Carib Scope

分类： politics

  • Trump Drops Threat of Tariffs Over Greenland

    Trump Drops Threat of Tariffs Over Greenland

    In a surprising development from the World Economic Forum in Davos, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced the establishment of a preliminary framework agreement concerning Greenland and broader Arctic region cooperation. The declaration followed his Tuesday meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, which Trump characterized as “highly productive” through his Truth Social platform.

    The proposed arrangement reportedly includes the withdrawal of threatened tariffs against eight European nations that had previously opposed Trump’s ambitions regarding Greenland. The semi-autonomous Danish territory has gained significant geopolitical importance due to its strategic Arctic positioning, with U.S. officials expressing concerns about increasing Russian and Chinese activity in the region.

    However, both Danish authorities and Greenland’s leadership have swiftly contradicted Trump’s assertions, emphasizing that no formal agreement exists and that negotiations cannot advance without Greenland’s direct participation. The territory’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt expressed serious concerns about being excluded from preliminary discussions, insisting that her government must be centrally involved in any dialogue affecting Greenland’s future.

    While reports suggest potential discussions about U.S. military installations similar to British bases in Cyprus, both Denmark and Greenland have consistently maintained that territorial sovereignty is not subject to negotiation. Secretary General Rutte subsequently clarified that sovereignty matters had not been part of their discussions, creating further ambiguity around Trump’s claims.

  • Cabinet Reviews Progress on Barbuda International Airport Expansion

    Cabinet Reviews Progress on Barbuda International Airport Expansion

    The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has undertaken a comprehensive review of the ongoing expansion project at the Barbuda Codrington International Airport. This high-level assessment focused on evaluating the current progress, addressing implementation challenges, and strategizing for the timely completion of this critical infrastructure initiative.

    According to official statements, the expansion is a cornerstone of the government’s broader economic development agenda. The project aims to significantly enhance the airport’s operational capacity by extending runways, modernizing terminal facilities, and upgrading navigational systems. These improvements are designed to accommodate larger international aircraft, which is pivotal for transforming Barbuda’s tourism-driven economy.

    The review session highlighted the strategic importance of the airport as a gateway for increased tourist arrivals and a catalyst for post-hurricane economic recovery. Cabinet members received detailed briefings from the Ministry of Tourism and the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority, analyzing project timelines, budgetary allocations, and logistical coordination. The government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the project adheres to international aviation standards while creating local employment opportunities during its construction phase.

    This infrastructure overhaul is widely viewed as essential for improving connectivity between Barbuda and its sister island, Antigua, as well as establishing direct international flight routes. The enhanced facility is expected to stimulate investment in the hospitality sector and bolster the overall resilience of the nation’s transportation network.

  • Trump threatens Canada with 100% tariff if it completes China trade deal

    Trump threatens Canada with 100% tariff if it completes China trade deal

    WASHINGTON — Former U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Canada on Saturday, threatening to impose 100% tariffs on all Canadian imports if the nation proceeds with a trade agreement with China. The declaration, made via his Truth Social platform, escalates already tense relations between the two North American neighbors.

    Trump’s comments directly targeted Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, whom he mockingly referred to as ‘Governor’—a derogatory reference to his persistent suggestion that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state. ‘If Carney thinks he is going to make Canada a ‘Drop Off Port’ for China to send goods and products into the United States, he is sorely mistaken,’ Trump wrote. He further claimed that China would ‘eat Canada alive, completely devour it, including the destruction of their businesses, social fabric, and general way of life.’

    The threat comes in response to Carney’s recent visit to Beijing, where he celebrated a ‘new strategic partnership’ with China resulting in a preliminary trade agreement aimed at reducing tariffs. This development has been viewed as a significant shift in Canada’s trade policy amid deteriorating relations with the United States since Trump’s return to the White House a year ago.

    The diplomatic friction intensified recently when Carney, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, received a standing ovation for his candid critique of a ‘rupture’ in the U.S.-led global order—a remark widely interpreted as a veiled criticism of Trump’s disruptive foreign policy. In retaliation, Trump rescinded an invitation for Carney to join his ‘Board of Peace,’ an initiative initially conceived to address postwar Gaza but now apparently expanding into a broader international conflict resolution body that some observers fear could rival the United Nations.

    Canada’s economy remains heavily dependent on trade with the United States, which receives over 75% of Canadian exports. Key industries such as automotive, aluminum, and steel have already been impacted by Trump’s global sectoral tariffs, though these effects have been somewhat mitigated by continued adherence to the existing North American free trade agreement. With negotiations to revise this agreement scheduled for early this year, Trump’s latest threats introduce renewed uncertainty for Canada’s trade-dependent economy.

    Prime Minister Carney responded to Trump’s provocations by asserting Canada’s independent identity: ‘Canada doesn’t live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian.’ However, he acknowledged the ‘remarkable partnership’ between the two nations, highlighting the complex interdependence that defines their relationship.

  • St Kitts PM defends policy on Haitians

    St Kitts PM defends policy on Haitians

    BASSETERRE, St Kitts – Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew has publicly addressed growing concerns over his administration’s decision to exclude Haitian nationals from a recently established US relocation agreement for third-country refugees. The memorandum of understanding, signed by several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nations, establishes a cooperative framework for orderly refugee transfers when the United States cannot repatriate individuals to their countries of origin.

    While emphasizing that the agreement is non-binding and executed at each government’s discretion, Prime Minister Drew explained that St Kitts and Nevis’ exclusion of Haitians stems from substantial capacity limitations and national security considerations. The twin-island federation already hosts one of the Caribbean’s largest Haitian populations per capita, creating significant strain on its limited resources.

    Drew defended his administration’s humanitarian record, contrasting it with previous governments by highlighting policies that prioritize vulnerable populations. His administration has provided Haitian migrants with comprehensive access to education, healthcare, and social support systems despite the considerable financial burden on the small nation.

    The Prime Minister clarified that the exclusion should not be interpreted as rejection of Haitian people, but rather as a practical decision based on current capabilities. He reaffirmed St Kitts and Nevis’ commitment to supporting Haiti through regional and international mechanisms for long-term stability, noting that his government has never engaged in dehumanizing treatment of Haitian nationals.

  • Haitian group seeks Caricom intervention amid efforts to remove prime minister

    Haitian group seeks Caricom intervention amid efforts to remove prime minister

    BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Haiti’s escalating political crisis has prompted urgent intervention appeals to the Caribbean Community (Caricom), with the National Conference of Actors for New Governance (NCANG) formally requesting the immediate establishment of a mediation committee. In a January 23 communiqué addressed to Caricom Secretary General Dr. Carla Barnett, the coalition of Haitian civil society organizations warned of rapidly deteriorating socio-political conditions ahead of the February 7, 2026 expiration of the Presidential Transitional Council’s (CPT) mandate.

    The correspondence, obtained by Caribbean Media Corporation, emphasizes the critical need for an impartial negotiation framework to facilitate consensus among Haiti’s fractured stakeholders. This development coincides with intensified efforts to oust Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime within 30 days—a move that has drawn concern from international observers.

    Caricom’s Eminent Persons Group (EPG), comprising former prime ministers from St. Lucia, Jamaica, and the Bahamas, had previously underscored the vital importance of achieving stakeholder consensus before the February deadline. The EPG cautioned that failure could trigger severe repercussions for the nation, which has been without elected leadership since President Jovenel Moise’s July 2021 assassination.

    The power vacuum has enabled criminal gangs to seize control over significant portions of the capital, Port-au-Prince, while political infighting paralyzes governance. Recent days witnessed dramatic political maneuvering as a dismissal resolution against PM Fils-Aime initially gained support from five CPT members before advisor Smith Augustin withdrew his endorsement.

    CPT Coordinator Laurent Saint-Cyr expressed opposition to any measures threatening governmental stability before February 7. However, council members Leslie Voltaire and Edgard Leblanc Fils announced at a Friday press conference their determination to proceed with the prime minister’s removal through established procedures, despite warnings from the United States regarding potential consequences.

    Voltaire asserted the council’s authority, stating: ‘We appointed Didier Fils-Aime in November 2024. We worked with him for a year, and it falls to us to issue a new decree appointing a new prime minister, government, and presidency.’

    The CPT was originally established in 2024 to shepherd Haiti toward its first elections in a decade, but security collapse amid gang warfare has repeatedly delayed democratic processes. At a police event in Port-au-Prince, Fils-Aime vowed that neither ‘criminals wearing ties nor criminals wearing flip flops’ would dictate law, promising firm responses against state opponents.

    US Charge d’Affaires Henry Wooster, present at the event, emphasized the necessity of maintaining Fils-Aime’s leadership to preserve continuity in anti-gang operations, highlighting the international dimension of Haiti’s governance crisis.

  • ZOSOs and rule of law: Lessons not yet learned

    ZOSOs and rule of law: Lessons not yet learned

    Prominent attorney Vanna Jankiepersad has issued a scathing critique of Trinidad and Tobago’s proposed Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) Bill, 2026, revealing fundamental weaknesses in both legislative technique and operational practicality.

    The legislation, designed to establish special security and community development measures in designated areas, faces criticism for its poor drafting quality and failure to integrate with existing legal frameworks. Legal analysis indicates that numerous provisions merely reiterate established police procedures already codified in Police Standing Orders, rather than introducing substantive new regulations.

    A striking example emerges in Clause 16(2)(c), which mandates that female individuals must be searched exclusively by female officers. This requirement represents standard operational protocol rather than novel legislation, raising questions about the Executive’s approach to legislating internal police practices.

    The proposed bill follows the recent discontinuation of the state of emergency regime, which was marred by widespread allegations of police misconduct and unlawful detentions. Legal experts highlight the government’s failure to address critical accountability questions from the previous emergency period, including the number of preventive detentions, subsequent charges, and potential state liability for wrongful imprisonment claims.

    The case of businessman Danny Guerra illustrates these concerns vividly. Detained under a preventive order in November 2025, Guerra remained incarcerated for nearly six weeks without evidence satisfying statutory prerequisites before his January release. This case, along with Justice Frank Seepersad’s recent admonition for legislation holding officers personally accountable for authority abuses, underscores the systemic accountability deficit.

    Legal analysis concludes that legislative amendments cannot compensate for inadequate police training or weak accountability mechanisms. The effectiveness and constitutional validity of the ZOSOs Bill depend on incorporating legal precision, operational safeguards, and genuine institutional accountability—moving beyond mere legislative symbolism toward substantive reform.

  • AG in Barbados – ZOSO Bill on hold

    AG in Barbados – ZOSO Bill on hold

    The Trinidad and Tobago Senate remains gridlocked after three days of intense deliberation on the Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Bill, 2026. The proposed legislation, already approved by the House of Representatives on January 16, has sparked contentious debate among government, opposition, and independent senators, revealing deep ideological divisions regarding national security approaches.

    The bill would empower Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, as National Security Council chair, to designate specific high-crime areas as Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs) for up to 180 days, in consultation with police and military leadership. However, the legislation requires a three-fifths majority (19 votes) for passage, presenting a significant challenge for the government which holds only 15 of the Senate’s 30 seats.

    Debate turned particularly heated when Government Senator David Nakhid accused the opposition PNM party of racially targeting black communities, claiming they view black citizens merely as “a vote bank.” The comments prompted temporary Opposition Senator Taharqa Obika to formally complain to Senate President Wade Mark, resulting in a warning issued to Nakhid.

    The absence of Attorney General John Jeremie during critical debate sessions raised questions, though Government Business Leader Barry Padarath clarified Jeremie was representing Trinidad and Tobago at an official meeting in Barbados. Daniel Rasheeed was temporarily appointed to fill Jeremie’s Senate position during his absence.

    Independent Senators emerged as pivotal voices in the debate, with Candice Jones-Simmons emphasizing that “scrutiny must never be sacrificed for expediency” while Anthony Vieira, SC, defended the independent senators’ role to “ask uncomfortable questions” when legislation expands state powers. Meanwhile, Labour Minister Leroy Baptiste appealed for collaborative action, arguing that murder rates among young black men have become normalized and require immediate intervention.

    Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar previously criticized independent senators and opponents of the bill, accusing them of defending “violent criminals” and displaying “fake sense of humanity.” Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles condemned these remarks as “divisive and reckless tirade” intended to bully dissenters into silence.

    The Senate will resume consideration of the controversial bill on January 27, with the nation awaiting whether compromises can be reached on legislation that balances security concerns with constitutional protections and community rights.

  • Defiant protests over US immigration crackdown, 5-y-o’s detention

    Defiant protests over US immigration crackdown, 5-y-o’s detention

    MINNEAPOLIS — A massive wave of civil dissent swept through Minneapolis on Friday as thousands of demonstrators defied freezing temperatures to condemn a federal immigration operation. The coordinated public outcry, which prompted numerous local businesses to temporarily close, was ignited by the controversial detention of a five-year-old migrant child, Liam Conejo Ramos.

    The operation, led by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has drawn intense scrutiny following revelations about the tactics employed during the arrest of Ramos and his Ecuadorian father, Adrian Conejo Arias. According to Columbia Heights Public Schools Superintendent Zena Stenvik, both asylum seekers were intercepted in their driveway upon returning home Tuesday. Stenvik further alleged that the young child was utilized as ‘bait’ by officers to lure other individuals from their residence.

    This incident has amplified existing tensions surrounding the weeks-long federal operation in Minnesota, which had already faced criticism after an ICE agent fatally shot a US citizen during the crackdown. The circulation of images depicting a visibly terrified Ramos in custody has become a potent symbol for protesters, many of whom carried signs referencing the child’s age.

    While Vice President JD Vance, during a Thursday visit to Minneapolis, confirmed Ramos’s detention, he defended federal agents’ actions, suggesting they were protecting the child after his father attempted to flee. ‘What are they supposed to do? Are they supposed to let a five-year-old child freeze to death?’ Vance stated.

    The operation has attracted international attention, with UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk urging US authorities to cease what he described as ‘harmful treatment of migrants and refugees.’ Current ICE records indicate Arias is being held at a Texas detention facility, though the database does not disclose the location of minors in custody.

  • Marcelle: Provide relief for citizens

    Marcelle: Provide relief for citizens

    The Trinidad and Tobago House of Representatives witnessed a tumultuous session during Private Members’ Day on January 23, with opposition and government members engaging in fierce exchanges over mass terminations and their socioeconomic consequences.

    Laventille West MP Kareem Marcelle introduced a resolution highlighting the severe impact of widespread contract non-renewals across public bodies and state agencies. The motion emphasized that vulnerable communities—including single mothers, female-headed households, youth, the elderly, and persons with disabilities—are experiencing disproportionate effects, leading to increased food insecurity, school absenteeism, mental health challenges, and social exclusion risks.

    Marcelle accused the governing United National Congress (UNC) of administering through ‘fear, evil, hate, and intimidation,’ claiming that post-election policies have targeted citizens who previously applied for positions between 2015-2025. He referenced the tragic case of Richard Cooper, who was found unresponsive after being laid off, as emblematic of the human cost of these actions.

    Government members repeatedly challenged the relevance of Marcelle’s statements, with Speaker Jagdeo Singh cautioning against hyperbolic rhetoric. The opposition maintained that the terminations represent an unjust ‘war against the most vulnerable.’

    Couva South MP Barry Padarath countered that the motion rested on false premises, asserting that the previous People’s National Movement (PNM) administration had left a legacy of ‘debt and destruction.’ He defended the government’s actions as necessary to eliminate ‘improper, unsustainable, unlawful practices’ including ghost rentals, leases, and Cabinet notes from the previous decade.

    St Ann’s East MP Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly delivered an emotional address, comparing the current economic crisis to the 1980s era that produced ‘barrel children.’ She highlighted that over 40,000 terminations—affecting more than 20,000 vulnerable women with school-aged children—have created an education emergency with approximately 40,000 children at risk of dropping out. She criticized the government’s inadequate response compared to COVID-19 relief measures.

    La Brea MP Clyde Elder accused the opposition of hypocrisy, recalling PNM-era closures of Petrotrin, GHRS, and the Tourism Development Company. He presented data showing significant declines in social programs under the previous administration, including dramatic reductions in GATE recipients (from 59,605 to 15,491), HYPE participants (771 to 264), and HELP loans (2,023 to 612).

    The session concluded without resolution, adjourning to a future date as both sides remained deeply divided on addressing the nation’s growing socioeconomic challenges.

  • More than a headcount

    More than a headcount

    The Trinidadian government’s recent announcement of a renewed registration process for Venezuelan migrants has raised questions about its broader integration strategy beyond mere documentation. Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander revealed on January 22 that migrants would be required to pay a $700 fee to register under the program, which aims to regularize undocumented individuals through the Migrant Registration Framework from January 1 to September 30, 2026.

    While the initiative promises legal residency and work rights, concerns have emerged regarding its narrow focus on Venezuelan nationals and its apparent prioritization of security concerns over integration planning. The registration process will utilize sports venues across Trinidad alongside online platforms, followed by in-person interviews. Notably absent were details regarding non-Venezuelan immigrants within the country.

    Minister Alexander emphasized the security dimensions of the exercise, stating it would help authorities identify individuals “involved in crime and other types of activities” and facilitate investigations. This security-focused approach appears connected to longstanding concerns about drug trafficking from South America, even prior to recent US-Venezuelan tensions.

    The policy carries significant implications for migrants, with deportation threatened for those failing to register. This threat exists despite current difficulties in executing deportations due to diplomatic tensions between Trinidad and Venezuela. These strains have been exacerbated by opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s support for US narco-trafficking rhetoric and subsequent diplomatic exchanges between Caracas and Port of Spain.

    Critical questions remain unanswered regarding the long-term vision for migrant integration. Concerns include educational access for migrant children, formalization of employment opportunities, and potential pathways to residency. Particularly noteworthy is the situation of skilled professionals like engineers and medical practitioners currently working in factories whose potential contributions remain underutilized.

    When questioned about tax obligations for registered migrants, Minister Alexander deferred, stating the immediate focus remains on registration. The government has yet to clarify whether this initiative might evolve toward residency status consideration or address complex issues involving children born to Trinidadian nationals or binational marriages.

    The absence of a comprehensive integration framework leaves uncertainty about how migrants will contribute to Trinidad’s workforce, economy, and social fabric beyond the registration period.