Carib Scope

标签： Dominica

多米尼克

  • OP-ED: We’ve called the meeting, now here’s what we bring

    OP-ED: We’ve called the meeting, now here’s what we bring

    When the European Union issued an ultimatum to five Eastern Caribbean nations to shutter their Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs by 2028, regional leaders gathered in Roseau, Dominica last Friday and made a critical, forward-thinking choice: they will head to Brussels as a unified bloc to negotiate, rather than comply passively. This op-ed from the soon-to-launch Caribbean Outlet, *The Caribbean Ledger*, framed the gathering not as the final step in the process, but the starting line for high-stakes preparation, outlining a clear strategic framework for the Caribbean delegation to reframe the conversation from defense to proactive negotiation.

    To enter the talks effectively, regional leaders must first understand the shifting landscape they face. In a June 25 letter from EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner, Brussels made clear that the existence of CBI programs itself, “regardless of how well it is managed,” is now grounds for reviewing Schengen visa-free access for Caribbean nationals. This means compliance reforms – which the Eastern Caribbean Collective Investment Regulatory Authority (ECCIRA), launched this year and headquartered in Grenada, was specifically designed to address – are no longer the core of the discussion. The EU has already moved past administrative concerns to a matter of principle. Any attempt to debate compliance in Brussels will hit an immovable wall, the analysis argues, so the region must shift its approach entirely.

    The Caribbean’s strongest negotiating leverage is not a defense of CBI, but a clear exposure of the current asymmetric power dynamic. If the Caribbean shuts down its programs as the EU demands, Brussels and Washington achieve their stated goal of safeguarding global integrity systems – but the entire fiscal cost falls entirely on small island economies. For Dominica, CBI revenue makes up roughly 37% of total GDP. St Kitts and Nevis already saw its 2024 fiscal deficit widen to 11% of GDP after a drop in CBI earnings, and would face an unfillable structural budget gap if the programs are eliminated entirely. Across the region, CBI funding has paid for critical public infrastructure: hospitals, modern airports, climate-resilient housing, and national fiscal buffers that shield economies from external shocks. The current outcome the EU is pushing would leave the EU with all the gains and the Caribbean absorbing all the losses – that is not how an equal partnership works, and the region must state this plainly and calmly from the start of talks.

    Instead of begging for compensation, which casts the region as a supplicant, the analysis argues Caribbean leaders should come to the table with a concrete proposal to trade the CBI revenue stream for a permanent, binding EU-Caribbean trade and development compact. Existing frameworks already exist to support this: the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement, the Samoa Agreement, and the EU’s own Global Gateway development initiative. The Caribbean only needs to turn these loose frameworks into a tangible, enforceable deal that works for both sides: guaranteed long-term market access for Caribbean agricultural and value-added goods, paired with EU investment in the infrastructure needed to scale that trade. This is a negotiation between equal partners, not a surrender to EU demands.

    The analysis lays out four core elements that the Caribbean’s formal proposal must include to be taken seriously. First, a phased, negotiated transition instead of an abrupt 2028 hard stop. An immediate end to CBI without alternative revenue would trigger an immediate fiscal crisis across the region. Instead, the Caribbean should propose a 3-5 year structured wind-down, shifting toward residency-focused investment models that meet EU security safeguards while maintaining orderly investment inflows during the transition, with clear public milestones to track progress. Second, a binding commitment for expanded agricultural trade access to EU markets. The region still remembers the collapse of the Windward Islands banana industry after EU trade preferences were withdrawn, when an entire regional economic sector hollowed out almost overnight. This time, the Caribbean should leverage that history to demand a specific, enforceable agreement with set volumes and timelines for expanded access for Caribbean agricultural and agro-processed goods. Third, a dedicated Caribbean Development Partnership facility under the EU’s Global Gateway framework. This facility would be seeded by EU funding, matched with existing capital from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), and targeted at the specific infrastructure needed to expand trade: cold storage networks, packing facilities, port upgrades, and phytosanitary certification systems. Fourth, quantified, binding co-financing commitments for climate resilience. As small island developing states, the Caribbean bears a disproportionate share of climate change costs that it did almost nothing to cause, making this a non-negotiable component of any fair compact.

    Beyond substance, the posture of the Caribbean delegation will shape the outcome of the talks. First and most critically, the region must speak with one voice. Divided, separate negotiations will only let Brussels split the bloc and weaken individual nations’ bargaining power. A unified position supported by the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and CARICOM, led jointly by OECS Chairman Prime Minister Gaston Browne and incoming CARICOM Chairman Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, will signal that this is a region-wide priority, not a narrow sub-regional grievance. Second, the delegation must bring concrete, publicly available numbers for every part of its proposal. Specificity demonstrates seriousness, while vagueness lets the EU agree in principle without delivering any tangible outcomes – a mistake the region has made repeatedly in past negotiations. Every element should be quantified: the fiscal impact of an abrupt phase-out, how much replacement revenue is needed, how much investment the Caribbean will contribute, and what exact volume of market access is being requested. Third, the delegation should reference past patterns of unequal negotiation calmly, not as a list of grievances. Past experiences – the banana trade collapse, 1990s financial services pressure, the more recent correspondent banking crisis – are not random misfortunes, they are patterns that explain why the region is demanding binding commitments rather than vague statements of intent this time around. That request is entirely reasonable for a partner that has seen European interests override regional solidarity in the past.

    The window for negotiation is narrow, and preparation is now non-negotiable. Regional development frameworks already lay out clear long-term goals: the CDB estimates the region needs $65 billion in financing by 2033 just to avoid economic stagnation, while the ECCB’s Big Push strategy aims to double the Eastern Caribbean’s total GDP within a decade. An abrupt CBI phase-out would derail both of these critical goals, but a well-negotiated compact would make them achievable. What the region needs right now is not just a joint communiqué or a statement of intent, but a specific, costed, legally grounded transition plan that maps out exactly what revenue needs to be replaced, what new industries will be built, what trade volumes will be negotiated, what infrastructure will be financed, and what timeline all of this will follow. The Caribbean has been forced into economic transitions before, but rarely has it had the chance to prepare a detailed plan in advance, before the crisis hits.

    St. Jean & Company, a regional advisory firm that has worked on economic transition strategy since 2020, has already built a transition and diversification roadmap aligned with both the CDB and ECCB frameworks, designed explicitly to support this moment. The firm offers this analysis and existing work to the Caribbean delegation, and stands ready to expand it into a full advisory engagement to support the Brussels mission. The Roseau meeting was the right first step, the analysis concludes, demonstrating that the Caribbean can adapt quickly when global conditions shift. Unlike past transitions, the ground has not yet fallen out from under the region – there is still time to shape a safe, prosperous landing. The window will not stay open forever, so the region must use every moment of preparation wisely.

  • COMMENTARY: Dominicans excelling overseas -The remarkable journey of Kertiste A. Augustus

    COMMENTARY: Dominicans excelling overseas -The remarkable journey of Kertiste A. Augustus

    Against all odds, a child growing up in the vibrant coastal capital of Roseau, Dominica, has climbed to a pivotal leadership position at the heart of the United States’ national defense apparatus, proving that grit, relentless dedication, and commitment to service can transcend geographic and socioeconomic boundaries. Kertiste A. Augustus, who now serves as Director of Sustainment Data under the Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Materiel Readiness at the Pentagon, occupies a critical role that directly shapes the operational readiness of the U.S. Joint Force. His core work centers on delivering verified, actionable sustainment data, harnessing cutting-edge analytical tools, and integrating next-generation digital capabilities to keep military forces prepared, resilient, and strategically informed — outcomes that directly accelerate improvements to weapons system readiness and drive the adoption of innovative sustainment technologies across the U.S. Department of Defense.

    Augustus’ path to the Pentagon was built over decades of intentional service and incremental achievement. He launched his military career in February 1998, when he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a young immigrant. Through consistent excellence and unwavering determination, he earned a commission as a Warrant Officer in 2006, kicking off a 23-year distinguished military career that spanned tactical, operational, and strategic assignments. His early service included a posting as a Property Accounting Technician with the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade in Germany, followed by a role as Lead Functional Analyst for the Global Combat Support System in Virginia. Augustus also completed multiple combat and peacekeeping deployments to Bosnia, Kuwait, and Iraq, before receiving one of the military’s most prestigious assignments: a five-year posting to the White House Communications Agency, where he provided direct support to the U.S. President, Vice President, and First Lady from 2016 to 2021.

    After retiring from active service in October 2021 as a promotable Chief Warrant Officer Four, Augustus continued to advance the mission of U.S. defense logistics. Prior to taking up his current role at the Pentagon, he held two key positions on the Joint Staff J4: Deputy Director for Logistics Data, Visualization, and Cyber, and Deputy Director for Strategic Logistics. In these roles, he led transformative innovation within the Joint Logistics Enterprise (JLEnt), rolling out new strategies that significantly strengthened the readiness, resilience, and global operational reach of the Joint Force. His work integrating cross-cutting strategic logistics planning and developing robust defense cyber policies has had a lasting impact on the evolution of modern military logistics.

    Beyond his professional and military achievements, Augustus has long prioritized academic growth, currently pursuing a PhD in Organizational Leadership and Learning at Vanderbilt University. His academic credentials include a Master of Science in Psychology from the University of Oklahoma, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude, a Bachelor of Science in Multi-Disciplinary Studies and Criminal Justice from Grantham University (Magna Cum Laude), and an Associate of Arts in General Studies from the University of Maryland University College. He also completed the competitive Strategic Studies Program at the University of California, Berkeley. In recognition of his decades of exceptional service, Augustus has been honored with some of the U.S. military and government’s highest awards, including the Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, the Army Legion of Merit, and the coveted Presidential Service Badge.

    Far from forgetting his roots, Augustus has channelled his success into opening doors for the next generation of young Dominicans, carrying forward the legacy of his late father, Kertist Alphoncous Augustus, a beloved labor leader in Dominica. Born in Roseau in 1947, the elder Augustus dedicated his life to advocating for working people. He took on the role of General Secretary of the Waterfront and Allied Worker’s Union (WAWU) in 1970, leading successful campaigns that secured higher wages, safer working conditions, and improved benefits for more than 500 waterfront workers, fundamentally transforming labor standards across Dominica. In 1998, he was elected President of WAWU, where he continued to defend workers’ rights, stabilize union operations, and advance the principle of free collective bargaining. His lifelong advocacy for working communities remains a cornerstone of his legacy in Dominica.

    Inspired by his father’s lifelong commitment to service and community empowerment, Augustus partnered with WAWU to launch the Kertist A. Augustus Foundation, named in his father’s honor. The foundation centers on the belief that higher education is the most powerful catalyst for individual and national advancement, working to build a local culture that celebrates educational achievement and expands access to opportunity for young people from all economic backgrounds. Through need-based scholarships and one-on-one mentorship programming, the foundation empowers Dominican youth to pursue their educational goals, upholding the elder Augustus’ legacy of lifting up marginalized communities.

    Today, the foundation supports five high school students and one recent graduate of Dominica State College, Nadjae-Ann Shillingford, who earned First Class Honors in Paralegal Studies with the foundation’s support. As it expands its reach, the foundation continues to advance its core mission of expanding opportunity for future generations, giving back to the community and country that shaped Augustus’ early years. More information about the foundation’s work and application processes can be found on its official website, www.kertistaugustusfoundation.org.

    Augustus’ story stands as a powerful testament to the exceptional potential of Dominican talent on the global stage, and a reminder that consistent dedication to excellence and service can create lasting impact, both in global security and in local communities. For Dominica, his journey from the streets of Roseau to the senior leadership of the Pentagon is a source of immense national pride, and an inspiring blueprint for young people seeking to turn ambition into meaningful contribution.

  • STATEMENT: CPL’S CEO on passing of Sir Garfield Sobers

    STATEMENT: CPL’S CEO on passing of Sir Garfield Sobers

    The cricketing world across the Caribbean is engulfed in sadness this week, as the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) joins global sports communities in mourning the passing of one of cricket’s most iconic figures, Sir Garfield Sobers.

    Widely celebrated as one of the greatest all-rounders to ever step onto a cricket pitch, Sir Garfield — affectionately known to fans and peers as Sir Gary — left an indelible mark on West Indies cricket that extends far beyond the boundary rope. His exceptional proficiency across every discipline of the game made him a generational talent, and his contributions in the mid-20th century were foundational to building the West Indies cricket team into the dominant global powerhouse it became for decades.

    But for the people of the Caribbean, Sir Gary’s legacy stretches far beyond his on-field statistics. A figure of relentless grace, approachability and quiet humility, he stood as a unifying beacon for the region throughout his life. Even after cementing his status as a global sporting legend, he remained connected to grassroots cricket, never turning away from fans seeking a conversation or young aspiring cricketers hoping for guidance. He was a regular, beloved presence at Barbados’ Kensington Oval, where he often attended matches alongside his wife Jackie, maintaining an unwavering passion for the sport he helped elevate.

    This year, the CPL was scheduled to host its season final at Kensington Oval — a moment the CPL organization confirms Sir Gary was eagerly anticipating. His absence from the landmark event has left the tournament community devastated, but organizers have moved forward with plans to honor his extraordinary life and enduring legacy across the entire 2026 season. The season’s final will be framed as a dedicated tribute to Sir Gary, celebrating his transformative impact on Caribbean cricket and the countless lives he touched throughout his decades in the sport.

  • COMMENTARY: Nelson Mandela International Day

    COMMENTARY: Nelson Mandela International Day

    Every year on July 18, the world pauses to celebrate Nelson Mandela International Day, a global commemoration that honors the extraordinary life, enduring principles, and revolutionary legacy of South Africa’s first democratically elected president. For 2026, the observance carries a urgent, focused theme: “It’s Still in Our Hands to Combat Poverty and Inequity”, directing global attention to the unfinished work of eradicating systemic poverty and closing the widening wealth gap that divides communities across the world.

    Nelson Mandela remains one of the most revered global icons in modern history, a leader whose moral authority transcended borders and generations. Born Rolihlahla Mandela on July 18, 1918, into the Madiba clan of Mvezo village in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, his early life shaped the resilience that would define his decades-long fight for justice. After the death of his father, a senior counsellor to the Thembu royal family, when he was 12, Mandela continued his education, first at the University College of Fort Hare, where he was expelled for leading a student protest against oppressive institutional policies. He would later complete his Bachelor of Arts degree through the University of South Africa, graduating in 1943, before beginning his law studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, eventually earning his law degree in absentia while imprisoned in 1989.

    Mandela’s formal political journey began in 1944, when he joined the African National Congress (ANC) and helped launch the organization’s youth-focused wing, the ANC Youth League. It was through this work that the ANC shifted toward a radical, mass-based policy of resistance to apartheid, adopted in 1949 as the Programme of Action. By 1952, Mandela had risen to a leadership role in the Defiance Campaign, a joint civil disobedience movement with the South African Indian Congress that targeted six unjust apartheid laws. He was convicted under the Suppression of Communism Act for his participation, and later that year, he and colleague Oliver Tambo opened South Africa’s first Black-owned law firm, providing critical legal representation to Black South Africans harmed by apartheid legislation.

    Over the following decades, Mandela’s resistance would cost him decades of freedom. After the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre, in which police killed 69 unarmed anti-apartheid protestors, the apartheid government declared a state of emergency and banned the ANC and the Pan Africanist Congress. Following a 1962 arrest for leaving the country without permission to build international support for the anti-apartheid movement, Mandela was sentenced to five years in prison. A year later, after police uncovered an ANC hideout in Rivonia, he and 10 other activists were put on trial for sabotage in the famous Rivonia Trial. Facing the death penalty, Mandela delivered his iconic “Speech from the Dock”, in which he articulated his lifelong vision: “I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

    Mandela was ultimately sentenced to life in prison, spending 27 years behind bars, most of them on Robben Island. He was barred from attending the funerals of his mother and eldest son, and contracted tuberculosis that required months of hospitalization. He was finally released on February 11, 1990, amid growing international pressure and negotiations to end apartheid. In 1994, South Africa held its first multiracial democratic election, and Mandela was inaugurated as president on May 10. After a single term in office, he made the historic decision to step down in 1999, rejecting the chance to hold onto power that many other leaders would have seized. He continued his humanitarian work through the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, which he founded in 1995, until his death at his Johannesburg home on December 5, 2013.

    What sets Mandela apart as a leader, beyond his fight against apartheid, was his unwavering commitment to forgiveness, equality, and selfless service. Unlike many revolutionary leaders who traded one form of oppression for another, Mandela held fast to his vision of a multiracial democracy, working to reconcile South Africa’s divided communities rather than seeking retribution. The core tradition of Nelson Mandela International Day, the “67 Minutes of Service” campaign, honors the 67 years Mandela dedicated to public service and the fight for social justice. Though the original calculation of 67 years contained a minor discrepancy (Mandela had spent 65 years in public service when the campaign launched in 2009), the movement has grown into a global rallying call that unites millions of people each year.

    There are countless accessible ways for people around the world to honor Mandela’s legacy this year. The most central tradition is to set aside 67 minutes of the day to volunteer with local nonprofits, homeless shelters, or youth development programs, mirroring Mandela’s 67 years of public service. Individuals can also contribute resources, skills, or time to support vulnerable groups in their own communities, or act as advocates for human rights, speaking out against systemic injustice wherever it appears. In Mandela’s own words: “There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to helping others without expecting anything in return.” This 2026 Nelson Mandela International Day, the theme reminds us that the work of building a more equal, just world remains in all our hands, following the path Mandela laid out over decades of struggle.

  • LIVE: 38th Ordination Anniversary Mass of Father Elveau Augustine at St. Mark Parish Dominica

    LIVE: 38th Ordination Anniversary Mass of Father Elveau Augustine at St. Mark Parish Dominica

    The small island nation of Dominica, located in the hurricane-prone Eastern Caribbean, is once again at the forefront of global conversations about climate vulnerability, as rising sea temperatures and shifting weather patterns amplify the risk of catastrophic tropical storms for low-lying coastal states. For decades, Dominica has faced repeated devastation from extreme weather events: in 2017, Category 5 Hurricane Maria destroyed more than 90% of the country’s infrastructure, crippled its tourism-dependent economy, and left hundreds of people dead or missing. The disaster served as a wake-up call for both Dominica’s government and global climate advocates, highlighting the disproportionate risk that small developing island states face despite contributing next to nothing to global greenhouse gas emissions.

    In the years following Maria, Dominica has positioned itself as a global leader in climate resilience, launching an ambitious agenda to become the world’s first climate-resilient nation. The government has invested heavily in climate-adaptive infrastructure, including storm-resistant housing, reinforced coastal sea walls, and renewable energy projects designed to replace fossil fuel dependence while strengthening energy security during extreme weather events. International climate financing bodies, including the Green Climate Fund, have backed these efforts with hundreds of millions of dollars in grants and low-interest loans, recognizing Dominica’s role as a test case for global climate adaptation.

    Still, new data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) shows that ocean temperatures in the Caribbean have risen 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit since the pre-industrial era, creating more favorable conditions for rapid storm intensification and increasing the likelihood of major hurricanes making landfall in the region. This growing risk has put new pressure on both national governments and global climate negotiators to deliver on long-promised funding for loss and damage, a global framework designed to support vulnerable countries hit by irreversible climate impacts. As the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season gets underway, Dominica and its neighboring Caribbean nations are reminding the global community that climate action is not a distant policy goal—it is an urgent priority that affects the survival and livelihoods of millions of people across the world’s most vulnerable regions.

  • UPDATE: Investigation continues into incident at Woodbridge Bay Port which took life of Stevedore

    UPDATE: Investigation continues into incident at Woodbridge Bay Port which took life of Stevedore

    A tragic workplace incident has claimed the life of a 47-year-old longshore worker in Dominica, prompting law enforcement officials to launch a full probe into the circumstances of the fatality. The accident unfolded in the early hours of Friday at the Woodbridge Bay Port, located in Fond Colé.

    Officials from the Dominica Air and Sea Ports Authority (DASPA) were the first to confirm the fatal event, which occurred during overnight cargo handling activities at the facility. The Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) later released an official statement identifying the deceased as Otis Francis, a resident of Tarish Pit.

    Early findings from the ongoing investigation show the incident took place at approximately 12:30 a.m., as Francis was part of a team loading cargo onto the commercial cargo ship *Tropic Opal*. First responders confirmed that Francis suffered catastrophic, fatal injuries when a shipping container made impact with him during the loading process.

    Law enforcement officers were dispatched to the port immediately after the emergency alert was received. Members of the CDPF’s specialized Crime Scene Unit arrived to process the site and collect physical evidence for the investigation. An on-call medical professional attended the scene shortly after, where they officially pronounced Francis dead.

    Following the completion of initial on-site procedures, Francis’ remains were transferred to Lyndhurst Funeral Home, where they will be held until a scheduled post-mortem examination is carried out to confirm the exact cause of death.

    In the wake of the tragedy, the CDPF has extended its formal condolences to Francis’ family, close friends, and coworkers at the port, noting that the investigation into the full context of the accident remains active. DASPA has also released a statement sharing its sympathy with the bereaved family, adding that the port authority is committed to cooperating completely with police and other relevant regulatory bodies throughout the investigative process. As of the latest update, police have confirmed that inquiries into the incident are still ongoing.

  • CRFM, Caribbean Climate Change Centre strengthen partnership to tackle climate challenges

    CRFM, Caribbean Climate Change Centre strengthen partnership to tackle climate challenges

    Two leading Caribbean regional environmental and resource management organizations have announced a strengthened collaborative partnership to counter the accelerating impacts of climate change on the region’s oceans, fisheries, and vulnerable coastal communities. The Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) and the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (5Cs, also referred to as CCCCC) brought senior representatives together for strategic discussions on July 16, 2026, to map out how combining their specialized expertise, pooled resources, and existing ongoing initiatives can create more robust responses to the Caribbean’s most urgent marine and climate challenges.

    During the day-long talks, CRFM leadership updated 5Cs counterparts on a slate of active regional projects designed to help CRFM member states build more climate-resilient, ecologically sustainable fishing sectors. These ongoing initiatives cover a wide range of priorities: from advancing evidence-based marine spatial planning and scaling up renewable energy adoption in fishing operations to strengthening the economic livelihoods of small-scale fishing communities and advancing gender equity across the fisheries industry.

    One of the core priority topics on the meeting agenda was the persistent, growing crisis of invasive sargassum seaweed blooms that have plagued coastlines across the entire Caribbean basin for years. While both organizations acknowledged the severe harm that massive sargassum inflows cause to local tourism operations, commercial and small-scale fisheries, and fragile marine ecosystems, they also highlighted an under-explored opportunity: if processed safely following circular economy principles, sargassum can be converted into a range of commercially valuable products, from organic fertilizer to biofuel. Meeting participants also underlined that targeted additional scientific research, enhanced cross-regional coordination, and more streamlined information sharing are critical to implementing effective, long-term sargassum management strategies.

    Discussions also turned to Blue Carbon, the carbon stored naturally in coastal ecosystems including mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, and salt marshes, which has emerged as a globally recognized key tool for climate change mitigation. According to the official CRFM press release summarizing the meeting, talks covered the ongoing regional policy process to develop a comprehensive regional Blue Carbon Policy, a framework that would support Caribbean nations in better protecting, restoring, and managing these ecologically and climatically valuable coastal ecosystems.

    Improving equitable access to reliable climate and marine science data was another central focus of the strategic talks. Both organizations reaffirmed that high-quality, accessible data is a non-negotiable foundation for evidence-based policy making, robust public climate action, and enhanced regional climate resilience. They also emphasized that deeper collaboration and more open cross-institutional data sharing would deliver widespread benefits for governments, academic researchers, small-scale and commercial fishers, and coastal communities across every Caribbean nation.

    In a joint statement shared via the CRFM press release, both organizations emphasized that cross-sector regional partnerships are not optional, but essential, to protect the Caribbean’s unique marine resources and ensure that future generations can continue to benefit from healthy oceans and productive, sustainable fisheries. The new strengthened partnership, they noted, reflects a shared commitment to advancing climate-smart, equitable development across the region, while supporting resilient coastal communities, sustainable fishing industries, and thriving, healthy marine ecosystems.

  • STATEMENT: Message of Condolence from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on the Passing of the Right Excellent Sir Garfield St. Aubrun Sobers NH, AO, OCC

    STATEMENT: Message of Condolence from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on the Passing of the Right Excellent Sir Garfield St. Aubrun Sobers NH, AO, OCC

    The global cricket community and the nation of Barbados are this week united in grief following the death of one of the sport’s most celebrated figures, Sir Garfield Sobers. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has added its voice to the widespread tributes, confirming it stands alongside Barbados’ government, its people and cricket lovers worldwide in honoring the legendary athlete’s life and legacy.

    Born and raised in the Caribbean, Sir Garfield came to embody two of the region’s most defining traits: unmatched excellence and unyielding resilience. On the cricket pitch, his extraordinary skill and strategic brilliance redefined the sport for generations of players, setting a new benchmark for achievement that still influences the game today. Off the field, his trademark humility and warm graciousness won him respect far beyond the boundaries of cricket, earning him widespread admiration and recognition across every corner of the globe.

    In recognition of his extraordinary sporting talent and his enduring impact on the Caribbean region and global sport, Sir Garfield was awarded the Caribbean Community’s highest honor, the Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC), in 1998 — a distinction that reflected the profound respect the community held for one of its most iconic sons.

    Today, Sir Garfield’s legacy endures through the countless young athletes he inspired to chase excellence and carry the Caribbean’s name with distinction on the world stage. CARICOM has extended its deepest condolences to the government and people of Barbados, Sir Garfield’s immediate family and loved ones, and the community of dedicated cricket fans across the Caribbean and the globe who are mourning his passing.

  • UPDATE: Police appeal for information following yesterday’s fatal shooting in Mahaut

    UPDATE: Police appeal for information following yesterday’s fatal shooting in Mahaut

    A fatal shooting in the community of Morne Georgin, Mahaut, has left a 34-year-old man dead, with law enforcement in Dominica now calling on public assistance to advance their ongoing homicide probe.

    The incident unfolded on Thursday evening, when the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) received an emergency report just before 9:00 PM alerting officers to a potential homicide. Responding teams immediately rushed to the scene, where they made the grim discovery: the lifeless body of Al Toussaint, a local resident, lying in a narrow alley close to his residence.

    Preliminary assessments at the scene confirmed Toussaint had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. A motorcycle was also recovered near the body, a piece of evidence investigators will examine as they piece together the circumstances of the shooting. Following the police response, a medical examiner attended the location and formally pronounced Toussaint dead at the scene.

    After completing an initial forensic sweep of the area, law enforcement officers arranged to transfer Toussaint’s remains to a local funeral home. The body will remain there until a full autopsy can be conducted to confirm the official cause and manner of death.

    As the investigation progresses with no arrests announced to date, the CDPF is urgently appealing for any member of the public who may have relevant information — whether they witnessed the shooting, noticed suspicious activity in the area around the time of the incident, or hold details that could help identify suspects — to come forward. Tips can be submitted to the Mahaut Police Station via phone at 266-4845, the Criminal Investigations Department at 266-5165, the anonymous Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-8477, or any local police outpost across the country.

    In their official statement on the incident, police took the opportunity to issue a public appeal focused on curbing violent conflict, particularly among young people. The department urged community members to reject the use of firearms and other forms of violence as a means of settling personal disputes, highlighting the permanent, devastating harm such actions leave in their wake.

    The CDPF has also formally extended its deepest condolences to Toussaint’s family, friends, and loved ones as investigators continue working to uncover the full details of the shooting and bring those responsible to justice.

  • Cricket legend Sir Garfield Sobers dies at 89

    Cricket legend Sir Garfield Sobers dies at 89

    The global cricket community is mourning the loss of one of its most iconic figures, Sir Garfield “Garry” Sobers, the Barbados-born former West Indies captain universally hailed as the sport’s greatest all-rounder, who has passed away at the age of 89.

    Cricket West Indies broke the news of Sobers’ death in a short, heartfelt tribute posted to its official X account, writing simply: “A great innings has come to an end. In our hearts, now and forever, Sir Garfield Sobers.”

    Sobers’ decorated international career stretched across 20 years, from his 1954 debut for the West Indies to his retirement from international cricket in 1974. Across 93 Test matches, he amassed 8,032 runs at an impressive batting average of 57.78, while also claiming 235 international wickets thanks to his rare ability to bowl both fast pace and spin with equal skill.

    Sobers secured his permanent place in cricket history at just 23 years old, when he scored an unbeaten 365 runs against Pakistan in 1958. That groundbreaking innings broke the existing world record for the highest individual score in Test match cricket, a benchmark he held for 36 years. Even today, that score ranks as the fourth-highest individual Test score in the sport’s long history.

    Between 1965 and 1972, Sobers served as captain of the West Indies national side, leading a squad stacked with extraordinary talent during a period of profound transformation for Caribbean cricket. Beyond his international commitments, he also built a stellar domestic career in England with Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club. For the club, he scored more than 7,000 first-class runs – including 18 centuries – and took 281 wickets. In 1968, he made global cricket headlines once again by becoming the first player in first-class cricket history to hit six sixes from six consecutive balls in a single over.

    Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club released a statement following news of his death, remembering Sobers as “cricket’s greatest-ever all-rounder and an iconic figure in Nottinghamshire history.” The statement added: “We are extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers, at the age of 89.”

    Honors for Sobers’ unprecedented contributions to cricket came throughout his life and beyond. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1975 for his services to the sport, and later earned a place as one of Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack’s Five Cricketers of the 20th Century. Today, his legacy endures through the International Cricket Council’s most prestigious individual men’s award: the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, awarded each year to the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year.

    Famed for his graceful left-handed batting, elite reflexes in the field, and unrivaled versatility with the ball, Sir Garfield Sobers will be remembered as one of the finest cricketers to ever step onto a pitch. His impact stretched far beyond the impressive statistics he accumulated over his career, having inspired generations of cricketers across the Caribbean and around the globe.