Carib Scope

分类： politics

  • houtexport dossier 7: Directeur LVV Ramkisoensing ontheven; RvM keurt besluit goed

    houtexport dossier 7: Directeur LVV Ramkisoensing ontheven; RvM keurt besluit goed

    The Surinamese Council of Ministers has officially relieved Anand Ramkisoensing of his duties as Director of Agricultural Research, Marketing and Processing (LOAV) at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. The decision, formalized through an official resolution, takes immediate effect from the date of issuance.

    According to government documents, Ramkisoensing has been placed on temporary assignment to the Agriculture Minister while retaining his full salary and benefits in accordance with civil service regulations. The dismissal follows comprehensive evaluations revealing significant failures in achieving key policy objectives and operational targets under his leadership.

    Official statements cite persistent deficiencies in management approach, interdepartmental collaboration, and goal attainment within the LOAV directorate. Additionally, investigators raised concerns about documents signed by Ramkisoensing that potentially enabled fraudulent activities, though no specific allegations have been formally proven.

    The director’s extended medical leave period reportedly contributed to operational disruptions within the research division. Government authorities determined that leadership change was necessary to ensure continuity of critical agricultural research programs and ongoing investigations.

    In a parallel development, Ramkisoensing has been appointed as First-Class Advisor to the Agriculture Minister through consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs. This position maintains his existing employment status while removing him from operational responsibilities. He remains obligated to cooperate with ministerial investigations and return all government property.

    The November 26, 2025 notification letter formally informed Ramkisoensing of these administrative changes and his ongoing responsibilities to assist with internal investigations.

  • Suriname versterkt toerisme- en diasporabeleid via overleg in Den Haag

    Suriname versterkt toerisme- en diasporabeleid via overleg in Den Haag

    In a strategic move to enhance Suriname’s international positioning and reinforce tourism and diaspora policies, Transport, Communications, and Tourism Minister Raymond Landveld conducted an official working visit to the Surinamese Embassy in the Netherlands this week. Accompanied by presidential advisors, the delegation engaged in high-level coordination talks with Ambassador Ricardo Panka.

    The diplomatic mission focused on aligning ministerial priorities, presidential cabinet objectives, and diplomatic representation efforts, with particular emphasis on tourism development, aviation connectivity, investment promotion, and diaspora relations. Ambassador Panka emphasized tourism’s role as a strategic pillar within Suriname’s national economic development framework, stating that policy formulation and international representation must operate in close synchronization.

    A central agenda item involved preparations for Heritage Month scheduled for August, during which the delegation detailed the vision and objectives centered on cultural heritage, shared history, and future-oriented coexistence. Presidential Tourism Advisor Rachel Pinas highlighted the Dutch embassy’s critical function in the international rollout of Heritage Month, noting its essential role in enhancing visibility, strengthening diaspora bonds, and establishing international cultural partnerships.

    All participants characterized the working visit as constructive and substantively enriching. The parties agreed to intensify collaboration between the ministry, presidential cabinet, and embassy, with concrete follow-up actions planned across tourism development, aviation connectivity, and cultural diplomacy initiatives.

  • Column: De misdaad die een vonnis heet

    Column: De misdaad die een vonnis heet

    A disturbing legal drama unfolds in Suriname as the state stands accused of institutionalizing document fraud within its timber export certification system. What began as routine administrative procedures has escalated into a criminal conspiracy with judicial complicity, revealing systemic corruption that threatens the foundation of the country’s rule of law.

    The case centers on phytosanitary certificates—internationally recognized documents intended to verify the authenticity of exported timber. Surinamese courts have compelled state officials to knowingly issue false certifications, deliberately mislabeling expensive wood species as cheaper Mora timber to facilitate illegal exports to India. During court proceedings, it was explicitly acknowledged that accurate labeling would prevent these exports, yet judges proceeded to mandate the fraudulent documentation regardless.

    State Attorney Diepak Jairam delivered the unequivocal verdict: “The court has condemned Suriname to commit a criminal act that legally constitutes an offense.” This represents not mere policy disagreement but conscious falsification of official records with judicial oversight.

    Parallel to these civil proceedings, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV) attempted to file criminal complaints against former officials who signed the fraudulent certificates. These complaints were systematically rejected as “too politically sensitive,” while authorities accepted only one complaint against a timber company—not among the six exporters the state had originally brought to court.

    The institutional failure extends across multiple branches of government. Prosecutors refuse to investigate potential document forgery within state institutions, demonstrating what observers characterize as “selective blindness”—a condition fatal to any constitutional democracy.

    Legal experts note that fundamental principles of proper governance cease where crimes begin. When criminal acts occur, there should be no balancing of interests, no rationality test—only immediate cessation. Yet Suriname’s institutions appear to have normalized the concept that long-standing errors acquire continuation rights, that economic damage outweighs criminal justice, and that courts may compel actions they themselves recognize as unlawful.

    This case has transcended its origins as a timber dispute to become a thriller about pressure, fear, and institutional failure—a story where judges, prosecutors, and officials remain trapped in a construct nobody dares to stop. The fundamental question now facing Suriname’s democracy: who will finally declare that this ends here?

  • Premier Brantley to Host First Press Conference of 2026 on January 27

    Premier Brantley to Host First Press Conference of 2026 on January 27

    Nevis Island Administration Premier, the Honourable Mark Brantley, has scheduled his inaugural monthly press briefing for 2026 on January 27th at 10:00 a.m. The event will be conducted from the Cabinet Room within the Social Security Building at Pinney’s Estate, marking the first major governmental communication event of the new year.

    Premier Brantley, who concurrently serves as Minister of Information, is expected to address matters of significant national importance while providing comprehensive updates on the administration’s current priorities and strategic initiatives. The format will include formal opening remarks followed by an interactive question-and-answer session with accredited media representatives.

    The administration has arranged extensive live coverage across multiple broadcasting platforms to ensure widespread public accessibility. Viewership options include traditional television via Nevis Television (NTv) Channel 99, digital streaming through NevisTvOnline.com and the NTv Go App, social media platforms including the Nevis Television Facebook page, and the Nevis Newscast YouTube channel. Radio broadcasts will simultaneously air on Voice of Nevis (VON) Radio, Freedom FM, and WINN FM.

    The Nevis Island Administration encourages both media professionals and general citizens to participate virtually in this important democratic exercise, emphasizing the event’s role in disseminating timely information about policies and developments affecting the island community.

  • High Court orders DPI, AG to pay Alexander GY$10M for defamation; Alexander to pay cost to Jagdeo because remark was privileged

    High Court orders DPI, AG to pay Alexander GY$10M for defamation; Alexander to pay cost to Jagdeo because remark was privileged

    In a landmark ruling with significant implications for free speech and government accountability, the Guyana High Court has delivered a mixed verdict in a high-profile defamation case involving Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and opposition figure Vincent Alexander.

    Justice Fidela Corbin-Lincoln ruled Monday that the Department of Public Information (DPI) and Attorney General Anil Nandlall must pay Alexander GY$10 million (approximately US$48,000) in damages for publishing defamatory statements that questioned his integrity and implied financial misconduct. The court additionally ordered the state entities to remove the contested content from their website by January 16, 2026, and pay Alexander GY$500,000 in legal costs.

    The case centered on an August 2022 interview published on DPI’s official platform where Jagdeo accused Alexander and other officials of the International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly-Guyana (IDPADA-G) of exploiting the Afro-Guyanese cause for personal enrichment using public funds.

    Justice Corbin-Lincoln determined the allegations portrayed Alexander as “dishonest, lacking integrity, and engaged in unethical, unscrupulous conduct for personal financial benefit.” She emphasized the particularly damaging nature of the publication given its official state media origin, which would “command a high degree of respect” among the public regarding matters of public fund usage.

    In a simultaneous ruling, the court found that Vice President Jagdeo’s comments, while defamatory and unsubstantiated, were protected by qualified privilege due to his position as a public official. The judge noted that Jagdeo had a “duty to inform the public about the use and potential misuse of public funds,” and the public had a “corresponding right to know.” Since Alexander failed to prove malice in Jagdeo’s statements, the court ordered Alexander to pay Jagdeo GY$350,000 in legal costs.

    The judgment highlighted the ongoing nature of the harm, as the defamatory content remained accessible worldwide on the government website throughout the litigation process, with no retraction or apology offered by the defendants.

  • Belize and U.S. Modernizes Borders with Biometric Data Tech

    Belize and U.S. Modernizes Borders with Biometric Data Tech

    In a significant advancement for national security infrastructure, Belize has officially activated a comprehensive Biometric Data Sharing Program in collaboration with the United States. The innovative system, formally launched on January 12, 2026, implements facial recognition and fingerprint scanning technologies at all major international airports and strategic land border crossings.

    The program represents a bilateral effort to enhance border protection mechanisms while modernizing migration management protocols. Funded through a $250,000 partnership grant from the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), the initiative marks a new chapter in the enduring security partnership between the two nations.

    Immigration Minister Kareem Musa characterized the technological upgrade as “groundbreaking” for Belize’s national security framework. The system specifically targets international travelers presenting potentially fraudulent documentation or engaging in suspicious activities. Minister Musa emphasized that Belizean nationals need not fear privacy infringements, as the program focuses exclusively on secondary screening for individuals providing misleading information or triggering security alerts.

    U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Katherine Beamer highlighted the multidimensional nature of the partnership, noting that beyond hardware and software implementation, the program facilitates critical expertise exchange and capacity building in border security best practices.

    The technological rollout includes specialized training for Belizean immigration officials and will be complemented by a mobile interdiction unit within the Belize Police Department. Home Affairs Minister Oscar Mira confirmed this specialized unit will operate nationally rather than solely at entry points, enhancing the country’s internal security monitoring capabilities.

    With this implementation, Belize joins regional counterparts including Mexico and Panama in adopting advanced biometric screening technologies, positioning the nation at the forefront of Central American border security innovation.

  • Duartian Institute alerts to threats against nationality and sovereignty

    Duartian Institute alerts to threats against nationality and sovereignty

    Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – The Duartian Institute, a prominent national institution, has issued a stark warning regarding alleged attempts by influential sectors to undermine Constitutional Court ruling 168-13. Dr. Wilson Gómez Ramírez, President of the Institute, declared on Monday that powerful forces are seeking to reverse the landmark decision which mandated a comprehensive cleansing of the civil registry and established stringent regulations for nationality criteria.

    Dr. Gómez Ramírez emphasized that the ruling provides an unequivocal definition of the status of foreigners in transit, a matter he asserts falls squarely within the sovereign authority of the Dominican State. He delivered these statements during a board meeting at the Duarte Museum and House in the Colonial City, coinciding with the presentation of events commemorating the 213th anniversary of national hero Juan Pablo Duarte y Díez’s birth.

    The institution simultaneously condemned initiatives aimed at subjecting the Dominican Republic to the jurisdiction of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, characterizing such moves as a direct assault on national sovereignty and a threat to Dominican identity. To substantiate this stance, the Institute President drew upon the constitutional philosophy and historical writings of Duarte himself, highlighting the founding father’s unwavering defense of popular sovereignty and national honor.

    Dr. Gómez Ramírez cautioned that any endeavor to nullify the court’s decision would fundamentally endanger Dominican nationality and territorial integrity. He issued a compelling call to action, urging patriotic, social, political, and professional organizations to maintain heightened vigilance and foster unity in protecting the national interest.

    In related developments, the Duartian Institute unveiled an extensive program of activities to honor Duarte’s legacy, commencing January 18 with the ‘Cavalcade for the Homeland’—an equestrian parade departing from the Altar of the Homeland through the Colonial City’s main thoroughfares. The official anniversary ceremonies on January 26 will begin with a flag-raising ceremony at the Duarte-Díez family residence on Isabel la Católica Street, accompanied by a performance of the National Anthem by the Capital Fire Department band. Additional commemorative events are scheduled both domestically and internationally.

  • FLASH : The House of Representatives extends the HOPE/HELP laws for Haiti

    FLASH : The House of Representatives extends the HOPE/HELP laws for Haiti

    In a significant bipartisan move, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation extending critical trade preferences for Haiti through December 31, 2028. The passage of Bill H.R. 6504 ensures the continuation of the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity Through Partnership for Encouragement (HOPE) and the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Act, marking a crucial development in U.S.-Caribbean relations.

    Democratic Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett, a primary advocate for the legislation, hailed the decision as a strategic victory for both Haiti and United States regional engagement. “The bipartisan support for reauthorizing HOPE/HELP demonstrates that when it comes to supporting our neighbors and advancing our shared interests, Democrats and Republicans can work together,” Plaskett stated in an official release.

    The trade preference program enjoys substantial congressional backing due to its dual benefits: strengthening Haiti’s economic foundation while advancing U.S. strategic interests. The program supports Haitian apparel manufacturing that utilizes American cotton and contributes to shifting supply chains from China to the Western Hemisphere.

    Plaskett acknowledged key figures instrumental in the legislation’s passage, including Ranking Member Neal, Chairman Smith, Dr. Murphy, and Haiti’s Ambassador to the United States, Lionel Delatour. She also recognized the efforts of civil society organizations and American manufacturers who advocated for the program’s renewal.

    The extension promises greater economic stability for Haiti by fostering bilateral trade relations, providing investor certainty, and creating employment opportunities. The legislation now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration before potentially reaching the President’s desk for final approval.

  • Information from the Revolutionary Government on the posthumous tribute to Cuban combatants who fell in the line of duty in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

    Information from the Revolutionary Government on the posthumous tribute to Cuban combatants who fell in the line of duty in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

    HAVANA – Cuba commenced solemn ceremonies on Thursday to honor 32 military personnel reportedly killed during what authorities describe as a “criminal attack” by the United States against Venezuela. The remains arrived at José Martí International Airport where an official military reception was held.

    The procession traveled along Rancho Boyeros Avenue to the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces headquarters, with citizens lining the route to pay respects to the fallen combatants. Starting at 10:00 a.m., the public was permitted access to view the remains at the ministry building.

    Additional commemorative events are scheduled throughout the country. On Friday morning, Havana residents will gather at the José Martí Anti-Imperialist Tribune to initiate the “March of the Fighting People,” symbolizing national solidarity. Simultaneous tribute ceremonies will occur in all provincial capitals at 9:00 a.m., followed by burials in local pantheons for fallen defenders at 4:00 p.m.

    The Cuban government has declared 2026 as the “Year of the Centennial of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz,” adding historical significance to the ceremonies. Official statements honored the soldiers as heroes who fell defending Venezuela’s Bolivarian Republic, though the United States government has not officially commented on the alleged incident.

    The coordinated national observances represent one of Cuba’s most significant military commemorations in recent years, highlighting ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.

  • “There are no talks with the U.S. government, except for technical contacts in the field of migration”

    “There are no talks with the U.S. government, except for technical contacts in the field of migration”

    Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez has categorically stated that his government maintains no diplomatic negotiations with United States authorities beyond technical discussions regarding migration matters. The First Secretary of Cuba’s Communist Party Central Committee made these declarations through official channels on January 13, 2026.

    President Díaz-Canel clarified that while Cuba remains open to substantive dialogue with successive U.S. administrations, including the current government, such discussions must be grounded in specific principles. These include mutual respect for sovereign equality, adherence to international law standards, reciprocal benefits without internal interference, and unequivocal recognition of Cuban independence.

    The Cuban leader presented a detailed critique of the longstanding economic embargo, characterizing it as an extreme and continuously tightening policy fundamentally disconnected from the Cuban diaspora population in the United States. He attributed migration patterns primarily to the failed U.S. policy approach and special provisions within the Cuban Adjustment Act.

    Díaz-Canel further asserted that Cuban-Americans have become victims of shifting migration policies and what he termed ‘the betrayal of Miami politicians.’ Despite these tensions, the president emphasized Cuba’s continued compliance with existing bilateral migration agreements.

    Historical context indicates, according to the president, that sustainable progress in Cuba-U.S. relations requires foundation in international legal frameworks rather than strategies of hostility, economic coercion, or political threats. The statements represent Cuba’s most recent positioning regarding the complex bilateral relationship with its northern neighbor.