Carib Scope

标签： Barbados

巴巴多斯

  • Police seek help in identifying person of interest

    Police seek help in identifying person of interest

    Law enforcement officials have initiated a public assistance campaign to identify and locate an individual connected to an ongoing serious criminal investigation. The suspect, whose identity remains unknown, is currently sought for questioning regarding matters of significant legal consequence.

    Investigative authorities have established multiple communication channels for information submission. Citizens possessing relevant knowledge may contact the Criminal Investigations Department (South) at 418-2608 or 418-2612. Alternative reporting options include Police Emergency services at 211, the anonymous Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-8477, or any local police precinct.

    Legal authorities have issued a stern reminder regarding the consequences of obstructing justice. Providing shelter or assistance to wanted individuals constitutes a criminal offense under current legislation. The public is urged to exercise civic responsibility while maintaining appropriate safety precautions when reporting sensitive information.

    The investigation continues to develop as law enforcement agencies employ all available resources to resolve this criminal matter. Further updates will be provided as the situation progresses through official channels.

  • Police searching for wanted man

    Police searching for wanted man

    Barbados law enforcement authorities have initiated a comprehensive public search operation for 39-year-old Devon Andrews, who is currently sought for interrogation regarding multiple serious criminal offenses. The suspect, whose last known address is #2 Tamarind Avenue, Culloden Road, St Michael, remains at large as police intensify their investigation.

    According to official descriptors released by investigators, Andrews possesses distinctive physical characteristics including a medium physique, oval facial structure, broad nasal features, compact eyes, full lips, and a brown complexion. These identifying markers have been circulated to assist citizens in recognizing the individual.

    The Barbados Police Service has issued a formal directive urging Andrews to voluntarily surrender himself to either the Sex Crimes and Trafficking Unit or the Financial Investigations Unit, both stationed at the Central Police Station on Coleridge Street, St Michael. Authorities have emphasized that he should be accompanied by legal representation of his choosing during this process.

    Law enforcement agencies have established multiple dedicated communication channels for information regarding Andrews’ whereabouts. Citizens can contact 430-7333, 430-7194, 211, the anonymous tip line 1-800-8477, or their local police precinct.

    In a critical public advisory, officials have reiterated that providing shelter or concealment to wanted individuals constitutes a criminal offense under Barbadian law, potentially resulting in serious legal consequences for those found aiding fugitives.

  • Agrofest 2026 “good to go” as schools greenhouse project launched

    Agrofest 2026 “good to go” as schools greenhouse project launched

    Barbados has officially commenced preparations for its premier agricultural event, Agrofest 2026, with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at Queen’s Park on Friday. The event marks the beginning of organizing efforts for the 21st edition of the nation’s annual agricultural exhibition.

    Henderson Williams, President of the Barbados Agricultural Society, confirmed that planning is progressing smoothly, stating that all participating stakeholders are fully prepared to deliver what he characterized as another impressive demonstration of the island’s agricultural capabilities. Williams expressed confidence in the event’s successful execution following the official launch ceremony.

    Concurrently, Minister of Agriculture Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight unveiled a significant educational initiative designed to increase youth participation in agricultural sectors. The program will involve distributing thirteen specialized greenhouse structures to selected educational institutions across Barbados.

    According to Minister Munro-Knight, these controlled-environment agricultural systems will enable students to cultivate designated crops while gaining hands-on experience with contemporary farming methodologies. The initiative serves dual purposes: providing practical agricultural education and supporting national objectives to strengthen domestic food security and production capabilities. The greenhouse program represents a strategic investment in developing Barbados’s next generation of agricultural professionals while addressing broader food sustainability challenges.

  • PM Mottley rejects claim that Trinidadian had been “kidnapped” in Barbados

    PM Mottley rejects claim that Trinidadian had been “kidnapped” in Barbados

    A significant diplomatic dispute has emerged between Caribbean leaders regarding the 2022 apprehension of a Trinidadian national in Barbados. At the CARICOM summit opening in St. Kitts, Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar characterized the incident as a “kidnapping” operation allegedly coordinated by the previous Trinidad government using Regional Security System resources.

    Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley vehemently rejected these allegations through the state-owned CBC TV, denouncing the characterization as “a scurrilous lie and defamatory in the extreme.” Mottley clarified that Trinidadian police had presented proper arrest warrants to Barbadian authorities, following decades-long regional practices for cross-border apprehensions.

    The incident involved Brent Thomas, who was detained at a Barbados hotel and transported to Trinidad without formal extradition proceedings. While a Trinidad High Court later ruled the operation an “unlawful abduction,” Mottley emphasized that her government had no prior knowledge of the operational details until it became publicly controversial.

    Both leaders acknowledged the need for procedural reforms. Mottley highlighted ongoing efforts to implement the CARICOM Arrest Warrant Treaty, which requires domestic legislation in each member state to become legally enforceable. Currently, only Guyana, Saint Lucia, and Antigua and Barbuda have enacted the necessary laws, while Trinidad and Tobago has ratified but not yet implemented the treaty.

    Despite the strong language, Persad-Bissessar subsequently indicated she took no offense at Mottley’s response, noting that the Barbadian leader had simply reiterated her government’s previously stated position regarding the Thomas case.

  • Overseas players dominate SITTU Barbados Open Chess Tournament

    Overseas players dominate SITTU Barbados Open Chess Tournament

    The Barbados Beach Club in Christ Church served as the backdrop for the conclusion of the second annual SITTU Barbados Open, a prestigious international chess tournament that attracted over 100 competitors from ten different nations. The five-day event, characterized by intense competition under the Caribbean sun, saw international grandmasters and masters claiming victory across multiple sections in decisive fashion.

    In the premier Section A, Canadian Grandmaster Shawn Rodrigue-Lemieux delivered a commanding performance, securing the title with an undefeated record of 7.5 points from nine games. His consistent play resulted in six victories and three draws, establishing clear dominance in the round-robin format. The Canadian contingent continued their strong showing with International Masters Mark Plotkin and Aaron Reeve Mendez finishing second and third respectively, both accumulating 6.5 points with Plotkin prevailing on tiebreak criteria. Barbados’s national champion, FIDE Master Martyn Del Castilho, emerged as the top local competitor with 4.5 points, concluding his campaign with a victory over Jamaica’s Candidate Master Darren McKennis.

    Section B witnessed a flawless performance by Venezuela’s FIDE Master Jose Mora Moron, who achieved a perfect score of seven wins from seven games. Mora Moron’s dominance was such that he mathematically clinched the section title by the sixth round. He capped his impressive run with a decisive final-round victory against Barbados Women’s Champion and Woman FIDE Master Hannah Wilson. Local talent Emar Edwards secured sole possession of second place with five points, benefiting from a draw between Justin Parsons and Guyana’s Taffin Khan in the final round.

    The competitive intensity continued in Section C where Loki Clarke registered a perfect seven-win sweep. Having already secured the section victory in round six, Clarke maintained his aggressive approach to defeat Woman Candidate Master Kiarra Eversley in the final round. Savion Little captured clear second place with 5.5 points after drawing his final match against Allan Herbert, while Aaron Jaikaran claimed third position with a last-round victory over veteran Cyprian LaTouche.

    The most dramatic conclusion unfolded in the Novice Section D, where four players finished tied at six points each after a tumultuous final round. Nathan Simmons-Patterson entered the final match as sole leader with six consecutive wins but suffered a critical defeat against Conrad Grits. This outcome, combined with victories by Derick Boyce and Harry Shepherd, created an unprecedented four-way tie. The title was ultimately awarded to Harry Shepherd who edged out his competitors by the narrowest of margins on tiebreak criteria. The section featured intense competition among 50 participants, with Jaekeb Barrow, Rene Lashley, Gabriel Canterbury, Ernest King, and Canada’s Savinos Minas rounding out positions five through nine.

    The successful tournament has generated significant anticipation within the chess community for next year’s edition, promising continued growth for Caribbean chess on the international stage.

  • Venezuelan exports climb after US attack – official

    Venezuelan exports climb after US attack – official

    Venezuelan officials reported a swift resurgence in both economic exports and international diplomacy just two months following a violent attack that temporarily destabilized President Nicolás Maduro’s administration. During the Agrofest event at Queen’s Park on Thursday, Tomás Reyes, Secretary of Economy for Lara state, revealed that export activities to the United States resumed almost immediately after the incident, signaling an unexpectedly robust economic recovery.

    Reyes provided specific export data, noting that “67 containers of green coffee have been shipped to the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and Italy,” with total global coffee exports exceeding 200 containers. Additionally, Venezuela exported between 17 to 30 containers of charcoal in the past month, demonstrating consistent trade performance despite the political turbulence.

    Diplomatic relations have similarly strengthened, according to both Venezuelan and international officials. Reyes emphasized that “our relationship with America is getting stronger, getting better,” while Barbados Ambassador to Caracas Commander Aquinas Clarke characterized the attack as “very limited, really in Caracas,” noting that most businesses remained unaffected due to the incident’s geographical isolation.

    Ambassador Clarke detailed Venezuela’s improving international standing, revealing that the United States has established an embassy there, Italy has upgraded its diplomatic representation to ambassadorial level, and relations with Colombia have significantly improved. The country has maintained calm and is “on a road to growth,” working closely with regional partners.

    Looking forward, Venezuelan officials outlined ambitious trade expansion plans across the Caribbean. Reyes announced intentions to export Guara pineapples throughout the CARICOM region, targeting “one or two containers a week of pineapple from Lara.” Additionally, the state’s substantial dairy production capacity—capable of processing over 150,000 liters of milk daily through four major companies that meet 80% of domestic demand—positions Venezuela as a potential regional milk supplier.

    Officials stressed that agricultural development and international trade will remain central to Venezuela’s strategy for strengthening both bilateral relations with the United States and regional economic integration across the Caribbean.

  • Unions prep for public sector pay talks

    Unions prep for public sector pay talks

    Barbados’ labor movement has formally announced its preparedness to initiate pivotal wage negotiations with the government, marking a significant development in ongoing discussions about public sector compensation. Three major labor organizations—the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU), the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW), and the coordinating body Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB)—have all confirmed their operational readiness for upcoming talks.

    The BWU, while expressing commitment to constructive dialogue, has raised substantive concerns regarding prolonged delays in the government’s job regrading initiative. General Secretary Toni Moore emphasized that while her organization stands prepared for immediate engagement, the union permitted uninterrupted completion of the job evaluation process recognizing its fundamental importance to both wage structures and broader employment conditions. However, Moore explicitly noted growing concern among workers about the extended timeline, while expressing hope that the final report would meet expectations without further unnecessary delays.

    Simultaneously, the NUPW has activated its negotiation machinery through the establishment of a specialized committee tasked with developing comprehensive proposals. General Secretary Richard Greene indicated this committee would conduct a sweeping review of public service compensation, identifying both deficiencies and improvement opportunities across salary structures, allowances, and working conditions.

    CTUSAB, representing the collective voice of multiple labor organizations, is adopting a research-driven approach to the negotiations. General Secretary Dennis De Peiza revealed the organization has commissioned detailed economic research to inform their bargaining position. This methodological approach will establish evidence-based parameters for their negotiation strategy, combining ongoing service conditions with new economic data.

    The timing of these developments coincides with the government’s presentation of its 2026-27 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure to Parliament, which outlines projected spending including public sector wage allocations, setting the fiscal context for the impending negotiations.

  • Blackman and Gollop retain NAPSAC titles in dominant fashion

    Blackman and Gollop retain NAPSAC titles in dominant fashion

    In a spectacular display of athletic prowess, Blackman and Gollop Primary School successfully defended both their boys’ and girls’ championship titles at the Chef Foods NAPSAC Championships on Thursday. The event, held at the Usain Bolt Complex, witnessed the school achieving a commanding double victory for the second consecutive day, mirroring Hilda Skeene Primary’s accomplishment from the previous day.

    The girls’ team from Blackman and Gollop dominated their competition with an impressive 325.50 points, leaving Wilkie Cumberbatch Primary trailing in second place with 224.50 points. Ellerton Primary secured third position with 132 points, followed by Lawrence T Gay Memorial (108), St Catherine’s Primary (102), and Gordon Greenidge Primary (78.50).

    Their male counterparts demonstrated even greater supremacy, amassing a remarkable 374.50 points. Wilkie Cumberbatch Primary again claimed second place with 200 points, while Lawrence T Gay Memorial took third with 139 points. The boys’ division saw St Catherine’s Primary (105), Ellerton Primary (104.5), and Gordon Greenidge Primary (91) completing the top six positions.

    Individual excellence shone through as Nathan Philips, an Under-13 competitor who recently transferred to Blackman and Gollop, earned the Victor Ludorum honor with triple victories in the 100m, 200m, and 400m events. Meanwhile, Itege-Esat Griffith from Wilkie Cumberbatch dominated the Under-11 Division with wins in the 100m, 200m, and 300m events, securing the Victrix Ludorum title.

    The championship witnessed extraordinary athletic performances with eighteen records broken throughout the competition. Philips set new standards in the 100m with a blistering 13.12 seconds, shattering the previous mark of 13.45 seconds, and established a new 200m record of 26.80 seconds, surpassing the former 26.97-second benchmark.

    Zuri Stoute of Wilkie Cumberbatch made her mark in the Open Girls High Jump, clearing 1.28m to break the previous record of 1.25m. Shortly after her field achievement, Stoute transitioned to the track where she comfortably won her section of the Under-13 Girls 400m.

    The NAPSAC Zonal action continues its schedule with the Rubis Andrea Blackett Zone competition set for Friday.

  • Farming back in Deacons Farm, as MP plans youth job boost

    Farming back in Deacons Farm, as MP plans youth job boost

    In a significant community development initiative, Neil Rowe, Member of Parliament for St Michael North West, has successfully revitalized an agricultural project in Deacons that creates meaningful employment and training opportunities for local youth. The Northwest Alliance Agricultural Project, originally conceived in 2019, has overcome previous operational challenges and is now positioned for substantial expansion.

    The project originated from Rowe’s desire to provide rehabilitation opportunities when a young community member returning from incarceration faced employment barriers. “When traditional employment options proved unavailable,” Rowe explained, “we explored alternative pathways and identified farming as a viable livelihood solution.”

    Currently, the initiative maintains diverse agricultural operations including carrot, bean, beetroot, lettuce, and okra cultivation, complemented by a growing flock of 20 Black Belly sheep. Project participant Vincent Edwards confirmed the commercial viability: “Anything we plant here finds ready market demand.”

    Initial implementation faced significant infrastructure challenges, particularly regarding reliable water access. Rowe navigated complex administrative processes to secure permanent water solutions, acknowledging that “while bureaucratic hurdles presented obstacles, we successfully overcame them through persistent advocacy.”

    The MP recently provided specialized farming tools to participants, emphasizing their symbolic and practical importance: “These resources will empower our young farmers to maximize their agricultural yield and build sustainable livelihoods.”

    Future expansion plans include operational diversification into animal husbandry with planned investments in chicken and rabbit rearing. Security enhancements through additional fencing and land allocation will support this growth. Rowe envisions broadening participation across the constituency, stating: “Farming represents a legitimate livelihood pathway, and anyone committed to this work can achieve economic stability.”

    Edwards reflected on the transformation of previously neglected land: “This area was once overgrown jungle requiring purposeful intervention. With parliamentary support, we’ve created productive agricultural space that benefits both participants and the broader community.”

  • GIAB: Insurance prices not the fuel to uninsured vehicle surge

    GIAB: Insurance prices not the fuel to uninsured vehicle surge

    A significant dispute has emerged between Barbados’s insurance sector and its financial regulator regarding the root causes of uninsured vehicles on the island. The General Insurance Association of Barbados (GIAB) has publicly refuted claims made by Financial Services Commission (FSC) CEO Warrick Ward, who attributed the problem to premium affordability and structural market weaknesses. Instead, the GIAB identifies recent modifications to the vehicle registration framework as the primary catalyst.

    In a formal statement, the industry body expressed strong disagreement with the regulator’s characterization of the market. The GIAB emphasized the financial robustness of its member companies, several of which maintain AM Best ratings—a global benchmark for assessing insurers’ financial strength and claims-paying capability. The association challenged the notion that insurance premiums are prohibitively expensive, noting that rates have not kept pace with inflation over the past decade and a half.

    The core of the GIAB’s argument centers on a digital modernization initiative launched in March 2025. This new system, introduced by the Barbados Revenue Authority in collaboration with several agencies, allows vehicle owners to renew registrations online. A critical change involved removing the mandatory requirement to present proof of insurance before paying road tax, shifting the burden of compliance solely onto vehicle owners. The GIAB contends this procedural alteration, rather than affordability, explains the prevalence of uninsured vehicles.

    Official police data estimates that approximately 50,000 of the island’s 180,000 vehicles are either uninsured or untaxed, a situation industry executives say contributes to three out of every ten accidents involving uninsured drivers or unlicensed motorists.

    While FSC CEO Ward acknowledged the scale of the problem and pointed to financial inclusion challenges, reinsurance costs, and low insurance penetration as contributing factors, he clarified that enforcement falls under the police’s purview, not the FSC’s regulatory mandate.

    The GIAB concluded by asserting that its members employ risk-based pricing models and exercise due diligence before implementing any premium increases. The association has formally requested a meeting with the FSC to discuss the regulator’s concerns directly.