The notion of press freedom does not absolve journalism of its responsibilities. Recent narratives suggesting that the United States has ‘finally come to save the Caribbean’ are not merely misguided but dangerously misleading. Such rhetoric romanticizes external militarization in regional waters, conveniently overlooking how historical ‘assistance’ has often morphed into control. This narrative subtly shapes public consent, normalizing foreign military presence as benevolent intervention, thereby encouraging the Caribbean populace to relinquish control over their own peace and security. This is particularly alarming given the U.S.’s renewed ‘war on drugs’ doctrine, which has led to lethal-force interdictions in Caribbean maritime space. These actions starkly contrast with CARICOM’s commitment to maintaining the region as a ‘Zone of Peace,’ highlighting a troubling disparity between rhetoric and reality. History offers stark reminders of the consequences of foreign intervention: from the Dominican Republic in 1965 to Haiti in the 1990s, external forces have consistently prioritized strategic advantage over Caribbean sovereignty. The current militarization, framed as protection, is a continuation of this pattern. Fragmentation among CARICOM members exacerbates vulnerability, weakening the region’s collective bargaining power and making sovereignty negotiable. Legal arrangements like Shiprider Agreements further intensify this exposure, granting foreign authorities extensive powers, including drone surveillance and lethal targeting. These realities demand informed regional leadership, both political and journalistic. The media must document foreign military activities, scrutinize enabling agreements, contextualize current actions within historical patterns, ensure transparency, and reinforce that sovereignty is a daily practice, not a mere slogan. If regional media and leadership fail to confront these patterns with clarity and courage, the ‘Zone of Peace’ may only be recognized in hindsight as the first casualty of a silence mistaken for diplomacy.
标签： Barbados
巴巴多斯
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Digicel backs digital transformation in hospitality industry
Digicel Barbados has reiterated its dedication to bolstering the island’s tourism and hospitality sector by deploying cutting-edge digital solutions aimed at enhancing guest experiences. During a recent Digicel Business event at Sandals Royal Barbados, CEO Natalie Abrahams emphasized the company’s mission to empower hotels with technology that aligns with evolving traveler demands and fortifies business resilience. ‘Every reservation and every social media post serves as a digital ambassador for Barbados, showcasing the unforgettable experiences it offers,’ Abrahams remarked. She highlighted the growing importance of seamless, personalized, and immediate services in today’s hospitality landscape, which is increasingly driven by digital innovation and robust connectivity. However, Abrahams also cautioned about the escalating risks of cyber threats, noting a 76% surge in cyber exposures across the Caribbean since 2023. To address these vulnerabilities, Digicel is offering complimentary Dark Web Scans to its hospitality partners, ensuring enhanced data security. Abrahams underscored Digicel’s reliability, citing its swift response during Hurricane Beryl, where 87% of customers were reconnected within 48 hours. Marco Piazzi, Digicel’s regional hospitality business development manager, further elaborated on the company’s role as a leading technology partner for Caribbean hotels. He highlighted the integration of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and cybersecurity through products like the 360View surveillance system and 360Comms communication platform, designed to optimize safety, efficiency, and connectivity. ‘By merging connectivity, ICT, cloud, and cybersecurity, Digicel enables hotels to operate smarter and safer,’ Abrahams concluded. ‘Together, we can build a hospitality industry that is not only warm and welcoming but also smart, secure, and future-ready.’
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Taxi operators push back against Uber with own ride-hailing app
In a strategic move to counter Uber’s recent entry into Barbados, the Bridgetown Port Taxi Co-op Society Ltd unveiled its own ride-hailing app, Zail Barbados, on Wednesday. The launch, held at Copacabana Beach Club, marked a significant milestone for the local taxi industry, which has been preparing for this moment for months. Adrian Smiley Bailey, President of the co-op, emphasized that the initiative was not a reactionary measure but a well-planned effort to safeguard the interests of local drivers.
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Public debt unit to allow citizen access – Straughn
Barbados is set to transform its public debt unit into an investor relations agency as part of a broader initiative to enhance debt management and make government securities accessible to ordinary citizens. Finance Minister Ryan Straughn announced the plan during the 20th Annual Meeting of the LAC Debt Group 2025, held at the Hilton Barbados. The restructuring aims to emphasize citizen participation in debt management, with the revamped unit handling front, middle, and back-office functions. Currently, the Central Bank acts as the fiscal agent, but the new unit will proactively manage the debt portfolio, treating it as a productive sector of the economy. Additionally, the government has approved a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework under its procurement law to share risks with the private sector while maximizing value for citizens. The investor relations unit will focus on extracting value from PPPs, shifting risks to the private sector, and fostering economic growth. Digital platforms like BIMPay will facilitate broader participation in the domestic capital market, enabling real-time payments and reducing costs for financial institutions and merchants. The government also plans to introduce smaller investment lots, allowing individuals to invest as little as $50 in treasury bills, with digital notifications streamlining the process. The ultimate goal is to democratize access to government debt returns, ensuring that average citizens can earn returns comparable to larger investors. Minister Straughn emphasized that this initiative will reduce reliance on banks as brokers, enabling direct citizen participation in the debt market.
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Pay up or miss out on Christmas rebate
The Barbados government has issued a stern reminder to taxpayers to settle their personal income tax obligations, originally due in April, to avoid forfeiting a promised $1300 rebate scheduled for December. Ryan Straughn, Minister in the Ministry of Finance, revealed on Tuesday that thousands of low-income Barbadians are set to receive their 2024 reverse tax credits in early December. However, he emphasized that this financial relief is contingent upon taxpayers clearing any outstanding balances.
Straughn cautioned that individuals who fail to file their taxes will not qualify for a refund, and those who have filed but still owe money will remain in debt. He urged prompt payment to prevent accumulating penalties. Under normal circumstances, Barbadians are required to pay half of their owed taxes by April and the remainder by September. Missing these deadlines disqualifies taxpayers from automatically receiving the rebate, though the Barbados Revenue Authority may, in certain cases, offset previous refunds against unpaid amounts.
The Minister reiterated that all 2024 refunds are being processed in October, but eligibility hinges on full compliance with tax obligations. The reverse tax credit scheme is specifically designed to assist individuals earning below the standard personal tax allowance. To qualify, applicants must be Barbados residents with an annual gross income of $25,000 or less, employed for at least four months during the income year, paid at least $1300 in National Insurance Scheme (NIS) contributions, and less than $500 in income tax for the year.
Straughn encouraged taxpayers to act swiftly, highlighting that timely payments to the Barbados Revenue Authority not only avoid penalties but also ensure eligibility for the December rebate.
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Prime Minister’s Cup knockout round kicks off at Gall Hill
The knockout stage of the Prime Minister’s Cup is set to deliver thrilling encounters as the competition intensifies at Gall Hill, St John. With no room for error, teams will battle for a spot in the grand final on Independence Day at Kensington Oval, where a $100,000 prize awaits the champion. The Round of 16 kicks off with a David versus Goliath clash between Division 2 side Technique FC and the formidable St Andrew Lions at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
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Govt accelerates $20bn energy transformation plan
Barbados is poised to embark on a transformative renewable energy journey, as the government accelerates its Energy Transition Investment Plan, a multibillion-dollar initiative expected to save the island $16 billion over the next decade and generate thousands of green jobs. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kerrie Symmonds announced the plan in Parliament on Tuesday, emphasizing its potential to reshape the nation’s energy landscape and economy.
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Liberty Caribbean working with Starlink Direct to Cell to provide service in Jamaica
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact on Jamaica, Liberty Caribbean, the parent company of Flow Jamaica and Liberty Business, has taken proactive measures to ensure swift recovery and uninterrupted communication for its customers. Leveraging its partnership with Starlink Direct to Cell, Liberty Caribbean will utilize satellite technology to provide emergency connectivity in areas where terrestrial networks have been severely disrupted. This groundbreaking collaboration marks the first instance in Jamaica where a traditional telecom operator has teamed up with a satellite communications provider to deliver seamless mobile connectivity during crises. The initiative will enable essential SMS and text communications, ensuring that emergency services, businesses, and families can stay connected when local infrastructure fails. Inge Smidts, CEO of Liberty Caribbean, emphasized the critical importance of communication in disaster scenarios, stating, ‘Having the ability to communicate post-hurricane is a matter of life and death. Our FLOW Essential service will provide immediate basic connectivity.’ This innovative approach underscores Liberty Caribbean’s commitment to safeguarding Jamaicans, the economy, and the region’s shared future by integrating redundancy into its island-wide mobile network.
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Team Barbados gears up for Global Robotics Challenge in Panama
Four talented young Barbadians are poised to showcase their ingenuity at the prestigious FIRST Global Robotics Challenge, an international STEM competition that mirrors the spirit of the Olympics. This year’s event, scheduled from October 29 to November 1 in Panama, will bring together high school students from across the globe to demonstrate their prowess in designing and programming robots capable of executing intricate tasks. Team Barbados, led by seasoned electronics and electrical technology teacher Matthew Douglas, has been diligently preparing for the challenge. Douglas, with over 25 years of experience and a passion for nurturing young innovators, praised the team’s exceptional time management and unwavering dedication. The competition will feature robots performing tasks such as collecting and shooting soccer balls into scoring zones, maneuvering larger balls into slots, and even climbing ropes—a true test of engineering precision and collaborative effort. Among the team members is Jean-Pierre Pilgrim, a 14-year-old prodigy from Queen’s College, who has already excelled academically in English, Mathematics, and Information Technology. Pilgrim, an avid computer and gaming enthusiast, expressed confidence in the team’s hard work and preparation. Makai Beckles-Lewis, a 15-year-old from Combermere School, is equally enthusiastic, looking forward to experiencing diverse cultures in Panama. Kurt Hazell, a 16-year-old athlete from the same school, shared his excitement and nervousness about his first international competition. Nathan Douglas, a 15-year-old from The Lodge School, is drawn to the mechanical aspects of robotics, while 13-year-old Christopher Smith from St. Winifred’s School is eager to learn from his older teammates. The team departed on Monday, ready to make their mark on the global stage.
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Thorne: Govt masking worsening hardship with ‘pretty talk’
Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne has launched a scathing critique of the Mia Mottley administration, accusing it of employing ‘pretty talk’ to create ‘illusions of prosperity’ while many Barbadians grapple with economic hardships. During a heated debate in the House of Assembly over the Barbados National Energy Company (Transfer and Vesting of Assets) Bill, Thorne highlighted the growing disparity between the government’s confident rhetoric and the stark realities faced by citizens. He argued that despite ministers’ claims of economic progress, the benefits are not translating into tangible improvements in the lives of families, small businesses, and street vendors. Thorne urged lawmakers to witness the struggles firsthand by visiting Swan Street, where vendors are fighting to survive rather than thrive. He dismissed the government’s narrative of national prosperity as a ‘cruel joke,’ emphasizing that the people of Barbados are enduring significant suffering. Thorne also criticized the administration’s reliance on buzzwords like ‘sustainable,’ ‘resilient,’ and ‘whole-of-country approach,’ which he described as empty slogans devoid of substance. He warned that the government’s refusal to acknowledge the hardships faced by citizens risks deepening public apathy and eroding trust in leadership. Thorne concluded that speeches alone cannot alleviate the economic pressures weighing on Barbadians, calling for more concrete actions to address their struggles.