Carib Scope

标签： Barbados

巴巴多斯

  • Fuel price hike adds to pressure on taxi and PSV drivers

    Fuel price hike adds to pressure on taxi and PSV drivers

    A newly implemented fuel price increase has triggered grave concerns within Barbados’s transport sector, with taxi drivers and Public Service Vehicle (PSV) operators warning of intensified financial pressures. The adjustment, which took effect at midnight on Sunday, introduces heightened operational costs for an industry already grappling with stagnant fares and significant overheads.

    According to the latest pricing structure, petrol has risen by three cents to reach $3.88 per litre, while diesel experienced a more substantial jump of nine cents, settling at $3.41 per litre. Conversely, kerosene saw a decrease of eight cents to $1.48 per litre. Prices for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) were also detailed across various cylinder sizes. The next scheduled price review is set for February 1.

    For operators, these increments, though seemingly marginal, accumulate swiftly given their daily reliance on fuel. The sentiment on the ground is one of resigned acceptance. Veteran taxi driver Enson Bowen, echoing a widespread feeling of futility, stated, “I don’t study it no more… You just draw a line in the middle.” He expressed skepticism about long-discussed government subsidies, noting a continued lack of clarity on any relief measures.

    The financial impact is acutely felt. Driver Kenneth Durant acknowledged the inevitability of the hike, citing embedded taxes as a core issue, while Wayne Padmore, a driver with over 15 years of experience, explained how the increase directly erodes already slim profit margins. “Fuel gone up and the taxi fees still at the same price,” he said, highlighting the mismatch between rising costs and unchanged revenue.

    From a broader industry perspective, Roy Raphael, Chairman of the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT), underscored the severe ramifications. Emphasizing that PSVs move 80% of the island’s traveling public, he revealed that smaller units now spend up to $175 daily on diesel, with larger vehicles consuming between $200 and $350. Country routes, which require longer travel distances, are anticipated to be the hardest hit.

    Raphael further identified exorbitant insurance costs—ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 annually per vehicle—as a critical burden, equating to at least $1,200 per seat per year. He called for greater transparency from insurance providers and the creation of incentives for safer driving to mitigate premiums.

    Looking toward the future, Raphael confirmed that strategic talks are underway with the Ministry of Energy to transition towards electric vehicles, with a target of converting 25% of the fleet by early 2027. Additionally, plans are in motion to establish a buyers’ club to help members source vehicle parts and oil at more reasonable rates, addressing the challenge of costly imports.

  • Man injured in Cave Hill shooting

    Man injured in Cave Hill shooting

    Barbados police have launched a comprehensive investigation into a shooting incident that occurred Monday morning in the Cave Hill area of St. Michael. The violent episode took place along St Stephen Hill at approximately 11:45 a.m., disrupting the community’s tranquility.

    According to preliminary reports from law enforcement authorities, one male victim sustained injuries during the altercation. Emergency medical services promptly responded to the scene and transported the wounded individual to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for urgent medical treatment. The current condition of the victim remains undisclosed by officials.

    Law enforcement personnel maintained a strong presence at the location throughout the day as forensic experts gathered evidence and detectives conducted preliminary interviews with potential witnesses. The Barbados Police Service has cordoned off the affected area while continuing their systematic examination of the crime scene.

    Authorities have not released any information regarding potential suspects or motives behind the shooting. The investigation remains active and ongoing as police work to establish the sequence of events that led to the violent incident. Community members with relevant information have been encouraged to come forward and assist investigators with their inquiries.

  • BCEN calls for policies to be more inclusive

    BCEN calls for policies to be more inclusive

    The Barbados Consumer Empowerment Network (BCEN) has issued a compelling call for financial policies that prioritize accessibility and consumer choice during the nation’s economic modernization efforts. In her New Year’s address, BCEN Executive Chairman Maureen Holder emphasized that regulatory effectiveness depends not merely on enforcement but on transparency, clarity, and meaningful stakeholder engagement.

    While acknowledging Barbados’ progress in aligning its financial systems with international standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Holder presented a crucial distinction between regulatory modernization and genuine development. She argued that true development must be measured by tangible improvements in livelihoods, broad-based participation, and concrete gains for households and communities rather than technical compliance alone.

    The consumer advocate stressed that as Barbados deepens its financial reforms through transformation initiatives and enhanced regulatory compliance, implementation must remain risk-based, proportionate, and inclusive. She specifically highlighted the vital role of cooperatives and credit unions in maintaining financial access and community resilience, urging policymakers to support these institutions as regulatory expectations evolve.

    Addressing current economic challenges, Holder noted that Barbadians continue to face significant cost-of-living pressures with concerns about high prices for essential goods and services. She advocated for strong competition policy, transparent pricing mechanisms, and robust consumer protection measures as critical complements to macroeconomic reforms. Holder concluded that affordability and fairness must remain central priorities alongside profit maximization, achievable through enhanced monitoring, accountability, and stakeholder engagement.

  • Free health screenings available at Queen’s Park today

    Free health screenings available at Queen’s Park today

    The Barbados Ministry of Health and Wellness is bringing essential healthcare services directly to communities through its innovative mobile clinic program. Today, residents can access comprehensive health screenings at Queen’s Park along Constitution Road in St. Michael without cost.

    The mobile facility will operate from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., providing critical preventive healthcare services focused on early detection of various conditions. Available screenings include comprehensive evaluations for non-communicable diseases, blood pressure monitoring, blood glucose testing, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) assessments, sexually transmitted infection screenings, and guided breast examinations.

    This community health initiative will continue on Tuesday, January 6, with the mobile clinic stationed at Folkestone Marine Park in Holetown, St. James during identical operating hours. The Ministry has clarified that vaccination services will not be available at either location, with the program specifically focused on diagnostic and preventive screenings.

    The mobile clinic represents a strategic effort by Barbados health authorities to eliminate barriers to healthcare access and promote regular health monitoring among the population. By deploying medical services directly into community settings, the program aims to increase public participation in preventive healthcare practices that can identify potential health issues before they develop into more serious conditions.

  • Two killed in St Philip crash as police appeal for information

    Two killed in St Philip crash as police appeal for information

    Authorities in St Philip have intensified their investigation into a devastating head-on collision that claimed two lives on Sunday afternoon. The tragic incident unfolded at approximately 2:45 p.m. along Carrington Road, where two passenger vehicles traveling in opposite directions collided under circumstances that remain under active police investigation.

    Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find catastrophic damage to both vehicles. Tragically, two occupants of one vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene despite rescue efforts. Two additional passengers from the same vehicle sustained significant injuries and required emergency transport via ambulance to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for urgent medical treatment. The sole occupant of the second vehicle involved in the collision subsequently sought private medical attention for their injuries.

    The Barbados Police Service has launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the precise sequence of events leading to the fatal crash. Traffic Division investigators are meticulously examining accident scene evidence while appealing to potential witnesses who may have observed the collision or events preceding it. Authorities are particularly interested in speaking with motorists who may have dashboard camera footage capturing the incident or its immediate aftermath.

    Law enforcement officials have established a dedicated contact line for information related to this case, urging anyone with relevant details to come forward. The District C Police Station can be reached at 416-8200, where officers are standing by to receive confidential tips that could assist in reconstructing the circumstances surrounding this tragic event. The police emphasize that even seemingly minor observations could prove crucial to their investigation.

  • Missing: Dr Sonia Linette Richards

    Missing: Dr Sonia Linette Richards

    Authorities in Barbados have launched a public search operation for Dr. Sonia Linette Richards, a 69-year-old resident of St. James, who vanished from her West Terrace Gardens residence on the evening of January 2nd. The distinguished academic was last observed approximately at 8:40 PM, prompting serious concerns from law enforcement and community members.

    Dr. Richards possesses distinctive physical characteristics that may assist in her identification. She stands at approximately five feet one inch with a medium build and dark complexion. Her hair features a striking combination of black and silver tones, and she requires corrective lenses. Described as articulate and courteous in demeanor, she maintains an upright posture when walking.

    At the time of her disappearance, the missing scholar was attired in a dark blue t-shirt complemented by three-quarter length shorts. Her footwear consisted of distinctive pink and white Sketchers athletic shoes.

    The Barbados Police Service has established multiple communication channels for citizens possessing relevant information. Individuals with knowledge of Dr. Richards’ whereabouts are urged to immediately contact the Holetown Police Station at 419-1700 or 419-1701. Alternative reporting options include the Police Emergency hotline at 211 or the anonymous Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-800-TIPS (8477). Local police stations throughout the island are also prepared to receive information regarding this case.

  • Airlines scramble to add Caribbean flights after airspace restrictions strand tens of thousands of travellers

    Airlines scramble to add Caribbean flights after airspace restrictions strand tens of thousands of travellers

    Carrier networks across the Eastern Caribbean initiated massive recovery operations Sunday following the expiration of U.S. Federal Aviation Administration flight restrictions that had stranded tens of thousands of travelers. The airspace closures, implemented in response to U.S. military actions in Venezuela, triggered hundreds of flight cancellations during the peak holiday travel period.

    While FlightAware data showed significant improvement from Saturday’s 400 cancellations in San Juan to approximately 20 on Sunday, residual disruptions continued affecting passengers. Airlines faced mounting challenges as available seats remained scarce through the coming week, with newly added flights selling out within hours of being posted.

    Major carriers implemented emergency measures to address the crisis. American Airlines deployed 17 additional flights connecting San Juan, Aruba, U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Antigua, Barbados, and Dominica with their Miami and Charlotte hubs. Southwest Airlines supplemented schedules with six extra San Juan round-trips Sunday and eight more Monday, plus two additional Aruba services.

    The unprecedented demand prompted airlines to consider deploying wide-body aircraft typically reserved for transcontinental routes to Caribbean destinations. Carrier representatives noted that unlike hurricane evacuations where advance preparation occurs, this situation developed without warning following geopolitical developments.

    Affected passengers received accommodation through waived change fees and fare differences for rebooked January travel. The policy covered more than a dozen regional airports, though many travelers reported difficulties securing accommodations and expressed concerns about extended hotel costs while awaiting available flights.

  • Humphrey warns of dangerous HIV myths, calls for renewed education drive

    Humphrey warns of dangerous HIV myths, calls for renewed education drive

    Barbados faces a critical setback in its HIV prevention efforts as dangerous misconceptions, including the false belief that a cure exists, are gaining traction among the population. Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey issued this stark warning during the Man Aware event held at his constituency office on Saturday, pointing to troubling findings from recent research.

    Minister Humphrey revealed that preliminary data indicates a regression in public knowledge about HIV, leading to concerning decision-making and unusual beliefs. “The initial results from our research seem to suggest that the knowledge of HIV is regressing and persons are making unusual decisions, with some very strange beliefs,” Humphrey stated, emphasizing the urgent need to intensify educational campaigns.

    The minister called for the reinstatement of dedicated HIV awareness budgets across all government ministries, advocating for a comprehensive, whole-of-government strategy to address critical gaps in public understanding. He cautioned that previous gains could be rapidly reversed through complacency and inadequate educational consistency.

    While acknowledging significant advancements in medical treatments that enable people with HIV to live longer, healthier lives, Humphrey unequivocally stated: “HIV is still here, there is no cure for HIV.” He specifically addressed young people, warning against reckless behavior inspired by overconfidence in medical technology: “I don’t want anyone to think that because we have had these advancements in medical technologies, that it means that you can be reckless.”

    The Man Aware initiative, launched in 2016 by the National Wellbeing and HIV Commission, was developed to address previous imbalances in outreach efforts. According to Acting Director Lynn Armstrong, the program specifically targets male engagement after concerns emerged that previous campaigns predominantly focused on women through the Speak Sister program.

    Saturday’s event combined practical services with educational content, offering free haircuts for the back-to-school season alongside interactive learning activities. These included innovative approaches such as ‘Ups and Downs’—an educational game developed by Jamilia Williams-Phillips—condom demonstrations, and HIV information sessions between musical sets by deejay Ronald Henry. The Live Well Clinic provided on-site health checks, creating immediate access to services in a community-based setting.

    Minister Humphrey expressed satisfaction with the initiative’s community impact, noting: “Education has to be spread across the country in a way that reaches people and I think that is exactly what we are doing here.”

  • US action in Venezuela sets ‘catastrophic precedent’ for small states, warns group

    US action in Venezuela sets ‘catastrophic precedent’ for small states, warns group

    The Caribbean Movement for Peace and Integration, based in Barbados, has issued a strong condemnation of the United States’ military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the extraction of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife from the country. The organization characterized the intervention as an unlawful violation of sovereign territory that establishes dangerous implications for developing nations worldwide.

    In an official statement released following the military action, the group warned that this operation creates a catastrophic precedent for smaller nations that exercise their right to determine independent political, economic, and social pathways. The organization framed the intervention as both a crime against peace and a blatant breach of the United Nations Charter, representing what they termed a dangerous escalation threatening the sovereignty of Global South nations.

    The Caribbean Movement specifically cautioned regional governments against maintaining silence, suggesting that inaction would constitute complicity with the violation. The group issued an urgent appeal to Caribbean governments, Latin American nations, Global South countries, intellectuals, artists, social movements, trade unions, and faith communities to activate coordinated solidarity with Venezuela through political pressure, mass mobilization, and cultural resistance.

    Drawing historical parallels, the organization referenced the region’s shared colonial past, noting that Caribbean societies possess deep understanding of external domination dangers and maintain longstanding traditions of resistance to oppression. The statement characterized the operation as an attack on self-determination rights and a reversal of gains achieved by formerly colonized peoples, describing it as the reactivation of colonial warfare as an instrument of political and economic control.

  • BLP’s Holder confirms exit from elective politics, endorses Trotman as successor

    BLP’s Holder confirms exit from elective politics, endorses Trotman as successor

    In a significant political development, St Michael Central representative Arthur Holder has announced his departure from elective politics while publicly backing Barbados Labour Party candidate Tyra Trotman as his preferred successor. The announcement occurred during a community children’s event at the National Botanical Gardens attended by Prime Minister Mia Mottley.

    Holder, who serves as Speaker of the House of Assembly, framed his decision within a broader philosophy of leadership continuity. “Leadership does not conclude with holding office but extends through mentorship, guidance and support for those prepared to serve,” he stated, emphasizing that his dedication to community development and national service remains unwavering.

    The veteran politician expressed strong confidence in Trotman’s capabilities, praising her contemporary leadership style, vision, and comprehension of constituency challenges. “Her approach reflects a modern and grounded leadership methodology that has resonated across generations. St Michael Central requires both service continuity and innovative perspectives, and Tyra is ideally positioned to assume this responsibility,” Holder remarked.

    Trotman, an attorney-at-law, acknowledged the endorsement as both an honor and profound responsibility. “Receiving support from a distinguished public servant strengthens my determination to lead with integrity,” she responded.

    The prospective candidate unveiled a comprehensive community initiative titled ‘Hold Ferm’—an acronym representing Faith/Family, Education, Rehabilitation, and Mental Health. While acknowledging diverse spiritual perspectives, Trotman emphasized the universal need for moral grounding among youth. “Possessing a moral compass, irrespective of formal religious practice, enables improved decision-making and critical thinking,” she explained.

    Education reform constitutes a central pillar of Trotman’s platform, addressing the financial barriers that prevent many students from accessing supplemental academic support. She advocates for early intervention programs to prevent educational disparities from widening amid increasing global academic standards.

    Regarding public safety, Trotman proposed a collaborative rehabilitation model involving law enforcement engagement with individuals demonstrating at-risk behaviors before formal justice system involvement. Additionally, she plans to revitalize sports programs and address mental health stigma through community recreational initiatives that provide physical and emotional outlets for youth.