Carib Scope

标签： Saint Lucia

圣卢西亚

  • Retired public servant, healthcare administrator Percy McDonald dies

    Retired public servant, healthcare administrator Percy McDonald dies

    The nation of Saint Lucia is mourning the passing of esteemed former public official Percival “Percy” McDonald, whose death was formally announced on January 14. The Diamond Estate, Soufriere native succumbed to a prolonged illness, as confirmed by his former colleague Cletus Springer, who remembered McDonald as “a gentleman and patriot.

    McDonald’s most notable contribution came during his tenure as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, and International Financial Services from 1994, where he delivered exceptional service for five years. His distinguished public service career began in the late 1980s with assignments in the health and agriculture ministries.

    Following his retirement from central government, McDonald intensified his community engagement in Soufriere. He served as Vice President of the Regional Development Foundation (1999-2004) and chaired the groundbreaking Soufriere Marine Management Association (2000-2008). His compassionate leadership extended to establishing a soup kitchen initiative through the Soufriere Parish Council in 2004, providing sustenance for street beggars and underprivileged individuals through collaboration with the St Vincent DePaul Society and National Community Foundation.

    McDonald subsequently transitioned into health administration, chairing the board of St Jude Hospital and serving as chairman and consultant administrator of the Spartan Medical Sciences Institute. He also presided over Tenelle Health Sciences University.

    Springer fondly recalled their professional relationship on social media: “The glue between us was the late, great Romanus Lansiquot. When I transferred to Planning, Percy replaced me at Tourism. We had many lively arguments and shared countless humorous moments. He was a fitness fanatic who exercised as often as he could.”

    McDonald’s national contributions were formally recognized through multiple honors. At the 2023 GIMIES Awards, he received Special Recognition for developing the tourism ministry’s marketing arm and spearheading the national taxi association. His dedication earned him an MBE in 2000 for public and community service, upgraded to CBE in 2022 for poverty alleviation initiatives.

  • SPFL player, staff payouts double past $1.4M in 2025

    SPFL player, staff payouts double past $1.4M in 2025

    The Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football League (SPFL) concluded its annual stakeholders’ meeting with groundbreaking financial revelations, announcing a remarkable 111% increase in player and technical staff compensation for the 2025 season. Total payouts soared to EC$1.45 million, up dramatically from EC$687,602.82 in the previous year.

    The comprehensive six-hour assembly at Castries’ Bel Jou Hotel united key stakeholders including the Ministry of Education, Youth Development and Sports, the Saint Lucia Football Association, and league administrators to evaluate the SPFL’s second competitive season. The 2025 campaign featured an extensive schedule of 143 matches across 20 teams divided into two divisions, with La Clery securing back-to-back Tier 1 championships and Anse La Raye earning promotion to the top flight after dominating Tier 2 competition.

    League CEO Francis ‘Parry’ Daniel reported exceptional digital engagement metrics, with SPFL content accumulating over 1.25 million views during the six-month season. Every Tier 1 match received comprehensive coverage through either the league’s dedicated YouTube channel or FIFA+, which began broadcasting Saint Lucian fixtures in 2025.

    The league’s financial ecosystem benefited from seven principal sponsors contributing approximately EC$73,000, supplemented by strategic partnerships with the National Lotteries Authority and ES Productions. Despite these advancements, Sports Minister Kenson Casimir emphasized the need for expanded private sector involvement, stating: ‘While we’ve secured increased corporate investment, we remain unsatisfied. More business leaders must recognize their role in investing in our young footballers.’

    The meeting featured detailed presentations covering marketing initiatives, medical services, security protocols, live streaming operations, media coverage, commentary quality, and venue management. Distinguished attendees included SPFL chair Dr. Uralise Delaire, SLFA president Lyndon Cooper, and department leads Cherry Ann Williams (marketing), Dr. Natasha Innocent (medical), and Elijah Williams (commentary).

    Looking toward Season 3, Minister Casimir identified officiating quality as a critical improvement area, noting: ‘Refereeing standards have represented a persistent challenge throughout the league’s first two seasons.’ The government plans to address this through international referee recruitment while simultaneously expanding local official development programs.

    The minister reaffirmed government commitment to the league, which currently supports over 400 players, coaches, trainers, physiotherapists, match officials, and administrators. Casimir concluded with an appeal to businesses to consider player adoption programs and nutritional investment initiatives as part of Saint Lucia’s broader strategy to professionalize its football infrastructure.

  • Footballer Pearson inducted in US school Hall of Fame

    Footballer Pearson inducted in US school Hall of Fame

    Peter Pearson, the Saint Lucia international midfielder, has received one of his most prestigious honors with induction into the Cape Henry Collegiate School Athletic Hall of Fame. The ceremony, held this week, recognized Pearson’s exceptional career both during his time as a student-athlete and his subsequent achievements across collegiate, professional, and international soccer.

    The 30-year-old, US-born athlete has earned seven caps for the Saint Lucia national team, scoring one goal while representing the ‘Piton Boyz’ in high-stakes competitions. His international portfolio includes appearances in the CONCACAF Nations League, FIFA World Cup Qualifying, and Gold Cup Qualifying matches.

    Beyond his international career, Pearson has built a substantial professional career spanning five years, primarily within the United States soccer system. His most recent club engagement was with USL League Two side Des Moines Menace during the 2024 season.

    Pearson, a 2014 alumnus of the Virginia Beach institution, was among five distinguished inductees honored at Monday’s ceremony. The induction class included Tyler Ramirez (Class of 2013), legendary Coach Jack Effner, Khajae Hester (Class of 2012), and Erin Scherrer (Class of 2015).

    In an official release, Cape Henry Collegiate highlighted that “their stories highlighted gratitude, commitment, resilience and growth, and reminded us that success is built together as a community.”

    The school, which describes itself as Virginia Beach’s premier college-preparatory private school serving students from prekindergarten through grade 12, boasts an enrollment exceeding 1,000 students. Its athletic department facilitates training and competition across an impressive spectrum of 60 different sports.

    Expressing his gratitude via social media, Pearson stated: “Honoured and truly grateful to be inducted into the Hall of Fame of such a prestigious institution that helped me get to where I am today. This recognition is a reflection of the incredible teammates and people who shared the journey and made it possible.”

    He further reflected on the profound impact of his athletic career: “Football has given me far more than the game itself: lifelong friendships, unforgettable experiences, the loves of my life, and the chance to give back and inspire the next generation. Forever thankful.”

    Following his graduation from Cape Henry Collegiate, Pearson continued his academic and athletic pursuits at the University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University. Today, he serves as Assistant Technical Director at Own Touch Central while simultaneously working with NDUR for Athletes as a mentor and mental health advocate, dedicated to helping student-athletes strengthen their mindset, confidence, and performance.

  • Saint Lucia listed among 75 nations facing US visa processing suspension

    Saint Lucia listed among 75 nations facing US visa processing suspension

    In a significant shift in immigration policy, the United States Department of State has enacted an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens from 75 countries worldwide. The sweeping measure, detailed in an official memorandum dated January 14, specifically targets nations whose citizens have historically utilized public welfare benefits at rates deemed unacceptable by U.S. authorities.

    The policy directive characterizes the suspension as a protective measure to prevent future immigrants from potentially becoming financial burdens on American society. According to the State Department’s announcement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the freeze will remain effective until the United States can establish sufficient safeguards to ensure new immigrants will not ‘extract wealth from the American people.’

    Multiple Caribbean nations feature prominently on the affected list, including Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. This development contradicts recent assurances from Saint Lucian leadership—Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre stated during his January 11 New Year’s address that no official communication regarding visa policy changes had been received by his government.

    The suspension falls under the broader ‘public charge’ doctrine, which allows U.S. authorities to deny entry to immigrants considered likely to depend primarily on government assistance. This policy expansion represents one of the most extensive visa restrictions implemented in recent years, affecting a substantial portion of global immigrant visa applicants.

  • Minister Baptiste puts nutrition at heart of government agenda

    Minister Baptiste puts nutrition at heart of government agenda

    In a significant move to reshape national health priorities, Saint Lucia’s Minister for Health and Wellness Moses Jn Baptiste has declared nutrition the central pillar of governmental policy. The minister’s directive emerged during a high-level strategic convening at Bay Gardens Hotel, where he instructed senior ministry officials, hospital executives, and regional partners to integrate nutritional considerations into all governmental operations.

    The ministerial gathering, designed to synchronize objectives for the 2026/2027 period, served as a platform for establishing cohesive understanding of the ministry’s mandate. Permanent Secretary Jenny Daniel characterized the meeting as providing crucial insights into the ministry’s accomplishments over the past quadrennium, current healthcare conditions in Saint Lucia, and policy formulations required for future strategic development.

    Minister Jn Baptiste emphasized the critical importance of interdepartmental collaboration, stating: “We intend to collaborate with all ministries and government departments to ensure nutritional excellence permeates every facet of our work.” The minister further elaborated on governmental objectives, revealing that campaign manifesto commitments would serve as the definitive blueprint for the health sector’s trajectory over the upcoming five-year period.

    Among the pressing challenges confronting the ministry remains the complex relocation of St Jude Hospital, identified as one of the most urgent logistical undertakings for the current administrative term. Minister Jn Baptiste expressed particular satisfaction with the substantive discussions that characterized the strategic session, indicating robust engagement from all participating stakeholders.

  • Small business owners offered free training sessions

    Small business owners offered free training sessions

    The Ministry of Commerce’s Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) has announced an extensive virtual training initiative scheduled for January 12-23, 2026, designed to strengthen local micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). This comprehensive professional development program, operating under the MSME Loan Grant Facility, will deliver advanced instruction in business planning and operational enhancement through daily Zoom sessions.

    The training curriculum features two identical sessions each day to accommodate varying schedules, with morning classes running from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and repeated evening sessions from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Participants can access all sessions through a consistent Zoom link, eliminating the need for multiple registrations.

    Seven specialized modules remain available for registration, each targeting critical business development areas:

    Advanced Business Planning (January 14)
    Enterprise Development and Innovation (January 15)
    Digital and E-Commerce Readiness (January 16)
    Business Continuity and Risk Management (January 20)
    Standards Implementation (January 21)
    Export Planning (January 22)
    Environmental Sustainability (January 23)

    Upon completing all modules within either the Advanced Business Planning or Operational Enhancement course tracks, participants will receive official certificates of achievement. The SBDC emphasizes that eligibility extends beyond loan grant applicants, welcoming all MSME owners seeking to enhance their business capabilities.

    Prospective attendees can register through dedicated links available on the Ministry of Commerce’s official Facebook platform, where additional program details and technical requirements are provided.

  • Dominicans blame CBI for US travel woes

    Dominicans blame CBI for US travel woes

    A controversial United States immigration policy requiring citizens from Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda to post bonds reaching $15,000 for entry has triggered substantial backlash across the Eastern Caribbean. The measure, implemented last week, has been met with widespread criticism from residents who view it as both economically prohibitive and diplomatically contentious.

    Multiple sources speaking with St. Lucia Times indicated the development aligned with anticipated international trends. Many cited the United Kingdom’s 2023 revocation of visa-free access for Dominican travelers as a precursor to heightened examination of the region’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs. This perspective suggests that increased scrutiny from Western nations was inevitable given growing concerns about due diligence and security protocols within these economic citizenship schemes.

    A Roseau resident and mother of two expressed vehement criticism, stating: ‘The consequences of unchecked greed are now evident. The UK’s visa restrictions should have served as an urgent warning for our government to implement reforms. While the CBI program generated revenue, it has ultimately damaged our international standing and created these travel barriers.’

    Beyond diplomatic concerns, the practical implications of the bond requirement have drawn sharp focus. The substantial financial demand effectively prevents many Dominican families from visiting relatives in the United States, severing important cultural and familial connections. A local business owner emphasized: ‘This policy disproportionately targets Dominicans with legitimate family ties. Many have parents, children, or extended family in the U.S., making integration natural should they choose to migrate. The bond amount is completely unaffordable for most citizens.’

    Additional criticism emerged from a Dominican national residing in Antigua, who characterized the U.S. as acting like a ‘bully’ while simultaneously condemning mismanagement of the CBI program. The individual warned: ‘The very program that provided economic benefits may now cause severe repercussions, particularly if the European Union follows with Schengen visa restrictions. What value does citizenship hold if the passport becomes ineffective for travel?’

    There are growing calls for the Dominican government to immediately strengthen oversight mechanisms and due diligence processes within its CBI program to restore international confidence and potentially reverse these damaging travel restrictions.

  • West Indies Under-19 thrash Japan in World Cup warmup

    West Indies Under-19 thrash Japan in World Cup warmup

    In a dominant display of cricketing prowess, the West Indies Under-19 team delivered a crushing 229-run victory over Japan during an ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup warm-up match in Windhoek on Tuesday, January 13th.

    The Caribbean side, having been put into bat first, established a formidable foundation through an explosive opening partnership. Tanez Francis and Zachary Carter launched their innings with a 40-run stand within the initial seven overs, setting the stage for an extraordinary batting performance. Francis emerged as the cornerstone of the innings, remaining unbeaten with a magnificent 122 runs.

    The match witnessed an extraordinary fifth-wicket partnership between Francis and Shamar Apple that completely shifted the momentum beyond Japan’s reach. Apple delivered a breathtaking century, hammering 124 runs from a mere 65 deliveries in a display of pure power-hitting that included 10 boundaries and 8 massive sixes.

    Facing a daunting victory target of 347, Japan’s batting lineup crumbled under relentless pressure from the West Indies bowling attack. While Taylor Waugh provided some resistance with 32 runs, the team consistently lost wickets at regular intervals. The Japanese side was ultimately dismissed for a mere 117 runs in 31.2 overs.

    R’Jai Gittens proved virtually unplayable, finishing with spectacular bowling figures of 4 wickets for just 8 runs. Vitel Lawes provided crucial support with three additional wickets, effectively dismantling Japan’s batting order.

    The comprehensive victory positions the West Indies as strong contenders to advance from Group D in the upcoming World Cup preliminary stage, where they will face South Africa, Afghanistan, and tournament newcomers Tanzania.

    This impressive performance signals the team’s determination to end their decade-long championship drought, with players and supporters alike hoping to replicate their historic 2016 triumph.

  • James, Wahid crowned junior chess champions

    James, Wahid crowned junior chess champions

    In a display of strategic mastery, Justin James and Chelsea Wahid have successfully defended their national titles at the Saint Lucia Chess Federation’s National Junior Under-20 Championships. The tournament unfolded across two competitive days on January 4 and 11 at the Cocoville headquarters in Rodney Bay, Gros Islet, drawing a significantly larger field than previous years.

    Justin James, an 18-year-old scholar from Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, dominated the Absolute category with an impressive score of 5.5 points from 6 rounds. His victory marks a consecutive championship win, solidifying his status as the nation’s premier junior chess talent. The runner-up position was claimed by D’yorni Cilpa with 5 points, while Chelsea Wahid secured third place with 4.5 points.

    In the Female division, Women’s Candidate Master Chelsea Wahid demonstrated exceptional skill to retain her crown. The 17-year-old International School Saint Lucia student achieved a winning score of 4.5 points. Kiara Lambert followed in second position with 3.5 points, and Shekinah Leonce completed the podium with 2.5 points.

    The championship witnessed remarkable growth in participation, attracting 16 competitors from nine educational institutions—doubling the attendance from the previous year. Participants engaged in six rounds of classical chess under the Swiss system format, employing standard time controls of 60 minutes per player with a 30-second increment per move.

    The national chess calendar continues with the Senior National Championships, scheduled to commence on January 18 at the same venue. This elite competition will span four consecutive weekends utilizing a round-robin tournament structure.

  • Arthritis and Lupus Association vows wider reach in 2026

    Arthritis and Lupus Association vows wider reach in 2026

    The St Lucia Arthritis and Lupus Association (SLALA) has announced ambitious plans to intensify its advocacy and support programs for individuals with rheumatic conditions beginning in 2026. This strategic expansion will focus on three core pillars: enhanced public awareness campaigns, improved healthcare access advocacy, and strengthened educational resources for members and their families.

    The commitment follows a remarkably productive year in 2025 that combined policy advocacy with direct community support. During the recent holiday season, SLALA demonstrated its compassionate approach by distributing essential food hampers to seven identified vulnerable members. This initiative was made possible through collaborative partnerships with Glace Supermarket, Bank of Saint Lucia, Bay Medical Centre, and several anonymous donors.

    According to an official statement, “This initiative reflects SLALA’s ongoing mission to provide tangible support, not only through advocacy and awareness, but also through compassionate action that directly touches lives.”

    The association’s 2025 achievements included multiple community engagement events: the traditional Easter Tea Party, the Strides for Lupus Fun Walk, SLALA’s inaugural Town Hall Meeting, the October Sunrise Walk for Arthritis Awareness, and the resumption of in-person member meetings. A significant milestone was the donation of a wheelchair to a member with mobility challenges.

    “Each effort represents a step forward in empowering persons living with chronic illness and strengthening the support network around them,” the association emphasized.

    As SLALA prepares for its expanded 2026 initiatives, the organization has expressed profound gratitude to volunteers, corporate partners, donors, and members whose dedication fueled a year of measurable progress and renewed hope for the chronic illness community.

    Those interested in supporting SLALA’s mission can contact 486-7000, email slala.slu@gmail.com, or connect through their social media channels @slala.slu on Facebook and Instagram.