Carib Scope

标签： Bahamas

巴哈马

  • Pintard heckled as GBPA town hall turns political

    Pintard heckled as GBPA town hall turns political

    A town hall meeting convened to discuss the recent arbitration ruling involving the Grand Bahama Port Authority descended into political chaos on Monday evening, highlighting the deep partisan divisions within Bahamian politics. The event, held at the Bahamas Union of Teachers Hall in Freeport, was dominated by supporters of the ruling Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), who vocally opposed the participation of opposition leader Michael Pintard.

    The venue reached full capacity, with a significant majority of attendees adorned in PLP colors and party apparel, creating a charged atmosphere. Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis addressed the assembly, though his attempts to quiet disruptive elements during Mr. Pintard’s remarks proved ineffective. Notably, senior police officials present made minimal efforts to control the hecklers and restore order.

    Despite the meeting being held within Mr. Pintard’s Marco City constituency and billed as non-partisan, the Free National Movement (FNM) leader was excluded from the formal speaker panel, which featured attorneys Terrance Gape, Ernie Wallace, Gregory Moss, and PM Davis. FNM Member of Parliament Kwasi Thompson also faced persistent interruptions from the crowd during the question-and-answer segment as he endeavored to present his views.

    Prime Minister Davis utilized the platform to defend his government’s decision to initiate arbitration proceedings against the Grand Bahama Port Authority, asserting that the move was not personal but a necessary action against the two families owning the GBPA. He accused them of failing to meet their developmental obligations for Freeport, stating, ‘The potential of Freeport had been stalled, stagnant, and was being retarded by the fact that the shareholders had lost the vision.’ Davis revealed the government’s claim amounted to $357 million and emphasized that the next phase involves good faith negotiations, with annual payments proposed from 2024 until the Hawksbill Creek Agreement expires in 2054.

    Following the contentious meeting, Mr. Pintard criticized the government’s approach, labeling the public dispute with the GBPA as ‘detrimental to international investors’ confidence.’ He advocated for a more inclusive negotiation process involving licensees, the Chamber of Commerce, and other stakeholders, which he claimed would be standard under his administration. Pintard also called for greater transparency regarding the ruling’s outcome, noting the dismissal of the government’s claim and distancing himself from the Port Authority’s counter-claims.

  • Centreville voters divided on Campbell’s performance

    Centreville voters divided on Campbell’s performance

    As The Bahamas approaches a pivotal general election later this year, residents of Centreville presented sharply contrasting evaluations of their parliamentary representative Jomo Campbell and the broader Davis administration’s governance.

    A spectrum of perspectives emerged from community interviews, revealing deep divisions in voter satisfaction. Seventy-eight-year-old Edward Rahming, a lifelong Centreville resident, offered measured approval of MP Campbell. While acknowledging no personal relationship, Rahming noted the parliamentarian’s visible presence in the constituency and affirmed his continued support for the Progressive Liberal Party, citing multi-generational family voting traditions.

    Conversely, Carew Street entrepreneur John Sands expressed profound disillusionment, claiming complete absence of engagement from his elected official since the PLP’s 2021 electoral victory. Sands articulated strong criticisms regarding economic equity, alleging that government policies disproportionately benefit business interests connected to power structures while neglecting middle-class empowerment. He further raised unsubstantiated allegations regarding employment practices in government contracts.

    The constituency’s competitive electoral history adds significance to these divergent views. Centreville previously alternated between political parties, with former Prime Minister Perry Christie holding the seat before its 2017 loss to the Free National Movement, subsequently regained by Campbell in the last election.

    Community safety assessments varied considerably among respondents. Memorial center operator Vaughn Jones credited the MP with maintaining neighborhood stability, noting reduced criminal activity after business hours. However, Jones highlighted unmet governmental commitments regarding funeral industry regulation, despite repeated stakeholder engagements with health authorities.

    Infrastructure and public safety concerns surfaced in multiple interviews. Sixty-seven-year-old Montrose Avenue resident Claude Higgs praised Campbell’s overall performance while highlighting dangerous traffic conditions requiring immediate intervention through traffic control measures. Simultaneously, thirty-seven-year resident Elizabeth Rolle reported never encountering political representatives despite decades in the community. While expressing electoral participation intentions, Rolle voiced frustration with perceived governmental inaction and requested enhanced police patrols to address property crimes.

    The collective testimony reveals a constituency grappling with complex socioeconomic challenges while evaluating political representation through starkly different experiential lenses.

  • Viral armed robbery video shows woman at gunpoint

    Viral armed robbery video shows woman at gunpoint

    A chilling surveillance video capturing a violent armed robbery in the Bahamas has revealed a potentially systematic criminal pattern involving suspects disguised as construction workers. The footage, which circulated widely, depicts two men wearing construction vests and hard hats entering a business establishment on February 25.

    One assailant, brandishing a handgun, repeatedly pressed the weapon against a woman’s head while issuing threats and commands. Employees were forced to lie face-down on the floor as the perpetrators shouted profanities and demanded money. “Anything wrong, y’all dead,” one robber threatened during the incident.

    The video evidence shows the armed suspect maintaining surveillance over victims while his accomplice moved behind counter areas to collect cash and valuables. Distressed pleas from victims are audible throughout the robbery sequence before the suspects eventually departed with stolen items.

    Law enforcement authorities confirmed one individual has been apprehended in connection with the February incident, while the second suspect remains at large. Police have not yet established whether these individuals are connected to other criminal cases.

    The footage prompted Justice of the Peace Dr. Felicia Archer to identify striking parallels with an earlier armed robbery at her Nassau-based salon and beauty supply store on December 20, 2025. According to Dr. Archer, a similarly dressed construction-attired gunman entered her establishment around 7 PM, brandishing a handgun and immediately forcing approximately seven people to the ground before stealing cash, electronic devices, and personal belongings.

    Despite initial police response that included tracking a stolen phone to a suspected residence and temporary detentions, identification procedures proved unsuccessful and suspects were released. Dr. Archer noted no subsequent updates from the Royal Bahamas Police Force Armed Robbery Unit.

    The justice emphasized the undeniable similarities between both incidents, noting identical construction disguises, firearm types, vocal tones, phraseology, and criminal methodologies. She urged accelerated investigation, highlighting the strategic advantage of construction disguises for accessing businesses without suspicion and targeting vulnerable smaller establishments.

  • SpaceX donates $1m to UB to build nationally owned satellite and expand STEM research

    SpaceX donates $1m to UB to build nationally owned satellite and expand STEM research

    The University of The Bahamas has announced a transformative $1 million philanthropic contribution from SpaceX to fund the development of the nation’s first domestically engineered satellite. This strategic partnership represents a significant advancement in Bahamian technological capabilities and environmental research infrastructure.

    The substantial funding will enable the university to establish state-of-the-art laboratories and specialized workshops where students and faculty will collaboratively design and construct a sovereign satellite system. This pioneering technology will primarily focus on monitoring The Bahamas’ extensive coastline and vulnerable marine ecosystems, generating critical data to address pressing environmental challenges including coastal erosion, climate vulnerability, and marine resource management.

    Crucially, the agreement ensures that The Bahamas maintains complete ownership of all data, technology, and intellectual property derived from the project. This provision guarantees that Bahamian policymakers will have direct access to valuable intelligence for informed decision-making regarding national development and environmental protection strategies.

    University President Dr. Robert Blaine III emphasized the project’s broader educational mission: “Our laboratories are evolving into innovation incubators and centers of excellence. This initiative provides our students with practical STEM experience and technical skills essential for thriving in global technology sectors while building national capacity in emerging industries.”

    The satellite program aligns with the university’s expanding Small Island Sustainability academic curriculum, which emphasizes applied research solutions for environmental monitoring of marine and terrestrial resources unique to island nations.

    SpaceX Vice President of Launch Kiko Dontchev highlighted the transformative potential of university-level opportunities, noting: “My own career began with satellite construction in an academic setting. This partnership honors that educational foundation and particularly celebrates my Bahamian classmate Aisha Bowe, demonstrating how university experiences can shape extraordinary careers in science and engineering.”

    Gadville McDonald, Vice Chair of UB’s Board of Trustees, characterized the donation as a strategic investment in STEM education that “prepares young Bahamians to reimagine environmental problem-solving through technological innovation while developing leadership capabilities in a rapidly evolving global economy.”

    The university anticipates that SpaceX’s landmark contribution will catalyze additional partnerships and investment in Bahamian STEM education and research capabilities as the institution expands its scientific infrastructure and innovation ecosystem.

  • Tributes paid at funeral to Romona Farquharson-Seymour

    Tributes paid at funeral to Romona Farquharson-Seymour

    The Bahamian legal profession gathered in solemn tribute on Saturday to honor the life and legacy of Romona Farquharson Seymour, a formidable attorney remembered for her unwavering dedication to justice and fearless courtroom presence. Her funeral service at Salem Union Baptist Church became a platform for colleagues, family, and political figures to celebrate her profound impact on the legal landscape.

    Opposition Leader Dr. Michael Pintard characterized Farquharson Seymour as a powerful voice within the legal community, emphasizing her commitment to accountability and truth. “She possessed an exceptional ability to ask difficult questions and challenge conventional thinking without compromise,” Pintard noted during his tribute.

    Personal recollections painted a portrait of a multifaceted individual. Family friend and attorney Cathleen Hassan described her as a “ferocious warrior” for clients, frequently accepting cases others avoided. Beyond her professional tenacity, Hassan highlighted Farquharson Seymour’s capacity for unconditional love and her dedication as a mother who seamlessly integrated her young daughters into her demanding career.

    Reverend Heuter Rolle’s sermon emphasized her deep religious convictions and steadfast devotion to both church and family. The sudden nature of her passing at age 49 left many, including Reverend Cedric Farquharson, expressing shock at her departure during what they described as the prime of her life.

    With over two decades of legal practice since being called to the Bar in 2001, Farquharson Seymour built a reputation through high-profile cases. Her recent representation included former Prison Commissioner Charles Murphy in his ongoing litigation against the government and her initial defense work for Long Island MP Adrian Gibson during his 2022 investigation.

    Her ambitions extended beyond courtroom advocacy. In 2023, she publicly declared her intention to run for presidency of the Bahamas Bar Association, advocating for new vision and leadership. She had also briefly explored political candidacy with the Free National Movement before withdrawing her application.

    Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, upon her passing last month, recognized her as a significant force within the legal field whose name carried substantial weight among peers. She is survived by her husband, prominent attorney Calvin Seymour, and their two young daughters, Victoria and Sienna.

  • Dr Soomer urges Caribbean govts to intensify push for reparations

    Dr Soomer urges Caribbean govts to intensify push for reparations

    A former chair of the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent has called upon Caribbean governments to escalate their campaign for reparatory justice, emphasizing that sustainable development remains unattainable without confronting the enduring legacies of slavery and colonialism. Dr. June Soomer, formerly Saint Lucia’s ambassador to CARICOM and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, delivered these remarks during the launch event for the UN’s Second Decade for People of African Descent, held at the University of The Bahamas.

    Dr. Soomer articulated that the Caribbean’s leadership in the global reparations movement spans decades, not years. She traced the origins of the struggle back to the African coast, where enslaved individuals resisted even before their traumatic transatlantic passage. The modern regional agenda gained significant momentum in 2013 when CARICOM leaders formally committed to seeking justice for both Indigenous peoples and people of African descent. The CARICOM Reparations Commission first formally acknowledged the genocide of Indigenous populations before addressing the crimes of African enslavement.

    A central pillar of Dr. Soomer’s address was the imperative to reframe historical narrative. She vehemently rejected the term ‘slaves,’ insisting on the formulation ‘enslaved people’ to underscore that individuals with established professions and identities were forcibly subjugated. She further highlighted active resistance to captivity, countering the myth of passive acceptance.

    The former diplomat argued that the second UN decade must transcend symbolic gestures and catalyze structural reform. Key demands include comprehensive reviews of colonial-era constitutions and legislation, which she stated continue to perpetuate systemic racism and discrimination, particularly against women of African descent. Dr. Soomer expanded the concept of reparations beyond historical grievances to encompass contemporary issues like environmental injustice and technological bias. She noted the Caribbean’s disproportionate vulnerability to climate change impacts, despite its minimal contribution to global emissions, labeling it a form of ‘double reparations’ due to the legacy of being forced onto marginalized lands.

    Dr. Soomer concluded with a call for strengthened collaboration between governments and civil society organizations to ensure the reparations movement maintains its momentum and achieves meaningful, collective rights for people of African descent.

  • ‘They had no reason to shoot the dog’

    ‘They had no reason to shoot the dog’

    A tragic incident involving a correctional officer fatally shooting a family dog during a funeral procession for a retired canine officer has ignited nationwide condemnation in The Bahamas, raising serious questions about law enforcement training and animal protection protocols.

    The event occurred Friday on Soldier Road as correctional officers participated in a procession honoring retired officer Andrew Sears. Video evidence circulating widely on social media shows officers with leashed dogs passing the property of 92-year-old Bahamian music legend Duke Errol Strachan when his three-year-old dog approached while barking. Shockingly, one officer—already holding his drawn firearm—discharged a single shot that killed the animal on Mr. Strachan’s property.

    The distinguished musician, known professionally as Duke Errol and founder of the Errol Strachan Quintet, expressed profound grief over the loss of a pet gifted by his daughter. He characterized the shooting officer as ‘trigger-happy’ and disputed the official account that the dog posed a threat to humans. ‘They had no reason to shoot the dog,’ Strachan stated. ‘The dog was barking, not attacking.’

    Bahamas Department of Correctional Services described the incident as ‘unfortunate’ and announced an ongoing investigation, extending condolences to the affected family while claiming the dog had ‘charged at the Department’s trained canines.’

    Animal welfare organizations responded with forceful criticism. Kim Aranha, president of the Bahamas Humane Society, condemned the shooting as ‘a disgraceful action’ and questioned why an officer would patrol with weapon drawn in a residential area. ‘What if he tripped and set it off and killed a child?’ she posed, calling for improved training and respect for animal life among uniformed personnel.

    Lisse McCombe of the Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights and Kindness (BAARK!) noted the situation escalated to lethal force with unjustified speed, highlighting ‘the consequences of poor training and selective enforcement of the Animal Protection and Control Act.’

    The incident has stimulated broader discussions about responsible pet ownership and appropriate law enforcement responses. While the Royal Bahamas Police Force subsequently issued guidance urging residents to secure their dogs, many viewed the timing as insensitive following the viral video.

    Prominent community members including Paige Waugh, granddaughter of Super Value owner Rupert Roberts, have demanded thorough investigation, characterizing the shooting as ‘morally wrong and unethical.’ Officials from the Department of Agriculture confirmed their Animal Control Unit has collected the deceased animal and scheduled interviews with involved officers as the investigation continues.

  • Teen one of two men fatally stabbed in Grand Bahama over weekend

    Teen one of two men fatally stabbed in Grand Bahama over weekend

    The Grand Bahama community is reeling from two separate fatal stabbings that occurred within a 24-hour period, claiming the lives of two local men and leaving multiple others injured.

    In the first incident on Saturday night, 17-year-old Gtero Foster, a promising baseball athlete with aspirations of joining Major League Baseball, was fatally stabbed outside the Ibiza nightclub and lounge on Queen’s Highway. According to his grieving mother, Latara Knowles, the teenager never entered the establishment and was socializing with friends outside when assailants arrived by vehicle and initiated the violent attack. Foster sustained critical wounds to his chest and lung and tragically succumbed to his injuries during transport to the medical facility.

    Ms. Knowles described her son as a mannerly and helpful individual who was actively working toward completing his graduation requirements at St. George’s School. She revealed that just hours before the tragedy, she had exchanged text messages with her son, reminding him about Sunday church services. His final message to her read: ‘I isse going church in the morning.’

    Authorities confirmed that three additional individuals sustained injuries during the nightclub incident, with two having received treatment and been discharged from medical care. Law enforcement officials have taken a teenage boy and an adult male into custody in connection with the stabbing.

    In a separate occurrence later that same evening, 38-year-old Okino Kareem Burrows was fatally stabbed during a physical altercation in Hepburn Town, Eight Mile Rock. The suspected assailant, a 46-year-old male, subsequently surrendered himself at the local police station. Mr. Burrows had previously experienced significant personal tragedy, having lost all his possessions and documents in a suspicious house fire in Hepburn Town last year, which he believed had been deliberately set.

    These violent incidents have raised serious concerns about public safety and youth violence in the community, with investigations ongoing for both cases.

  • Hayward: I’m not a paper Bahamian

    Hayward: I’m not a paper Bahamian

    A longstanding administrative dispute between the Bahamian government and the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) has evolved into a deeply personal exchange regarding national identity and corporate governance. The conflict reached new intensity when GBPA Co-Chairman Rupert Hayward published an open letter to Prime Minister Philip Davis defending his family’s Bahamian heritage after feeling mischaracterized in parliamentary comments.

    Prime Minister Davis had previously characterized a recent arbitration ruling as a turning point in government-port relations, criticizing what he described as excessive private control over Freeport’s governance. His statement that “Freeport is not the private estate of any family” and that he “cannot live with an arrangement in which two families decide the fate of tens of thousands of Bahamians” prompted Hayward’s emotional response.

    In his detailed rebuttal, Hayward presented documentary evidence of his multigenerational Bahamian roots, including his father’s pre-independence birth certificate and his own hospital birth records from Princess Margaret Hospital. He described how his daughter became distraught upon hearing the characterization of their family, emphasizing that his commitment to The Bahamas spans generations despite approaching elections potentially encouraging populist rhetoric.

    While acknowledging natural disagreements in a democracy, Hayward stressed the shared objective of both entities: advancing the welfare of the Bahamian people. He advocated for essential cooperation between the government and GBPA, noting that both institutions would continue to coexist and must collaborate for Freeport’s development.

    Prime Minister Davis responded by clarifying that nationality was never his central concern, but rather the Port Authority’s asserted position in Freeport’s governance structure. He detailed how the GBPA had allegedly claimed extraordinary authority exceeding elected government powers in areas including licensing, immigration, customs, and environmental regulation while resisting financial obligations to the public purse.

    The arbitration proceedings, which rejected the government’s $357 million claim for 2018-2022 administrative costs, nonetheless established the Port’s ongoing payment obligations until 2054 and affirmed government authority in core areas where the Port had sought special protections. Davis framed the outcome as affirming Bahamian sovereignty over Freeport while acknowledging the historical context of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement that granted the Port unusual authority during Freeport’s development under industrialist Sir Jack Hayward, Rupert’s father.

    The exchange highlights fundamental tensions between historic private development agreements and modern democratic governance in The Bahamas, with both parties asserting their commitment to Bahamian interests while disagreeing profoundly on how those interests are best served.

  • ‘He was a blessing’: Mom grieves over five-year-old drowned son

    ‘He was a blessing’: Mom grieves over five-year-old drowned son

    In the quiet aftermath of unimaginable tragedy, Laurel Dean confronts a reality forever altered by the loss of her five-year-old son, Maximus Rolle, whose life ended tragically in coastal waters near Murphy Town, Abaco, nearly two months ago. The autistic child, described by family as mischievously bubbly with a cheeky sense of humor, was discovered in seawater on January 12 after being reported missing earlier that afternoon. Despite resuscitation efforts by officers and a concerned citizen, he was pronounced deceased at the local clinic.

    Dean now navigates a landscape of grief that surfaces unpredictably—some days manageable, others overwhelmingly not. Her final interaction with Maximus remains etched in memory: a morning video call showing the boy lying in bed, followed hours later by the devastating news that defines every parent’s nightmare. She had quietly departed for work after instructing her sixteen-year-old daughter to monitor Maximus, who frequently attempted to follow her outdoors.

    Known affectionately as ‘Baby Hulk’ for his remarkable strength, Maximus communicated primarily through actions rather than words, displaying particular affection for building blocks and demonstrating tender warmth alongside his playful defiance. ‘The five years with him was fully a blessing,’ Dean reflects. ‘It taught me patience—something I don’t really have—and with him, it kind of calmed me down.’

    The family preserves his belongings exactly as he left them, with Dean occasionally laying out his school clothes as if preparing him for another day. Both parents sometimes instinctively reach for his presence, momentarily forgetting their loss. Dean emphasizes daily conversations with her two daughters, encouraging them toward resilience without self-blame while acknowledging the profound spiritual impact of Maximus’s passing. ‘It made me want to go to heaven to see him,’ she confesses.

    Though summer travel plans to the Turks and Caicos Islands now remain suspended, Dean offers a poignant message to other grieving parents: ‘This life is not ours. This is borrowed time.’ She strives to live in manner that might reunite her with her son, acknowledging the difficult road ahead while embracing community support and prayers that have provided unexpected comfort.