Carib Scope

标签： Saint Lucia

圣卢西亚

  • Officials urge storm readiness despite ‘slow’ forecast

    Officials urge storm readiness despite ‘slow’ forecast

    The 2026 Atlantic hurricane and wet season officially kicked off on June 1, bringing with it a mixed forecast that has regional leaders stressing preparedness over complacency. Meteorologists predict the six-month season, which runs through November 30, will be unusually subdued, driven by the formation of a strong El Niño — a climate pattern historically linked to suppressed hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin. The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) projects just 14 named storms will form over the season, a below-average total that has led many to lower risk expectations.

    But this calm projection has not eased warnings from disaster management officials across the Caribbean, who warn that even a single landfalling hurricane or weak tropical system can trigger catastrophic damage for small island nations. History bears out this caution: in 1994, the relatively weak Tropical Storm Debby dumped extreme rainfall across the region, triggering widespread flooding that destroyed bridges, damaged residential homes, crippled critical public infrastructure, and destroyed agricultural lands. Total economic damage from the storm topped $103 million, a devastating blow for small regional economies.

    Speaking at an official briefing this week, Elizabeth Riley, Executive Director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), emphasized that lower projected activity does not equal zero risk. “Even one hurricane making landfall can cause serious damage,” Riley noted in a prepared statement, outlining that the agency’s core mission centers on protecting people, communities, and livelihoods across the region’s participating states. “Every plan we develop, every exercise we conduct, and every partnership that we pursue is directed towards saving lives and reducing losses when hazards occur.”

    Riley added that disaster readiness should not be restricted to the official June-to-November hurricane season window, noting the Caribbean faces a wide range of natural and manmade hazards year-round. Even so, she expressed confidence in the region’s collective ability to respond, pointing to decades of coordinated action and shared solidarity that have strengthened disaster response capacity. “We enter the season with experience, lessons learned, partnerships and a renewed commitment to readiness,” she said, noting that shifting global geopolitics and associated uncertainties make regional cooperation and self-reliance more important than ever. “Our long-standing regional commitment to solidarity is even more important at this time… [preparedness, coordination, and timely action] have continued to shape our commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, regional self-reliance and supporting our participating States in reducing disaster risks, improving readiness and response capacities.”

    The call for urgent preparedness was echoed by St. Lucia Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, who also chairs the National Emergency Management Advisory Committee (NEMAC). Speaking at Monday’s pre-Cabinet press briefing, Pierre reiterated that even one severe storm is enough to reverse decades of development for small island nations. “The forecast says that because of that weather pattern (El Niño), there may be a little variant in terms of the intensity of the storms. But as you know, we cannot predict that; one storm can create damage that can put the country back one hundred years,” Pierre said, urging all citizens to begin completing necessary preparation steps immediately.

    To support public readiness, the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) is set to launch a targeted community outreach initiative dubbed the “zip-lock” program this week. The campaign will distribute free essential emergency preparedness kits and educate local residents on practical, low-cost steps to protect their homes, families, and property ahead of any storm.

  • National Taxi Union explores local app amid Uber competition

    National Taxi Union explores local app amid Uber competition

    When ride-hailing giant Uber launched its operations on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia in early 2024, it immediately upended the local ground transportation market, posing sharp new competitive pressure to the island’s established traditional taxi industry. In a targeted move to retain its existing market share, modernize service offerings for both drivers and passengers, and keep ride-hailing revenue within the local taxi community, the National Taxi Union (NTU) has partnered with local tech firm Converge Solutions to build a custom native ride-hailing app tailored to its members.

    Christian Antoine, the lead software engineer on the project from Converge Solutions, detailed the three-tiered platform design in an interview with local publication St Lucia Times. Unlike generic ride-hailing tools, the app is built to serve three distinct user groups: passengers seeking rides, licensed local taxi drivers, and the NTU itself, which will act as the central administrative body overseeing the platform.

    For drivers, the platform unlocks a suite of digital tools designed to streamline daily operations and improve operational transparency. All NTU members and drivers affiliated with the union’s local sub-associations can create verified accounts linked directly to their respective groups. Fleet operators gain access to advanced management features, allowing them to assign ride requests and allocate vehicles across their teams seamlessly. Additionally, all drivers can access real-time work records on the app, including complete trip history and segmented financial logs, eliminating the need for manual record-keeping and bringing much-needed clarity to day-to-day earnings.

    Passengers using the new app will get a user experience on par with global ride-hailing platforms that many are already accustomed to. Riders can book rides directly through the application, bypassing the traditional phone-based dispatch system many local taxis rely on, and complete payments digitally via a range of popular methods including credit cards and PayPal. The cashless payment option addresses longstanding convenience gaps for both tourists and local commuters who prefer contactless transactions.

    The project, which is still in the development and stakeholder engagement phase, has not been without questions from NTU members. During recent consultation sessions, multiple participating drivers raised key concerns about the app’s operational structure, long-term management framework, and payout protocols for completed rides booked through the platform. Project leaders have moved quickly to clarify that the recent sessions were not launch events, but rather introductory consultations intended to gather feedback and help union members fully understand the app’s design and the broader strategic response to Uber’s arrival in Saint Lucia. The app remains in active development as the NTU works to address member concerns ahead of a full public rollout.

  • Auguste returns to Windies Squad for Sri Lanka ODI Series ​

    Auguste returns to Windies Squad for Sri Lanka ODI Series ​

    West Indies cricket has finalised its 15-man One Day International squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, with multiple key players returning from injury and rest ahead of the high-stakes contest that doubles as critical preparation for the 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup.

    The Sri Lankan full tour of the Caribbean, which kicks off June 3 and runs through early July, includes two Test matches, three T20Is and the three ODIs scheduled between June 3 and 8. The ODI series will open at Kingston’s iconic Sabina Park on Wednesday, and it will mark Saint Lucian all-rounder Ackeem Auguste’s first appearance in the senior West Indies Maroon uniform of 2026. The left-hander has been sidelined since his last international outing against New Zealand in November 2025, where he picked up a season-ending injury that kept him out of competitive selection for months.

    Joining Auguste in the comeback cohort is star fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, who returns to international action after a back injury forced him out of all cricket matches starting in July 2025. Spin bowler Gudakesh Motie is also back in the ODI fold, having been given a mandatory rest period during the recent away series against New Zealand. Dynamic batter Shimron Hetmyer rounds out the group of returning players, named to the squad as part of the team’s long-term strategy to build match readiness for the 2027 50-over World Cup, which will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia this October and November.

    For the West Indies, this series carries more than just bilateral prestige: the side needs to collect valuable ICC ODI ranking points to secure automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup, making every match a critical competition. Head coach Daren Sammy, a former West Indies World Cup-winning captain, has expressed quiet confidence in his side’s ability to rise to the challenge, pointing to the team’s current four-match consecutive home ODI series win streak that the squad is eager to extend.

    In a pre-series statement, Sammy acknowledged the quality of the upcoming opposition, noting that Sri Lanka has built a reputation as a disciplined, tactically sharp ODI unit that excels in slow, testing conditions that require patience and smart decision-making. “For us, this series is about setting the standard: intensity in the field, clarity with the bat, and consistency with the ball,” Sammy said. “We want to play fearless but intelligent cricket and continue building the identity we believe West Indies cricket should represent.”

    Sammy added that the team’s long-running focus on collective performance over individual heroics will remain central to the side’s game plan, as the staff work to turn home venues into an unbeatable fortress for ODI cricket. “In our desire to make home a fortress in ODI cricket, I want the team to win moments consistently rather than relying on individual brilliance, which we have stressed for the last 18 months,” he explained.

    The full 15-member West Indies ODI squad is led by captain Shai Hope, and includes Ackeem Auguste, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Shimron Hetmyer, wicketkeeper Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales and Shamar Springer.

  • Saint Lucia’s rugby teams suffer crushing losses

    Saint Lucia’s rugby teams suffer crushing losses

    It was a challenging weekend of international rugby for Saint Lucia’s national and youth representative sides, which ended in two lopsided losses against higher-ranked opposition. But rugby officials across the island country are framing the results as a critical stepping stone for long-term growth, particularly for the program’s rising young academy talent.

    The back-to-back matches unfolded on Saturday evening at the Francis Baba Lastic Playing Field, located in the northern Saint Lucian district of Gros Islet. In the opening 15-a-side friendly fixture, Saint Lucia’s under-20 youth side went head-to-head with Martinique’s under-19 squad, with 8 local players earning their first under-20 international caps in the contest. By the final whistle, Martinique claimed a 45-10 victory over the young home side.

    In the headline cross-tier Test match organized by Rugby Americas North, Saint Lucia’s senior men’s national team faced a formidable Jamaican side. The encounter ended in an 82-0 win for the visiting Caribbean rugby powerhouse, marking a difficult result for the home side.

    Despite the one-sided scorelines, the Saint Lucia Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) has emphasized that the outcomes do not overshadow the clear progress both squads demonstrated over the course of the fixtures. Officials say the performances stand as proof that the country’s ongoing rugby development program is delivering tangible success for emerging players.

    Wayne Pantor, technical director for the SLRFU, noted that the program’s up-and-coming athletes gained irreplaceable match experience competing against seasoned international opposition. This exposure, he explained, is a foundational component of accelerating individual player progression and strengthening the overall standing of rugby across the island’s local sporting ecosystem.

    Wedrel St Clair, head coach of Saint Lucia’s senior national side, echoed that sentiment, noting that while the final results were far from what the squad hoped for, the effort shown by young players integrated into the senior setup confirms that the program is moving in the right direction. “We are investing in our youth, and these experiences will pave the way for stronger performances in the future,” St Clair said.

    Looking ahead, Saint Lucia’s rugby program has a full slate of upcoming fixtures lined up to continue this developmental momentum. The youth under-20 side is scheduled to travel to Martinique on June 20 for a much-anticipated return friendly match. Beyond that fixture, both the senior men’s side and the national women’s sevens team are set to compete against a collection of French Caribbean teams in coming months.

    For the women’s sevens squad, these upcoming matches serve as critical preparation for two major upcoming events. Saint Lucia is set to host the annual Carnival Sevens tournament starting July 31, after which the side will travel to Trinidad & Tobago to compete in the Rugby Americas North Regional Qualifiers in November, a key tournament that shapes regional sevens rankings and qualification pathways for larger global competitions.

  • Pierre defends crime strategy, slams UWP criticism as ‘disrespectful’

    Pierre defends crime strategy, slams UWP criticism as ‘disrespectful’

    A heated political exchange over public safety has erupted in Saint Lucia, as Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre pushed back against sharp criticism from the opposition United Workers Party (UWP) during Monday’s weekly Cabinet press briefing. The clash followed a UWP-hosted press conference the prior week, where senior party figures and electoral candidates Sarah Flood-Beaubrun, Laura Jn Pierre-Noel and Titus Preville took aim at the incumbent administration’s response to a surge in violent crime, calling for bolder action and a cohesive national plan to reverse rising insecurity.

    The opposition’s critique was anchored in growing public anger over recent violent incidents, most notably the fatal killing of 24-year-old Joy St Omer, whose estranged husband has been formally charged with her murder. Speaking to reporters on May 28, Jn Pierre-Noel emphasized that the killing served as a devastating reminder that hundreds of women across the island live in silent fear of gender-based violence. Beyond domestic violence, opposition leaders also highlighted that the national homicide rate has already climbed to 36 this year, a figure they say demands urgent, coordinated intervention from the national government.

    When pressed by journalists to address the opposition’s demands, Pierre rejected the criticism outright, framing it as a disrespectful and opportunistic power grab. He argued that opposition leaders unfairly hold the government responsible for crimes rooted in personal passion and interpersonal conflict. “It shows a lack of respect to the people of Saint Lucia when you speak about crimes of passion and crimes of emotion and lay it on the backs of a government,” Pierre told reporters. “It’s disrespectful, it’s scornful, it’s contemptuous!”

    The Prime Minister went on to defend his administration’s approach, outlining a multi-pronged, holistic strategy that combines law enforcement resourcing, social intervention, education reform, and targeted youth economic support to reduce criminal activity. A core component of the plan is enhanced investment in the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, with Pierre noting that additional details on new policing initiatives would be unveiled to the public in the near future.

    As part of the government’s upstream social intervention efforts, Pierre announced that the administration will launch a major crackdown on student truancy, linking disengagement from school to higher risks of youth involvement in crime. The government is also prioritizing expanded access to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), designed to give diverse learners practical, marketable skills aligned with their interests. Pierre argued that an inclusive, flexible education system that meets the needs of all students is a critical long-term tool to steer young people away from criminal pathways.

    Economic empowerment for young Saint Lucians forms another key pillar of the crime reduction strategy, with the Prime Minister pointing to targeted grant programs and small business support delivered through the national Youth Economy Agency. He also highlighted ongoing investments in early childhood education and free emotional support services run by the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF) that address underlying mental and social drivers of violence.

    UWP economist and former Babonneau electoral candidate Titus Preville had pushed back on the government’s inaction ahead of the briefing, describing rising crime as a crippling burden that harms individual residents, destabilizes local communities, and drags down the island’s economic performance. Preville argued that all sectors of Saint Lucian society—including community groups, religious institutions, business leaders, and political parties—have a responsibility to address the growing public safety crisis.

    Pierre, however, dismissed the opposition’s calls as empty and politically motivated. He claimed that the criticism comes from failed electoral candidates seeking to exploit public anxiety over crime to win political support they did not earn in past elections and are unlikely to gain in future contests. “That is why I respond in that way, when rejected politicians try to use crime to get votes that they did not get, to get votes that they most likely will not get. This is what is distasteful,” Pierre said. Closing his remarks, the Prime Minister extended an open invitation to any stakeholders with concrete, actionable policy proposals to collaborate, reiterating that the opposition’s current criticism lacks substance.

  • ‘I Miss Him’: Mother mourns son killed in Barre St Joseph shooting

    ‘I Miss Him’: Mother mourns son killed in Barre St Joseph shooting

    A Barre St Joseph mother is opening up for the first time about the devastating loss of her 24-year-old son, Mitchel Jean, who was killed in a fatal shooting that remains under active investigation by local law enforcement. For Christina Jean, the pain of her sudden loss is still raw, and she says she has yet to find clear answers about the chain of events that ended her son’s life far too soon.

    “I don’t know what really happened. All I know is that somebody killed my son, but I don’t know what happened,” Jean shared in an emotional interview with reporters, describing the confusion and heartache that has consumed her in the weeks since the shooting.

    Jean and her son shared an extraordinarily close bond. He made a point to visit his mother every single day, and never hinted that he was facing conflict or danger from any person. “My son was everything to me. Every day he used to come here and visit me. We used to talk together, chat, you know. But he never told me he was in problem with anybody, nobody at all,” Jean said.

    She recalled her final conversation with her son, which took place on the morning of his death. Jean says he only mentioned that he felt uncharacteristically off, telling her “he wasn’t feeling well because his spirit wasn’t there that day. That’s the only thing he told me.”

    The entire family has been shattered by Mitchel’s death, with grief disrupting every part of their daily lives. “We cannot deal with it. At night, I cannot sleep. I have to be crying, crying, crying. Every day crying. My children crying, my grandchildren crying, the father crying,” Jean said.

    She also described the chaotic, heart-wrenching moment she learned of the shooting. When family first contacted her with the news, they downplayed the severity of her son’s injury to soften the blow, telling her he had only been shot in the leg and was stable, urging her to come to the hospital. Jean arrived at the medical facility before the ambulance transporting her son, and waited anxiously outside for its arrival. When crew members opened the ambulance’s rear doors, she saw Mitchel and called out to him — but he never responded.

    Despite overwhelming grief, Jean offered public praise for the responding law enforcement agency, saying investigators have communicated consistently and worked diligently to move the case forward. “I find the police doing a good job. From the time that happened, they have been going up and down, talking to us, calling us on the phone,” she noted.

    Now, as the family holds onto only memories and is left with far more questions than answers, Jean is issuing a heartfelt plea to end the cycle of violence that has stolen so many young lives across communities. “All those children need to stop. They need to stop. I was so in love with that little boy, and today I miss him. I miss him every day.”

    The case has been taken over by the department’s Major Crimes Unit, which is leading the ongoing investigation into the shooting. Law enforcement officials are asking any member of the public who may have information that could help investigators piece together what happened to contact the Major Crimes Unit directly at 456-3754. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the area’s Crime Hotline at 555, or via the official Crime Hotline mobile application.

  • Saint Lucians to pay more for fuel

    Saint Lucians to pay more for fuel

    Drivers across Saint Lucia began facing higher fuel costs this Monday, as the government implemented new price increases for gasoline and diesel that mark the latest ripple effect of volatile global energy markets.

    Under the adjusted pricing structure, both gasoline and diesel now retail at $16.75 per gallon, a $0.75 increase from the previous rate of $16.00 per gallon. Kerosene has also seen a notable upward adjustment, jumping from $9.66 per gallon to $10.41 per gallon.

    Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, who made the official announcement of the price changes during a pre-Cabinet press briefing on Monday, emphasized that the adjustment stemmed from external factors outside the government’s direct control. According to data released by the Prime Minister’s Office, global crude oil prices rose approximately 5.5% over the latest review period, pushing the commodity above the $100 per barrel threshold. Persistent geopolitical tensions across the globe have been the primary driver of this volatility, creating ongoing disruptions that have rippled through international energy supply chains and markets.

    This global upward trend has pushed up the cost of refined petroleum products in every region, and Saint Lucia is now experiencing the local fallout of these international shifts. Even with the price increases for transportation fuels, the Saint Lucian government has stressed that it continues to shoulder a large share of the growing energy burden through targeted consumer subsidies. A key priority for these subsidies is keeping liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), the most common cooking fuel for households across the island, price-stable to avoid adding extra strain to family budgets and local business operations.

    As a result of these government interventions, all LPG prices will remain unchanged. A 20-pound cylinder will still cost consumers $34.00, while a 22-pound cylinder holds at $38.00, a 100-pound cylinder at $288.50, and bulk LPG remains $2.76 per pound. Officials from the Prime Minister’s Office calculated that without the ongoing subsidies, consumers would face more than double the current price for cooking gas: a 20-pound cylinder would jump to roughly $69.46, a 22-pound cylinder would rise to $76.41, a 100-pound cylinder would hit $347.32, and bulk LPG would increase to $3.35 per pound.

    The government reaffirmed that the current subsidy framework is a core part of its long-term strategy to protect local households and businesses from being fully exposed to the extreme volatility of global energy markets, prioritizing cost stability for essential daily energy use.

  • Pierre urges Saint Lucians to prepare as hurricane season starts

    Pierre urges Saint Lucians to prepare as hurricane season starts

    As the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season officially gets underway, Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has issued a stark call to action for all residents, warning against dangerous complacency amid the island’s recent streak of avoided major storm events. Speaking at a pre-Cabinet briefing held Monday, the leader emphasized that individual preparation and collective community accountability remain non-negotiable priorities as the Caribbean enters its annual high-risk period for extreme weather.

    Rather than encouraging last-minute rushed preparations when a storm is already approaching the island, Pierre is urging households to take small, critical action immediately as the season opens. Top of his list of recommendations is harvesting and storing clean drinking water – a step that carries extra urgency given the long-standing water scarcity crisis that Saint Lucia has been navigating for years.

    Beyond water storage, the Prime Minister outlined a series of simple, accessible measures residents can take to cut down on potential storm damage. He called for proactive trimming of tree branches that overhang residential structures, securing loose roofing materials such as galvanized sheets, and reinforcing structurally weak points around homes. These small steps are often overlooked, Pierre noted, but they can make a dramatic difference in reducing harm when a hurricane hits.

    Pierre also stressed the importance of every household developing a customized family emergency plan, and advised residents to follow all official updates and guidance issued by the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO). He pushed back against the attitude that hurricane preparedness is an overreaction, warning that downplaying the risk of storms is a dangerous mistake.

    “Do not take this thing as a rumour-mongering thing. Don’t take it as if it is a joke. It’s serious stuff,” the Prime Minister said, urging residents to avoid unreliable unofficial information and rely solely on official communications from NEMO. He added that community care is a core part of preparedness, reminding residents to check on the safety and well-being of their neighbors alongside preparing their own households.

    Closing his remarks, Pierre reiterated that hurricanes pose a shared risk to all members of the community, regardless of individual circumstances. “Make sure you have your own hurricane plan, because we never know,” he said. “And again, the situation where everyone will suffer if there’s a hurricane.”

    The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs officially from June 1 through November 30 each year, covering the six-month period when the majority of tropical cyclone activity occurs in the North Atlantic basin.

  • 80 songs chosen for Soca Monarch quarterfinals

    80 songs chosen for Soca Monarch quarterfinals

    One of the most anticipated cultural highlights on Saint Lucia’s annual events calendar, the National Groovy and Power Soca Monarch competition, has reached a key milestone, with 80 original tracks securing spots in the upcoming quarterfinal round for 2026’s Lucian Carnival.

    The competition opened its submission window to aspiring and established soca artists across the island on May 11, giving creators a six-week window to submit their work in pursuit of a coveted spot to perform on the competition’s iconic main stage. Artists across Saint Lucia jumped at the opportunity, submitting a diverse range of entries across the competition’s two signature categories: the laid-back, rhythm-focused Groovy Soca division and the high-energy, uptempo Power Soca division. The submission period officially closed on May 28, bringing the first phase of the 2026 competition to a close.

    Over the weekend of May 30 and 31, 2026, a panel of experienced industry judges gathered to evaluate every submitted entry, assessing tracks on originality, lyrical content, rhythmic innovation, and overall fit for the carnival atmosphere. After two full days of rigorous review, the judges selected 40 standout tracks from each category to advance to the quarterfinal (live audition) round, bringing the total number of advancing competitors to 80.

    The full roster of advancing Groovy Soca artists and their tracks includes: Alpha with *Everyday Carnival*, Arthur Allain with *Work on Pause*, Budzilla with *Mr Right Guy*, Carlton Roberts with *Hostage*, Crown with *Vibes King*, Da Great with *Alcoholic*, Danielle DuBois with *Dancing in the Rain*, Deevon with *Momentum*, Esteblazin with *Ice Cold*, Ezra D’ Funmachine with *Mr Complimentary*, Frano with *Party Junkie*, J’urgen with *The Other Man*, Kardo with *Finger*, KB Official with *Hurricane Melissa*, Kelly B with *Home*, Keytinna with *Let Me Go*, Kisha K with *Done*, Lolani with *Life Sweet*, Mac 11 with *Under de Bus*, Mantius with *Subscribed*, Menell with *Goose Bumps*, Mica with *Step Out*, Micah with *My Life, My Choice*, Mighty Taker with *Where We Chipping*, MNR with *Party Count*, Mysterio with *No Horn*, Nai with *Gros Pwel*, Nireti with *Third Party*, Orion with *Show Love*, Q Pid with *Back Up Plan*, Ricky T with *Not Kissing’s*, Sedale with *Insane*, Shayne King with *Gone Clear*, Shemmy J with *Everything*, Siah with *Cho*, Sly with *Captain*, Theodan with *Loosen Up*, Twahzzy with *Stop It, Stacy*, Vic Nation with *Home*, and Wade with *Get Out*.

    In the Power Soca category, the 40 advancing tracks are: 10 Pong with *Side Man*, Ally Kyat with *Doctor Paul*, Bronx, Dhirv 2 Funny & Matta with *Mad People*, Budzilla with *Bwelay*, Carlton Roberts with *Xman*, Da Great with *House Party*, Elmo Norville & Zido with *Hesaloka*, Ezra D’funmahine with *Salute*, Gabby Gabby with *Free My Mind*, Hyper with *Cyah Stop Mi*, Ilah Man with *Soca Robbery*, Imran Nerdy with *Today I Off*, J Mouse with *Hammer*, Jiggy with *Vaval Hero*, Joseph Darcherville with *Masquerading*, J’urgen & Lolani with *Can’t Let You Go*, KB Official & Esteblazin with *Grimy*, Kisha K with *Hot Already*, Mantius with *Fully Charged*, Mica with *Loud*, Mighty Sizzler & Weebo with *Who Says?*, MNR with *Last Time*, Mysterio with *Show Off*, Nacheal with *Mechanic Gyal*, Orion with *Not Going Home*, Q Pid with *De Fete Mad*, Redda Vibes with *Wristband*, Ricky T with *True Colours*, Sedale & Hollywood HP with *Bring Your Cooler*, Shayne King with *We Home*, Shemmy J with *Even If She Cryin’*, Siah with *No Brain*, Sir Lancealot with *Jusso*, Sly with *Rage (Dwange)*, Statik with *Upside Down*, Subance & Hitty Lance with *Sugar*, Tension with *Actimo*, TK Da Boss with *Soca Monarch*, Umpa with *Painkilla*, and Vic Nation with *Carnival Queen*.

    Up next, the 80 advancing artists will take the stage for the quarterfinal live auditions, where they will compete for a spot in the final showdown of the Soca Monarch competition, a centerpiece event of Lucian Carnival that draws thousands of attendees and soca fans from across the Caribbean and beyond each year.

  • 24-year-old killed man in shooting incident

    24-year-old killed man in shooting incident

    A deadly shooting incident in Barre St Joseph, a community within Castries, has left one young local man dead, and law enforcement in Saint Lucia has launched an official probe into the tragedy that unfolded on the evening of Friday, May 29 2026.

    According to official statements released by the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), the first alert of the shooting reached emergency dispatch at approximately 8:40 p.m. local time. Following the report, patrol officers assigned to the Marigot Police Station were immediately dispatched to the scene to secure the area and launch initial on-site processing.

    Preliminary findings from early investigative work confirm that a single male individual sustained gunshot wounds during the altercation or attack. Local emergency medical response teams quickly arrived to provide on-site first aid, before transferring the injured man via ambulance to the Owen King EU Hospital, the island’s main healthcare facility for urgent care. Despite the full efforts of clinical teams to stabilize and treat his injuries, the victim was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

    In an update shared over the weekend, police have formally identified the deceased as Mitchel Jean, a 24-year-old resident of the same Barre St Joseph community where the shooting occurred. No further details about possible motives, suspects or the circumstances leading up to the incident have been released to the public at this early stage of the investigation.

    The RSLPF confirmed that the force’s Major Crimes Unit has now taken over lead responsibility for the case, with investigators working around the clock to piece together the sequence of events and identify any persons responsible for the attack. To advance the probe, law enforcement is issuing a public call for information from any community members who may have witnessed the incident, or hold details that could help move the case forward.

    Members of the public with relevant tips can contact the Major Crimes Unit directly at 456-3754. For those who wish to keep their identity protected, anonymous submissions can be made through two additional channels: calling the dedicated national Crime Hotline at 555, or submitting information securely via the official Crime Hotline mobile app.