Carib Scope

博客

  • Five Years Later, Belize City’s Fire Service Still Waiting for a Permanent HQ

    Five Years Later, Belize City’s Fire Service Still Waiting for a Permanent HQ

    It has been five full years since Belize City’s National Fire Service sold its former headquarters, yet the critical emergency response agency remains fragmented across disconnected temporary locations, with no firm timeline for a unified permanent facility due to unmet funding requirements.

    In a press briefing held on July 27, 2026, Minister of Public Service and Disaster Risk Management Henry Charles Usher confirmed that the long-awaited new headquarters project has not moved forward because the Briceño administration has yet to secure the necessary capital to break ground.

    Usher pointed to the chaos created by the previous UDP administration’s 2020 decision to sell the agency’s former Cleghorn Street facility without a pre-planned relocation strategy. When the property was sold to Atlantic Bank for $2.8 million in 2020, firefighters were forced to vacate the site by the end of that same year, leaving the service with no permanent base of operations. At the time, the UDP government justified the sale, arguing that the 1992 facility, which cost $8 million to build, was poor value for public funds: it suffered from chronic overcrowding and lacked sufficient space to support efficient emergency deployment.

    Left without a home, the fire service first relocated to temporary accommodations at Marion Jones Stadium, a space Usher described as wholly unsuited to the needs of a professional emergency response agency. Forced to move yet again in September 2025, the service relocated its administrative division to a temporary site on Calle Al Mar Street, leaving other units scattered across additional separate locations. This split arrangement has created ongoing operational challenges for firefighters responding to emergencies across Belize City.

    According to Usher, the current administration has at least finalized plans for the new facility. A parcel of land has already been designated for the project near the Eleanor Hall building, and the planned headquarters is designed to consolidate all of the service’s divisions in one place – bringing administrative offices, a mechanical yard, and a training yard onto a single campus for the first time in five years. Until funding is secured, however, the project remains stuck in the planning phase, leaving the National Fire Service waiting for the permanent home it has needed for half a decade.

  • Electoral Office explains voter confirmation process amid public concerns

    Electoral Office explains voter confirmation process amid public concerns

    As public questions have emerged about protocols at voter confirmation centers across the Caribbean nation, the Electoral Office of Dominica has moved to formally outline its step-by-step confirmation process and address widespread concerns about procedural integrity ahead of upcoming electoral activities.

    In an official public statement released this week, the agency emphatically clarified one non-negotiable rule: the voter confirmation process cannot be finalized through document submission alone. For a voter’s registration status to be updated and confirmed, their physical attendance at an official confirmation center is a mandatory requirement, the Office stressed.

    Breaking down the full workflow for public awareness, the Electoral Office explained that the process kicks off when a voter arrives at a center alongside an eligible witness. First, election officials verify that both the voter and their witness are already registered voters, and confirm that the witness is registered in the same electoral district as the voter seeking confirmation.

    Next, officials review the voter’s official government-issued identification documents, after which the voter fills out the required confirmation application form. The form must be co-signed by the accompanying witness before it is reviewed and officially endorsed by the center’s Enrollment Officer.

    From there, the voter proceeds to a data entry station, where a dedicated officer inputs all collected information into a centralized electronic confirmation system. A key transparency measure built into the process, the Office noted, is the dual-screen setup at every confirmation station: one screen for the data entry officer, and a second visible directly to the voter, so they can oversee and review every detail as it is logged into the system.

    The process does not reach completion until three final critical steps are finalized: scanning of all supporting voter documents, capture of an updated in-person photograph, and collection of the voter’s electronic signature. The agency added that the electronic system is intentionally designed with a built-in lock: no information can be saved, transmitted to central servers, or added to the official national voter database until both the photograph and electronic signature have been successfully captured.

    The electronic system is structured with mandatory sequential verification steps, the Office explained, meaning no stage of the process can be skipped or bypassed to move ahead to the next step. This structural design, the agency noted, reinforces why the physical presence and active participation of the voter is non-negotiable to the entire process.

    In closing, the Electoral Office offered a public assurance that the ongoing voter confirmation process is being conducted with the highest standards of security, transparency, and accountability. It reaffirmed its commitment to sharing accurate, trustworthy updates with the public at every stage of the pre-electoral process, adding that protecting the overall integrity of Dominica’s electoral system remains the agency’s top priority moving forward.

  • 48 Saint Lucian scholars set to begin studies in Taiwan

    48 Saint Lucian scholars set to begin studies in Taiwan

    A historic group of 48 young Saint Lucians is on the cusp of a life-changing academic journey, preparing to depart for Taiwan by the end of August to pursue tertiary education. This cohort represents the largest single-year group of Saint Lucian scholars heading to the island nation, marking a significant milestone in educational exchange between the two regions.

    This year’s group carries extra symbolic weight: for the first time in the history of this scholarship program, gender parity has been achieved, with exactly 24 male and 24 female students awarded opportunities to study across a diverse spectrum of academic disciplines. The aspiring scholars officially received their scholarship documentation at a formal ceremony held at Saint Lucia’s Finance Administrative Centre, a key step ahead of their upcoming relocation and the start of their academic terms.

    Upon arrival, the new students will not enter an unfamiliar community completely isolated from their home country. Nicole Su, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Saint Lucia, confirmed that the incoming cohort will join an established, growing community of roughly 200 Saint Lucian students already completing their degrees in Taiwan.

    “This joining of our student communities demonstrates the shared values held by both Saint Lucia and Taiwan, as well as our collective commitment to empowering young people through accessible, high-quality education,” Su noted in her remarks. She added that Taiwan has earned global recognition for its culture of innovation and competitive academic and professional sectors, offering an enriching environment for international scholars.

    The scholarship initiative is an outgrowth of the long-standing bilateral relationship between Saint Lucia and Taiwan, which has for years prioritized creating international higher education opportunities for Saint Lucian youth. As the students make their final preparations for this cross-continental academic journey, Danny Butcher, Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth Development, Sports and Digital Transformation of Saint Lucia, offered words of encouragement that extended beyond individual academic achievement.

    “I always want you to remember that with academic excellence comes service to humanity,” Butcher told the cohort. “Use your education to uplift others. Use your education to strengthen your nation. Use your education to ensure that someone else’s life is better with your influence.”

    For the 48 incoming scholars, the recent document presentation ceremony has moved them one step closer to stepping onto campus and adapting to life thousands of miles from their home communities, turning years of preparation into an imminent reality.

  • Prime Minister Skerrit mourns passing of father-in-law Valentine Poponne

    Prime Minister Skerrit mourns passing of father-in-law Valentine Poponne

    Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit is mourning the loss of his father-in-law, Valentine Poponne, who passed away over the weekend after his death was publicly announced on July 25. The long-respected figure leaves behind four children, including Skerrit’s wife Melissa, and multiple grandchildren.

    In an official statement shared following the passing, Skerrit paid heartfelt tribute to Poponne, highlighting the deep loss his family and the wider nation feel with his departure. Skerrit remembered his father-in-law as a man defined by unwavering integrity, quiet resilience, and lifelong devotion to his loved ones. As a business leader, Poponne earned widespread respect across the country for his ethical conduct and commitment to his work. Beyond his professional life, he was remembered as a loving father who raised Melissa with consistent warmth and grace, and a deeply cherished grandfather to Skerrit and Melissa’s children.

    “Our family and our country have lost a truly remarkable man,” Skerrit said in the statement. Beyond sharing his grief, the prime minister extended sincere gratitude to members of the public who have reached out with messages of sympathy, emotional support, and prayers for the family throughout this challenging period. “We are deeply grateful for your kindness and support,” he added. “May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

  • Venezuela Withdraws from International Criminal Court

    Venezuela Withdraws from International Criminal Court

    In a landmark move that deepens long-running rifts between the South American nation and the global justice body, Venezuela has formally notified the United Nations of its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC). Caracas has long accused the tribunal of systemic political bias, claiming it disproportionately targets sovereign nations in Africa and Latin America, a grievance that sits at the core of its departure.

    Venezuelan Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia confirmed the withdrawal from the Rome Statute — the foundational treaty that established the ICC — in an official announcement, framing the step as a “firm and irrevocable” assertion of national sovereignty. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez echoed this criticism, arguing that the court has been fully politicized and weaponized to advance political agendas against her government.

    The decision comes after more than half a decade of escalating tensions between Venezuela and the ICC. In 2021, the court opened a formal investigation into allegations of crimes against humanity that were purportedly committed during the Venezuelan government’s 2017 crackdown on widespread anti-government protests. Thousands of people who say they were victimized by the crackdown have already submitted sworn testimony to ICC investigators as part of the inquiry.

    Even following Venezuela’s formal notification, the ICC has made clear that its ongoing investigation will proceed uninterrupted. Per the terms of the Rome Statute, a member state’s withdrawal only takes effect 12 months after the United Nations receives official notification, and it does not have the power to halt investigations that have already been launched before the withdrawal takes effect.

    Human rights advocates have raised urgent concerns about the long-term implications of the move. They warn that Venezuela’s exit could create new barriers to holding senior government officials accountable for the alleged abuses at the center of the investigation, weakening prospects for justice for survivors.

    The United States has publicly welcomed Venezuela’s decision, with the State Department repeating longstanding criticism that labels the ICC a “corrupt” institution. The U.S. has also issued a call urging all other ICC member states to follow Venezuela’s lead and exit the court. This position aligns with the stance taken by the Trump administration, which repeatedly attacked the court and worked systematically to curtail its global influence.

    Legal analysts who specialize in international criminal law note that while the withdrawal is unlikely to disrupt the current investigation into the 2017 events, it will probably limit future cooperation between Venezuelan authorities and ICC prosecutors. This could hamper any additional inquiries or prosecutions that the court may pursue moving forward, creating new hurdles to justice in potential future cases.

  • National stadium ‘on track’ for 2027 handover

    National stadium ‘on track’ for 2027 handover

    The reconstruction of Barbados’ new National Stadium in Waterford is progressing steadily according to schedule, with project leaders confirming the facility remains on target for full completion and handover in the third quarter of 2027. Lead engineer Wang Lianglin from China’s Beijing Construction Engineering Group (BCEG) shared the latest update on the project during a media briefing hosted by the Chinese Embassy, outlining the current work stage and upcoming milestones.

  • FLASH : 2026-2027 Electoral Calendar, latest official version

    FLASH : 2026-2027 Electoral Calendar, latest official version

    On July 28, 2026, Haitian electoral authorities released the final, official version of the comprehensive 2026–2027 national electoral calendar, laying out a phased, 14-month roadmap to restore democratic governance in the crisis-stricken Caribbean nation. The entire electoral process is scheduled to kick off on February 1, 2026, with a months-long initiative focused on voter outreach, public awareness campaigns, and civic education to prepare the population for participation, concluding on March 17, 2027 after the final results are certified.

    Preparatory infrastructure work for the vote will begin in parallel to outreach efforts on April 14, 2026, with the establishment of regional departmental vote tabulation centers across the country, a process that will run through November 30 the same year. Key accreditation and registration phases will open in mid-2026: international and domestic observers, as well as journalists covering the vote, will be able to apply for accreditation between July 3 and August 18, 2026. Political parties and electoral coalitions will complete their official registration between July 13 and August 14, 2026, a 33-day window for groups to formalize their participation.

    General voter registration will open to all eligible Haitian citizens on July 20, 2026, and remain open through October 13, 2026, giving eligible voters more than two and a half months to register or update their information at local polling stations. Following voter registration, aspiring candidates will be able to file their nomination papers between August 20 and October 2, 2026. Electoral administrative hiring will also take place in late 2026: voting center supervisors will be recruited between August 31 and September 26, 2026, while polling station staff recruitment will run from September 1, 2026 through November 21, 2026. Political parties will have until December 4, 2026 to accredit their official representatives to polling and tabulation centers.

    The first round of the presidential and legislative elections, alongside a national constitutional referendum, will be held on December 13, 2026. Official vote counting will begin immediately after polls close, wrapping up on December 15. Results of the constitutional referendum will be publicly released on December 16, 2026, with preliminary first-round results for presidential and legislative races published three days later on December 19. Challenges to preliminary first-round results will be heard between December 22, 2026 and January 9, 2027, with final certified first-round results released the same day challenges are due to conclude.

    If no presidential candidate secures an absolute majority in the first round as required by Haitian electoral law, a second round of presidential, legislative (for undecided seats) and local elections will be held on February 21, 2027. The second-round electoral campaign will run from January 10 to February 20, 2027, with a parallel procurement and distribution process for all electoral materials wrapping up just before election day. Vote counting for the second round will be completed by February 23, 2027, with preliminary second-round presidential and legislative results released the day after the vote, and local election results published the same day counting concludes. Challenges to second-round national results will be adjudicated within 12 days of preliminary release, wrapping up on March 6, 2027, while challenges to local election results will be resolved by March 11. Final certified results for the second round of national elections will be published on March 7, 2027, with final local election results released five days later on March 12, 2027, bringing the full electoral process to a close five days after on March 17.

    The full 74-page electoral decree adopted on June 2, 2026, as well as a subsequent amending decree, are available for public download via official portals to increase transparency around the process.

  • More Than 800 Food Handlers Trained Ahead of Antigua Carnival

    More Than 800 Food Handlers Trained Ahead of Antigua Carnival

    As one of the most anticipated annual festivities in Antigua approaches, the nation’s Central Board of Health is implementing comprehensive pre-event public health measures to slash the risk of foodborne disease outbreaks, with more than 800 food industry workers already completing mandatory food safety certification. Starting from May this year, the public health agency has carried out structured training sessions for roughly 840 people, a large portion of whom are street vendors and food sellers that will operate throughout the Carnival season. The most recent training workshop wrapped up on Thursday, and health officials have noted a marked uptick in participation compared to past years, as more food handlers recognize the importance of official certification to work legally during the celebrations.

    Julienne Mannix-Galloway, Principal Public Health Inspector at the Central Board of Health, explained that the early start to the training schedule was a deliberate decision. It gives all food-handling personnel enough time to complete the full curriculum, absorb key safety practices, and meet all regulatory requirements to operate during Carnival. The training curriculum is focused on core food safety pillars: proper environmental sanitation, consistent personal hygiene for food preparers, and temperature control for perishable food items. Vendors received clear guidance on maintaining hot dishes at serving temperatures and keeping cold items refrigerated appropriately, a critical step to stopping harmful bacterial contamination that causes food poisoning.

    Beyond temperature rules, training participants also received repeated reminders about regular handwashing throughout food preparation and service, as well as requirements to wear clean work clothing at all times. The programme also included a dedicated module on correct waste management, specifically the disposal of used cooking oil. Mannix-Galloway issued a clear warning to vendors against pouring waste oil into street gutters, noting that pooled oil creates unsanitary conditions that attract rodent and cockroach infestations. Instead, she instructed vendors to store used cooking oil in its original sealed containers and transport it to the official sanitary landfill for proper disposal.

    Alongside pre-event food safety training, the Central Board of Health has put in place post-event cleaning protocols to keep celebration venues sanitary throughout the Carnival schedule. Around 10 dedicated cleaning crews have been deployed to clear Carnival City and adjacent surrounding streets of waste immediately after each major Carnival event. Mannix-Galloway shared that crews started cleaning work early on the Sunday following the Carnival’s Opening Parade and T-Shirt Mas, systematically clearing all discarded materials from Carnival City and its neighboring areas to restore sanitary conditions before the next event.

    The agency also took part in the Opening Parade itself, launching an educational public awareness float focused on vector control. The float carried the theme “Don’t Let Mosquitoes Join the Carnival Celebration,” designed to educate attendees and residents about the importance of mosquito bite prevention and mosquito population control to reduce the spread of mosquito-borne diseases during the large outdoor gathering.

  • DAIC hosts networking event to strengthen business connections and growth opportunities

    DAIC hosts networking event to strengthen business connections and growth opportunities

    DOMINICA — The Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce (DAIC) has launched a new era of private sector collaboration, bringing hundreds of local business leaders together for its flagship Networking & Nibbles event on July 24. The gathering marks the first large-scale member engagement initiative led by newly elected DAIC President Olive Strachan MBE and the organization’s incoming Board of Directors, setting the foundation for a renewed strategic vision focused on interconnected growth for Dominica’s business community.

    Held in a relaxed, informal setting, the event offered more than just casual relationship-building. It gave attending members and guests the chance to connect with the new leadership team, gain clarity on DAIC’s strategic priorities for the coming term, and form cross-industry partnerships that can drive long-term business expansion. DAIC has publicly thanked primary event hosts Fort Young Hotel and Archipelago Trading Ltd, whose logistical and financial support made the gathering possible.

    Speaking to attendees during the event, President Strachan outlined DAIC’s core commitment under her leadership: to deliver tangible, increased value to members by strengthening ties across the private sector and rolling out targeted support for local business growth.

    “Our vision is to build a stronger, more connected business community,” Strachan said. “Networking & Nibbles was more than just an event—it was the beginning of a renewed commitment to collaboration, innovation and supporting businesses across Dominica.”

    The evening’s agenda also included a dedicated segment for event sponsors, where representatives from supporting organizations shared their insights on the critical role of cross-sector partnerships in driving national economic progress. Speakers included Cedric Charles, Deputy Managing Director of the National Bank of Dominica; Tyrella Alexander, Sales & Marketing Manager of Springfield Trading Ltd; and Natasha Yeeloy Labad, Chief Executive Officer of Outsource Development Services. All three speakers underscored the mutually beneficial relationship between the private sector and DAIC, and reaffirmed their organizations’ ongoing commitment to fostering a vibrant, growing business ecosystem across Dominica. DAIC formally recognized all supporting sponsors, including Springfield Trading Ltd, National Bank of Dominica Ltd., Archipelago Trading Ltd and Outsource Development Services, for their contributions to the event’s success.

    Beyond networking, the gathering served as a platform to introduce DAIC members to a suite of new and existing initiatives designed to unlock new growth opportunities for local businesses. Members received a comprehensive update on the KARULINK Project, a regional development resourcing initiative funded by Interreg Caribbean that counts DAIC as a core partner. The update covered the project’s core objectives, current implementation progress, and the tangible benefits it can deliver to small and medium enterprises across Dominica and the broader Caribbean region.

    DAIC also highlighted its ongoing partnership with the OECS Finance Readiness Programme, a capacity-building initiative tailored to help local businesses strengthen their financial management capabilities, navigate the requirements of formal lending institutions, and improve their access to capital for sustainable expansion.

    In one of the event’s key announcements, Strachan revealed a new upcoming partnership with Digicel Dominica focused on advancing digital transformation and cyber security capacity for local businesses. Loren Challenger, Digicel Dominica’s Corporate Account Manager, delivered a preview of the upcoming program, emphasizing that in an increasingly digital business landscape, local firms must embrace innovative digital tools while also putting robust protections in place to counter growing cyber threats.

    Looking ahead to the coming months, DAIC has announced a full slate of upcoming activities to advance its renewed member engagement strategy. These include the annual Eggs & Issues Breakfast Forum scheduled for September, the Chamber’s first ever black-tie fundraising and networking gala, and the launch of a new monthly member newsletter that will highlight member achievements, share open business opportunities, circulate official DAIC updates, and distribute key information relevant to local business operators.

    As part of its refreshed approach to member outreach, DAIC plans to continue rolling out a diverse portfolio of engagement activities: regular networking mixers, skills-building training workshops, policy-focused breakfast briefings, public-private policy discussions, site visits for business leaders, member spotlight features, and consistent, transparent communications with the business community.

    Chamber leadership emphasized that all these initiatives are part of a long-term effort to amplify the private sector’s voice in national policy and contribute to inclusive, sustainable economic development across Dominica.

    “This is only the beginning,” Strachan said. “We are committed to creating more opportunities for businesses to connect, learn and grow together, and we look forward to welcoming even more businesses to future Chamber events.”

    DAIC’s official press release notes that any local business interested in joining the organization as a member is invited to contact DAIC directly to learn more about membership benefits, upcoming programming, and engagement opportunities.

  • Eight Steel Orchestras to Compete in State Insurance Panorama 2026

    Eight Steel Orchestras to Compete in State Insurance Panorama 2026

    The highly anticipated 2026 State Insurance Panorama, a cornerstone competition of Antigua Carnival 2026, is set to welcome eight top steel orchestras to Carnival City on Saturday, August 1, as they vie for the coveted national title.

    Organized under this year’s Carnival theme “Feel the Rhythm,” the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission has now published the full official performance order for the event, offering steelpan fans a first look at what to expect from the night’s lineup. Kicking off the competition will be Harmonites Steel Orchestra, who will take the stage first to perform a rendition of King Swallow’s iconic 1988 classic “Fire in De Back Seat,” arranged by Aubrey “Lacu” Samuel. Closing out the evening of competition will be Halcyon Steel Orchestra, set to deliver a take on Ricardo Drue’s recent hit “Bet,” arranged by Lorenzo Hodge.

    A standout feature of this year’s repertoire is the wide span of Antiguan and Barbudan musical history it covers, stretching nearly 40 full years from King Swallow’s 1988 release to Claudette “CP” Peters’ brand new 2026 track “Pan Man Play,” which will be performed by two competing groups. This year’s event also highlights the growing diversity of voices in the steelpan community: Dr. Zahra Lake, arranger and captain of Pandemonium Steel Orchestra, makes history as the only woman holding both leadership roles across all eight participating groups this year. Another key contributor behind the scenes is noted instrument tuner and builder Veron Henry, who has prepared steelpans for six of the eight competing orchestras.

    Cleofoster Harris, deputy director of the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission, emphasized the unique significance of the annual Panorama event to the nation’s cultural calendar. “Panorama is the one night in the Carnival calendar where the country hears what a full year of work inside a panyard actually sounds like,” Harris explained. Beyond the on-stage performances, the Festivals Commission extended public recognition to every person involved in bringing the competition to life, from lead musicians and arrangers to instrument technicians, captains, and volunteer support teams, thanking them for their year-round dedication to safeguarding and growing Antigua and Barbuda’s beloved steelpan artistic tradition.

    The full official performance order for the 2026 State Insurance Panorama is as follows: 1. Harmonites Steel Orchestra performing “Fire in De Back Seat” by King Swallow; 2. West Side Symphony performing “Stand Up for Antigua” by King Onyan; 3. Panache Steel Orchestra performing “Pan Man Play” by Claudette “CP” Peters; 4. Original Steel Orchestra performing “Pan Man Play” by Claudette “CP” Peters; 5. West Indies Oil Company Gemonites Steel Orchestra performing “Bet” by Ricardo Drue; 6. Pandemonium Steel Orchestra performing “Mad Mad Mad” by Claudette “CP” Peters; 7. Caribbean Union Bank Hells Gate Steel Orchestra performing “Bet” by Ricardo Drue; 8. Halcyon Steel Orchestra performing “Bet” by Ricardo Drue.

    For attendees planning to attend the event, tickets are priced at EC$40, and are currently available for purchase at official ticket outlets across Antigua and Barbuda, as well as through the official event Ticketing App. The full 2026 Antigua Carnival celebration runs from July 25 to August 4, with Panorama marking one of the festival’s most high-profile annual events.