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Dominican Republic.
Collapsed nightclub: $500 a month for victims' families
On the night of April 7-8 in Santo Domingo, 234 people who had come to feast in the Jet-Set establishment died after the roof of the discotheque collapsed. On Monday June 2, the director of the Superate social program, Gloria Reyes, declared that a monthly allowance of 30,000 pesos (around $509) would be paid to "eligible" relatives starting next week. She added that 205 families had already applied for financial assistance. An investigation into the tragedy is underway, and the families of the victims have filed more than 50 lawsuits against the owners of the nightclub, Caribbean National Weekly points out. The Dominican Republic has no laws requiring safety inspections for private buildings. After the disaster, President Luis Abinader told Dominican Today that the government would draft a bill making such inspections mandatory. According to a report by the National Institute of Forensic Sciences and the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, at least 19 foreign nationals are among the more than 230 people identified following the roof collapse. The report, drawn up in collaboration with the forensic police, the national police and the Central Electoral Council, confirmed that all the victims had been correctly identified and that their remains had been returned to their families for burial and repatriation. Among the foreign nationals who died were ten Venezuelans, three Dominican-Americans and two French nationals, as well as one person from Italy, Colombia, Costa Rica and Haiti. On the night of the tragedy, the Jet Set nightclub, a renowned venue in the Dominican capital, was packed with musicians, athletes, diplomats and government representatives when dust began to fall from the ceiling. Moments later, the roof collapsed.
Jamaica.
Voters on the rise and Port Royal named a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Jamaica's general elections are due to take place this December. Last week, an article in the Observer reported that the Jamaican Electoral Commission had announced that 24,461 new names had been added to the national electoral roll published on May 31. This update brings the total number of registered voters on the island to just over two million. For a total population of over 2.8 million. The Commission states that newly registered voters are now eligible to take part in forthcoming elections and referendums, once they have collected their voter's card. The deadline for registration is September 30.
Meanwhile, the Caribbean National Weekly reported the announcement made by Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture. The Minister declared that the Port-Royal site, a former pirate hideout turned archaeological treasure trove, had been selected by Unesco for World Heritage listing. The site would become Jamaica's second inscription on the World Heritage List, following the Blue Mountains and the John Crow Mountains, inscribed in 2015. Port Royal was once the most important commercial crossroads of the "New World", recalls Caribbean National Weekly, and had earned a notorious reputation as both the richest and most "wicked" city in the Western Hemisphere. This changed dramatically on June 7, 1692, when a devastating earthquake engulfed two-thirds of the city.
Barbados.
Mia Mottley announces candidacy for new term of office
In recent years, she has undoubtedly been one (if not THE) most influential political figure in the Caribbean. So it came as no surprise when Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, announced on May 24 that she was standing for re-election. Even though she had hinted a few months earlier that she might step down at the end of her term. However, 59-year-old Mia Mottley told her supporters that "national and international challenges as well as calls from citizens" had led her to reconsider her decision, as reported by Barbados Today. "In 2022, I told you that this would be my last participation," said Mia Mottley. I did it because I had just gone through six or seven months of real stress (referring to the death of her brother, Barbados Today points out). I realized that true leadership is never about comfort. It's about vocation, timing and service. "Mia Mottley, who made history in 2018 by becoming Barbados' first female prime minister, led her party to a second consecutive landslide victory in 2022. She is tipped as one of the leading candidates for the post of Secretary General of the United Nations, to be selected in 2026.
Saint-Martin.
Legal difficulties surrounding the construction of social housing
At the territorial council meeting on May 23, a social housing construction project raised a number of questions. An article in 97150, published on May 30, points out that the local authority does not have the necessary funds "to extend its land holdings in a relatively short space of time". Consequently, in 2024, it joined the Établissement Public Foncier de Guadeloupe (EFP), now called Terres Caraïbes, in order to carry out its projects. In May 2024, Terres Caraïbes acquired a 1.97-hectare plot of land in Cul-de-Sac, which is to be used for a 159-unit social housing program, under a joint real-estate lease or for first-time buyers, explains 97150, which continues: "However, although Terres Caraïbes has been accredited as a solidarity land office, it is unable to operate in the territory as part of a housing program under a solidarity lease. In fact, Saint-Martin is not subject to national regulations on real solidarity leases, and has its own Code de la construction et de l'habitat. In practical terms, Terres Caraïbes cannot carry the land for this type of housing. So we needed a sleight of hand to get these famous housing units off the ground. "
As a result, the plot of land has been handed over to Semsamar, "for its ability to intervene quickly", said Chairman Louis Mussington. For almost 1.9 million euros, which is roughly the same as the initial purchase price by Terres Caraïbes (1.73 million), notary fees (20,600 euros) and transfer taxes (138,320 euros). The program is being converted to social rental housing. During the debates, the issue of the Saint-Martin Construction and Housing Code was raised. In particular, elected representatives questioned the fact that it had not been amended since 2024 to include the national provision. "Why in this case mandate an establishment that cannot intervene? "asks 97150, referring to an intervention by Daniel Gibbs. The former deputy points out that this technical and legal problem may arise again in the coming months in similar situations. According to Louis Mussington, Saint-Martin needs 3,500 social housing units to meet the needs of the island's families.
Guadeloupe.
Investigation into destruction of protected species
An investigation has been opened in Guadeloupe for "destruction of habitat and protected species", the public prosecutor told Agence France Presse on Tuesday June 3. Agence France Presse, after the destruction of a coral reef. The investigation has been handed over to the Gendarmerie. An area of 300 m² of coral reef is reported to have been destroyed, reports La 1ère. The alert came from a local diving club, Eden Plongée, after a 62-metre luxury yacht, the Rio, flying the Maltese flag, was anchored, according to AFP. The imposing vessel dropped anchor in an area of Port-Louis known to be fragile, in the Grand Cul-de-Sac marin. There are "no ecological anchorages" in this area, according to the Guadeloupe National Park. "We saw the boat on a well-known diving spot," club manager Christophe Jouanolle told AFP. It was the following day that the divers were able to "see the massacre, (...) while walking around", he recounts. A video, recorded by the former manager, was posted on YouTube and shows corals of various types (gorgonians, brains, etc.) broken, ripped out or cut in half. The video's author denounces the yacht's alleged devastation. Other sources close to the case remain cautious about the responsibility of the yacht implicated by the divers, citing the absence of flagrante delicto, which is essential in this type of case, insists AFP. Nonetheless, the case has provoked considerable public indignation.
Bahamas.
Concerns over announced increase in US customs duties
The Bahamas government said on Wednesday May 28 that the 10% tariff proposed by the United States on goods and services exported by Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries "could potentially influence trade flows and visitor arrivals". In presenting the $3.89 billion budget to Parliament, Prime Minister Phillip Davis emphasized the close economic ties between the Bahamas and the United States. "The United States remains the Bahamas' largest trading partner, accounting for approximately 83.3% of our total imports in 2024, estimated at five billion dollars," he said. What's more, 84% of tourists come from the United States. Yet, as the Nassau Guardian reminds us, while the Bahamas' close relationship with Washington has brought many benefits, it also exposes the country to US economic uncertainties.
Antigua and Barbuda.
Opening of an embassy in the United Arab Emirates
Last Wednesday, Antigua and Barbuda officially inaugurated its embassy in the United Arab Emirates. "A crucial step in the Caribbean country's efforts to strengthen its diplomatic and economic engagement in the Gulf and beyond," writes Caribbean National Weekly. At the inauguration, Foreign Minister Chet Greene praised the UAE's achievements in sustainable development, innovation and diplomacy. He also described the Gulf state as a model for nations like Antigua and Barbuda: "It is this spirit of ambition and resilience that we admire and strive to emulate. "
Virgin Islands (US).
$400,000 worth of equipment stolen from construction site
A company contracted to demolish the Charles Harwood Memorial Hospital on St. Croix has reported the theft of heavy equipment worth over $400,000, reports the Virgin Islands Consortium. The equipment, shipped from St. Thomas for the project, was stolen twice from a property located on land leased by the WAPA (Water and power authority), near the container port of the Virgin Islands Port Authority. According to Marian Prescod, a company representative interviewed by the Consortium, the first theft took place in March and involved a dump truck, a tractor head and two low-bed trailers. "To date, they haven't recovered it," said the executive. A second incident took place more recently. This time, thieves targeted a red Freightliner dump truck and another tractor. The ignition wires had been cut, indicating an attempt to start the vehicles, says the Consortium. Despite the failed attempt, the thieves managed to remove and take the batteries. "I suspect they took the batteries to recharge them and come back to finish what they'd started," explained Marian Prescod. An investigation has been launched, but the thieves are still at large.
