Carib Scope

分类： politics

  • Descartes clears the air on Election Day police interaction

    Descartes clears the air on Election Day police interaction

    Tommy Descartes, the unsuccessful United Workers Party (UWP) candidate for Castries South, has publicly refuted what he characterizes as widely circulated misinformation regarding his encounter with law enforcement during the December 1 general elections. At a Thursday press briefing, Descartes categorically dismissed viral online reports of his alleged arrest for vote-buying as entirely fabricated.

    The politician specifically addressed claims that police had discovered $30,000 in his possession during the incident. Descartes clarified that the funds in question were never his property nor were they found on his person. According to his account, police approached his campaign finance manager who was seated in a private vehicle containing cash reserves intended for compensating election day personnel.

    Descartes explained that these funds were designated for approximately 50 individuals who had provided various services including polling agents, transportation staff, catering personnel, and data clerks. His intervention, he stated, was merely to inquire about the situation unfolding with his staff member.

    ‘The officers never located any monetary amounts on my person, nor was I ever in possession of these campaign funds,’ Descartes emphasized during his statement.

    The politician detailed how officers transported him and two associates to a police station under the pretext of counting the cash. Despite this, no formal statements were recorded from them, and the currency counting occurred without their observation, lasting approximately one hour.

    Descartes expressed particular concern about the unauthorized online dissemination of photographs featuring identification cards belonging to him and his team members. He questioned how a fake social media profile obtained images of their IDs on a police desk and condemned this action as a severe breach of privacy and professional standards within the St. Lucia Police Force.

    While affirming his respect for law enforcement’s role, Descartes raised critical questions about potential targeting of his campaign team, the justification for their transportation to the station absent any criminal charges, and discrepancies between official police communications to media and actual events.

    ‘These inquiries stem not from hostility but from dedication to fairness, transparency, and safeguarding our democratic institutions,’ Descartes asserted. ‘We fully support police executing their duties appropriately.’

    He concluded with a commitment to continue advocating for governmental accountability and judicial integrity, vowing to ‘persist in speaking truth to power’ and fighting for a St. Lucia where democratic principles are genuinely honored and protected.

  • STATEMENT: Lennox Linton addresses comments by UWP Leader Dr Thomson Fontaine about party’s elections

    STATEMENT: Lennox Linton addresses comments by UWP Leader Dr Thomson Fontaine about party’s elections

    The United Workers Party (UWP) has issued an official response addressing controversial remarks made by Dr. Thomson Fontaine regarding the party’s constitutional requirement for annual leadership elections. Fontaine had characterized these elections as a “wash-your-foot-and-come” affair, a cultural expression suggesting a casual, unstructured process open to anyone without standards.

    The National Executive Committee clarified that this characterization fundamentally misrepresents the purpose and design of their electoral system. The party emphasized that annual elections serve as a deliberate democratic safeguard rather than an informal proceeding. These constitutional provisions ensure leadership accountability to membership, regular mandate renewal, transparency in authority exercise, and meaningful member participation in party direction.

    Contrary to Fontaine’s implication that the process lacks seriousness, the UWP maintains that their election framework strengthens the organization by requiring leaders to continually earn and reaffirm their positions rather than assuming entitlement through prolonged incumbency. The party’s constitution reflects core values of openness, accountability, discipline, and democracy established by its founders.

    The statement noted that Fontaine has agreed to public disclosure of this clarification, wanting to “let the country decide” on the matter. The UWP expressed confidence that their properly conducted annual elections represent a pillar of internal democracy that maintains unity, focus, and responsiveness to the citizens they serve.

  • Kiz Johnson Thanks Supporters After Winning ABLP Primary in St. Philip’s South

    Kiz Johnson Thanks Supporters After Winning ABLP Primary in St. Philip’s South

    Kiz Johnson has emerged victorious from a competitive four-way primary race to become the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party’s (ABLP) official candidate for the St. Philip’s South constituency. The decisive victory occurred during Sunday’s primary election, where Johnson expressed profound gratitude to her supporters for their demonstrated confidence.

    Johnson secured a commanding lead with 167 votes, substantially outpacing her competitors. Malcolm Charles received 113 votes, while Adrian Richardson and Lennox Weston garnered 49 and 44 votes respectively. This electoral outcome positions Johnson as both the ABLP’s designated candidate and caretaker representative for the constituency.

    In her victory address, Johnson acknowledged the significance of the electoral mandate, stating: ‘Thank you, St. Philip’s South. Your confidence, your belief, and your vote have spoken loudly.’ She further outlined her immediate plans, noting: ‘Tonight, we celebrate; tomorrow, we continue the work. We move boldly forward.’

    The victory carries substantial political implications as Johnson is now expected to be formally included on the ABLP’s slate for the upcoming general election. This development represents a crucial step in the party’s electoral preparation strategy, potentially influencing the political landscape in the constituency. The primary results demonstrate Johnson’s strong connection with the party base and suggest a consolidated support structure heading into the national elections.

  • Gov’t to Pursue Aggressive Tax Compliance Drive in 2026, PM Announces

    Gov’t to Pursue Aggressive Tax Compliance Drive in 2026, PM Announces

    Prime Minister Gaston Browne unveiled a comprehensive tax enforcement strategy on Thursday during his presentation of Antigua and Barbuda’s 2026 national budget, signaling a major shift in the nation’s fiscal policy approach. The government will implement an aggressive compliance campaign aimed at strengthening public finances and addressing significant revenue shortfalls.

    Despite acknowledging the country’s strong economic performance and sustained growth, Browne revealed that Antigua and Barbuda maintains the lowest tax revenue-to-GDP ratio within the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). This position, he emphasized, has become unacceptable for a developing nation requiring substantial funding for expanding social programs and critical infrastructure projects.

    The Prime Minister outlined a multi-faceted approach to revenue enhancement that includes modernizing tax administration systems, implementing rotation strategies within customs and tax departments to prevent collusion, and conducting regular spot checks targeting businesses and individuals suspected of non-compliance. Browne issued a stern warning to potential tax evaders, stating that ‘those who get caught robbing the revenue will pay heavily.’

    These fiscal reforms are positioned as essential for maintaining the country’s improved fiscal position, which has seen budget surpluses and reduced public debt. The additional revenue generated is expected to fund priority areas including housing development, education initiatives, healthcare services, and climate resilience programs.

    With recurrent revenue projections of $1.49 billion for 2026, the government aims to close the gap between Antigua’s current tax performance and regional benchmarks. The campaign targets reaching the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union average of 20 percent tax-to-GDP ratio and ultimately aligning with the broader regional standard of 25 percent.

    The budget debate is scheduled to continue next week, where further details of the tax compliance measures are expected to be discussed.

  • Nevis Appropriation (2026) Bill, 2025, Passed

    Nevis Appropriation (2026) Bill, 2025, Passed

    CHARLESTOWN, NEVIS – In a demonstration of cross-party consensus, the Nevis Island Assembly has formally ratified the Nevis Appropriation (2026) Bill, 2025, establishing the financial blueprint for the upcoming fiscal year. The legislative package, which includes accompanying financial resolutions, received unanimous endorsement on December 04, 2025, following extensive deliberations spanning two days.

    Premier the Honourable Mark Brantley, who serves as Minister of Finance within the Nevis Island Administration (NIA), initially presented the budget proposal to the Assembly on December 02. The subsequent debate featured substantive contributions from parliamentarians representing both government and opposition factions, ultimately culminating in rare bipartisan approval.

    Under the thematic banner “A Purpose Driven Agenda: Building our Sustainable Future,” the approved budget allocates $284.4 million in expenditures against projected revenues of $215.6 million. Premier Brantley characterized the financial plan as embodying his administration’s dedication to responsible governance and meticulous fiscal stewardship, emphasizing its dual purpose of synchronizing government policies with private sector initiatives to catalyze economic expansion.

    The Premier provided explicit assurances regarding the administration’s commitment to fiscal prudence, noting that implementation velocity would be directly contingent upon funding availability. “We will not be reckless,” Brantley asserted, “and will only seek to undertake projects if funding is available or accessible at low cost in accordance with our debt management strategy.” He further indicated that projects lacking concessionary financing would be deferred to the 2027 fiscal period rather than pursued through expensive borrowing mechanisms.

    The comprehensive budget framework outlines strategic priorities across multiple domains including economic diversification, employment generation, crime reduction, debt consolidation, and infrastructure modernization. Premier Brantley expressed confidence that these interconnected policies would collectively stimulate transformative economic development while empowering citizens to realize their full potential.

  • Santiago marched with Fidel

    Santiago marched with Fidel

    SANTIAGO DE CUBA – Thousands of Cubans marched through the streets of Santiago de Cuba on Saturday to mark the ninth anniversary of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz’s interment at Santa Ifigenia Heritage Cemetery. The procession, moving from Antonio Maceo Grajales Revolution Square to the national monument, demonstrated remarkable resilience amid ongoing recovery from Hurricane Melissa and an intensified economic blockade.

    Young Adriano Giro Mustelier captured the spirit of the event, proclaiming, ‘Let’s march for Fidel, for the Revolution, and for Cuba!’ His words echoed through the crowd as participants of all ages moved along Patria Avenue to the sounds of the March of July 26 and patriotic songs.

    A university student who participated in the inaugural tribute march as a child told Granma, ‘We do this because Fidel and his example are more necessary today than ever.’ The march also served as a show of solidarity with Venezuela, expressing support against what participants termed ‘new aggressions of U.S. imperialism.’

    Concurrent with the memorial march, the Fidel Castro Ruz Center is hosting the exhibition ‘Siempre Alejandro’ (Always Alejandro) by National Prize for Plastic Arts winner Nelson Domínguez. The collection of 18 canvases in the Cinco Palmas room presents interpretive studies of Castro through striking visual allegories.

    Domínguez’s works, including pieces titled ‘Cinco Palmas,’ ‘Fidel Guerrillero,’ ‘La Guerra Necesaria,’ and ‘Fidel en la Sierra,’ explore the revolutionary leader’s legacy through symbolic imagery rather than traditional portraiture. ‘These are works in which I am searching for my Fidel,’ Domínguez explained. ‘The purpose was not to make a portrait, but an interpretation.’

    Exhibition curator Juan Martín Soler noted that Domínguez’s pieces reflect the artist’s personal experiences with Castro during the revolutionary period in the mountains and subsequent memorable encounters. The exhibition, attracting numerous young visitors, serves as another testament to Castro’s enduring presence in Cuban cultural and political life.

  • VAT-free shopping on Dec. 19

    VAT-free shopping on Dec. 19

    In a significant move to alleviate economic pressure on citizens, St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister Godwin Friday has declared December 19 as a value-added tax (VAT) exemption day for shoppers. The announcement came during Tuesday’s cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Arnos Vale, marking the new administration’s first concrete step toward implementing campaign promises.

    The Prime Minister framed this initiative within the broader context of his party’s overwhelming electoral victory on November 27, where the New Democratic Party (NDP) secured 14 of 15 parliamentary seats. Friday interpreted this decisive mandate as reflecting a profound public demand for transformational change in governance structures and societal relationships.

    Originally, the NDP’s campaign platform had committed to establishing two annual VAT-free shopping days—scheduled for the first Mondays of August and December. However, the recent transition of power prevented the December event from occurring as initially planned, prompting the December 19 alternative date.

    Friday articulated that Vincentians’ expectations have fundamentally shifted beyond mere governmental change. He identified pressing public concerns including escalating living costs, employment scarcity, inadequate wages, gun violence, healthcare deficiencies, and deteriorating infrastructure.

    The Prime Minister emphasized his administration’s commitment to addressing these multifaceted challenges through comprehensive policy reforms. These include previously pledged reductions in VAT rates from 16% to 13%, alongside continued economic relief measures designed to improve material circumstances while fostering national unity and spiritual renewal.

  • US assures Guyana of security support if Trump’s land operations trigger Venezuelan attacks

    US assures Guyana of security support if Trump’s land operations trigger Venezuelan attacks

    The United States has formally assured Guyana of its security commitment should Venezuela launch retaliatory attacks in response to potential US military operations. US Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot declared Washington’s readiness to “stand shoulder to shoulder” in defense of the South American nation, emphasizing Guyana’s strategic importance as both a partner and regional ally.

    This security guarantee comes as President Donald Trump contemplates land operations in Venezuela targeting what he describes as narco-terrorist networks. The Maduro administration’s renewed claims over Guyana’s oil-rich Essequibo Region—approximately 160,000 square kilometers—has intensified diplomatic tensions throughout the Caribbean basin.

    Military analysts suggest substantial US firepower deployed throughout the region would effectively deter Venezuelan aggression. R. Evan Ellis, Latin America Research Professor at the US Army War College, characterized the risk of attack as “moderate,” noting that any serious military action would likely trigger a “crushing response” from US forces. He suggested Venezuela would be reluctant to compromise its international standing by initiating conflict.

    The geopolitical stakes are substantially elevated by Guyana’s emerging status as a major oil producer. An ExxonMobil-led consortium including Chevron and China National Overseas Oil Corporation projects production exceeding 1 million barrels daily by 2030. This economic transformation positions Guyana as a crucial US partner in countering narcotics trafficking and transnational crime.

    Guyanese President Irfaan Ali affirmed his administration’s priority remains national sovereignty and citizen safety. While acknowledging continuous risk assessments with international partners including the UK and France, Ali declined to disclose specific security measures. Migration experts additionally warn that US military action in Venezuela could trigger renewed refugee flows across the Guyanese border, where approximately 100,000 Venezuelans already reside amid their homeland’s ongoing crisis.

    Despite these complex security challenges, industry observers maintain confidence in offshore operations’ resilience. Former UK High Commissioner to Guyana Greg Quinn advised energy companies to maintain updated contingency plans while characterizing the overall risk environment as manageable.

  • UDP Leader Sets Internal Reform as First Order of Business

    UDP Leader Sets Internal Reform as First Order of Business

    The United Democratic Party (UDP) is initiating a sweeping internal reorganization, with constitutional reform serving as the cornerstone of its strategy to prevent future governance failures. Hon. Tracy Panton announced that the party’s primary immediate objective involves fortifying its institutional framework to avert any recurrence of recent leadership instability.

    Panton underscored that forthcoming reforms will establish robust mechanisms to prevent any individual chairman or leader from circumventing institutional checks or dismantling party infrastructure. These measures aim to embed accountability, stability, and inclusive decision-making processes into the party’s core operations.

    The restructuring involves a comprehensive reconfiguration of the National Party Council and the reappointment of the Central Executive Committee, forming the structural basis for the UDP’s operational reset. This recalibration seeks to broaden participatory governance by granting constituency leaders and delegates more clearly defined roles in determining the party’s strategic direction.

    Beyond constitutional overhaul, the UDP will implement motions ratified during its national convention, including specific initiatives to enhance women’s political leadership and amplify youth involvement. These initiatives will be supported by organizational frameworks designed to guarantee substantive influence for women and young members within the party’s hierarchy.

    To bolster policy development, Panton revealed plans to form specialized committees addressing critical national concerns. These panels will focus on education, healthcare, economic advancement, citizen security, and cost-of-living challenges. Their mandate includes formulating strategic proposals and generating actionable solutions for integration into a cohesive national agenda.

    Panton characterized this restructuring as a pivotal phase in the UDP’s efforts to restore public trust. She emphasized that combining organizational discipline with expanded engagement is essential for positioning the party as a credible national leadership alternative in the coming years.

  • Former AG suggests new gov’t pass integrity law, set up constituency fund

    Former AG suggests new gov’t pass integrity law, set up constituency fund

    In a surprising political reversal, former Attorney General Grenville Williams has publicly endorsed the New Democratic Party’s constituency development fund proposal—a policy his own Unity Labour Party vehemently opposed during its 25-year administration. Williams, who unsuccessfully contested the South Leeward seat in the November 27 general election, made his recommendations through a detailed Facebook post just days after the ULP’s electoral defeat.

    The defeated candidate urged newly appointed Prime Minister Godwin Friday to enact two landmark legislations within his first 90 days in office: an integrity commission requiring full financial disclosure from all politicians, and the formal establishment of the constituency development fund that would allocate resources to MPs for local projects. Williams specifically referenced Jamaica’s integrity framework and St. Lucia’s development fund as exemplary models.

    This endorsement represents a significant political paradox given that Williams served as attorney general from October 2022 until November 2025 under the ULP government, which consistently blocked both initiatives despite previous campaign promises. The NDP had advocated for the development fund for over fifteen years, facing strong opposition from former Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves who argued it would create duplication and accountability issues.

    The development fund became a particular point of contention when opposition member Carlos James Leacock—now Deputy Prime Minister—accused the ULP of secretly implementing similar measures despite public denouncements. Leacock had previously vowed not to serve in any NDP government that failed to establish the fund.

    Williams, who lost to NDP’s Nigel Stephenson by 1,266 votes, extended congratulations to his former opponent and offered to share his six-point development plan for South Leeward, emphasizing his commitment to national interest above partisan politics.