Carib Scope

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  • President to announce “independent” commission of inquiry into MV Barima ferry tragedy

    President to announce “independent” commission of inquiry into MV Barima ferry tragedy

    One week after the catastrophic sinking of the MV Barima ferry that killed an estimated 100 people, Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali has announced plans to unveil a five-member independent commission of inquiry this Sunday.

    The announcement, delivered in a national address Saturday by President Ali, does not address key demands that have been raised by opposition and civil society groups in the wake of the tragedy. Notably, the President made no mention of including parliamentary opposition representatives in the appointment process, rejecting a prior recommendation from the Guyana Human Rights Association that would have seen both the President and Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed each appoint three members to form a six-member panel. Ali also declined to respond to repeated calls from the opposition and civil society organizations for the resignation of two senior cabinet members: Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill and Deodat Indar, the minister in charge of Guyana’s Maritime Administration.

    Despite the lack of action on those demands, President Ali emphasized that the incoming inquiry panel will be made up of highly respected specialists with deep domain expertise across critical areas relevant to the disaster. These include legal practice, marine engineering, maritime safety protocol, and large-scale disaster investigation. He confirmed that members have undergone rigorous vetting, selected specifically for their demonstrated independence, proven technical capabilities, and established track records in their fields.

    Under the terms laid out by the President, the commission will have full autonomy to set its own procedural rules and working schedule. Its core mandate is to conduct a comprehensive, unbiased investigation into every aspect of the July 2026 tragedy. This includes probing the full sequence of events that led to the vessel capsizing and sinking, evaluating the effectiveness of emergency response efforts after the incident, and examining all connected contributing factors.

    The inquiry will be required to pinpoint any systemic or individual shortcomings that contributed to the disaster, outline clear accountability measures where failures are confirmed, and propose targeted regulatory and operational reforms to boost the overall safety and reliability of Guyana’s entire maritime transportation network.

    President Ali outlined the wide scope of the commission’s review, which will cover all potential causes of the sinking: vessel loading practices, passenger boarding protocols, on-board conditions pre-departure, the MV Barima’s seaworthiness, its full maintenance history, compliance with national maritime laws and international safety standards, the conduct and qualifications of the vessel’s master and crew, passenger management protocols, the adequacy of life-saving equipment and arrangements, and the potential impact of weather and sea conditions on the voyage.

    In addition to investigating the sinking itself, the commission will also conduct a full review of all search, rescue, and recovery operations launched after the incident. It will assess whether the response from all involved government agencies and stakeholder groups was adequate, well-coordinated, and effective. Most critically, the panel will have the authority to formally determine if negligence, professional misconduct, dereliction of duty, or broader institutional failures caused or contributed to the disaster, and to recommend any legislative, regulatory, institutional, or operational changes needed to prevent a similar tragedy from occurring in the future.

  • Colombian Passport Among Items Seized as Police Recover Illegal Firearm, Three Arrested

    Colombian Passport Among Items Seized as Police Recover Illegal Firearm, Three Arrested

    St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda – July 25, 2026 – The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has escalated its proactive, coordinated crime reduction initiatives across both islands of the nation, launching a multi-unit sweep designed to disrupt ongoing criminal networks, remove illegal weapons from communities, and bolster overall public safety for residents and visitors alike.

    Over a 48-hour period starting July 23, specialized units from across the force – including the Criminal Investigations Department Task Force, the Gang and Guns Suppression Unit (GAGSU), the K-9 detection unit, and the Forensic Evidence Recovery Unit (FERU) – collaborated to execute a series of targeted interventions. These operations spanned multiple residential and public communities, encompassing court-authorized search warrants, roving mobile patrols, fixed vehicle checkpoints, and intelligence-driven tactical exercises tailored to local crime patterns.

    One of the most significant seizures came during a targeted operation in the community of Collins, where law enforcement officers recovered an unregistered firearm alongside multiple rounds of matching ammunition. Investigators also seized additional evidence tied to the ongoing case: a Colombian passport and a mobile cellular device. Two people were taken into custody following the operation, and both face charges related to illegal possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

    Authorities carried out additional court-ordered search warrants at three other locations: East Bus Station, Cashew Hill, and Golden Grove. These operations yielded one additional arrest and a separate haul of evidence connected to active ongoing investigations, the police force confirmed.

    In a formal statement released via the Royal Police Force’s Office of Strategic Communications, the department’s senior administration emphasized that the current surge in operational activity is not a temporary measure tied to the upcoming Carnival festivities. “These heightened patrols, intelligence-led operations, stop-and-search exercises, and search warrant executions will continue long after the Carnival season concludes,” the statement noted, framing the expanded efforts as a core component of the force’s long-term national strategy to reduce violent crime, dismantle criminal organizations, and embed sustainable public safety across Antigua and Barbuda.

    The police force is calling on all members of the public to partner in these crime-fighting efforts, urging residents to remain alert to unusual activity in their communities and to report any suspicious behavior to law enforcement immediately to help prevent crimes before they occur.

  • As evening falls, Santiago changes its pace

    As evening falls, Santiago changes its pace

    When the golden glow of sunset softens the Caribbean heat over Santiago, the second-largest city in the Dominican Republic shifts into a new, relaxed rhythm. The constant hum of traffic still beats beneath the city’s surface, but it is no longer the only sound defining urban life. Now, it mingles with the whir of bicycle tires, the soft scrape of roller skates on paved walkways, the steady thud of joggers’ shoes, and the warm, overlapping laughter of families gathering in open green spaces.

    Long celebrated for its colonial history, vibrant Spanish-colonial architecture, world-renowned Creole gastronomy, and the iconic Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration, this city nicknamed the “Heart City” is cultivating a new, people-centered identity: a place where daily movement and community connection in public spaces have become core to urban life. Across the city, once-underused parks, tree-lined ecological corridors, and purpose-built recreational areas are no longer just routes to get from one place to another. They have evolved into daily meeting grounds that bring together generations, from toddlers learning to walk to retirees out for a leisurely stroll, all united by the shared goal of staying active while enjoying their city.

    Central Park, widely regarded as Santiago’s premier hub for outdoor activity, is a perfect example of this shift. On any given afternoon or weekend, visitors can spot groups of walkers circling paved paths, joggers pushing through a training session, cyclists navigating gentle loops, skaters practicing new tricks, fitness enthusiasts completing functional workout routines, and families spread out on picnic blankets catching up after a busy week.

    Just a few kilometers from the busy city center, the shaded trails winding along the banks of the Yaque del Norte River offer a quieter alternative. Framed by dense native vegetation and cooled by constant river breezes, these paths draw runners, cyclists, and casual walkers eager to escape the roar of downtown traffic and connect with natural scenery while completing their daily workouts. Even the city’s most iconic landmark, the Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration, has become a beloved fitness spot: its wide, sloping steps draw endurance trainers looking for a challenging stair workout, while the tree-dotted grounds surrounding the monument are perfect for gentle stretching and group activities. At the Professor Eugenio de Jesús Marcano Botanical Garden, visitors combine physical activity with nature engagement, wandering through curated plant collections as they get their daily steps in.

    For local residents, these public spaces offer far more than just a place to break a sweat. They have become living community centers where new friendships take root, neighborhood bonds are strengthened, and long-term healthy habits are normalized across age groups.

    One shining example of this community building is the free weekly outdoor yoga group that meets in Central Park. Organized via a WhatsApp community group, the gathering brings together yoga enthusiasts of all skill levels every Sunday morning, and the session is open to anyone who wants to join, no experience required. “There’s no registration, no membership fee – you just need to show up on the day to join the class,” explained Encamicarla Espinal, a young regular participant. “It’s such a welcoming way to start the weekend.”

    The yoga group is far from the only organized community making use of the city’s public spaces. Local running clubs, cycling collectives, and roller skating groups all use social media to coordinate group training sessions, share lesser-known scenic routes, and welcome new residents and beginners to join their activities, turning solo exercise into a social event.

    Every single afternoon, Santiago’s parks and riverside walkways bring together people from every walk of life: young professionals training for an upcoming marathon, office workers unwinding after a long day at their desks, parents chasing their toddlers around playgrounds, and retirees out for a gentle stroll to clear their heads. Enmanuel Mejía, a local father who brings his four-year-old son to Central Park regularly, summed up the appeal: “I love bringing him here. He gets to play in a safe, open space while I catch up on work or just take a minute to breathe. It works for both of us.”

    In reimagining its public spaces as hubs for connection and wellness, Santiago has demonstrated that urban open areas can be far more than decorative greenery. They are foundational to community well-being, turning individual exercise into a shared experience that brings the city closer together.

  • ODM, UWI Seismic Research Centre to host volcano awareness meetings in southern communities

    ODM, UWI Seismic Research Centre to host volcano awareness meetings in southern communities

    In a proactive move to boost public safety amid recent geological unrest, the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) has announced a collaborative initiative with the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre to host a trio of community-focused public information sessions across three coastal settlements: Galleon, Soufrière, and Scotts Head. The series of meetings is designed to address growing resident curiosity and concern around recent unusual seismic shifts in the region, while also equipping local communities with critical, actionable knowledge about volcano risk and emergency preparedness.

    Kicking off the outreach campaign, the first public gathering will be held in Galleon on the evening of Monday, July 27, 2026, starting at 6:00 p.m. Two days later, on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, the second session, which will serve residents of both Soufrière and Scotts Head, will open its doors at 6:00 p.m. at the Lama Building. This targeted scheduling is structured to ensure that all affected communities can access the information regardless of their location, the ODM confirmed.

    Unlike one-way public announcements, these meetings are designed as interactive forums, giving local residents a dedicated space to voice their personal observations, questions, and anxieties about the unusual seismic activity that has been recorded near their neighborhoods. Attendees will receive direct, evidence-based briefings from leading geoscience experts at the UWI Seismic Research Centre, alongside representatives from other relevant government disaster response agencies.

    ODM officials emphasized that the core goal of the initiative extends far beyond information sharing: the sessions are intended to strengthen collective community preparedness and build long-term resilience to geological hazards. By centering public engagement, the office notes, communities can build the foundational knowledge they need to remain informed, ready to respond, and protected in the event of a seismic or volcanic emergency. Officials have urged all eligible residents to set aside time to attend the sessions that correspond to their area of residence.

  • Police Launch Investigation into Death of Prisoner Rashawn Shabazz

    Police Launch Investigation into Death of Prisoner Rashawn Shabazz

    St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda – July 25, 2026: The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has opened a formal inquiry into the death of 36-year-old Rashawn Shabazz, a prisoner who passed away at a local hospital two days after an altercation at His Majesty’s Prison.

    According to official preliminary details, the incident unfolded on Thursday, July 23, when correctional officers moved to escort Shabazz to a pre-scheduled medical appointment. Instead of complying with the order, the inmate became confrontational and barricaded himself inside his cell, blocking access for staff.

    Prison personnel first attempted to de-escalate the situation through peaceful negotiation, but all efforts to resolve the standoff without force failed. Following this breakdown, institutional authorities placed a formal request for additional support from local law enforcement.

    Once on scene, law enforcement and correctional teams attempted to take Shabazz into custody to move him from the cell. Officials confirm the prisoner continued to resist detainment and made threats toward responding officers, prompting the use of non-lethal containment measures to secure the area and safely remove him from the locked cell.

    Immediately after being taken into custody, Shabazz was transferred by emergency transport to the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, where clinical teams began urgent care immediately. Despite aggressive resuscitation efforts from the hospital’s medical staff, Shabazz was pronounced dead at 11:37 a.m. that same day.

    In an official statement released through the force’s Office of Strategic Communications, the Police Administration extended its deepest condolences to Shabazz’s family and loved ones. Senior officials have given a formal reassurance that the investigation will be comprehensive, transparent, and conducted to the full standards of regional law enforcement protocol, leaving no aspect of the incident unexamined.

  • Valentine Poponne father of Melissa Skerrit has passed away

    Valentine Poponne father of Melissa Skerrit has passed away

    Multiple independent online sources have confirmed the passing of Valentine Poponne, a Dominican businessman and the father of Melissa Poponne-Skerrit, who serves as the Member of Parliament for Roseau Central and is married to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit. As of the time of this publication, no further official details surrounding his death – including the cause, date of passing, or funeral arrangements – have been released to the public. Local news outlet Dominica News Online has stated that it will issue a full follow-up report to the public as soon as additional verified information becomes available. The news of his passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes and condolences across social media and local communities, with many remembering his contributions to business and public life in Dominica.

  • Valentine Poponne father of Melissa Skerrit has passed

    Valentine Poponne father of Melissa Skerrit has passed

    Multiple online sources have confirmed the passing of Valentine Poponne, a Dominican businessman and the father of Roseau Central Member of Parliament Melissa Poponne-Skerrit, who is also the wife of Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit. As of the time of this report, no further details surrounding Poponne’s death, including the cause or date of passing, have been released to the public. Local media outlet Dominica News Online has stated that it will publish additional updates promptly once more verified information becomes available. Tributes have already begun circulating online, with many extending condolences to the Poponne and Skerrit families during this period of grief. The statement closes with a traditional note of respect: may Valentine Poponne’s soul rest in eternal peace.

  • Vincentian Among The Three Fishermen Missing off Antigua

    Vincentian Among The Three Fishermen Missing off Antigua

    A wide-scale cross-regional search and rescue mission is ongoing in the Eastern Caribbean after three fishermen, including Vincentian native Gregory Questelles, vanished during a planned short-duration fishing expedition departing from Antigua.

    The trio—Questelles, Rowel Martin, and Cleofoster Jarvis—set sail from Port Wharf on their vessel, the Lady Madesha, on July 16. The journey was scheduled to conclude just two days later, but when the men failed to return to port as scheduled, authorities received an official missing persons report on July 20.

    Acting Commander Vaughn Simon of the Antigua and Barbuda Coast Guard confirmed that coordinated search efforts have combined both aerial and maritime patrols across waters surrounding Antigua. The operation has received critical support from partner agencies, including the St. Kitts Coast Guard and the local Antigua and Barbuda Search and Rescue team, expanding the scope of the search beyond what local resources could cover independently.

    International coordination has also been activated: the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre based in Guadeloupe has been formally notified of the incident, and navigation alerts have been distributed to all commercial and recreational vessels operating in the maritime zones around Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Redonda, and South Bank. These alerts ask all passing ships to maintain a heightened lookout for any signs of the missing vessel or its crew.

    As of the latest official update, search teams have not located any debris, wreckage, or trace of the three missing men. Commander Simon emphasized that the Coast Guard maintains regular, compassionate communication with the families of the missing fishermen and has pledged that search operations will continue until every possible avenue for locating the trio has been fully explored.

  • Specialised wheelchairs changing children’s lives

    Specialised wheelchairs changing children’s lives

    For more than 25 years, a life-changing annual program funded by the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust has been transforming the daily lives of children living with mobility challenges across Barbados, by delivering specially customized wheelchairs that boost comfort, correct posture, and foster greater independent living.

    Hosted at the Albert Cecil Graham Development Centre, the annual clinic brings together local Barbadian physiotherapists and experienced wheelchair technicians from Puerto Rico to conduct personalized assessments, retrofit existing devices, and build custom seating and frame configurations tailored to each child’s unique physical needs. What began as a small community initiative in 1998 has grown into a vital support service that removes barriers to education and social inclusion for young people with limited mobility.

    Yvonne Wnuck-Ward, a leading physiotherapist at the centre, explained that the custom-designed wheelchairs deliver far more benefits than basic movement support. Beyond enabling independent travel, proper body alignment provided by specialized seating prevents serious long-term health complications that often arise from prolonged incorrect positioning. For children with severe mobility impairments, extended periods of lying down or misalignment can lead to permanent muscle contractures, skeletal deformities, and scoliosis—an abnormal curvature of the spine. Correct alignment also directly improves core bodily functions, including breathing and digestion, that are often disrupted by poor positioning.

    Every wheelchair delivered through the program is built around the specific needs of the individual child. The process begins with a referral to the centre’s physiotherapy department, where clinicians evaluate each child to confirm their need for mobility support and identify specific risk factors for secondary health conditions. The high level of customization comes with a significant price tag: advanced models with specialized features can cost up to $8,000 USD, with individual components such as adjustable headrests, custom support straps, and safety seatbelts adding substantially to the total cost. This makes achieving a precise, long-lasting fit a top priority for the clinical team.

    To maximize the value and impact of every investment, the wheelchairs are engineered with adjustable components that can be modified as children grow. Frames can be extended, seating can be widened, and support structures can be repositioned to accommodate changes in height and body size as children age. Once a wheelchair is outgrown completely, it is refurbished and reissued to another child in need, extending the lifespan of each device and stretching program funding further.

    Unlike many one-time outreach programs, the centre offers ongoing wheelchair support year-round, in addition to the annual specialist clinic. Wnuck-Ward noted that the centre runs weekly wheelchair clinics, serving roughly 30 additional patients annually. Local physiotherapists have received specialized training to handle routine adjustments, repairs, and refitting, meaning only the most complex cases require input from visiting external specialists. Common repairs, from faulty brake systems to broken tilt mechanisms, can be addressed in-house quickly, minimizing disruption to a child’s daily routine. This continuous support ensures that children always have access to well-fitting, functional equipment that supports their quality of life, participation in school, and engagement in community activities.

    Pippa Challis, a trustee with the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust, which provides core funding and logistical support for the program, credits the local clinical team for the initiative’s decades-long success. “It’s their passion. They do it day in and day out, and it really is their dedication to these very, very special children that drives this,” Challis said. While the trust secures funding and coordinates the annual specialist visits, the local physiotherapy team works directly with children and families on an ongoing basis, developing deep understanding of each child’s evolving needs and communicating exactly what resources are required to keep the program running effectively.

  • Man caught with condom on penis after raping girls sentenced

    Man caught with condom on penis after raping girls sentenced

    In a landmark sentencing handed down Friday in Kingstown, a 56-year-old St. Vincent and the Grenadines man has been ordered to serve more than 30 years behind bars for the brutal serial rape of two children aged 9 and 10, in a case that has underscored the judiciary’s commitment to protecting vulnerable minors from violent sexual abuse.

    Francis Jackson, a local handyman, committed the three heinous attacks between March and September 2019, when he was 49 years old. Court documents detail that Jackson first raped both young victims — identified only as Virtual Complainant 1 (VC1, aged 9) and Virtual Complainant 2 (VC2, aged 10) — in a repeated pattern of abuse that saw him assault each child while the other was forced to watch, after which he coerced both girls into staying silent about the attacks. He went on to rape VC2 a second time on September 8, 2019, and was apprehended by a relative of VC1 just moments after he assaulted VC1 again the following day. When the relative arrived at the scene, they found VC1 hiding in a location Jackson had ordered her to stay, with her underwear rolled down and visible under her tights. After the child disclosed the abuse, the relative discovered Jackson still wearing a condom on his penis, and a physical altercation broke out before bystanders raised the alarm.

    Responding officers confirmed the evidence at the scene: the child’s disheveled clothing and Jackson’s condom matched the victim’s account. During initial questioning, Jackson offered no explanation for the condom, and he continued to deny all allegations throughout the investigation and trial. He was ultimately found guilty on all three counts of rape. A subsequent social inquiry report painted a mixed portrait of the offender: Jackson, who only completed primary school, has a pre-existing speech impediment, mobility issues stemming from a past bicycle accident, and chronic hypertension. Local community members described him as a quiet, helpful, friendly handyman, and four community representatives urged the court to grant him leniency. Prison officials also noted that he had complied with institutional rules during his pre-trial detention.

    However, the long-term harm inflicted on the two young victims has been irreversible, psychological assessments confirm. VC1, who was assaulted multiple times, told social workers she has never been able to recover a sense of peace years after the attacks. She experiences regular emotional breakdowns, struggles with eating and sleeping, and struggles to interact with others normally. She no longer trusts men, feels like she does not fit in anywhere, and has had her relationship with her family permanently altered, as her parents have adopted much stricter rules around her social life and friendships. VC1 also said she will never forget the fear, disgust, and confusion she felt during the first assault, harm that extended far beyond physical injury. For VC2, the abuse has left permanent psychological scars as well: she carries constant memories of the attack, suffers from debilitating flashbacks that cause full-body discomfort, blames herself for the assault, and has struggled to cope with ongoing physical pain from the abuse. One victim’s mother told the court she blames herself for what happened to her daughter, with the entire family living in anger and despair over the crimes.

    Delivering the sentence, High Court Justice Rickie Burnett emphasized that the maximum penalty for rape in the jurisdiction is life imprisonment, reflecting parliament’s mandate that courts treat child sexual abuse as an extremely serious offense. Outlining the core principles of sentencing — retribution, deterrence, prevention, and rehabilitation — Burnett said the court’s primary duty was to punish Jackson and prevent future offenses by other potential offenders. Quoting the Bible, the judge stated: “Children are a heritage from the Lord. They must be protected and the court has a duty to protect them from men like Francis Jackson.”

    Justice Burnett outlined multiple aggravating factors that justified a harsh sentence: Jackson abused a position of trust, coerced the children to stay silent, had an age gap of 39 and 40 years over the two victims respectively, carried out the assaults in front of each other, and had a previous conviction for a sexual offense. While the absence of explicit physical violence beyond the rape itself was counted as a mitigating factor, the judge ruled that aggravating circumstances far outweighed any leniency, adding two years to the initial starting sentences for the first two counts. Jackson’s good behavior in detention, positive community testimonials, and poor health were also counted as mitigating factors for the final sentencing.

    After accounting for pre-sentencing remand time of 1 year, 8 months and 11 days, and adjusting sentences per the totality principle to avoid an excessive total term, Justice Burnett ordered a 19 years 9 months 20 days sentence for the rape of VC1, a 12 years 3 months 20 days sentence for the first rape of VC2 (to run concurrently with the first sentence), and an 11 years 3 months 20 days consecutive sentence for the second rape of VC1. The combined total sentence is 30 years 9 months and 20 days, effectively a life term for the offender given his age.

    Renee Simmons represented the Crown in the case, while Patina Knights was appointed by the Crown to cross-examine the child witnesses under the Witness Special Measures Act, which puts in place special protections for minor victims of sexual violence. Knights also served as amicus curiae during the sentencing hearing.