Carib Scope

标签： Saint Lucia

圣卢西亚

  • The Casimir legacy and the way forward: Part 1

    The Casimir legacy and the way forward: Part 1

    The conclusion of Saint Lucia’s 2021-2025 sports term reveals a period of significant transformation under Minister for Youth Development and Sports Kenson Casimir’s leadership. This era witnessed both structural reforms and remarkable athletic achievements that reshaped the nation’s sporting landscape.

    Substantial government backing through the Ministry of Youth and Sports and National Lottery Authority fueled numerous accomplishments. David ‘Shakes’ Christopher, president of the Saint Lucia Boxing Federation, acknowledged unprecedented support that enabled hosting multiple regional tournaments, including three major boxing events this year alone. “This should become the boxing paradise for the region,” Christopher noted, rating the administration’s support at nine out of ten.

    The establishment of semi-professional leagues for football and cricket marked a groundbreaking structural shift. Francis ‘Parry’ Daniel, CEO of the Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football League, highlighted the creation of a two-tier league system that has revolutionized player development and community engagement. “The Semi-Pro League has re-ignited belief,” Daniel emphasized. “Players believe they have a future. Communities believe in the sport again.”

    International recognition came through major events including Saint Lucia’s hosting of T20 World Cup matches, with the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground earning top regional ranking for pitch and outfield quality from the International Cricket Council. The island also successfully hosted the 52nd Central American and Caribbean Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships and revived the Saint Lucia Open Golf tournament.

    The Elite and Emerging Athletes Programme provided approximately EC$481,000 in 2023 alone to support athletes with travel, equipment, and training needs. Dora Henry, president of the Saint Lucia Athletics Association, confirmed this support significantly eased global representation for athletes while calling for continued investment in facilities and sport science.

    The Alternative Sports Unit, spearheaded by Craig Gustave, diversified the athletic landscape by promoting non-traditional sports including e-sports, motorsports, chess, and mixed martial arts. Mandalee Mason of the Saint Lucia Mixed Martial Arts Federation praised the government’s supportive role in their developmental initiatives.

    Despite these achievements, stakeholders acknowledge that further development is needed to bring Saint Lucian sports fully up to international standards, with specific areas for improvement to be addressed in subsequent analyses.

  • The athlete who made Saint Lucia believe

    The athlete who made Saint Lucia believe

    The extraordinary ascent of Julien Alfred from Saint Lucia has reshaped both her destiny and the collective consciousness of her nation, inspiring citizens domestically and abroad. Her athletic achievements have become a unifying symbol for politicians seeking electoral support and ordinary citizens searching for motivational figures, establishing her as an exemplary model across generations.

    Alfred’s accomplishments represent multiple historic breakthroughs for Saint Lucia. She secured the nation’s inaugural Olympic gold and silver medals at Paris 2024, emerged as its first Diamond League Champion—a double championship feat—and claimed a World Championships bronze medal. These pioneering victories have fundamentally altered national perception, demonstrating that small island nations can not only compete but excel on the world stage.

    The Ciceron-native’s influence has profoundly impacted Saint Lucia’s sporting landscape, particularly in athletics. Her prominence has generated unprecedented attention toward athletic development, capturing the interest of corporate entities. 1st National Bank (St Lucia) Ltd, her longstanding sponsor since her University of Texas collegiate days, positioned her as brand ambassador, paving the way for other corporate partnerships like sprinter Naomi London’s collaboration with Bank of Saint Lucia.

    Alfred’s inspirational effect extends beyond track and field. Following her Paris victory, the Saint Lucia Kings cricket franchise credited her performance as direct motivation for capturing their maiden Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League title. Head coach Daren Sammy described his team as “inspired” by Alfred’s achievements, noting it was the most focused unit he had ever coached.

    The athlete’s cultural impact transcends sports entirely. Saint Lucian professionals across industries identify the 24-year-old as a guiding symbol in their respective fields. Culinary chefs representing Saint Lucia at Barbados’ TASTE competition aspired to be recognized as “culinary Julien Alfreds,” while veteran tradesman Douglas Morgan, after receiving international crane operation certification, expressed feeling “like Julien Alfred” in his professional excellence.

    This ‘Juju Effect’ has significantly benefited Saint Lucia’s tourism sector. During the Paris Olympics, Saint Lucia ranked as Google’s second most-searched country—a phenomenon directly attributed to Alfred’s visibility. The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority formally appointed her as Tourism Ambassador in September 2024, celebrating her as “the world’s fastest woman.” This designation has attracted prominent athletics figures to the island, including triple World champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and family members of sprint star Noah Lyles.

    Despite her career’s relatively early stage, Alfred has established an enduring legacy as a transformative force elevating professional aspirations across Saint Lucian society.

  • Recycling pilot exposes missing links as Jua Kali prepares Phase Two

    Recycling pilot exposes missing links as Jua Kali prepares Phase Two

    A groundbreaking recycling pilot project in Saint Lucia has demonstrated both the potential and challenges of creating a functional circular economy in the Caribbean region. Spearheaded by social development entrepreneur Laurah John and her company Jua Kali Ltd, the innovative program collaborated with retail giant Massy Stores to tackle the dual crises of waste management and community empowerment.

    The initiative, launched in 2014 but recently implemented through a pop-up depot system, established collection points outside Massy Stores where residents could exchange plastic and glass containers for reward points. This incentive-based model successfully collected 32 tonnes of recyclable materials, diverting 24 tonnes from landfills while highlighting critical infrastructure gaps that prevented full utilization of the collected waste.

    According to John, the project revealed that behavioral change through incentives is achievable when integrated into daily routines. However, the initiative exposed deeper structural deficiencies, particularly the absence of reliable local markets for recycled materials and inadequate processing infrastructure. Approximately 7.4 tonnes of carefully sorted and prepared materials ultimately reached landfills due to what John described as ‘an incomplete system’ lacking downstream processing capabilities.

    Kelly Mitchell, Massy Stores’ Divisional Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, expressed strong satisfaction with Jua Kali’s performance, emphasizing the company’s commitment to measurable environmental impact. ‘We have very strict KPIs in terms of environmental impact,’ Mitchell stated, noting that the supermarket chain prioritizes partnerships with organizations that share their vision for sustainable development.

    The pilot project identified four essential conditions for successful circular economy implementation: effective incentive systems integrated into community routines, decentralized collection systems to reduce transportation costs, reliable local and regional buyers for recycled materials, and shared responsibility among multiple stakeholders.

    Building on these insights, Jua Kali is now preparing for an ambitious second phase focused on developing the necessary infrastructure and partnerships. This includes establishing decentralized collection centers with preprocessing capabilities, identifying reliable local manufacturers who can utilize recycled materials, and creating a robust multi-stakeholder partnership model.

    John emphasized that true circular economy transformation requires moving beyond small pilot projects toward sustained, impactful solutions that can transform communities while addressing both environmental and social challenges. The initiative represents a significant step toward redefining waste management in the Caribbean while creating economic opportunities for disenfranchised communities.

  • EDITORIAL: Campaign financing – A new political economy

    EDITORIAL: Campaign financing – A new political economy

    The 2025 electoral cycle across the Caribbean nations of Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Saint Lucia has been marked by campaigns of unprecedented scale and extravagance, rivaling major concert events in their production value. This phenomenon has raised critical questions about the sources of funding for these political spectacles, complete with massive quantities of promotional materials and entertainment services.

    Political analysts and transparency advocates warn that these increasingly costly campaigns pose a fundamental threat to democratic integrity, creating pathways for corruption and money laundering while simultaneously fostering an ‘election economy’ that temporarily boosts local businesses through massive spending on performers, production crews, catering services, and various vendors.

    The Organization of American States (OAS), which has consistently monitored elections throughout the CARICOM region, has repeatedly called for comprehensive campaign finance legislation to ensure transparency and accountability. Their recommendations for Saint Lucia specifically include prohibiting anonymous and foreign contributions, establishing regulatory bodies, mandating public disclosure of funding sources, and implementing measures to address gender inequality in political financing.

    UN Women has emphasized the global consensus on creating equitable conditions for female candidates, noting that financial disparities in political campaigns have created significant barriers to women’s participation. Despite these international calls for reform, successive administrations in Saint Lucia have failed to implement meaningful changes, ignoring both OAS recommendations and earlier constitutional reform proposals dating back to 2011.

    The current system allows major political parties to guard their funding sources as closely held secrets, with donors ranging from business interests and expatriates to corporations, overseas financiers, and potentially even criminal networks operating without scrutiny. This absence of regulatory frameworks means parties face no limitations on fundraising or expenditures, creating an environment where policymaking becomes susceptible to influence from major donors and organized crime.

    Transparency advocates argue that genuine anti-corruption efforts must begin with campaign finance reform, implementing greater accountability measures that would rebuild public trust and counter the perception that politicians are effectively for sale. Such reforms should be complemented by strengthened enforcement of existing integrity legislation and extended oversight to include party finance committees.

    The fundamental principle that ‘Saint Lucia is not for sale’ must extend beyond foreign investment concerns to encompass all aspects of democratic processes, ensuring that elections, voters, parties, and candidates remain free from financial coercion and undue influence.

  • Sharks end 2025 on high note at Lucian Grand Prix

    Sharks end 2025 on high note at Lucian Grand Prix

    The Sharks Swim Club emerged victorious at the 2025 Lucian Grand Prix swimming championship, held December 5-7 at Rodney Heights Aquatics Centre, capping off the aquatics season with an impressive display of team dominance and individual excellence. Competing against five rival teams, Sharks secured the overall title with 1,277 points, narrowly edging out Sea Jays Swim Club who finished second with 1,197 points.

    The victory was characterized by exceptional team depth and several record-breaking performances. The Sharks women’s squad demonstrated particular strength, accumulating 635 points compared to Sea Jays’ 356, while the men’s team contributed 606 points to secure the overall victory despite finishing behind Sea Jays’ male swimmers.

    Individual standouts included Zoe Fortune, who dominated the 9-10 division with four gold medals and 55 points, leading four teammates in the top five rankings. The team’s depth was further evidenced by four swimmers in the Under-9 girls top ten and seven in the top eight for the 13-14 age group. Veteran swimmer Tamykh Bryan, at 22 years old, contributed 27 points as the sole competitor in the 18-and-over female category.

    Keyanno Elibox continued his impressive form by winning three of his six events to top the Under-9 boys division with 63 points, fresh from his recent success at the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Swim Championships.

    The championship witnessed significant record-breaking achievements, including one senior national record and three age-group marks. Jayden Xu set a new national record in the 25-meter short-course men’s 200m with a time of 2:16.09, shaving 0.14 seconds off the previous record set by Christopher Phillips in 2016.

    Sapphire Parks established herself as a rising star by setting three new age-group records in the 11-12 category. The CARIFTA Aquatics Championships standout remained unbeaten throughout the competition, setting new benchmarks in the 100m freestyle (1:02.25), 200m backstroke (2:33.33), and 200m breaststroke (2:54.19).

    Head coach David Peterkin praised the collective effort, stating: ‘Our swimmers fought throughout the Grand Prix weekend, swimming many best times, and our coaches prepared them down to the final taper. Our officials, technical staff, timers, and marshals were essential to making this meet happen. The team’s battle cry, ‘Let’s go, Sharks!’ truly resonated throughout the competition.’

    The final team standings saw Lightning Aquatics finish third with 536 points, followed by RR Aquatic Swim Club (361), Southern Flying Fish (255), and Rodney Heights Aquatics Club (155).

  • Vitus Peter calls for a united Saint Lucia through music

    Vitus Peter calls for a united Saint Lucia through music

    In the aftermath of Saint Lucia’s recent general elections, media entrepreneur Vitus Peter has launched a musical initiative aimed at healing national divisions. The founder of Great Vision Designs Television Station (GVDTV) has released “One People, One Saint Lucia,” a specially composed track intended to cool political tensions and reinforce shared identity among citizens.

    Peter, primarily known for his work in live streaming, comes from a musical family background with his sister Tiesha being an emerging artist. Despite his historical involvement in songwriting, he described this particular project as carrying unprecedented urgency due to the country’s deteriorating social cohesion.

    “We have developed into a nation of social bullies,” Peter stated in an interview with St Lucia Times, noting that division has permeated both general society and leadership structures. The newly released song serves as a rallying cry for national unity regardless of political affiliations, with lyrics emphasizing common dreams and shared heritage.

    The composition features carefully crafted verses that reference geographical landmarks from Vieux Fort to Gros Islet while advocating for tempered emotions and collective solidarity. Peter utilized a combination of personal musical talent and AI assistance in producing the track, reflecting his belief in blending natural creativity with technological innovation.

    While acknowledging his preference for behind-the-scenes work rather than stage performance, Peter encourages widespread distribution of the unity anthem. This project follows his earlier collaboration with TK Irie addressing gun violence, demonstrating his continued commitment to using music for social healing.

    The release timing holds particular significance, emerging one week after elections and just before Saint Lucia’s National Day celebrations on December 13th, positioning the song as potential soundtrack for national reflection and reconciliation.

  • U13 cricket competition lays foundation for future success

    U13 cricket competition lays foundation for future success

    Saint Lucia’s cricket landscape witnessed a transformative moment as the inaugural Under-13 Grassroots Tournament concluded triumphantly in December 2025. The eight-week championship, powered by the Laborie Cooperative Credit Union, culminated with Soufrière claiming victory against Babonneau in a spirited final showdown at Vieux Fort.

    The Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) heralded the event as an unprecedented success in youth sports development. SLNCA President Wayne Auguste expressed profound satisfaction, noting: ‘The rapid skill evolution and deepened game understanding among these young athletes within such a brief timeframe has been extraordinary. Their progress validates our strategic investment in cricket’s future.’

    A remarkable tournament hallmark was cricket’s dramatic expansion into non-traditional regions. Communities like Laborie participated with exceptional enthusiasm, signaling the sport’s growing appeal beyond historical strongholds. Auguste emphasized the importance of nationwide outreach, stating: ‘Our next cricket superstar could emerge from any corner of Saint Lucia. Witnessing a female coach leading the Laborie team was particularly inspiring, and we encourage more women to embrace coaching roles.’

    This tournament strategically bridges the Republic Bank Five for Fun program (targeting primary school children) and the Sandals Under-19 district competition. The association’s visionary roadmap includes introducing a hardball program featuring age-appropriate 4¾-ounce balls and professional equipment including scaled bats, protective gear, and full kits to mirror international standards.

    Further expansion plans reveal an upcoming Under-10 category with modified rules to accommodate younger participants, recognizing that earlier engagement significantly enhances player development.

    Championship coach Dalius Monrose praised the tournament’s impact: ‘This initiative was long overdue. Our players demonstrated remarkable growth throughout the competition, evolving from beginners to knowledgeable cricketers who understand game strategy and execution.’ Monrose advocated for dedicated cricket facilities in Soufrière to sustain the sport’s momentum.

    Auguste concluded by acknowledging the Laborie Credit Union’s pivotal role, describing them as ‘ideal partners aligned with human resource development through sports investment.’ The tournament’s resounding success establishes a robust foundation for cricket’s continued expansion across Saint Lucian communities.

  • Guyana signs agreement to expand military cooperation with US

    Guyana signs agreement to expand military cooperation with US

    In a significant move to bolster regional security, Guyana has formalized an expanded military cooperation agreement with the United States. The pact, endorsed following high-level discussions in Georgetown, signals a strategic realignment of US defense priorities toward the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Western Hemisphere.

    President Irfaan Ali confirmed the agreement after meeting with key US defense officials, including Senior Advisor to the Secretary of War Patrick Weaver and Acting Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Joseph Humire. The arrangement establishes a framework for intensified joint military operations while expressly respecting both nations’ sovereignty and legal systems.

    This development represents the operationalization of Washington’s new ‘Southern Spear’ security initiative, which calls for increased strategic attention and resource allocation to CARICOM nations. The agreement specifically enhances existing mechanisms like the Shiprider Agreement, enabling US security forces to pursue, intercept, and board vessels suspected of drug trafficking within Guyanese territorial waters.

    When questioned about the potential for a full defense treaty, President Ali characterized the agreement as an ‘evolving process,’ indicating that more substantive cooperation agreements would be discussed in coming months.

    The timing of this military accord follows President Ali’s emphatic statements about safeguarding regional stability. In talks with Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, Ali highlighted concerns about criminal exploitation of Guyanese airspace and waterways for illicit activities. He emphasized the necessity of international partnerships to combat transnational crime and ensure long-term regional security for future generations.

  • Saint Lucian director sees opportunity – and risk – in Netflix’s big move

    Saint Lucian director sees opportunity – and risk – in Netflix’s big move

    The entertainment industry stands at a pivotal juncture as Netflix’s ambitious pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery threatens to reshape Hollywood’s competitive landscape. This potential acquisition, potentially the most significant in film industry history, would place iconic franchises including Game of Thrones, DC Comics, Harry Potter, and HBO’s prestigious content library under Netflix’s dominion, positioning the streaming service as an unprecedented entertainment omnipotent.

    Amidst this corporate maneuvering, independent filmmakers express both optimism and apprehension. Elijah Anatole, Saint Lucian filmmaker and founder of Artlas Studios, currently negotiating with Netflix for his project ‘Heartfall,’ provides unique perspective on the implications for global indie cinema.

    The acquisition faces substantial hurdles, including Paramount’s competing $108 billion hostile takeover bid and potential antitrust scrutiny from the Justice Department. Political considerations further complicate matters, with former President Trump’s connections to Paramount ownership potentially influencing outcomes.

    Anatole recognizes potential benefits: ‘Netflix already provides independent filmmakers access previously unimaginable through traditional studios. This merger could revolutionize content development, ownership, and global distribution paradigms.’ He cites Netflix’s promotion of African cinema as evidence of their commitment to diverse global voices.

    However, significant concerns regarding market monopoly persist. ‘The danger lies in Netflix gaining excessive market control, potentially leading to increased subscription prices and unfavorable terms for independent creators,’ Anatole cautions. ‘When alternatives disappear, acceptance becomes mandatory.’

    Contrary to hopes for enhanced development programs, Anatole believes streaming giants prioritize finished products over creator development: ‘They seek content that drives subscriptions, not philanthropic initiatives.’ The merger would intensify competition as Netflix gains Warner Bros.’ extensive content library, forcing independents to elevate their production standards.

    Looking forward five years, Anatole predicts Netflix will dominate global entertainment while fundamentally transforming content consumption. ‘Traditional movie theaters may become obsolete as advanced home viewing technologies like VR goggles replace flat screens. COVID-19 permanently altered viewing habits, with few films achieving billion-dollar box office returns recently.’

    Despite challenges, Anatole remains hopeful the merger could stimulate creative opportunities while motivating filmmakers to enhance their craft. As a personal aspiration, he expresses desire for Netflix to revive Zack Snyder’s DC universe alongside James Gunn’s interpretation.

    Independent filmmakers like Anatole are actively shaping cinema’s future rather than observing passively. His upcoming film ‘OMYRA’ has already secured selection for the 2026 Chandler Film Festival, demonstrating indie resilience amid industry consolidation.

  • Jamaican Cabinet approves additional $42 million to restore small businesses

    Jamaican Cabinet approves additional $42 million to restore small businesses

    The Jamaican government has significantly escalated its financial response to Hurricane Melissa’s devastation, approving a substantial $42 million injection for small business rehabilitation. This emergency funding targets parishes that sustained severe damage when the hurricane struck on October 28, 2025.

    Senator Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, detailed the comprehensive recovery plan during a December 5 senate address. The reconstruction initiative will focus on critically affected areas including Middle Quarters in St. Elizabeth, along with designated zones in St. James, Trelawny, and Hanover.

    This latest allocation builds upon previous government support, supplementing a $20 million package approved on November 10 that facilitated restoration of 44 retail establishments in Border, St. Elizabeth. The engineering enhancements incorporate hurricane-resilient designs featuring concrete foundations and specialized roof anchoring systems to withstand future extreme weather events.

    Infrastructure improvements extend to flood mitigation measures, with boulder-and-concrete revetments currently under construction behind commercial properties. The renovation specifications additionally encompass modernized kitchen facilities, customer seating areas, and upgraded bathroom amenities.

    Parallel to structural repairs, the ministry is implementing an emergency power solution through generator distribution to community shops across affected regions. Procurement processes have secured 15 generators thus far, with an additional 25 units in the acquisition phase. The initial deployment prioritized St. James parish, where 11 gasoline-powered generators were distributed to sustain businesses lacking refrigeration capabilities for perishable goods and beverages.

    Comprehensive damage assessments conducted between November 10 and December 1, 2025 identified 1,293 businesses requiring intervention. Notably, evaluations in Accompong Maroon village revealed 25 enterprises needing repairs, with wooden structures completely destroyed and concrete buildings experiencing extensive roof damage. While some establishments maintain partial operations, consistent power access remains critical, prompting the ministry’s ongoing generator installation program to facilitate commercial reactivation.