Carib Scope

分类： politics

  • Armstrong promises increased focus on sports

    Armstrong promises increased focus on sports

    In a forceful address at the Democratic Labour Party’s (DLP) national rally in Independence Square, St Michael North candidate Dawn-Marie Armstrong launched a comprehensive critique of the ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP) administration. The former national cricketer and sport psychologist asserted that systemic neglect of community infrastructure has directly crippled sports development and youth engagement, creating a vacuum that fuels rising crime rates across the island.

    Armstrong outlined a stark vision for reform, pledging that a DLP government elected on February 11 would abandon what she condemned as superficial tokenism and ad-hoc tournaments. Instead, her party would institute a professionally structured sports framework designed for long-term sustainability. This new approach would guarantee athletes proper wages and establish clear pathways for professional development.

    Central to her proposal is the strategic reopening and modernization of community centers, which she identified as critical hubs for positive social intervention. Armstrong revealed an innovative technological component to this plan: the development of a dedicated national app to facilitate universal access to these facilities. This digital platform would enable young people to seek mentorship, allow women to secure safe recreational spaces for children, and provide athletes with direct booking capabilities for training sessions.

    Beyond sports, Armstrong highlighted broader governance issues, condemning excessive bureaucratic barriers and political gatekeeping in constituency development. She shared anecdotes from St Michael North residents who reported needing formal permission from parliamentary representatives for basic infrastructure like street lighting. Promising a radical departure from this system, Armstrong committed to eliminating these political obstacles, ensuring communities can directly pursue development initiatives without administrative interference.

    The DLP candidate positioned these policies as essential measures for crime reduction, arguing that structured community engagement through sports and accessible facilities would provide positive alternatives for at-risk youth, particularly young men.

  • PM Says Immigration Amnesty Needed to Unlock Skills Already in Workforce

    PM Says Immigration Amnesty Needed to Unlock Skills Already in Workforce

    Prime Minister Gaston Browne has articulated a compelling economic rationale for Antigua and Barbuda’s newly announced immigration amnesty program. In a recent appearance on Pointe FM’s ‘Browne and Browne’ programme, the leader emphasized that regularizing undocumented workers represents an essential strategy for sustaining the nation’s economic expansion.

    The policy initiative, according to Browne, aims to harness the untapped potential of skilled laborers already contributing to the economy while constrained by their irregular immigration status. ‘The economy is growing, and quite frankly, without the immigrants, we would not be able to sustain the growth,’ Browne stated, highlighting critical workforce gaps in construction, tourism, and other rapidly expanding sectors.

    Browne pointed to the increasingly tight labor market as development activities intensify across the twin-island nation. This economic reality has created unprecedented demand that cannot be satisfied solely by the local workforce. ‘Practically anyone who wants a job and is not too fussy about what job they do can find a job,’ the Prime Minister observed, noting that immigrant labor has become indispensable for maintaining momentum across multiple industries.

    The regularization program is designed to transition workers from informal economic participation to fully documented status, enabling them to contribute more openly and productively. Browne emphasized that this approach benefits both workers and the state, creating a more regulated and compliant workforce while addressing genuine economic needs rather than political considerations.

    While specific details regarding implementation timelines and eligibility criteria will be formally outlined by relevant authorities, the Prime Minister positioned the amnesty as a cornerstone of a broader labor-management strategy. This comprehensive approach seeks to balance continued economic growth with improved regulatory frameworks and workforce compliance mechanisms.

  • Cubaanse diplomaat beschuldigt VS van ‘piraterij’ na blokkade Venezolaanse olie

    Cubaanse diplomaat beschuldigt VS van ‘piraterij’ na blokkade Venezolaanse olie

    Cuban Ambassador to Colombia Carlos de Cespedes has leveled serious accusations against the United States, characterizing Washington’s interception of Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba as “international piracy.” This dramatic escalation follows a controversial U.S. military operation that resulted in the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

    In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera on Saturday, de Cespedes described the American restrictions as a “maritime siege” that severely impacts Cuba’s economy. He asserted that Cuba currently faces the most intense threats from the United States since the 1959 revolution, with comprehensive sanctions and military pressure creating unprecedented economic strain.

    The oil supply from Venezuela, which had served as Cuba’s primary energy source for years, has virtually ceased following Maduro’s capture. President Donald Trump declared earlier this month that “zero” Venezuelan oil would reach Cuba and threatened additional military actions if necessary.

    American forces have been intercepting and confiscating Venezuelan oil tankers throughout the Caribbean region—actions that critics equate with modern-day piracy. Trump has stated that Cuba stands “ready to collapse” due to the loss of these critical energy revenues.

    Although Cuba continues importing limited oil supplies from alternative sources including Mexico, the termination of Venezuelan shipments threatens to push the island’s already fragile economy to the brink. Washington is reportedly considering a complete energy blockade that could potentially trigger a humanitarian crisis.

    Relations between Washington and Havana have remained tense since Fidel Castro’s communist revolution in 1959. The current Trump administration, influenced by Cuban-American officials including Senator Marco Rubio, has adopted an increasingly hardline stance toward Cuba.

    The United States continues to implement its hemispheric foreign policy through a strategy reminiscent of the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine, which treats the American continent as an exclusive sphere of influence. This historical precedent established that European interference in the Americas would be viewed as an attack on the United States itself.

    Despite these mounting pressures, Ambassador de Cespedes emphasized Cuba’s resilience: “It will not subjugate us or break our determination, even if not another drop of oil enters our country.” He invoked Fidel Castro’s anti-imperialist legacy and affirmed that Cuba remains unafraid of threats or terror, concluding with a powerful statement: “Those who seek peace must be prepared to defend it.”

  • PM Predicts significant improvement in agricultural production with million-dollar equipment purchase

    PM Predicts significant improvement in agricultural production with million-dollar equipment purchase

    The government of Antigua and Barbuda has initiated a comprehensive agricultural modernization program featuring significant infrastructure investments to address food security challenges and enhance climate resilience. Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced these developments during his recent appearance on Pointe FM’s ‘Browne and Browne’ program, detailing substantial equipment acquisitions and facility upgrades currently underway.

    The Ministry of Agriculture has already taken delivery of new heavy machinery including two 20-ton trucks and an excavator, with additional equipment scheduled to arrive within weeks. The incoming inventory includes a bulldozer, track loader, backhoe, and another excavator—all designated exclusively for agricultural purposes. This specialized equipment will directly support farmers with critical tasks including land preparation, water storage solutions, and improved farm accessibility.

    Concurrently, the government has procured two modern abattoirs whose equipment has already been shipped and is expected to reach the islands within approximately 45 days. Site preparation and civil works for these facilities are slated to commence imminently, with projected operational status within 12-18 months.

    As part of climate adaptation initiatives, the administration will implement solar-powered lighting systems to facilitate night farming operations. This innovative approach addresses growing concerns about heat waves exacerbated by climate change, enabling agricultural workers to avoid peak daytime temperatures while maintaining productivity.

    Prime Minister Browne emphasized that these combined investments represent strategic measures to reduce the nation’s dependency on imported food supplies. While acknowledging that complete food self-sufficiency remains challenging, the government is implementing deliberate policies to expand domestic production capacity and strengthen national food security.

  • President Abinader leads parade commemorating 213th anniversary of Juan Pablo Duarte

    President Abinader leads parade commemorating 213th anniversary of Juan Pablo Duarte

    SAN FRANCISCO DE MACORÍS – The Dominican Republic officially launched its Month of the Homeland celebrations with a grand commemorative parade honoring the 213th birth anniversary of Juan Pablo Duarte, the nation’s founding father. President Luis Abinader presided over Monday’s ceremonial events that emphasized the government’s dedication to preserving Duarte’s core principles of freedom, national sovereignty, and patriotic values.

    Juan Pablo Uribe, heading the Permanent Commission of Patriotic Anniversaries (CPEP), delivered a stirring tribute characterizing Duarte as “the Dominican of purest glory.” Uribe urged citizens to embrace the founding father’s exemplary dedication through love, diligent work, and national sacrifice. The CPEP president notably connected these historical values to the current administration, praising President Abinader for embodying Duartean ideals including governmental honesty, personal integrity, national dignity, and transparent leadership.

    Local leadership including San Francisco de Macorís Mayor Alex Díaz and Provincial Governor Ana Xiomara Cortés echoed these sentiments, stressing how Duarte’s legacy translates to modern governance through strong civic ethics, social responsibility, and dedicated public service. Both officials emphasized that transparency and commitment to communal welfare serve as fundamental pillars for national development.

    The ceremony culminated with President Abinader authorizing a combined civic-military and police parade featuring students from Duarte province schools, elite Armed Forces units, and specialized National Police divisions. The president’s participation alongside high-ranking military, governmental, and religious authorities reinforced the institutional commitment to honoring Duarte’s enduring influence on Dominican society and governance.

  • “When we have united, history has shown that we have always achieved victory”

    “When we have united, history has shown that we have always achieved victory”

    Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez oversaw extensive military exercises on National Defense Day, emphasizing the nation’s preparedness against potential foreign aggression. The tactical demonstrations at the Great Tank Unit of Combat Glory Rescate de Sanguily featured combined forces from regular military units, Territorial Troop Militias, and Production and Defense Brigades.

    Accompanied by high-ranking military officials including Army Corps General Álvaro López Miera and General Roberto Legrá Sotolongo, Díaz-Canel observed the drills that began three weeks prior. The President highlighted the significance of these exercises in the current geopolitical climate, specifically referencing the “hegemonic offensive being carried out by the United States government” since January 3.

    The drills demonstrated remarkable coordination between different components of Cuba’s territorial defense system. Díaz-Canel praised the “levels of preparation, cohesion, and cooperation” as admirable, noting that the systematic preparation program is yielding concrete results while strengthening national patriotism and anti-imperialist sentiment.

    The President later visited university students practicing rifle assembly, mine deployment, and other combat skills. He emphasized to the future professionals that defense preparedness remains crucial, echoing historical warnings from Fidel and Raúl Castro that the best deterrent against aggression is comprehensive military readiness. The students responded with revolutionary slogans including “Fatherland or Death!” and “No one surrenders here!”

    The inspection concluded at an air defense unit where Díaz-Canel verified combat technology conditions and observed demonstrations of Cuba’s response capabilities to potential enemy attacks.

  • JCE delivers first new identity and electoral card to President Abinader

    JCE delivers first new identity and electoral card to President Abinader

    SANTO DOMINGO – In a landmark ceremony symbolizing technological advancement in civic administration, Dominican President Luis Abinader was officially presented with the nation’s first new biometric identity and electoral card on Monday. The historic event, orchestrated by the Central Electoral Board (JCE), marks the commencement of a comprehensive national rollout for the enhanced identification system.

    Presided over by JCE President Román Andrés Jáquez Liranzo, the delivery ceremony at the JCE headquarters auditorium included the full assembly of board members and General Secretary Sonne Beltré. President Abinader’s receipt of the inaugural card positions him as the first citizen enrolled in the updated civil registry, designed to integrate advanced biometric data for heightened security and electoral integrity.

    The JCE initiated its internal data capture phase on January 8th, collecting biometric and personal information from its own personnel as a preliminary test of the system’s operational capacity. This successful internal implementation paved the way for the ceremonial handover to the head of state.

    The national deployment strategy will unfold in structured phases. Following the initial institutional stage, targeted registration drives for specific demographic sectors are scheduled for February through March 2026. A full-scale nationwide enrollment campaign is set to launch in April 2026, utilizing a birth-month sequencing approach to manage the process systematically. The JCE has projected the conclusion of the mass registration effort for all citizens by March 31, 2027.

  • Jottin Cury defends Dominican government’s decision not to sign Global Refugee Pact

    Jottin Cury defends Dominican government’s decision not to sign Global Refugee Pact

    In a significant move to protect national sovereignty, the Dominican Republic has declined to endorse the Global Compact on Refugees, according to prominent jurist and former Constitutional Court judge Jottin Cury. The decision emerges as the Caribbean nation grapples with mounting migration pressures from neighboring Haiti’s ongoing political and humanitarian crisis.

    Cury, speaking on the analytical program ‘Reviews, the Podcast,’ articulated that accession to the international agreement would fundamentally constrain the government’s authority to manage migration and execute deportations of undocumented individuals. The legal expert emphasized that once refugees gain admission under the pact’s provisions, the state becomes legally obligated to maintain their status, effectively eliminating options for repatriation.

    Beyond the specific refugee compact, Cury identified additional sovereignty concerns embedded within other international agreements that incorporate refugee protection clauses. These provisions, he warned, collectively threaten the nation’s autonomous control over its immigration policies.

    The former magistrate further highlighted practical limitations, noting that the Dominican Republic lacks both the operational infrastructure and financial resources to undertake expanded refugee commitments. He characterized the existing burden from the Haitian crisis as already exceeding the state’s capacity, making additional responsibilities unsustainable.

    Addressing related jurisdictional matters, Cury clarified the country’s position regarding the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, reaffirming that the Dominican Republic remains not legally bound by its rulings. His comprehensive analysis underscores the government’s deliberate strategy to prioritize national interests and operational realities amid complex international migration challenges.

  • Insecurity : The reconquest of territories has begun

    Insecurity : The reconquest of territories has begun

    Haiti’s transitional government has initiated a comprehensive security operation aimed at reclaiming territories controlled by armed gangs and restoring national stability. Interim President Laurent Saint Cyr, alongside Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé and Justice Minister, convened with acting Police Director General Vladimir Paraison and senior security officials at the West 1 Departmental Directorate to oversee the mobilization of security forces.

    The high-level meeting focused on strategic deployment of 877 newly graduated police officers from the P4000 program, who are being dispatched to reinforce security measures across multiple departments. Security discussions emphasized the critical need to clear national highways currently occupied by criminal elements to ensure safe passage for citizens and commercial goods.

    Intensive police operations have been conducted throughout the past 24 hours in strategic areas including Bel-Air and Delmas 4, representing an ongoing offensive strategy by the Haitian National Police (PNH) supported by the Gang Suppression Force (GSF). These coordinated efforts target the dismantling of criminal networks and restoration of territorial control.

    The state issued a firm declaration: “The Republic is holding firm. Security forces are on the offensive, with gradual but tangible results, and the authorities’ determination remains absolute. The State will not back down. The rule of law will be restored.”

    Following the strategic assessment, authorities reaffirmed their commitment to implementing urgent security measures to create conditions conducive for free, inclusive, and credible elections scheduled for 2026.

  • FLASH : First US sanctions against the CPT

    FLASH : First US sanctions against the CPT

    The United States Department of State has initiated unprecedented sanctions targeting members of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), marking a significant escalation in international response to the Caribbean nation’s ongoing crisis. In an official statement released on January 26, 2026, the agency announced visa restrictions and revocations against two CPT representatives and their immediate family members.

    The sanctions stem from compelling evidence linking these officials to criminal networks operating within Haiti. According to the State Department, the targeted individuals have actively participated in gang operations and criminal organizations, including deliberate obstruction of governmental efforts to combat U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).

    This decisive action leverages Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which prohibits entry to individuals whose activities may produce serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States. The implementation of these measures reflects Washington’s growing impatience with Haiti’s political leadership amid escalating gang violence that has paralyzed the nation.

    While maintaining its commitment to Haitian stability, the U.S. administration emphasized its determination to hold accountable those perpetuating violence and political instability. The statement notably echoed the Haitian populace’s exhaustion with relentless gang warfare, infrastructure destruction, and political infighting. In a clear warning to other potentially complicit officials, the announcement underscored the Trump Administration’s resolve to pursue additional accountability measures against actors destabilizing Haiti and the broader region.

    The identities of the sanctioned individuals remain confidential, consistent with standard diplomatic protocols regarding visa restriction disclosures.