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Jamaica.
Nearly 95% of homes poorly insured
The hurricane season officially opened at the beginning of June. This is the moment the Insurance Association of Jamaica (IAJ) has chosen to sound the alarm, as it estimates that 95% of insured residential properties in Jamaica are underinsured, report the Observer and Caribbean National Weekly. A situation that exposes thousands of homeowners to financial risk. Based on this "alarming" figure, a new public awareness campaign has been launched by the IAJ under the slogan: "Real value. Real coverage". Designed to reach Jamaicans both locally and internationally, the initiative urges homeowners to urgently reassess their insurance cover before storms, fires or floods strike, the Observer points out. The message follows the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl, which devastated parts of southern and central Jamaica in 2024. The Category 4 hurricane destroyed homes, leveled crops and caused widespread power outages. "Every year, we see the same phenomenon: policyholders insure their homes or business premises based on outdated values, never revaluing them," said Rosemarie Henry, president of the IAJ. When a hurricane hits, insurance payouts are far from sufficient to rebuild or repair," she added. This shortfall can devastate lives. "Currently, only about 20% of Jamaican residential property is insured, and even among these, the vast majority does not reach the actual replacement cost. The IAJ points to past disasters, such as Hurricanes Gilbert in 1988 and Ivan in 2004, which revealed the extent and damaging consequences of underinsurance. At the root of the problem lies a common misconception: once insured, a property remains adequately protected. However, with inflation, rising construction costs and rising property values, outdated insurance policies can quickly become worthless in a crisis. Imagine taking out insurance ten years ago, never updating the value, and now your roof is blown off by a category four hurricane," explains Rosemarie Henry. The compensation won't cover half the cost of rebuilding. That's the reality for too many Jamaicans. "
Saint-Martin.
300 tons of tires go up in smoke
A major fire broke out on Sunday July 13 at the Verde waste processing site in Grandes Cayes. The fire required the intervention of the fire department from 10 a.m. and for most of the day. Nearly 300 tonnes of tires stored at the dump burned, releasing toxic fumes. Nevertheless, as the Soualiga Post points out, the absence of housing in the vicinity of the site meant that there was no need to set up an operation other than to bring the fire under control. However, as a first precautionary measure, the prefecture asked the population of the Anse Marcel area to restrict their outings. Yesterday, Wednesday July 16, no further information was published on the origin of the fire.
Bonaire.
JetBlue deal could cost $12 million
According to the Daily Herald (article published on July 15), the Tourism Corporation of Bonaire (TCB) is coming under increased scrutiny following the revelation of financial commitments made by the organization to airlines to attract new destinations to the island. This, without having first obtained the necessary financing. "According to reports", writes the Daily Herald, TCB entered into major agreements in 2023 with several carriers, offering to compensate for any underperformance in passenger revenues. Operating under the direct authority of the state-owned Bonaire OLB, any financial fallout from these agreements ultimately falls to the government. The most costly case concerns the American low-cost airline JetBlue. Bonaire currently owes $4.1 million for this deal alone, while projections suggest that the damage could reach $12.3 million over the course of this year and next. Bonaire's Executive Council is reportedly currently attempting to negotiate an early termination of the agreement with JetBlue in order to avoid paying the remaining $8.2 million, reports the Daily Herald. "While it's not uncommon for destinations with many vacant hotel rooms to lure airlines with "seat guarantees"the financial risk involved makes this method controversial, especially when such promises are made without budgetary control or legislative approval," the article's author points out. JetBlue currently operates two round-trip flights a week between New York and Flamingo Airport, with fares starting at $198, around half the price of competing airlines.
Saint-Eustache.
First financial audit approved since 2010
For the first time since becoming a full municipality of the Netherlands in 2010, the island has received an approved audit opinion on its annual financial statements, reports the Daily Herald in an article dated July 15. The external auditor has officially confirmed the accuracy and regularity of the 2024 financial statements. The St. Eustatius government has reached an important milestone in its financial management, the author assures us. "This success is the result of hard work over the past two years to strengthen the island's financial systems," the government said in a press release on Friday, July 11. In 2023, with the support of the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, the government of St. Eustatius launched a project to improve the management and control of public finances. To carry out this work, a steering group and a working group were set up on June 5, 2023, and the international accounting firm Ernst and Young (EY) was asked to provide expert advice. June 2023 was also the month in which the Island Council regained the authority to manage its own budget. This authority had been withdrawn in 2018 during an administrative intervention by the Dutch government, following a report denouncing gross negligence on the part of local officials.
Dominican Republic.
Recovery of 107 million lost to corruption
President Luis Abinader announced on Monday July 14 that the Dominican government has recovered more than 6.5 billion Dominican pesos (around $107 million), allegedly misappropriated by corruption under previous administrations, explains Dominican Today (article published July 15). According to Luis Abinader, 3.5 billion Dominican pesos (almost $58 million) have been recovered through agreements and legal proceedings, while a further 3 billion ($49.6 million) came from transactions linked to corruption in the energy sector. He stressed that these efforts not only ease the pressure on public finances, but also help to restore public confidence and improve the country's image in the fight against corruption, writes Dominican Today. The president acknowledged that the recovery process has met with internal resistance, notably from some current government officials, the daily continues. Luis Abinader also revealed that additional funds are currently being sought as part of ongoing legal proceedings, without however disclosing precise figures.
Saba.
After 17 years, the departure of Governor Johnson
Jonathan Johnson, who has held the post of Gezaghebber (island governor) of Saba since 2007, announced in early July that he would not seek reappointment at the end of his current term, which ends next year. This decision marks the end of a historic 17-year mandate - the longest in the island's history - after two renewals, says Saba News, which precises that on the 17th anniversary of his appointment, Jonathan Johnson said, quoting the Bible and, specifically, Ecclesiastes chapter 3: "There is a time for everything. In letters addressed to King Willem-Alexander, the Secretary of State for Kingdom Relations, the Acting Representative of the Kingdom, and the Insular and Executive Councils of Saba, the Governor of Saba, Jonathan Johnson, said: "There is a time for everything.cutive Councils of Saba, the Governor expressed his deep gratitude for the privilege of serving the island community for nearly two decades. Looking back on his tenure, Johnson hailed the milestones of his career, both personally and professionally, from starting a family to losing his parents in 2019 and 2021. Despite his imminent departure, he reaffirmed his commitment to serving Saba's interests in his final year. "I have been extremely fortunate to have the support of my family, friends and the entire Saba community," he wrote. I thank you all and look forward to what we can accomplish together. "With Johnson's departure confirmed, attention is now turning to the succession of Saba's next governor. Several voices are calling for Jonathan Johnson's successor to be a native of Saba.
Guadeloupe.
109 riders and 722 kilometers of racing for the 47th Tour de Marie-Galante
The 47th edition of the Tour cycliste de Marie-Galante got underway on Wednesday July 16. The starting commune was Saint-Louis de Marie-Galante, also known as Aulignan in the Amerindian language. The prologue ended in Petit-Bourg. For the local population, particularly through articles in La 1ère and France-Antilles, the sporting event is an opportunity to immerse themselves in the island's history. Saint-Louis neighborhoods such as Grelin, Mayombé, Ménard, Moustique, Pélisson and Vieux-Fort are brimming with history," writes La 1ère. Sharing with Capesterre the largest cave in the Lesser Antilles, Trou à Diable, this commune has witnessed many eras. Initially inhabited by Arawaks and Caribs, it saw the arrival of the first French settlers in 1648, who built a fort at Anse Bambou. Although this fort was destroyed five years later by the Caribs, European colonization eventually took hold. In 1843, an earthquake devastated Vieux-Fort, prompting the inhabitants to move the center of the commune to Saint-Louis Bay. By the end of the 19th century, sugar cane had overtaken coffee and cotton, and Saint-Louis was home to as many as 25 sugar mills, a testament to its agricultural boom. "The 109 riders taking part in the race will have to cover 722 kilometers before crossing the finish line on Sunday, July 20. A 110th runner was registered at the start: Nicolas Dumont, fatally struck by a truck on July 10 in Arnouville (Petit-Bourg).
