Français
Saint Lucia.
Creole introduced in schools
This is a commitment made by the Prime Minister, Phillip J Pierre, in August 2022. But in reality, the government of Saint Lucia has been dithering on the issue of introducing the Creole language into the school curriculum for over forty years. Through a press release issued by the Minister of Education (relayed by the St. Lucia Times), Shawn Edward, a "pilot program" will finally be launched in fifteen schools across the country during the 2024/2025 school year. St. Lucia Creole is particularly present in rural areas and continues to thrive thanks to oral tradition, festivals and cultural eThe St. Lucia Times points out that the Creole language is particularly present in rural areas, and continues to thrive thanks to oral tradition, festivals and cultural events such as "Jounen Kwéyòl", celebrated every October. In recent years, there has been a growing movement to preserve the language. This is mainly due to the fact that "younger generations are becoming increasingly dependent on English, which is the island's official language". Many media and government communication bodies already present information in Creole and English.
Antigua and Barbuda.
Opening imminent for new airport
Barbuda's new international airport is due to open in less than a month, reports Caribbean National Weekly in an article published on September 6. The government of Antigua and Barbuda has announced that it has received the green light from the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA) to begin commercial flights. The project required $14 million in funding. It comprises a runway approximately 1.8 kilometers long, with the possibility of extending it to over 600 meters to accommodate larger aircraft. Barbuda's old airport will officially close on October 2, with the new one opening the following day. The government has specified that the new airport has undergone major improvements. These include ongoing training for fire service personnel.
Haiti.
Cholera spreads
One misfortune never comes alone, and Haiti seems destined to experience it again and again. (WHO) last Wednesday ranked the Caribbean pearl among the countries recording an increase in cases and deaths due to cholera. The WHO, using figures provided by global cholera statistics for 2023, said that more than 4,000 people died from the disease last year, a 71% increase on 2022. The number of reported cases has also risen by 13%. For the record, cholera is an acute intestinal infection transmitted through food and water. It goes without saying that communities with limited access to sanitation are the hardest hit. The WHO points out that conflict, climate change, inadequate drinking water and sanitation, poverty, underdevelopment and population displacement due to " emerging and re-emerging conflicts" and natural disasters have all contributed to the increase in cholera epidemics over the past year. In addition, it should be noted that WHO insists that the geographical distribution of cholera has changed considerably between 2022 and 2023, with a 32% decrease in reported cases in the Middle East and Asia, and a 125% increase in Africa. "This is the first year that several countries are reporting "community deaths", which occur outside health facilities," the organization adds.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Alcohol banned at funerals
In early September, the Parliament of St. Vincent passed a law banning the consumption of alcohol during funeral processions, with immediate effect. The new law does not, however, extend to the consumption of alcohol in cemeteries. "Because of the difficulties involved in defining cemetery boundaries," Caribbean National Weekly clarified in an article dated September 4. Thirteen government legislators, including Attorney General Grenville Williams, supported the bill. The text stipulates that a fine of up to $74 can be imposed for violations. CNW points out that the opposition did not support the bill, arguing that while it does not support the consumption of alcohol at funeral processions, "the law could create more problems than it solves". Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves said the law aims to "limit disruptive behavior" observed during funeral processions, during which some participants have been seen drinking and "creating disturbances". He argued that the law responds to a growing concern that such behavior "detracts from the solemnity of funerals".
Dominican Republic.
Oil divergence with Venezuela
Since the beginning of the week, Dominican Today has been publishing articles on the diplomatic crisis between the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. This crisis takes the form of a sharp disagreement, to say the least, between Venezuelan Minister Diosdado Cabello and Dominican President Luis Abinader over oil issues. On several occasions, Diosdado Cabello spoke directly to President Abinader, demanding payment of $350 million owed by the Dominican Republic for fuel deliveries. An alleged debt that Luis Abinader categorically refutes. During a speech, the President asserted that since taking office, the Dominican Republic has not purchased any oil from Venezuela. Leonardo Aguilera, president of the Dominican oil refinery (Refidomsa), confirmed that the last import of oil from Venezuela took place in December 2015. Despite multiple meetings between Dominican and Venezuelan officials to resume oil imports, no agreement has been reached, he claims. Leonardo Aguilera added that two separate negotiations with the Venezuelan national oil company, PDVSA, were unsuccessful. Despite these assertions, tensions escalated further on Tuesday, September 10, after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro intervened. Maduro stated that he was due to travel to the United States to attend the presidential election debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, but that he was unable to do so because his plane had been "stolen" by... Luis Abinader. Dominican Today reports that on September 2, the US Department of Justice announced the seizure of Nicolas Maduro's Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft in the Dominican Republic. The seizure was part of an operation linked to violations of sanctions against Venezuela.
Saba.
Harmful delays after Winair halts freight services
A Daily Herald article relayed by Saba News discusses the numerous parcel and mail delivery delays facing the island of Saba since Winair discontinued its bulk freight services. "Two Saba shipping companies have been scrambling for over a week to transport hundreds of kilos of parcels and airmail stuck in the wake of Winair's closure of its bulk cargo services.s after Saint-Martin's state-owned airline, Winair, imposed a strict 20-kilo cargo limit," writes the article's author. He adds that Island Communication Services (ICS) and Saba Educational Services (SES), as well as local agents for five combined courier and mail delivery services, have reported severe delays and a sharp increase in expenses. Large quantities of freight are still stuck on Saint-Martin. Earlier this year, Winair began the process of obtaining IOSA certification, a globally recognized safety assessment system established by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). An assessment carried out some two months ago revealed that the company did not comply with the more stringent IOSA cargo rules.IOSA cargo rules, which are stricter than national laws and aviation regulations, according to a statement made to the Daily Herald by Winair CEO Hans van de Velde. Combined with the fact that Winair's cargo operations earn "almost nothing", the decision to suspend bulk cargo until further notice was taken, the CEO explained.
Virgin Islands (US).
59-year-old woman robs father to pay off debts
In an article published on Wednesday September 11, the Virgin Islands Consortium reports the arrest of St. Croix resident Eva Ramon, aged 59. She was arrested for fraudulently taking out a loan of 275.She was arrested for fraudulently taking out a loan of $275,000 in the name of her father, who was too old to realize the scam, which was uncovered following an investigation into allegations of financial exploitation. Eva Ramon had been appointed as her father's proxy and had used this position to manipulate and deceive him, the article states. The investigation revealed that the woman had already used more than $122,000 of the loan. To obtain it, Eva Ramon had claimed that the sum would be used to pay off the mortgage on her father's house. The woman was charged and jailed, with bail set at $20,000. She was allowed to post 10% bail and released pending her rights counseling hearing.
Sint Maarten.
Biometric exit kiosks in Juliana
The management of Princess Juliana airport has posted photographs of its new equipment on a so-called "social" network. In this case, the biometric kiosks to be installed in the arrivals terminal. In addition, there are kiosks for automated passport control. "These cutting-edge technologies, along with Sint Maarten's new entry form, will revolutionize your arrival experience," says airport management.
Guadeloupe.
Marie-Galante: repeated burglaries
Shopkeepers and socio-professionals deplore a series of burglaries, particularly in Grand-Bourg in recent months, writes RCI in an article published on Tuesday September 10. In it, Grand-Bourg shopkeepers "sound the alarm" as they are increasingly targeted by acts of delinquency. As one pharmacist explains: "The pharmacy was broken into for the first time in April, and then two more attempts were made, one on August 15 and one in September, last Thursday, without success. There was also a burglary at the Saint-Louis pharmacy and two at the Capesterre pharmacy. "The shopkeeper points out that several of his colleagues have also been the victims of repeated thefts.
