Carib Scope

博客

  • Kublalsingh: PM must ‘step aside’ for aligning with ‘imperialists’

    Kublalsingh: PM must ‘step aside’ for aligning with ‘imperialists’

    Prominent environmental activist Dr. Wayne Kublalsingh has issued a forceful demand for Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to relinquish her position, accusing her of embroiling Trinidad and Tobago in what he characterizes as an “imperialist” agenda through alleged support of controversial US military operations in the region.

    The controversy stems from ongoing US counter-narcotics operations that have resulted in over 80 fatalities across more than 20 lethal strikes in the Southern Caribbean and Pacific since September 2. United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has declared these operations in violation of established international law.

    During a December 7 vigil for peace at Woodford Square in Port of Spain, organized amid escalating US-Venezuela tensions, Kublalsingh delivered a scathing indictment of the government’s foreign policy alignment. “She appears to be actively encouraging this military approach, mirroring the previous Trump administration’s attempted strategy of invading Venezuela, installing an illegitimate leader, and securing oil access,” he asserted.

    The environmental advocate accused the administration of abandoning diplomatic channels in favor of militarized approaches, stating that Persad-Bissessar was following the “American playbook” of confrontation rather than negotiation. He called for her to “step aside peacefully and diplomatically” to preserve national interests.

    Regarding ongoing US investigations into potential war crimes allegations, Kublalsingh warned that the Prime Minister was effectively painting targets on herself and her supporters. He challenged the evidentiary basis of the strikes, demanding: “Has America produced any verification that these vessels transported drugs? Any proof these individuals were traffickers? The answer is none.”

    Radio and television personality Abeo Jackson amplified these concerns in an impassioned address, urging national unity across political divisions to confront what she termed the government’s “betrayal” of economic sovereignty. She specifically referenced damaged relations with Venezuela and lost opportunities for oil access, arguing that the administration was sacrificing national interests to align with “big imperialist nations.”

    Movement for Social Justice leader David Abdulah, addressing questions about the modest turnout, emphasized the qualitative significance of the diverse cross-section of participants. He maintained that Trinidad and Tobago’s international reputation had suffered severe damage due to the administration’s policies, stating that protesters were “maintaining the integrity of TT” against complicity in questionable international operations.

    All three speakers framed the situation as a critical juncture for Caribbean sovereignty, invoking historical struggles for self-determination and calling for the region to maintain its status as a “zone of peace” through diplomatic engagement rather than military alignment.

  • EBC chair to returning officers: Conduct THA elections with integrity

    EBC chair to returning officers: Conduct THA elections with integrity

    TOBAGO – The electoral machinery for the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections has been officially set in motion with the ceremonial presentation of writs to returning officers, marking the formal initiation of proceedings leading to the January 12 polling day.

    In a significant procedural event conducted under Election Rule 3 of the Representation of the People Act, Chapter 2:01, Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) chairman Mark Ramkerrysingh personally handed the writs to the appointed officers. This legal instrument empowers the officials to administer the electoral process on behalf of the EBC, establishing the framework for democratic participation.

    Chairman Ramkerrysingh addressed the assembled officers with a compelling charge, emphasizing their critical role as custodians of electoral integrity. He characterized their position as “guardians of the process on the ground” who carry the substantial responsibility of maintaining public confidence in the nation’s democratic institutions.

    “The people of Tobago expect an orderly, transparent, and trustworthy process,” Ramkerrysingh stated. “What you do impacts democracy directly, and it is a great service to this country.” He stressed that every electoral event, regardless of scale, must be conducted with absolute professionalism, impartiality, and unwavering integrity.

    The EBC chairman further elaborated on leadership expectations, urging officers to foster positive working relationships with polling day staff through effective support, guidance, and management. He affirmed that the commission’s selection process identified individuals possessing demonstrated competence and requisite experience for these temporary but crucial positions.

    Ramkerrysingh concluded with an inspirational charge: “May you execute your duties with confidence, integrity, and the sense of purpose befitting the high office you temporarily hold. Together, let us deliver an election that Tobago can trust and be proud of.”

  • TUCO opens registration for Carnival competitions, awaits sponsors

    TUCO opens registration for Carnival competitions, awaits sponsors

    The Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (TUCO) has officially commenced registration procedures for its highly anticipated 2026 Carnival competitions. Registration opened December 8 across multiple zonal offices including the head office in Woodbrook, North Zone office in Port of Spain, South/Central Zone office in San Fernando, East Zone office in Arima, and Tobago’s office in Scarborough.

    Eligibility extends to all citizens and naturalized citizens, with tiered registration fees reflecting membership status. Financial members will pay $100 for senior competitions, while non-members face a $500 fee. Members with outstanding dues can regularize their status for $150 per year of lapsed membership.

    TUCO President Ainsley King revealed in a December 8 interview that prize structures remain undetermined as the organization awaits commitments from potential sponsors. King acknowledged TUCO’s significant reliance on government funding, noting concerning signals from recent sponsorship withdrawals from other cultural organizations like Pan Trinbago.

    While no official confirmation of funding reductions has been received, King observed that ‘it is not business as usual’ regarding traditional sponsorship patterns. The president confirmed TUCO has contingency plans, including re-engaging previous sponsors, should primary funding sources diminish.

    Critical registration deadlines have been established: National Calypso Monarch (January 9, 3pm), National Extempo Monarch (January 30, 3pm), National Freestyle Monarch (January 30, 3pm), National Road March Competition (February 13, 3pm), and National Junior Calypso Monarch (January 13, 3pm). Interested participants can seek additional information at tucoamc2026@gmail.com.

  • Petrojam reopens Montego Bay fuel terminal after hurricane repairs

    Petrojam reopens Montego Bay fuel terminal after hurricane repairs

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Petrojam Limited, Jamaica’s state-owned oil refinery, announced Monday the successful restoration of fuel distribution operations from its Montego Bay terminal. This critical supply line to the nation’s western parishes had been inoperative for four weeks following Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact in late October.

    The company’s industrial loading facility in St. James parish, severely affected by the late October storm, has now resumed full operations after extensive rehabilitation efforts. Throughout November, the western region relied exclusively on fuel supplies transported from Petrojam’s primary terminal in Kingston, creating logistical challenges and extended delivery times.

    Brian Case, Acting Reliability and Maintenance Manager at Petrojam, expressed satisfaction with the restoration progress: “We are delighted to have been able to reopen over the past few days. Our dedicated teams worked tirelessly around the clock to complete these essential repairs under challenging circumstances.”

    The reactivated terminal has restored complete daily distribution capabilities for multiple fuel products, including 87 and 90-octane gasoline grades, ultra-low sulphur diesel, and specialized aviation fuel. Comprehensive rehabilitation work encompassed enhancements to delivery infrastructure, structural reinforcement of storage tanks and fuel pipelines, extensive debris clearance, and security perimeter repairs.

    During the disruption period, Petrojam implemented innovative communication strategies, utilizing social media platforms to assist motorists in locating operational service stations through regular Fuel Station Finder updates. The company further emphasized that fuel quality standards remained uncompromised throughout the recovery period, maintained through their ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory facilities in Kingston.

    As Jamaica’s sole petroleum refining entity, Petrojam’s operational restoration signifies a crucial milestone in the nation’s post-hurricane recovery efforts, ensuring stabilized energy supply chains to affected western regions.

  • Former Haitian first lady renews a demand for justice for her husband

    Former Haitian first lady renews a demand for justice for her husband

    PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti—Martine Moïse, widow of assassinated Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, has issued a powerful renewed demand for justice nearly three years after her husband’s brutal killing. The former first lady, who survived the July 7, 2021 attack that claimed the president’s life, delivered a scathing indictment of Haiti’s judicial system, describing it as a weaponized tool for political persecution rather than an instrument of justice.

    In an emotionally charged statement, Moïse characterized Haiti’s justice system as being ‘in the hands of a small group that manipulates an entire population,’ asserting that her husband had consistently denounced this corrupt system during his presidency. She revealed disturbing patterns within the judicial framework: those without powerful connections ‘die in prison,’ while wealthy individuals evade incarceration ‘even with solid evidence against them.’

    The former first lady drew direct connections between previous judicial attacks on her husband and his ultimate assassination, specifically referencing events on February 7, 2021, when Haitian authorities claimed to have thwarted an attempted coup against President Moïse. She pointedly questioned the whereabouts of judges who had issued warrants against the president while he was executing his constitutional duties, suggesting these legal instruments were ultimately weaponized to facilitate his murder.

    Moïse’s statement extended beyond personal tragedy to address Haiti’s broader crisis, attributing the country’s paralyzing violence to ‘oligarchs, corrupt politicians, and globalist whites’ who she claims ‘sacrificed the People by assassinating President Jovenel Moïse.’ She warned of ongoing strategies to consolidate power through violent means, creating what she described as a ‘violent, enslaving system that sucks their blood.’

    Invoking Haiti’s revolutionary heroes—Padrejean, Makandal, Boukman, Toussaint, and Dessalines—Moïse recalled their rallying cry of ‘Liberty or death’ as relevant to the current crisis. She concluded with her husband’s haunting question from a recorded video: ‘What will we do in the face of these criminals, these lawless bandits?’ asserting that ‘the people have had enough’ and that ‘the time has come for the system to collapse.’

  • JMMB Money gives clients opportunity to win $2 million with ‘Share the Love’ promotion

    JMMB Money gives clients opportunity to win $2 million with ‘Share the Love’ promotion

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant post-hurricane recovery initiative, Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB) Money Transfer has unveiled its ‘Share the Love’ promotional campaign, offering clients the opportunity to win substantial cash prizes totaling $2 million during the festive season.

    The comprehensive promotion, active from December 5, 2025, through January 31, 2026, will culminate in a prize draw on February 9, 2026, where twenty fortunate winners will each receive $100,000. This corporate social responsibility effort specifically acknowledges the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa on local communities and aims to support those providing financial assistance to loved ones during the recovery period.

    Eligibility for participation extends to all JMMB Money Transfer clients in Jamaica who are at least 18 years of age. Participants can enter the drawing through two primary methods: receiving inbound remittances via JMMB Money Transfer services, with each transaction qualifying for one entry, or by utilizing the JMMB Money Transfer Visa Prepaid Card, where every $5,000 spent generates an additional entry opportunity.

    Sharon Gibson, Chief Executive Officer of JMMB Money Transfer, emphasized the philosophical foundation behind the initiative: “Within our organization, we recognize that each financial transaction embodies profound elements of love, care, and personal sacrifice. This campaign represents our commitment to empowering Jamaican families, fortifying community resilience, and demonstrating that even during periods of adversity, acts of generosity can create meaningful positive change. We take immense pride in supporting our clients through this substantial giveback program.”

    The promotion operates in full compliance with Jamaican regulatory frameworks, specifically adhering to Section 58(3) of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act, with complete terms and conditions available to all participants.

  • TRANSJAM Highways partners with JCF to strengthen highway safety

    TRANSJAM Highways partners with JCF to strengthen highway safety

    KINGSTON, Jamaica—A significant interagency safety operation targeting vehicle compliance has been executed along Jamaica’s critical highway network. TransJamaican Highway Limited (TJH), in a coordinated effort with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the Island Traffic Authority (ITA), conducted an intensive vehicular inspection initiative aimed at enhancing safety standards for all motorists.

    The strategic operation, deployed on December 4 between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm, established checkpoints at two high-traffic locations: the Vineyards Toll Plaza and Old Harbour Road. The primary objective was to identify and detain vehicles deemed unroadworthy or operating outside legal parameters. The results were substantial: 97 vehicles were subjected to stops, with 62 undergoing thorough searches. Enforcement actions were rigorous, resulting in the removal of 30 registration plates for critical non-compliance with safety regulations. Furthermore, law enforcement officials issued 61 traffic citations, which included three specific violations for improperly secured loads, a known hazard on high-speed corridors.

    Mark Walker, Deputy Operations Manager at the TransJam Group, emphasized the strategic importance of such collaborations. “Our alliance with the JCF and the Island Traffic Authority solidifies our enduring dedication to preserving a secure and efficient highway infrastructure. The triad of public awareness, stringent enforcement, and inter-organizational cooperation is fundamental to our blueprint for diminishing traffic incidents and cultivating conscientious driving behaviors,” Walker stated.

    Reaffirming its commitment to long-term safety outcomes, TJH announced plans to perpetuate its investment in and endorsement of road safety programs. These initiatives are meticulously aligned with the corporation’s core mission: to guarantee a protected and dependable transit experience for every user of the highway system.

    This recent enforcement drive follows a broader public sensitization campaign launched by the company in October. That campaign was designed to reacquaint drivers with essential safe-driving protocols, underscoring the vital importance of obeying speed limits, verifying tire roadworthiness prior to journeys, utilizing turn signals during lane changes, and conducting meticulous visual checks of the roadway to prevent accidents.

  • Former JAS president Lenworth Fulton has died

    Former JAS president Lenworth Fulton has died

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican agricultural community is mourning the loss of revered leader Lenworth Fulton, the former president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society, who passed away recently. Fulton’s death marks the end of an era for the nation’s farming sector, where he had established himself as a pivotal figure in agricultural development and rural community empowerment.

    Floyd Green, Jamaica’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, publicly honored Fulton’s legacy through social media platforms. Having collaborated extensively with the late agriculturalist, Minister Green described him as “a true champion for Jamaican agriculture” whose visionary guidance “strengthened farmers and communities across the island.” The minister’s heartfelt tribute highlighted Fulton’s exceptional dedication to advancing Jamaica’s agricultural interests and improving livelihoods within the farming sector.

    Authorities have not yet disclosed the specific circumstances surrounding Fulton’s passing. The lack of immediate information regarding the cause of death has left many awaiting further details from official sources. Meanwhile, tributes continue to pour in from agricultural organizations, farming cooperatives, and rural communities that benefited from Fulton’s decades of service and advocacy.

    Fulton’s leadership tenure at the Jamaica Agricultural Society was marked by significant initiatives aimed at modernizing farming practices, enhancing food security, and creating sustainable agricultural policies. His work extended beyond administrative roles, directly impacting thousands of farmers through educational programs, resource allocation improvements, and strategic development projects that transformed Jamaica’s agricultural landscape.

  • Sands: Merging hotel college with UB ‘worst decision I ever made’

    Sands: Merging hotel college with UB ‘worst decision I ever made’

    Robert Sands, immediate past president of the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA), has publicly declared that merging the Bahamas Hotel Training College with the University of The Bahamas stands as “the worst decision I ever made in my tourism career.” The candid admission came during a panel on workforce development at the Bahamas Out Islands Promotion Board’s Annual General Meeting.

    Sands, who originally supported the consolidation, now believes it dismantled a vital pipeline for practical, skills-based education tailored for the hospitality industry. He argued that while some tourism professionals thrive in academic settings, the majority of sector workers are “more practically endowed.” The merger, he contended, effectively “eliminated an opportunity for persons to matriculate in their passions.” This revelation arrives amid renewed efforts to reintroduce robust vocational training programs to address critical staffing shortages.

    The workforce challenge is particularly acute in the Family Islands, described by BOIPB executive director Kerry Fountain as a “shallow workforce pool.” Sands acknowledged the issue’s complexity, noting it is more severe in the Out Islands than in New Providence. However, he highlighted a positive shift: an 18-month collaboration between the University of The Bahamas and major hotel operators is signaling a stronger focus on bridging these gaps. Several hotels are now partnering directly with UB to identify and recruit suitable students.

    Sands also pointed to a structural flaw within the industry contributing to stagnation: compensation models that sometimes result in line employees out-earning their managers. This creates a disincentive for upward mobility, forcing hotels to “work with and train up” middle managers internally. The solution, Sands explained, requires creating structured pathways for advancement and ensuring commensurate compensation.

    Reflecting on his own career, Sands shared that his advancement was fueled by a willingness to seek international experience, even taking a pay cut for a position in Guyana in 1982. He contrasted this with a modern reluctance among workers to leave their “comfort zone,” urging Bahamian hotel employees to embrace such growth opportunities when they arise, viewing them as a strategic step backward to ultimately make ten steps forward.

  • Music Makers to lead both parades

    Music Makers to lead both parades

    The vibrant pulse of Junkanoo resonated across Montagu Beach this Saturday as the annual number picking ceremony electrified the atmosphere, marking the official commencement of the highly anticipated parade season. This pivotal event, steeped in tradition and competitive spirit, drew massive crowds of enthusiasts and local residents eager to witness the determination of performance order for the iconic Boxing Day and New Year’s Day parades.

    In a ceremony brimming with anticipation, representatives from the nation’s premier Junkanoo groups stepped forward to draw their positions. The results set the stage for a thrilling competitive landscape. For the prestigious Boxing Day Parade A Category, the Music Makers clinched the coveted first position, earning the right to lead the procession. They will be followed in sequence by the Shell Saxons Superstars, The Prodigal Sons, The Valley Boys, Roots, One Family, Genesis Warhawks, and the World Famous 1958 group.

    The B Category lineup for Boxing Day will be spearheaded by The Ultimate Force. The subsequent order includes Redland Soldiers, Dynasty Junkanoo Group, Foundation Junkanoo Group, Chipping Knights, Colours, Body of Christ Crusaders, The Immortals, Fancy Dancers, The New Viking, and The Mighty Eagles.

    Demonstrating remarkable consistency, the Music Makers also secured the lead for the New Year’s Day Parade A Category. The full running order for January 1st is set as follows: Music Makers, World Famous 1958, The Valley Boys, Shell Saxon Superstars, Genesis Warhawks, One Family, Prodigal Sons, and Roots.

    The B Category order for the New Year’s Day spectacle will commence with Z Bandits, followed by Chipping Knights, The Ultimate Force, Conquerors of Christ, Mystical Bombers, Foundation Junkanoo Group, Dynasty Junkanoo Group, The New Viking, Body of Christ Crusaders, Redland Soldiers, The Immortals, Fancy Dancers, Colours, and The Mighty Eagles. This ceremonial drawing of numbers has effectively positioned the groups for their upcoming artistic and musical showdowns on Bay Street.