Carib Scope

分类： world

  • Agro-chemicals from Guyana allegedly smuggled into Suriname

    Agro-chemicals from Guyana allegedly smuggled into Suriname

    Surinamese authorities have apprehended a 63-year-old businessman identified by initials J.P. in connection with an illicit cross-border agro-chemical smuggling operation. The arrest occurred Monday at a storage facility on Ramawat Soechitweg in western Suriname following actionable intelligence received by local law enforcement.

    Police surveillance operations led to the discovery of ten containers of unauthorized herbicides concealed within a truck bed at the specified location. According to official statements from the Suriname Police Corps, the suspect confessed to transporting the regulated substances from neighboring Guyana utilizing unauthorized border crossing points known locally as ‘back track’ routes.

    Investigations reveal the detained individual intended to distribute the contraband chemicals through his agricultural supply retail establishment. Law enforcement officials have impounded both the chemical shipments and the transportation vehicle used in the operation.

    Following judicial review, the suspect remains in pretrial detention pending completion of the criminal investigation. This incident marks the second major smuggling case between the two South American nations within recent weeks, following last month’s interception of illegally transported fuel from Guyana destined for unauthorized sale in Suriname.

    The case highlights ongoing challenges in border security coordination between Suriname and Guyana, particularly regarding regulated agricultural materials that require proper certification and taxation for cross-border commerce.

  • Dominica among Caribbean nations reportedly barred by Norway despite visa-free status

    Dominica among Caribbean nations reportedly barred by Norway despite visa-free status

    Despite official assurances from Norwegian authorities, passport holders from five Caribbean nations participating in Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs are facing systematic entry refusals and deportations at Norwegian airports, according to investigations by Immigration Migration Insider (IMI).

    Since August 2024, travelers carrying CBI passports from Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, and Saint Lucia have encountered heightened scrutiny and denial of entry at both Bergen and Oslo international airports. Border control officers have been specifically interrogating these individuals about their method of obtaining citizenship, despite these countries historically enjoying visa-free travel privileges to Norway under the Schengen arrangement.

    The situation presents a stark contradiction between official policy and on-the-ground implementation. Norway’s Directorate of Immigration (UDI) explicitly stated in August that visa-free access for these Caribbean nations remained unchanged. However, IMI has documented multiple instances where Norwegian police have invoked Section 17 of the Immigration Act to declare CBI passports invalid, citing Norway’s requirement for personal attendance during passport issuance as grounds for refusal.

    Notable incidents include an Indian national using a Saint Kitts and Nevis passport who was promptly removed from Bergen Airport in August after authorities deemed his travel document “not valid in Norway.” In a separate November occurrence, two Dominican citizens were detained overnight in Oslo, subjected to intensive questioning regarding their passports, and subsequently deported the following day.

    Several immigration consultancies—including Latitude, Cross Border Freedom, and Apex Capital Partners—have confirmed multiple cases affecting their clients. Industry experts challenge Norway’s justification, pointing out that numerous countries, including the United Kingdom and United States, permit remote passport renewal procedures without compromising international recognition of these documents.

    The Norwegian government has not issued any public directive regarding this apparent policy shift, maintaining that current border enforcement actions merely reflect “general policy” implementation. This development creates a paradoxical situation where Caribbean CBI nations technically retain visa-free status on paper while their citizens face effective exclusion in practice.

  • Trinis ducking Margarita, agencies insist island safe

    Trinis ducking Margarita, agencies insist island safe

    Travel agencies in Trinidad and Tobago are observing a significant reduction in tourist bookings to Venezuela’s Margarita Island as geopolitical friction intensifies between the United States and the Venezuelan government. Despite the downturn, industry representatives emphasize that the island remains secure, fully operational, and detached from the mainland’s political struggles.

    The decline follows recent aggressive measures by the US against President Nicolás Maduro’s administration. On December 16, US President Donald Trump mandated a blockade targeting sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers, aiming to cripple the nation’s primary revenue stream. This action succeeded earlier moves, including the US declaration of Venezuelan airspace as entirely closed—though without explicit operational guidelines—and the seizure of an oil tanker bound for Cuba near Venezuelan waters on December 10. Additionally, Caribbean Airlines terminated all flights to Venezuela in September.

    Travel agents, who requested anonymity in discussions with Newsday on December 17, attributed the booking slump largely to public apprehension and misinformation rather than tangible security threats. A spokesperson for Travel Your Way Tours confirmed a visible decline since tensions escalated, with zero December bookings despite consistent feedback from recent travelers noting no issues. “Margarita Island is separate from mainland Venezuela. We’ve never had any issues,” the representative stated, highlighting uninterrupted Rutaca Airlines flights and absence of official travel advisories.

    The Vacation Connection Tours reported a near-total halt in interest since late October, with customers expressing fears over potential airspace closures and stranding scenarios. Although fares have risen from approximately $2,500 to $3,500, flights via Rutaca continue regularly, and the island is described as safe by local tour operators. Similarly, Anders Travel cited social media as a key driver of anxiety, disseminating exaggerated claims about unrest despite normalcy on the island. The agency relies on real-time security updates from Venezuelan partners and confirmed current visitors are engaging in routine activities without incident.

    Industry optimism persists for a rebound during peak travel periods like Easter and Labour Day, given Margarita’s historical popularity as an affordable, tranquil destination.

  • CARPHA and Small Arms Survey partner to advance Caribbean health and security frameworks

    CARPHA and Small Arms Survey partner to advance Caribbean health and security frameworks

    In a significant move to address regional security challenges, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Small Arms Survey have formalized a three-year strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding. This groundbreaking collaboration aims to enhance arms and ammunition management while mitigating risks associated with illicit small arms throughout the Caribbean region.

    The agreement represents a novel convergence of public health expertise and security research, combining CARPHA’s regional health leadership with the Small Arms Survey’s internationally recognized capabilities in arms monitoring and security analysis. This interdisciplinary approach seeks to develop comprehensive solutions to the complex interplay between armed violence and public health outcomes.

    CARPHA Executive Director Dr. Lisa Indar emphasized the critical nature of this collaboration during the signing ceremony, noting that violence and firearm-related injuries present escalating public health challenges across Caribbean communities. The partnership will enable strengthened surveillance systems, generate robust research data, and support member states through evidence-based policies designed to protect civilian lives and enhance community wellbeing.

    Dr. Nicolas Florquin, Head of Data and Analytics at the Small Arms Survey, welcomed the agreement as a strategic advancement in regional security response capabilities. The Geneva-based organization, an associated program of the Geneva Graduate Institute, brings decades of specialized experience in reducing illicit arms proliferation and armed violence through policy-relevant knowledge generation and capacity development.

    Under the agreement’s framework, the partners will pursue five key objectives: integrating firearm-related injury data into health surveillance systems; conducting joint studies on the health impacts of firearm violence; developing capacity-building materials for multiple government ministries; supporting evidence-based policymaking for Caricom governments; and facilitating public awareness campaigns using research findings.

    This innovative partnership marks a paradigm shift in addressing armed violence through public health methodologies, underscoring CARPHA’s commitment to regional health security while supporting member states in creating safer environments for Caribbean citizens.

  • Advancing housing recovery is imperative after Hurricane Melissa

    Advancing housing recovery is imperative after Hurricane Melissa

    Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has spearheaded a comprehensive evaluation of national recovery initiatives in response to Hurricane Melissa’s devastation and recent catastrophic flooding in Villa Clara municipalities. The assessment revealed substantial progress across multiple sectors while highlighting ongoing challenges.

    In Las Tunas province, Governor Yelenis Tornet Menéndez reported that restoration efforts are predominantly concentrated on revitalizing food production systems. Regarding housing infrastructure, 411 out of 538 damaged residences have been successfully restored, demonstrating significant reconstruction achievement.

    The healthcare sector has witnessed remarkable rehabilitation progress according to Health Minister Dr. José Angel Portal Miranda. Of 710 medical facilities affected across five eastern provinces, 185 have been completely restored, including 27 facilities rehabilitated within the past week. Patient services have been substantially normalized, with only 16 services remaining relocated compared to 23 immediately post-hurricane. Workforce recovery shows 73.4% of affected medical personnel (4,200+ out of 5,700) have returned to duty.

    Epidemiological surveillance has been intensified through enhanced population screening, particularly targeting vulnerable groups. Anti-vector measures and outbreak containment protocols have been strengthened to prevent post-disaster health crises.

    Water resource management has seen coordinated action, with National Institute of Water Resources President Antonio Rodríguez Rodríguez confirming all provinces have identified damaged pumping stations and restoration requirements. Prioritization has been given to agricultural water systems, with 22 of 97 damaged pumping stations already repaired.

    Agricultural recovery efforts have achieved the rehabilitation of 183,000 hectares, with land preparation and replanting operations constituting the sector’s primary focus, according to Agriculture Minister Ydael Pérez Brito.

    Electrical infrastructure restoration nears completion in eastern regions, with Santiago de Cuba—the most severely affected area—achieving 99% grid restoration.

    The assessment simultaneously addressed emergency flooding in Villa Clara province, where unprecedented rainfall exceeding 253 millimeters within hours triggered severe flooding in Sagua la Grande and Cifuentes municipalities. The disaster necessitated evacuation of 753 residents, most relocating to relatives’ or neighbors’ residences. Provincial authorities expressed confidence in addressing the compounded damage effectively.

  • 17 individuals convicted in Operation Discovery 2.0 fraud scheme targeting elderly Americans

    17 individuals convicted in Operation Discovery 2.0 fraud scheme targeting elderly Americans

    In a significant victory against transnational organized crime, Dominican authorities have secured convictions against 17 individuals and two corporate entities for operating an elaborate cyber fraud scheme that systematically targeted elderly American retirees. The verdict concludes Operation Discovery 2.0, an extensive multinational investigation initiated in 2023 that exposed a sophisticated network specializing in identity theft, large-scale fraud, and international money laundering.

    The judicial outcome, delivered by the First Court following a two-year investigation led by the General Directorate of Prosecution and Santiago Prosecutor’s Office, resulted in substantial prison terms ranging from four to seven years for primary offenders. The court additionally ordered the compulsory dissolution of two front companies instrumental to the operation and mandated comprehensive asset forfeiture, transferring all confiscated illicit proceeds to the Dominican State.

    According to Prosecutor Warlyn Alberto Tavares Reyes, the criminal enterprise operated through clandestine call centers masquerading as legitimate service providers. Utilizing advanced technological infrastructure, the network executed coordinated cyber fraud campaigns that specifically targeted vulnerable elderly populations in the United States, systematically draining victims’ lifetime savings.

    The investigation exemplified international law enforcement collaboration, with Dominican authorities working closely with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Special Division for Transnational Crime Investigation (DEDIDET). Investigators compiled an extensive evidentiary portfolio exceeding 450 items, including judicially authorized wiretap recordings, documentary evidence, electronic devices, and critical witness testimonies that substantiated charges of criminal conspiracy, aggravated fraud, identity theft, and money laundering. This cooperation facilitated the extradition and prosecution of additional suspects located in United States territory.

    The judicial dissolution targeted two corporations central to the criminal infrastructure: Agnes Travel SRL and Urtarte’s Paradise Call Center SRL. Law enforcement seizures included approximately RD$2 million and US$84,000 in cash, multiple vehicles, firearms, sophisticated electronic equipment, jewelry, and real estate properties acquired with illicit funds.

    Miguel Ángel Camilo Pérez (alias Camilo/Milo), identified as a principal network leader, received the maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment. Other key figures including Freddy William Urtarte (Metra), Juan Armando Vásquez Ramírez (Peligro), and several co-conspirators were sentenced to four-year prison terms, while multiple secondary defendants received suspended sentences of equivalent duration.

  • Frost hits Valle Nuevo for second day as temperatures drop below zero

    Frost hits Valle Nuevo for second day as temperatures drop below zero

    The Dominican Republic’s elevated regions are experiencing an extraordinary meteorological event as a severe cold spell grips the mountainous zone of Constanza. For two consecutive days, the Las Pirámides sector within Valle Nuevo has recorded sub-zero temperatures, marking the beginning of what forecasters predict could be an extended period of exceptionally cold conditions potentially lasting through mid-2026.

    Meteorological expert Jean Suriel documented the dramatic temperature plunge, with readings dropping to 0.2°C on Monday followed by a concerning descent to -0.5°C in Tuesday’s early hours. The situation was further exacerbated by wind chill factors driving the perceived temperature down to approximately -2°C. These extreme conditions have triggered two distinct cryospheric phenomena: the freezing of moisture on vegetation creating widespread frost, and the formation of hoarfrost from frozen fog—a rare occurrence typically reserved for high-altitude environments with severe cold exposure.

    The meteorological explanation points to a convergence of two significant weather systems. The unusual cold pattern originates from the advancement of frontal system number 14 across the northern Caribbean basin, which has merged with an invading polar air mass. This combination is being propelled by cold Atlantic winds that are channeling Arctic air deep into the Caribbean nation. The geographical configuration of the Dominican Republic’s highland areas, particularly those exceeding 2,000 meters in elevation, makes them exceptionally vulnerable to these intensified cold air incursions, creating microclimates that mirror temperate zone winter conditions rather than typical Caribbean weather patterns.

  • Pills, pills, and more pills: CBP seizes Tramadol destined for St. Kitts and Nevis

    Pills, pills, and more pills: CBP seizes Tramadol destined for St. Kitts and Nevis

    WASHINGTON, DC — United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials in Cleveland, Ohio have intercepted a substantial shipment of 30,000 tramadol tablets destined for the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. The seizure occurred on December 4th, 2025, when inspectors discovered the controlled substance concealed within a parcel originating from Barbados.

    According to official reports, CBP officers conducted routine inspection procedures on the incoming shipment and uncovered multiple small boxes containing push pill tabs. Each container held 30 tablets, culminating in a total seizure of 30,000 pills with an estimated street value of $150,000. The medication was identified as 50mg tramadol tablets, classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act.

    LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, Director of Field Operations for the Chicago Field Office, emphasized the dangers of unregulated prescription medications. ‘While narcotics seizures receive significant attention, illegal prescription pill shipments present equally serious health risks,’ Sutton-Burke stated. ‘These unregulated pharmaceuticals bypass FDA oversight and may contain hazardous, potentially poisonous chemicals.’

    Tramadol is a prescription pain medication typically administered for moderate to severe pain management, functioning by altering the brain’s pain perception mechanisms. Its classification as Schedule IV reflects recognized abuse potential, particularly among narcotic addicts, chronic pain patients, and certain healthcare professionals.

    Authorities have not disclosed the intended recipient’s identity in St. Kitts and Nevis, though officials noted the substantial quantity suggests possible destination to a medical facility or pharmacy rather than individual use. Local law enforcement agencies in the Federation confirm they have not received formal notification regarding the seizure from U.S. authorities.

    The CBP has reiterated its commitment to intercepting illegal pharmaceutical shipments and reminded consumers that e-commerce purchases must comply with all federal import regulations and admissibility requirements.

  • Caribbean Sprinter Runs Aground; 46 Passengers Evacuated Safely

    Caribbean Sprinter Runs Aground; 46 Passengers Evacuated Safely

    A maritime emergency response was triggered in Belize over the weekend when the Caribbean Sprinter water taxi vessel ‘Not Slow’ ran aground in mangrove forests during its scheduled route. The incident occurred on December 13, 2025, approximately twenty minutes into the vessel’s journey from Belize City toward the cayes through a channel locally known as ‘Short Cut.’

    Preliminary reports indicate the vessel, bearing registration number BZ0168 and operated by Caribbean Sprinters Limited, was transporting forty-six passengers and three crew members when it apparently lost navigational control and veered off course before becoming lodged in dense mangrove vegetation. Emergency protocols were immediately activated following the incident.

    The Belize Port Authority (BPA) coordinated rescue efforts alongside the vessel operator’s support teams, successfully evacuating all individuals aboard without reports of serious injuries. Medical personnel conducted evaluations at the scene, with four persons subsequently transported to healthcare facilities for additional treatment and observation as a precautionary measure.

    Caribbean Sprinters Limited has acknowledged the incident while suggesting adverse weather conditions—including heavy rainfall and compromised visibility—may have contributed to the grounding. The vessel has been dry-docked pending completion of a comprehensive investigation.

    Ports Commissioner Kaylon Young confirmed the BPA has initiated a dual-focused investigation examining both safety protocol breaches and potential legal violations. ‘We are conducting a holistic investigation from both safety and legal standpoints,’ Commissioner Young stated. ‘This requires determining the root cause and implementing preventive measures, whether through improved channel markings, enhanced master training, or additional lighting installations.’

    The investigation will determine whether operational infractions occurred while developing enhanced safety measures for future maritime operations in Belize’s coastal waterways.

  • Overheid scherpt aanpak illegale goudwinning in Brownsberg aan

    Overheid scherpt aanpak illegale goudwinning in Brownsberg aan

    Surinamese authorities have launched a coordinated offensive against escalating illegal gold mining operations within the protected confines of Brownsberg Nature Park. The strategic decision emerged from high-level consultations held Friday between key governmental and environmental agencies.

    The interagency meeting convened representatives from the Ministry of Land Policy and Forest Management (GBB), the Foundation for Nature Preservation in Suriname (STINASU), the Suriname Gold Sector Regulation Authority, and the National Forest Management Service. This collaborative effort was triggered by mounting evidence of intensified unauthorized gold extraction activities threatening the ecological integrity of the preserve.

    During the urgent deliberations, participants emphasized the critical severity of environmental violations and unanimously endorsed enhanced coordination mechanisms. The consensus yielded commitments to strengthen enforcement cooperation through joint operations, improved operational synchronization, and targeted intelligence sharing.

    Beyond immediate enforcement actions, officials discussed implementing structural preventive measures to ensure long-term protection of Brownsberg’s ecosystem. The comprehensive strategy combines tactical enforcement with sustainable conservation approaches, aiming to permanently safeguard the park’s legal and ecological protections. Forthcoming operations will demonstrate the government’s reinforced commitment to combating environmental crimes in protected areas.