Carib Scope

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  • Resilient Beryl victims share hope ahead of Tropical Storm Melissa

    Resilient Beryl victims share hope ahead of Tropical Storm Melissa

    As Tropical Storm Melissa threatens to escalate into a major hurricane, Jamaica braces for potential devastation, drawing on the resilience forged in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. Last July, Beryl wreaked havoc across the island, causing over $56 billion in damages to agriculture, housing, and tourism. Despite the destruction, communities along the south coast are rebuilding with determination, embodying the indomitable spirit of the Jamaican people.

    One poignant example of this resilience is the Lee family of Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth. Their home and church were severely damaged during Beryl, with the roof torn away as they sought shelter under their bed. A viral video captured the family singing ‘Goodness of God’ amidst the chaos, a testament to their faith and fortitude. Nearly a year later, the Lees are still working to restore their home and church, relying on community support and donations. Pastor Tommy Lee expressed gratitude for the progress made, though challenges like manpower shortages persist.

    Similarly, Munro College, a historic institution, faced extensive damage during Beryl. The chapel, built in 1912, suffered significant structural harm, but the stained glass windows remained intact. Thanks to contributions from alumni, corporate Jamaica, and the National Education Trust, the school has largely recovered, welcoming students back by June 2025.

    The fishing community in Treasure Beach also endured severe losses, with lobster traps destroyed just as the season began. Fishermen like Jason Gordon and Donald Moxam faced financial setbacks but have since rebuilt their livelihoods with support from organizations like The Breds Foundation and National Commercial Bank.

    Farmers, too, have struggled to recover. Linetth Whitely of Corby, St. Elizabeth, lost crops worth thousands of dollars but has persevered, replanting and fertilizing her fields despite ongoing challenges. Her story mirrors the broader narrative of Jamaica’s recovery—marked by hardship but driven by hope and community solidarity.

    As Tropical Storm Melissa approaches, Jamaica stands as a testament to the power of resilience. While scars from Beryl remain, the island’s ability to rebuild stronger offers a beacon of hope in the face of nature’s fury.

  • Amerikaanse troepenmacht groeit in Caribische regio en bij Venezuela

    Amerikaanse troepenmacht groeit in Caribische regio en bij Venezuela

    The United States military has significantly increased its presence in the Caribbean Sea and the waters off the coast of Venezuela since this summer, as part of the Trump administration’s intensified campaign against narcoterrorism. This strategic buildup includes a substantial deployment of naval vessels, advanced aircraft, and ground troops, marking one of the largest military mobilizations in the region in recent years.

  • Antigua Joins CARICOM in Call for Urgent Climate Action Ahead of COP30

    Antigua Joins CARICOM in Call for Urgent Climate Action Ahead of COP30

    Antigua and Barbuda has aligned with its CARICOM counterparts in adopting a robust declaration demanding heightened global ambition and climate justice as the world approaches the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement and the pivotal COP30 summit in Brazil. The CARICOM Declaration, ratified on October 16, 2025, underscores the Caribbean’s collective stance that restricting global warming to 1.5°C is both a scientific necessity and a legal obligation. Leaders emphasized that small island developing states (SIDS), including Antigua and Barbuda, are disproportionately affected by escalating hurricanes, rising sea levels, and ocean warming, despite their minimal role in global emissions. The declaration spotlights the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States (ABAS) as a critical framework for addressing the unique challenges faced by island nations. It calls on major emitters to realign their 2035 targets with the 1.5°C pathway and intensify current climate actions, asserting that “the time for implementation is now.” CARICOM leaders also advocated for equitable access to climate finance, proposing a new global goal of at least US$1.3 trillion annually. They insisted that such funding should be delivered through grants and highly concessional terms, prioritizing SIDS for adaptation and loss-and-damage initiatives. The declaration welcomed the operationalization of the new Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, which allocates at least half of its initial US$250 million to SIDS and least developed countries. Additionally, it endorsed reforms to the international financial system, including the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index and debt-for-climate swaps, to better reflect the vulnerabilities of developing nations. CARICOM reiterated that support for these nations is a matter of “justice and legal obligation, not charity,” and urged COP30 in Belém, Brazil, to mark a decisive shift “from pledges to performance.” Antigua and Barbuda, having hosted the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States earlier this year, continues to spearhead global climate diplomacy, championing the rights and survival of vulnerable nations.

  • Powerful Quake Shakes Costa Rica, No Major Damage Reported

    Powerful Quake Shakes Costa Rica, No Major Damage Reported

    A significant seismic event rattled southern Costa Rica on the evening of October 22, 2025, as a 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck the region. The quake, which occurred at a depth of 31 kilometers, was centered approximately 62 kilometers south of San José. The tremors were felt across a wide area, from Quepos near the epicenter to Puerto Limón, over 140 kilometers away. Residents reported intense but brief shaking, with lights swaying and objects falling from shelves. Despite the widespread impact, authorities have confirmed no casualties or major structural damage. Emergency teams are currently assessing buildings and monitoring for potential aftershocks. Experts caution that the precise magnitude and epicenter may be revised as additional data becomes available. Costa Rica, located on the seismically active boundary between the Cocos and Caribbean tectonic plates, is no stranger to such geological activity, making it one of the most earthquake-prone areas in the Western Hemisphere.

  • Tropical Storm Melissa lingers over the Caribbean

    Tropical Storm Melissa lingers over the Caribbean

    Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – The southern coast of the Dominican Republic has been battered by relentless rain, powerful winds, and thunderstorms since the early hours of Thursday morning. These severe weather conditions are attributed to Tropical Storm Melissa, which is gradually advancing across the Caribbean Sea. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued warnings, indicating that Melissa is likely to persist over the central Caribbean for several days, with the potential to escalate into a major hurricane by late this weekend or early next week. Residents of Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic are advised to remain vigilant and adhere to local weather advisories. The storm’s sluggish movement heightens the risk of extended periods of strong winds, particularly affecting Jamaica and Haiti’s Tiburon Peninsula. Tropical-storm-force winds are anticipated to commence on Friday and intensify throughout the weekend. Additionally, the NHC has cautioned that Melissa is expected to unleash torrential rainfall across southern Hispaniola and Jamaica, significantly increasing the likelihood of severe flash flooding, river overflows, and landslides, especially in mountainous and vulnerable regions.

  • FLASH : Meélissa risks becoming a hurricane, 5 departments on Orange Alert

    FLASH : Meélissa risks becoming a hurricane, 5 departments on Orange Alert

    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a critical update on Tropical Storm Melissa, warning that it is likely to escalate into a hurricane by the end of this week or early next week. As of October 23, 2025, at 5:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Melissa remains stationary over the central Caribbean Sea, posing a significant threat to Haiti and neighboring regions. The storm’s slow movement, at approximately 6 km/h, increases the risk of prolonged strong winds, particularly affecting the Tiburon Peninsula in Haiti. Authorities have urged residents to expedite preparations to safeguard lives and property, as severe weather conditions are expected to intensify starting Friday. The storm’s center is currently located at 15.0 degrees North latitude and 74.9 degrees West longitude, about 485 km southwest of Port-au-Prince. Melissa is projected to bring heavy rainfall, ranging from 12 to 25 cm, across Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica, potentially triggering life-threatening flash floods and landslides. Maximum sustained winds are currently near 85 km/h, with higher gusts, and further strengthening is anticipated by the weekend. A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Haiti’s southwest peninsula, from the Dominican Republic border to Port-au-Prince. The Haitian Maritime and Navigation Service (SEMANAH) has suspended all cabotage activities in the southern coastal area until further notice. The Hydrometeorological Unit, in collaboration with the General Directorate of Civil Protection, has placed five departments—South, Southeast, Grand’Anse, Nippes, and West—under an Orange Alert. Residents are advised to remain vigilant, avoid crossing waterways, and follow safety guidelines issued by civil protection authorities.

  • Latest U.S Anti-Narcotics Strike Kills 2

    Latest U.S Anti-Narcotics Strike Kills 2

    In a significant escalation of its anti-narcotics operations, the U.S. military executed a lethal strike in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of two individuals aboard a targeted vessel. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed the operation on Wednesday, stating it was authorized by President Donald Trump. The strike targeted a boat allegedly operated by a designated terrorist organization involved in drug trafficking, marking the eighth such operation since early September and the first outside the Caribbean. These strikes have collectively claimed at least 34 lives. Hegseth framed the operation as part of a broader campaign against ‘narco-terrorists’ threatening U.S. borders, drawing parallels to the war on terror. The Trump administration has justified these actions as essential to combat transnational cartels it labels as terrorist entities. However, critics and legal experts have raised concerns about the legality of such strikes, arguing they lack judicial oversight and could violate international law. The Pentagon has yet to disclose the nationality of the vessel or the identities of the deceased. This incident follows recent operations in the Caribbean, which have also sparked debates over the administration’s authority to detain foreign nationals captured in anti-narcotics missions. The story continues to develop.

  • Flood Risk Rises as TS Melissa Crawls Through the Caribbean

    Flood Risk Rises as TS Melissa Crawls Through the Caribbean

    Tropical Storm Melissa is currently making its way through the central Caribbean Sea, prompting marine warnings and hurricane watches across the region. The National Hurricane Center has identified Melissa as a significant flood threat, particularly for Hispaniola and Jamaica. The storm is expected to unleash heavy rainfall over the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica throughout the weekend, with forecasts predicting over ten inches of rain in some areas. This deluge raises concerns about flash floods and landslides, especially in mountainous regions. A hurricane watch has been issued for Jamaica, and hurricane conditions are possible in Haiti’s southwestern peninsula. Authorities are urging residents in these areas to complete emergency preparations by Thursday to safeguard lives and property. Melissa is projected to intensify into a hurricane by early next week, with its slow movement increasing the likelihood of prolonged rainfall and heightened risks. While the storm’s exact path and intensity remain uncertain, residents in Cuba and across the Caribbean are advised to stay vigilant and monitor official updates. Meanwhile, no other tropical cyclone activity is expected in the Atlantic over the next seven days.

  • Former RBDF officer to change plea in US cocaine smuggling case

    Former RBDF officer to change plea in US cocaine smuggling case

    A former Royal Bahamas Defence Force Chief Petty Officer, Darrin Alexander Roker, is scheduled to change his plea in a high-profile cocaine smuggling case involving alleged corruption among Bahamian government officials. The hearing is set for October 24, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods in the Southern District of New York. Roker, along with Chief Superintendent Elvis Curtis and William Simeon, was indicted for their purported roles in facilitating the transportation of large quantities of cocaine from The Bahamas to the United States. Prosecutors claim the defendants abused their official positions to enable the drug trafficking operation. The trio, among several Bahamians named in a federal indictment, were arrested in the US last year. The case arises from a federal investigation that uncovered a network of traffickers moving tons of cocaine into the US since 2021, allegedly with the complicity of corrupt officials. The defendants had previously requested additional time to review evidence and negotiate potential plea agreements.

  • #EyeOnMelissa: Elderly Haitian dies after being hit by falling tree

    #EyeOnMelissa: Elderly Haitian dies after being hit by falling tree

    BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Tropical Storm Melissa has claimed its first victim in Haiti, as an elderly man in the coastal town of Marigot lost his life due to severe flooding caused by the storm. According to Haiti’s Civil Protection Agency, the man was tragically struck by a falling tree, while five others sustained injuries in the central Artibonite region. The storm, which continues to intensify over the warm Caribbean waters, poses a significant threat of dangerous landslides and life-threatening flooding to Jamaica and southern Hispaniola. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami reported that as of 11:00 AM local time, the center of Tropical Storm Melissa was positioned near latitude 15.4 North, longitude 74.9 West. The storm is currently moving north-northwest at a slow pace of 2 mph (4 km/h), with a forecasted northward motion over the next day or two, followed by a westward turn by the weekend. Meteorologists predict that Melissa will strengthen into a hurricane within the next couple of days, potentially becoming a major hurricane by the end of the weekend. Residents in the affected areas are urged to prepare for severe weather conditions and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.