Carib Scope

标签： Antigua and Barbuda

安提瓜和巴布达

  • Officials Working to Standardise EV Charging Across CARICOM

    Officials Working to Standardise EV Charging Across CARICOM

    As electric vehicle adoption gains momentum across Caribbean nations, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has launched a coordinated push to address a critical growing pain: fragmented and inconsistent EV charging infrastructure. In a recent virtual webinar hosted by the CARICOM Secretariat from its headquarters in Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana, on Thursday, 11 June 2026, regional stakeholders and industry experts gathered to map a path toward standardized, interoperable charging networks that work across all member states.

    During the discussions, attendees zeroed in on three core areas identified as non-negotiable for cross-regional harmonization: unified safety protocols, standardized charger installation requirements, and aligned inspection procedures. The central goal of these efforts is to deliver interoperability — meaning EV owners will be able to use any public charging station regardless of which CARICOM country they are traveling in, eliminating the compatibility barriers that currently complicate cross-border electric vehicle travel.

    The keynote presentation of the session was delivered by Dr. Soren E. Maloney, a professional engineer and director of Ziklag Consulting Group Company Limited, who drew on hands-on experience developing Guyana’s emerging EV charging ecosystem to frame the regional conversation. Dr. Maloney confirmed that while EV uptake is accelerating across every CARICOM member state, individual countries are progressing at vastly different speeds when it comes to developing formal standards and regulatory frameworks for charging infrastructure.

    He outlined the systemic challenges holding many smaller member states back: limited technical workforces, constrained national budgets allocated for sustainable transport infrastructure, and a general lack of institutional capacity to develop locally tailored standards and build regulatory oversight systems. These uneven starting points have made cross-regional interoperability a particularly stubborn challenge to address, Dr. Maloney noted.

    Drawing lessons from Guyana’s ongoing work in the sector, Dr. Maloney highlighted four key principles that should guide regional standard-setting: clear definition of institutional roles and process workflows, continuous collection and integration of stakeholder feedback, intentional embedding of long-term capacity-building for local workforces, and the development of standards that align with local conditions, current market maturity, and the scale of each country’s EV fleet. He emphasized that copying and pasting regulatory frameworks from larger, more developed regions or individual nations is not a viable solution for the Caribbean context, warning that inflexible standards could lock member states into outdated technologies and limit their ability to adapt to future innovations in the EV space.

    The webinar, which is available to listen to on-demand, brought together stakeholders from across the region to exchange on-the-ground experiences and fill knowledge gaps around the current state of the Caribbean EV landscape, marking a key first step toward a unified regional approach to sustainable electric transportation.

  • Cabinet Issues Warning Over Illegal Development and Land Sales in Barbuda

    Cabinet Issues Warning Over Illegal Development and Land Sales in Barbuda

    In a recent post-Cabinet media briefing, Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant has publicly issued a stern official warning from the Antigua and Barbuda Cabinet: any unapproved land sales, leases, and development projects across the island of Barbuda will not receive government recognition, and violators could face strict enforcement action, including the full demolition of illegally constructed structures.

    The announcement followed in-depth Cabinet discussions centered on two key land governance topics: the ongoing development of the long-awaited Barbuda Land Registry, and the national government’s preparations for the formal sale of Crown land on the island. During the meeting, Attorney General and Minister for Legal Affairs Sir Steadroy Benjamin presented a progress update on bringing the new land registry into full operation, a initiative the government has framed as a foundational step to establish a clear, binding legal framework for all land registration processes and property transactions across Barbuda.

    Cabinet members confirmed they were satisfied with the progress achieved so far, and publicly reaffirmed the government’s long-held position on institutional land authority on the island. The Cabinet made clear that under national law, the Barbuda Council does not hold the legal power to sell, lease, or otherwise transfer ownership of any land on the island. Any attempt by the Council to carry out these types of land transactions will be deemed legally void, and will never be recognized or upheld by the national government, the statement stressed.

    This position is consistent with the government’s longstanding stance on Barbuda’s land administration, as it works to roll out a formal, centralized land registration system for the island. Merchant confirmed that work is still ongoing to put in place all the required legal and administrative infrastructure to support consistent land registration and regulated transactions. Government officials anticipate that once fully operational, the registry will deliver much greater legal certainty for existing landowners, prospective investors, and developers by creating an official, verifiable system for recording and confirming all legal land interests.

    Beyond addressing unauthorized transactions, the Cabinet used the briefing to flag growing concerns over unapproved development activity. Ministers reiterated that every land transaction and construction project must comply fully with the national laws of Antigua and Barbuda, and any structures built without securing all necessary legal approvals will be subject to formal enforcement. Merchant noted that the discussion included specific references to ongoing development projects that have proceeded without the required permits, and emphasized that the government is fully prepared to take punitive action where violations are confirmed. Available enforcement actions include the demolition and complete removal of any unauthorized structures built in violation of national planning and development regulations.

    The official warning comes as the national government moves to strengthen oversight of land management across Barbuda, through both the creation of the centralized land registry and the rollout of what officials describe as a far more transparent and secure system for overseeing all land transactions. The Cabinet regards the new registry as a critical pillar of broader efforts to boost transparency in land governance, protect formal property rights, and ensure that all land-related activities are conducted strictly within the bounds of national law.

    Merchant added that the national government remains fully committed to fostering orderly, sustainable development across Barbuda, while ensuring that all land ownership transfers, transactions, and large-scale development projects adhere to established legal procedures. Thursday’s discussions form part of the Cabinet’s ongoing regular review of land management challenges in Barbuda, and the broader government initiative to build institutional systems that will deliver greater legal certainty for residents, developers, and investors alike.

  • Spain to Assist Antigua and Barbuda’s Push to Make Spanish Second Language

    Spain to Assist Antigua and Barbuda’s Push to Make Spanish Second Language

    A new collaborative partnership in language education and cultural exchange is taking shape between the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda and the European Kingdom of Spain, as the Caribbean government advances its ambitious plan to position Spanish as the country’s official second language.

    During a post-Cabinet press briefing held this Thursday, Maurice Merchant, Antigua and Barbuda’s Director General of Communications, shared key updates with reporters on the progress of the initiative. He confirmed that the national Cabinet has received a formal briefing on recent high-level talks between Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Spain’s ambassador accredited to Jamaica, which centered on expanding bilateral cooperation in language teaching and cross-cultural engagement.

    Per Merchant’s statement, Spanish authorities have already conveyed their clear readiness to support Antigua and Barbuda’s ambitious project through a comprehensive package of support. This support includes the deployment of specialized Spanish lecturers, development and provision of custom teaching materials, implementation of ongoing professional teacher-training programs, and access to cutting-edge educational software and other digital learning tools. All resources are targeted at raising the overall quality and accessibility of Spanish instruction across all levels of education in the country.

    Merchant added that the discussions also addressed targeted, sector-specific language training designed for frontline workers across key industries that drive Antigua and Barbuda’s economy. This includes training for employees in tourism, hospitality, airport and seaport operations, national security, and customs services — sectors that interact regularly with Spanish-speaking visitors and trading partners.

    Another key proposal put forward during the talks that received Cabinet attention is the plan to establish a permanent Spanish Language and Cultural Institute on the islands. This dedicated facility will function as a regional hub for immersive language learning, cross-cultural events, and sustained educational collaboration between the two governments.

    In a notable aside, Merchant highlighted that a number of Antigua and Barbuda’s senior government leaders already hold advanced fluency in Spanish. This group includes Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene, Cabinet Secretary Maria Browne, and Sports Minister Dwayne George, demonstrating the existing foundation of Spanish language capacity within the national administration.

    The Antigua and Barbuda government frames the push for broader Spanish proficiency as a strategic investment that will deliver long-term economic and diplomatic benefits. Officials argue that wider Spanish competency will boost the country’s competitive edge in the key tourism sector, expand cross-border commercial opportunities, strengthen its diplomatic engagement across Latin America and the Caribbean, and advance regional integration efforts across the Caribbean bloc.

    Cabinet has formally welcomed the progress of the talks with Spain and expressed unanimous support for continuing diplomatic and practical engagement with Spain and other interested international partners as the language initiative moves from planning to implementation.

  • Premier League Football to Return to ARG After Cabinet Approval

    Premier League Football to Return to ARG After Cabinet Approval

    Top-flight domestic football in Antigua and Barbuda is set to make its long-awaited comeback to the iconic Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG) this coming season, after the national cabinet gave the green light to a groundbreaking pilot program that will allow both football and cricket to share the historic venue. Running from September through December, the new arrangement represents the culmination of weeks of coordinated negotiations between government leaders, the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association, and key stakeholders from the national cricket community.

    The official confirmation of the approval was delivered by Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant during a post-Cabinet press briefing held on Thursday. Merchant outlined that cabinet’s decision rests on the conclusion that the two popular sports can successfully operate side-by-side at the ARG, provided the venue implements structured scheduling, consistent targeted maintenance, and centralized professional facility management. “Cabinet agreed that Premier League football will return to the Antigua Recreation Ground for the upcoming September to December season on a new operational framework,” Merchant stated in his address to reporters.

    For Antigua and Barbuda’s local football ecosystem, this outcome marks a major milestone. Clubs and fans have campaigned for years to bring top-tier domestic football back to the capital’s most high-profile sports venue, which has held a unique place in the country’s sporting history for decades. Widely recognized as one of Antigua and Barbuda’s most iconic sporting infrastructure assets, the ARG has hosted thousands of elite football and cricket matches since it opened, and is deeply woven into the cultural identity of the nation’s sporting community.

    Under the terms of the newly approved plan, the coexistence arrangement will run as a trial throughout the 2024 September-to-December season, allowing officials to assess its effectiveness and work out any logistical kinks before a decision is made on potential long-term adoption. Merchant confirmed that old operational protocols for football at the ARG will be retired entirely, replaced by the updated management framework laid out in the pilot proposal. The cabinet also received formal recommendations to establish a dedicated, cross-stakeholder management body for the ARG, tasked with overseeing all scheduling, maintenance planning, and day-to-day operations. Officials have framed this proposed management structure as a critical step to unlock the full potential of the venue, while upholding the strict quality standards required for both football and cricket competitions.

    The entire negotiation process was spearheaded by Sports Minister Dwayne George, who brought all competing parties to the table to find a mutually beneficial solution. Merchant emphasized that cabinet remains confident the ARG can continue to fulfill its dual role as a world-class host for regional and international cricket, while also once again serving as the premier home for top domestic football in Antigua and Barbuda. For local clubs and their fanbases, the approval is more than just a logistical change—it brings top-flight football back to a venue that millions consider the traditional heart of major national sporting events.

  • Police Launch Operation Iron Grip to Disrupt Criminal Activity

    Police Launch Operation Iron Grip to Disrupt Criminal Activity

    Law enforcement agencies in Antigua and Barbuda have unveiled a groundbreaking proactive enforcement strategy aimed at closing the gaps that allow criminal offenders to operate unseen across the twin-island nation. Christened Operation Iron Grip, the new initiative centers on three core pillars: targeted intervention in high-crime areas, boosted police presence in public spaces, and coordinated efforts to block the movement of criminal groups across the country. Deputy Commissioner of Police Albert Wade, the official leading the rollout of the program, outlined the framework in an exclusive interview with Observer Radio’s *Voice of the People* segment. Wade explained that extensive internal analysis by the police force has revealed that the majority of offenses committed across Antigua and Barbuda follow consistent, traceable patterns. This insight has led leadership to pivot from traditional reactive law enforcement models to a proactive approach that goes far beyond the limited impact of routine random patrols. “Contrary to common perception, crime is not an unpredictable, random occurrence. We firmly believe it can be forecast and interrupted before it takes place,” Wade stated. Under the new operational model, officers will be strategically deployed to high-risk zones to disrupt potential criminal activity before any offense is committed. A key focus of the operation will be cracking down on opportunistic crimes, which account for a large share of everyday offenses across the nation. To achieve this, police will implement enhanced vehicle and pedestrian checks at critical transit points throughout the country. “Criminals will no longer be able to travel freely between hotspots: if you move through any key area, you can expect to be stopped and vetted by an officer,” Wade noted. Beyond increased enforcement, the Deputy Commissioner emphasized that the initiative also prioritizes deeper, more meaningful connections between police and the communities they serve. Operation Iron Grip will expand the country’s community policing framework by expanding the role of district liaison officers, who will be tasked with building closer working relationships with local residents and at-risk young people. According to police leadership, the overarching long-term goals of the new strategy extend beyond immediate crime reduction: the operation aims to strengthen national crime prevention infrastructure, repair and deepen trust between law enforcement and local communities, and drive a sustained reduction in all types of criminal activity across Antigua and Barbuda.

  • Zion Church Feeding Initiative Receives Major Appliance Donation

    Zion Church Feeding Initiative Receives Major Appliance Donation

    For more than three and a half decades, the Zion Church of God in St. John’s, Antigua, has carried out a quiet but critical mission: rolling back food insecurity by serving hot, nutritious meals to vulnerable residents across the island. This long-running community outreach effort just received a meaningful upgrade, thanks to a generous joint donation from the Lions Club of Antigua and local business Cool & Smooth Store.

    The two organizations have gifted the church a brand-new refrigerator valued at 8,500 Eastern Caribbean dollars, officially handed over during a small presentation at the church’s North Street location. The new appliance will play a central role in the feeding programme, expanding the church’s capacity to safely store ingredients and keep prepared meals fresh before they reach community members in need.

    The partnership between the Zion Church of God and the Lions Club of Antigua is not a new one. For years, the service club has been a core supporter of the feeding initiative, contributing more than 21,000 Eastern Caribbean dollars to the programme every single year. Beyond financial backing, the club also supplies fresh, homegrown produce harvested from its own community garden on Upper Church Street, and its members regularly step in to help volunteers deliver meals across the community each week.

    On a typical Wednesday, church volunteers prepare more than 45 hot lunches for people experiencing food insecurity. With the added storage space and reliability of the new refrigerator, the programme will now be able to expand its reach, serving more vulnerable residents than ever before. Volunteers with the church expressed deep gratitude for the ongoing commitment of both the Lions Club and Cool & Smooth Store, noting that the donation advances shared work to cut hunger and support struggling members of the Antiguan community.

  • Businessman Larry Gonsalves Dies; WIOC Pays Tribute

    Businessman Larry Gonsalves Dies; WIOC Pays Tribute

    The Caribbean business community is mourning the loss of one of its most respected long-standing members, prominent fuel retail sector figure Lawrence “Larry” Gonsalves, with regional energy firm West Indies Oil Company Ltd. (WIOC) the latest to issue a heartfelt tribute to his life and legacy.

    In an official public statement released following Gonsalves’ death, WIOC’s full board of directors, senior management, and all company staff joined together to extend deep condolences to the bereaved family, friends, and loved ones he left behind.

    The company highlighted that Gonsalves built a reputation that stretched far beyond his work operating service stations across the region. While his professional contributions to the local fuel retail industry were substantial, his most enduring impact came from his personal connections, and his willingness to lift up emerging entrepreneurs as a trusted mentor, WIOC emphasized.

    Described as a figure admired by everyone who crossed paths with him, Gonsalves earned widespread respect across the business community over decades of active engagement in local public and commercial life. “A man who was respected by many and loved by all who knew him. More than a service station operator, he was a friend and mentor to many,” the WIOC statement read.

    The organization closed by reaffirming that Gonsalves’ contributions, guidance, and warm spirit will long be remembered by every person whose life he influenced over his decades-long career, adding that the entire WIOC community holds his family in their thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

  • Civil Liberties Group Says Barbudans Must Approve Major Changes to Land Ownership

    Civil Liberties Group Says Barbudans Must Approve Major Changes to Land Ownership

    A prominent civil society group in Antigua and Barbuda is drawing a clear line in the sand over proposed changes to Barbuda’s longstanding land framework, insisting that no major alteration to the island’s land ownership rules, governing structure or long-term development strategies can move forward without the free, informed and uncoerced consent of Barbudan residents. The Antigua and Barbuda Civil Liberties Movement has raised sharp alarms about ongoing pushes to expand freehold private land ownership and usher in large-scale high-end real estate development across the Caribbean island, arguing that the proposed shifts touch on fundamental constitutional rights, the future of local self-governance and the core principles of democratic participation for the island’s population. In an official public statement, the organization anchored its position in the country’s founding legal document, pointing specifically to Section 123(1) of Antigua and Barbuda’s Constitution. This provision formally designates the Barbuda Council as the primary institution of local self-governance for the island, and the group maintains that both the council and the community it represents deserve full, meaningful consultation before any decisions that reshape Barbuda’s lands, natural resources and long-term trajectory are finalized. The movement emphasized the deep historical value of Barbuda’s communal land tenure system, noting that for generations this structure has shielded local residents from predatory land speculation, prevented the dangerous concentration of land ownership in the hands of a small elite, and guaranteed that future generations of Barbudans will retain access to land on their native island. The group has issued a formal call to the national government, urging officials to honor the constitutionally enshrined role of the Barbuda Council and ensure that all proposals related to land ownership, land management and infrastructure or residential development are carried out with complete transparency and full, inclusive public participation from the Barbudan community. Crucially, the organization clarified that it does not oppose all new development or foreign investment on the island. Instead, it maintains that responsible economic growth and incoming investment can coexist with full respect for Barbuda’s traditional communal land tenure system and its locally rooted democratic institutions.

  • Labour Department to Host Free Health and Wellness Fair on Thames Street

    Labour Department to Host Free Health and Wellness Fair on Thames Street

    Residents of Antigua and Barbuda will soon have access to a full suite of free health screenings, social service resources, and professional guidance at an upcoming community Health and Wellness Fair, organized by the national Labour Department. Scheduled for Friday, June 12, the day-long public event will bring together a coalition of eight government bodies and non-profit service providers, all opening up their services to people of every age group at no cost.

    The fair will operate from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. along the high-traffic corridor of Thames Street, a central location designed to maximize accessibility for local residents. Clinical services will lead the offerings: the Ministry of Health and Medical Benefits will administer a full range of complimentary general health screenings, while the national AIDS Secretariat will bring confidential HIV testing and personalized counseling for attendees seeking information or support.

    Beyond core medical services, the event will address a wide range of pressing social and public health issues. SPARC, the national Substance Prevention, Advocacy, Resources and Counseling organization, will share evidence-based information and guidance for both substance abuse prevention and accessing evidence-based treatment programs. The national Human Trafficking Task Force will also set up a booth to conduct community outreach, raising public awareness of human trafficking risks and sharing information on how to report and prevent exploitation.

    Economic and regulatory resources will also be on hand for attendees. The Antigua and Barbuda Social Security Board will deploy representatives to walk residents through their existing benefit entitlements and connect eligible community members with underutilized public resources. Officers from the host Labour Department and national Immigration Department will also be on site to answer questions, provide guidance, and resolve concerns related to labour regulations, workplace rights, and a wide range of immigration-related matters.

    Event organizers note that the cross-agency fair is built around three core goals: encouraging the broader public to adopt sustainable, healthier daily habits, closing information gaps around the full scope of public and non-profit social services already available to residents, and forging direct, personal connections between community members and the agencies that exist to support them. Admission to the entire event is completely free, and organizers are actively encouraging all community members to take advantage of the range of screenings, one-on-one consultations, and educational resources available throughout the day.

  • Antigua and Barbuda’s Abigail Piper Unable to Attend Miss Caribbean Universe Pageant

    Antigua and Barbuda’s Abigail Piper Unable to Attend Miss Caribbean Universe Pageant

    ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA – June 10, 2026 – The Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission (ABFC) has delivered an updated announcement regarding regional pageant representative Miss Abigail Piper, confirming she will withdraw from the upcoming Miss Caribbean Universe Pageant just three days ahead of the competition’s kickoff. The June 13 event, set to take place in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, will no longer feature Piper as the nation’s contestant after unexpected visa complications and unmanageable travel barriers emerged, issues that neither the contestant nor the ABFC could mitigate.

    While the last-minute change has disrupted initial plans, the ABFC has shared positive news to offset the disappointment: Piper will still step onto a major regional stage to represent Antigua and Barbuda just a few months later. This August, she will compete in the Miss Caribbean Beauty and Intelligence Pageant, a well-regarded regional competition whose core values align perfectly with Piper’s longstanding personal commitments. The pageant centers on youth empowerment, authentic cultural exchange, leadership development, and personal growth – priorities Piper has actively championed throughout her preparation journey.

    Hon. Dwayne George, the nation’s Minister of Sports and Creative Industries, reaffirmed the government’s full confidence in and ongoing support for Piper in the announcement. “The entire Commission is extraordinarily proud of everything Abigail has achieved, the dedication she has brought to her preparation, and the unwavering commitment she has shown from day one of this journey,” George stated. “She has already carried the flag of Antigua and Barbuda with incredible grace, professionalism, and distinction, and we have no doubt she will stand out brilliantly when she competes this August. We are fully behind her as she prepares to represent our nation at the Miss Caribbean Beauty and Intelligence Pageant later this year.”

    For her part, Piper extended heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported her journey, including the organizing committee of the Miss Caribbean Universe Pageant, her official sponsors, family members, close friends, and the wide community of Antiguan and Barbudan supporters who have backed her. She also offered well wishes to all contestants set to compete in the June 13 event, expressing her excitement to watch the competition and her commitment to the pageant’s ongoing success and development in the region.

    As Piper shifts her focus to preparing for the August competition, the ABFC is calling on people across Antigua and Barbuda to continue rallying around their representative. The commission emphasized that it remains confident Piper will make the nation proud once again, bringing her signature poise, sharp intellect, and relentless dedication to excellence to the regional stage this summer.