Carib Scope

分类： society

  • St James Children’s Carnival committee appeals for funds

    St James Children’s Carnival committee appeals for funds

    The highly anticipated 36th edition of the St James Children’s Carnival, scheduled for February 8, faces significant financial challenges that threaten its continuation. This beloved junior masquerade parade, which draws hundreds of young participants and thousands of spectators along Western Main Road, St James, requires urgent sponsorship to proceed.

    Organized jointly by the St James Community Improvement Committee and the St James Children’s Carnival Committee, the event has historically relied on funding from the National Carnival Commission’s Regional Carnival Committee with additional support from local businesses. Despite persistent financial obstacles, organizers are working diligently to preserve this cultural tradition.

    This year’s celebration, themed ‘Colour Wee Carnival,’ features multiple competitive categories including King & Queen of the Bands, Band of the Year in various size divisions, Male & Female Individual of the Year, Best Use of Local Materials, Best Traditional Mas, and the special Yvonne Mungal Challenge Trophy open category.

    Registration opened on January 12 at 16 Ranjit Kumar Street, St James, with additional forms available at TTCBA’s secretariat in Queen’s Park Savannah and Crosby’s on Western Main Road. The registration deadline is February 2, with no late entries permitted.

    The event’s historical significance was highlighted by former NCC chairman Winston Peters, who in 2020 emphasized that the carnival provides children with “an extra day to jump, exhibit, palance and ramajay.” Former NCC CEO Colin Lucas further noted that children’s carnival ensures the cultural tradition continues “from one generation to another.”

    The St James Children’s Carnival has grown to become an integral component of Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival celebrations, now rivaling adult events in both costume artistry and attendance. With over 50 registered bands and 200+ individual participants, the event serves as both cultural preservation and community building opportunity, bringing together families, friends, and visitors for a day of creative expression and celebration.

  • Statement by BADMC on theft of yams

    Statement by BADMC on theft of yams

    Barbados is confronting a significant organized crime operation targeting its agricultural sector following the theft of approximately 10,000 pounds of yams from the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC). The sophisticated theft occurred between the evening of January 2, 2026, and the early morning of January 5, 2026, marking one of several coordinated incidents across St. Philip and St. John parishes during that weekend.

    The Barbados Police Service has launched a comprehensive investigation into the large-scale agricultural thefts that are depriving local farmers of their livelihoods and causing substantial financial damage estimated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Authorities have alerted vendors and retailers to exercise extreme vigilance when approached with yam supplies, particularly given the commodity’s limited availability on the island.

    In response to the criminal operation, BADMC has issued stringent guidelines for large-scale purchasers. Those buying more than 100 pounds of yams are urged to demand formal invoices, verify sellers’ identities through valid Farmers’ Identification cards or Barbados National Identification Cards, and obtain confirmation of the farm origin for all produce. These measures are designed to create an audit trail that will assist law enforcement in identifying the perpetrators.

    The situation has drawn commentary from Minister of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Security Indar Weir, who emphasized the critical role of public cooperation in combating praedial larceny (agricultural theft). Minister Weir stressed that existing laws require consistent enforcement and community participation to be effective, noting that tolerance of black market produce sales ultimately enables continued criminal activity.

    BADMC is actively encouraging citizens to assist authorities in dismantling these organized theft networks that threaten both food security and agricultural sustainability in Barbados.

  • Crop theft ‘forcing’ top grower to scale back production

    Crop theft ‘forcing’ top grower to scale back production

    Prominent Barbadian agricultural producer Richard Armstrong has reached a critical juncture in his decades-long farming career, announcing plans to significantly scale back crop cultivation following massive organized thefts targeting his operations. The owner of Armag Farms revealed that thieves systematically stole approximately 15,000 pounds of yams from his St. John fields in recent weeks, with at least 3,000 pounds disappearing in a single night.

    The Christmas period brought an alarming escalation in what Armstrong describes as ‘commercial crop theft’ rather than petty larceny. ‘These people are making a living off of it,’ he emphasized, noting the sophisticated nature of the operations that have pushed his farming enterprise to the brink of sustainability. The thefts have forced Armstrong into difficult security decisions, juggling limited protection between his yam fields in St. John and sweet potato crops in St. Philip.

    Financial analysis reveals the staggering cost of security measures, with annual expenses approaching $80,000 including private security firms—a burden that cannot be passed to consumers given stagnant pricing structures. ‘We are price takers, not price setters,’ Armstrong explained, noting that potatoes currently sell at roughly the same price as forty years ago despite significantly increased production costs.

    The psychological impact has been profound, with Armstrong describing decades of nightly anxiety about crop losses as ‘exhausting and demoralizing.’ He criticized the lack of enforcement regarding produce sales legislation, noting that receipt requirements exist on paper but remain unimplemented. The farmer also questioned why the Barbados Defence Force hasn’t been deployed as a deterrent, citing Jamaica’s successful use of military personnel to combat agricultural theft.

    Armstrong warned that continued inaction threatens national food security, as large-scale producers reconsider their operations. With lower yam yields expected due to severe drought conditions in August and September, the coming year presents particularly challenging circumstances for Barbadian agriculture.

  • Holidays 2026: These are the long weekends this year

    Holidays 2026: These are the long weekends this year

    The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Labor has officially released the 2026 holiday calendar, implementing the nation’s unique holiday rescheduling system established by Law 139-97. This longstanding legislation allows for the strategic movement of midweek holidays to Mondays, creating extended weekends throughout the year.

    According to the published schedule, Dominican workers can anticipate seven extended holiday weekends during 2026. The system operates on the principle that when a holiday falls on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, it is automatically relocated to the preceding Monday, effectively creating three-day weekends. This approach applies regardless of whether the original holiday date falls on a Friday, with the weekend extending through Sunday.

    The 2026 holiday calendar begins with Three Kings’ Day, originally falling on Tuesday, January 6th but officially moved to Monday, January 5th. This creates the first extended weekend starting at noon on Saturday, January 3rd through Monday, January 5th.

    Subsequent extended weekends include:
    – January 24th-26th: Celebrating Juan Pablo Duarte’s birthday
    – February 27th-29th: National Independence Day observances
    – April 3rd-5th: Holy Week holidays (Good Friday observance)
    – May 2nd-4th: Labor Day celebrations (moved from first Friday of May)
    – November 7th-9th: Constitution Day observances
    – December 25th-27th: Christmas celebrations

    Additionally, 2026 features five fixed-date holidays that maintain their original scheduling: New Year’s Day (January 1), Our Lady of Altagracia Day (January 21), Corpus Christi Day (June 4), Restoration Day (August 16), and Our Lady of Mercy Day (September 24). This brings the total number of official holidays for 2026 to twelve, with seven offering extended weekend opportunities for Dominican workers and families.

  • Child under 12 years old reported missing in La Vega located

    Child under 12 years old reported missing in La Vega located

    Authorities in the Dominican Republic have successfully resolved a missing child case that garnered significant attention through digital channels. The National Police confirmed the safe recovery of a 12-year-old male minor in La Vega province after an intensive search operation triggered by social media alerts.

    The incident unfolded when educational staff at the boy’s school notified his mother of his unexplained absence from classes on Thursday, January 8. Despite having left his residence to attend the nearby learning institution, the child never arrived at the facility, prompting immediate concern.

    Law enforcement agencies sprang into action following digital dissemination of the missing person alert. Investigators from the Regional Investigation Subdirectorate (Dicrim) mobilized resources to trace the minor’s whereabouts through systematic investigative protocols.

    The case reached its positive conclusion when police verification confirmed the child had voluntarily traveled to Santiago province to stay with relatives, reportedly due to personal circumstances. The mother subsequently traveled to the location and safely retrieved her son without incident.

    Official statements from the National Police emphasized that the minor remained in good health throughout the episode and suffered no compromise to his physical wellbeing. With the child now under parental supervision, authorities have formally closed the investigation, noting no criminal elements were involved in the occurrence.

  • Without a trace or goodbyes: The heartbreaking disappearances of children in the country

    Without a trace or goodbyes: The heartbreaking disappearances of children in the country

    Santo Domingo — A silent crisis is gripping the Dominican Republic as families across the nation endure the unimaginable agony of missing children. The desperate plea—’Has anyone seen my child?’—echoes through communities where youngsters have vanished from everyday settings: school routes, family gatherings, and their own homes.

    This investigative report documents several heartbreaking cases that highlight systemic challenges in child protection and criminal investigations. The recent disappearance of three-year-old Brianna Genao Gonzalez during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Puerto Plata has triggered massive search operations involving specialized units from the Public Prosecutor’s Office, National Police, SWAT teams, and canine units. Despite confessions from two suspects regarding sexual assault and murder, Brianna’s whereabouts remain unknown.

    The pattern repeats across the country: Two-year-old Isaías Deversió was found deceased after vanishing from El Seibo province; Roldany Calderón, aged three, disappeared without trace from Jarabacoa 284 days ago; and nine-year-old Liz María Sánchez was allegedly murdered with her body never recovered despite a conviction.

    Particularly vulnerable cases include Abraham Baez Carrion, a non-verbal autistic child missing since 2017, and Yodalis Luciano, who vanished in 2015 while living with sickle cell disease. The tragedy extends to pregnant sixteen-year-old Emely Peguero, whose brutal murder revealed systemic violence against young women.

    These cases represent just a fraction of the unresolved disappearances that have left families in perpetual anguish and exposed critical gaps in child protection mechanisms, investigative protocols, and judicial follow-through. While authorities occasionally achieve breakthroughs, most families continue waiting for answers that may never come.

  • Belmopan on Edge After Brazen Truck Driver Killing, Crime Fears Grow

    Belmopan on Edge After Brazen Truck Driver Killing, Crime Fears Grow

    The tranquil reputation of Belize’s capital city faces a severe test following the brutal daylight murder of a delivery driver, an incident that has triggered widespread alarm and prompted urgent community action. Fifty-five-year-old Mark Gabourel was fatally shot by motorcycle-riding assailants in a brazen attack that has left residents questioning the city’s longstanding status as a peaceful haven.

    Authorities have revealed disturbing connections between Gabourel’s killing and an earlier armed robbery at an Armenia Village grocery store, suggesting the perpetrators may be engaged in a dangerous crime spree across the region. This development has intensified concerns about organized criminal activity spreading into previously unaffected areas.

    Belmopan City Councilor Sanie Cal expressed the community’s shock, noting the victim’s innocence and the random nature of the violence. “In broad daylight in a city, a calm city which I wished stayed the same,” Cal stated. “It struck me because it could have happened to my family and also to any other family.”

    In response to the crisis, community leaders are implementing innovative approaches to combat crime. Councilor Cal has launched a social media initiative urging local businesses to contribute to a reward fund for information leading to arrests. The campaign has already garnered significant support from the commercial sector, demonstrating unusual collaboration between citizens and entrepreneurs.

    Resident and attorney Arthur Saldivar emphasized the necessity of community engagement in crime prevention. “The common man and woman on the street has to take it upon themselves to do what is necessary to be safe,” Saldivar argued, calling for greater transparency from law enforcement regarding surveillance footage collected from local businesses.

    Police Commissioner Dr. Richard Rosado has assured the public that the investigation is progressing, with surveillance systems actively providing crucial evidence. While promising imminent arrests, authorities acknowledge that lasting security will require sustained cooperation between law enforcement, businesses, and residents beyond immediate judicial actions.

    The tragedy has sparked broader conversations about public safety strategies in changing urban environments, with community leaders stressing that true security emerges from collaborative vigilance rather than solely relying on police intervention.

  • Due to pressure? Brianna Genao’s maternal grandmother’s lawyer withdraws from the case

    Due to pressure? Brianna Genao’s maternal grandmother’s lawyer withdraws from the case

    The investigation into the disappearance of three-year-old Brianna Genao in Puerto Plata has taken a dramatic turn with the resignation of the family’s legal representative. Santos Willy Liriano, attorney for the maternal grandmother of the missing girl, has withdrawn from the defense team citing overwhelming pressures he “cannot withstand,” according to sources close to the proceedings.

    The development comes amid controversial claims previously made by Liriano on a radio program, where he alleged that the girl’s uncles, Rafael and Reyes Núñez, had confessed to the crime under duress from National Police agents. These statements have created significant complications in the already complex case.

    Judicial authorities have indicated that the Prosecutor’s Office will refrain from seeking coercive measures against the accused parties until the National Police conclude their ongoing investigation. This decision adds another layer of uncertainty to proceedings that legal experts describe as shrouded in “a strong fog” of contradictions and evidentiary challenges.

    The case has captured national attention in the Dominican Republic, with the young girl’s disappearance from the Barreto area of Imbert remaining unresolved after eight days of intensive search efforts. The uncles’ inconsistent statements and the absence of an official position from the Attorney General’s Office have further complicated public understanding of the investigation.

    Legal analysts note that the attorney’s resignation underscores the intense scrutiny and pressure surrounding high-profile missing persons cases in the country, particularly those involving vulnerable children and allegations of judicial misconduct.

  • Violence Shakes Bella Vista as Area Rep Responds

    Violence Shakes Bella Vista as Area Rep Responds

    The southern Belizean village of Bella Vista, historically celebrated for its tranquil and tightly-knit communal atmosphere, is currently confronting an alarming escalation in violent criminal activities. This recent wave of serious incidents has generated substantial unease among both the local populace and governing bodies, marking a stark departure from the community’s longstanding reputation for peace.

    Dr. Osmond Martinez, the Area Representative for Toledo East, has publicly addressed the deteriorating security situation. He characterized the circumstances in Bella Vista as profoundly disheartening, noting the village’s status as one of Belize’s newest yet second-largest settlements. Historically, the community was distinguished by its exceptionally low incidence of negative events.

    Representative Martinez articulated a theory that this surge in violence may be driven by an influx of detrimental influences, potentially originating from neighboring Central American nations. He revealed that governmental authorities had previously anticipated such developmental challenges emerging within the village.

    In response to these security concerns, Martinez outlined a comprehensive strategy focused on infrastructural and social interventions. Plans are advancing to construct a fully-equipped police station instead of the current subordinate outpost. Technological enhancements under consideration include the installation of surveillance camera networks and improved street lighting throughout vulnerable areas.

    Beyond physical security measures, Martinez emphasized the indispensable role of parental guidance in combating community violence. He invoked the traditional cultural values that characterized his own upbringing in Bella Vista—a culture where families collectively supported and monitored community children. His concluding message urged residents to reconnect with their foundational principles of unity and mutual care, advocating for a return to the cooperative spirit that once defined the village.

  • Abuse “They didn’t take care of her”

    Abuse “They didn’t take care of her”

    A recent horrific case involving three-year-old Brianna Genao González has shocked Puerto Plata and drawn national attention to the escalating crisis of sexual violence against minors. The child fell victim to kidnapping, sexual assault, and murder at the hands of her maternal uncles, highlighting the disturbing reality that perpetrators often operate within family circles.

    According to the latest National Survey of Sexual Assaults Against Women (Cipaf 2024), sexual violence against girls and adolescents under 19 has reached alarming proportions. The data reveals a 53.8% surge in cases among those aged 10-19, escalating from 13 incidents between 2013-2019 to 20 in 2022 alone. Similarly troubling trends have emerged among younger children aged 5-9.

    Social media responses to the Puerto Plata tragedy have followed a troubling pattern of blaming mothers and female caregivers, effectively diverting accountability from the male perpetrators who commit these atrocities. This response mechanism obscures the central issue: sexual predators exploiting trusted familial relationships to prey on vulnerable children.

    The societal discourse surrounding sexual assault prevention remains disproportionately focused on ‘stranger danger,’ while ignoring the more prevalent threat posed by family members. This oversight perpetuates a culture where abuse becomes invisibilized and culturally legitimized through historical normalization, typically emerging only through extreme cases that become public scandals.

    Addressing this epidemic requires comprehensive societal transformation. Experts emphasize the necessity of reshaping male behavioral patterns and challenging perceptions of women as sexual objects. Fundamental to this effort is establishing respect for female bodily autonomy as a core societal value, requiring coordinated efforts between state institutions and all community sectors to implement effective prevention and education strategies.