Carib Scope

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  • Iran meldt 3.117 doden bij protesten; waarschuwt VS voor vergelding

    Iran meldt 3.117 doden bij protesten; waarschuwt VS voor vergelding

    Iran’s state broadcaster has officially acknowledged 3,117 fatalities during recent nationwide protests that erupted on December 28, 2025, marking the deadliest civil unrest in decades. According to the Wednesday announcement, 2,427 victims included both civilians and security personnel, though details regarding the remaining casualties remain unspecified.

    The disclosure comes amid escalating regional tensions as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a stark warning to the United States during a Beirut seminar on Friday. Araghchi cautioned that Iran would respond “without hesitation with everything we have” to any new attacks against the Islamic Republic, referencing last June’s conflict with Israel. He characterized potential large-scale confrontation as “fierce” and prolonged, with significant regional and global implications.

    Independent verification of casualty figures remains challenging due to internet restrictions and information blackouts. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency estimates at least 4,560 deaths based on activist networks within Iran, significantly higher than official figures.

    Meanwhile, US military assets continue redeploying to the region, with the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group transiting from Asia toward the Middle East. Satellite imagery confirms F-15E fighter aircraft and mobile HIMARS rocket systems being positioned throughout the region, coinciding with new travel restrictions for American diplomats visiting bases in Kuwait and Qatar.

    The protests initially sparked by economic grievances rapidly evolved into broad criticism of Iran’s theocratic regime, recalling memories of the 1979 revolution’s chaos. Although demonstrations have subsided in recent days, human rights organizations fear increased fatalities may emerge as information gradually leaks from the information-restricted nation.

    Iranian authorities have arrested approximately 26,500 individuals, warning that “terrorists” linked to Israel and supported by the US will face prosecution. Concerns mount that some detainees may receive death sentences, crossing what US officials previously identified as red lines in tensions with Iran.

    In a significant development, the Kurdish National Army of Kurdistan (PAK) claims Iran conducted its first foreign military operation since the protests began, attacking a base in northern Iraq and killing one fighter. Kurdish dissident groups have long found refuge in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region, creating persistent tensions between Baghdad and Tehran.

    The international community continues monitoring the volatile situation, emphasizing the critical importance of protecting human rights and preventing further regional escalation.

  • Switzerland seeks to strengthen energy and mining ties with Dominican Republic

    Switzerland seeks to strengthen energy and mining ties with Dominican Republic

    In a significant diplomatic engagement marking the conclusion of her service, Swiss Ambassador to the Dominican Republic Rita Hämmerli-Weschke articulated Switzerland’s sustained commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation in energy and mining sectors. The farewell meeting, convened at the Dominican Ministry of Energy and Mines, served as both a retrospective on institutional collaborations and a forward-looking dialogue on future partnerships.

    Ambassador Hämmerli-Weschke commended the work of Energy and Mines Minister Joel Santos and his ministry, recognizing their efforts in advancing the nation’s extractive and energy industries. The discussions centered on identifying concrete opportunities for strengthened technological exchange and investment between the two nations, with Switzerland positioned as a valuable partner in Dominican development initiatives.

    Minister Santos expressed gratitude for the Swiss Embassy’s ongoing support and specifically proposed the promotion of larimar, the Dominican Republic’s distinctive semiprecious national stone, within the Swiss market. He emphasized Switzerland’s global relevance in the gemstone commerce sector, suggesting significant potential for this cultural export.

    The outgoing ambassador confirmed the scheduled arrival of her successor in March, ensuring continuity in diplomatic relations and reaffirming Switzerland’s technical and financial capacity to contribute meaningfully to Dominican progress in these critical sectors. Hämmerli-Weschke shared positive reflections on her tenure in the Caribbean nation, characterizing her diplomatic assignment as personally and professionally rewarding.

    The ceremonial conclusion of the meeting featured the ambassador presenting Minister Santos with a traditional Swiss Army knife—a symbolic gesture representing Swiss craftsmanship and practical innovation. The exchange was witnessed by senior officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mines, underscoring the importance both nations place on their diplomatic and economic relationship.

  • Caribbean nations aim to enhance collaboration with new head of IICA to increase agricultural development and decrease imported foods

    Caribbean nations aim to enhance collaboration with new head of IICA to increase agricultural development and decrease imported foods

    SAN JOSÉ – Caribbean agricultural leaders have voiced strong optimism that the newly inaugurated Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Guyanese agronomist Muhammad Ibrahim, will spearhead transformative efforts to reduce the region’s dependency on imported food and bolster food sovereignty. The inauguration ceremony in Costa Rica, attended by ministers from 30 nations and international organizations, marked the commencement of Ibrahim’s 2026–2030 term, succeeding Manuel Otero who led the institute through two consecutive terms.

    Saint Lucia’s Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Sustainable Development, Lisa Jawahir, emphasized IICA’s critical partnership in achieving national and regional self-sufficiency. “Saint Lucia is proud to have IICA as a partner in our goal of becoming self-sustaining and self-sufficient,” Jawahir stated, underscoring the strategic aim to not only ensure food security but also systematically replace imported food staples with regionally produced alternatives.

    Minister Jawahir identified two priority areas for deepened collaboration: climate resilience and digital agriculture. She revealed ongoing discussions for IICA-led assessments of Saint Lucia’s agricultural systems to develop climate-adaptive farming practices capable of withstanding increasingly severe weather events. Furthermore, she highlighted the necessity of employing innovative, science-based techniques to make agriculture more appealing to younger generations, noting that IICA is indispensable for facilitating knowledge exchange with major agricultural producers across the Americas.

    Echoing this sentiment, Belize’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and New Growth Industries, Rodwell Ferguson, called for enhanced regional integration. He stressed IICA’s unique position, with its 34 member states, to act as a unifying force. Ferguson expressed confidence in Ibrahim’s leadership, citing his extensive experience as a former IICA representative in Belize. A key expectation from the new leadership is its role in mobilizing crucial funding for agricultural resilience projects by leveraging international financial mechanisms for which IICA holds accreditation.

    The collective outlook from the Caribbean indicates a firm belief that under Ibrahim’s direction, IICA will intensify its support for training small-scale farmers, integrating advanced technologies, and fortifying the region’s agricultural sector against climatic and economic challenges, ultimately forging a path toward collective food independence.

  • Japan suspends restart of world’s biggest nuclear plant

    Japan suspends restart of world’s biggest nuclear plant

    TOKYO — Japan’s ambitious plan to recommission the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear facility, the world’s largest atomic power station by capacity, encountered a significant setback Thursday when technical complications forced an indefinite suspension of reactor operations.

    The Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), which operates the Niigata prefecture-based plant, confirmed that an alarm from the monitoring system activated during reactor startup procedures, prompting immediate suspension of the restart process. This development comes just one day after operations commenced following final regulatory approval from Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority.

    Site superintendent Takeyuki Inagaki acknowledged the complexity of the situation, stating, “We don’t anticipate resolution within a day or two. The timeline for identifying and addressing the underlying cause remains uncertain at present.” The company has prioritized comprehensive investigation into the malfunctioning electrical equipment that triggered the alarm.

    According to TEPCO spokesman Takashi Kobayashi, control rods were systematically reinserted into the reactor core once it became apparent that resolving the technical issue would require substantial time. Kobayashi emphasized that “the reactor maintains stable conditions with no detectable radioactive emissions beyond facility boundaries.”

    This incident represents the second technical delay in the plant’s planned reactivation. The initial restart scheduled for Tuesday was postponed due to complications with control rod removal detected last weekend, though those issues were reportedly resolved by Sunday.

    The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa facility, boasting seven reactors with combined capacity of 8.2 gigawatts, has remained inactive since Japan’s nationwide nuclear shutdown following the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi catastrophe. The current restart effort involves bringing just one reactor back online initially.

    Japan’s push to revive nuclear energy stems from multiple factors: the nation’s resource scarcity, carbon neutrality objectives by 2050, and escalating energy demands driven partly by artificial intelligence infrastructure requirements. The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa restart marks TEPCO’s first nuclear reactivation since the Fukushima disaster, which the company also operated.

    Public sentiment in Niigata remains sharply divided regarding the plant’s reactivation. A September survey revealed approximately 60% of local residents oppose the restart, while 37% support it. Opposition groups have highlighted seismic concerns, noting the facility’s location on an active fault zone and referencing damage sustained during a 2007 earthquake. Earlier this month, seven activist organizations submitted a petition with nearly 40,000 signatures to regulatory authorities questioning the plant’s safety preparedness.

  • Cayman Islands brace for surge in Cuban migrants

    Cayman Islands brace for surge in Cuban migrants

    GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands—Cayman Islands authorities are implementing contingency measures to address a potential humanitarian crisis stemming from anticipated mass migration from Cuba, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson revealed to the Public Accounts Committee. This preparedness initiative comes as regional instability intensifies following recent U.S. military interventions in Venezuela.

    Manderson identified the U.S. control over seized Venezuelan oil shipments as a critical factor that could trigger widespread Cuban migration. The potential termination of oil supplies to Havana, he warned, might precipitate severe economic collapse in Cuba, creating desperate conditions that could drive thousands of migrants toward neighboring territories.

    Drawing parallels to the 1994 migrant crisis when over 1,100 Cubans arrived unexpectedly—an event that proved both financially burdensome and politically challenging—Manderson emphasized that risk management has become integral to governmental operations. A specialized team within the Home Affairs Ministry is currently developing strategies to mitigate both internal and external threats, including potential mass arrivals.

    Governor Jane Owen confirmed that security services are actively formulating response plans, acknowledging public concern regarding the situation. A dedicated committee focusing on migration emergencies will convene this week to coordinate the British overseas territory’s response strategies.

    Police Commissioner Kurt Walton noted that the Cayman Islands Coast Guard and Customs and Border Control are enhancing regional intelligence sharing and operational coordination with international partners. These efforts aim to anticipate multiple scenarios and prevent improvised responses should a rapid-onset humanitarian crisis materialize in coming days.

    The geopolitical context includes the January 2026 U.S. military action in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, who now face narcoterrorism charges in New York. With Venezuela’s oil infrastructure under U.S. control and the Trump administration maintaining强硬 policies toward Cuba, the island nation faces imminent energy isolation from its primary fuel supplier.

  • OBSERVATION: Demilitarized Runway 10

    OBSERVATION: Demilitarized Runway 10

    The Eastern peninsula within Antigua’s North East Marine Management Area harbors a significant historical transformation at Runway 10. This site, originally established as a strategic U.S. Military and Air Force Base, served as a crucial surveillance and operations center for the Eastern Caribbean and Latin America throughout the post-war era. Its strategic value was immediately recognized by both British and American authorities for regional oversight.

    Following a broader trend of decommissioning smaller U.S. bases in the hemisphere, the Antiguan facility was closed. The leased territories and structures were subsequently returned to the Antiguan government, leaving the airport lands surrounding the runway in a state of abandonment. This neglect transformed the airside peninsula into a remote and largely ungoverned area, reportedly becoming a dumping ground and a site for illicit activities due to its isolation near the international airport.

    A pivotal shift began in 1999. To manage the increasing traffic of private jets from affluent residents of Mill Reef, Jumby Bay, and Barbuda’s Coco Pointe, operations were relocated to the defunct Runway 10. This initiated a comprehensive conversion from a military installation into a dedicated General Aviation Complex. Endorsed by prominent local figures like the Mellons, the government leased the land to a local aviation entrepreneur to establish Antigua’s first Fixed Base Operation (FBO), catalyzing the area’s redevelopment into an elite hub for corporate and private aviation.

    While the U.S. presence evolved—transitioning to support for the NASA Space Program—a cordial relationship with the new aviation operators was maintained. Heavy military aircraft activity gradually diminished, with only occasional visits from hurricane weather aircraft, ceasing entirely as the runway became dedicated to private use.

    The fundamental incompatibility between military protocols and the standards of high-end private aviation underpins a clear operational boundary. This principle recently guided the Prime Minister’s decision to refuse military assets on Runway 10, a stance that was accepted without contention by the previous Head of the U.S. Southern Command. Today, Runway 10 stands firmly as a exclusive General Aviation area, dedicated solely to serving the world’s wealthy, famous, and royal clientele.

  • High Surf Advisory Issued for Antigua as Hazardous Seas Affect Northern Coastlines

    High Surf Advisory Issued for Antigua as Hazardous Seas Affect Northern Coastlines

    Meteorological authorities across the Eastern Caribbean have issued urgent warnings as significant ocean swells pose severe threats to northern coastlines. The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service activated a high surf advisory Tuesday afternoon, alerting residents and visitors to hazardous marine conditions expected to persist through the weekend.

    The advisory specifically targets exposed northern and north-facing shorelines across multiple territories. Forecast models indicate powerful wave systems generating swells of 2-3 meters (6-10 feet), with sea conditions occasionally reaching 4 meters (13 feet). These formidable waves are accompanied by long-period swells averaging 10 seconds, significantly elevating the risk of deadly rip currents throughout the region.

    Impact timelines vary across the archipelago: Antigua and Barbuda face hazardous conditions from Wednesday morning through Saturday midday; St. Kitts and Nevis from Wednesday morning through Sunday night; Montserrat from early Wednesday through Sunday night; Anguilla from Wednesday morning through Saturday morning; and the British Virgin Islands from Wednesday morning through early Saturday.

    The meteorological service outlined multiple potential consequences including significant beach erosion, coastal flooding, dangerous sea splash onto low-lying roadways, and possible damage to sensitive coral ecosystems. Marine businesses may experience operational disruptions, while desalination facilities could encounter saltwater intrusion issues.

    Authorities strongly recommend avoiding affected beaches and rocky shorelines entirely, particularly remaining clear of exposed jetties and reef areas. Swimmers are advised to use only sheltered southern beaches with lifeguard supervision present. For those caught in rip currents, safety guidelines emphasize remaining calm, floating rather than swimming against the current, and attempting to move parallel to shore while signaling for assistance.

  • Bezoek CCJ onderstreept rol Suriname binnen Caribische rechtsorde

    Bezoek CCJ onderstreept rol Suriname binnen Caribische rechtsorde

    A high-level delegation from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), led by President Winston Anderson, has commenced an official visit to Suriname at the invitation of the country’s Court of Justice President Iwan Rasoelbaks. The delegation, which includes Justice Peter Jamadar, the Registrar, and Chief Marshal, aims to enhance judicial cooperation between regional institutions and national legal systems.

    This strategic engagement aligns with the CCJ’s 2025-2032 Strategic Plan, which prioritizes improving access to justice, strengthening regional legal collaboration, promoting transparency, and building public confidence in judicial institutions. During their stay, the delegation will engage with members of Suriname’s judiciary, the Bar Association, parliamentarians, and other key stakeholders.

    A highlight of the visit will be the delegation’s participation in the Congress on Modernization of the Judiciary on January 22, where they will elaborate on the CCJ’s role, operational methodologies, effectiveness, institutional framework, and jurisdictional authorities.

    The current mission builds upon previous collaborative initiatives between the CCJ and Suriname. In November 2025, the Court concluded a multi-year training program on Referral Procedures in partnership with Suriname’s Bar Association. This comprehensive two-year awareness campaign, partially funded by the European Union, focused on educating legal professionals and business communities about the obligation of national judges to refer questions regarding the interpretation and application of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to the CCJ in its original jurisdiction.

    As part of this ongoing cooperation, President Anderson previously presented the CCJ Original Jurisdiction Rules 2024 and accompanying Referral Manual—now translated into Dutch—to Suriname’s former Minister of Justice & Police. The CCJ anticipates constructive dialogues with Surinamese partners and aims through this visit to foster greater understanding of the Court’s role in advancing rule of law, regional integration, and legal excellence throughout the Caribbean region.

  • VP Rusland in Davos: Suriname kiest bewust voor duurzaam toerisme

    VP Rusland in Davos: Suriname kiest bewust voor duurzaam toerisme

    Suriname has declared its intention to build economic development around sustainable tourism rather than petroleum revenues, according to Vice President Gregory Rusland’s address at the World Tourism Forum in Davos, Switzerland on January 20, 2026. Speaking during a panel discussion, the vice president positioned ecotourism as a strategic pillar for national development while inviting international investment and collaboration.

    Rusland presented Suriname as a distinctive destination characterized by 93% pristine rainforest, preserved indigenous and tribal communities, and remarkable religious coexistence exemplified by a synagogue and mosque standing peacefully side by side. ‘Though our population numbers merely 600,000, our nation possesses exceptional offerings,’ Rusland stated, highlighting that Suriname ranks among only three carbon-negative countries worldwide.

    The vice president cautioned against mass tourism, advocating instead for high-quality, low-volume tourism where visitors pay premium rates for authentic experiences centered on nature, tranquility, and ecological preservation. ‘Maintaining our current status is crucial,’ he emphasized, underscoring the need to protect the country’s environmental and cultural assets.

    Panel participants broadly agreed that sustainable tourism represents a shared responsibility among governments, businesses, travelers, and local communities. Preservation of natural and cultural heritage for future generations emerged as a central theme, particularly as younger demographics grow increasingly critical of environmental degradation and legacy impacts.

    Rusland challenged the perception of sustainable tourism as costly, arguing that it generates reciprocal value when travelers contribute positively to destinations they visit. In his concluding remarks, he reinforced Suriname’s commitment to avoiding oil dependency and emphasized the essential role of public-private partnerships with active local community involvement. ‘The Surinamese government will support everything necessary to further develop sustainable tourism,’ Rusland affirmed, identifying inclusion as a key component in this strategic direction.

  • Noodtoestand Guatemala, tien politieagenten vermoord

    Noodtoestand Guatemala, tien politieagenten vermoord

    Guatemala has plunged into a state of emergency following a devastating wave of coordinated gang violence that left ten police officers dead and forced the government to implement drastic security measures. The crisis began with simultaneous prison riots across three correctional facilities on Saturday, where members of the notorious Barrio 18 gang took dozens of guards hostage.

    The violence escalated dramatically on Sunday when gang forces launched retaliatory attacks against police units throughout Guatemala City. This aggressive response came after security forces successfully regained control of a prison housing influential gang leader Aldo ‘El Lobo’ Duppie, who is serving cumulative sentences totaling approximately 2,000 years.

    On Monday, Guatemala’s parliament nearly unanimously approved a 30-day state of emergency that had already been activated by President Bernardo Arevalo. The emergency measures significantly expand police powers, allowing warrantless arrests of suspected gang members, restricting freedom of movement, and prohibiting public demonstrations. Authorities can now also implement vehicle checkpoints and search restrictions in designated areas.

    President Arevalo presided over a solemn ceremony at the Interior Ministry to honor the fallen officers, presenting flags to grieving families. ‘It pains me today to hand each of these families this flag,’ Arevalo stated, ‘a symbol of the nation that will not forget the sacrifice and dedication of its police officers who fell in the exercise of their duty.’

    The Barrio 18 gang, which operates alongside the rival MS-13 in Central American drug trafficking networks, reportedly initiated the violence to demand improved privileges for incarcerated members and leaders. This incident continues a pattern of prison unrest that began in mid-2025, including a major October escape where 20 Barrio 18 leaders fled custody—only six were recaptured, while one was killed.

    Notably, gang leader El Lobo maintains family connections to Sandra Torres, President Arevalo’s primary opponent in the 2023 elections, adding political dimensions to the security crisis. Guatemala City remains under heightened security as the government attempts to restore order amidst widespread fear and outrage.