Carib Scope

标签： Saint Lucia

圣卢西亚

  • Hilaire: Talks with Uber yet to take place

    Hilaire: Talks with Uber yet to take place

    The highly anticipated launch of global ride-sharing giant Uber in Saint Lucia faces regulatory uncertainty as crucial discussions with Tourism Minister Ernest Hilaire remain unconvened. Despite preliminary correspondence indicating mutual interest in dialogue, no formal engagement has occurred between the company and government officials.

    Minister Hilaire confirmed the stalled communications during a January 19th pre-Cabinet briefing, acknowledging receipt of Uber’s written expression of interest but noting the absence of subsequent scheduling. “I agreed that we shall have a meeting in the new year,” Hilaire stated, “but no meeting has been held.” The minister emphasized he would await Uber’s formal presentation at the appropriate time.

    Complicating the potential market entry, the Saint Lucia National Taxi Union has submitted what the minister characterized as an ‘interesting’ letter outlining substantial concerns regarding Uber’s disruptive impact on traditional taxi services. Union President Terry Valcin has previously voiced strong opposition, labeling the proposed service as “potentially detrimental” to local operators, with multiple affiliated associations echoing this resistance.

    This stands in direct contrast to Uber’s own assessment of local receptiveness. In December 2025 statements to St. Lucia Times, company representatives reported being “encouraged by the positive response,” citing numerous driver and association sign-ups during preliminary outreach.

    Amid these conflicting perspectives, Minister Hilaire advocated for measured patience, clarifying that Uber’s launch currently falls outside the administration’s priority agenda. He urged stakeholders to maintain calm as future discussions develop, emphasizing that any formal negotiations would prioritize transparent dialogue between government entities, the taxi union, and Uber representatives.

    The minister further highlighted existing regulatory frameworks that restrict participation in transport services exclusively to licensed taxi drivers operating vehicles with official ‘TX’ license plates, establishing significant legal considerations for Uber’s proposed operations.

  • Windies salvage pride with final match win over Afghanistan

    Windies salvage pride with final match win over Afghanistan

    In a dramatic conclusion to their T20 International series, the West Indies cricket team secured a morale-boosting 15-run victory against Afghanistan in Dubai. Playing for pride after conceding the series in the first two matches, the Caribbean side demonstrated remarkable resilience to claim their first-ever win at the Dubai International Stadium.

    Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan’s decision to field first after winning the toss marked a strategic departure from previous matches, intended to test his squad under varying conditions ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup. The West Indies, sent in to bat, built their innings around captain Brandon King’s determined 47 runs from 35 deliveries. Despite struggling to maintain momentum through the middle overs, late explosive contributions from Matthew Forde (27 off 11 balls) and Shamar Springer (16 off 9 balls) propelled the team to 151/7—the highest total recorded in the series.

    Afghanistan appeared poised for a clean sweep when openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran established a solid 74-run partnership. However, the West Indies bowlers mounted a spectacular comeback through disciplined line and length, gradually stifling the scoring rate. The match turned decisively in the 19th over when Barbadian all-rounder Shamar Springer achieved a sensational hat trick, dramatically shifting momentum.

    With Afghanistan requiring 20 runs from the final over, young bowler Ramon Romario Simmonds delivered under immense pressure, expertly defending the total to secure a memorable victory. This triumph provides crucial momentum for the West Indies as they prepare to face South Africa on January 27 in their final bilateral series before the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup.

  • Windies Under-19 advance to Super 6 after victory over South Africa

    Windies Under-19 advance to Super 6 after victory over South Africa

    In a decisive ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup clash on January 22nd, the West Indies U-19 squad clinched their advancement to the Super 6 round by defeating South Africa. The match, held at the High Performance Oval in Namibia, saw the Caribbean side secure second position in Group D, positioning themselves behind group leaders Afghanistan while accumulating crucial points for the next phase of the tournament.

    The encounter was historically significant as West Indies captain Joshua Dorne achieved a new milestone by becoming the most-capped Youth ODI skipper in West Indies U-19 history, surpassing the previous record held by test cricketer Kraigg Brathwaite.

    Batting first after winning the toss, the Windies found themselves in trouble at 115-4 after a devastating over that claimed three quick wickets. The innings was resurrected by a magnificent century from Zachary Carter, who dominated the South African bowling attack with 114 runs from just 104 deliveries. Carter forged a critical 78-run partnership with Jonathan van Lange that stabilized the innings and propelled the team to a competitive total of 234 runs.

    The Caribbean bowlers then delivered a spectacular performance, consistently applying pressure through disciplined line and length complemented by exceptional fielding. Shaquan Belle emerged as the standout performer, producing a devastating bowling spell that yielded six wickets for 40 runs. His relentless attack dismantled the South African batting lineup, preventing any substantial partnerships from developing and ultimately bowling out the Proteas for 179 runs.

    The victory sets up an intriguing Super 6 opening fixture against Ireland U-19, with the West Indies aiming to maintain their winning momentum as they pursue championship glory in the prestigious international tournament.

  • PM urges water harvesting as WASCO faces $200 million repair challenge

    PM urges water harvesting as WASCO faces $200 million repair challenge

    Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has issued a compelling appeal to Saint Lucian citizens, urging widespread adoption of water harvesting practices as an immediate countermeasure to the nation’s escalating water crisis. This call to action comes alongside a sobering assessment of the Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO), which requires an estimated $200 million investment for comprehensive rehabilitation.

    During a pre-cabinet briefing, the Prime Minister characterized the substantial financial outlay as an unavoidable necessity given the magnitude of infrastructural challenges plaguing the national water system. He emphasized that restoring WASCO’s operational capacity represents a long-term endeavor that cannot be resolved immediately. “We need, possibly about $200 million to get WASCO back on its feet. That’s reality,” Pierre stated, acknowledging the significant financial burden involved in modernizing the country’s water infrastructure.

    The government is implementing concrete measures to facilitate this hydrological transition, having already eliminated import taxes on essential water harvesting equipment including pumps and storage tanks. Further fiscal incentives targeting gutter systems are under consideration to reduce implementation costs for homeowners.

    Pierre drew a critical distinction between passive water storage and active rainwater harvesting, noting that current building regulations requiring water storage facilities insufficiently address the nation’s water security needs. He advocated for a fundamental shift in public mindset regarding rainwater utilization, sharing from personal experience that “most of the water I have in my house is harvested water from the roof.”

    The Prime Minister contextualized Saint Lucia’s water challenges within global climate patterns, observing that increasingly arid conditions worldwide necessitate adaptive water management strategies. He recommended practical applications for harvested water including toilet flushing and vehicle washing, encouraging citizens to immediately assess their homes’ rainwater collection potential.

    While government efforts to rehabilitate WASCO continue, Pierre underscored that individual and community initiatives must complement institutional reforms. “WASCO will not be repaired tomorrow,” he cautioned, stressing that collective action and personal responsibility remain indispensable in navigating the country’s water security challenges.

  • PE teachers, players trained as foundation cricket coaches

    PE teachers, players trained as foundation cricket coaches

    In a significant move to bolster cricket development at the grassroots level, the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) partnered with Cricket West Indies (CWI) to conduct an intensive Foundation Coaching Course this week. The program successfully trained over 40 physical education instructors and active cricketers in fundamental coaching methodologies.

    The workshop featured extensive hands-on practical sessions directed by CWI Coaching Educators Brendon Ramlal and Keshava Ramphal. They were assisted by a team of local coaching experts, including John Eugene, Head Coach of the Saint Lucia Cricket High Performance Centre, alongside accomplished instructors Alton Crafton, Keith Charlery, Craig Emmanuel, and Donald Dave Albert.

    Held on January 19th and 20th, the event attracted more than 30 physical education teachers on its inaugural day, followed by 17 players from the High Performance Centre on the subsequent day. Each day’s agenda included a five-hour interactive practical component from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., enabling attendees to implement skills acquired through prior online modules. This format fostered peer collaboration and provided opportunities for direct, personalized feedback from the leading educators.

    The overarching objective of this initiative is to empower these newly certified coaches to return to their respective schools and local communities to introduce the sport’s fundamentals to young, aspiring athletes. This effort aligns with the SLNCA’s recent expansion of youth competitions, including the introduction of an Under-13 tournament last year and an announced plan by SLNCA President Wayne Auguste to establish an Under-10 cricket league, signaling a clear strategic focus on early-age participation.

    “Cultivating quality players fundamentally starts with cultivating quality coaches,” stated Auguste. “This foundation course for physical education teachers represents a strategic investment in the very bedrock of our grassroots and school cricket ecosystem. By arming our educators with the proper tools, knowledge, and coaching frameworks, we are fortifying the foundation of our player development pathways. This ensures that young cricketers throughout Saint Lucia benefit from consistent, high-caliber instruction from their initial exposure to the sport. This initiative is a testament to SLNCA’s dedication to sustainable development and achieving long-term, high-performance success.”

    This foundational course is a cornerstone of SLNCA’s broader strategic goals to certify a roster of credentialed coaches, solidify its performance pathways for regional and international team selection, and actively promote comprehensive player development across all tiers. Through investing in the training and up-skilling of educators, the association aims to establish a sustainable pipeline of talented coaches and athletes prepared to achieve excellence on local, regional, and global platforms.

  • Good Deeds organisation to launch 2026 national programme

    Good Deeds organisation to launch 2026 national programme

    Saint Lucia is set to officially inaugurate its 2026 Good Deeds Day program with a national launch ceremony scheduled for January 24, 2026. The event will take place at the Finance Administrative Centre from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., marking the beginning of a year-long campaign promoting social responsibility and community engagement.

    This global movement, dedicated to inspiring acts of kindness and civic participation, finds strong representation in Saint Lucia where local organizers have consistently mobilized citizens, organizations, and communities toward positive national impact. The launch ceremony will serve as a strategic gathering point for media representatives, program coordinators, and key stakeholders to unveil the comprehensive 2026 National Good Deeds Day Calendar of Activities.

    The detailed calendar will outline a structured series of initiatives designed to encourage volunteerism, community service, and active citizenship across the island nation throughout the coming year. According to program organizers, the ceremony will feature concise presentations highlighting targeted national initiatives while announcing specific opportunities for public involvement. This structured approach aims to create a coordinated framework for sustainable social impact rather than isolated charitable acts.

    The Good Deeds Day movement has gained international recognition as a transformative force in promoting social cohesion and community development. Saint Lucia’s participation reflects a growing commitment to organized philanthropy and structured volunteerism as essential components of national development.

  • Venezuelan crude oil offloads at Caribbean hubs

    Venezuelan crude oil offloads at Caribbean hubs

    A significant realignment in global oil shipping is underway as tankers commence open discharge of Venezuelan crude at Caribbean hubs, signaling a dramatic shift in trade patterns following Washington’s intervention in Caracas’ petroleum industry. Over the weekend, approximately 2.5 million barrels of Merey heavy crude were delivered to storage facilities on Saint Lucia and Curaçao, transforming these islands into strategic staging posts for expanded global distribution.

    The market disruption is immediately evident in freight rates, which have surged on certain routes as previously obscured vessels—including members of the so-called ‘dark fleet’—now activate transponders during offloading operations. This transparency marks a departure from previous covert shipping practices.

    Detailed shipping movements confirm this new paradigm: The VLCC Kelly arrived at Castries, Saint Lucia on January 18 carrying 1.9 million barrels—the first Venezuelan crude shipment to the island since December 2018. Simultaneously, the Aframax tanker Volans discharged approximately 600,000 barrels at Curaçao’s Bullen Bay terminal on January 17, transporting cargo for commodities giant Vitol. Further confirming the trend, the VLCC Marbella reached South Riding Point in the Bahamas on January 19 with another 1.9 million-barrel Vitol consignment.

    The Biden administration has strategically engaged trading powerhouses Trafigura Group and Vitol Group to market Venezuelan barrels while encouraging US energy majors to invest in revitalizing the country’s distressed oil infrastructure. Buckeye Partners LP, operator of the Saint Lucia storage facility, confirmed its role in this recalibrated supply chain, emphasizing its commitment to ‘leveraging operational expertise and strategically positioned infrastructure to bring Venezuelan crude to market safely, responsibly, and in compliance with all applicable laws.’

    This geopolitical maneuver has fundamentally redirected Venezuela’s oil flow from predominantly China-bound shipments via shadowy tanker networks to diversified destinations including Indian refiners and US Gulf Coast facilities, establishing a new architecture for global heavy crude distribution.

  • Denzel Phillips setting new standards for Saint Lucian throws

    Denzel Phillips setting new standards for Saint Lucian throws

    Jamaica-based Saint Lucian athlete Denzel Phillips is revolutionizing perceptions of track and field excellence through his extraordinary throwing capabilities. The 19-year-old prodigy, who transitions from sprinting to becoming one of Saint Lucia’s most promising field athletes, has embarked on a record-breaking spree targeting both the CARIFTA Games and global junior competitions.

    In a remarkable demonstration of skill, Phillips shattered a 32-year-old national discus record last December during the Tyser-Mills Classics in Spanish Town, Jamaica. On Saint Lucia’s National Day (December 13), he launched the 2kg discus to an impressive 48.79 meters, demolishing Ricky Deligny’s 1992 benchmark of 45.20m set at Barbados’ National Stadium. Astonishingly, this achievement marked Phillips’ inaugural attempt with the heavier implement typically reserved for senior competitions.

    The bespectacled thrower maintained composed professionalism about his feat, revealing to St. Lucia Times: “I did expect the record. In training, I constantly throw way past that. I was actually a little disappointed I only came out with 48m.”

    Phillips’ momentum continued into the new year with another record-breaking performance on January 17 at Kingston’s Ashenheim Stadium. During the World Class Development Meet, he surpassed his previous junior national best in the Under-20 shot put, hurling the 6kg metal ball 16.33m to claim top honors.

    The athlete’s ascent began in 2023 when as an Under-17 competitor, he secured dual silver medals in throwing events at the CARIFTA Games in The Bahamas, becoming Saint Lucia’s first discus medalist. His excellence continued at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago, where he earned twin bronze medals—the first Saint Lucian to achieve multiple medals at the competition.

    Despite finishing fourth in both events during the 2025 season, Phillips has refined his mentality for his final junior year. With the World Under-20 Championships scheduled for August 5-9 in Oregon, United States, his training intensity has reached new heights. “I want to make sure I get it perfect,” Phillips emphasized, “and make sure every training session counts.”

    Currently preparing for the upcoming regional season, Phillips has set ambitious targets of 58 meters in discus and 18 meters in shot put for the CARIFTA Games in Grenada this April. His performances have begun attracting university recruitment attention, though the athlete prefers to keep his collegiate decisions private for now.

    As Phillips continues to elevate Saint Lucia’s presence in field events, his journey represents both personal ambition and national pride, potentially inspiring a new generation of Caribbean throwers to pursue international excellence.

  • Rest, rebirth and Paris Fashion Week: A Saint Lucian Story

    Rest, rebirth and Paris Fashion Week: A Saint Lucian Story

    In an extraordinary turn of events, Caribbean cultural advocate Petra Baptiste has transformed a planned year of rest into a groundbreaking achievement: an official showcase at Paris Fashion Week. The Saint Lucia-born creative, who initially sought respite from her ambitious pursuits in January 2025, will now present her inaugural collection at Les Salons Hoche on March 2nd under her new fashion house Kai Baptiste.

    Baptiste’s journey to fashion’s most prestigious platform began decades ago when she left Saint Lucia for London at 18, later accepting a spontaneous invitation to Paris where she noticed a significant absence of Caribbean representation. This observation inspired her to establish Island Empress & Emperor, a platform dedicated to highlighting Caribbean creatives—though she never anticipated its evolution into a full-fledged fashion rebirth.

    Despite her multifaceted career as an English teacher, book reviewer, and social media manager, Baptiste consistently felt her creative aspirations remained unfulfilled. ‘I was doing a lot but it wasn’t bringing me joy,’ she confessed to St. Lucia Times. Her attempts to break into fashion had previously stalled due to lacking industry connections.

    The breakthrough emerged from what Baptiste describes as a ‘spiritual stillness’ following her decision to step back from relentless ambition. During a March 2025 fashion show, she casually remarked to a friend about her capability to create runway-worthy designs—a comment she initially dismissed. Seven months later, under identical circumstances, her friend Vilma responded decisively: ‘Stop saying that you can do it, and let’s do it.’ Within an hour, Baptiste received contact details for an industry insider, leading to her official Paris Fashion Week acceptance.

    Her collection represents a profound celebration of Caribbean identity through meticulously crafted costumes that transcend conventional ‘dress and pants’ formats. Drawing inspiration from the ocean, carnival traditions, Saint Lucia’s flower festivals, and Macramé techniques, Baptiste’s designs feature vibrant colors, diverse textures, and materials that authentically reflect Caribbean cultural richness.

    ‘My pieces depict different aspects of what makes the Caribbean the Caribbean and a place so loved,’ Baptiste explained. This milestone has catalyzed an exciting 2026 calendar of confidential projects, all guaranteed to incorporate emblems of Caribbean life and heritage, marking both a personal and professional renaissance for the determined visionary.

  • Bay Bay Cup to kick off this weekend

    Bay Bay Cup to kick off this weekend

    The northern community of Saint Lucia is set for a football revival as the 2026 Kenson Casimir Bay Bay Cup tournament launches with eight competing teams vying for both the championship title and a substantial $10,000 cash prize pool. The competition commences on January 25 at Francis Baba Lastic Grounds, marking a significant effort to strengthen grassroots football development and build a more competitive district team.

    Officially unveiled on January 20 at the Gros Islet Human Resource Development Centre, the tournament’s launch ceremony saw the attendance of Member of Parliament and Minister of Education, Youth Development, Sports, and Digital Transformation Kenson Casimir, alongside sponsor representatives, players, coaches, and team administrators. The event featured Casimir ceremonially hoisting the championship cup, signaling the start of the anticipated competition.

    Organized under the governance of the Gros Islet Football League, the Bay Bay Cup serves as crucial preparation for teams anticipating participation in the third edition of the Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football League scheduled for June. The tournament field includes notable squads such as reigning national club champions GMC United, defending Bay Cup holders Northern United, warmup soccerama winners Monchy United, and Gros Islet Veterans—the latter featuring Trinidad & Tobago international and Saint Lucia men’s head coach Stern John.

    Following the official draw conducted on January 20, Group A placements were awarded to GMC United, Dominators FC, Gros Islet Youth, and invitational team New Generation FC from Babonneau. Group B competitors include Northern United, Monchy United, Veterans, and Police teams.

    Matches will be hosted across multiple venues including Francis Baba Lastic Grounds, Corinth Playing Field, and Grande Riviere Playing Field. Minister Casimir has additionally expressed intentions to prepare Monchy Playing Field as a fourth venue for the 2027 competition. Game schedules are set for Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, featuring double fixtures each evening.

    The 2026 tournament enjoys sponsorship support from Scott’s Sports Shop and the National Lotteries Authority, ensuring enhanced resources for participating teams and elevated competition standards.