Carib Scope

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  • Americas call for science-based food trade rules amid EU pesticide proposal concerns

    Americas call for science-based food trade rules amid EU pesticide proposal concerns

    Senior agricultural leaders from across the Americas have launched a coordinated pushback against a pending European Union regulation targeting pesticide residue limits in imported crops, warning the draft rule risks erecting unjustified trade barriers that could endanger global food stability and disproportionately harm small-scale producers.

    The unified condemnation came out of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Executive Committee’s annual gathering in San José, Costa Rica, where cabinet-level agriculture ministers and senior government officials voted unanimously to approve a formal resolution demanding all global agri-food trade rules adhere to three core principles: transparency, grounding in robust scientific evidence, and alignment with established international standards. The resolution, IICA confirmed in an official press statement following the meeting, will be transmitted to the World Trade Organization (WTO) by committee chair Roberto Linares, who also serves as Panama’s Minister of Agricultural Development.

    Delegates used the gathering to stress that if enacted in its current form, the EU’s proposed maximum residue limits (MRLs) regulation for crop protection products will function as an effective non-tariff barrier to agricultural imports from the Western Hemisphere. The resolution reaffirmed all participating nations’ unwavering support for the WTO’s rules-based multilateral trading system, which has served as the foundation of predictable global food commerce for decades.

    In a breakdown of the regulation’s potential impacts, IICA outlined that exporters across the hemisphere would be forced to overhaul longstanding, science-based pest management protocols to meet the EU’s new requirements. Smallholder farmers, the institute warned, would shoulder the heaviest burden, as they lack the financial and technical resources to quickly adapt their production practices to shifting regulatory demands.

    A wide range of key export commodities face significant disruption should the rule take effect, including high-value fresh produce such as bananas, citrus fruits, mangoes, pineapples, peppers and tomatoes, as well as major cash crops like coffee, cocoa and sugarcane. Bulk commodities including soybeans, maize, cotton, and even beef exports would also feel negative impacts, according to delegates. For the United States alone, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service calculates that affected products account for more than $5.4 billion in annual exports to the EU.

    The conversation was initiated by Paraguay’s delegation, which has long pushed back against non-tariff barriers to hemispheric agricultural exports. Ambassador Julio Duarte Van Humbeck, speaking for Paraguay, noted that “Our country, like many others across the hemisphere, produces food for the world that meets multilateral standards of quality, animal and plant health, and food safety. However, our producers continue to face non-tariff barriers that affect exports. These are justified on environmental, sanitary, and phytosanitary grounds, but in most cases they restrict trade more than necessary and are not based on science.”

    He added that the growing trend of prioritizing political expediency over established scientific consensus in trade regulation is deeply alarming: “It is concerning that political arguments are prevailing over scientific ones. This undermines predictability, erodes trust, and has the potential to negatively affect exports from our hemisphere, with serious economic implications.”

    Paraguay’s call for a unified response earned broad backing from all participating nations, who agreed that the responsible, science-guided use of pesticides remains an irreplaceable tool for controlling crop diseases and pests, while sustaining the efficient agricultural production needed to feed a growing global population.

    Senior U.S. Department of Agriculture official Michelle Bekkering, Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, confirmed Washington’s full backing of the resolution, emphasizing that the opposition is not an attempt at confrontation, but a defense of farming households across the hemisphere. “If our farmers are required to adapt to standards that lack scientific justification, they will face higher costs and greater uncertainty. This is not an abstract debate,” Bekkering said.

    Mexico also joined the chorus of criticism, with Santiago Ruy Sánchez de Orellana, international affairs coordinator for Mexico’s Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development, noting that “We recognize the European Union’s right to update its phytosanitary regulatory framework, provided that it is based on scientific evidence.”

    Brazil’s Vice Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Cleber Soares echoed that position, stressing that American nations have developed their own functional regulatory systems that deserve global respect. “It is crucial that any measure be based on evidence, as we stated at the recent CAS meeting in Bolivia,” Soares said.

    Canada also shared the widespread concern, with Aleksandar Jotanovic of Canada’s Ministry of Agriculture and Agri-Food explaining that “Like many of IICA’s Member States, we are suppliers of food to the EU and share these concerns. This regulation could have undesirable effects not only on trade, but also on food security and on producers’ adoption of agricultural innovations. Canada appreciates IICA’s efforts to build consensus around rules that are consistent with WTO agreements and the Codex.”

    The IICA meeting’s discussion builds on recent unified pushback from the Southern Agricultural Council (CAS), a bloc of South American nations including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. That group previously issued a warning that the proposed EU measures would reduce predictability in global food trade and weaken the entire multilateral trading system. IICA acts as the technical secretariat for the CAS.

  • Ambassador Dwight Gardiner Concludes Term as ISA Assembly President

    Ambassador Dwight Gardiner Concludes Term as ISA Assembly President

    After one year at the helm of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly’s 30th Session, His Excellency Dwight C.R. Gardiner of Antigua and Barbuda has formally concluded his tenure, with global maritime stakeholders gathering in Kingston, Jamaica this week to honor his transformative leadership during a critical juncture for international ocean governance.

    Gardiner’s presidency carries unique weight for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Caribbean nations, regions whose social identities, economic stability, and community livelihoods are inextricably tied to the health and sustainable management of the world’s oceans. His election to the top post of the ISA Assembly — the body’s highest decision-making authority — represented a profound vote of confidence from global member states in Caribbean leadership, and highlighted the outsized, enduring contribution SIDS make to shaping equitable ocean governance frameworks worldwide.

    Throughout his 2025-2026 term, Ambassador Gardiner steered Assembly proceedings with a consistent commitment to professionalism, impartiality, and cross-stakeholder collaboration. He cultivated open, constructive dialogue between member states on high-stakes global ocean issues, leaning into a calm, inclusive leadership style that built consensus while upholding the core principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Under his guidance, all deliberations remained transparent, respectful, and centered on the shared goal of responsible international seabed management.

    For SIDS and developing coastal nations, the ISA’s mandate is uniquely critical: as the global custodian of mineral resources located in international seabed areas, the organization is tasked with ensuring all activities in these regions deliver shared benefits to all humanity while protecting fragile marine ecosystems. For these vulnerable states, equitable decision-making participation, targeted capacity-building, fair benefit-sharing, and effective ocean stewardship are non-negotiable foundations for sustainable development and building a resilient blue economy that supports current and future generations.

    During yesterday’s formal handover ceremony hosted in Kingston, ISA Secretary-General led tributes to Gardiner’s exceptional year of service, praising his leadership as a cornerstone of progress for the authority. “President Gardiner has led the Assembly with integrity, wisdom, and unwavering dedication. His steady leadership, thoughtful guidance, and commitment to fostering mutual understanding among Member States have strengthened the work of the Assembly and the Authority as a whole. His presidency has also demonstrated the valuable leadership that Small Island Developing States continue to bring to global ocean governance. On behalf of the Secretariat, I extend my sincere gratitude and wish him every success in his future endeavors.”

    The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) also issued a statement recognizing Gardiner’s contributions, highlighting his deep commitment to multilateral cooperation and his work advancing productive international dialogue on cross-cutting ocean affairs.

    Delegations from every regional grouping of ISA member states joined the collective recognition of Gardiner’s exemplary stewardship. Speakers commended his patience, sharp diplomatic skill, and ability to guide complex, often contentious discussions with steady composure and respect for all perspectives, ensuring that every member state — regardless of size or economic power — had the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the Assembly’s work over the past year.

    In remarks marking the end of his term, Gardiner expressed gratitude to member states, the ISA Secretariat, and his fellow Bureau members for their collective trust and shared commitment to advancing the organization’s core mandate.

    His tenure closes a pivotal chapter in the ISA’s history, defined by an unwavering dedication to effective, inclusive multilateralism. Gardiner leaves a lasting legacy for the Assembly that reinforces the critical role of Caribbean leadership in global governance frameworks.

    He will be succeeded by His Excellency Oliver Whitehead of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, who previously served as Vice-President for the 30th Session and will take office as President for the 31st Session.

    Beyond his work at the ISA, Gardiner serves as Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the IMO. He is currently leading his twin-island nation’s campaign for election to Category C of the IMO Council, with votes scheduled for December 2027. The campaign is part of Antigua and Barbuda’s broader national strategy to expand its engagement in global ocean governance at a time when ocean sustainability faces growing, unprecedented threats.

  • Diplomatic, cricketing communities in Ghana join Barbados in honouring Sir Garfield Sobers

    Diplomatic, cricketing communities in Ghana join Barbados in honouring Sir Garfield Sobers

    Across Accra, Ghana, two distinct communities—international diplomats stationed in the country and Ghana’s cricket fraternity—have united with Barbados to pay tribute to the legendary life and enduring legacy of The Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers, following his passing. Tributes have poured in through in-person visits, official diplomatic communications, and handwritten condolence messages from across the globe. To formalize these acts of remembrance, the Barbados High Commission in Accra opened a public Book of Condolence at its chancery on Wednesday, July 22, and the book will remain available for signing until the day of Sir Garfield’s State Funeral, scheduled for Wednesday, July 29.

    In the first wave of tributes, a roster of senior diplomatic leaders visited the commission to add their signatures to the condolence book. Attendees included H.E. Surinder Bhagat, India’s High Commissioner to Ghana; H.E. Kufa Edward Chinoza, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador; H.E. Daniel Mahongo of Zambia; H.E. Rosemary Mbabazi of Rwanda; H.E. Andrei Ordash, Ambassador of the Russian Federation; and H.E. Rosa Liliana Gómez Cárdenas de Weston, Ambassador of Peru. They were joined by lower-ranking diplomatic representatives, including Mr. Emanuel Chitende, First Secretary at the Angolan Embassy, and Mr. Dominic Atsou Hemadzo, who signed on behalf of the Embassy of the State of Palestine.

    Beyond in-person visits, the high commission has received formal diplomatic Notes Verbales conveying condolences from the Embassy of Spain and the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See. Written condolence messages have also arrived from heads of mission and diplomatic representatives spanning five continents: Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Nations that have shared messages of sympathy include Liberia, France, Algeria, Suriname, Cuba, Kenya, Canada, Angola, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Mozambique, Namibia, Malaysia, South Sudan, Egypt, Hungary, and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic of Western Sahara.

    Separately, Ghana’s cricket community held its own tribute at Achimota, the historic home of cricket in the country. While Ghana’s national Under-19 cricket team played a practice match against the local Achimota Cricket Club, leadership and members of the Ghana Cricket Association gathered to sign the condolence book. Key figures in attendance included Association President Mr. Emmanuel O. Asare, Treasurer Ms. Angela Allotey, Organising Committee Head Mr. Nii Okai Evans, and the head coach of Ghana’s senior men’s national cricket team.

    Ms. Allotey emphasized that Sir Garfield’s contributions to global cricket will continue to serve as a source of inspiration for upcoming players across the African continent. For his part, Mr. Evans shared warm personal recollections of his meetings with Sir Garfield over several years in both England and Atlanta, United States, noting that those conversations left an indelible mark on his own career and love for the sport.

    In closing, the Barbados High Commission issued a statement of sincere gratitude to all those who took time to visit the mission, sign the condolence book, or send messages of sympathy. Officials noted that the widespread outpouring of respect from across the world reflects the universal acclaim and esteem in which Sir Garfield was held, confirming that his impact stretched far beyond the borders of Barbados and the boundaries of the cricket pitch.

    (Photo credits: All photographs contributed by attendees and the Barbados High Commission)

  • Several Feared Dead, Many Trapped After Powerful Earthquake Strikes Southern Japan

    Several Feared Dead, Many Trapped After Powerful Earthquake Strikes Southern Japan

    On July 28, 2026, a powerful 6.8-magnitude seismic event rocked southern Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture, triggering widespread destruction that has left several people feared dead, dozens injured, and an uncertain number of individuals trapped inside a partially collapsed regional shopping center.

    The structural failure occurred at Aeon Mall Kumamoto, one of the prefecture’s busiest retail hubs, where search-and-rescue teams have been deployed in urgent operations to locate and extract surviving people trapped beneath rubble. Local disaster management authorities confirmed that 20 to 30 mall employees have not yet been contacted, while the full scope of missing customers remains unclear as officials work to cross-check visitor logs and witness accounts.

    Japan’s national public broadcaster NHK documented that over 50 people affected by the quake have already received emergency medical care at a single local hospital. A small number of passengers traveling on a high-speed rail route through the region also sustained injuries during the shaking. Local police, speaking to regional media outlets, have confirmed that multiple fatalities have been recovered from the collapsed shopping mall, though government officials have not published an official, confirmed death toll as of Tuesday.

    Beyond the mall collapse, the earthquake caused extensive damage across Kumamoto Prefecture: a key highway bridge sustained structural damage, all regional passenger rail services were suspended for safety inspections, Kumamoto Airport was forced to halt all operations temporarily, and the iconic, historic Kumamoto Castle suffered additional damage. The landmark had been undergoing years of reconstruction after being heavily damaged in the devastating 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes that killed over 50 people.

    Emergency response officials are currently investigating unconfirmed reports that a gas leak sparked by the seismic shaking caused an explosion at the shopping mall, but no definitive conclusions about any secondary triggers of the collapse have been released. The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a formal public warning urging all residents of southern Kumamoto to remain on high alert for powerful aftershocks and rain-triggered landslides over the next seven days, as intensive rescue operations continue across the affected region.

  • Dominican authorities raid luxury villas in Las Terrenas in drug money laundering investigation

    Dominican authorities raid luxury villas in Las Terrenas in drug money laundering investigation

    In a coordinated law enforcement operation targeting transnational drug trafficking and money laundering, Dominican legal authorities have executed multiple search warrants at high-end luxury properties in the popular coastal town of Las Terrenas, located in Samaná province. The action centers on an ongoing criminal investigation into Martin Marleau (also known as Polcari), a Canadian national who was taken into custody by Dominican officials in December 2025.

    The raid was jointly carried out by the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office Against Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing and the local Samaná Prosecutor’s Office, with critical backup from the Financial Investigation Directorate under the National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD). At the time of Marleau’s initial arrest, law enforcement officers seized approximately 30 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride, 2.42 kilograms of liquid marijuana, and 97 THC-infused electronic cigarettes. Officials also confiscated specialized equipment that investigators allege was used to process and prepare illegal narcotics for distribution.

    According to official statements from the Dominican Public Prosecutor’s Office, Marleau has resided in the country since 2022. Over his stay in the Dominican Republic, investigators have documented a sudden and unexplained surge in his personal wealth, which allowed him to purchase multiple luxury villas, high-performance vehicles, and other high-value assets. Despite extensive financial probes, prosecutors have yet to uncover any verifiable legitimate sources of income that could support this lavish lifestyle. No records of large bank transfers or regular deposits from Canada have been found to explain Marleau’s ability to acquire these expensive assets.

    During the recent searches of the exclusive Las Terrenas properties, authorities recovered a range of physical documents and digital records deemed relevant to the money laundering investigation, alongside detailed ownership records for the luxury real estate and vehicles linked to the suspect. All seized evidence is now set to undergo forensic and financial forensic analysis, as investigators work to trace the full network of assets allegedly derived from criminal activity.

    The sprawling investigation is being overseen by appellate prosecutor Ramona Nova and Samaná prosecutor Erika Pujols, with lead coordination handled by lead prosecutor Claudio Cordero Jiménez. In a press statement following the raids, Cordero confirmed that investigative teams remain fully focused on uncovering the true origin of the suspect’s assets and holding all connected parties accountable for any criminal or financial violations. Cordero emphasized that the operation is part of a broader push by the Dominican Public Prosecutor’s Office to dismantle entire transnational criminal networks operating within the country, reaffirming the institution’s unwavering commitment to rooting out organized crime, drug trafficking, and illicit money laundering across the Dominican Republic.

  • Zuid-Japan: Doden en schade na aardbeving magnitude 7,1

    Zuid-Japan: Doden en schade na aardbeving magnitude 7,1

    On Tuesday, a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit Kumamoto Prefecture, located on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, leaving a trail of destruction across the region and triggering a major emergency response from national authorities. The tremor, whose epicenter was recorded just 10 kilometers beneath the surface near the city of Uki, south of central Kumamoto, was strong enough to be felt across six neighboring prefectures: Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Saga and Miyazaki.

    Initial impact assessments confirm widespread disruption to critical infrastructure. More than 40,000 households have been left without power, while roads and bridges across the prefecture have sustained significant damage. The disaster also triggered a large explosion at the Aeon Mall shopping center in Kashima, Kumamoto, which left a thick plume of smoke hanging over the area and ash-like debris falling on surrounding neighborhoods. While all shoppers and staff were evacuated immediately after the quake, multiple fatalities are suspected, and rescue teams are working to locate people thought to be trapped beneath rubble. As of the latest update, public broadcaster NHK reports over 50 people have been injured, including several passengers on a high-speed Shinkansen train that derailed during the tremor.

    In a public address shortly after the quake, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed the scale of the damage and urged residents to prioritize their safety. “We have received reports of injuries, power outages, fires and widespread damage to roads, bridges and buildings across affected areas,” she said. “I urge all residents to take immediate steps to protect themselves, including evacuating to designated safe locations if necessary.”

    Roughly 300,000 people have been ordered to evacuate to emergency shelters by Japan’s disaster management agency, and Takaichi has deployed 3,600 Japanese Self-Defense Force personnel to support search, rescue and early recovery efforts, even as persistent aftershocks continue to rock the region. Authorities have issued repeated warnings for residents to remain alert for strong secondary tremors, which are common after major seismic events.

    All high-speed Shinkansen services and local rail operations across Kyushu have been suspended to allow for urgent safety inspections of tracks and infrastructure. Aso Kumamoto Airport has also closed its main runway, with no estimated timeline for reopening announced as inspection teams continue to assess damage. Initial checks by Japan’s nuclear regulatory authority have found no abnormalities at three nuclear power plants located near the quake zone, easing fears of a radiological incident. A tsunami warning that was issued immediately after the initial quake has since been lifted.

    Several major manufacturing firms with production facilities in the affected region have initiated precautionary measures. Sony and Fujifilm have already evacuated all staff from their sites in the area, while Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) also operates a facility in Kumamoto, though full damage assessments for industrial infrastructure are still ongoing.

    The latest earthquake has also inflicted new damage on a historic landmark that is still recovering from a major seismic disaster a decade earlier. Sections of the stone outer walls of Kumamoto Castle, which were undergoing restoration following two devastating 2016 quakes that killed 275 people and injured nearly 2,740 across the prefecture, have collapsed in the latest tremor.

    Japan sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a geologically active zone that makes it one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. On average, the country records a seismic event every five minutes, with many of these reaching magnitude 6 or higher.

  • 7.1-magnitude earthquake strikes southern Japan, damaging buildings and bridges, and knocking out power to thousands of homes

    7.1-magnitude earthquake strikes southern Japan, damaging buildings and bridges, and knocking out power to thousands of homes

    On Tuesday, a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s southern Kumamoto Prefecture, leaving a trail of destruction across the Kyushu region that has injured at least 50 people, cut power to tens of thousands of households, and damaged critical infrastructure. In the hours after the tremor, assessments of full casualty and damage counts are still ongoing, according to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who addressed reporters from her Tokyo office Wednesday.

    “We have already confirmed multiple injuries,” Takaichi told reporters. “Power outages and small blazes have broken out in several communities, alongside damage to roads and bridges, and multiple reports of partial building collapses.”

    Public broadcaster NHK was first to report that a local hospital had recorded more than 50 quake-related injuries, while Japan’s leading financial newspaper Nikkei added that several passengers on a high-speed bullet train traveling through the region at the time of the tremor were also hurt. Visual footage from the disaster zone shows collapsed exterior walls on commercial buildings in central Kumamoto City, and multiple damaged structures across the prefecture. Among the damaged sites is an Aeon Co. shopping mall, where NHK reported a small explosion; the company has not yet issued a public statement on the incident. Multiple other structures have been recorded as partially collapsed or engulfed in small fires in local broadcaster footage.

    Critical transport networks have been heavily impacted by the tremor: large cracks have opened on major arterial roads including a key elevated highway, a freight train derailed shortly after the quake hit, and all regional rail services—including Kyushu Shinkansen high-speed routes—have been suspended indefinitely while infrastructure inspections are carried out. Kumamoto Airport closed its main runway immediately after the quake, prompting airlines to divert incoming flights and cancel dozens of scheduled services.

    Major global manufacturers with production facilities in the affected region have moved quickly to evacuate staff as a safety precaution. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world’s largest contract chip manufacturer, confirmed it had evacuated all personnel from its Kumamoto-area plant. Leading Japanese electronics giant Sony and photographic material firm Fujifilm also evacuated staff from their local facilities, with Sony noting that teams are still conducting full assessments of potential facility damage.

    Japan’s Disaster Management Agency announced that more than 150,000 residents across high-risk areas have been ordered to relocate to designated emergency evacuation centers as of Wednesday morning. Officials from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) have issued urgent warnings to residents in areas that experienced the strongest shaking: the agency warned that aftershocks of similar or greater intensity could strike the region over the next seven days, and residents also face elevated risks of deadly landslides in hilly areas already weakened by the initial tremor.

    Japan sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, the geologically active zone that produces roughly 20% of all global earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or higher, making it one of the most earthquake-prone countries on Earth. In response to Tuesday’s tremor, Japanese authorities issued emergency earthquake alerts across seven southern Kyushu prefectures: Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Saga, Oita, and Miyazaki. The JMA initially issued a tsunami warning for a potential 1-meter wave, but canceled the warning within hours after no abnormal sea level changes were recorded.

    As of Wednesday, Kyushu Electric Power reported that roughly 40,000 households across the region remain without power. Major Japanese telecom providers KDDI and NTT Docomo have also reported widespread mobile service disruptions, caused by downed transmission lines and outage-related power cuts at network infrastructure sites. Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority has confirmed that no abnormalities have been detected at any nuclear power facilities operating in the Kyushu region, easing fears of a major radiological incident.

    The earthquake marks a devastating repeat of a 2016 catastrophic quake that hit the same region: that disaster killed 275 people, injured more than 2,700, and destroyed thousands of structures, including large sections of Kumamoto Castle, a iconic national historic site and top tourist destination that was still undergoing restoration work. Castle officials confirmed Tuesday that additional portions of the castle’s historic stone walls collapsed during the latest tremor.

    This is a developing breaking news story, and updates will be issued as more damage and casualty information becomes available.

  • Godfrey Smith to Chair Inquiry into Guyana’s Deadly Maritime Tragedy

    Godfrey Smith to Chair Inquiry into Guyana’s Deadly Maritime Tragedy

    Almost a year after the deadly MV Barima maritime disaster that claimed dozens of lives and left dozens more missing off the coast of Guyana, the South American nation has turned to regional legal expertise from neighboring Belize to uncover the full truth of the incident. In a formal announcement July 27, 2026, Guyanese President Irfaan Ali confirmed the appointment of respected Belizean jurist Godfrey Smith to chair a five-member independent Commission of Inquiry tasked with unpacking the circumstances of the tragedy.

    Smith brings a wealth of high-level legal and public service experience to the role. A former Belizean Attorney General, Foreign Minister, High Court Judge and Justice of Appeal, he currently serves as the CARICOM High-Level Representative for Law and Criminal Justice and holds an appointment as an Ad hoc Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal. This is not Smith’s first time working with Guyana on a high-stakes inquiry: he previously served as a member of the country’s 2020 General and Regional Elections Commission of Inquiry. When contacted by News Five, Smith declined to comment publicly on the scope or early preparations for the inquiry, noting it was too early in the process to share details.

    Alongside Smith’s appointment, President Ali announced that another senior Belizean legal figure, former Foreign Minister, Attorney General and Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Eamon Courtenay, has been retained to advise the Guyanese government on compensation and assistance frameworks for survivors and families of those killed in the disaster. Courtenay will support the government’s newly launched HEART Initiative, which is designed to deliver financial support to people affected by the tragedy.

    In a statement to News Five, Courtenay confirmed he accepted the appointment over the 2026 weekend preceding the formal announcement, saying: “Over the weekend, His Excellency President Irfaan Ali asked me to advise the Government of Guyana on potential claims to be made on behalf of those affected by the very sad MV Barima incident. I readily agreed to do so and look forward to working with the Government to resolve claims when made.”

    President Ali emphasized in his announcement that Courtenay’s work to develop assistance modalities does not pre-determine formal compensation awards, clarifying that the framework is still under development. The five-member inquiry panel brings together global and regional maritime expertise, with additional members drawn from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Poland.

    The commission’s formal terms of reference cover four core priorities: establishing the direct and underlying causes of the disaster, evaluating whether all parties involved complied with existing international and domestic maritime safety laws and regulations, conducting a full review of the search and rescue operations launched after the incident, and drafting actionable policy recommendations to strengthen Guyana’s maritime safety framework and prevent similar tragedies in the future.

    The MV Barima disaster resulted in one of the deadliest civilian maritime incidents in Guyana’s recent history. Of the 179 people estimated to have been on board the vessel when it sank, official figures confirm 73 bodies have been recovered, 76 people were rescued alive, and 30 people remain unaccounted for as of the commission’s appointment. The inquiry is scheduled to begin its official work in the coming weeks, with a full report of findings and recommendations expected at a later date. This report was compiled by Paul Lopez for News Five.

  • Haiti’s Ministry of Social Affairs and the UN strengthen their collaboration

    Haiti’s Ministry of Social Affairs and the UN strengthen their collaboration

    On July 28, 2026, high-level talks between Haiti’s Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MAST) and senior United Nations officials opened a new chapter of coordinated action to address the country’s deepening humanitarian and security challenges. At the MAST headquarters in Port-au-Prince, Marc-Elie Nelson, Haiti’s Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, welcomed Nicole Kouassi, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Haiti, to align priorities across core areas of mutual work: social protection, humanitarian response, and long-term peacebuilding.

    During the closed-door discussions, Minister Nelson laid out the Haitian government’s core strategic vision: to shore up social protection frameworks for the country’s most marginalized communities while creating conditions for the safe, sustainable return of tens of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their home communities. He outlined tangible progress the administration has already made, including strengthening national social welfare systems, expanding targeted assistance programs, and scaling up direct cash transfer initiatives that reach thousands of vulnerable households monthly. Nelson also emphasized the urgent need to break down silos between short-term emergency humanitarian aid and long-term national development policies, arguing that integrated planning is critical to breaking cycles of instability in the country.

    A central focus of the meeting was the urgent crisis facing children caught in Haiti’s rising tide of armed violence. Minister Nelson detailed the work of the Institute for Social Welfare and Research (IBESR), which operates dedicated rehabilitation centers and community-based reintegration programs for at-risk youth. He stressed that child-centered interventions remain a top priority within the country’s Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration, Arms Control, and Violence Reduction (DDR) framework, noting that targeted support for affected children is foundational to long-term violence reduction.

    Talks also covered two other pressing priorities: preventing gender-based violence (GBV) and expanding protection for children associated with armed groups. Both parties acknowledged the critical on-the-ground support already provided by UN partners including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for these initiatives, and agreed to expand coordinated efforts in these areas moving forward.

    By the end of the meeting, the two sides reached a formal agreement to strengthen institutional partnership between MAST and the UN system, improve cross-sector coordination between humanitarian and national social policies, and scale up initiatives that support the safe return of IDPs to their communities. To keep momentum going, attendees confirmed that the joint steering committee overseeing UN Peacebuilding Fund-supported initiatives will hold its next working session on July 30, 2026, at Haiti’s Ministry of Planning to advance ongoing projects.

    Closing the meeting, Nelson reaffirmed the Haitian government’s unwavering commitment to close collaboration with the UN to build a unified, integrated response that connects emergency relief, long-term social protection, and sustainable peacebuilding. In response, Kouassi reiterated the UN system’s pledge to continue standing alongside Haitian authorities to develop locally led, sustainable solutions that deliver tangible benefits to the country’s most vulnerable populations.

  • Venezuela Withdraws from International Criminal Court

    Venezuela Withdraws from International Criminal Court

    In a landmark move that deepens long-running rifts between the South American nation and the global justice body, Venezuela has formally notified the United Nations of its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC). Caracas has long accused the tribunal of systemic political bias, claiming it disproportionately targets sovereign nations in Africa and Latin America, a grievance that sits at the core of its departure.

    Venezuelan Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia confirmed the withdrawal from the Rome Statute — the foundational treaty that established the ICC — in an official announcement, framing the step as a “firm and irrevocable” assertion of national sovereignty. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez echoed this criticism, arguing that the court has been fully politicized and weaponized to advance political agendas against her government.

    The decision comes after more than half a decade of escalating tensions between Venezuela and the ICC. In 2021, the court opened a formal investigation into allegations of crimes against humanity that were purportedly committed during the Venezuelan government’s 2017 crackdown on widespread anti-government protests. Thousands of people who say they were victimized by the crackdown have already submitted sworn testimony to ICC investigators as part of the inquiry.

    Even following Venezuela’s formal notification, the ICC has made clear that its ongoing investigation will proceed uninterrupted. Per the terms of the Rome Statute, a member state’s withdrawal only takes effect 12 months after the United Nations receives official notification, and it does not have the power to halt investigations that have already been launched before the withdrawal takes effect.

    Human rights advocates have raised urgent concerns about the long-term implications of the move. They warn that Venezuela’s exit could create new barriers to holding senior government officials accountable for the alleged abuses at the center of the investigation, weakening prospects for justice for survivors.

    The United States has publicly welcomed Venezuela’s decision, with the State Department repeating longstanding criticism that labels the ICC a “corrupt” institution. The U.S. has also issued a call urging all other ICC member states to follow Venezuela’s lead and exit the court. This position aligns with the stance taken by the Trump administration, which repeatedly attacked the court and worked systematically to curtail its global influence.

    Legal analysts who specialize in international criminal law note that while the withdrawal is unlikely to disrupt the current investigation into the 2017 events, it will probably limit future cooperation between Venezuelan authorities and ICC prosecutors. This could hamper any additional inquiries or prosecutions that the court may pursue moving forward, creating new hurdles to justice in potential future cases.