Carib Scope

分类： society

  • “Minutes” gets years for cocaine possession

    “Minutes” gets years for cocaine possession

    In a significant ruling by Guyana’s judicial system, the High Court has delivered a substantial penalty against Shemroy Robertson, also known as “Minutes,” for cocaine trafficking offenses dating back a decade. Justice Priscilla Chandra-Hanif imposed a six-year prison sentence accompanied by a GY$1.7 million fine on March 19, 2026, following Robertson’s conviction for possessing 1.156 kilograms of cocaine with intent to distribute.

    The case originated in January 2016 when Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) officers pursued Robertson, who attempted to evade capture by discarding a bag containing 139 meticulously packaged cocaine pellets during the chase. The anti-narcotics agency successfully apprehended Robertson while he was concealed at a Mandela Avenue residence, marking a crucial interception in Guyana’s ongoing battle against drug trafficking networks.

    This conviction represents another chapter in Robertson’s extensive history with narcotics offenses. Currently, the defendant is serving a separate two-year imprisonment term for facilitating the trafficking of 1.174 kilograms of cannabis, following a June 2021 CANU operation along Anns Grove Public Road on the East Coast Demerara.

    Robertson’s legal troubles extend further, with previous charges filed against him and three accomplices in March 2017, though those specific allegations were ultimately dismissed by the court. The latest sentencing demonstrates the judicial system’s continued commitment to addressing drug-related crimes, even those occurring years prior, emphasizing the long-term consequences of narcotics trafficking in Guyana.

    The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit publicly announced the sentencing on March 20, 2026, highlighting their persistent efforts in combating drug trafficking operations throughout the country over the past decade.

  • Temporary road closure: Perdmontemps, Windsor Forest and Vincennes

    Temporary road closure: Perdmontemps, Windsor Forest and Vincennes

    The Grenadian Ministry of Infrastructure, Public Utilities, Civil Aviation and Transportation has issued an official public advisory regarding scheduled roadway improvement initiatives along the Perdmontemps-Vincennes transportation corridor. Commencing March 23, 2026, at 9:00 PM through 4:00 AM on subsequent nights, comprehensive paving operations will necessitate temporary traffic modifications affecting residents and commuters in the Perdmontemps, Windsor Forest, and Vincennes districts.

    Phase One of this infrastructure enhancement project will implement a structured vehicular diversion protocol. Motorists will be redirected along an alternative route proceeding downward through Perdmontemps, ascending John Dick Hill, continuing past the Transformer landmark, and traversing through Windsor Forest to maintain connectivity during construction hours.

    The Ministry has confirmed that residential access will be preserved throughout the project duration, with accommodations implemented for local inhabitants. Transportation authorities strongly advise all road users to exercise heightened caution when navigating the temporarily modified traffic patterns and construction zones.

    In their official communication, Ministry representatives extended apologies for anticipated inconveniences while expressing appreciation for public cooperation during these essential infrastructure improvements. The nighttime scheduling strategy aims to minimize disruption to daytime commercial and commuting activities while advancing critical roadway maintenance objectives.

    This notice serves as the primary official communication regarding these infrastructure works, with the Ministry retaining responsibility for project oversight and implementation.

  • Temporary emergency road closure of Windsor Forest Road, St David

    Temporary emergency road closure of Windsor Forest Road, St David

    The Ministry of Infrastructure, Public Utilities, Civil Aviation and Transportation has announced a planned road closure affecting the Windsor Forest area in St. David Parish. The temporary shutdown is scheduled for Saturday, March 21, 2026, between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM local time.

    This infrastructure interruption is necessary to enable the installation of cross culverts, which form part of ongoing drainage improvement initiatives in the region. During the construction window, comprehensive traffic management protocols will be implemented to reduce commuting disruptions for area residents and travelers.

    Motorists are officially directed to utilize an alternative routing strategy via Laura to Upper Windsor Forest, with clearly marked diversion signage positioned throughout the affected zone. Pedestrians are similarly advised to maintain heightened awareness and exercise additional caution when navigating near the construction site.

    The Ministry extended formal apologies for anticipated inconveniences resulting from the essential infrastructure work while expressing appreciation for public understanding and cooperative efforts. These scheduled improvements reflect continuing governmental commitments to enhancing transportation infrastructure and stormwater management systems across Grenada.

  • Fake Winning Numbers Being Sold Online

    Fake Winning Numbers Being Sold Online

    The Belize Government Lotteries Limited (BGLL) has issued a formal public alert regarding a proliferation of fraudulent social media schemes targeting lottery participants. These deceptive operations involve the sale of purported ‘winning numbers’ for Boledo, Ordinary, and Jackpot games in exchange for monetary payment.

    BGLL officials have emphatically stated that advance knowledge of lottery results is fundamentally impossible due to their rigorous security protocols. Each drawing is conducted under stringent controls, including pre- and post-session ball weighing procedures. The process is overseen by senior public officers and independently verified by auditors from Coye and Associates at every event.

    The organization characterizes these fraudulent offers as deliberate public deception designed for illicit financial gain. BGLL further clarified that no authorization exists for lottery ticket sales through social media platforms, messaging applications, or any unofficial channels. Legitimate tickets are exclusively available through approved vendors.

    In their official communication, BGLL underscored the legal implications of participating in these schemes, noting that engagement with or support of such illegal activities may lead to criminal prosecution under Belizean law. The warning comes as part of broader efforts to maintain lottery integrity and protect consumers from financial fraud.

  • Community group urges action as Deux Branches ESIA documents finally made public amid transparency concerns

    Community group urges action as Deux Branches ESIA documents finally made public amid transparency concerns

    A contentious environmental transparency dispute has emerged in Dominica regarding the Deux Branches quarry project, following months of advocacy by environmental activists. The Save Deux Branches initiative has forced the public release of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) amid mounting allegations that the quarry operation may serve as cover for unauthorized copper mining activities allegedly sanctioned by local authorities.

    The documents’ disclosure method has sparked significant concerns about governmental transparency and community rights. According to reports, the Physical Planning Division provided only three physical copies at their Roseau office, restricting viewing time to 90 minutes per person. Notably, no copies were made available digitally or provided to the Kalinago Territory community, which stands to be most affected by the project scheduled to commence in 2026.

    In response to these access limitations, activists and community members took independent action by scanning, uploading, and distributing the documents themselves. They delivered physical copies to the Kalinago Council office, asserting that environmental information access constitutes a fundamental right rather than a privilege for affected communities.

    With merely seven days remaining for public commentary submission, the situation has intensified into an urgent accountability matter. The assessments themselves reveal multiple concerning discrepancies: project maps indicate the quarry overlaps the Northern Forest Reserve despite official claims of no protected land impact; three ESIA versions contain conflicting factual information; no experts are identified or qualified within the report; and scientific assessments across geological, ecological, and hydrological domains appear substantially superficial.

    Additionally, the documents fail to reference international treaties including the Escazú Agreement and ILO Convention 169, which protect environmental information rights and Indigenous communities’ right to free, prior, and informed consent. The Save Deux Branches initiative urges public review and commentary submission to physicalplanning@dominica.gov.dm before the March 30 deadline, emphasizing that each submission is officially recorded and can influence the decision-making process. Documents are accessible via tinyurl.com/dbESIAfiles.

  • Bocage students receive corrective glasses from TEF

    Bocage students receive corrective glasses from TEF

    In a significant educational support initiative, thirteen students from Bocage Secondary School have received prescription eyewear through a charitable program organized by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF). The vision correction effort originated from comprehensive eye assessments conducted during the Kids Insight Medical Mission in January and February, where medical professionals identified vision impairments and prescribed appropriate corrective lenses.

    The formal distribution ceremony occurred on March 18, 2026, when TEF representatives visited the school to personally deliver the glasses to beneficiaries. For fifth-form student Brandon Abraham, the intervention came after months of academic struggle caused by deteriorating vision. “My eyes started troubling me, started scratching, started watering,” Abraham recounted. He described a particularly alarming incident during an examination: “There was once when I was writing an exam and then I just started seeing blue and I was like, ‘what’s going on with my eyes?’”

    Following the distribution, Abraham expressed profound relief: “God has blessed me with this new pair of glasses to see again, to see well.”

    Tamara Amos, TEF Technical Officer for Community Projects, emphasized the program’s significance within the organization’s youth development framework. “We are happy to be here today to deliver the glasses to the well-deserving students,” Amos stated, noting that the initiative falls under the broader Kids Insight programme that has benefited children nationwide. “The TEF is really happy and elated to be part of such a wonderful initiative,” she added.

    School Principal Cuthbert Elizee welcomed the intervention as a critical academic support measure. “We know that those glasses are going to go a long way in enhancing the students’ learning,” Elizee remarked. He highlighted the often-overlooked connection between vision problems and academic performance: “We know over the years the students have been doing poorly, and it is not because they are not intelligent and they are not bright. But their vision has been impacted and as a matter of fact, they are unable to see, to be able to read, to be able to write and do their tests and so on.”

    The timing proved particularly crucial for three fifth-form students preparing for imminent CXC regional examinations. Principal Elizee expressed the school’s profound gratitude, stating: “I don’t think words can adequately say how we feel about the support that we are receiving for our children.”

  • Portvale workers off the job for a second day

    Portvale workers off the job for a second day

    The Portvale sugar factory in Barbados has been plunged into renewed industrial action as approximately 50 employees initiated an unexpected walkout. The labor disruption emerged when United Workers’ Union (UWU) members, under the leadership of General Secretary Caswell Franklyn, were instructed to leave the premises after reporting for their scheduled shifts. According to sources familiar with the situation, the directive for workers to return home stemmed from a pre-existing arrangement involving a separate labor organization, though specific details regarding this arrangement remain undisclosed. This development triggered a chain reaction, with remaining UWU-affiliated staff subsequently withdrawing their labor in solidarity. Plant operations have been significantly impacted by the work stoppage. Management and union representatives have convened an emergency meeting to address the escalating situation, with stakeholders anticipating further clarification once discussions conclude. The incident highlights ongoing tensions within Barbados’s industrial relations landscape and raises concerns about production continuity at the vital sugar processing facility.

  • Child Abuse Cases in Belize Top 1,000 Each Year

    Child Abuse Cases in Belize Top 1,000 Each Year

    Belize has initiated a major nationwide effort to address its escalating child abuse crisis through the Blue Teddy Bear Campaign, a collaborative initiative uniting government agencies, law enforcement, and international partners. The campaign emerges as official data reveals more than 1,000 new child abuse cases enter the national system annually, prompting urgent action from authorities.

    The National Commission for Families and Children (NCFC) is spearheading the initiative alongside UNICEF, the Ministry of Human Development, and the Belize Police Department. Thea Garcia-Ramirez, Minister of Human Development, emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, ‘Annually, we document over a thousand new cases of children entering our system, primarily victims of abuse and neglect. We must reverse this trend.’

    While increased public reporting has contributed to the rising statistics, officials note disturbing patterns in abuse distribution. Girls predominantly suffer sexual abuse, while boys experience higher rates of neglect and physical violence. Police Superintendent Elroy Carcamo reported additional concerns regarding children engaging in inappropriate nighttime activities and rising incidents of both traditional bullying and cyberbullying.

    The campaign specifically addresses harmful social media practices that jeopardize victims’ privacy. NCFC Executive Director Shakira Sutherland condemned the sharing of minors’ identifying information online, noting this practice severely impacts children’s mental health and discourages reporting. Maria Elena Contreras, NCFC Chairperson, reinforced that child protection constitutes a collective community responsibility rather than solely a governmental mandate.

  • Harold Christopher Carter, Last of the 39ers, Laid to Rest

    Harold Christopher Carter, Last of the 39ers, Laid to Rest

    Antigua and Barbuda paid solemn tribute to Harold Christopher Carter MH, the final surviving member of the pioneering ’39ers’ labor movement, during an Official Funeral and Thanksgiving Service at St Andrew’s Anglican Church on March 19, 2026. Carter, who passed away on December 26, 2025, was celebrated as a foundational figure in the nation’s workers’ rights history.

    The 39ers, comprising both men and women, established the Antigua Trades and Labour Union—the territory’s first organized labor movement. Carter’s activism came at significant personal risk: in 1951, he was among thirteen activists arrested for leading protests against the brutal plantocracy system that dominated the islands’ socioeconomic structure.

    Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who had previously honored Carter in January 2020, recognized his enduring legacy: “You represent the struggle and sacrifices made for the progress and development that Antigua & Barbuda enjoys today.”

    The ceremony drew the nation’s highest leadership, including Governor General Sir Rodney Williams, Prime Minister Browne, Senate President Alincia Williams-Grant, multiple government ministers, Police Commissioner Everton Jeffers, newly elected MP Randy Baltimore, and Senator Johnathan Joseph, demonstrating cross-governmental respect for Carter’s historical significance.

  • Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Telbert Benjamin Celebrates Six Years of Leadership in the ABDF

    Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Telbert Benjamin Celebrates Six Years of Leadership in the ABDF

    The Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) commemorates a notable leadership milestone this year as Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Telbert Benjamin completes six years at the helm of the nation’s military establishment. Appointed to his commanding role in 2020, Brigadier Benjamin has orchestrated a comprehensive enhancement of the force’s operational capabilities, structural discipline, and strategic regional positioning.

    Throughout his tenure, Brigadier Benjamin has championed significant modernization initiatives and advanced training protocols, ensuring both officers and enlisted personnel remain prepared for contemporary security challenges. His leadership philosophy extends beyond conventional military duties, emphasizing robust community engagement through humanitarian projects and national development programs.

    The ABDF has substantially expanded its operational scope under Benjamin’s command, now playing an integral role in national security architecture, disaster management response, and regional cooperation frameworks. The force has repeatedly demonstrated its critical support to civil authorities during natural disasters and public emergencies, highlighting the evolving nature of military service in national safeguarding.

    This six-year leadership journey reflects Brigadier Benjamin’s unwavering dedication to service excellence and his strategic vision for a progressive, collaborative military institution. His continued emphasis on regional partnerships, force development, and uncompromising professional standards has solidified the ABDF’s reputation as a vital national asset and regional security contributor.