts, with both parties trading accusations ahead of the upcoming elections.

  • PM Skerrit weighs in on suspension of voter confirmation; alleges opposition is attempting to confuse voters

    PM Skerrit weighs in on suspension of voter confirmation; alleges opposition is attempting to confuse voters

    Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica has emphasized the importance of voter registration in the ongoing electoral reform process, urging all eligible citizens to confirm their registration. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Skerrit addressed concerns about misinformation campaigns by opposition groups and reiterated the independence of the Electoral Commission in managing the process. The Registration of Electors Act 2025, a cornerstone of electoral modernization, mandates that all registered voters confirm their registration by October 14, 2026. Over 4,000 voters have already completed this process in the first month. Skerrit encouraged citizens, both domestic and abroad, to visit enrollment centers to ensure their names remain on the voters list. He also clarified that the Electoral Commission, as an independent body, is solely responsible for overseeing voter registration and confirmation. Skerrit expressed disappointment with the Commission’s recent decision to remove alternative identification methods, such as affidavits of identity, which he argued disadvantages elderly and low-income voters. He called for the Commission to revisit this decision to ensure broader participation. Additionally, Skerrit criticized the suspension of new voter registrations, citing the Commission’s prior experience with technology-enabled systems. He also condemned misinformation spread by opposition leaders, particularly Dr. Thomson-Fontaine of the United Workers’ Party, accusing him of making false claims to confuse voters. Skerrit urged political leaders to uphold the integrity of Dominica’s electoral process, emphasizing that every vote matters in maintaining the country’s democracy.

  • AG amends bill in committee stage: Way cleared for JPs’ expanded powers

    AG amends bill in committee stage: Way cleared for JPs’ expanded powers

    The Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (AJIPA) was successfully passed in the Senate on November 14, following intense debates and several amendments. The bill, which amends the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act of 2011, introduces significant changes to the powers of Justices of the Peace (JPs), including the authority to authorize search warrants and grant station bail for indictable offenses. The bill passed with 24 votes in favor, six against, and no abstentions, with no independent senators opposing the amended version.

    During the discussions, senators emphasized the need for modernization of the JP system before expanding their powers. Concerns were raised about the current criteria for JPs, which were deemed insufficient for the responsibilities they are expected to undertake. Proposals included establishing a unified record-keeping system for warrants, modern legislation governing JPs, continuing education programs, and an emergency on-call system for Masters of the Court, who possess the necessary expertise to sign search warrants.

    Attorney General John Jeremie, along with PNM Senator Faris Al-Rawi and independent Senator Dr. Desiree Murray, proposed amendments during the committee stage. Key issues highlighted included the necessity of legal training for JPs before they could sign search warrants, as well as concerns about corruption, unethical behavior, and the potential for bribery due to the low monthly honorarium of $1,000.

    Jeremie committed to referring the matter to the Law Review Committee to address ethical standards and responsibilities of JPs. He also added a proclamation clause to the bill, delaying the implementation of the search warrants section until training and other legislative measures are addressed.

    Senator Al-Rawi raised concerns about the potential for JPs to authorize warrants for unspecified premises and questioned whether JPs could approve warrants for the seizure of stored data and communications. Jeremie clarified that such actions were excluded under the Data Protection Act. Al-Rawi’s amendment to remove JPs from the category of individuals authorized to grant search warrants was ultimately defeated.

    Senator Murray proposed an amendment requiring JPs to complete standardized and certified training before issuing warrants or granting bail. However, this amendment was also defeated, with eight senators in favor and 22 against. The bill was subsequently read a third time and passed.

  • Sovereignty surrendered through borrowed rhetoric

    Sovereignty surrendered through borrowed rhetoric

    Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s handling of international concerns regarding Caribbean military operations has sparked significant criticism, with accusations of policy abdication and foreign alignment overshadowing Trinidad and Tobago’s sovereignty. The controversy centers on the government’s dismissal of legal and ethical concerns raised by international allies, including the UK, France, and the EU, over military strikes in Caribbean waters that have resulted in 75 deaths. Critics argue that the Prime Minister’s reliance on U.S. State Department rhetoric and her labeling of scrutiny as “fake news” undermines democratic accountability and regional diplomatic efforts. The government’s adoption of a “narco-terrorism” narrative to justify extrajudicial actions has further fueled discontent, with opponents accusing the administration of weaponizing public fear to suppress dissent. The erosion of the “zone of peace” framework, a decades-old Caribbean consensus on managing great power competition, has been particularly alarming. Citizens are increasingly frustrated with the government’s prioritization of foreign interests over transparency and national sovereignty. The Prime Minister’s failure to address these concerns independently, instead amplifying foreign officials’ statements, has raised questions about Trinidad and Tobago’s capacity for self-determination. Critics warn that without a demand for accountability, the nation risks losing its independence to governance by proxy.

  • George Wright pleads for non-political distribution of hurricane relief supplies

    George Wright pleads for non-political distribution of hurricane relief supplies

    In Westmoreland, Jamaica, allegations of politically motivated withholding of hurricane relief supplies have sparked controversy. Former Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Central, George Wright of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), has accused his successor, Dwayne Vaz of the People’s National Party (PNP), of denying aid to constituents based on their political affiliations. Wright claims that some residents are being excluded from receiving relief packages because they did not vote for Vaz in the September 3 general election. ‘We are in a crisis. No time to politicise these things,’ Wright emphasized in an interview with the Jamaica Observer. Wright, who currently lacks sufficient relief supplies, described his efforts to secure aid for vulnerable residents, including a disabled man unable to access distribution trucks. He stressed the need for orderly distribution processes to ensure fairness. This dispute follows earlier accusations by Vaz, who alleged that Wright had commandeered a shipment of relief supplies after Hurricane Melissa. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has dismissed these claims. The ongoing partisan conflict highlights the challenges of equitable disaster relief in politically divided constituencies.

  • Alexander in dark about US Operation Southern Spear

    Alexander in dark about US Operation Southern Spear

    Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander has stated that the Trinidad and Tobago (TT) government has no additional information regarding the US anti-narco terrorism operation ‘Southern Spear,’ announced by US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on November 13. Hegseth’s announcement on X emphasized the mission’s goal to defend the Western Hemisphere, remove narco-terrorists, and secure the region from drug-related threats. Alexander, speaking to the media outside Parliament on November 14, clarified that the TT government is only aware of the ongoing joint exercises between TT and US law enforcement agencies, which have been conducted for years. He acknowledged the positive impact of US air-strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats between TT and Venezuela, citing a significant reduction in firearms, human trafficking, and illegal drugs entering TT. However, Alexander emphasized that the government has no further details on ‘Southern Spear.’ This revelation follows Attorney General John Jeremie’s announcement in a UK Financial Times article on November 13, stating that the US will ‘intensify exercises’ in TT in the coming days. The 22nd US Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived in Trinidad aboard the USS Gravely two weeks prior for military exercises with the TT Defence Force, held from October 26-30. Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Sean Sobers confirmed upcoming joint exercises from November 16-21, aimed at enhancing local law enforcement capabilities. Meanwhile, concerns persist over the deaths of over 70 individuals, including Trinidadians Rishi Samaroo and Chad ‘Charpo’ Joseph, following US air-strikes on alleged drug boats. Their bodies remain missing, and while Sobers denied evidence linking their deaths to the strikes, relatives insist they were killed in the operation.

  • Senator Chote: There is a JP facing criminal charges

    Senator Chote: There is a JP facing criminal charges

    Independent Senator Sophia Chote, SC, voiced significant concerns during the Senate debate on the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (AJIPA), particularly regarding the expanded powers granted to Justices of the Peace (JPs) to authorize search warrants. Chote, a former president of the Law Association, highlighted the lack of a comprehensive and up-to-date list of JPs, citing a Gazetted list from May as incomplete and potentially dangerous. She pointed out that there is no mechanism for the JP Association or the Ministry of Land and Legal Affairs to be informed if a JP becomes incapacitated, dies, or faces serious legal charges. Chote emphasized the risks of granting broad powers to JPs without proper background checks or accountability measures. She referenced a 1997 incident where JPs were accused of misconduct, leading to the creation of a handbook by then Attorney General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj. However, Chote lamented that this guide is now outdated and largely unknown to many attorneys. She concluded that without a transparent and accountable system for JPs, she could not support the bill in good conscience.

  • Former Trump ally Marjorie Taylor Greene says she’s facing threats ‘fueled’ by president

    Former Trump ally Marjorie Taylor Greene says she’s facing threats ‘fueled’ by president

    WASHINGTON, United States — Marjorie Taylor Greene, a prominent Republican congresswoman and former staunch ally of Donald Trump, revealed on Saturday that she is facing a surge of threats following a public fallout with the former president. Greene, 51, who once championed Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, has recently distanced herself from him amid growing controversies surrounding the U.S. cost of living crisis and the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.