Carib Scope

博客

  • Suriname wil concrete investeringen en meer toegang tot Chinese markt

    Suriname wil concrete investeringen en meer toegang tot Chinese markt

    On Monday, against the backdrop of 50 years of formal diplomatic relations between Suriname and China established in 1976, Suriname’s President Jennifer Simons laid out the South American nation’s top cooperation priorities during a high-level meeting with a 14-member Chinese delegation led by Bater, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). The meeting, held at the Presidential Palace, was also attended by Melvin Bouva, Suriname’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation, and Chinese Ambassador to Suriname Lin Ji.

    Simons emphasized that Suriname is eager to capitalize on this five-decade diplomatic milestone to attract increased Chinese investment, facilitate targeted technology transfer, and expand market access for Surinamese goods in the world’s second-largest economy. The president stressed that the country prioritizes tangible outcomes from its bilateral strategic partnership, particularly projects that drive Suriname’s economic diversification, create local job opportunities, support skills development for local workers, and bring advanced technical know-how to the nation.

    Pointing to Suriname’s emerging offshore oil and gas sector, Simons noted that the nascent industry opens significant new avenues for bilateral collaboration. Beyond energy development, the Surinamese leader underscored the country’s goal to expand overall bilateral trade, create more opportunities for Surinamese enterprises to operate in the Chinese market, and strengthen connections between the two countries’ business communities. “We attach great importance to deepening bilateral trade and investment ties, fostering greater engagement between our respective business communities, encouraging mutually beneficial investment opportunities, and facilitating access for Surinamese products to the Chinese market,” Simons stated during the meeting.

    She also recalled that over the past 50 years, bilateral cooperation has expanded across a wide range of key sectors, including infrastructure construction, energy development, mining, agriculture, public healthcare, education, and technology. Simons added that a core priority moving forward is the full implementation of cooperation agreements that have already been reached between the two sides.

    In his remarks, Minister Bouva framed the Chinese delegation’s visit as a key opportunity to inject new momentum into Suriname-China relations. Over the past five decades, the two countries have built a solid foundation for partnership that provides a strong platform for further progress, Bouva noted. Going forward, the next stage of relations should focus on reaching specific agreements and delivering tangible outcomes, he added, asking, “Now it is important: how will we advance the next phase of this relationship?”

    Following the meeting at the presidential palace, the Chinese delegation traveled to Suriname’s legislature, De Nationale Assemblee (DNA), where Bater held separate talks with DNA Speaker Ashwin Adhin and the leaders of all parliamentary political parties. During the discussion, Adhin highlighted the importance of knowledge sharing between the two sides, particularly in the areas of advanced technology and the operation of political institutions, noting that Suriname can draw valuable lessons from China’s decades of rapid development. He also emphasized the critical role of investment and youth engagement in strengthening future bilateral ties.

    During the legislative meeting, Bater introduced the functional role of the CPPCC, China’s top political advisory body that brings together representatives from diverse political parties and social sectors to deliberate on national governance issues and provide policy recommendations. He explained that the organization gathers insights from across all segments of Chinese society to support evidence-based national decision-making.

    President Simons also took the opportunity during the meeting to reflect on the deep historical and cultural ties that bind Suriname and China, dating back to the arrival of Chinese contract laborers in the country. Over the generations, the Chinese community in Suriname has made profound contributions to the nation’s economic, social and cultural development, she noted.

    The Surinamese president reaffirmed that Suriname remains firmly committed to the one-China policy, which has served as a cornerstone of bilateral relations since diplomatic ties were first established in 1976. She described China as both a long-standing friend and an equal partner, with whom Suriname shares deeply rooted historical and cultural connections.

    Looking ahead to the next 50 years of bilateral relations, Simons expressed her expectation that expanded cooperation will deliver sustained economic growth and mutual benefits for both countries. As of the current briefing, no new specific investment figures or signed agreements have been publicly announced following the meetings.

  • Newton urges penalties for relatives who knowingly harbor gun offenders

    Newton urges penalties for relatives who knowingly harbor gun offenders

    As the upper legislative chamber debated sweeping updates to the nation’s gun control framework, one sitting senator has made a forceful case for expanding legal liability beyond direct gun offenders to people who knowingly harbor armed criminals or hide illegal weapons in their residences.

    Sen. Lamin Newton’s intervention during floor debate on the Firearms Amendment Bill argues that current enforcement efforts incorrectly focus exclusively on individuals who pull the trigger or commit crimes with firearms, while ignoring the critical support network that allows illegal gun activity to continue unpunished. Under Newton’s proposed framework, anyone who knowingly shelters armed offenders, conceals their illegal weapons, or aids them in evading capture by law enforcement would face the full force of the law alongside the primary offenders.

    “This proposed legislation must also sweep these enablers into the legal net,” Newton told fellow members of the Senate, emphasizing that many community members continue to protect romantic partners or close relatives even when they are fully aware their household is harboring illegal firearms and facilitating criminal activity.

    Newton questioned the plausibility of widespread claims of ignorance from household members, pointing out the obvious red flags that accompany criminal gun involvement. How can family members genuinely claim they have no idea that a relative is involved in illegal activity, he argued, when that same person regularly brings home high-priced goods and enormous stacks of cash despite having no verifiable legitimate source of income?

    “When you walk through the door carrying a bag with $100,000, even $200,000, and you haven’t held a steady job anywhere, where on earth do you think that $200,000 comes from?” he asked during his floor speech.

    The senator highlighted a particularly urgent risk linked to keeping illegal firearms in family residences: the direct danger these weapons pose to children and other innocent household members. Beyond giving armed offenders a safe space to evade police or rival criminal groups, Newton warned that storing unsecured firearms in homes with minors puts vulnerable people at unnecessary risk of accidental harm or violence.

    Newton’s plea included a direct call for the sitting government to ensure the final version of the amendment explicitly addresses aiding and abetting gun crime, noting that anyone who knowingly harbors or protects armed offenders deserves to face proportional criminal penalties. He also pushed back against the widespread culture of silence that has hampered law enforcement efforts across the country, arguing that widespread fear of being labeled a snitch has left communities overrun by gun violence.

    To illustrate the impact of this culture of inaction, Newton shared a recent anecdote from a preacher in Grace Farm. During an attempted street robbery of a local woman, the preacher stepped in to intervene, only to be kicked violently in the stomach by the attacker. As the preacher called out for bystanders to help, not a single onlooker stepped in to assist, Newton recounted.

    He urged local residents to set aside their fear and share any information they have about illegal gun activity with law enforcement, stressing that bringing offenders to justice does not just make the community safer — it may ultimately save the life of the person who comes forward. “The life you save by speaking up may just be your very own,” he said.

    Following the conclusion of floor debate, the Senate advanced and passed the Firearms Amendment Bill, which updates the original Firearms Act to introduce harsher criminal penalties for individuals convicted of gun-related offenses.

  • Antigua and Barbuda’s Alando Michael joins RSS Coast Guard Commanders Forum

    Antigua and Barbuda’s Alando Michael joins RSS Coast Guard Commanders Forum

    The Regional Security System (RSS), a key regional security coordination body covering the Caribbean, has expanded its critical Coast Guard Commanders Forum with the addition of three senior security leaders from across the Eastern Caribbean. The induction brings diverse maritime security expertise to the forum, drawing leaders from three different Caribbean nations to strengthen collective efforts to protect regional waters.

    Among the new inductees is Lieutenant Colonel Alando Michael, a senior officer with the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force. Joining Michael are two senior law enforcement leaders: Assistant Superintendent Reece Auguste from the Royal St. Lucia Police Force, and Assistant Superintendent Glenfield Campbell of the Guyana Police Force. The RSS officially confirmed the new appointments in a public statement shared this week, though the organization has not released additional details about the specific date or venue where the induction ceremony took place.

    In its announcement, the RSS emphasized that the addition of these three seasoned security professionals directly advances the forum’s core strategic objectives: deepening cross-border partnerships and refining operational coordination across the Caribbean’s extensive maritime domain. Caribbean maritime security is a persistent regional priority, as nations work together to counter transnational threats including drug trafficking, illegal fishing, and unauthorized migration, while also protecting critical maritime infrastructure and economic resources vital to the region’s blue economy.

    Alongside the formal announcement, the RSS published a group photograph capturing the three new inductees alongside two senior RSS leaders: Lieutenant Commander Rolerick Sobers, the organization’s Regional Maritime Officer, and Commander Deon Henry, chairman of the current conference and a senior officer with the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Coast Guard Service. The image offers a public look at the expanded leadership team that will guide the forum’s work in the coming term.

    The Coast Guard Commanders Forum serves as a central platform for regional security stakeholders to align strategies, share real-time intelligence, and coordinate joint operations that address shared maritime security challenges across the Caribbean. By bringing in new leadership from across the region’s defense and law enforcement sectors, the RSS aims to build a more inclusive and effective collective security framework that meets the evolving needs of Caribbean nations.

  • Uroy Joseph sentenced to 22 years in prison in Arthur James murder case

    Uroy Joseph sentenced to 22 years in prison in Arthur James murder case

    A Freetown man has been handed a 22-year custodial sentence for his role in the 2021 killing of Arthur James, whose charred remains were recovered in local undergrowth following his death. The penalty was issued on a Tuesday morning, weeks after a jury found Uroy Joseph guilty of acting as an accessory after the fact to the murder.

    Joseph’s trial, overseen by Justice Ann Marie Smith, centered on his claim that he only participated in covering up the killing out of mortal fear. He told the court he arrived home to discover James bound and his two cousins — Zamir and Obasic Ogarro — armed with firearms. According to his testimony, he had no intention of joining the plot, but the cousins threatened to kill him if he did not comply with their demands.

    Joseph recounted that he was forced to help move James’ body into a vehicle, before being ordered to carry out additional tasks with a second car. He also asserted that he reached out to law enforcement soon after the incident, cooperating fully with investigators and sharing key details about how the murder unfolded. Prosecutors confirmed during the proceedings that Zamir Ogarro, Joseph’s cousin, was the primary attacker who fatally struck James in the head with a pipe, an act Joseph claimed to have witnessed firsthand.

    Originally, Joseph was set to stand trial alongside both Ogarro cousins, but the pair died before the case could go before a jury. Despite Joseph’s claims of coercion and cooperation, the jury ultimately refused to accept his version of events, returning a guilty verdict that has now led to a decades-long prison term.

  • The UWI Five Islands graduates first Master of Public Health class

    The UWI Five Islands graduates first Master of Public Health class

    On October 10, 2026, a landmark moment unfolded in Caribbean higher education and public health development, as eight experienced health professionals crossed the graduation stage at The University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus in Antigua and Barbuda to become the inaugural graduating class of the campus’s Master of Public Health (MPH) programme. The ceremony marked the campus’s second annual graduate graduation event, honoring students across disciplines including the School of Health & Behavioural Sciences, the home of the new MPH degree.

    Of the eight trailblazing graduates, seven are practicing registered nurse-midwives and one is a medical doctor, all of whom completed the rigorous two-year academic programme that launched alongside the 2024/2025 academic year. When the programme first opened for enrollment, 15 students joined the initial cohort, with the eight graduates successfully fulfilling all degree requirements including a capstone research project. Seven of the graduates received full financial support through government scholarships from Antigua and Barbuda, with additional backing from the nation’s Ministry of Health, Wellness, the Environment and Civil Service Affairs. The graduating cohort includes Tanasha Roberts, Chelle Thomas-Humphrey, Miasha John-Carr, Roselia Carriere-Joseph, Elaine Davis, Joyann Richardson-Fiedtkou, Nollareen Andrew-Richards, and Dr. Jonathan McComie.

    In his address to the graduating class, guests, and university community, Professor C. Justin Robinson, Pro Vice-chancellor and campus principal at UWI Five Islands, emphasized the critical role the programme plays for the Caribbean subregion. “We congratulate the inaugural cohort of MPH Graduates,” Robinson said. “As we confront the Triple C Crisis in our region, equipping our health professionals with the knowledge and practice to help build and strengthen the infrastructure in our twin island state and across the subregion is critical.” He went on to explain that the MPH programme is a core component of a broader regional strategy to boost workforce and institutional capacity in high-priority sectors across the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), with public health topping the list of needs.

    Sir Molwyn Joseph, Antigua and Barbuda’s former health minister who attended the celebratory ceremony, noted that the creation of the MPH programme at UWI Five Islands grew directly from intentional policy planning during his tenure to expand local healthcare training capacity. “The Ministry’s support for the programme, and the discussions that led to its addition to the offerings at The UWI Five Islands Campus during my tenure, were part of capacity building in the health sector,” Joseph explained.

    For the graduates themselves, the two-year journey was marked by unique personal and professional challenges that tested their resilience. All eight students began their postgraduate studies in September 2024 while holding active full-time roles in patient care across Antigua and Barbuda’s communities, balancing clinical shifts and long working hours with academic coursework and research requirements. Many of the graduates also balance caregiving responsibilities for their own children, fitting study sessions into late nights, early mornings, and weekends when they were not on duty at clinics or hospitals. The cohort shared that periods of illness, professional exhaustion, and self-doubt created obstacles along the way, but collective peer support carried the group through tight deadlines, demanding semesters, and the rigorous capstone research process.

    The graduation of this first MPH cohort aligns with the School of Health and Behavioural Sciences’ ongoing expansion of postgraduate training opportunities tailored to the unique needs of the Caribbean. In addition to the new Master of Public Health, the school already offers a Master of Science in Non-Communicable Disease Management, a programme designed to address the high burden of non-communicable illnesses across the region that places major strain on local healthcare systems.

    Established in 2019 as the fifth official campus of The University of the West Indies, UWI Five Islands has quickly become a major hub for accessible, world-class higher education across the Eastern Caribbean. As part of the UWI system, which holds consistent top rankings in global university assessments from Times Higher Education (THE), the campus upholds the system’s long legacy of academic excellence while prioritizing programmes that directly address regional development priorities. The campus currently offers more than 45 undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes across four specialized schools: the School of Humanities and Education, School of Business and Management, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, and School of Science, Computing and Artificial Intelligence. It also hosts the Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy (COBE), a leading research hub focused on marine science and sustainable ocean economic development, a critical sector for small island developing states across the Caribbean.

  • Camillo says ‘What Gets You Vex’ radio show helped foster ‘negativity’

    Camillo says ‘What Gets You Vex’ radio show helped foster ‘negativity’

    Following his election defeat in November after two consecutive terms in office, former East St. George Member of Parliament and ex-finance minister Camillo Gonsalves has drawn a clear line in the sand between his approach to political discourse and that of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ (SVG) ruling New Democratic Party (NDP). In a recent guest appearance on the opposition Unity Labour Party’s (ULP) Star Radio’s *Morning Comrade* program, Gonsalves pledged that his on-air appearances would avoid the culture of unrelenting negativity that he says the NDP cultivated while it was in opposition, and continues to perpetuate today in government.

    Gonsalves recalled that during the NDP’s time out of power, party members appeared daily on radio programs to stoke public anger and criticism. He specifically called out the former Hot 97FM show “What Gets You Vex”, a program that invited listeners to call in daily and share what was frustrating them. While the privately owned urban radio station has never publicly aligned with any political party and has criticized both major parties during their tenures in power and opposition, Gonsalves argues that the show’s format normalized a cycle of complaint that the NDP weaponized for political gain.

    This culture of constant negativity, Gonsalves argues, has followed the NDP into government, where officials now spend much of their time dismissing SVG’s potential, pushing out political opponents, and framing the country’s future in pessimistic terms. In contrast, Gonsalves says the ULP has a responsibility to deliver a message of grounded optimism to SVG’s people, even when the party highlights policy missteps or areas in need of improvement.

    Gonsalves emphasized that unbroken negativity creates a self-reinforcing toxic cycle, where constant criticism erodes public trust and turns citizens against one another. “If all you hear is negativity, all you will be is negative,” he argued, noting that SVG’s people have far too much potential to allow setbacks to turn them into what he called “negative crabs in a barrel, pulling down one another”. He added that even when addressing serious challenges facing the nation, the ULP will start and end its messaging with positivity, offering the public a constructive alternative to the ruling party’s persistent pessimism.

    Gonsalves also took a moment to reflect on what SVG has to be grateful for, praising the country’s natural beauty and the warmth of its people. “We give thanks for where we are: peaceful, loving, harmonious,” he said, reinforcing his belief that a positive tone is not just a rhetorical choice, but a necessary foundation for building a better future for all Vincentians.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Relaunches Universal Health Coverage Programme, Advances National Health Insurance Preparations

    Antigua and Barbuda Relaunches Universal Health Coverage Programme, Advances National Health Insurance Preparations

    The twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda has officially restarted work on building out its national Universal Health Coverage (UHC) framework, marking a critical milestone in the government’s push to deliver equitable, affordable care for all residents. Officials have positioned National Health Insurance (NHI) as the central policy tool to reach this goal, aiming to eliminate the financial barriers that prevent many people from accessing life-saving essential care.

    On October 12, 2026, the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs brought together the UHC Steering Committee for an inaugural working meeting at the John E. St. Luce Finance & Conference Centre. The gathering officially relaunched the UHC initiative, with key agenda items including formalizing the committee’s membership and core responsibilities, standing up specialized technical subcommittees, and advancing foundational preparatory work to guide the program’s design and rollout.

    High-level stakeholders in attendance included Health Minister Michael Joseph, Medical Benefits Board Chairman Sir Lionel Hurst, Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) CEO Kevin Silston, Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Hildred Simpson, alongside senior technical leaders from both the Ministry and the MBS.

    In his opening address to the committee, Minister Joseph reaffirmed the administration’s unwavering commitment to building a healthcare system that delivers higher quality, more accessible, equitable, and financially sustainable care for every person across Antigua and Barbuda.

    “At its core, Universal Health Coverage is centered on people,” Joseph stated. “It guarantees that every Antiguan and Barbudan can get the high-quality, appropriate care they need without falling into financial hardship. This core principle must anchor every part of our work moving forward.”

    The minister emphasized that UHC is far more than just a new financing model for healthcare; it demands a comprehensive overhaul of how health services are structured, funded, and delivered across the country. He acknowledged that while the government has already made significant progress in expanding service offerings, strengthening health institutions, and investing in training for medical workers, critical gaps remain. These gaps include uneven access to care across populations, insufficient financial protection for households facing unexpected medical costs, and an inflexible system that struggles to adapt to the evolving health needs of the public.

    Joseph also took time to clarify a common point of confusion between the two policy concepts: UHC is the government’s overarching national goal, while NHI is the primary mechanism selected to achieve that vision. The current plan calls for transforming the existing Medical Benefits Scheme into the new National Health Insurance Programme, a shift designed to expand access to essential care, cut down on out-of-pocket medical spending that burdens households, and strengthen financial safety nets – especially for the country’s most vulnerable groups.

    Minister Joseph stressed that the final program must be tailored specifically to Antigua and Barbuda’s unique national context, while also meeting strict standards of fiscal responsibility, administrative functionality, and long-term sustainability. He paid tribute to earlier foundational work completed by the Health Economics Unit of the University of the West Indies, noting that the current effort builds on that existing research. The Steering Committee’s immediate priority is to review that earlier body of work against the country’s current social, economic, and demographic context, identify unaddressed gaps, and develop actionable, practical policy recommendations.

    Moving forward, the full Steering Committee will oversee and coordinate all stages of the UHC development process. The newly formed technical subcommittees will dive deep into key priority areas, including sustainable healthcare financing, the scope of covered benefits, system governance, required legislative updates, and models for service delivery. Their findings and analysis will shape the final recommendations for the structure and operations of the new NHI program and broader UHC framework.

    Joseph further underscored the critical importance of broad-based stakeholder participation throughout the development process. He noted that the program must draw on the specialized expertise of frontline healthcare workers, institutional leaders, and technical specialists, while also centering the perspectives and needs of patients, local communities, employers, and working people.

    Three core guiding questions will shape all deliberations moving forward: First, what essential health services should every resident be guaranteed access to? Second, how can these services be funded in a way that is both fair and financially sustainable over time? Third, how can the system protect vulnerable groups while upholding high standards of care and accountability for all stakeholders?

    The government has set an aggressive but achievable timeline for the initiative: all design and preparatory work for the program is targeted for completion by the end of 2027, with full implementation scheduled to launch in January 2028. The Steering Committee will consolidate all stakeholder input and technical analysis into a unified national framework for government consideration, while the Ministry of Health will support required policy decisions, regulatory approvals, and pre-implementation preparations.

    Acknowledging that the country operates with limited public resources and must balance competing national priorities, Joseph stressed that all recommendations must be rooted in robust evidence, and the final system must be built to last for generations.

    The official relaunch of the UHC development process represents a major step forward in Antigua and Barbuda’s multi-year effort to advance universal healthcare. With NHI as its core mechanism, the initiative aims to deliver stronger financial protection for households, expand access to life-saving essential services, and build a more equitable, sustainable national health system for all residents.

  • UWI Global Campus Celebrates Class of 2026 at Five Islands Graduation Ceremony

    UWI Global Campus Celebrates Class of 2026 at Five Islands Graduation Ceremony

    On Saturday, 10 October 2026, The University of the West Indies (UWI) Global Campus marked a landmark moment of achievement as hundreds of its distance learners crossed the graduation stage at the UWI Five Islands Campus, capping off years of deliberate effort and personal sacrifice. Thousands of guests, including proud family members, supportive friends, university faculty and community well-wishers, filled the venue to cheer on the new graduates and honor their relentless perseverance through their academic journeys.

    Graduates from three distinct academic faculties were recognized during the ceremony: the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Faculty of Humanities and Education, and the Faculty of Sport. The cohort earned degrees spanning undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with a notable share of undergraduate students collecting First Class Honours, and many postgraduate graduates walking away with Distinction or Merit classifications for their outstanding academic performance.

    As the UWI system’s flagship online learning institution, the Global Campus was designed to expand access to higher education across the Caribbean, currently serving enrollees across 16 regional nations. Its flexible model was built specifically to accommodate working adults, allowing learners to advance their education without stepping away from their full-time jobs, family care responsibilities, or local community ties. This year’s graduating class embodied that mission: the vast majority of graduates balanced full-time employment, caregiving duties, and active community service alongside their course requirements, making their academic success all the more extraordinary.

    One standout graduate is Malika Ward-Gomes, who served as the 2025/2026 Past Chapter Chair of the UWI Global Campus Guild of Students Antigua Chapter. Ward-Gomes earned a Master of Science in Management Studies with a concentration in Human Resource Management, graduating with Merit. Her achievement shines a light on the unique dedication of student leaders, who commit hundreds of hours to supporting their peers while pushing forward with their own academic goals.

    The Antigua Chapter of the UWI Global Campus Guild of Students issued a formal statement of congratulations to the entire 2026 graduating cohort. “Today we celebrate not just degrees, but the determination, resilience and commitment behind each one,” the organization noted. “Our graduates have shown that with sustained effort, success is within reach. We are so proud of you.”

    Looking ahead, the Antigua Chapter has planned a follow-up event to recognize top-performing students: its annual Honour Roll Ceremony and Guild Induction, scheduled for Sunday, 15 November 2026. The event will honor students who earned outstanding academic marks across the first and second semesters of the 2025/2026 academic year, and welcome the new cohort of student guild leaders for the coming term. To the entire UWI Global Campus Class of 2026, congratulations on this transformative achievement.

  • Browne accuses Parker of hypocrisy after she says criminals have politicians on speed dial

    Browne accuses Parker of hypocrisy after she says criminals have politicians on speed dial

    A sharp political clash has erupted in Antigua and Barbuda’s legislative arena, after an opposition senator’s bold claims about criminal influence peddling through political connections drew a blistering personal counterattack from the country’s sitting prime minister.

    The confrontation unfolded during upper house debate over the proposed Firearms Amendment Bill 2026, where opposition Senator Malaka Parker made a series of stunning allegations linking organized criminals to top Antiguan political figures. Parker told the Senate that many known criminals store politicians’ contact information on speed dial, allowing lawbreakers to evade legal consequences with a single phone call. She claimed that suspects taken into police custody are often released by the next day through nothing more than a politically connected phone intervention.

    The senator also opened up about a deeply personal tragedy to back up her claims, recalling the 2018 killing of her own brother. She alleged that the man convicted of involvement in her brother’s death was later granted an early release from prison and a delayed deportation order, privileges she attributed to his access to an unnamed politician. At no point during her Senate address did Parker publicly name the politician or the released prisoner in question.

    Shortly after Parker’s remarks were covered by local outlet Antigua News Room, Prime Minister Gaston Browne launched a scathing response, directly accusing Parker of rank hypocrisy. In a public post shared alongside coverage of Parker’s comments, Browne turned her own accusations back on her, claiming that Parker has long been surrounded by criminal figures within her own immediate inner circle, and that it is Parker who has these criminals on her personal speed dial.

    Browne also brought forward an unsubstantiated side allegation: he claimed Parker herself once arranged an airport meeting for a male associate she described as one of her “babes,” unaware that the man was already wanted by police and would be arrested on arrival. Browne closed his response with a folksy rebuke, writing “Gal, when you live in glass house … don’t throw stones,” adding, “Pick the beam out of your eyes before criticizing the yampee of others.”

    Notably, the prime minister provided no public evidence to back up his counterclaims, and declined to name the man he referenced in his airport allegation. As of press time, neither Parker’s original accusations nor Browne’s counter-allegations have been independently verified by third-party journalists or investigative bodies.

  • Volledige lading 385 ton illegaal ingevoerde rijst onder politiebewaking bij FAI

    Volledige lading 385 ton illegaal ingevoerde rijst onder politiebewaking bij FAI

    In a regulatory enforcement action unfolding at the Port of Nickerie, Suriname, authorities have completed the offloading of 385,000 kilograms (385 tons) of undeclared parboiled rice imported by local trader Bhagwatpersad Ramadhin, moving the entire shipment to a secured storage facility operated by the state-owned Food and Agriculture Industries (FAI). Initial unloading of a portion of the cargo began last Friday, with the remaining stock retrieved from the vessel on Monday, and the entire consignment is now under constant police guard to prevent unauthorized distribution.