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Bermuda.
Third straight term for David Burt and the Labour Party
The Progressive Labour Party (PLP), led by Premier David Burt, has won Bermuda's general election for the third time in a row. At the close of polling on Tuesday February 18, the PLP won 25 of the 36 parliamentary seats. However, the victory was less overwhelming than in 2020, when David Burt (first elected Premier in 2017 at the age of 38) and the PLP won 30 of the 36 seats. Following the announcement of the final results, David Burt indicated that this would be his last election as party leader. The PLP is committed to focusing on economic development, strengthening social support systems and meeting the needs of Bermuda's most vulnerable citizens, Caribbean National Weekly notes. The incumbent Premier won the seat of Pembroke West Central with 444 votes, or 63.70% of the votes cast.
Virgin Islands (US).
Customs tax war between sister islands
On Wednesday February 19, the Governor of the US Virgin Islands expressed his intention to impose a 25% tax increase on goods imported from the British Virgin Islands. This measure, “which builds on a strategy used by President Donald Trump” writes the Virgin Island Consortium (VIC), follows pending legislation in the BVI that aims to significantly increase fees for commercial yacht charters entering the territory. A measure that could have serious repercussions for the US Virgin Islands charter sailing industry, assures VIC, which adds in its article: The proposed amendments to the Commercial Yacht Licensing Act, first passed in 1992, would increase annual fees for overnight operators to $24,000 from the current $400, a 60-fold increase. Day sailing operators would see an equally staggering increase, with fees rising from $200 to $12,500. A meeting of the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association was held on Tuesday February 18 to discuss the issue. “Marine tourism is a vital economic driver for the U.S. Virgin Islands, contributing over one hundred million dollars annually,” noted VIPCA Executive Director Staci Smith, before adding, ”The proposed increases in the U.S. Virgin Islands threaten the growth and viability of the U.S. Virgin Islands yacht charter industry.” Negotiations have since begun between Kye Rhymer, Acting Premier of the BVI, and Governor Bryan. Even the BVI Maritime Association, which would benefit from the proposed protectionist legislation, has come out against the amendments, VIC assures. Thus, the association asserts that the tax increases would harm the BVI economy and U.S. Virgin Islands shipping operators, while doing little to strengthen industry in the BVI.
Martinique.
The Collectivité joins Caricom
Martinique applied for membership of Caricom (Caribbean Community) thirteen years ago. This regional organization brings together 15 Caribbean states and six British and Dutch overseas territories. On Thursday February 20, at a summit of the leaders of the member countries held in Barbados, Serge Letchimy, President of the Executive Council of the Collectivité territoriale de Martinique, signed the agreement for Martinique to join Caricom as an associate member. Most of the Caribbean press, as well as French newspapers such as Le Monde, reported on the agreement. A video posted on social networks shows the Martiniquan politician signing the agreement alongside Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who currently holds the rotating presidency of the regional organization. A historic moment,” commented Serge Letchimi. It's a recognition of our natural place within the region.” The elected representative spoke of “stronger economic ties” with neighboring countries, “new opportunities” for Martinique's “businesses, students and cultural players”, and also “greater solidarity” within the region. “This move is part of Martinique's broader ambitions for regional integration,” Caribbean National Weekly points out, recalling that ‘the French territory’ has already achieved associate membership of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean in 2012, the Association of Caribbean States in 2014 and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States in 2015. Previously, the Dutch island of Curaçao officially joined Caricom at the 47th Ordinary Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government held in Grenada in July 2024.
Saint Lucia.
Celebrating the 46th anniversary of independence
On February 22, 1979, the Constitution marking Saint Lucia's independence from the United Kingdom came into force. This anniversary date is celebrated every year by the Caribbean state. This was the case last Saturday, when numerous ceremonies and other events were organized to celebrate the 46th anniversary of independence. Saint Lucia ceased to be a British colony in 1967, becoming an Associated State of the West Indies, i.e. a state in free association with the United Kingdom. A new constitution was adopted in 1978, and Saint Lucia became independent on February 22, 1979. The country joined the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States in 1981. A member of the Commonwealth, its current Prime Minister is Philip Pierre and its Governor General is Errol Charles.
Dominican Republic / Haiti.
A border under close surveillance
Speaking earlier this week, the President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, announced that he intended to apply stricter surveillance measures at all border crossings between his country and Haiti. According to the Directorate General of Migration, 142,378 Haitians have been deported from the Dominican Republic since October 2024. “More vehicles and technological resources for the repatriation of undocumented migrants” will be further deployed, said Migration Director Luis Lee Ballester in a statement relayed by Agence France Presse and picked up by various titles, including La 1ère. “The new provisions will aim to strengthen border surveillance and optimize entry controls,” he added. Some 500,000 Haitian immigrants live in the Dominican Republic. For the record, the government has ordered the construction of a separation wall, work on which began in 2021, thanks in particular to funding from Israel. Earlier this week, it was announced that the wall would be extended by a further 12 km, bringing its length to just over 170 km. « La barrière doit s'étendre sur plus de la moitié des 340 kilomètres de frontière entre les deux pays, souligne l’AFP. Les derniers chiffres officiels datant de novembre 2024 affirmaient que la première phase du projet était achevée à 80%. » Parallèlement, l’Organisation des Nations Unies a lancé un appel aux dons afin de récolter 900 millions de dollars pour venir en aide aux populations sinistrées en Haïti. « Dans un contexte de sous-financement chronique des opérations humanitaires, le plan se concentre sur 3,9 millions personnes jugés prioritaires (déplacés, habitants de zones sous contrôle des gangs, communautés touchées par le choléra...) pour lesquels l'ONU a besoin de 908,2 millions de dollars », précise l’AFP.
Guadeloupe.
Air Inter îles opens a route to Marie-Galante
Air Inter îles continues to expand its network in the Caribbean. Earlier this week, a new route linking Guadeloupe to Marie-Galante was inaugurated in the presence of Guy Losbar, President of the French Departmental Council: “The flight, which takes just 20 minutes, opens up new prospects for the archipelago”, writes RCI in an article on the subject. The company chaired by Vincent Beauvarlet intends to operate three flights a week between Guadeloupe and Marie-Galante. The aim is to make air travel accessible again,” Vincent Beauvarlet told RCI. On the one hand, to tourists arriving from abroad, thanks to our partnerships with major international airlines. Then, of course, there are the residents of both islands, Guadeloupe and Marie-Galante, who leave for work in the morning and need to get back quickly in the evening. In the 90s, thousands of passengers landed at the Marie-Galante aerodrome every year. But with the cessation of commercial flights, the airfield has been neglected. In anticipation of this opening, the Département de la Guadeloupe financed the renovation of the runway. For an unspecified cost. In the columns of RCI, the airline assures that preferential fares will be offered to the inhabitants of Marie-Galante. The first tickets go on sale next week.
Jamaica.
Six new hotels to be built by 2025
In his traditional “Speech from the Throne” on Thursday February 13, Jamaica's Governor General Steadman Fuller announced that six new hotels would be built in 2025. The news was reported by the Observer and the Caribbean National Weekly. The Governor General stated that the new hotel projects, which will also include housing solutions for 1,000 hotel employees, “are expected to attract $2.5 billion in foreign direct investment and create 10,000 new jobs in Jamaica's tourism sector”, points out CNW. He also praised the success of the “revolutionary” pension scheme for tourism workers, which has now reportedly surpassed 10,000 enrolments and resulted in over $4 billion in savings. Steadman Fuller also emphasized digital developments and the promotion of Jamaican cuisine with the creation of the Gastronomy Institute at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.
Trinidad and Tobago.
Higher salaries for the Prime Minister and certain civil servants
The President, Prime Minister, ministers, members of parliament, members of the judiciary and senior civil servants are all set for a comfortable end to the month. Indeed, according to Trinidad and Tobago Newsday, a circular issued on January 24 orders permanent secretaries, heads of departments and other public office holders to implement revised salary agreements based on the recommendations of the Salary Review Commission. More clearly, all these elected officials and civil servants will benefit from an increase in their salaries with, icing on the cake, retroactive effect on certain adjustments. For example, the Prime Minister's salary will rise from $11,700 to around $13,000. In addition, the tax exemptions enjoyed by elected officials and certain civil servants will also be updated. “Revised salaries are subject to standard income tax deductions, and government agencies are asked to ensure that sufficient funds are available to cover arrears,” explains the Newsday article. If additional funds are needed, departments are instructed to coordinate with the Ministry of Finance's budget division.”
Saint-Martin.
Faced with acts of violence, Marigot shopkeepers are at a loss
At the end of last week, Marigot's association of shopkeepers and restaurateurs invited the local press to express their concerns and frustration. In the face of rising acts of violence and crime, but also because of the abandonment of the Marina Royale shopping and commercial area. In two weeks, we've had six assaults and seven hold-ups,” sums up one shopkeeper in an article in the Soualiga Post. Residents, tourists, businesses targeted. These figures are much more than a statistic. Behind them, there are faces, families, employees who no longer dare go home late. Shopkeepers who close early, who lose hope, who think about leaving. This insecurity robs us of our nights, our income and our dignity. Yann Lecam, president of the association, told our Soualiga colleague: “We're waiting for concrete action for the marina and the town center. For seven years, we've been fighting tirelessly to breathe new life into the marina and downtown Marigot. We've invested, worked and believed in a revival. But today, what we have built is in peril.
