Carib Scope

标签： Dominica

多米尼克

  • Caribbean initiative advances sweet potato production and genetic conservation

    Caribbean initiative advances sweet potato production and genetic conservation

    Across five Caribbean nations, a collaborative regional initiative focused on upgrading sweet potato cultivation and protecting critical plant genetic resources is hitting key milestones, bringing farmers, researchers, and agricultural authorities together under a shared framework for climate-resilient food production. The Next Generation Sweet Potato Production in the Caribbean Project, now in its fourth year of implementation, has built an expanding Community of Practice uniting stakeholders from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Saint Lucia, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, with ongoing technical guidance from leading global agricultural experts. The project is led by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), in formal partnership with national agriculture ministries across three participating countries and the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI).

    A core recent achievement of the initiative has been the completion of a comprehensive multi-session training program designed to build technical capacity among regional agricultural professionals. Delivered jointly with the International Potato Center (CIP), the program combined theoretical virtual learning and in-person field practicals, engaging 73 participants drawn from academic institutions, government technical agencies, and both public and private agricultural enterprises. The training curriculum centered on building proficiency in three key skills: accurate identification of distinct sweet potato varieties, formal classification of genetic variants, and standardized documentation of genetic accessions for long-term conservation. This training forms a foundational pillar of the project’s broader regional strategy, which aims to reinforce genetic diversity of sweet potato populations, upgrade regional seed distribution systems, and enhance the climate resilience of Caribbean sweet potato farming operations.

    Participants completed five interactive virtual modules that covered the 30 globally standardized descriptors used to differentiate key agronomic traits in sweet potatoes, ranging from leaf and vine morphology to root structure and nutritional characteristics. Following the virtual coursework, trainees applied their new knowledge in hands-on field exercises held across four participating countries, bridging the gap between academic learning and on-the-ground agricultural practice. In Antigua and Barbuda, national agricultural authorities have already documented 73 unique sweet potato genetic accessions through the project, with 19 additional improved varieties set to be introduced via collaboration with CIP to expand the country’s genetic resource base.

    Beyond technical training and genetic mapping, the initiative prioritizes long-term capacity building for regional agricultural workforces, equipping professionals with the tools to properly identify and preserve valuable plant genetic material for future use. For smallholder and commercial farmers across the region, the project supports adoption of improved, climate-resilient sweet potato varieties that deliver more consistent yields and better agronomic performance under changing climate conditions. When combined, these interconnected efforts are projected to significantly strengthen regional food and nutrition security, a critical priority for small island developing states across the Caribbean that face disproportionate climate risk.

    Funding for the initiative is provided by the Benefit-sharing Fund of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, which is administered by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with additional financial backing from the European Union. As the project enters its fourth year, it continues to foster cross-border collaboration and knowledge sharing, working to establish a durable regional network focused on advancing sustainable sweet potato production across the Caribbean for decades to come.

  • Thirty participants begin intensive tour guide training to boost Dominica’s tourism standards

    Thirty participants begin intensive tour guide training to boost Dominica’s tourism standards

    Thirty aspiring and current tour guides in Dominica have begun a specialized workforce development program, launched to lift service quality across the Caribbean island nation’s booming tourism sector. The fully funded initiative is a collaborative effort led by the Discover Dominica Authority, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), and Dominica State College, according to an official press statement from the tourism authority.

    Running from April 13 to 21, 2026, the training program receives financial backing from the Caribbean Development Bank, allocated through the bank’s Eastern Caribbean Sustainable Marine and Terrestrial Ecosystems (EC-STEMS) Project. Officials frame the initiative as a core part of a national strategy to build the capacity and professionalism of Dominica’s tourism labor pool, as the country works to strengthen its reputation as a top nature-focused travel destination.

    All participants in the program are working toward official certification under the Nature Island Standards of Excellence (NISE), a local quality designation that requires completion of this standardized training. The curriculum is structured around four core pillars critical to exceptional visitor experiences: cultural interpretation, which teaches guides to share the unique history and traditions of Dominica with guests; environmental responsibility, aligned with the island’s focus on sustainable eco-tourism; customer relationship management; and comprehensive safety protocols.

    Unlike many traditional training programs that rely solely on classroom learning, this course blends academic instruction with immersive on-the-ground fieldwork. Trainees get the opportunity to apply their new knowledge directly in real tourism settings, allowing them to refine their skills before they begin leading tours independently. This hands-on approach is designed to ensure that program graduates are fully prepared to adapt to the changing needs of modern travelers and the shifting dynamics of the global tourism industry.

    Marva Williams, CEO and Director of Tourism at the Discover Dominica Authority, emphasized that uniform high service standards are non-negotiable as Dominica works to grow its market share in an increasingly competitive global tourism landscape. “Programs like this ensure that the people delivering the experience are prepared, confident and aligned with the level of quality we expect across the sector,” Williams said in an official statement.

    Once participants complete the 9-day training course, they will be eligible to move forward with their full NISE certification. Officials project that the expanded pool of certified, highly trained tour guides will help deliver a more consistent, premium tourism experience across Dominica, supporting long-term growth and visitor satisfaction for the island’s key economic sector.

  • PRESS RELEASE: DOMLEC advises customers of increase in fuel surcharge for April 2026

    PRESS RELEASE: DOMLEC advises customers of increase in fuel surcharge for April 2026

    Roseau, Dominica – April 16, 2026 – Dominica’s main power provider, Dominica Electricity Services Limited (DOMLEC), has publicly notified customers of an upcoming adjustment to electricity pricing that will see a higher fuel surcharge applied to April 2026 energy consumption, with the change appearing on customer bills distributed in May 2026.

    The monthly fuel surcharge, a standard variable component of DOMLEC’s billing structure calculated based on the prior month’s energy sales and prevailing fuel costs, will for the first time incorporate an additional line item for geothermal energy production costs this billing cycle. The revised surcharge is computed using three core inputs: March 2026 energy sales, global fossil fuel prices, and the still-limited output from the island’s new geothermal facility.

    In a public statement announcing the change, DOMLEC General Manager Dwayne Cenac outlined the combination of market and environmental factors that have driven the latest rate increase. He confirmed that the new fuel surcharge for April consumption will climb to $0.50 per kilowatt-hour, with the single largest contributor to the jump being a dramatic uptick in global fossil fuel prices. Since the start of 2026, Cenac noted, the utility’s average fuel costs have risen by roughly 33%, a surge directly tied to persistent geopolitical instability in the Middle East, a key global oil production region.

    This most recent increase marks the third consecutive monthly rise in the surcharge, a trend that began in February 2026. To contextualize the shift, Cenac pointed to seasonal changes in the island’s hydropower output, another core pillar of Dominica’s energy mix. In December 2025, high water levels allowed hydropower to contribute 35% of total national electricity generation, pushing the January 2026 surcharge down to a low of $0.32 per kilowatt-hour. By March 2026, however, seasonal dry conditions reduced hydropower output to its long-term average of roughly 25.5%, driving the surcharge up to $0.36 in February and $0.37 in March respectively.

    While the utility has formally integrated geothermal energy into its generation and billing framework, the new renewable source currently makes only a modest contribution to the national grid. The geothermal plant remains in the final commissioning phase, and Cenac confirmed that in March 2026, it accounted for just 6.1% of total electricity production. Looking ahead, though, the utility frames geothermal as a long-term solution to volatile pricing: as the plant scales up output over coming months and years, it is expected to play an increasingly large role in buffering consumer costs from global fossil fuel market swings.

    DOMLEC has reaffirmed that the unprecedented 35% jump in the April surcharge is overwhelmingly driven by the sharp global fuel price increase, rather than the new geothermal cost inclusion. To help customers manage higher near-term bills, the utility is urging households and businesses to proactively adjust their energy consumption where possible. In the near future, Cenac added, customers will also gain access to a new time-of-use billing structure, which will offer discounted rates for electricity used during off-peak hours, spanning late evening through early morning.

    “Our call for energy conservation comes as we work through the transition from a system heavily reliant on diesel to one that draws more and more power from renewable sources,” Cenac explained. “Conscious energy use not only helps individual households keep their monthly bills manageable, it also advances our collective goal of building a more sustainable energy future for all of Dominica.”

    Moving forward, DOMLEC reiterated its long-term commitment to expanding access to reliable, sustainable, and affordable electricity across the island, with ongoing investment in renewable energy infrastructure and grid efficiency upgrades at the core of its strategic plan.

  • Dominica has seized thousands of ammunition and over 160 firearms since 2023, says Blackmoore

    Dominica has seized thousands of ammunition and over 160 firearms since 2023, says Blackmoore

    At a three-day intergovernmental security roundtable held in early April 2026, Dominica’s Minister for National Security Rayburn Blackmoore has unveiled significant progress in the island nation’s fight against illicit arms trafficking, revealing that local law enforcement has seized more than 160 illegal firearms and nearly 4,000 rounds of ammunition since 2023.

    Speaking to attendees on April 8–10 at the event hosted by Dominica’s Ministry of National Security and Legal Affairs, in partnership with the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS), Blackmoore detailed the results of sustained enforcement operations: between 2023 and the time of the announcement, officers recovered 3,929 rounds of ammunition, 161 unregistered firearms, and took 121 individuals into custody on related charges.

    The national security minister extended public recognition to the frontline personnel leading these counter-arms efforts, singling out the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force and the island’s Customs and Excise Division for their commitment, bravery, and consistent operational excellence. He highlighted that representatives from these agencies were in attendance at the roundtable to coordinate next steps for regional and local security cooperation.

    Blackmoore emphasized that eliminating the threat of illegal weapons, which he described as a fundamental danger to Dominica’s social stability, cannot be achieved through isolated action. “If we are to realize success in dealing and combating that threat to our civilization, it’s going to require a collective endeavor going forward,” he told the gathering.

    The current enforcement push is part of a broader coordinated regional effort to implement the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap, a targeted strategy designed to curb illegal gun trafficking across the Caribbean basin, reduce community violence, and strengthen public safety infrastructure for all member states.

    Beyond reviewing progress on anti-trafficking operations, attendees at the inter-institutional roundtable also discussed plans for the construction of a new regulated explosive storage facility in Dominica, a key infrastructure upgrade to improve public safety and weapons management on the island.

  • CRICKET WEST INDIES: 2026 West Indies Champiosnhip – Round 1 recap

    CRICKET WEST INDIES: 2026 West Indies Champiosnhip – Round 1 recap

    The 2026 edition of the West Indies First-Class Championship kicked off in spectacular fashion last week, with three opening-round matches across Antigua and Jamaica delivering a deluge of batting milestones, inspired bowling performances, and unexpected results that have set the stage for a highly competitive regional tournament. Across the three fixtures, fans were treated to seven centuries, three five-wicket innings hauls, and one stunning ten-wicket match haul, proving that the region’s top domestic red-ball cricket remains as thrilling as ever.

    The most eye-catching individual performance came from Barbados Pride batsman Kevin Wickham, who wrote his name into West Indies domestic cricket history by scoring centuries in both innings of his side’s clash against Jamaica Scorpions at Chedwin Park. The elegant right-hander becomes only the third Barbadian batsman this century to achieve the rare feat of twin hundreds in a regional first-class match, following in the footsteps of veteran captain Kraigg Brathwaite, who hit 102 and 122 against Guyana in 2015, and all-rounder Ryan Hinds, who notched 168 and 150 against the Leeward Islands in 2006.

    Wickham’s first innings dominance yielded a brutal 153 off just 190 deliveries, decorated with six boundaries and 12 towering sixes that sent spectators into applause. He followed that up with an unbeaten 108 in the second innings to set Jamaica a challenging 324-run target for victory. Speaking after his innings, Wickham noted that his simple approach at the crease was key to his success: “My mindset was just to play straight. It was about getting in on this wicket and batting for a long period. Once I was there, I knew the runs would come. The pitch was tough, but I backed my game.”

    However, Wickham’s historic performance would ultimately not secure a win for Barbados, as the hosts’ opening pair delivered a clinical counterattack to chase down the target. Jamaica Scorpions captain John Campbell and left-handed opening partner Kirk McKenzie put together a commanding 242-run first-wicket stand, the foundation of a convincing seven-wicket victory that earned the Scorpions maximum points. Campbell notched his 11th regional first-class century with a polished 126, featuring 11 fours and six sixes, while McKenzie compiled a calm, well-constructed unbeaten 135 — his third first-class hundred — to steer the Scorpions across the finish line.

    At the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, defending champions Guyana Harpy Eagles pulled off a impressive come-from-behind win against the Windward Islands Volcanoes, overcoming a first-innings deficit to claim a four-wicket victory. Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie was named Player of the Match for a match-winning performance with the ball, claiming sensational match figures of 10 wickets for just 119 runs. His spin wizardry broke the back of the Windward Islands batting line-up, setting up a comfortable win for the defending champions shortly after the tea break on day three.

    The most lopsided result of the opening round came in the second Antigua fixture at Coolidge Cricket Ground, where Trinidad & Tobago Red Force recorded an emphatic innings and 271-run victory over the Leeward Islands Hurricanes. After dismissing the Hurricanes for just 138 on the opening day, Red Force batsman Amir Jangoo stole the show with an unbeaten marathon double century that put the game out of the hosts’ reach. Jangoo spent nearly eight hours at the crease, scoring 203 with 16 fours and five sixes to record his second first-class century — remarkably, his first was also a double hundred.

    Reflecting on his knock, Jangoo credited his teammates for taking pressure off early in his innings, saying: “I think it was a pretty difficult time to start, Oshane Thomas and Justin Greaves bowled well, thankfully Josh and Terrance took some pressure off me because they scored freely which got me into my innings so all I had to do was put away the bad balls and rotate as much as possible and ensure I cashed in at the end. The innings was more about kicking on from my start because for my whole career I haven’t made use of my starts, 17 fifties and one hundred before this, so happy to convert from this fifty and looking for many more.”

    Jangoo shared an unbroken 253-run sixth-wicket partnership with Terrance Hinds, who scored his own second regional century to help Red Force declare on a mammoth 507 for 5, leaving the Hurricanes with an imposing 369-run first-innings deficit. The hosts collapsed to 46 for 5 in their second innings, and despite a fighting unbeaten 56 from captain Justin Greaves, they were all out for just 98. Off-spinner Khary Pierre led the Red Force bowling attack with figures of 4 for 37.

    Red Force captain Joshua Da Silva praised his side for a near-perfect opening to their campaign, as they chase a first domestic first-class title in more than 20 years: “Overall, we had a good three days, we started off well with the ball and that set the momentum for us, which we followed up with the bat with outstanding knocks from Jangoo and Hinds. All in all, we had a great three days and even though we didn’t expect to get the ten wickets so quickly, we were patient enough for long periods and that helped us.”

    The second round of the 2026 West Indies Championship is scheduled to get underway on Sunday, April 19, with all three fixtures set to resume hostilities across the two host nations.

  • COMMENTARY: Cultivating community through Art

    COMMENTARY: Cultivating community through Art

    Opening with a timeless reflection from Michelangelo, the conversation around art begins with one of humanity’s most enduring questions: what makes art meaningful to ordinary people? Far from the distant, mystified practice that it is often made out to be, art is fundamentally a subjective expression of an artist’s perspective, and every audience member brings their own lived experience to interpreting it. This inherent subjectivity is not a flaw—it is what makes art such a powerful unifying force, capable of bridging divides between generations, ethnic groups, and religious communities across the globe.

    The very word “art” traces its roots back to the Latin term ars, which translates to skill, craft, or creative practice. While the first recorded written use of the term dates to 13th-century European manuscripts, linguistic historians believe its variants were in use as early as the founding of the Roman Empire. For many, the first formal introduction to art comes in high school, where it is often sidelined as an extracurricular or less important subject. But this overlooks a key opportunity: integrating art into core school curricula alongside other disciplines unlocks unique creative benefits for students that extend far beyond the art room.

    This principle is at the heart of the STEAM education framework, which adds Arts to the original STEM focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. STEAM uses artistic practice as a gateway to drive student inquiry, collaborative dialogue, and critical thinking. Research and education experts widely agree that this interdisciplinary approach boosts cognitive function and improves reading proficiency, making it a critical investment in long-term student success. That is why advocates argue governments around the world must increase public investment in cultural and creative arts—investment that delivers returns across every area of education and social development.

    The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has long recognized art’s global public value. In 2019, UNESCO officially proclaimed World Art Day, an annual global observance held every April 15, to celebrate artistic expression, expand access to art around the world, and honor art’s contributions to global development. The date of April 15 was chosen specifically to honor Leonardo da Vinci, who the organization holds up as a global symbol of freedom of expression, tolerance, and cross-cultural brotherhood. UNESCO’s charter for the day emphasizes that art nurtures creativity, innovation, and cultural diversity, while fostering the open dialogue and curiosity that are foundational to building a free, peaceful, and equitable world. When we protect artistic freedom and support artists, we build the conditions for a more connected and peaceful global community.

    Each year, World Art Day focuses on a new theme that reflects evolving global priorities for artistic engagement. The 2026 theme, unveiled ahead of the April 15 observance, is “A Garden of Expression: Cultivating Community Through Art”. This framing positions art as a shared, living practice: just as a garden thrives when tended collectively by a community, art grows deeper meaning when it is shared, nurtured, and co-created among groups of people. The theme centers building social connection, collective unity, and shared cultural expression, while highlighting art’s unique ability to create feelings of belonging that bind communities together. Beyond celebrating finished artistic works, the 2026 observance also shines a spotlight on K-12 arts education, noting that widespread access to creative learning paves the way for more inclusive and equitable education systems globally.

    For people of all artistic skill levels, there are countless accessible ways to participate in World Art Day 2026, no matter where you live. One of the most popular ways to celebrate is to explore local cultural institutions: many museums and community art galleries host special themed exhibitions and offer discounted or even free admission for the annual observance. If you have ever wanted to explore your own creativity, the day is the perfect occasion to experiment with a new art form—from painting and drawing to sculpting and photography, the joy of creating is open to everyone, regardless of experience. For those looking to connect with other art lovers in their area, local art studios and community centers often host free or low-cost special workshops and classes for World Art Day, giving attendees the chance to learn a new creative skill and build connections with fellow creators in their region.

    As iconic American artist Georgia O’Keeffe once put it: “I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for.” This is the core power of art that World Art Day seeks to celebrate: it gives voice to the ideas and connections that bind us, even when we cannot put those feelings into words.

    This commentary was written by Wayne Campbell, an educator and social commentator focused on how development policy shapes culture and gender equity.

  • Police Strengthen community ties with friendly patrol in St. Aroment

    Police Strengthen community ties with friendly patrol in St. Aroment

    On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, the small neighborhood of St. Aroment in Dominica opened its doors to a new kind of law enforcement engagement, as members of the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) brought their proactive community outreach program directly to local residents.

    Hosted as a chapter of the ongoing “Meet and Greet Foot Patrol” initiative, the event ran from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and was organized in close partnership with Police Assisting Communities to Excel (P.A.C.E), a local group focused on bridging the gap between police and the public. Unlike traditional reactive patrols, this outreach effort centered on face-to-face, informal connection: officers walked through the neighborhood’s streets, stopping to chat with homeowners, local business owners, and passersby at every turn.

    According to an official update posted to the CDPF’s public Facebook page, the four-hour engagement was structured around listening first. Officers prioritized hearing residents’ unaddressed safety concerns, responding to questions about local policing protocols, and sharing actionable, practical advice on crime prevention and personal safety for community members. Beyond immediate problem-solving, the patrol also served a critical reassurance purpose: police representatives confirmed that regular visible foot patrols will remain a permanent fixture in the neighborhood, a commitment designed to reinforce public confidence and sustain a steady sense of security across St. Aroment.

    Early feedback from the community far exceeded law enforcement expectations, participating officers reported. Local residents turned out in droves to greet the patrol, with many openly expressing gratitude for the force’s decision to show up and engage directly rather than only responding to emergency calls.

    This St. Aroment visit is not an isolated effort. It is part of a broader island-wide series of outreach activities rolled out by the CDPF, which aims to strengthen trust-based relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve, one neighborhood at a time. The overarching end goal of the campaign is to collaboratively build safer, more connected neighborhoods across Dominica by opening lines of communication between police and residents.

  • Habits Media Cafe owner charts path to recovery following Roseau fire

    Habits Media Cafe owner charts path to recovery following Roseau fire

    In the early hours of March 2, 2026, a destructive fire swept through the busy Old Street and King George V Street corridor in central Roseau, leaving a trail of destruction that upended the life of one local small business owner. When the embers cooled, seven local buildings were either damaged or completely destroyed, and one of the hardest-hit victims was Jelani James, owner of the beloved community gathering spot Habits Media Cafe.

    For James, a dedicated father of two children aged 16 and 6, the fire did more than destroy physical property: it eliminated his family’s only steady source of household income. A formal statement released by the James family pegs total losses at an estimated 35,810 Eastern Caribbean dollars, a sum that includes everything from commercial kitchen appliances and refrigeration units to office computers, customer seating, and the full inventory of goods that kept the cafe running. What made the loss even more impactful for the local area was that Habits Media Cafe had long served as a welcoming community hub for Roseau residents, a role that cannot be easily replaced.

    Instead of succumbing to the setback, James has moved with remarkable speed to map out a clear, actionable path to recovery that will let him restore financial stability for his family. Rejecting the idea of waiting passively for outside aid, he has crafted a practical, forward-thinking plan: launch a mobile food trailer business that can start generating income quickly, while he works toward longer-term rebuilding.

    “This recovery effort is about far more than just replacing what the fire took,” a family spokesperson shared in the official statement. “At its core, this is a father stepping up to take responsibility for his children’s future, committed to rebuilding his livelihood through his own hard work and the support of his community.”

    The new mobile venture will serve a wide menu of popular local and casual dishes to draw in customers, including BBQ chicken platters, handcrafted burgers, fried fish, traditional Creole lunch plates, assorted snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages. Projections included in the business plan show that the food trailer could begin turning a consistent profit within just three months of launch, with estimated monthly earnings ranging from 3,750 to 9,500 Eastern Caribbean dollars.

    To get the project off the ground, James is seeking 21,000 Eastern Caribbean dollars in total startup funding. The full budget allocates funds to purchasing a quality used food trailer, covering shipping and customs fees for the vehicle, outfitting the space with commercial cooking equipment, adding a backup generator for off-grid operation, stocking utensils and initial food inventory, and covering all required business licensing and permit costs.

    James has laid out a structured 14-week timeline that walks the process from initial fundraising through grand opening, keeping the recovery effort on track to hit its launch goal. For community members and other supporters who wish to contribute to the initiative, two dedicated donation channels have been set up to accommodate both local and international givers. James’ mother, Denise James, is managing an international crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe for donors based outside the Caribbean, while a regional fund based in Dominica accepts direct bank transfers for local contributors who prefer that method.

    Anyone interested in learning more about the initiative or contributing to James’ recovery can reach out directly to campaign coordinator Denise James at 1(240) 277-9978 for additional details.

  • Marigot MP voices support for continued mining at Deux Branche

    Marigot MP voices support for continued mining at Deux Branche

    As the elected parliamentary representative for Marigot, Anthony Charles has publicly solidified his stance on one of the region’s most contentious development issues: throwing his full support behind continued mining operations at the Deux Branches site. In a detailed written statement addressing public and stakeholder concerns, Charles framed the project as an essential driver of national progress that upholds both community land rights and responsible environmental stewardship.

    Charles emphasized that Marigot constituents have a long-standing commitment to balanced, inclusive progress that never sacrifices citizen rights for economic growth. He pointed to the constituency’s earlier approval of mining operations at Crapaud Hall (also referenced as Craupo Haul in the full statement) as a clear example of this balanced approach. That earlier project, he noted, moved forward only after securing full consent from local landowners, who received fair compensation for the use of their property. The successful completion of aggregate extraction at Crapaud Hall, he explained, has cleared the way for the next critical phase of the nation’s flagship infrastructure project: sourcing the large volume of stone needed to build the country’s new international airport.

    Acknowledging widespread public concern over the potential environmental impact of expanding mining to Deux Branches, Charles stressed that robust mitigation strategies are already baked into the project’s official plan. He said these targeted measures are designed to minimize any negative ecological effects of the extraction work, aligning the project with commitments to sustainable resource management.

    In a firm, clear assertion of his position as the community’s elected official, Charles stated: “Let me be clear on my position as the elected representative for Marigot: I will stand with the decision of the landowners at Crapaud Hall and Deux Branches. With fair compensation and these safeguards in place, then we must proceed.”

    Charles rejected framing the project as a simple resource extraction effort, instead positioning it as a catalyst for transformative national benefit. Once completed, the new international airport is projected to stimulate broad economic growth, generate new local jobs, and unlock long-term opportunity for both Marigot and the entire country. “The stone extracted is critical to completing the international airport, a project that will strengthen our economy, create jobs, and position Marigot and the wider nation for growth in the years ahead,” he added.

    For Charles, the core of the debate boils down to three non-negotiable priorities: upholding binding agreements with local landowners, protecting natural resources that the entire community depends on, and keeping the nation on a path toward inclusive sustainable development. “This is about building our future while honoring the agreements made with our people and protecting the natural resources we all depend on. We move forward together, with respect for land rights, environmental stewardship, and commitment to national development,” he concluded.

  • OP-ED: CARICOM and the new normal in international politics

    OP-ED: CARICOM and the new normal in international politics

    As the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) marks its 50th Conference of Heads of Government, the 56-year-old regional bloc finds itself facing the most severe test of its unity in modern history, pushed to breaking point by shifting great power dynamics that have reopened deep foreign policy divides among member states. The moment of crisis comes as St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew stepped into the six-month rotating CARICOM chairmanship in January 2026, tasked with bridging growing fractures that have undermined the bloc’s longstanding diplomatic cohesion at a time of unprecedented global upheaval.

    The core source of tension stems from competing responses to the so-called “Trump Corollary” to the Monroe Doctrine, a policy framework that has reignited great power competition in the Caribbean and split the 14 sovereign member bloc into two opposing camps. For most small CARICOM states, the doctrine, which has been implemented through heavy-handed U.S. security and foreign policy actions, raises deep alarms: it contradicts the bloc’s foundational commitment to the UN Charter, multilateral cooperation, and sovereign equality, principles that are the primary protection for small states in an anarchic international system.

    But a small subset of members has broken ranks to align fully with Washington. Trinidad and Tobago, under Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, has openly backed U.S. policy across multiple flashpoints: it supported the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran (now paused by a fragile ceasefire), endorsed U.S. anti-narcotics military operations in the Caribbean that targeted the Venezuelan Maduro regime, and welcomed Maduro’s capture by U.S. forces. In return, Washington has deepened bilateral security cooperation with Port-of-Spain and admitted it into the high-profile Shield of the Americas initiative, joining only Guyana as the second CARICOM member in the bloc. This split has eroded mutual trust across the regional grouping, opening a diplomatic rift that has persisted for months.

    When Drew assumed the chairmanship, he prioritized mending these divides to ensure a successful 50th Heads of Government Conference, held in February 2026. To lay the groundwork, he launched a series of one-on-one high-level engagements with regional leaders, aiming to rebuild goodwill and create space for productive dialogue. Drew’s efforts achieved a partial victory: all 14 heads of government attended the summit, though three departed early before the closed-door leadership retreat, a key session focused on geopolitical reform.

    Despite the divisions, CARICOM members were able to close ranks on limited issues, including longstanding policy toward Cuba. On the sidelines of the summit, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks with CARICOM leaders, resulting in an agreement to develop a new bilateral cooperation framework, which was formalized in a joint statement on regional engagement. The summit also reaffirmed a core principle of CARICOM: as Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness emphasized in opening remarks, citing the 2013 Rose Hall Declaration, CARICOM is a community of sovereign states bound by shared purpose rather than forced uniformity, a pragmatic approach shaped by historical skepticism of ceding authority to supranational institutions.

    Holness acknowledged the growing gap between the accelerating pace of global change and the bloc’s ability to coordinate regional responses, a challenge that has defined the current moment. Even so, the summit was widely framed as a limited success for chair Drew and the bloc – until a new controversy erupted over the reappointment of incumbent CARICOM Secretary-General Carla Barnett to a second term starting August 2026.

    Drew first announced Barnett’s reappointment on March 25, 2026, triggering a public dispute that has deepened existing divides. The impasse extends far beyond procedural questions, opening up broader debate about CARICOM’s governance structures. As of mid-April 2026, neither side has backed down: public diplomatic correspondence from Trinidad and Tobago Foreign Minister Sean Sobers (dated April 9) and Drew (dated April 11) show positions have hardened, with many remaining members forced to navigate a diplomatic tightrope between the two camps. High-level mediation efforts are ongoing, but no immediate resolution is in sight.

    For regional analysts, the current crisis is not an isolated incident, but part of a longer pattern of tension sparked by great power interference in the Caribbean. A key historical parallel is the 1983 U.S. invasion of Grenada, which created lasting rifts within the bloc. Today, the resurgence of sphere-of-influence politics directly undermines the post-WWII international order’s cornerstone of multilateral cooperation, presenting an existential challenge to small Caribbean states that rely on the UN Charter to defend their sovereignty.

    While the 50th summit delivered much-needed discussion of geopolitical challenges and the bloc’s core identity, CARICOM now faces an urgent imperative: to work through its deepening divides and adapt to the new normal of 21st century great power competition. For small Caribbean nations, the stakes could not be higher: failure to navigate this moment could permanently erode the regional unity that has served the bloc for more than five decades.

    *This analysis reflects the personal views of Nand C. Bardouille, Ph.D., manager of The Diplomatic Academy of the Caribbean at The University of the West Indies St. Augustine Campus, and was originally published by the Jamaica Gleaner on April 16, 2026.*