Voodoo-Linked Massacre Deepens Haiti’s Turmoil

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News Americas, New York, NY, December 10, 2024: Haiti is grappling with one of its most brutal massacres in recent memory after more than 180 people were killed in Cité Soleil, a poverty-stricken area of Port-au-Prince, over the weekend in what is being deemed a “voodoo killing.”

Ronalda Alcime cries after armed gangs executed her husband at Poste Marchands in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on December 9, 2024. Nearly 200 people in Haiti were killed in brutal weekend violence reportedly orchestrated against voodoo practitioners, with the government on Monday condemning a massacre of “unbearable cruelty.” (Photo by CLARENS SIFFROY/AFP via Getty Images)

According to the United Nations and local human rights groups, the killings were driven by claims of Voodoo-related witchcraft and carried out by gang members under orders from a local leader. The National Human Rights Defense Network, (RNDDH), reported that the massacre was orchestrated by Monel Felix, also known as King Micanor, after a priest told him that Voodoo had caused his son’s fatal illness. The killings, which began Friday night in Wharf Jérémie, targeted older Voodoo practitioners, with nearly 130 of the victims aged over 60. The slaughter, described as a personal vendetta, involved machetes and knives, and many bodies were burned or discarded into the sea, according to eyewitnesses and rights organizations.

The violence underscores Haiti’s deepening crisis as rival gangs continue to terrorize communities with impunity. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, called the killings a reflection of the country’s “accelerating spiral into the abyss.” Rights groups noted that the lack of a police presence in gang-controlled areas like Wharf Jérémie delayed the reporting of the atrocity.

Cité Soleil residents described horrific scenes, with entire families killed in their homes. “In some houses, five or six people were murdered,” said one resident, who requested anonymity for fear of retribution. The RNDDH also noted that young people, including motorcycle-taxi drivers trying to help others escape, were among the victims.

Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé condemned the massacre, calling it a “direct attack on humanity and the republican order.” He pledged that the government would use “every resource” to bring those responsible to justice. However, the government’s capacity to act remains limited, with gangs controlling vast swaths of the capital and other regions.

The violence in Haiti has claimed more than 5,000 lives this year and displaced over 700,000 people, according to the United Nations. Despite the presence of a UN-backed Multinational Security Support Mission, composed largely of Kenyan police officers, gang violence has continued unabated.

International human rights advocates are calling for increased resources and expanded operations for the Kenyan-led mission, including transitioning it into an official UN peacekeeping operation. However, resistance from veto-wielding countries like Russia and China at the UN Security Council has stalled the proposal.

The massacre highlights Haiti’s urgent need for stronger international support to address the escalating gang crisis and safeguard vulnerable communities. As violence surges, calls for global intervention grow louder.

Exploring The Positive Impact Of Gambling On Caribbean Economies

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. Dec. 10, 2024: Different people have divergent opinions on gambling, but it may interest you to know that gambling as a form of entertainment and business venture has many positive contributions to the local and regional economies where it is in operation. We will explore this in detail, particularly as it relates to “Sun, Sea, and Sand Economies” in this article. 

The benefits of gambling in Caribbean countries transcend entertainment. It fosters job creation, contributes to tourism which brings infrastructure development, and generates revenue for counties. Let’s begin by understanding what the Caribbean economies entail. 

Understanding the Caribbean Economies

The Caribbean is a subregion bothered by North America, Central America, and South America. It is centered around the Caribbean Sea in the North Atlantic Ocean. It comprises numerous islands, islets, cays, banks, and reefs and has 13 recognized countries. 

The Caribbean economy is largely fueled by its agricultural potential, natural resources, travel, and tourism sectors. The people produce different agricultural products, like sugar cane, as well as a variety of tasteful fish species. 

However, gambling has become very popular in this region, especially due to the new era of digital technology. Many new online gambling platforms, like jackpot city offer a wide variety of exciting games with many bonuses. Many people are now going into gambling, and it is impacting the economies in more positive ways than anyone would have thought possible.

How Does Gambling Positively Impact the Caribbean Economies?

Findings reveal that gambling impacts Caribbean economies in the following ways:

1. Tourism Boost

This is one of the most evident contributions of gambling to the Caribbean, which is already a great tourist destination. Gambling at the numerous casinos and resorts often attracts a lot of people from all over the world, especially those who would never have considered visiting that region. 

In the Caribbean, you will find casino resorts with world-class amenities in places like the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, and Aruba. Their outstanding services, combined with the beaches, cultural sites, and natural scenery in these places, contribute to the overall appeal of the region. This creates a luxury tourism market that is one of the largest contributors to the Caribbean’s GDP.

2. Job Creation

The gambling industry requires a significant workforce to run smoothly. Even online casinos still need background staff to keep things going. So, there are many jobs in casinos, resorts, security, hotels, and marketing. The industry provides many employment opportunities for locals in these regions, and it is especially favorable for regions with limited industries. 

Furthermore, the skills people develop in the gaming sector can also be valuable in other industries, so there is long-term career potential as a result of gambling.

3. Government Revenue

Caribbean countries can generate significant revenue from licensing fees and taxes, which come from gambling sites and casinos. This revenue can, in turn, be used to fund Healthcare, local education, and infrastructural projects, which can improve the overall quality of life of the people. 

Many Caribbean countries have regulations to ensure that gambling activities are taxed efficiently and funds are channeled properly.

4. Infrastructure Development

When casinos, resorts, and associated facilities are present, upgrades in infrastructure such as airports, ports, roads, utilities, and general urban development are expected. Revenues from gambling can be invested in infrastructure, and countries will gain investors, both public and private, as a result of the exposure gotten from hosting large-scale gambling events, such as poker tournaments.

5. Diversification of the Economy

It is a well-known fact that Caribbean economies still rely on traditional sectors like agriculture, so gambling has provided an avenue for diversification. This will go a long way toward stabilizing the economies by opening new economic activities, especially during downturns in other volatile sectors. Thus, gambling fosters a resilient and diversified economy where countries can reduce their dependency on a single industry.

6. Online Gaming and Innovation

Most Caribbean countries have also seen outstanding growth in online gaming; Antigua, Curaçao, and Barbuda have become hubs for sports betting services and offshore gaming. This is all possible because of the rise of gambling in these countries, which attracts global investors and operators. It is contributing greatly to the digital economy and related technology industries, it is also providing businesses and entrepreneurs the opportunity to tap into the global online gambling market.

7. Cultural and Social Opportunities

In some areas, gambling has also become part of the culture. At some cultural events, you will find gambling activities like bingo, lotteries, and other forms of traditional betting integrated into social activities. This creates opportunities for local businesses to thrive and enhances social cohesion among the locals. 

This is equally an avenue to promote responsible gambling programs and awareness initiatives to help mitigate any potential negative social impact and ensure people can fully utilize the benefits of betting. 

The Future of Gambling and Economic Growth

Considering the evolution and impact of the gambling industry in the Caribbean so far, it is expected that the industry will continue to thrive, and its influence on the economy will lead to significant growth. Online gambling, in particular, will continue to experience rapid growth and create new opportunities for casinos, and gamblers and in contrast, new challenges for policymakers and regulators. 

But be that as it may, while there is evident economic growth due to gambling, we can’t deny the potential downsides, which include gambling addiction, so it is crucial to continue to explore effective ways to mitigate the possible side effects of gambling. This can consist of the implementation of stronger regulatory frameworks and responsible gambling environments to ensure that economic growth is not at the expense of the well-being of local communities. 

Gambling in the Caribbean has a multifaceted influence on the economy and local communities, it provides a range of positive economic impacts from generating revenue to creating jobs, boosting tourism, and fostering infrastructural development. However, gambling still comes with some risks of problem gambling, social disruption, and crime, so the benefits must be balanced with responsible gambling practices, community support, and regulatory oversight to curb the downsides of gambling and ensure a balance for the long-term economic growth and development of the Caribbean. 

The Caribbean Develops World-Changing Sargassum Technology

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News Americas, New York, NY, December 10, 2024: The Caribbean is demonstrating its ingenuity on the global stage by creating a groundbreaking technology that has the potential to benefit the world. Barbados-based start-up Rum and Sargassum Inc., in partnership with The University of the West Indies, (UWI) Cave Hill Campus, has unveiled the world’s first vehicle powered by bio-Compressed Natural Gas, (CNG), derived from sargassum and rum distillery wastewater.

This innovative fuel turns a regional challenge – sargassum seaweed inundating Caribbean coastlines – into a valuable resource, showcasing how small island nations can lead in solving global problems. As part of its broader goal to achieve 100% renewable energy and carbon neutrality by 2030, Barbados is setting an example in environmental sustainability and renewable energy development.

The bio-CNG project is led by Dr. Legena Henry and her team at UWI Cave Hill’s Renewable Energy Development Laboratory. Speaking at the vehicle’s launch, Dr. Henry described the innovation as a product of determination and creative problem-solving. “This is not just for the Caribbean. It’s a technology that can be exported to other parts of the world, including regions like West Africa, South America, and Florida, which also face sargassum issues,” she said.

The bio-CNG vehicle, emblazoned with the slogan “Runs on Sargassum,” is more than a symbol of progress; it is a step toward a sustainable future. The initiative also integrates agriculture and energy through a biogas station at Guinea Estate in Barbados, where “the digestate feeds the land, and the gas fuels cars,” according to Dr. Henry.

Professor Clive Landis, Principal and Pro-Vice Chancellor of UWI Cave Hill, emphasized the project’s far-reaching impact. “This achievement demonstrates how UWI translates research excellence into societal value. It’s ready for scale-up and global investment, marking a milestone in technology transfer,” he said.

Barbados’ Minister of Energy and Business, Senator Lisa Cummins, celebrated the innovation as a pivotal moment in the nation’s renewable energy journey. “This is not just a local solution; it has the potential to redefine how the world views sargassum,” she stated, urging the Caribbean to embrace its role as a leader in sustainable technology.

The initiative, supported by partners like the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) and the Inter-American Development Bank, underscores the region’s capacity to innovate and lead. As Dr. Henry aptly concluded, “These small islands have created technology that can benefit the rest of the world. This is a big win for the Caribbean and for global sustainability.”