Carib Scope

分类： society

  • COE warns of high levels of maritime risk due to abnormal swells on the North coast

    COE warns of high levels of maritime risk due to abnormal swells on the North coast

    Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic — Maritime conditions have shown significant improvement along the nation’s Caribbean coastline, prompting authorities to revise navigational advisories this Saturday. The Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet), through its latest weather bulletin, confirmed that previously hazardous sea conditions have substantially normalized.

    The Emergency Operations Center (COE), acting upon Indomet’s meteorological assessment, officially discontinued the port restriction mandate for fragile, small, and medium-sized vessels operating along the North coast. This decision was formally executed under the legal framework established in Article 2, Chapter 1 of Law 147-02, which governs emergency maritime protocols.

    While conditions have stabilized for most regions, the COE issued specific precautions for vessel operators navigating the Atlantic coastal stretch between Miches (El Seibo) and Cabo Engaño (La Altagracia). Meteorological monitoring indicates persistent abnormal wind patterns and wave activity in this sector, requiring heightened navigational vigilance.

    The national meteorological service confirms that all remaining coastal areas currently experience normal maritime conditions, providing relief to the maritime industry and coastal communities following recent weather disturbances.

  • Domínguez Brito: “The behavioral crisis of our adolescents is a national alarm”

    Domínguez Brito: “The behavioral crisis of our adolescents is a national alarm”

    SANTO DOMINGO, DR – Prominent political figure Francisco Domínguez Brito has issued a stark warning regarding escalating violence and disrespect within educational institutions, characterizing the situation as a national emergency that demands immediate state and societal intervention.

    Addressing recent disturbing incidents at schools across Santo Domingo, San Francisco de Macorís, and Santiago, Domínguez Brito condemned the current climate as profoundly unacceptable. “Educators increasingly confront threats, verbal abuse, and physical violence without adequate institutional backing,” he stated. “The erosion of teacher authority and their resulting vulnerability directly undermines educational institutions and disrupts the broader social fabric of communities.”

    Domínguez Brito presented a nuanced analysis, asserting that this behavioral crisis among adolescents stems from complex societal failures rather than individual student culpability. He identified key contributing factors including family disintegration, insufficient community support systems, premature exposure to alcohol and narcotics, and a critical deficiency in effective preventive government strategies. “This represents a pervasive social dilemma that our nation has neglected for far too long,” he emphasized.

    In response to this multifaceted challenge, the leader proposed a comprehensive action plan. His recommendations include reinforcing school psychological and guidance services, implementing definitive protocols for educator protection, developing robust mechanisms for violence reporting and resolution, and enhancing collaborative social outreach programs to identify at-risk youth vulnerable to substance abuse and academic abandonment.

    Concluding his appeal, Domínguez Brito underscored the fundamental importance of safeguarding educators: “Ensuring teacher security is synonymous with protecting our nation’s future. Our schools must transform into secure environments where educators operate with respected authority, dignity, and substantive institutional support.”

  • Creators celebrate Independence with handmade pride

    Creators celebrate Independence with handmade pride

    As Saint Lucia approaches its Independence celebrations, local artisans at Blue Coral Mall are transforming the national occasion into a vibrant platform for cultural expression and economic resilience. These craftspeople are not merely displaying their creations but are actively preserving traditions while navigating significant entrepreneurial challenges.

    Terril Nicholas of Illuminating Designs represents the passionate spirit of these artisans. What began as a hobby evolved into a full-time vocation in 2008. “Crafting was always my parallel pursuit regardless of my employment situation,” Nicholas recounted. Her transition to professional artistry confronted substantial obstacles, particularly import duties and material accessibility. “Securing raw materials remains our most persistent challenge,” she noted, highlighting the financial constraints of island-based production. Despite these hurdles, Independence provides crucial exposure opportunities: “This season lets us showcase our products while proudly displaying the national colors.”

    Nicholas’s copper creations embody both artistic vision and functional benefits. “I create entirely self-inspired pieces without digital references,” she emphasized. Her copperwork extends beyond aesthetics, offering purported health advantages including improved circulation and arthritic pain relief.

    Similar narratives of innovation echo throughout the mall. Em’s Creations distinguishes itself through inventive material reuse, particularly with can caps. Francis Beverly Pierre of Goshen Pierre Plus has developed a commemorative jigsaw puzzle honoring Saint Lucia’s Nobel laureates—economist Sir Arthur Lewis and poet Sir Derek Walcott. “This collector’s item represents what we want to preserve about our heritage,” Pierre explained, noting strong interest from international visitors seeking meaningful souvenirs.

    The textile arts find vibrant expression through Samantha Suzy Rosanna Alexander’s Suzy Dezigns. Her crochet journey began at age eight under maternal guidance. “My mother knitted all our childhood clothes,” Alexander recalled. Her business emerged organically in 2016 when floral arrangement classes sparked demand for crochet accessories. “People began requesting earrings and brooches featuring my floral designs,” she said.

    Generational craftsmanship continues through Constance A. Alexander, who has maintained crochet traditions since the 1960s. Meanwhile, Marina Monroque-Lafeuillee of Belle Lici Designs demonstrates extraordinary resourcefulness, having initially crafted tools from coconut branches and flower sack threads. “I sharpen coconut leaf bones to create knitting needles,” she shared, embodying the innovative spirit that characterizes Saint Lucian artisans.

    Despite their creativity, these entrepreneurs face shared challenges: limited retail spaces, export barriers, and material import complexities. Yet Independence celebrations provide vital temporary venues and international exposure. Many artisans already reach overseas markets through initiatives like Export Saint Lucia’s London store, but aspire to broader global recognition while maintaining their distinctive cultural identities.

  • Authentic Green fig and saltfish

    Authentic Green fig and saltfish

    Beyond mere sustenance, Green Fig and Saltfish embodies the historical and cultural soul of Saint Lucia. This iconic dish, with origins tracing to the island’s colonial era, represents a culinary adaptation that transformed imported preserved cod from European traders and locally grown green bananas into a national symbol.

    Its evolution from a practical meal for earlier generations to a contemporary staple served across households, luxury resorts, and festive gatherings illustrates its profound role in Saint Lucian identity. The preparation is a ritual in itself, connecting modern-day cooks to their heritage through time-honored techniques.

    The meticulous process begins with the saltfish, which requires thorough desalination, typically achieved through an overnight soak or a double boiling method with water changes. The fish is then carefully flaked and deboned. Simultaneously, the green bananas (known locally as ‘green figs’) are prepared by scoring their skins and boiling them until tender before being peeled and sliced.

    The heart of the dish is an aromatic sauce. Oil is heated in a pan to sauté a traditional sofrito of sliced onions, chopped garlic, sweet pepper, and fresh thyme. Chopped tomatoes are added to create a rich, saucy base. The flaked saltfish and a whole hot pepper—left intact to impart flavor without overwhelming heat—are then incorporated.

    In the final step, the boiled green bananas are gently folded into the savory mixture, seasoned with black pepper, and simmered to allow the flavors to meld harmoniously. The dish is traditionally presented alongside fresh accompaniments like avocado, cucumber, or a crisp coleslaw, completing a meal that is both a tribute to the past and a vibrant part of Saint Lucia’s living culture.

  • Pregnant Deer with Twins Killed: “This Is Why We Close Seasons”

    Pregnant Deer with Twins Killed: “This Is Why We Close Seasons”

    Belizean forest authorities have apprehended five individuals in the Los Tambos region of Cayo District for engaging in prohibited deer hunting activities during the legally mandated closed season. The Saturday morning operation uncovered a distressing scene: three slaughtered white-tailed deer, among them a skinned pregnant doe carrying twin fawns that had been extracted from her womb. Additionally, officers discovered a live fawn in the possession of the detained group.

    Victoria Chi, a representative from the Belize Forest Department, emphasized the ecological rationale behind seasonal hunting restrictions: “This tragic incident precisely demonstrates why we implement closed seasons—these animals are either pregnant or nurturing their young. Hunting during these vulnerable periods is strictly prohibited under national legislation.”

    Current regulations established by the Wildlife Protection Act provide comprehensive safeguards for deer populations. Female deer receive protection from July 1st through February 28th of the subsequent year, while male deer may only be legally hunted between October 1st and June 30th. Violations of these conservation laws carry severe penalties, including fines reaching $10,000 Belize dollars or potential imprisonment for up to one year.

    The Forest Department has encouraged public participation in conservation efforts by providing a dedicated hotline (610-1524) for reporting illegal hunting activities. This case has sparked renewed discussion about wildlife protection measures and the importance of seasonal hunting restrictions in maintaining sustainable animal populations.

  • Here’s How You Can Do Your Part This Fire Season

    Here’s How You Can Do Your Part This Fire Season

    Belize has officially entered its annual fire season, which spans from February 15 to June 15, with forestry officials warning that human-caused fires represent the most significant threat to forest ecosystems and rural communities. Chief Forest Officer Victoria Chi emphasized that the majority of wildfires originate from agricultural burning practices and residential waste disposal that rapidly escalate beyond control.

    According to Chi, inadequate safety measures during routine farming activities frequently lead to fires spreading into surrounding vegetation. “Individuals often initiate burns for agricultural purposes without implementing necessary precautions or following established best practices, resulting in these fires escaping containment,” she stated. The department has additionally identified hunting-related activities as another contributing factor, where vegetation is cleared to attract game species.

    While human activity remains the primary cause, natural phenomena such as “dry lightning” events in regions like Mountain Pine Ridge also contribute to wildfire outbreaks during periods of low rainfall.

    In response to extensive fires recorded in 2024, the Forest Department has enhanced its national emergency response capabilities through expanded coordination networks and intensified training programs. A recent simulation exercise conducted at San Miguel Camping Ground in Mountain Pine Ridge brought together firefighters and protected area managers for practical wildfire management training.

    The department urges public cooperation through several critical preventive measures: obtaining free burning permits from the Agriculture Department prior to any agricultural burning, establishing proper firebreaks, maintaining water and firefighting equipment on site, avoiding burning during windy conditions, never leaving fires unattended, and immediately reporting wildfires to authorities including the Forest Department (610-1524), NEMO (936), police (911), fire services (990), or regional agricultural departments.

  • MP Richard Lewis Says Cook’s Landfill Crisis ‘Has Reached a Breaking Point

    MP Richard Lewis Says Cook’s Landfill Crisis ‘Has Reached a Breaking Point

    The Cook’s Landfill in Antigua’s St. John’s Rural West Constituency has evolved into a severe public health emergency, with mounting evidence of systemic failures and environmental contamination. According to local representatives, the facility accepts virtually all waste types—including raw sewage and combustible materials—without adequate separation protocols, leading to widespread groundwater and surface water pollution.

    The ecological damage extends beyond immediate surroundings, with confirmed mangrove contamination creating pathways for toxins to reach marine environments. Compounding these concerns, the recent relocation of Five Islands Primary School closer to the hazardous site has intensified fears regarding children’s health and safety.

    While the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has acknowledged the crisis and pledged intervention, community members express skepticism due to historical patterns of unfulfilled commitments. Operational deficiencies include critical staffing shortages, inadequate equipment, absent safety protocols, and the lack of essential machinery like tire shredders. Current practices see waste frequently left uncovered due to soil shortages, exacerbating contamination risks.

    Residents of Five Islands, Hatton, and Denfields report enduring prolonged exposure to health hazards, reaching what local MP Richard S. Lewis describes as a ‘breaking point.’ The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) faces urgent calls to implement comprehensive Waste Diversion Plans, improved operational policies, and immediate protective measures for both staff and surrounding communities.

    Technical recommendations include creating isolated tire storage with protective trenches to prevent fire spread until specialized equipment becomes available. The situation demands proactive management rather than reactive responses, emphasizing waste separation at source and systematic operational reforms.

  • COMMENTARY: A protest against the smearing of China’s image

    COMMENTARY: A protest against the smearing of China’s image

    A long-term Chinese resident in Dominica has publicly condemned what they describe as a deliberate smear campaign against China through manipulated protest signage. The individual, who has legally resided and worked in Dominica for over two decades, expressed profound disappointment upon encountering imagery that strategically arranged words to form the acrostic “CHINA” in a negative context.

    The controversy emerged from local reporting on February 13th, 2026, concerning police removal of anti-mining signs at Deux Branches. The author specifically references visual materials accompanying these reports that allegedly portray China in a distorted manner through wordplay tactics.

    Addressing the core issue, the resident clarifies that Chinese contracting companies are solely engaged in legitimate construction activities for Dominica’s new international airport project. Quarrying operations at Stone Field, which have been suspended since early 2026, exclusively provide aggregate materials for airport construction—not copper mining as alleged by protesters.

    The author characterizes copper mining allegations as fundamentally misleading to the Dominican public, particularly condemning the deliberate visual manipulation that targets China’s national image. They note such actions cause emotional distress to Dominica’s Chinese community while misrepresenting construction realities.

    Supporting evidence includes testimonies from Marigot area residents who reportedly prioritize airport development over temporary environmental concerns. One resident contextualized vegetation impact by recalling post-hurricane recovery: “We experienced severe hurricane in 2017, which destroyed most of the island’s vegetation. Yet after several years, everything has returned to normal.”

    The commentary concludes by advocating for cessation of unfounded accusations against Chinese entities and expressing anticipation for the airport’s completion—a project deemed crucial for national mobility and economic prosperity that will benefit future Dominican generations.

  • Piloot zet toestel veilig aan de grond na noodlanding achter Hollandse Kamp

    Piloot zet toestel veilig aan de grond na noodlanding achter Hollandse Kamp

    Authorities in Zanderij responded to what initially appeared to be a catastrophic aviation incident on Wednesday morning, only to discover a remarkable display of pilot expertise that transformed a potential tragedy into a story of survival.

    Police received urgent notifications of a suspected aircraft crash near Hollandse Kamp, prompting immediate deployment of emergency services. Upon arrival, first responders encountered an unexpected scene: rather than a wreckage-strewn crash site, they found an intact aircraft that had executed a successful emergency landing.

    Preliminary investigations indicate the pilot encountered sudden mechanical failure mid-flight, specifically critical engine malfunction. Faced with this airborne emergency, the aviator made the critical decision to attempt an emergency landing rather than risk continued flight. Through skilled maneuvering, the pilot identified a suitable landing area and safely brought the aircraft to ground.

    The incident resulted solely in property damage, with the aircraft making contact with perimeter fencing during the landing sequence. This impact caused structural damage to both the fencing and portions of the aircraft’s exterior, but remarkably resulted in no injuries to passengers or crew.

    Aviation authorities have launched a full investigation into the mechanical failure that prompted the emergency landing. The successful outcome highlights the importance of pilot training and emergency preparedness in aviation safety protocols. The incident serves as a testament to how proper crisis response can prevent potential disasters in civil aviation.

  • Garvey and Reggae to highlight 5th annual South Florida Black History Month event

    Garvey and Reggae to highlight 5th annual South Florida Black History Month event

    South Florida prepares to host the fifth annual Marcus Garvey Groundings event on February 25th at the Island Space Museum, organized by the Consulate General of Jamaica in Miami. This cultural celebration uniquely combines the observance of Black History Month with Jamaica’s Reggae Month, creating a powerful tribute to national hero Marcus Mosiah Garvey and the global influence of reggae music.

    The event commemorates Garvey’s singular visit to South Florida exactly 103 years ago, when he arrived by train on February 25, 1921. During his three-day stay, the activist delivered a landmark lecture series in Key West promoting the Black Star Line shipping company before departing for Cuba.

    Historical context reveals that Garvey established the Black Star Line in 1919 through the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), which had grown to encompass over four million members worldwide. As founder and first President-General of the UNIA and African Communities League, Garvey launched the company’s “African Redemption” Liberia program, envisioning a sovereign nation on Africa’s west coast for Black Americans descended from enslaved peoples.

    This year’s gathering features Steven Golding, current President of the UNIA and African Communities League, as keynote speaker. Golding will emphasize Garvey’s enduring advocacy for black pride, self-worth, and economic self-sufficiency while continuing efforts to establish February 25th as officially recognized South Florida Garvey Day.

    Consul General Oliver Mair explained the event’s dual purpose: “This represents our consulate’s approach to celebrating both Black History and Reggae Month. We recognize Garvey’s profound significance for Jamaica, the diaspora, and people of color globally. We are committed to ensuring the world never forgets Garvey’s legacy.”

    In alignment with Garvey’s principles of self-reliance, the event will feature Farrah Blake, CEO of Jamaica’s Cannabis Licensing Authority, as a main presenter. Blake highlighted the natural synergy between the cultural celebration and investment-focused lecture series, noting that “this marriage is particularly apt.” She revealed that 51% of directorships in cannabis businesses licensed over the past decade must be Jamaican-owned, reflecting Garvey’s teachings about economic self-determination.

    “Our medical cannabis industry merges herb with healing—as we have always understood it,” Blake added. “Cannabis is synonymous with Jamaica and its music, creating natural synergy with Garvey’s teachings about self-sufficiency.”

    The celebration will feature live performances by the Visions Band and Tallawah Mento Band, blending musical tributes with educational programming. According to Consul General Mair, the event serves to “sustain progressive education about Garvey’s teachings while paying tribute to reggae music’s powerful messages to the world.”