Carib Scope

分类： society

  • ‘Justice for David & Daniel’: San Pedro Rallies for Justice

    ‘Justice for David & Daniel’: San Pedro Rallies for Justice

    One week after a brutal double fatal shooting shook the small coastal community of San Pedro, Belize, dozens of local residents took to public streets again on Sunday to push for accountability and answers in the killing of local businessman David David Harmouch and security guard Daniel Jones.

    The two men were killed on June 28 when four armed suspects stormed Island Supermarket, where Harmouch’s family members also work and shop. Investigative records confirm that two additional members of the Harmouch family suffered non-fatal injuries during the attack, before the four gunmen fled the scene undetected immediately after the shooting.

    Sunday’s demonstration marked the second public call for action from the community in as many weeks. Protesters traversed the main thoroughfares of Ambergris Caye, a popular tourist and residential island that is home to San Pedro, holding hand-painted banners emblazoned with the slogan “Justice for David & Daniel”. Many participants carried printed photographs of Harmouch to honor the life of the local business leader.

    The first protest, held outside the San Pedro Police Station exactly one week before Sunday’s march, was organized by leaders of Belize’s Lebanese community, to which the Harmouch family belongs. At that demonstration, participants publicly criticized local law enforcement for what they described as a failure to pre-empt violent crime in the area, a grievance that has continued to fuel community unrest.

    As of Sunday, local police authorities confirmed their investigation into the mass shooting remains active, and several persons of interest have been taken into custody for questioning. To date, however, no formal charges have been filed against any individual in connection with the killings, leaving the community still waiting for concrete action from the justice system.

  • A Solar-Powered Water System?

    A Solar-Powered Water System?

    For years, residents of Pomona Village in Belize’s Stann Creek District and surrounding communities have faced crippling water shortages during the annual dry season, a persistent public health and livelihood challenge that disrupted daily life and limited local development. On Saturday, that long-running issue moved one step closer to permanent resolution, as Belize’s Ministry of Rural Transformation officially inaugurated an expanded, off-grid solar-powered water system built exclusively to address seasonal water scarcity.

    The upgraded project, backed by private sponsor RF&G Insurance Ltd., delivers far more than just a renewable energy source for water pumping. It adds a robust 40,000-litre ground-level storage reservoir, purpose-built pump house, and a backup diesel generator that guarantees uninterrupted water access even during extended grid outages or periods of low sunlight. The new infrastructure works in tandem with Pomona Village’s aging existing water network, which has for decades failed to meet rising demand from local households when rainfall slows to a stop in the dry months.

    Beyond the core construction work, the initiative also equipped Pomona’s local water management board with a full stock of new pipes, fittings, and essential plumbing materials to support future network expansion as the village’s population grows. In an official statement following the commissioning, the Ministry of Rural Transformation highlighted that the integrated system cuts operational pressure on the old network, locking in a consistent, dependable water supply for residential users even at the height of the dry season.

    Officials added that the additional materials and upgraded infrastructure do more than solve an immediate shortage: they empower the local water board to take long-term control of the village’s water resources, supporting planned growth and sustainable development for the community for years to come.

  • WISH Extends Condolences Following the Sudden Death of 24-Year-Old Cody Gomes

    WISH Extends Condolences Following the Sudden Death of 24-Year-Old Cody Gomes

    The sudden, unexpected passing of 24-year-old Cody Gomes has left family, friends and communities across Antigua and Barbuda in mourning, as local law enforcement continues to probe the circumstances of his death. The Wadadli Initiative for Self-care and Healing (WISH), a leading local organization focused on mental wellness and community support, has issued an official statement extending its deepest condolences to all those affected by Gomes’s death.

    Per official police accounts, Gomes was discovered unresponsive at his private residence in the early hours of Monday. Personnel from the All Saints Police Station were dispatched immediately to the location, and medical personnel later confirmed he had passed away. As of press time, no definitive details surrounding the cause of his death have been released, and the active investigation remains ongoing.

    WISH is joining the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda in an urgent appeal to the public: respect the Gomes family’s right to privacy as they navigate overwhelming grief, and approach this moment with compassion and empathy. This unanticipated loss has sent shockwaves through Gomes’s closest circle and the wider Swetes community, leaving countless people grappling with shock, profound sadness and unanswered questions about what led to his passing.

    In its statement, the organization stressed the importance of avoiding unfounded speculation, harmful unsubstantiated commentary, and the unauthorized spread of sensitive details related to the case. Instead of engaging in irresponsible discussion, WISH is urging community members to center kindness: check in on friends, family and neighbors who may be struggling with this loss, and offer non-judgmental support to anyone processing grief.

    The tragedy also serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing, urgent need to expand safe, open spaces for community dialogue around mental health, emotional distress, grief and collective care, WISH noted. The organization offered guidance for community members who may be concerned about someone in their life who is struggling: if a friend or loved one shows signs of withdrawal, persistent overwhelm, hopelessness, unusual emotional shifts or visible distress, do not ignore these red flags. Reach out to them, offer a non-judgmental listening ear, maintain consistent connection, and encourage them to reach out to a trusted person, whether that is a family member, friend, religious leader, medical provider, educator or licensed mental health professional. For anyone facing an immediate threat to personal safety, the organization emphasized that emergency assistance should be sought without delay.

    Local law enforcement is also asking for public cooperation to advance the investigation. Anyone with information that could help detectives clarify the circumstances of Gomes’s death is asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Department directly at 462-3913 or 462-3914. For those who wish to share information anonymously, tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers by calling 800-TIPS (8477).

    WISH closed its statement by reiterating its sympathy for the Gomes family, all of Cody’s loved ones, and the entire Swetes community, noting that the organization holds them in its thoughts through this devastating period. The organization also reaffirmed its long-term commitment to its core missions: expanding mental health education across Antigua and Barbuda, raising public awareness of suicide prevention, and building a national culture where people feel safe and comfortable sharing when they are struggling emotionally, rather than suffering in silence.

  • Cody Gomes Identified as Man Found Dead at Swetes Home

    Cody Gomes Identified as Man Found Dead at Swetes Home

    Local law enforcement has opened an active investigation into the unexpected passing of 24-year-old Cody Gomes, who was discovered unresponsive at his private residence during the early hours of Monday. A relative of Gomes made the grim find between 5:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., and immediately placed an emergency call to alert official authorities to the situation. First responding officers from the All Saints Police Station traveled promptly to the scene to launch an initial assessment, and Gomes was formally pronounced deceased at approximately 7:45 a.m. that same morning. As of the latest update, no definitive details have been released to clarify the exact circumstances leading to Gomes’ death, and the investigative process remains ongoing as detectives work to piece together a clear timeline of events leading up to the tragedy. In an effort to speed up the inquiry and gather critical evidence that may be held by members of the public, police have issued a formal public appeal for information. Anyone who may have relevant details related to Gomes or his death is asked to reach out directly to the Criminal Investigations Department via the dedicated phone lines 462-3913 or 462-3914. For community members who wish to share information without revealing their identity, anonymous tips can also be submitted through the regional Crime Stoppers program by calling the toll-free hotline 800-TIPS (8477).

  • Citizens hold pot-banging protests across Greater Santo Domingo

    Citizens hold pot-banging protests across Greater Santo Domingo

    On a Monday night, hundreds of Dominican residents joined a coordinated, peaceful nationwide demonstration that captured widespread public attention, with residents of the Dominican Republic taking to their balconies, sidewalks and neighborhood streets to voice their frustration with multiple pressing national issues. The grassroots action centered on discontent over the country’s uneven social and economic conditions, unaddressed claims of excessive force by police officers, and perceived mismanagement of critical national issues by the current government.

    Organized by Dominican artist and well-known community activist Melimel, the demonstration was planned as an accessible, low-risk form of protest that invited all participants to join directly from their own homes and local neighborhoods. In response to Melimel’s public call to action, residents across Greater Santo Domingo initiated the rhythmic banging of pots and pans as a symbolic form of protest, turning everyday kitchen items into tools of political expression. The peaceful movement quickly spread beyond the capital’s greater metropolitan area, with confirmed parallel demonstrations taking place in the inland cities of La Vega and Jarabacoa as well.

    In the digital space, content supporting the pot-banging initiative spread rapidly across social media platforms. Short videos of participants joining the protest alongside messages of solidarity were shared hundreds of times, amplifying the reach of the grassroots movement beyond the communities where demonstrations were held. As of Tuesday morning, no official statement has been released by Dominican government or law enforcement authorities addressing either the protests themselves or the specific concerns raised by participating citizens.

  • Father of two drowns after boat explodes off Spanish Cay

    Father of two drowns after boat explodes off Spanish Cay

    A tragic maritime accident off the coast of Abaco, Bahamas, has claimed the life of a 37-year-old father of two, after a work-bound vessel exploded early Saturday morning, leaving all seven passengers stranded in open water before six survivors were pulled to safety. The victim, Jamal Cornish, had been hired alongside six other men for a construction project on Spanish Cay when the fatal incident unfolded just after 6 a.m.

    Local law enforcement has shared key details about the chain of events that led to the blast. The group was traveling on a 23-foot teal-and-white Angler boat when mechanical issues arose: a crew member detected water leaking from the vessel’s bilge pump. While attempting to fix the malfunction, the crew member accidentally placed a wire against the engine’s battery, triggering an immediate explosion that forced all seven men into the ocean.

    In the chaotic aftermath of the blast, all passengers worked together to stay afloat as they waited for rescue. Cornish, who had been helping address the vessel’s mechanical problems before the explosion, eventually told the other men he could no longer keep his head above water, before losing his grip and slipping beneath the surface. Nearby private boat operators responded quickly to the emergency, pulling six of the seven passengers from the water unharmed. Cornish’s body was later recovered by his own family members, and he was officially pronounced dead at the Marsh Harbour Health Centre by a local physician.

    For Cornish’s family, the sudden loss has been devastating to process. His sister, Jasmine Curry, told reporters she had just traveled to Grand Bahama when she received the shocking call about the accident, and immediately returned to Abaco to join the search. “When the search was going on, it just seemed like unreal. Then when we got the news that they found his body it still didn’t seem real,” Curry shared. A commercial fisherman by trade, Cornish had taken the construction job to supplement his income while the Bahamian lobster season is closed, a role he had held for several months leading up to the accident. Those who knew him remember him as a humble, kind, and deeply loving man devoted entirely to his wife and two children.

    Curry noted that the boat was privately owned, not property of the construction company the men were working for, and she emphasized that she views the incident as a tragic accident, not a negligent act that requires accountability. She added that she has not yet spoken with the six surviving passengers about the events of that morning.

    In an official statement released following the incident, the Bahamas Ministry of Transport and the Port Department offered their deepest condolences to Cornish’s loved ones, and praised the quick action of the private citizens who rescued the remaining six passengers. The statement also used the tragedy to highlight the critical importance of maritime safety for communities across the island nation.

    “Marine travel remains an essential part of daily life throughout The Bahamas,” the statement read. “Thousands of residents, workers, fishermen, contractors, and visitors depend on our waters every day. Incidents such as this are a stark reminder that safety at sea cannot be taken for granted, whether a voyage is routine, or a vessel is travelling a familiar route.”

    Officials confirmed that authorities are still in the process of collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses to fully document the circumstances of the explosion. The Ministry and Port Department have asked the public to refrain from spreading unconfirmed speculation about the incident, and to allow investigative teams to complete their work and confirm the full factual details of the tragedy.

  • Aerodom delivers 18 explosives detection dogs to Cesac

    Aerodom delivers 18 explosives detection dogs to Cesac

    In a major step to upgrade aviation safety infrastructure across the Dominican Republic, airport operator Aerodom has transferred 18 purpose-trained explosives detection canines to the nation’s Specialized Airport and Civil Aviation Security Corps (Cesac), expanding the agency’s capacity to prevent security threats at all of the country’s commercial airports.

    The newly deployed K-9 unit consists of three highly capable working dog breeds: Belgian Malinois, German Shepherds, and Dutch Shepherds, all selected for their sharp scent detection abilities, discipline, and reliability in high-pressure security environments. The handover was formally received by Cesac Director Brigadier General Pilot Enmanuel Souffront Tamayo, who will oversee the integration of the dogs into routine airport security operations.

    Each of the animals has completed rigorous specialized training to identify a wide range of explosive compounds, allowing security teams to detect hidden threats more efficiently during passenger screenings, baggage inspections, and perimeter patrols. With these additional units, Cesac will be able to expand the frequency and scope of security sweeps across terminals, runways, and restricted airport areas, closing potential gaps in the country’s civil aviation security network.

    According to Aerodom announcements, the canines were purchased from Logiscan LTDA, a Colombia-based provider of specialized working canines for security operations. The selection process was a collaborative effort between Aerodom and Cesac, with both teams conducting extensive behavioral and capability evaluations to ensure each dog met the strict standards required for airport security work.

    Aerodom Chief Executive Officer Cyril Girod emphasized that this canine donation is far more than an isolated equipment upgrade: it reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to partnering with national civil aviation authorities to build a safer, more secure travel ecosystem for both Dominican residents and international visitors. The initiative is just one component of a sweeping multi-million dollar capital improvement program that Aerodom is rolling out across the country’s flagship aviation hub, Las Américas International Airport. That broader plan also includes construction of a modern new passenger terminal, full rehabilitation of the airport’s main runway, and installation of a cutting-edge automated baggage handling system designed to improve both efficiency and security for travelers.

  • Vehicle Crashes on Airport Road; Driver Unhurt

    Vehicle Crashes on Airport Road; Driver Unhurt

  • FAO training equips Dominican farmers with modern irrigation and crop management skills

    FAO training equips Dominican farmers with modern irrigation and crop management skills

    In a targeted push to strengthen Dominica’s agricultural sector and boost long-term farmer livelihoods, more than 50 local producers and agricultural stakeholders have completed hands-on training focused on advancing vegetable output through cutting-edge irrigation, fertigation, and nutrient stewardship practices. Organized jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Dominica’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy, the June 2, 2026, practical workshop was hosted at the One Mile Agricultural Station in Portsmouth, drawing 56 participants that included 29 women and 27 men. Attendees represented a cross-section of the island’s agricultural ecosystem, from smallholder farmers and government extension officers to representatives of sector-supporting organizations.

    This training forms a core component of FAO’s ongoing regional initiative, “Improving livelihoods through diversified high-value vegetable crop production in selected agroclimatic zones,” a program designed to help small-scale and commercial producers across Dominica adopt climate-smart, modern production technologies. A key deliverable of the project is the development of 16 demonstration sites across the island’s diverse agroclimatic regions, each showcasing advanced production models ranging from open-field sustainable farming to upgraded greenhouse structures, anti-pest net houses, and improved water and nutrient delivery systems. These demonstration hubs are designed to act as accessible, practical learning centers for local producers and extension staff, with the long-term goals of driving higher crop productivity, cutting resource waste, and lifting household incomes for farming communities.

    Led by two seasoned FAO technical specialists – Horticulture Specialist Marcko Theodoracopoulos and Plant Production and Protection Specialist Anne Desrochers, who also served as the project’s Lead Technical Officer – the workshop centered on immediately actionable skills that participants could apply on their own farms right after the training. Attendees gained hands-on experience installing and maintaining drip irrigation infrastructure, formulating and applying soluble fertilizers accurately, and building custom fertigation schedules aligned with specific crop growth stages and unique on-site field conditions.

    A core focus of the training was the correct operation and calibration of Venturi fertilizer injectors, low-cost, low-maintenance devices that leverage water pressure to evenly distribute fertilizer solutions through existing irrigation lines. Through a combination of technical lectures, live on-site demonstrations, and guided group practice, participants also worked through solutions for common on-farm challenges, including clogged irrigation lines, uneven water distribution, improper fertilizer mixing, and adapting nutrient and water schedules to shifting crop needs and weather conditions.

    Desrochers emphasized that the project’s impact extends far beyond just providing new equipment and infrastructure. “The project is not only providing irrigation, fertigation and protected-cultivation technologies. It is also ensuring that farmers and national technicians have the practical knowledge required to operate these systems effectively and make sound decisions based on crop stage, soil and field conditions,” she explained. “This combination of appropriate technology and strengthened technical capacity is essential for improving productivity, using water and fertilizers more efficiently, and building more resilient vegetable-production systems in Dominica.”

    Local agricultural stakeholders echoed Desrochers’ positive assessment of the training. Joanne Williams, Extension Officer for Dominica’s West Agricultural Region, noted that the new skills she gained will directly benefit the farmers and school agricultural programs she supports across the region. “This training provided me with valuable new knowledge that I can apply in the field and share with the schools and farmers I support, particularly to help them reduce production costs while improving profitability,” she said.

    Jeffrey Bruney, a farmer and agri-entrepreneur who operates Kubuli Farms, added that access to this hands-on technical training fills a critical gap for local producers. “This training was essential because it introduced farmers to new fertilizers and production systems, helping us to use these technologies effectively, apply the knowledge at our own farms and share it with other farmers,” he said.

    The one-day workshop was part of a broader five-day FAO technical mission to Dominica, conducted from June 1 to 5, 2026. Immediately following the training, FAO specialists and local government counterparts traveled to project beneficiary demonstration sites across the island to assess pre-installation preparations for new irrigation and fertigation infrastructure. During the site visits, the joint team evaluated key site characteristics including land preparation progress, water access, drainage capacity, field layout, and planned infrastructure placement. The assessments also mapped any remaining site preparation work and outstanding material requirements, allowing the team to finalize timelines for infrastructure installation.

    Looking ahead, FAO reaffirmed its long-term commitment to collaborating with Dominica’s Ministry of Agriculture to strengthen the island’s vegetable sector. The organization says it will continue to support the development of a sustainable, climate-resilient, market-focused agricultural industry through ongoing technical training, access to context-appropriate technologies, and sustained partnership with local farming communities.

  • Doden en meer dan 100 gewonden bij gevechten in gevangenis Sri Lanka

    Doden en meer dan 100 gewonden bij gevechten in gevangenis Sri Lanka

    A violent riot that broke out at a high-security prison in Negombo, a coastal city roughly 35 kilometers north of Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo, has left at least 20 people dead and more than 100 others wounded, local law enforcement and media sources confirmed this week. The unrest first erupted on Sunday and continued into Monday, marking one of the deadliest prison incidents in the country in recent years.