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Jamaica.
An 890% increase in online banking fraud
In its latest report on financial stability, published on Monday March 31, the Bank of Jamaica expresses alarm at the sharp rise in online banking fraud. As pointed out in an article in the Observer, the report states that this increase has risen by 890% since 2020. "This rise in cybercrime has become one of the most significant emerging threats to the country's banking sector," writes the Observer. The report points out that the rise was mainly noted between 2019 and 2023. The central bank attributes this phenomenon to the rapid transition to electronic banking methods for commercial transactions following the Covid-19 pandemic. Between 2020 and 2023, the country therefore recorded an 890.6% increase in online banking fraud, up $330.6 million on 2019 and previous years. The report also highlights, explains the Observer, that credit and debit card fraud was the most prevalent, accounting for "an annual average of just over 69% of the $800 million in total fraud reported by financial institutions" at the end of 2023. These frauds were mainly concentrated in areas with high digital traffic, such as Kingston, Portmore and Spanish Town. In response to these growing threats, the central bank reported that commercial banks have implemented enhanced anti-fraud measures and taken steps to recover their losses. The importance of prosecution and repressive measures is obviously part of the arsenal in the fight against these offences.
Bermuda.
18.8% pay rise for members of parliament
Since April 1, Bermuda's Members of Parliament and Senators have seen their salaries increase by 18.8%. The salary increase was approved by the Legislative Assembly last week, as reported by the Caribbean National Weekly (CNW) in an article published on March 31. "Premier David Burt emphasized that the adjustment would not only make political positions more attractive to the public, but would also reflect the increased workload and responsibilities inherent in public service," reports CNW. He acknowledged that salary increases for elected officials often arouse public skepticism, but insisted that "these adjustments are not about financial gain for the derather a matter of fairness and recognition of the changing roles and increased demands on those who serve the people of Bermuda". Thanks to this increase, senators will now earn $36,076 a year, while deputies will receive $73,555. Salaries for other Assembly officials will range from $3,625 to $184,152 (Premier), depending on their position. The Premier and Deputy Premier will also benefit from a salary increase, if they also hold the position of Finance Minister. The highest annual salary is that of the Prime Minister, followed by the Attorney General ($178,990) and the Finance Minister ($158,245, compared with $122,768 for each other minister). It should be noted that the last salary increase for ministers was in 2009. Nevertheless, the Leader of the Opposition, Jarion Richardson, pleaded for a postponement of the salary increase, highlighting the continuing difficulties faced by many Bermudians in the face of rising living costs. "The price of leadership," he said, "is eating last and putting others before yourself. That's sacrifice. It's solidarity. "
Saint Lucia.
National survey of living conditions launched
An article in Times News Online reports that a survey of living conditions and household budgets was launched on March 25. The survey is being carried out by the Central Statistical Office (CSO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment, with the support of the "Data for Decision-Making" project of the European Commission.Data for Decision-Making" project of the Commission of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), funded by the World Bank Group. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Youth Economy, Paul Hilaire, stressed the importance of this survey, especially as post-COVID data is limited. "The time has come to collect this data, which will enable us to assess the impact of policies implemented in recent years, notably the revision of the minimum wage and its impact on the average household," he said. The survey will assess poverty levels, update the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and gather essential data on household spending, health, education, nutrition, housing and demographic trends. Anna Luisa Paffhausen, head of the OECS "Data for Decision-Making" project, said that Saint Lucia is the first of the three OECS countries involved in the project to implement the survey. The other two are Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Data will be collected from "selected households" until March 2026.
British Virgin Islands.
A medical school in July
The British Virgin Islands are about to make history. The Tortola campus of the Ponce University of Health Sciences (PHSU) medical school will officially open its doors on July 28, university and government officials announced at a press conference reported by Caribbean National Weekly. To welcome students, the new institution has obtained provisional authorizations from the two accreditation bodies, as well as a provisional license from the Virgin Islands Higher Education Licensing Board, part of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. According to school officials, interest in the program has been strong. Over 900 applications were received, but only 50 places were available for the first intake. To date, 38 students have been admitted, 60% from the continental USA, 35% from Puerto Rico and 5% from other countries. Only one student from the Virgin Islands has been admitted. Students enrolled in the four-year medical program will complete their first two years of coursework and practicum in Tortola before joining one of three PHSU-affiliated campuses in Puerto Rico or the continental U.S. for their clinical rotations. PHSU President Gino Natalicchio explained that this structure complies with the accreditation requirements set out by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Schools (CAHS).Accreditation Commission for Medical Schools (ACCM), which stipulate that at least two years of study must be completed in the United States or a U.S. territory. To support local participation in the program, two full tuition scholarships will be awarded each year to Virginians or residents of the Virgin Islands.
Haiti.
Prison attacked by gangs, hundreds of inmates on the run
The country's leading daily newspaper, Le Nouvelliste, reports the attack on the Mirebalais prison (commune of the Bas Plateau Central) on the morning of Monday March 31. The assault enabled more than 500 inmates to escape, according to the newspaper, which explains: "Heavily armed Canaan bandits took over national road number 3 at Morne-à-Cabris, passing through Trianon. They marched in, firing point-blank at houses, vehicles and passers-by, and released all the prisoners from the civil prison. "According to Radio Métropole, at least four people were killed in the attack. Following this violent raid, the federal police announced the deployment of several of its units to support local services in the face of gang violence. Last Friday, Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that the situation in Haiti was only worsening. During the presentation of his annual report on the situation in Haiti, he told the UN Human Rights Council that gangs were gaining ground in and around the capital Port-au-Prince, and had taken over vital infrastructure. According to him, gangs unite to launch attacks and often outnumber and outgun the forces of law and order. Volker Türk reported that between July 1, 2024 and February 28, 2025, his services had established that at least 4,239 people had been killed and 1,356 injured. William O'Neill, the UN's expert on human rights in Haiti, told the Council that the international community should give greater support to the Kenyan-led security force to reinforce the Haitian police, providing more personnel, helicopters, vehicles and equipment.
Guadeloupe.
A budget of over 970 million euros
Meeting on Monday March 31 at the Hôtel de Région in Basse-Terre, the regional councillors approved the 2025 budget by a majority vote. The budget is made up of 467 million euros in investments and 506 million in operations. In an interview with La 1ère, Regional Council President Ary Chalus described the budget as "pivotal" on several levels. The opposition tells us that we have an austerity budget, but no, we've done a lot over the last two years, with investments of 320 to 350 million euros," he told La 1ère. Never before has a region done that. "During the vote, only the Péyi Gwadloup group abstained. "There are many chapters in which the budget has been reduced," said Loïc Martol, an elected member of the group, who described the document adopted on March 31 as an "austerity budget".
Saint-Martin.
A new vehicle registration tax
At the Territorial Council meeting on March 26, the elected representatives of the Collectivité de Saint-Martin voted in favor of increasing the tax on vehicle registration certificates and introducing an eco-tax. In 2024, the Collectivité collected 944,000 euros from the issue of 3,656 new certificates, explains Le Pélican. Elected representatives estimate that the new eco-tax will enable it to double revenues, reports the newspaper, which adds: "From July 1, 2025, the rate per tax horse will rise from 36 to 50 euros. "The territorial councillors also abolished the advantage granted for the age of the vehicle.
