Carib Scope

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  • Deluxe Cinema Being Transformed Into 900-Seat Venue for CHOGM 2026 Opening

    Deluxe Cinema Being Transformed Into 900-Seat Venue for CHOGM 2026 Opening

    Antigua and Barbuda is undertaking a significant cultural transformation as it prepares to host the prestigious Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November 2026. The former Deluxe Cinema, a historic landmark, is being converted into a state-of-the-art events facility specifically designed to host the summit’s opening ceremony.

    Government officials confirmed the ambitious renovation project during Friday’s post-Cabinet media briefing. Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications, revealed that the repurposed venue—originally intended to become the Centre for Performing Arts—will undergo comprehensive upgrades to accommodate approximately 971 attendees for the high-profile international gathering.

    The cinema conversion represents just one component of a multifaceted preparation strategy. The American University of Antigua (AUA) has also been designated as a potential hosting site for CHOGM-related events as the government evaluates multiple venues capable of handling large delegations and formal sessions.

    This venue development initiative aligns with the nation’s broader ambition to establish itself as the Caribbean’s premier conference destination—a strategic vision emphasized by the Prime Minister during recent budget presentations. The timing of CHOGM 2026 holds particular significance as it coincides with Antigua and Barbuda’s Independence celebrations, potentially making it one of the largest international events in the nation’s history.

    The Deluxe Cinema renovation forms part of an extensive readiness agenda that Cabinet has classified as a top priority. This comprehensive approach includes parallel upgrades to national infrastructure, hospitality services, and event management capabilities. Additional details regarding the country’s preparation timeline and budgetary allocations are anticipated during the upcoming budget debate proceedings.

  • Climate Finance to Help Clear COVID-Era Arrears and Fund Resilience Projects, PM Says

    Climate Finance to Help Clear COVID-Era Arrears and Fund Resilience Projects, PM Says

    In a groundbreaking fiscal strategy, Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced plans to leverage climate financing as a multifaceted solution to both developmental and economic challenges. During his 2026 Budget Presentation, Browne revealed that emerging climate funds would be strategically deployed not only for critical resilience projects but also to clear substantial arrears accumulated during the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic downturn.

    The Prime Minister characterized climate finance as an ‘innovative fiscal tool’ that would accelerate national development while stabilizing public finances that have faced severe strain over the past five years. The government’s approach involves channeling these international resources into multiple priority areas including climate-resilient housing infrastructure, renewable energy transition, climate-smart public facilities, and enhanced environmental protection systems.

    Browne emphasized that his administration is positioning the twin-island nation as a leading voice among small island developing states (SIDS) advocating for equitable access to climate funding. This leadership role includes ongoing negotiations with international partners, multilateral financial institutions, and specialized climate facilities to secure new financing arrangements that prioritize adaptation requirements specific to vulnerable island nations.

    The strategic integration of climate-related resources is expected to complement domestic revenue measures and current debt consolidation efforts. This comprehensive approach aims to restore fiscal stability while simultaneously strengthening community resilience against climate impacts. The 2026 Budget reflects this dual priority with increased allocations for climate mitigation programs, advanced disaster preparedness systems, and localized adaptation initiatives designed to protect vulnerable populations.

    Parliamentary discussions on the budget are scheduled to continue in the coming week, where further details of this innovative climate finance implementation plan are expected to be elaborated.

  • Immigration announces eased entry for tourists from several countries, only with a valid passport.

    Immigration announces eased entry for tourists from several countries, only with a valid passport.

    In a significant move to enhance tourism accessibility, the Dominican Republic’s General Directorate of Migration (DGM) has officially extended a landmark immigration facilitation measure. Effective from December 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026, tourists from a specified list of nations will be permitted entry without meeting the conventional six-month passport validity requirement.

    The policy applies to citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, the United States, the United Kingdom, and all European Union member states. The only stipulation is that travelers must possess a passport that remains valid for the entire duration of their stay and until their departure from Dominican territory. This directive, formalized through a memorandum continuing Resolution No. DGM-01-2024, also extends to foreigners from other countries who hold valid documentation for entry into the aforementioned nations.

    In an official communiqué, the DGM framed this one-year extension as a reaffirmation of the national government’s commitment to stimulating international tourism and modernizing border control procedures. The initiative is strategically designed to dismantle administrative barriers and guarantee a more fluid and welcoming arrival experience for visitors originating from the country’s most critical tourism markets. This policy shift underscores a global trend where destination countries are streamlining entry protocols to remain competitive in the post-pandemic travel landscape.

  • Government blocks entry of pork from Spain due to swine fever; restriction includes processed products

    Government blocks entry of pork from Spain due to swine fever; restriction includes processed products

    SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – The Dominican government has enacted an urgent prohibition on all imports of pork and related commodities from Spain in response to a confirmed African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak within the European nation. The decisive action was formally declared on Thursday by Abel Madera, Director of the General Directorate of Livestock (DIGEGA).

    The preventative suspension was triggered by an official notification from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), which verified the detection of the highly contagious viral disease in wild boar populations located in Spain’s Catalonia region on November 28. Although the Dominican Republic is not a primary market for Spanish fresh pork, authorities emphasized that the move is a critical safeguard to insulate the Caribbean nation’s domestic swine industry and territory from potential contamination.

    Director Madera clarified that the comprehensive ban extends beyond fresh and frozen meat to encompass a wide range of products. This includes sausages, all other processed pork items, by-products, and genetic material. The restrictions will remain enforced until international and Spanish veterinary authorities can successfully contain the outbreak and provide certification that the threat has been entirely mitigated.

    Madera further noted that the majority of the Dominican Republic’s imported pork supply is sourced from the United States, not Spain. To bolster this defensive measure, the nation is maintaining its stringent inspection protocols at all ports and airports, with heightened vigilance on agricultural shipments deemed high-risk. Technical teams from DIGEGA have been placed on high alert to intensify epidemiological surveillance efforts across local farms and production zones.

  • November 2025 was the driest in four years: causes that broke the cycle of tragedies

    November 2025 was the driest in four years: causes that broke the cycle of tragedies

    The Dominican Republic has dramatically broken its November rainfall pattern, with 2025 recording the driest November in four years—a stark contrast to the catastrophic flooding events that previously defined this month. Meteorological analysis reveals a significant departure from the extreme weather conditions that caused substantial loss of life and property damage in recent years.

    According to Saddan Font-Frías Montero, head of the National Forecast Center at the Dominican Institute of Meteorology (INDOMET), November 2025 behaved climatologically as a transition month from wet to dry season rather than maintaining its historical pattern of extreme precipitation. The data shows rainfall totals fell below normal at 54% of the country’s monitoring stations, with particularly pronounced negative deviations along the northern coast.

    The contrast with previous years is striking. November 2022 witnessed one of the most devastating weather events when a trough combined with a tropical wave dropped 266 millimeters of rain within just four hours—equivalent to the entire November average—resulting in nine fatalities, submerged vehicles, and widespread urban flooding. The following year, 2023 brought another extreme event associated with potential tropical cyclone number 22 and an upper-level trough that caused more than 20 deaths, isolated 55 communities, and required the evacuation of 7,060 people to safe areas.

    Meteorological experts attribute the unusually dry conditions of November 2025 to the absence of upper atmospheric troughs (TUTT) and the lack of weather disturbances such as tropical waves or low-pressure centers that typically generate extraordinary rainfall during this period. This break from pattern offers the Caribbean nation respite from the seasonal tragedies that have historically transformed streets into rivers and claimed numerous lives during November.

  • Colombia : Specialized training concludes for 23 Haitian police officers

    Colombia : Specialized training concludes for 23 Haitian police officers

    In a significant bilateral cooperation effort, Colombia has successfully completed an intensive training program for 23 officers of the Haitian National Police (PNH). The closing ceremony, held on December 4th, 2025 at the Colombian International Police Training Center in San Luis, Tolima, was attended by Ambassador Rafael Orozco, Director for the Americas at Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    This specialized training initiative represents a concrete implementation of the Colombia-Haiti Work Plan, stemming from commitments made during President Gustavo Petro’s official visits to Haiti in January and July 2025. The program was developed through collaborative efforts between Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, National Police, and the Presidential Agency for International Cooperation (APC Colombia).

    Colombian police instructors delivered comprehensive training across five critical security domains essential for strengthening Haiti’s law enforcement capabilities. The curriculum focused on citizen security protocols, advanced criminal investigation techniques, tactical operations in both urban and rural environments, intelligence gathering methodologies, and strategies for combating smuggling operations.

    This capacity-building program underscores Colombia’s strategic commitment to supporting institutional strengthening and security stabilization in Haiti. The training approach emphasized knowledge transfer through practical, scenario-based learning designed to enhance the operational readiness and strategic decision-making capabilities of Haitian law enforcement personnel.

    The initiative reflects Colombia’s broader foreign policy objective of promoting regional security cooperation through technical assistance programs that respect national sovereignty while addressing shared security challenges. This cooperation model demonstrates how South-South collaboration can effectively contribute to peacebuilding and institutional development efforts in partner nations.

  • Hurricane season has ended

    Hurricane season has ended

    The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Services (TTMS) has formally declared the conclusion of the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season as of November 30. This season’s activity fell slightly below the historical average, generating 13 named storms. Among these, five intensified into hurricanes, with four reaching major hurricane status—defined by sustained winds exceeding 111 miles per hour.

    The season, however, was marked by its exceptional intensity rather than its frequency. The most catastrophic event was Hurricane Melissa, which etched its name in history as the first Category Five storm to make direct landfall on Jamaica. Striking the island nation on October 28 with devastating winds of 185 mph (approximately 298 km/h), Melissa unleashed widespread destruction. The hurricane triggered severe flooding, crippled critical infrastructure, and led to a profound humanitarian crisis.

    In response to the unprecedented damage, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the entire country a disaster zone. The official toll has been staggering, with preliminary estimates placing the cost of damage near $48 billion and a confirmed death toll of 75 individuals. The aftermath continues to pose severe challenges, including the outbreak of waterborne diseases in affected regions, hampering recovery efforts.

    The National Hurricane Center confirmed that Hurricane Melissa was not only the third Category Five hurricane of the season but also ranks among the most powerful Atlantic Basin hurricanes ever recorded. Its impact was felt across the Caribbean, inflicting extensive damage on Jamaica, Hispaniola, and eastern Cuba, leaving a lasting scar on the region.

  • US donates computers to Tobago school

    US donates computers to Tobago school

    In a significant demonstration of international educational partnership, the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has provided substantial technological resources to Roxborough Anglican Primary School in Tobago. The donation, valued at $25,000 USD, was formally presented on December 5th through the U.S. Embassy in Port of Spain as part of SOUTHCOM’s Humanitarian Assistance Program.

    The comprehensive educational package included ten complete computer workstations with desktop computers, desks, and chairs, accompanied by uninterrupted power supplies (UPS) to ensure consistent operation. The contribution further encompassed a printer, ten whiteboards, a refrigerator, microwave oven, and various stationery supplies designed to enhance the learning environment and promote digital literacy among students.

    U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Dr. Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz personally delivered the equipment to School Principal Verlene John during a ceremony held at the Union Street institution. The event was attended by multiple dignitaries including Dale Hercules (representing Tobago East’s Member of Parliament), School Manager Fr. Shaquille Charles, Parent-Teacher Association Vice President Michelle Duke, along with faculty members and students.

    Dr. de Ortiz emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative, stating: “This contribution strengthens the enduring partnership between our nations while investing directly in Trinidad and Tobago’s future. Education serves as the fundamental building block for opportunity and prosperity, and we take pride in supporting the empowerment of coming generations.”

    Principal John expressed profound gratitude for the donation, confirming that the computer systems would be integrated across all grade levels, significantly expanding digital access and learning opportunities for the entire student body. This outreach initiative represents ongoing efforts by SOUTHCOM to support educational development and strengthen international relations through humanitarian assistance programs.

  • Yellow-level weather alert until 6 pm

    Yellow-level weather alert until 6 pm

    The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service has escalated weather warnings by issuing its second yellow-level alert within days. Effective from 11 pm on December 6 until 6 pm on December 7, this advisory signals a period of heightened meteorological instability for the Caribbean nation.

    According to official forecasts, the region is bracing for unsettled conditions featuring rainfall of varying intensities. Meteorological models indicate a 60% probability of isolated thunderstorm activity developing throughout the alert period. The Met Office specifically warned that gusty winds exceeding 55 km/h could accompany heavy showers or thunderstorms, potentially displacing unsecured outdoor objects and creating hazardous marine conditions.

    The advisory highlighted multiple risk factors including possible street and flash flooding from intense downpours, with additional concerns about localized ponding in vulnerable areas. Authorities particularly noted that saturated terrain increases landslide risks, especially in geologically susceptible zones.

    While the most severe weather is anticipated within the official alert window, meteorological officials indicated that showery conditions would likely persist both before and after the designated period. This latest warning follows closely on the heels of a previous yellow alert that was in effect from December 3-4, creating a pattern of persistent adverse weather despite the official conclusion of the hurricane season on November 30.

  • Guyana Defence Force soldiers to assist Jamaica with post-hurricane reconstruction

    Guyana Defence Force soldiers to assist Jamaica with post-hurricane reconstruction

    GEORGETOWN, Guyana — In a significant demonstration of regional solidarity, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has deployed a specialized contingent of 41 military engineers to assist Jamaica’s recovery from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Melissa. The team, consisting of one officer and 40 additional ranks from the GDF’s Engineer Battalion, departed for the Caribbean neighbor on Friday, comprising both regular and reserve personnel.

    This strategic deployment highlights Guyana’s evolving role as a key responder to regional emergencies, with the engineering corps bringing substantial experience from previous disaster relief missions. According to official statements, these skilled personnel will collaborate directly with Jamaican authorities to reconstruct critical infrastructure, rehabilitate damaged communities, and bolster ongoing humanitarian operations across affected regions.

    The mission was formally commissioned by Acting Chief of Defence Staff Colonel Kenlloyd Roberts, who personally briefed the contingent before their departure. Colonel Roberts emphasized the critical importance of maintaining professional standards while representing both their military unit and the nation of Guyana on foreign soil. “Expectations are high, but I am confident you will deliver and represent the commander-in-chief with pride,” he stated, acknowledging Guyana’s emerging leadership in regional disaster response initiatives.

    Notably, the deployment occurs during the traditional Christmas holiday period, with Colonel Roberts recognizing the personal sacrifices made by personnel who reported for duty despite the seasonal emphasis on family gatherings and celebrations. The GDF’s statement further emphasized that this mobilization underscores the force’s operational flexibility and depth of regional commitment, reflecting a strong sense of Caribbean responsibility as neighboring nations continue to grapple with Hurricane Melissa’s severe aftermath.