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Martinique
A new round-table discussion hoped for on the subject of high living costs
After the urban violence on the bangs of an anti-cost-of-living protest launched in early September in Martinique, "the security situation in Martinique is completely back to normal. The last two nights have been calm", declared Jean-Christophe Bouvier at a press conference. According to RCI, all the players involved are due to meet again "in principle" this Thursday, September 26, at the Hôtel Territorial in Plateau Roy. This new meeting was proposed by Serge Letchimy, President of the Collectivité territorial de Martinique, and the Prefect, Jean-Christophe Bouvier. Two meetings had already taken place in September to settle the conflict between the RPPRAC (Rassemblement pour la Protection des Peuples et des Ressources Afro-Caribéens) and the retail sector. However, at both round tables, RPPRAC members walked out as their conditions had not been met: that the debate be broadcast live on social networks. According to the President of RPPRAC, interviewed by RCI, "it will be possible for RPPRAC to broadcast live some of the exchanges that will take place during this new round table". The prefect, who had opposed the request, said this time that it was "a matter under discussion". Meanwhile, the first estimates of the damage caused by the riots are coming in. In Sainte-Thérèse, a figure of 500,000 euros has been set for repairs to Avenue Maurice Bishop.
Saint Lucia
Two-time Olympic medallist Julien Alfred acclaimed on her return.
"Juju is back". In Saint Lucia, it's time to celebrate. Julien Alfred, the first Saint Lucian athlete to win an Olympic medal, is back home. Since her gold medal in the 100 meters and her silver medal in the 200 meters event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the sportswoman had still not returned to her native island. In Saint Lucia for four days, Julien Alfred received a more than warm welcome from the population on Tuesday September 24. Prime Minister Philip Joseph Pierre was present, as was his mother Johanna Alfred and thousands of Saint Lucians, Martinique 1ère describes. "I've dreamed of this day for so long, just to be able to be an inspiration to the youth of Saint Lucia," Julien Alfred told the St-Lucia Times media outlet. A blue car bearing her effigy awaited the champion and enabled her to cross the island to the cheers of her compatriots, before reaching her village to be reunited with her loved ones.
Dominique
Construction of geothermal power plant well underway
According to the Caribbean National Weekly, Dominica can expect to deliver its first geothermal power plant in 2025. Energy Minister Dr. Vince Henderson (pictured) expressed his enthusiasm about the progress being made, pointing out that the company had already begun mobilizing resources and that actual construction should begin in the coming weeks. According to the Minister of Energy, all the necessary equipment should arrive during the month of October, some being delayed due to weather conditions or disruptions caused by the conflict in the Middle East. The Minister remains confident that the plant will be ready for operation by early 2026. Major contracts have already been signed. One with an Indian company for $39.8 million, the other with a Nevada company which has agreed to finance and maintain the plant for twenty-five years.
Saint-Martin
La Collectivité de Saint-Martin in "a very worrying financial situation".
The magistrates have issued their report. According to the Chambre territoriale des comptes, the Collectivité de Saint-Martin no longer has sufficient revenues to operate properly, repay its debts or finance its investment projects. The magistrates analyzed the Collectivité's finances since 2019. The conclusions are without appeal: "a very worrying financial situation", summarizes the journalists of Guadeloupe 1ère. The report highlights a "spectacular" deterioration from 2022 onwards, the date of the change in governance. Resources fell by 20 million euros, while personal expenses soared, with the recruitment of 188 agents, for a total of 17.5 million euros. According to the magistrates, several members of the president's and vice-president's families are among these new jobs. Some projects are also deemed financially risky by the magistrates, such as the partial takeover of the airline Air Antilles, or the creation of a public management school.
Saba
Oliver Klokman swims around the island
It took him 7 hours and 34 minutes. On Saturday September 21, Oliver Klokman swam around Saba. He left the port of Fort Bay at 5.15 a.m. and swam the 19.5 kilometers alone. Along the way, Klokman was accompanied by friends in kayaks, who provided him with the necessary supplies. Others joined him in the water for the last five kilometers. The sportsman acknowledges that he was lucky to have had good weather during this event. "It was like swimming in an aquarium," the triathlete shared with the Saba-News website, which reports on the feat. A resident of Saba for the past three years, Oliver Klokman is studying for a PhD in marine and animal ecology. The scientist has a taste for sporting exploits, as he is preparing for next March's Ironman. A thought for Alexis Wozniak, who achieved the feat of swimming around Saint-Barth last March. It took him 9h19 to swim the 28 kilometers that make up the tour of the island.
Dominican Republic
A call for Caribbean unity against sargassum
Unity is strength. On Monday September 23, the Dominican Republic's Minister of the Economy, Pável Isa Contreras, was present in New York at an event organised by the Chancellor of the French Republic.event organized by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa on the subject of climate change. Pável Isa Contreras took the opportunity to call on the small island states of the Caribbean to work together to combat the scourge of sargassum, reports Dominican Today.
Guadeloupe
Return of curfew for minors
Since Monday, Guadeloupe has been under a curfew for minors from 10pm until 5am. Seven districts are now affected, down from four initially, in the communes of Sainte-Rose, Gosier, Pointe-à-Pitre, les Abymes, Capesterre-Belle-Eau and le Lamentin. The sectors concerned are as follows: the Boucan and Bébel districts in Sainte-Rose, the Poucet and Mare-Gaillard districts in Gosier, the Lauricisque and Chanzy districts in Pointe-à-Pitre, the Boisripeaux district in Les Abymes, the Sapotille, Îlet Pérou and Sainte-Marie areas of Capesterre-Belle-Eau.Îlet Pérou and Sainte-Marie in Capesterre-Belle-Eau, and the Blachon, Bourg, Solitude, Crâne, Bréfort and Borel areas in Le Lamentin. The aim of this exceptional measure is to "limit juvenile delinquency", explains Prefect Xavier Lefort. Since September 18, scenes of looting, barricades and radar fires have been rife on the archipelago, according to the prefecture. During the violence, some law enforcement officers were reportedly subjected to "stone-throwing and Molotov cocktails".
For the time being, this curfew has been imposed until September 28. According to the prefecture, the individuals arrested since the start of the "urban violence" are "mainly minors", including one aged just 12. To date, no claims have been made as to the motives of these protesters. These tensions are taking place against a backdrop of industrial action at EDF, which led to the shutdown of two of the plant's engines mid-day on Wednesday September 25. According to Guadeloupe 1ère, 45,000 households are affected by load shedding, i.e. power cuts.
