Carib Scope

分类： society

  • STVS-directeur Abisoina ontkracht miskenning Frits Pengel

    STVS-directeur Abisoina ontkracht miskenning Frits Pengel

    Raoul Abisoina, the director of the Surinamese Television Foundation (STVS), has responded to claims that Frits Pengel, the founder of STVS, was not invited to the 60th anniversary celebration of television in Suriname. Abisoina expressed surprise at the allegations, emphasizing that the organization deliberately chose not to hold a festive event due to current challenges. ‘From the beginning, it was clear that we would keep it modest. There was no celebration at all. That’s why I didn’t invite any former directors or retirees, including Mr. Pengel,’ Abisoina told Starnieuws.

    Abisoina clarified that all retirees, including Pengel, were financially acknowledged. ‘An amount was deposited into his account in recognition of 60 years of STVS. He was personally informed by the secretariat that there would be no celebration.’ The director also highlighted that he had increased Pengel’s pension twice out of respect since taking office. ‘The son who wrote this article knows this personally. I met him along with his father. That contact has paused in recent months for other reasons—out of decency, I’ll leave it at that for now.’

    Abisoina noted that during the previous major celebration—the 55th anniversary—Pengel was officially invited and honored with a Grantangi Award. ‘At that time, there was a festive celebration, and it was appropriate. Now, that’s not the case.’ He concluded, ‘I find it misplaced that my name is being dragged into a false narrative. Anyone who knows the full story understands that this is not about disrespect but a deliberate choice for modesty.’

  • Social Empowerment Agency to launch next month

    Social Empowerment Agency to launch next month

    Barbados is poised to launch its newly established Social Empowerment Agency (SEA) next month, with nearly all staff from the four merging social service departments voluntarily joining the initiative. Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey, confirmed the development on Monday, dispelling concerns about delays caused by union negotiations. The SEA consolidates the Child Care Board, National Assistance Board, National Disabilities Unit, and the Welfare Department into a single entity aimed at providing comprehensive support to vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. Minister Humphrey emphasized that the agency’s mission is to transition from traditional welfare models to empowerment-focused strategies, fostering independence and reducing poverty through targeted programs and services. The government plans to establish empowerment centers across the island to enhance accessibility, ensuring that all communities benefit from the agency’s offerings. While specific figures on staff participation were not disclosed, Humphrey expressed confidence in the overwhelming positive response, stating that the agency is on track for a successful launch. The SEA will focus on skills development, capacity building, and tailored support services, marking a significant shift in Barbados’ approach to social welfare.

  • Dozens injured as route taxi overturns outside Lester Vaughan

    Dozens injured as route taxi overturns outside Lester Vaughan

    A harrowing incident unfolded on Monday morning outside Lester Vaughan School in St Thomas, Barbados, when a route taxi overturned, injuring 26 individuals, including 25 schoolchildren and the driver. The accident occurred shortly before 9 a.m. on Cane Garden Road, as the vehicle was en route to Bridgetown. According to police reports, the driver lost control, causing the taxi to flip just outside the school compound.

  • Agriculture : More than 70% of farmers in Haiti are women

    Agriculture : More than 70% of farmers in Haiti are women

    In a groundbreaking revelation, Haiti’s Minister of Agriculture, Vernet Joseph, alongside Pierre Vauthier, the Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO – Haiti), disclosed that more than 70% of the nation’s farmers are women. These women, who form the backbone of Haiti’s agrifood production, continue to face substantial challenges, including limited access to land, credit, and quality supply chains. Their critical role in sustaining the country’s food systems cannot be overstated. The recent International Day of Rural Women underscored the necessity of concrete actions to fully integrate this female workforce into the agricultural sector, particularly by empowering the ‘Madan Sara,’ the unsung heroes of Haiti’s food distribution networks. The Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Rural Development (MARNDR), in collaboration with FAO – Haiti, is actively working to transform this potential into a driving force for economic and social development. In 2025, FAO initiatives, supported by MARNDR, directly assisted nearly 70,000 individuals dependent on agriculture, helping to preserve and revitalize production in regions like Artibonite, the Central Bas-Plateau, and the West, even amidst security challenges. Additionally, the National School Feeding Program (PNCS), backed by the Ministry and the World Food Program (WFP), has engaged over 82,500 small producers across 219 agricultural organizations. These efforts ensure that 70% of meals served daily to 600,000 schoolchildren supported by WFP are sourced from Haitian agriculture, enhancing children’s nutrition and stimulating the local economy. This initiative aligns with the government’s broader goal of reaching 1.4 million students by 2025 and achieving 100% local procurement for school canteens by 2030. Furthermore, the Integrated Nutrition and Local Purchasing Program, initially funded with US$10 million, is expanding to other departments with an additional US$13 million, enabling more producers to contribute to the promotion of national production.

  • French national caught at AILA after swallowing over 1 Kg of cocaine

    French national caught at AILA after swallowing over 1 Kg of cocaine

    Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – A 19-year-old French national was apprehended at Las Américas International Airport (AILA-JFPG) following the discovery of ingested cocaine. The arrest was executed by the National Directorate of Drug Control (DNCD) and the Specialized Airport Security Corps (CESAC) during a coordinated inspection with the Public Ministry. After standard immigration protocols, anomalies were detected in his digestive system. He was subsequently transported to the Central Hospital of the Armed Forces, where he expelled 141 small latex-wrapped packets of cocaine, weighing a total of 1.06 kilograms, as confirmed by the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF). The individual is now under the custody of the Santo Domingo Public Prosecutor’s Office and will be prosecuted under Law 50-88, which governs drugs and controlled substances. Authorities are delving deeper into the case, suspecting it to be part of an extensive international drug trafficking network that employs ‘mules’ from various countries to transport narcotics to the United States and Europe.

  • Man slain in highway gun attack, second killing in 24 hours

    Man slain in highway gun attack, second killing in 24 hours

    Barbados has been shaken by two fatal shootings within 24 hours, pushing the island’s annual murder count to 38. The most recent incident occurred on the ABC Highway at St Barnabas, St Michael, where a man was fatally shot during an altercation near the pedestrian crossing at the junction with Mount Friendship Road. Police reported that the shooting took place around 10:45 am, and the victim, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds, was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital but later succumbed to his injuries. The deceased has been identified as 20-year-old Shaquan Renaldo Chandler-Wray, a resident of Mount Friendship, St Michael.

    This tragedy follows another fatal altercation on Sunday afternoon in Graeme Hall, Christ Church, where a man died after a violent confrontation. Authorities have launched a full investigation into the latest incident, with Acting Inspector Ryan Brathwaite urging witnesses or anyone with information to contact CrimeStoppers or the local police. At the scene, law enforcement officers and members of the Barbados Defence Force were seen securing the area, which lies near St Barnabas Anglican Church.

    The back-to-back incidents have raised concerns about public safety and escalating violence on the island. Inspector Brathwaite emphasized the importance of community cooperation in solving these crimes, calling on residents to come forward with any relevant details.

  • Mother and Son Perish in Alleged Arson Attack in San Felipe

    Mother and Son Perish in Alleged Arson Attack in San Felipe

    A devastating arson attack in San Felipe Village, Orange Walk, has left a community in mourning after a mother and her young son perished in a house fire early Monday morning. Thirty-five-year-old Angelita Magaña and her six-year-old son, Tishan Godoy, were among four individuals asleep in the home when the blaze erupted. Angelita’s daughter and her common-law husband, Miguel Novelo, narrowly escaped, but Angelita and Tishan tragically did not survive. Authorities have identified the prime suspect as Angelita’s former common-law husband, Francisco Godoy, who was found injured at the scene and is now in police custody. Godoy had recently been released from custody after serving time for domestic violence charges against Angelita. Neighbors recounted the harrowing moments as flames engulfed the home, with one individual, Leon, hailed as a hero for saving Angelita’s daughter. The Ministry of Public Service, Governance, and Disaster Risk Management has extended condolences to the family, while the community rallies to support funeral expenses and medical care for the injured daughter. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

  • Santa Elena Man Found Shot, Dies Hours Later

    Santa Elena Man Found Shot, Dies Hours Later

    In the early hours of Sunday, October 12, 2025, police officers patrolling the Bradley Bank area in Santa Elena discovered a man lying in the street with severe head injuries. The victim, identified as 42-year-old Shawn Hertular, was immediately transported to San Ignacio Hospital for emergency treatment. Despite medical efforts, Hertular succumbed to his injuries hours later. A postmortem examination confirmed that he died from a gunshot wound, marking another tragic chapter in a life marred by violence. Hertular had a notorious criminal history, including a 2024 acquittal for the 2021 murder of Miguel Zaiden, a Belize City resident who was stabbed multiple times while attempting to flee on his motorcycle. Prior to that, Hertular had served a 20-year prison sentence for another homicide. Authorities have now identified a person of interest in connection with his death, and the investigation remains ongoing.

  • Life Sentence Challenged in Tamales Vendor’s Murder Case

    Life Sentence Challenged in Tamales Vendor’s Murder Case

    In a case that sent shockwaves across Belize in 2018, the brutal murder of 68-year-old Martha Gonzales, a dedicated tamales vendor, has resurfaced in the legal spotlight. Gonzales, who traveled daily from Orange Walk to Pomona Valley in Stann Creek to sell tamales, cheese, and clothing, met a tragic end during one of her routine trips. Her body was discovered in a latrine on the property of Christopher Bradley, then 21 years old. Investigators revealed that Gonzales had been stabbed in the chest, wrapped in a tarp, and concealed in the latrine. The case took a chilling turn when Bradley allegedly took her bucket of tamales home, fed his mother, and gifted Gonzales’ chain to his girlfriend. In 2021, Bradley was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole for 28 years. However, he has now returned to court, appealing both his conviction and sentence. His defense attorney contends that critical evidence, including the chain and blood found at Bradley’s residence, should have been excluded. The prosecution, on the other hand, maintains that the evidence was robust and the sentence justified. A panel of three judges heard arguments today, and the outcome of this high-profile appeal remains pending.

  • Employees Foil Armed Robbery at Corozal Store

    Employees Foil Armed Robbery at Corozal Store

    In a dramatic turn of events, employees at Mo’s Supermarket in Corozal successfully foiled an armed robbery attempt on the evening of October 19, 2025. The incident unfolded at approximately 6:40 p.m. when 29-year-old Ryan Delgado entered the store brandishing a Crossman air pistol, intent on carrying out a heist. However, before Delgado could execute his plan, vigilant store employees intervened, preventing the robbery and detaining the suspect until police arrived. Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith provided details on the incident, confirming that Delgado was taken into custody and the weapon was seized as evidence. Reports suggest that Delgado sustained injuries during the altercation, allegedly inflicted by the store’s employees. ASP Smith emphasized that if evidence indicates any actions taken against Delgado were unlawful, the police would pursue appropriate legal measures. This incident highlights the bravery and quick response of the supermarket staff, who ensured the safety of the establishment and its patrons.