Carib Scope

分类： politics

  • Panton Says ‘No Prime Minister Should Have to Instruct the P.U.C.’

    Panton Says ‘No Prime Minister Should Have to Instruct the P.U.C.’

    Opposition Leader Tracy Panton of the United Democratic Party (UDP) has declared her party’s intention to directly engage regulatory bodies regarding Belize Telemedia Limited’s proposed acquisition of Speednet (Smart). Panton emphasized that the UDP parliamentary caucus and leadership team will seek formal meetings with both the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and Social Security Board to formally record their position on the telecommunications merger.

    Panton delivered sharp criticism against the PUC, accusing the regulatory body of awaiting political directives rather than exercising its independent authority. She asserted that the commission possesses established legal frameworks that should guide its actions without requiring instructions from government officials. The opposition leader further questioned the impartiality of the PUC’s composition, noting that all members were appointed by the current Briceño administration, which she described as a matter of serious concern.

    These developments follow last Friday’s announcement that merger discussions have been temporarily suspended following Prime Minister John Briceño’s intervention. Michel Chebat, Minister of Public Utilities, informed the House of Representatives that the pause was implemented to facilitate public consultation and ensure proper legal procedures are followed. Chebat clarified that acquisitions of this magnitude necessitate preliminary review by the PUC, with formal submissions to be made pending approval from both the Social Security Board and BTL.

    The UDP maintains its commitment to demanding rigorous oversight throughout the process, highlighting the transaction’s substantial financial implications and advocating for complete transparency in all proceedings. Panton concluded by reinforcing that existing laws clearly define the PUC’s responsibilities, making ministerial or prime ministerial instruction unnecessary for the commission to act in the public interest.

  • UDP Questions ‘Yellowman’ Detention as Politically Motivated

    UDP Questions ‘Yellowman’ Detention as Politically Motivated

    BELIZE CITY – Political tensions escalated in Belize as the United Democratic Party (UDP) launched sharp criticisms against the national police force following the brief detention of party affiliate Brian “Yellowman” Audinett last Wednesday. The incident has sparked allegations of political motivation and triggered street demonstrations that disrupted major infrastructure.

    During a press conference, UDP leadership challenged the official justification for Audinett’s apprehension after law enforcement provided contradictory explanations. Initial reports suggested detention either for alleged gang affiliation or for suspected plans to incite public violence—both claims vigorously disputed by opposition figures.

    UDP Senator Sheena Pitts denounced the arrest as politically targeted, stating: “Yellowman is a recognized political affiliate of our party. This action by the police department raises serious questions about their motives and impartiality.”

    The detention prompted immediate mobilization of UDP supporters, who blockaded the strategic Belcan Bridge in a show of protest. Demonstrators marched from the Social Security Board building to the bridge, intensifying demands for Audinett’s release.

    Police Commissioner Dr. Richard Rosado condemned the bridge blockade as a violation of agreed protest conditions, warning that “legal consequences for the organizers” may follow. Audinett was released by midday Wednesday and has since threatened legal action against the police department, potentially setting the stage for protracted legal and political battles.

  • Grenada’s 52nd Independence Address

    Grenada’s 52nd Independence Address

    In a profound address marking Grenada’s 52nd Independence Anniversary, Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell delivered a transformative vision of national sovereignty that transcends ceremonial observance. Speaking under the theme “Anchored in Faith, Guided by Purpose,” the Prime Minister challenged conventional understandings of independence as mere historical commemoration, reframing it instead as an active, daily practice requiring collective discipline and productivity.

    Mitchell articulated a crucial distinction between freedom ‘from’ colonial domination and freedom ‘for’ constructive nation-building. He emphasized that true independence represents not a completed achievement but an ongoing assignment demanding practical contribution from every citizen. “Independence did not hand us a finished house,” Mitchell stated. “It handed us tools and said: ‘Go forth and Build.’”

    The address outlined specific responsibilities across societal sectors: farmers must prioritize agricultural productivity, teachers must shape minds with excellence, public officers must serve with integrity, entrepreneurs must embrace innovation and risk, while young people must choose discipline over entitlement. Mitchell warned that “freedom without productivity is temporary” and that nations consuming more than they produce become like “fruitless trees” incapable of sustaining their people.

    Significantly, the Prime Minister rejected the notion of independence as isolationism, advocating instead for “interdependence with dignity” across personal, community, national, regional, and international levels. He positioned Grenada as a small state navigating a rapidly transforming global landscape where strategic thinking outweighs physical size. Key priorities include human capital investment, economic resilience, food and energy security, technological adoption, and climate adaptation.

    The government’s Vision 75 and National Sustainable Development Plan 2020-2035 provide measurable frameworks for progress assessment, focusing on tangible outcomes rather than political rhetoric. Mitchell concluded with a powerful metaphor: “Faith is our anchor. Purpose is our sail. Work is our wind,” urging citizens to embrace nation-building as their generational responsibility rather than resting on historical achievements.

  • UDP Defends House Meeting Boycott

    UDP Defends House Meeting Boycott

    The United Democratic Party (UDP) has publicly justified its strategic boycott of a recent House of Representatives session, framing the move as a principled stand against governmental corruption. During a press conference held on February 10, 2026, Opposition Leader Tracy Panton characterized the decision as an essential ‘act of conscience’.

    The boycott was directly triggered by mounting concerns surrounding Belize Telemedia Limited’s (BTL) proposed $80 million acquisition of Speednet/SMART. Panton’s caucus expressed firm resolve, declaring that UDP parliamentarians would not permit the national Assembly to serve as a ‘rubber stamp for corruption.’

    Panton launched a pointed critique against Prime Minister John Briceño, highlighting a perceived contradiction in his actions. She questioned how the Prime Minister, who initially claimed unawareness of BTL’s negotiations with his own family company, could now assert authority to direct a pause in the acquisition process. ‘The prime minister of this country has inserted himself to direct a pause on a deal he knew nothing about,’ Panton stated, emphasizing the apparent inconsistency.

    The opposition leader’s rhetoric intensified as she asserted that UDP parliamentarians ‘will not be treated like kunumunu’—a Belizean Creole term implying foolishness or being misled.

    In the absence of opposition lawmakers, the political atmosphere outside the newly renovated National Assembly took on a celebratory tone. A significant gathering of supporters from the ruling People’s United Party (PUP) assembled, described by Secretary General Collet Montejo as showing general support for party leaders and celebrating the parliamentary building’s reopening. Party Chairman Henry Charles Usher added that supporters were present to endorse the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Bill. However, attendees including Pickstock Street captain Shaheed Hauze confirmed their presence was specifically to support the controversial BTL acquisition currently under scrutiny.

  • OP-ED: A primer into 21 st Century Caribbean geopolitics – The importance of Guyana

    OP-ED: A primer into 21 st Century Caribbean geopolitics – The importance of Guyana

    The Caribbean Community (CARICOM), comprising 15 member states across insular Caribbean territories and mainland regions of Central and South America, faces complex geopolitical challenges stemming from its numerous territorial boundaries. The region contends with 10 land borders and 37 maritime boundaries, many of which remain disputed—including tensions between Guyana and Venezuela, Belize and Guatemala, and Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.

    Geopolitically, CARICOM exists in the shadow of global powers, positioned proximate to the United States to the north, Brazil to the south, and Cuba in the central Caribbean. Member states grapple with post-colonial legacies, environmental vulnerabilities, resource distribution inequalities, and persistent border complications that challenge regional cohesion.

    Guyana emerges as a critical actor in this landscape, serving as the only English-speaking nation in South America and functioning as a strategic bridge between Caribbean and South American integration initiatives. Since Exxon Mobil’s landmark oil discovery in 2015, Guyana has experienced transformative economic growth, positioning itself as a potential future BRICS member candidate due to its growing regional influence and commitment to multilateralism.

    The nation’s agricultural capacity—producing staples of the West Indian diet including rice, sweet potatoes, and various fruits and vegetables—offers significant opportunities for enhancing regional food security. Additionally, its cross-border connectivity with Brazil through the Lethem-Bon Fim corridor provides CARICOM members access to broader South American markets.

    Despite operating in an increasingly volatile global environment where power dynamics often override multilateral cooperation, Guyana represents Caribbean resilience and potential. As noted by Dr. Kai-Ann Skeete, Trade Policy Research Fellow at the Shridath Ramphal Centre, the country exemplifies how Caribbean nations can maintain cultural identity while pursuing deeper regional integration and economic transformation, even amid the uncertainties inherent in geopolitical change.

  • Barbadians voting for new government

    Barbadians voting for new government

    BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — Barbados commenced a pivotal snap general election on Wednesday, with an electorate of 271,205 citizens heading to the polls. Prime Minister Mia Mottley called the vote a full year ahead of schedule, seeking to secure an unprecedented third consecutive term for her Barbados Labour Party (BLP).

    The political landscape features 96 candidates representing six political parties and independent contenders, all vying for control of the 30-seat Parliament. However, political analysts characterize the contest as primarily a bilateral struggle between the long-established BLP and the principal opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP).

    Election authorities, under the direction of Supervisor of Elections Sherland Turton, have implemented stringent measures to safeguard electoral integrity. In an official statement titled ‘Prohibited Devices,’ Turton assured voters of complete privacy, noting that polling booths would be strategically arranged to ensure each voter enters with their back to the presiding officer.

    Polling stations opened at 6:00 AM local time, remaining operational for a 12-hour period. For the first time in the nation’s political history, the electoral process is being monitored by international observer missions from both the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Commonwealth Secretariat. Prime Minister Mottley extended these invitations to preserve Barbados’ democratic reputation, simultaneously dismissing opposition requests for a postponement.

    New regulations explicitly prohibit all communication devices within polling stations, including smartphones, smartwatches, and smart pens. The Electoral and Boundaries Commission has reiterated that voters must present their national identification cards, though valid passports or driver’s licenses will also be accepted as official identification.

    Employers across the island have been formally instructed to permit workers ‘a reasonable period of not less than one hour’ for voting, with explicit prohibitions against wage deductions or any form of penalty for this absence.

    In final pre-election appeals, Prime Minister Mottley pledged to BLP supporters that ‘there will not be arrogance’ in her party, which achieved a historic clean sweep of all parliamentary seats in the previous two elections. Opposition DLP leaders countered with calls to ‘restore the balance’ in the country, urging voters to ‘take back our country.’

  • Senior FNMs to Minnis ‘your time has passed’

    Senior FNMs to Minnis ‘your time has passed’

    The Bahamian political landscape was thrown into turmoil following former Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis’s declaration to contest the Killarney constituency as an independent candidate, effectively severing his longstanding affiliation with the Free National Movement (FNM). This unexpected move has triggered strong reactions from former cabinet members of the Minnis administration, who expressed both disappointment and criticism regarding the decision.

    Senior FNM figures characterized the move as politically damaging and historically unpromising. Former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Peter Turnquest described the development as ‘disappointing,’ framing it as symptomatic of a broader failure within Bahamian politics where veteran leaders struggle to recognize their appropriate time to exit the stage. He emphasized that independent candidates have historically faced near-insurmountable challenges in achieving electoral success within the country’s two-party dominated system.

    Former Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar offered more pointed criticism, questioning the rationale behind ending a political career through open conflict with one’s own party. He suggested Dr. Minnis would face expulsion from the FNM for challenging the party’s ratified candidate in Killarney, Senator Michaela Barnett-Ellis. D’Aguilar further noted that Dr. Minnis had already reached the apex of political office and questioned the value of returning to parliament as a backbencher.

    Adding to the chorus of concern, former Immigration Minister Brent Symonette suggested Dr. Minnis could have maintained relevance without severing party ties, arguing that meaningful contributions remained possible even after electoral and leadership defeats. He implied that an earlier, more graceful exit would have demonstrated stronger character.

    The FNM organization, through its chairman and former health minister Duane Sands, indicated it would not be distracted by Dr. Minnis’s ambitions, instead focusing support on its official candidates. Meanwhile, Senator Barnett-Ellis reported that her campaign continues unchanged, centered on addressing constituent concerns including infrastructure issues, flooding, and economic development opportunities.

  • Former FNM women’s president defects to PLP after 33 years

    Former FNM women’s president defects to PLP after 33 years

    In a significant political realignment, Karen Shepherd, a longstanding Free National Movement (FNM) figure, has publicly severed ties with her party of 33 years to pledge allegiance to Prime Minister Philip Davis and the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP). The formal induction ceremony occurred at PLP headquarters on Farrington Road, where she received her membership credentials alongside senior officials including party chairman Fred Mitchell.

    Shepherd, who previously held multiple leadership roles including three terms as president of the FNM’s Women’s Association and party trustee, attributed her defection to fundamental philosophical disagreements. She asserted the FNM has deviated from its foundational principles, noting a disconnect between the party’s rhetoric and its operational conduct. “Their words are saying one thing, yet their actions show another,” she observed, referencing the erosion of the FNM’s traditional ‘all together’ motto.

    The former Englerston candidate revealed that FNM leader Michael Pintard failed to initiate contact following her resignation announcement. She described a party experiencing substantial grassroots erosion while focusing disproportionately on visible leadership positions, metaphorically noting that while “the party was filling their spaces from the front, the back is hemorrhaging.”

    Shepherd detailed how her decision crystallized during constituency canvassing, where she repeatedly encountered dissatisfied supporters whose concerns were systematically ignored by party leadership. She framed her move as ethically motivated rather than opportunistic, emphasizing her commitment to national interest through “holy courage” and clear conscience.

    Citing her political heritage as the daughter of late PLP MP James Shepherd, she invoked historical continuity by referencing her father’s advocacy for price controls, housing initiatives, urban renewal, and labor reforms during the transformative 1967 general election. She specifically highlighted his role as the first House of Assembly Whip and his association with former Prime Minister Sir Lynden Pindling.

    Shepherd concluded with an explicit endorsement of Prime Minister Davis’s reelection bid, urging undecided voters to “join me on the winning team” committed to Bahamian service. PLP leadership welcomed her as a valuable organizational asset, with Women’s Branch chairwoman Calverna Small recognizing her as a formidable campaign operative.

  • ‘They ain’t coming in my yard’: FNM veteran slams Rick Fox pick

    ‘They ain’t coming in my yard’: FNM veteran slams Rick Fox pick

    The Free National Movement’s ratification of former NBA star Rick Fox as its Garden Hills candidate has ignited significant internal dissent within the party ranks, exposing deep divisions regarding leadership decisions and candidate selection processes. Prominent party figures have publicly condemned the move, characterizing it as symptomatic of the organization’s broader decline under current leadership.

    Ricardo Rolle, a former constituency chairman and nine-year president of the Garden Hills association during the Ingraham administration, delivered scathing criticism of both the party hierarchy and Fox’s nomination. The veteran FNM supporter, who has maintained party allegiance since 1985, asserted that the decision to bypass established political figures like former MPs Dr. Hubert Minnis and Renward Wells in favor of a political newcomer represents a fundamental misjudgment that has disillusioned long-standing members.

    ‘This constitutes the most poorly managed period in FNM’s history,’ Rolle declared to The Tribune, emphasizing Fox’s lack of local political knowledge. ‘He cannot even delineate Garden Hills’ boundaries despite seeking to represent the constituency.’

    The controversy emerges amid revelations that this year’s general election will mark Fox’s first-ever electoral participation in The Bahamas, a fact that has raised eyebrows among party traditionalists who expected longtime aspirant D’Angelo Ferguson to secure the nomination after extensive campaigning.

    Kendal Culmer, an FNM meritorious council member, echoed these concerns, noting the absence of proper consultation regarding Fox’s selection. Culmer questioned whether Fox’s celebrity status and financial success qualified him for political office, criticizing party leader Michael Pintard’s communication on the matter.

    Despite the substantial opposition, some party voices have expressed support for Fox’s candidacy. Former area MP Brensil Rolle endorsed the decision, describing Fox as a qualified Bahamian who merits opportunity and predicting that Garden Hills voters would prioritize performance over political rhetoric in their electoral decisions.

  • Minnis takes aim at ‘afraid’ FNM candidates switching seats

    Minnis takes aim at ‘afraid’ FNM candidates switching seats

    In a striking political development, former Bahamian Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis has publicly criticized members of his former party, the Free National Movement (FNM), for abandoning their original constituencies to seek election in different electoral districts. The remarks came during his Monday appearance on ‘Beyond the Headlines with Shenique Miller,’ where he simultaneously confirmed his intention to run as an independent candidate in the upcoming general election from his long-held Killarney constituency.

    Dr. Minnis drew sharp contrasts between his own consistent representation of Killarney since 2007 and what he characterized as politically opportunistic movements by fellow FNM members. ‘Regardless of how they cut it, I’m staying in Killarney unlike many others who have ran from one constituency to another,’ he stated during the broadcast interview.

    When pressed to identify specific individuals, the former Prime Minister declined to name names but pointed to extensive media coverage of these constituency changes. He suggested psychological motivations behind these electoral moves, remarking, ‘I don’t know if individuals are running. They must be afraid of something. So they’d have to inform us what that fear is all about, but I’m not afraid of it.’

    The phenomenon appears widespread within FNM ranks. Dr. Duane Sands, the party chairman and former Elizabeth constituency representative who lost to Progressive Liberal Party’s JoBeth Coleby-Davis in 2021, is now seeking nomination in Bamboo Town. Similarly, Travis Robinson, who previously represented Bain and Grants Town from 2017-2021 before losing his seat, is now pursuing the Fort Charlotte constituency. Even FNM deputy leader Shanendon Cartwright, currently representing St Barnabas, has been officially ratified as the party’s candidate for the newly created St James constituency.

    This public criticism from the former party leader signals deepening fractures within FNM leadership and highlights the strategic repositioning occurring within Bahamian politics ahead of the next general election.