Carib Scope

分类： world

  • Serial Arsonist Tracked Down and Jailed!

    Serial Arsonist Tracked Down and Jailed!

    In a major breakthrough for environmental protection in Belize, a serial arsonist who ignited more than 30 blazes inside the protected Five Blues Lake National Park has been captured and sentenced to prison, authorities confirmed this week. The incident, which unfolded in late May, was narrowly stopped before it could spiral into a catastrophic regional wildfire, according to park management officials.

    Rangers from the national park first detected suspicious activity on May 25, when they arrived for a pre-scheduled camping program. Upon entry, they discovered multiple pieces of park property—including visitor camping equipment, recreational kayaks, and other park operational supplies—had been completely destroyed by intentional fire.

    To identify the perpetrator, park management reviewed footage from the park’s network of wildlife monitoring camera traps. The recordings captured a male individual acting suspiciously across multiple zones of the protected area on the same day the equipment was burned.

    Acting on the intelligence gathered from the camera traps, rangers organized an overnight stakeout on May 26. The operation paid off when rangers caught the man in the process of igniting another fire within the park boundaries. A search of his personal backpack recovered several items stolen from the park as well as multiple incendiary materials used to start the dozens of blazes.

    Park co-managers from the Hummingbird Environmental Tour Guide Association (HETA) worked alongside the Association of Protected Areas Management Organisations (APAMO) to transfer the case to Belizean law enforcement authorities immediately after the arrest. The suspect was confirmed to be a Salvadoran national who had entered the country without formal authorization.

    He has already been convicted and sentenced to six months of jail time on charges of illegal entry into Belize, and officials confirmed he is scheduled to face additional criminal charges related to the multiple counts of arson and theft of park property. Rangers emphasized that their quick intervention stopped what could have become a devastating wildfire that would have destroyed critical protected ecosystems and threatened nearby communities.

    Five Blues Lake National Park is one of Belize’s key protected natural areas, hosting hundreds of local and international visitors annually and preserving unique native biodiversity. The park is co-managed by local environmental and tour industry groups alongside national conservation authorities.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Ranked Second in World for Support of UN System

    Antigua and Barbuda Ranked Second in World for Support of UN System

    In a recent global assessment measuring commitment to the United Nations system, the small twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda has claimed an impressive second position worldwide, highlighting its consistent and unwavering dedication to multilateral cooperation. The ranking, compiled based on a range of metrics including voting alignment with UN priorities, financial contributions to UN agencies, participation in peacekeeping missions, and engagement with UN-led development initiatives, places Antigua and Barbuda ahead of dozens of larger, more economically powerful nations. For decades, this Caribbean nation has positioned itself as a staunch advocate for the UN’s core mission of maintaining global peace, advancing sustainable development, and upholding international law. As a small island developing state, Antigua and Barbuda has repeatedly leveraged its participation in the UN system to amplify the voices of similarly vulnerable nations, particularly on pressing issues such as climate change adaptation, sea-level rise, and equitable access to global development resources. Observers note that this high ranking reflects not just a formal commitment to the UN, but a deep-seated belief among the nation’s leadership and public that multilateral collaboration is the only effective path to addressing transnational challenges that no country can solve alone. The outcome of the assessment has drawn attention to the outsized role that small nations can play in advancing global governance, challenging the common narrative that only major world powers shape the direction of international institutions. Diplomatic analysts point out that Antigua and Barbuda’s consistent support for the UN system has also helped it build strong diplomatic ties across the global community, strengthening its own position in international negotiations while contributing to the legitimacy and effectiveness of the world body.

  • Cuban woman disappears on her way to work

    Cuban woman disappears on her way to work

    Five days have passed since 26-year-old Cuban national Dailen Paneque Gómez disappeared while heading to her workplace in Guyana, leaving local law enforcement and the country’s tight-knit Cuban community searching for answers. The case was officially filed with Guyanese police on June 19, 2026, at the Mon Repos police outpost, according to Deputy Police Commissioner Wendell Blanhum, who heads the Guyana Police Force’s Criminal Investigations Department.

    Details of Gómez’s final hours have been shared by her friend Ibrain Beritan Lago, who outlined a timeline of the morning she vanished. On June 18, Gómez was seen preparing lunch by Beritan Lago’s cousin at approximately 6:20 a.m. She exchanged text messages with Beritan Lago at 6:43 a.m., and roughly 36 minutes later, sent a final reply confirming she had nearly reached the Mon Repos Health Centre — her place of employment. No contact has been recorded from Gómez since that 7:19 a.m. message.

    The unexplained disappearance has sparked deep anxiety across Guyana’s Cuban population, as well as among Gómez’s immediate family, friends, and colleagues. In an official statement released on behalf of the Cuban community in the country, organizers noted that the situation has caused significant distress, with many holding out hope and organizing prayers for Gómez’s safe return.

    To escalate efforts to locate the missing woman and uncover the circumstances of her disappearance, the Cuban community has formally appealed to Guyana’s highest state authorities. The appeal is addressed to President Irfaan Ali, Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond, Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken, and all other relevant government agencies, calling on them to deploy all available resources to advance the search and investigation.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Among Commonwealth States Eligible for New US$200,000 Climate Grants

    Antigua and Barbuda Among Commonwealth States Eligible for New US$200,000 Climate Grants

    Against the backdrop of accelerating global climate disruption that disproportionately threatens low-lying coastal nations, the Commonwealth Secretariat and Azerbaijan’s COP29 Presidency have launched a new request for proposals, opening access to $5 million in dedicated climate funding for on-the-ground projects across 25 Commonwealth Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The announcement was timed to coincide with the kickoff of London Climate Action Week, marking the next phase of collaboration between the two bodies that launched two joint flagship climate initiatives in April 2026.

    At the core of this partnership is the COP29 Presidency–Commonwealth Fund for Small Island Developing States, a five-year resiliency initiative that allows national governments of all eligible Commonwealth SIDS to apply for project grants of up to $200,000. The fund will prioritize three core impact areas: boosting community-level climate resilience, reversing declining ocean health, and scaling up accessible sustainable energy solutions across SIDS. This funding pool is designed to translate national climate action plans laid out by SIDS governments into tangible, on-the-ground progress by strengthening domestic institutional capacity, refining local policy and regulatory frameworks, attracting additional public and private climate investment, and leveraging collaborative partnership platforms developed through COP29 Presidency programming. Project selection will prioritize practical, implementable, high-impact proposals that deliver inclusive benefits, with a specific focus on marginalized groups including Indigenous peoples, local communities, women, and youth.

    Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General for Programmes, Ambassador Tanmaya Lal, emphasized that coordinated collective action is the only viable path forward to address the global climate crisis. “Climate change is a global challenge. It requires action, and none of us can do it alone, and it requires partnership – partnerships such as the one that brings us together today,” Lal noted. He added that this initiative builds on the inaugural SIDS Leaders’ Summit on Climate Change, convened by the COP29 Presidency in Baku two years prior, and aligns with the core focus of the Commonwealth’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, which centers on leveraging cross-stakeholder partnerships to drive climate action.

    His Excellency Elshad Isgandarov, Ambassador at Large of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representative of the COP29 Presidency, reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s long-term commitment to deepening collaborative ties with SIDS. “Azerbaijan is firmly committed to deepening its partnership with Small Island Developing States. Our successful chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement and the convening of the first-ever SIDS Leaders’ Summit on Climate Change during COP29 in Baku have fostered greater trust, confidence, and understanding among our nations,” Isgandarov said. Amid a global contraction in available international development finance, Isgandarov noted that the partnership with the Commonwealth aims to support country-led, innovative climate solutions that can attract scaled blended finance through expanded collaboration with global climate funds, multilateral development banks, and private sector investors. The initiative is framed as a core part of the lasting COP29 legacy, with new partnership platforms and programming continuing to be developed in coming years.

    The fund is structured to support at least one government-endorsed project in each of the 25 eligible Commonwealth SIDS. Priority funding areas cover a broad range of climate needs: climate mitigation and adaptation, ecosystem restoration, conservation and sustainable natural resource management, and a just transition to renewable energy. Proposals focused on complementary priorities including early warning climate systems, climate risk planning, nature-based climate solutions, marine protection, sustainable fisheries management, and resilient renewable energy infrastructure will also receive strong consideration.

    This joint funding initiative underscores the Commonwealth’s longstanding commitment to advancing partnership-driven action that delivers direct support to climate-vulnerable member states and helps local communities build safer, more resilient, and more prosperous futures. It aligns directly with the official theme of the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM): “Accelerating partnerships and investment for a prosperous Commonwealth”. CHOGM will convene in Antigua and Barbuda this coming November, just weeks before the next UN climate conference, COP31, which will be hosted in Antalya, Türkiye, and co-hosted by Commonwealth member Australia. Proposals will be reviewed and selected by the partnership in due course.

  • Connect2Reconnect Delegation Strengthens Antigua, Barbuda and Dominica Ties

    Connect2Reconnect Delegation Strengthens Antigua, Barbuda and Dominica Ties

    After nearly three weeks of diplomatic, cultural and community engagement across three Caribbean destinations, the Waltham Forest, Antigua & Barbuda and Dominica Twinning Association (WFTA) has successfully concluded its landmark Connect2Reconnect (C2R) Pilot 2025 delegation visit, an initiative designed to deepen long-standing people-to-people and institutional bonds between the London Borough of Waltham Forest and its Caribbean twin partners.

    Helmed by WFTA Chair Mervin Caesar-John, the cross-functional delegation departed the UK for the Caribbean on April 20 and wrapped up its on-the-ground activities before returning on May 8. Throughout the trip, members prioritized open dialogue and collaborative planning, scheduling a packed itinerary of formal and informal engagements with senior government representatives, local community leaders, and grassroots cultural organizations across all three islands.

    On Barbuda, the delegation held productive working sessions with Member of Parliament Trevor Walker and John Mussington, Chair of the Barbuda Council, before touring The Lit! Project, a local community literacy and youth empowerment initiative that has drawn regional acclaim for its work expanding access to educational resources for remote island communities. The trip then moved to Antigua, where delegation members held an audience with Governor General Sir Rodney Williams. Their discussion centered on pressing shared priorities, including advancing community public health initiatives and expanding global awareness of dementia care and support.

    From Antigua, the group traveled to Dominica, the final stop on their itinerary. There, WFTA delegates joined multi-stakeholder planning meetings to align on future collaborative projects, took part in the island’s iconic annual Jazz ‘n Creole Festival to celebrate local cultural heritage, and participated in a series of media engagements and cultural exchange activities to share the goals of the C2R initiative with local audiences.

    A core ceremonial component of the visit saw the delegation present official framed twinning declarations to governing bodies in each of the three destinations. These documents serve as a public reaffirmation of the official partnership first established between Waltham Forest and the three Caribbean nations back in April 1999. In a post-visit statement, WFTA framed the C2R Pilot 2025 delegation as a critical milestone in the association’s 27-year history of cross-regional partnership, highlighting the visit’s success in reactivating connections after years of limited in-person exchange and laying the groundwork for future collaborative projects.

  • UN Secretary-General Urges Global Action as Climate Change Continues to Impact Communities Worldwide

    UN Secretary-General Urges Global Action as Climate Change Continues to Impact Communities Worldwide

    On the opening of 2026 London Climate Action Week, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered a stark warning to global stakeholders at the Climate Change Forum in London, outlining that two interconnected systemic crises are already inflicting widespread harm on communities across every continent. Guterres centered his address on the inextricable link between accelerating climate breakdown and mounting global energy insecurity, arguing that the dual threats cannot be addressed with fragmented, national-level action alone and require a coordinated, global response.

    The UN chief emphasized that the accelerating climate crisis is already pushing the planet toward catastrophic temperature increases and irreversible tipping points, while the concurrent energy insecurity crisis has laid bare the deep structural risks of a global economy still overwhelmingly reliant on carbon-intensive fossil fuels. Though these two crises are often framed as separate policy challenges, Guterres stressed that they share deep roots and demand a unified approach centered on a rapid, equitable transition to renewable clean energy.

    “They both demand a fast, fair transition to clean energy – and a surge in adaptation, resilience and climate justice for those already facing climate harm,” Guterres told attendees.

    Citing long-term climate data, Guterres noted that climate-related extreme weather events have grown both in frequency and destructive intensity over the past decade, with 11 of the warmest years on record having occurred in the last 12 years. He warned that the impending El Niño weather pattern is set to exacerbate these trends, pushing temperatures even higher and increasing the risk of catastrophic disasters.

    “Around the world, climate disasters are becoming more frequent, more destructive, and more costly,” he said. “And the World Meteorological Organization has warned we ain’t seen nothing yet. El Niño is not just knocking on the door. It risks blowing the house down.”

    A core pillar of Guterres’ address centered on climate justice: he repeatedly highlighted that low-income vulnerable communities, which have contributed the least to cumulative greenhouse gas emissions, bear the overwhelming majority of climate change’s harmful impacts.

    Guterres also reminded the audience of the landmark 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, where global leaders committed to holding global average temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with a specific target to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. A decade on from that agreement, leading climate scientists now warn that the world is on track to exceed the 1.5-degree threshold in the near future, making urgent action non-negotiable.

    “The task before us is to strictly limit the overshoot, shorten its duration, and bring temperatures down below 1.5 degrees Celsius as fast as possible,” he added. “Every fraction of a degree matters!”

    Turning to energy security, Guterres pointed to ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East as a recent example of how overreliance on fossil fuels leaves the global economy exposed to disruption. Continued volatility has driven sharp spikes in global energy prices, he explained, placing unbearable additional economic pressure on nations around the world. For developing economies in particular, this volatility extends far beyond energy market instability: it triggers cascading debt crises, threatens global food security, and derails decades of progress on sustainable development.

    “For many developing countries, this is not just an energy crisis. It is a debt shock. A food shock. A development shock,” he noted. “And I would add that any peace agreement is welcome and would bring much needed relief, but – make no mistake – the impacts are likely to be long-lasting.”

    In closing, Guterres argued that the dual climate and energy crises have exposed the fatal flaws of the fossil-fuel-powered development model that has dominated the global economy for more than a century. This outdated model, he explained, treats the natural world as an unlimited resource open to unrestricted exploitation, generates massive aggregated wealth while deepening systemic global inequality, and leaves energy supplies vulnerable to disruption from single regional conflicts or chokepoint blockages that send prices soaring. Most unjustly, he added, it continues to force the communities that contributed least to the crises to face the most severe consequences.

  • Pakistan: Landelijk alarm wegens dreiging zware regenval en overstromingen

    Pakistan: Landelijk alarm wegens dreiging zware regenval en overstromingen

    Pakistan is bracing for what could become its fourth straight year of extreme monsoon rainfall, a pattern that has raised catastrophic flood risks across large swathes of the South Asian nation. On Sunday, the country’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a nationwide alert warning of approaching thunderstorms, intense downpours, urban flooding, and an elevated threat of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in Pakistan’s northern high-altitude regions.

    High-risk areas have been identified as the mountainous Hunza and Skardu districts of Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as much of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Even the capital Islamabad and its neighboring major city Rawalpindi, alongside other major urban centers, have been placed on high preparedness alert. Local and provincial government agencies have been ordered to clear all drainage networks in advance to minimize waterlogging and flood-related damage.

    The urgent alert comes as climate scientists and disaster officials widely forecast that this year’s monsoon season, set to begin later in June, will bring another round of extreme precipitation. For nearly a decade, Pakistan has faced increasingly destructive annual rainfall and flood events that have claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions of residents across the country.

    The escalating crisis is deeply tied to the accelerating global climate emergency, a burden Pakistan bears disproportionately despite its minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions. Responsible for less than 1% of the world’s total historical carbon dioxide emissions, Pakistan ranks among the top five countries most severely impacted by human-caused climate change. The 2022 floods stand as a stark reminder of this vulnerability: that year, extreme rainfall and accelerated glacial melt inundated nearly one-third of the country, killing more than 1,700 people and displacing over 30 million residents.

    This year, record-breaking heat has amplified glacial melt risk in the north. Temperatures in the Gilgit-Baltistan region hit an unprecedented 48.5 degrees Celsius in 2026, speeding up the melt of ancient glaciers and fueling the rapid formation of thousands of new glacial lakes. When these lakes breach their natural debris dams, they trigger GLOFs – catastrophic flash floods that can destroy entire remote mountain villages in just a few hours.

    Pakistan is home to roughly 13,000 glaciers, more than any other country outside the polar regions. United Nations data identifies more than 3,000 of these newly formed glacial lakes as potential flood hazards, with 33 classified as extremely high-risk. An estimated 7.1 million Pakistanis live within danger zones near these unstable glacial formations.

    Despite growing risks, the country’s ability to respond to the threat remains severely constrained. In 2017, Pakistan launched a GLOF risk reduction project with support from the United Nations Development Programme, but current early warning systems only cover a small fraction of high-risk areas. Some of the most vulnerable districts, including Ghizer, Diamer, and parts of Hunza, have no functional early warning infrastructure at all.

    The 2022 disaster also exposed deep gaps in long-term recovery and resilience funding. At an international donor conference held in Geneva in 2023, donors pledged approximately $11 billion in recovery and adaptation aid for Pakistan. As of mid-2025, only around $4.5 billion of that pledged funding has actually been disbursed to the country.

    Climate and disaster experts warn that persistent gaps in funding, limited access to adaptation technology, and slow progress on building local response capacity leave Pakistan acutely vulnerable to escalating climate disasters. Compounding these challenges, fragmented institutional oversight and poor inter-agency coordination further undermine the country’s ability to prepare for and respond to catastrophic flood events. As the 2026 monsoon approaches, communities across Pakistan stand waiting for a storm that has become an all-too-frequent annual threat.

  • Veerverbinding Albina-St-Laurent blijft beperkt; nieuwe veerboot pas in september operationeel

    Veerverbinding Albina-St-Laurent blijft beperkt; nieuwe veerboot pas in september operationeel

    One of the most vital cross-border connections linking Suriname and French Guiana is facing severe and prolonged service disruptions, joint authorities from both nations have confirmed in a shared update on cross-river transit across the Marowijne River. The key ferry route connecting Albina, Suriname, and Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, French Guiana, has been grounded since June 18 after the only active ferry La Gabrielle suffered a critical hydraulic pump failure. Compounding the mechanical outage, Suriname’s port authority has declared the floating docking pier on the Albina side of the river structurally degraded to the point that it can no longer be operated safely, forcing a full suspension of all regular cross-river sailings indefinitely.

    Authorities are currently evaluating options to resume a limited version of the service before the end of the month. If the partial restart moves forward, sailings will operate on a reservation-only basis for approximately three hours per day during low tide, and only light passenger vehicles will be permitted to cross. Heavy goods and cargo transport will remain barred from the route even under the limited service model.

    In their joint statement, officials from both France and Suriname openly acknowledged that even a limited resumption would fall far short of meeting existing demand for cross-border travel and trade. To address the gap, multiple long-term and short-term alternative solutions are under active review, including emergency temporary repairs to the damaged Albina docking pier, modifications to existing mooring spots, and the temporary deployment of pontoons and smaller auxiliary vessels to handle excess traffic.

    Officials have pinned their long-term hopes for restoring full service on a second ferry, the Malani, which is currently undergoing scheduled maintenance and final technical preparations ahead of its launch. Before the vessel enters official operation, it will complete a roughly one-month-long pilot testing phase, with a full commercial launch targeted for early September 2026.

    Infrastructure upgrades for docking facilities on both the French and Surinamese sides of the Marowijne River have already been completed since February 2026. Under the current configuration, however, the Malani will only be able to operate at full capacity during high tide. Additional construction work is scheduled to wrap up by March 2027, which will allow the ferry service to operate continuously regardless of tide levels.

    The Albina-Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni ferry link serves as a core economic and social artery connecting Suriname and the French overseas department of French Guiana. Hundreds of travelers, commercial traders, and transport operators rely on the crossing daily for work, family visits, and cross-border trade. To keep stakeholders updated and advance restoration efforts, French and Surinamese authorities have agreed to hold regular coordination meetings to track the progress of infrastructure repairs and service improvements. Both sides have reaffirmed their shared commitment to significantly boosting the long-term reliability of this critical cross-border connection.

  • Haïti – Actualité : Zapping…

    Haïti – Actualité : Zapping…

    A collection of the latest developments from Haiti, dated June 23, 2026, covers a range of topics across aviation, culture, public service, legal affairs, sports, and anti-corruption initiatives.

    One month after an aborted launch of its new route, Haitian carrier Zed Airlines has announced it will restart scheduled passenger flights between Haiti and Montreal, Quebec, Canada. David Jean Charles, chief executive officer of the airline, confirmed the resumption of the service. Currently, Zed Airlines operates multiple international routes: services to Brazil depart from Port-au-Prince’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport, while flights to Miami and Atlanta run out of Cap-Haïtien. The airline has active expansion plans to add new routes to additional U.S. cities and Cuba, and is evaluating launching domestic services connecting Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, to Jacmel, Jérémie, and Les Cayes.

    In a cultural ceremony held Sunday, June 21, 2026, at La Réserve Resto in Pétion-ville, Roi St Clou was formally elevated to the rank of National Roi-Ati in Haitian Vodou tradition.

    To mark the United Nations’ World Public Service Day, which falls on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, Haiti’s Office of Management and Human Resources (OMRH) will host an honors ceremony at Hôtel Montana. Eighty public servants, nominated by more than 70 Haitian government institutions, will be recognized by the country’s Prime Minister during the event. All cabinet ministers, agency directors general, and other senior public figures have been invited to attend the official ceremony, where the Prime Minister will deliver a keynote address to attendees.

    In a high-profile legal development, attorneys for prominent Haitian businessman Dimitri Vorbe filed an emergency motion on Monday, June 22, 2026, accusing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of violating a federal court order. Vorbe, 52, has been held in U.S. custody since September 2025. Following severe wildfires in southern Florida, ICE transferred Vorbe from the Krome detention center in Miami to the Natchez, Mississippi correctional facility — a move that directly contradicts a formal order from a U.S. federal judge barring Vorbe from being moved outside the Southern District of Florida. The businessman is facing an expedited expulsion proceeding initiated by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on foreign policy grounds, which he has repeatedly contested amid his challenge to his prolonged detention. Vorbe’s legal team is demanding his immediate return to Miami ahead of his scheduled July 10 court hearing, or alternatively, his immediate release from custody.

    Haiti’s national men’s football team, nicknamed the Grenadiers, held their first training session in Atlanta on the morning of Monday, June 22, as they make final preparations for their decisive final group stage match against Morocco on Wednesday, June 24. The squad reported that players are training with full determination to secure the best possible outcome in the critical upcoming fixture.

    Haiti’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC), in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), has opened applications for the second edition of its annual anti-corruption summer school. The two-week training program will run from August 10 to August 21, 2026, and is open to undergraduate students enrolled in recognized Haitian universities. Eligible candidates must submit a completed application via the online portal at https://bit.ly/ecoledeteanticorruption, alongside a resume, cover letter, valid government-issued ID, and official proof of university enrollment. Applications will be accepted from June 22 through July 6, 2026, and all participants must be available to attend the full duration of the training program.

  • Haïti – Sécurité : Construction de cinq bases opérationnelles avancées à Port-au-Prince

    Haïti – Sécurité : Construction de cinq bases opérationnelles avancées à Port-au-Prince

    On the sidelines of the 56th Organization of American States (OAS) General Assembly, which is being hosted in Panama City from June 22 to 24, 2026, regional and international stakeholders have formally launched a joint security initiative aimed at stabilizing crisis-hit Haiti. The partnership between the European Union and the OAS will deliver five new Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince, a critical investment to boost the Haitian National Police (PNH)’s capacity to combat widespread armed violence and arms trafficking.

    Centered on the guiding theme “Safer societies: EU-OAS cooperation to counter firearms trafficking”, the project targets a longstanding gap in operational infrastructure for Haiti’s national security forces, who have struggled to regain control of territory seized by violent armed gangs in recent years. Funded through the European Union’s Foreign Policy Instrument, the initiative carries a total budget of 10 million euros, equivalent to approximately 11.6 million U.S. dollars, with all construction work scheduled for completion by the middle of 2027.

    Speaking on behalf of the Haitian government, Haitian Foreign Minister Raina Forbin welcomed the collaborative project, noting that it aligns fully with the country’s top national security priorities. Forbin emphasized that the new FOBs will directly expand the presence of security forces in high-risk gang-controlled areas and help consolidate gains in territory that has already been recaptured by government forces. In a pre-recorded address to the launch event, PNH Director General Vladimir Paraison provided an update on the evolving security landscape, outlining progress that national security forces have made in ongoing efforts to restore public order and reassert state control over territory impacted by gang violence.

    OAS Secretary General Albert Ramdin reaffirmed his organization’s long-term commitment to supporting Haiti’s efforts to achieve national stabilization and strengthen state institutions. “At a time when Haiti faces profound and complex challenges, this partnership between the OAS and the European Union marks an important step in the right direction,” Ramdin said. “It demonstrates the confidence placed in Haiti’s institutions and the resilience of the Haitian people, as well as our shared determination to support a safer, more stable and hopeful future for Haiti.” Ramdin also stressed the urgent need for the full deployment of the planned Gang Suppression Force (FRG), a key component of Haiti’s national security strategy to push back against armed groups.

    Delphine Pronk, Deputy Director General for the Americas at the European External Action Service (EEAS), also spoke at the launch, underlining the EU’s commitment to delivering tangible support to Haiti at this decisive juncture. Pronk noted that the construction of the five advanced operating bases is a concrete step toward creating a safer, more functional operational environment for Haitian security forces as they work to restore peace across the country. The launch event was also attended by Carlos Hoyos, Deputy Foreign Minister of Panama, the host nation for this year’s OAS General Assembly.