Français
Jamaica.
Halfway to becoming a Republic
At a JIS (Jamaica Information Service) focus group on March 19, Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs Marlene Malahoo Forte confirmed that the process of making Jamaica a fully-fledged Republic is well underway. As the Observer reports, the Constitution Amendment Bill 2024 is currently before a joint parliamentary committee. "With the Bill in Parliament, we are more than 50% of the way there," said the Minister. Once the review is complete, the next step will be to debate and pass the bill in the House of Representatives. "If approved by the House, the bill will be sent to the Senate, it is explained in an article in Caribbean National Weekly, which states: "However, if the Senate does not vote within the timeframe stipulated by the Constitution, it will be considered rejected and sent back to the House. "Malahoo Forte acknowledged that the general elections, scheduled for September, could delay the process, but constitutional provisions allow for continuity between the different parliaments. The transition to a Republic will therefore take place after the general elections, via a referendum, as the Minister indicated. "This vote will give Jamaicans the opportunity to decide whether they wish to sever ties with King Charles III and establish a system of governance that reflects national identity," CNW points out. Prior to the referendum, a referendum bill must be passed to define voting procedures. "The Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) will manage the process as it does for elections," said, according to CNW, Malahoo Forte. But instead of voting for the people, you'll be voting for Jamaica. "In a public appearance late last week, Jamaican opposition leader Mark Golding announced that he had just renounced British nationality. A sense of anticipation.
Trinidad and Tobago.
Opposition calls for election observers
According to several press titles (Newsday, Caribbean National Weekly), the leader of the Trinidad and Tobago opposition, Kamla Persad Bissessar, has officially asked Prime Minister Stuart Young to invite independent foreign observers to monitor the forthcoming general elections scheduled for April 28. In her letter to the Prime Minister, Kamla Persad Bissessar said she was "concerned about the erosion of democratic institutions, the transparency of the electoral process and the lack of transparency in the electoral process".democratic institutions, the transparency of the electoral process and the impartiality of the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC)". CNW reports that she pointed to "disturbing precedents", including the EBC's redrawing of electoral boundaries for the 2021 Tobago Legislative Assembly elections. While she welcomed the government's invitation to observers from Caricom (Community of Caribbean States), the opposition leader insists that " independent, non-Caribbean international observers are necessary to guarantee a free and fair electoral process". She therefore urged Prime Minister Young to "act immediately" to invite neutral observers to ensure the credibility of the April 28 general elections.
Saint-Martin.
The Collectivité formalizes membership of the OECS
It's now official. On Wednesday March 19, the Collectivité de Saint-Martin became the twelfth member of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). This membership marks a major milestone in the island's history, and in the Collectivité's determination to strengthen its ties with its Caribbean neighbors. This should lead to enhanced cooperation in strategic areas such as health, education, trade and economic development. "A new chapter is opening for Saint-Martin. We are ready to make an active contribution to building a stronger, more united and forward-looking Caribbean region.declared President Louis Mussington at the ceremony which brought together all the leaders of the OECS member countries in Saint-Martin. Exactly 377 years ago, the Treaty of Concordia was signed, laying the foundations for a unique cooperation between France and the Netherlands on Saint-Martin," recalled Louis Mussington. Today, as we celebrate our accession to the OECS, this treaty takes on a special significance. Together, we are pursuing this path of regional integration, solidarity and unity. To our brothers and sisters in Sint Maarten, our common history and shared future continue to strengthen the ties that bind us. Let us remain strong, united and always close. We must act together. Interreg-Caribbean funds are an essential lever for this, as the success of Sint Maarten's joint weather radar perfectly illustrates. "Saint-Martin's accession was welcomed by all the heads of government present.
Virgin Islands (US).
AirBnb tax to combat housing shortage
It's still just a proposal. Nevertheless, it comes from the Governor of the US Virgin Islands, Albert Bryan Jr. He took advantage of the Spring Revenue Estimating Conference to propose key policy changes aimed at ensuring economic stability against a backdrop of changing consumer trends and persistent structural costs, explains the Virgin Island Consortium in an article published on March 23. Governor Bryan emphasized the need for a new approach to analyzing and managing government revenues and expenditures. He reiterated that while revenue forecasts appear stable, the real concern lies in rising costs. I don't expect a revenue problem over the next 10 to 15 years," he said. The problem will be expenses. "Among its proposals, the Consortium mainly notes a call to raise the AirBnb tax to 20%. "Governor Bryan framed the issue as twofold," writes the author. To encourage short-term visitors to return to traditional hotels in order to support the hospitality sector, and to address the growing housing crisis for local residents. "Albert Bryan noted, "Right now on St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John, rents are exorbitant. We have 4,000 AirBnb rooms. We need to reduce that number so that our teachers, nurses and workers can be housed. "In addition, the governor raised the possibility of reviving the St. Croix refinery, promoting the development of a free-trade zoneexchange zone, promote low-cost industrial energy and potentially ease border restrictions between the US and the British Virgin Islands.
Guadeloupe.
Over 400 kg of frozen lambis meat seized by customs
Agence France-Presse reports that on Tuesday March 18, customs officers seized more than 400 kg of frozen lambis meat packaged in plastic bags from a fishing boat moored in the port of Le Moule. The cargo originated from Antigua, according to the customs authorities in a press release, and "constituted an undeclared import of prohibited goods". The lambi is a shellfish belonging to a protected species listed under the Washington Convention (CITES). The cargo is estimated to be worth over 10,000 euros, and was destroyed after seizure. A fisherman was arrested, according to customs, while "his colleague fled". Violators of species protected by the Washington Convention are liable to penalties of up to three years' imprisonment and a fine of between one and two times the value of the goods.
Dominican Republic.
Resistance museum defends "May 30 heroes
On May 30, 1961, dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo was gunned down in an attack involving eight "conspirators", "vigilantes" or "heroes". The qualifiers vary according to who is evoking this episode in the history of the Dominican Republic. A subject that remains sensitive in 2025. Indeed, in a recent press release relayed by Dominican Today among others, the Dominican Resistance Memorial condemned "persistent attempts to distort the historical significance of the assassination of dictator Rafael Leónidas Trujillo on May 30, 1961". The museum asserts that efforts to minimize the event have historically favored the retention in power of figures such as Ramfis Trujillo (son of the assassinated dictator) and former president Joaquín Balaguer. In its press release, the museum protests against "attempts to rewrite history" in defense of the Trujillo regime. Mention is also made of "the misuse of US government documents to justify false statements, notably by presenting the uprising of April 24, 1965 as a communist revolution". The museum reaffirms "the courage of the May 30th conspirators" who sacrificed their lives to "put an end to a 31-year dictatorship and restore freedom to the Dominican Republic".
Sint Maarten.
Tax on tips under scrutiny
The Daily Herald reports that Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs is currently examining the taxation of tips. A subject that "has her full attention", she told MPs on Monday. Asked about the subject by Democratic MP Sarah Wescot-Williams, the Minister replied: "We recognize that many tipped hospitality workers are in the lower income brackets, and it's important to ensure that our tax policies support economic growth while promoting fairness. I'm certainly not against this, but it's essential that we carry out the necessary research and analysis to fully understand the implications. "The Daily Herald reports that MP Sarah Wescot-Williams has spoken to an Aruban executive about the merits and consequences of a tip tax. The matter is still under study.
Martinique.
Worrying rise in unpaid rents
According to the Caisse d'allocations familiales (Caf), more and more families in Martinique are finding it difficult to pay their rent. In an article published on March 24, RCI reveals part of the content of its program entitled "C'est la vie en décryptage" devoted to the subject. In Martinique, unpaid rents are exploding, particularly in the center of the island," it says. In the Cacem area (Communauté d'agglomération center Martinique), almost one tenant in two is affected (48.9%). In Cap Nord and Espace Sud, the rates are 28.8% and 31.1% respectively. "There are many reasons for this situation. RCI cites separation and divorce, job loss and "life accidents". For his part, Alex Valmy, Caf's deputy head of social services, explains that solutions do exist to help individuals and families facing growing precariousness.
Saint Kitts and Nevis.
A country in the throes of change
On an official visit to Saint-Martin to mark the French Collectivité's entry into the OECS (see above), the Prime Minister of Saint-Kitts and Nevis, Terrance Drew, declared: "Saint-Kitts and Nevis is changing. "In front of his Caribbean peers, the head of government detailed the major advances that are part of "the country's sustainable island state program". The Observer devoted an article (published on March 19) to Terrance Drew's speech. In particular, he spoke of energy independence through the development of geothermal energy, the construction of two desalination plants to secure access to water, and a major project to improve the island's water supply.s access to water, a major agricultural expansion project that should create 300 jobs, the construction of a brand-new eco-responsible hospital in the coming months, not to mention improved safety. We've had our quietest period in 23 years," says the Premier. So far this year, we haven't experienced any armed violence. "
