Carib Scope

分类： world

  • UK joins Guyana-led Global Biodiversity Alliance

    UK joins Guyana-led Global Biodiversity Alliance

    In a significant move for global conservation efforts, the United Kingdom has officially joined the Guyana-led Global Biodiversity Alliance (GBA). The announcement was made by outgoing British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller, during a ceremony attended by President Irfaan Ali on January 23, 2026.

    Commissioner Miller emphasized the strategic importance of the UK’s participation, stating that joining the alliance ‘feels right’ given the urgent need to address biodiversity loss worldwide. She revealed that President Ali is scheduled to travel to the UK the following week for further discussions on enhancing the GBA’s initiatives.

    The Global Biodiversity Alliance, launched in July 2025 under Guyana’s leadership, represents a multinational effort to mobilize financial resources and technical expertise in accordance with the Convention on Biological Diversity. Current estimates indicate a substantial funding gap in global conservation efforts—while approximately $200 billion is invested annually in nature preservation, the actual requirement stands at $700 billion to meet international biodiversity targets.

    The alliance operates through five strategic pillars: advancing the ’30×30′ goal of conserving 30% of land and oceans by 2030; integrating biodiversity metrics into national and corporate planning; developing innovative financing mechanisms including biodiversity credits and green bonds; empowering Indigenous communities as natural guardians; and establishing robust monitoring systems through the Global Biodiversity Product and Gross Biodiversity Power Index.

    The UK’s involvement builds upon its established commitment to environmental preservation, having been previously recognized as the top contributor to the Global Biodiversity Fund. Then-UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy (now Deputy Prime Minister) had previously endorsed the alliance’s comprehensive approach, particularly emphasizing the importance of community engagement and innovative financing solutions.

  • Security : Overview of the GSF deployment schedule in Haiti

    Security : Overview of the GSF deployment schedule in Haiti

    The multinational Gang Suppression Force (GSF) has unveiled its operational timeline for deployment in Haiti, with initial contingents scheduled to arrive in April 2026 and full operational capacity expected by October 2026. The announcement came from Jack Christofides, the designated Special Representative of the force, who is poised to officially assume his command position in February.

    Christofides confirmed that financial backing for the mission has been secured for an initial twelve-month period, providing crucial stability for the international intervention aimed at combating gang violence and restoring security in the crisis-ridden nation.

    In a significant diplomatic development, Christofides recently convened with Roberto Álvarez, the Dominican Republic’s Foreign Minister, as part of coordinated international efforts to support Haitian stabilization. The meeting underscored the regional commitment to addressing Haiti’s security challenges, with Christofides expressing appreciation for the Dominican Republic’s cooperative stance and announcing plans for an official visit to Santo Domingo upon assuming his duties.

    Parallel diplomatic engagements saw Minister Álvarez meeting with Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH). Their discussions centered on the critical need to extend BINUH’s mandate beyond its January 31, 2026 expiration and strategize more effective responses to Haiti’s deteriorating security situation.

    Álvarez reaffirmed the Dominican Republic’s commitment to supporting the international mission through medical evacuation services for GSF personnel and providing logistical support from Dominican territory, highlighting the cross-border nature of the security crisis and the regional response required to address it.

  • US military says 2 killed in boat strike, with 1 survivor

    US military says 2 killed in boat strike, with 1 survivor

    In a significant military operation, United States forces executed a targeted kinetic strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean this Friday, resulting in two fatalities. The operation, directed by Joint Task Force Southern Spear under the command of Pete Hegseth, targeted a boat allegedly operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations engaged in narcotics trafficking.

    According to the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), the strike left one survivor, prompting immediate coordination with the US Coast Guard to initiate search and rescue operations for the individual. The military command confirmed the operation through an official statement on social media platform X, characterizing the action as part of ongoing counter-narcotics efforts in the region.

    The incident represents the latest in a series of US military interventions against suspected drug trafficking operations in international waters. These operations typically target vessels believed to be transporting illicit substances from South America toward North American markets. The eastern Pacific route has become increasingly significant for drug trafficking organizations seeking to evade land-based interdiction efforts.

    CNN has sought additional commentary from the US Coast Guard regarding the search and rescue mission’s status and details about the surviving individual. The military’s public disclosure of the operation underscores the continued prioritization of counter-narcotics missions in US security policy, particularly concerning organizations designated as terrorist entities engaged in drug trafficking.

  • Sangster airport reports several flight cancellations due to winter storm

    Sangster airport reports several flight cancellations due to winter storm

    MBJ Airports Limited, the operational authority for Sangster International Airport (SIA) in St. James, Jamaica, has confirmed significant disruptions to flight schedules due to severe winter weather conditions impacting multiple regions across the United States.

    The airport operator issued an official advisory on Saturday evening detailing numerous flight cancellations and delays affecting both inbound and outbound services for Sunday, January 25, and Monday, January 26, 2026. Among the confirmed cancellations is JetBlue Airlines flight B6 779 from New York’s JFK International Airport, originally scheduled to arrive on Monday.

    Airport authorities have strongly recommended that affected passengers directly contact their respective airlines for real-time updates, revised itineraries, and rebooking options. The severe weather system moving across the United States has created a ripple effect on international air travel, particularly affecting Caribbean destinations with high connectivity to US hubs.

    MBJ Airports Limited has directed travelers to monitor official communication channels for continuing updates, including the company’s primary website (www.mbjairport.com) and verified social media profiles on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). The airport management has assured stakeholders they are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with airline partners to minimize passenger inconvenience.

  • Snow, ice hit western, central US as massive storm sweeps nation

    Snow, ice hit western, central US as massive storm sweeps nation

    A colossal winter storm system is sweeping across the United States, unleashing a barrage of snow, freezing rain, and life-threatening cold from the Southwest to the Northeast. The National Weather Service has issued grave warnings of potentially “catastrophic” ice accumulations and massive snowfall, placing tens of millions of Americans under threat of widespread blackouts and severe transportation disruptions.

    In an unprecedented response, at least 16 states alongside the nation’s capital, Washington D.C., have declared states of emergency. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy indicated that the storm’s reach could impact a staggering 240 million citizens. The travel sector is already in chaos, with over 3,400 U.S. flights cancelled on Saturday and an additional 1,100 delayed, according to flight tracking data.

    Local governments are urging extreme caution. In Houston, the country’s fourth-largest city, Mayor John Whitmire directed residents to secure themselves in place for the next 72 hours. Dallas experienced plummeting temperatures to 21°F (-6°C) amid freezing rain, while officials in Texas sought to reassure the public that the state’s power grid was significantly reinforced since its catastrophic failure during a deadly 2021 winter storm.

    The storm’s trajectory is set to batter the heavily populated mid-Atlantic and northeastern regions, with forecasts predicting an “astonishingly long swath” of winter hazards from New Mexico to Maine. The National Weather Service cautioned that icy conditions would “linger well into next week,” creating persistently dangerous surfaces for driving and walking.

    Meteorologists attribute the severe weather event to a stretched polar vortex—a large area of cold, low-pressure air from the Arctic that has contorted from its typical circular formation into an oval shape, spilling frigid air across North America. While the scientific community continues to debate the precise role of climate change, evidence suggests a increasing frequency of such polar vortex disruptions.

    The political dimension emerged as former President Donald Trump, a known skeptic of climate science, used his social media platform to question, “WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GLOBAL WARMING???”

    In preparation for the storm’s peak, the federal government announced preemptive closures of its offices on Monday. From New York, Governor Kathy Hochul warned that mere minutes outdoors could pose serious health risks, urging citizens to protect property, use heaters safely, and check on vulnerable neighbors. The dangerous cold is expected to persist for up to a week after the storm, particularly in the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, where wind chills could plunge below -50°F (-45°C)—conditions capable of causing frostbite within minutes.

  • Wanted man captured in Dominica and sent back home to face justice

    Wanted man captured in Dominica and sent back home to face justice

    In a significant demonstration of regional law enforcement cooperation, Dominican authorities have successfully repatriated a fugitive from Saint Lucia who was apprehended during a routine narcotics operation. Merkyle Cooper, a Saint Lucian national, was initially detained in October during ‘Operation Clean Street’ on cannabis possession charges and promptly paid a $1,100 fine.

    During subsequent investigations, the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) uncovered Cooper’s status as a wanted individual in Saint Lucia for serious criminal offenses. This discovery triggered immediate custodial measures while extradition procedures were coordinated between the two nations.

    The collaborative effort culminated on January 22, 2026, when Cooper was formally transferred to Saint Lucian law enforcement officials to answer for his alleged crimes. The CDPF emphasized that this operation underscores their commitment to regional security partnerships and inter-jurisdictional justice.

    In a strongly worded statement, Dominican police issued a clear warning to international criminal elements: “Dominica is not a hiding place. Anyone who commits crimes in other countries and believes they can come here to hide or evade justice will be tracked, arrested, and returned to face the law. There is no safe haven for criminals in Dominica.”

    While officials have not disclosed the specific nature of Cooper’s alleged crimes in Saint Lucia, the case represents a successful implementation of regional security protocols between Caribbean Commonwealth nations.

  • FAO helps farmers assess investment opportunities and preparedness of protected agriculture farms in Antigua and Barbuda

    FAO helps farmers assess investment opportunities and preparedness of protected agriculture farms in Antigua and Barbuda

    The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is spearheading a strategic initiative to bolster agricultural resilience in Antigua and Barbuda through protected farming systems. This program focuses on empowering local farmers by providing critical analytical tools to evaluate investment viability and operational readiness for controlled-environment agriculture ventures.

    Central to this initiative is a comprehensive methodology enabling agricultural stakeholders to conduct thorough cost-benefit analyses of protected farming infrastructure. The program assesses multiple dimensions including technological adaptation, financial sustainability, and climate resilience capabilities. Through technical workshops and field assessments, FAO experts are guiding farmers in evaluating infrastructure requirements, operational costs, and potential market returns for greenhouse and other protected cultivation systems.

    The intervention addresses Antigua and Barbuda’s specific agricultural challenges, particularly those exacerbated by climate vulnerabilities and import dependency. By facilitating transition to protected agriculture, the project aims to enhance domestic food production capacity, reduce economic losses from extreme weather events, and create sustainable livelihood opportunities within the agricultural sector.

    This capacity-building effort represents a significant component of broader Caribbean agricultural modernization initiatives, demonstrating how targeted technical assistance can strengthen food security in small island developing states. The program’s implementation methodology could serve as a replicable model for other nations facing similar agricultural challenges in climate-vulnerable regions.

  • Honorary Consul urges Dominican community to support humanitarian aid for Ukraine

    Honorary Consul urges Dominican community to support humanitarian aid for Ukraine

    Santo Domingo – In a significant diplomatic address, Victoria Yakimoba, Ukraine’s Honorary Consul to the Dominican Republic, has relayed an urgent international humanitarian appeal from Kyiv’s Foreign Ministry. The plea comes as Ukraine confronts a severe winter exacerbated by an energy infrastructure crisis resulting from ongoing military conflict.

    The foreign ministry’s call to action targets multiple sectors of global society, including national governments, international aid organizations, corporate entities, public figures, and private citizens worldwide. The initiative seeks coordinated support to alleviate suffering among vulnerable populations—particularly children, families, and isolated communities—who remain within Ukraine’s borders.

    International solidarity efforts are already underway, as evidenced by Poland’s highly successful ‘Hugs for Kyiv’ campaign. This humanitarian drive has demonstrated remarkable efficacy, accumulating over 40 million hryvnias (approximately $1 million USD) through contributions from nearly 24,000 individual and institutional donors.

    Financial resources obtained through this global initiative will be strategically allocated to procure critical survival equipment, including electrical generators, alternative power systems, and other essential resources necessary for maintaining basic living conditions during winter months. To ensure transparency and security in contributions, the Ukrainian World Congress has published an official international transfer protocol detailing verified donation procedures.

    Consul Yakimoba characterized this appeal as both a humanitarian imperative and an invitation to global solidarity. She specifically encouraged Dominican civil society, private enterprises, and humanitarian organizations to participate in this international effort, emphasizing shared values of human dignity, cooperative responsibility, and transnational compassion during crisis.

  • International Gang Suppression Force to start operations in Haiti in April

    International Gang Suppression Force to start operations in Haiti in April

    NEW YORK – In a significant development for Caribbean security, the inaugural contingents of the multinational Gang Suppression Force (GSF) are scheduled to commence operations in Haiti this April. This deployment forms a critical component of a broader international initiative aimed at reestablishing security and governmental stability in the crisis-affected nation.

    The timeline was confirmed by GSF Special Representative Jack Christofides following high-level discussions with Dominican Republic Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez in New York. Minister Álvarez underscored the critical necessity for rapid deployment, emphasizing his government’s steadfast endorsement of the mission’s objectives.

    Christofides provided further operational details, indicating that a complete deployment of the international force is anticipated by October. Financial backing for the mission has been secured, with funding authorized for an initial twelve-month operational period. The bilateral meeting also served as a platform to evaluate the mission’s organizational framework and advance logistical coordination.

    In a gesture of diplomatic appreciation, Christofides extended gratitude to the Dominican Republic for its collaborative support and disclosed intentions to conduct an official visit to Santo Domingo upon formally assuming his duties in Haiti. Concurrently, Foreign Minister Álvarez engaged in separate talks with Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the United Nations Special Representative and head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH). Their discussions centered on enhancing ongoing collaboration and the impending renewal of BINUH’s mandate, which is due to expire on January 31.

    Reaffirming its role as a key regional partner, the Dominican Republic pledged continued support for critical mission components, including facilitating medical evacuations and offering its territory as a logistical hub for GSF operations.

  • OAS Says Belize–Guatemala Incursions are Manageable

    OAS Says Belize–Guatemala Incursions are Manageable

    The Organization of American States (OAS) has indicated that while border incidents between Belize and Guatemala are expected to persist, enhanced diplomatic mechanisms are now effectively managing these tensions. During a high-level meeting convened by the OAS Office on January 22, 2026, officials detailed strengthened verification protocols and direct dialogue channels that have transformed the conflict management approach.

    Antonia Urrejola, Secretary General Representative of the OAS, provided context for the ongoing situation: ‘The Adjacency Zone exists for a specific reason—it contains communities from both nations, making incidents inevitable. What matters is the commitment both countries demonstrate in resolving these issues through diplomatic engagement.’

    Urrejola emphasized the critical role of the OAS verification mechanism, noting that office personnel now promptly investigate each reported incident. This systematic documentation process has significantly improved the effectiveness of conflict resolution compared to previous years.

    When questioned about enforcement consequences for violations, Sebastian Kralijevich, OAS Secretary of Democracy, highlighted the confidence-building nature of their work: ‘The primary outcome of our office’s efforts is enhanced trust between both parties. Through meetings like today’s, we’re reducing incidents and fostering a more collaborative environment.’

    The OAS assessment suggests that while complete elimination of border incidents remains unlikely, the current framework has created measurable progress in stabilizing the historically tense border region through practical diplomacy and verified accountability.