Carib Scope

分类： politics

  • Ten years of the JLP: Progress, pitfalls, and the road ahead

    Ten years of the JLP: Progress, pitfalls, and the road ahead

    Prime Minister Andrew Holness has etched his name in Jamaica’s political history by becoming the first Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader to secure three consecutive electoral victories. His party’s decade-long governance, beginning with a 2016 win that secured 33 parliamentary seats, culminated in a hard-fought 2020 triumph during the COVID-19 pandemic (49-14) and a narrower 34-29 victory in 2025.

    The JLP’s tenure has produced substantial economic transformations, most notably in macroeconomic stabilization. Jamaica’s once-crippling debt-to-GDP ratio has dramatically declined through rigorous fiscal discipline, consistent primary budget surpluses, and strict adherence to International Monetary Fund programs. These measures have elevated investor confidence and enhanced the nation’s international credit standing—a significant achievement masterminded by former Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke, despite recent setbacks from Hurricane Melissa.

    Infrastructure development has been another visible success, with major road initiatives like the SPARK program, expanded highway networks, and substantial investments in water and housing infrastructure through the National Housing Trust. Social protection programs have also expanded, with increased allocations for PATH beneficiaries, elderly citizens, and small farmers. The government’s COVID-19 response, including the CARE program’s cash transfers, provided crucial relief during the global crisis.

    Employment metrics show remarkable improvement, with unemployment dropping to a record low of 3.3% in October 2025 from pre-pandemic lows below 7%. The business process outsourcing sector has been a particular engine of job creation, though concerns persist about working conditions.

    However, the administration faces significant challenges. While murder rates have reached 30-year lows, police killings remain excessively high, and the absence of body cameras during operations continues to draw criticism from civil society groups. Cost of living pressures—including inflation, rising food prices, and utility bills—have eroded purchasing power despite economic growth. New taxes implemented after Hurricane Melissa have further strained households.

    Public sector reform remains incomplete, with bureaucratic inefficiencies and uneven policy implementation frustrating citizens. Education systems continue to grapple with COVID-19 learning loss, teacher shortages, and infrastructure disparities between urban and rural schools. Questions regarding transparency in procurement processes and communication gaps have periodically marred public discourse.

    The JLP’s legacy thus presents a complex picture: commendable economic management alongside persistent social challenges. As Jamaica moves forward, the true measure of leadership will be whether economic progress translates into tangible improvements in the daily lives of ordinary citizens, requiring greater focus on human security, social equity, and institutional trust.

  • Biometric voter card rollout begins amid push to modernise registration

    Biometric voter card rollout begins amid push to modernise registration

    The Bahamas Parliamentary Registration Department has initiated the phased distribution of new biometric voter identification cards, commencing with the constituencies of Golden Isles, St James, and Carmichael. Parliamentary Commissioner Harrison Thompson confirmed that approximately 2,500 cards are scheduled for distribution this week, prioritizing areas with the highest concentration of registered voters.

    The rollout strategy focuses initially on constituencies demonstrating the largest voter registrations, with Grand Bahama expected to commence distribution imminently. Commissioner Thompson revealed that electoral staff have been working extended shifts—sometimes exceeding 20 hours daily—to ensure election preparedness. “You’ll see vehicles in the parking lot late at night because we are serious about having a fair and efficient election,” Thompson stated.

    Over 20,000 Bahamians have currently requested the optional biometric cards, with officials anticipating increased demand. The cards utilize existing biometric data—facial images and fingerprints—previously provided to the passport office, while residential information is drawn from legacy systems. Project manager Lucretia Dean-Rolle emphasized that “these unique identifiers prevent data duplication while enhancing security.”

    Despite concerns raised by the Free National Movement Party and Coalition of Independents regarding procedural transparency, Thompson defended the process as thoroughly transparent, noting consultations with all three major parties. Voters must collect cards in person with valid government-issued photo ID, with third-party collection permitted only through written authorization.

    Distribution continues at the Kendall Isaacs gym from 9am to 6pm daily. The government maintains that these reforms address long-standing vulnerabilities in the electoral system, replacing outdated laminated cards that international observers had criticized as susceptible to forgery. The modernization effort specifically focuses on registration security while maintaining manual voting and counting processes.

  • Govt rejects family’s claim to Perpall Tract subdivision

    Govt rejects family’s claim to Perpall Tract subdivision

    The Bahamian government has formally dismissed a private ownership claim concerning the Perpall Tract off West Bay Street, asserting its lawful authority over the contested Crown land acquired in 1957. This response comes following public allegations made by Dexter Cedric Edwards, who appeared on a Facebook live interview hosted by Coalition of Independents leader Lincoln Bain, contending that the property rightfully belongs to his family as descendants of the Morris brothers.

    In an official weekend statement, Minister of Housing and Urban Renewal Keith Bell unequivocally refuted these claims, confirming the government’s clear and uninterrupted title to the land since its acquisition for public purposes. Minister Bell emphasized that the property’s legal status remains unchanged and fully documented in government records.

    The disputed area forms part of a larger tract that has been progressively developed into government subdivisions under various administrations, with numerous Bahamian families currently residing on legally purchased lots. Minister Bell reassured homeowners in these existing subdivisions that their property titles remain valid and secure, unaffected by the recently circulated claims.

    Approximately 30 acres of the Perpall Tract have been allocated for Premier Estates West, a new 169-lot subdivision designed to expand home ownership opportunities for Bahamian citizens. The ministry has raised concerns about individuals purporting to offer portions of this government property for sale without lawful authority.

    Minister Bell issued a strong public advisory urging citizens to exercise due diligence before attempting land purchases, recommending thorough title searches at the Registry of Records conducted by reputable attorneys. The government has committed to protecting public lands from unlawful interference and unauthorized transactions, warning that individuals proceeding without proper verification do so at their own risk.

    Mr. Edwards maintains that his family has occupied the land for over 35 years and insists their property rights should be recognized, presenting documents during the broadcast that he claims establish ownership of approximately 46 acres within the larger Morris brothers’ tract.

  • Haiti begins process for holding of elections

    Haiti begins process for holding of elections

    Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) has formally commenced the registration process for political entities, marking a pivotal step toward the nation’s first presidential elections since 2016. The registration window, which remains open until March 12, 2025, is being conducted under Article 143 of the nation’s Electoral Decree.

    The CEP has mandated that official representatives from political parties, groups, and alliances present a comprehensive suite of documentation at its central office. For political parties, this includes notarized articles of incorporation, official recognition acts, party statutes, and minutes from the most recent general assembly or congress that appointed its executive committee. Political alliances face additional requirements, necessitating the submission of their foundational statutes, a list of signatory parties via a notarized agreement, a unified emblem agreement, and executive committee appointment minutes from each constituent party.

    This procedural advancement occurs against a backdrop of prolonged political uncertainty. The assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021 left a power vacuum, with an interim government presiding over a nation that has not conducted a national election since April 2024. Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimè has expressed unwavering confidence that elections will proceed by the end of the year, contingent upon establishing necessary security conditions.

    The Caribbean Community (Caricom) has been actively involved in facilitating Haiti’s political stabilization. During its recent 50th regular summit in St. Kitts and Nevis, the bloc received a report from its Eminent Persons Group (EPG), chaired by former St. Lucian Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony, detailing Haiti’s political, security, and humanitarian landscape. Caricom leaders unanimously commended the Kenyan government for its leadership of the UN-authorized Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, now termed the Gang Suppression Force (GSF). Caricom Chairman, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew of St. Kitts and Nevis, reaffirmed the regional body’s steadfast commitment to supporting Haiti’s framework for achieving security and conducting credible elections.

  • Dominica to finalise US agreement on third country migrants this week

    Dominica to finalise US agreement on third country migrants this week

    ROSEAU, Dominica – Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit announced on Monday that the Dominican government is finalizing a bilateral agreement with the United States to accept a limited number of third-country refugees. This arrangement would apply specifically to cases where the U.S. is unable to repatriate individuals to their countries of origin.

    The proposed draft, expected to be signed this week, outlines a structured resettlement quota. Under the terms, Dominica would receive no more than seven migrants every four months, amounting to a maximum of 28 individuals annually. This figure stands in stark contrast to local speculation about large-scale arrivals, which the Prime Minister explicitly dismissed.

    Skerrit emphasized the nation’s underlying need for skilled labor and population growth to bolster socio-economic development. He stated, ‘The truth is Dominica needs thousands of people more, if you were to ask me. We need some more people in there.’ He framed the agreement as a pragmatic solution to both a regional humanitarian challenge and a domestic labor shortage.

    Operational management of the program will be handled by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on behalf of the Dominican government. Final logistical details, including housing arrangements—whether in individual rentals or a centralized facility—and financial provisions to ensure the government incurs no extra costs, are still being ironed out. Skerrit noted that the refugees may not remain in Dominica permanently and could eventually return to their home countries.

    The Prime Minister positioned this cooperation as a strategic move to deepen the ‘longstanding relationship’ with the United States, signaling Dominica’s role as a ‘willing and reliable partner’ in the region. He concluded by urging a forward-looking perspective, warning against xenophobia and highlighting the potential benefits of integrating skilled individuals into Dominican society.

  • Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Killed in US-Israeli Air Strikes Aged 86

    Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Killed in US-Israeli Air Strikes Aged 86

    Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader who ruled with an iron fist for nearly four decades, was killed on February 28 during a coordinated military operation conducted by Israeli and American forces. The 86-year-old cleric, who had dominated Iran’s political landscape since 1989, died when his compound in Tehran was targeted in what officials described as a ‘preventive’ aerial campaign against Iran’s nuclear facilities.

    Khamenei’s journey to power began in the religious circles of Qom, where he studied under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. His political awakening during the Shah’s regime led to multiple arrests and imprisonment for anti-monarchy activities. Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Khamenei rapidly ascended through the ranks, becoming president in 1981 at age 41 and eventually succeeding Khomeini as supreme leader in 1989 despite his intermediate clerical rank.

    The controversial succession saw Khamenei consolidate power through constitutional amendments that established the principle of velayat-e-faqih (rule of religious jurists), granting him ultimate authority over all state institutions. He maintained control through brutal suppression of dissent, including the bloody crackdowns on the 1999 student protests, 2009 Green Movement, and the 2022 ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ uprising sparked by Mahsa Amini’s death.

    Internationally, Khamenei became the central figure in the geopolitical conflict over Iran’s nuclear program. His approval of the 2015 nuclear deal marked a rare moment of diplomacy, though the US withdrawal in 2018 under President Trump reignited tensions. Khamenei ordered the acceleration of nuclear activities in response, reaching unprecedented uranium enrichment levels.

    The October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel triggered a chain of events that ultimately weakened Khamenei’s regional influence. As Israel systematically eliminated leaders of Iran’s proxy networks—including Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas’s Yahya Sinwar—Tehran’s defensive perimeter crumbled. The June 2025 twelve-day war saw direct Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, followed by US involvement that forced a ceasefire.

    Khamenei’s death creates profound uncertainty for Iran’s political future, its nuclear program, and the survival of a regime that faces both international isolation and widespread domestic discontent. The operation that killed him represents the dramatic culmination of decades of confrontation between Iran and Western powers.

  • Ramadhin: De dubbele moraal van Silvana Afonsoewa

    Ramadhin: De dubbele moraal van Silvana Afonsoewa

    A significant political controversy has emerged in Suriname involving parliamentarian Silvana Afonsoewa, who serves as chair of the Standing Committee on Public Health. Former Health Minister Amar Ramadhin has publicly accused Afonsoewa of improperly receiving government salary without performing work between June 2020 and February 2023 while she was a civil servant at the Ministry of Health.

    The case originated when Afonsoewa, having lost her parliamentary seat in the May 2020 elections, applied for a position at the Health Ministry. She was appointed to a non-existent position by then-Minister Antoine Elias and placed on the ministry’s payroll without a fixed workplace or formal documentation of her employment terms. According to ministry records, she received regular salary payments despite never reporting for work during this nearly three-year period.

    In early 2023, ministry leadership discovered Afonsoewa’s continued presence on payroll despite her absence from work since June 2020. Her salary was suspended in March 2023, and she was instructed to defend her position. Her defense failed to convince officials that ministry leadership should have been aware of arrangements made with the previous minister.

    Afonsoewa subsequently filed an emergency lawsuit against the State of Suriname, demanding payment of back wages from March to November 2023, continuation of salary, and reimbursement of legal costs. The state argued she had no right to compensation since she performed no work, never reported to perform duties, and no written records existed documenting any special arrangements.

    The court ruled that while employees generally retain salary rights when unable to work due to employer-related circumstances, they must demonstrate willingness to work. The judge determined Afonsoewa failed to prove she actively and systematically offered to work, thus preventing the conclusion that her inactivity was solely attributable to the state.

    The court rejected all of Afonsoewa’s claims and ordered her to pay the state’s legal costs. Despite these judicial findings, Afonsoewa has publicly denied the allegations and presented what Ramadhin characterizes as a complete distortion of facts regarding her ministry tenure.

  • Pastor urges Chance to play ‘two-fold’ role in Taiwan

    Pastor urges Chance to play ‘two-fold’ role in Taiwan

    In a significant send-off ceremony at the Rillan Hill Church of the Nazarene on February 22, Reverend Chiefton Charles delivered a powerful commissioning sermon for Kenton X. Chance, St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ newly appointed ambassador to Taiwan. The retired educator and pastor emphasized the diplomat’s unique dual responsibility—representing both his nation and his Christian faith in the Asian territory.

    Reverend Charles, who officiated the Chances’ wedding thirteen years ago, drew parallels between secular diplomacy and spiritual representation using scriptures from 2 Corinthians chapter 5. He highlighted that Ambassador Chance—a distinguished journalist and founder of iWitness News—becomes the first Nazarene church member appointed to such a diplomatic position, making his assignment particularly noteworthy.

    The pastor detailed the substantial demands of ambassadorial work, noting it requires exceptional skills in management, negotiation, public speaking, and cultural fluency—qualities he confirmed Chance possesses from his previous studies in Taiwan. Charles specifically commended Foreign Minister Dwight Fitz Bramble, who attended the service, for making an exemplary choice in the appointment.

    Addressing the politically charged environment back home, Charles reminded the congregation that ambassadors represent all Vincentians regardless of political affiliations. He specifically noted that Chance represents neither the ruling New Democratic Party nor opposition parties but the entire population of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

    The service also recognized Symantha Chance, the ambassador’s wife, who resigned from her position to support her husband’s mission. Charles urged her to provide strong spousal support while reminding the couple to maintain work-life balance despite the demanding nature of diplomatic duties.

    The church community pledged ongoing spiritual support through prayers that “are not hindered by distance,” ensuring the couple remains connected to their religious foundation while serving abroad. Chance departed for Taipei on Friday and is expected to assume his duties immediately upon arrival.

  • Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: De leider die Irans verzet vormgaf

    Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: De leider die Irans verzet vormgaf

    In a seismic geopolitical development, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was confirmed killed during coordinated U.S.-Israeli airstrikes targeting his residential compound on Saturday. President Donald Trump announced that Khamenei and several high-ranking officials “could not evade American intelligence agencies and advanced tracking systems.” Iranian state television subsequently verified the death hours later, confirming the simultaneous fatalities of Khamenei’s daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter. Iran has declared 40 days of national mourning.

    Khamenei’s political trajectory was fundamentally shaped by wartime leadership and profound Western skepticism. Assuming power in 1989 following Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s death, he transformed from ideological successor to strategic architect of Iran’s military and paramilitary infrastructure. His presidency during the devastating Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) cemented his distrust of Western powers, particularly the United States, after their support for Saddam Hussein’s regime.

    According to Vali Nasr, Iran expert and author of ‘Iran’s Grand Strategy: A Political History,’ Khamenei operated as “a wartime president who emerged from conflict recognizing Iran’s vulnerability and need for security.” This perspective fueled his development of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from paramilitary force into a dominant security, political, and economic institution. His “resistance economy” concept aimed to achieve self-sufficiency amid crushing Western sanctions.

    Khamenei’s tenure faced significant challenges, including the violent suppression of 2009 election protests (the Green Movement) and nationwide demonstrations over women’s rights in 2022. The greatest crisis emerged in January with widespread economic unrest triggering calls to overthrow the Islamic Republic, met by the most severe state violence since the 1979 revolution.

    Born in 1939 in Mashhad to an Azerbaijani family, Khamenei began Quranic studies at age four. His theological education in Najaf and Qom brought him under Khomeini’s mentorship, shaping his revolutionary activism against the Shah’s regime. Multiple arrests and exile to Iranshahr preceded his return during the revolution that toppled the Pahlavi monarchy.

    Post-revolution, Khamenei served as Defense Minister (1980) and IRGC supervisor before narrowly surviving an assassination attempt and becoming Iran’s first clerical president in 1981. His appointment as Supreme Leader in 1989 occurred despite not meeting traditional qualifications, focusing instead on rebuilding a war-torn nation and strengthening military capabilities.

    Khamenei demonstrated occasional pragmatism, supporting the 2015 nuclear deal as tactical arrangement rather than normalization with the U.S. Following America’s withdrawal from the agreement in 2018, he intensified anti-American rhetoric and expanded nuclear activities.

    Regionally, Khamenei constructed the “axis of resistance” network including Hezbollah, Assad’s Syria, and Hamas. This alliance recently weakened after intensified strikes on Iranian targets, culminating in the June 2025 U.S.-Israeli attacks on nuclear facilities and military leadership that precipitated retaliatory missile strikes against Israel and American bases.

    Khamenei’s legacy remains defined by perpetual resistance to Western influence, unwavering prioritization of national security, and consequential isolation that exacted heavy economic costs on Iran’s population. Despite widespread criticism regarding human rights and suppression of dissent, he established an indelible imprint on contemporary Iranian politics and Middle Eastern geopolitics.

  • Guyana condemns Iran’s “unprovoked” attack on Gulf States

    Guyana condemns Iran’s “unprovoked” attack on Gulf States

    In a firm diplomatic stance issued on Saturday, February 28, 2026, the Government of Guyana formally condemned the Islamic Republic of Iran for its missile strikes against multiple sovereign nations in the Persian Gulf. The targeted states included the Kingdom of Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait.

    The Guyanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs characterized the offensive as an ‘unprovoked and unjustified’ act that constitutes a clear violation of established international law. The official statement carefully refrained from commentary on the preceding military action by the United States and Israel, which resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several other high-ranking officials, effectively concluding his nearly four-decade authoritarian regime.

    Reiterating its commitment to regional stability, the Guyanese government called for immediate de-escalation from all involved parties. It expressed ‘full solidarity’ with the governments and civilian populations of the attacked Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states. This position aligns with Guyana’s established close diplomatic and economic relations with both the United States and several Arab Gulf nations. The statement concluded by emphasizing the urgent and sustained pursuit of a lasting peaceful resolution for the broader Middle East region.