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Martinique
Two injured at the seaport when a new-generation gantry crane collapses
One of the new-generation gantry cranes installed since May on the quay of the Pointe des Grives container terminal in the seaport of Fort-de-France collapsed on Thursday September 18. A spectacular accident that left two people slightly injured (technicians in operation), report several news media. "An exceptional situation has just occurred," explained Bruno Mencé, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Grand Port Maritime de la Martinique, in the columns of Le Marin (Ouest France). "The fall of a gantry crane is not at all common. This equipment is designed to withstand winds of 250 km/h", he added. The collapse of the 1.600-ton structure "mobilized major rescue resources and led to the setting up of a psychological support unit for port staff", reports the Mer et Marine website, which points out in its article published on September 22 that the two new gantry cranes, "of Chinese origin", were built in nine months by Dinson Industries Corporation. "At the time of the accident, an agent was working in the cabin at a height of around 30 meters, explains the Mer et Marine article. He was extracted by the emergency services, while a colleague, trapped in a container, was treated for chest pains. Both men were taken to hospital for examination; no other casualties were reported among the twenty or so people on site. "As explained in a previous article published in JSB last May, the new gantry cranes were ordered to reinforce the container port's facilities, where three old gantry cranes have been in operation since the late 1990s. More than 150,000 containers are handled annually at the terminal.
Saint-Vincent-et-les-Grenadines
Twenty million to develop tourist sites
The government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has announced a "historic" investment of $20 million over the next four years, reports Caribbean National Weekly. The aim is to modernize existing attractions and develop new tourist sites across the country. The initiative was unveiled by Tourism Minister Carlos James at the annual State of the Tourism Sector Address and Stakeholders' Conference on September 15. It aims to "improve the visitor experience while supporting local communities and entrepreneurs", said the Minister. Camillo Gonsalves, the Finance Minister, emphasized the plan's wider economic impact, describing tourism as a key driver of national growth. "The $20 million allocated to site upgrades and new developments is not limited to building infrastructure, but is also aimed at creating jobs, stimulating local businesses and ensuring that tourism benefits all Vincentians," he insisted. The Caribbean National Weekly points out that the government has stressed that the renovations should extend the length of stay for visitors, broaden the country's tourism offering and open up new opportunities for local businesses.
Jamaica
Third straight term for Andrew Holness
On Tuesday, September 16, Andrew Holness was sworn in for his fourth term as Prime Minister of Jamaica, the third in a row (October 23, 2011 to January 5, 2012, elected March 3, 2016, 2020 and 2025). He becomes the ninth prime minister since Jamaica's independence in 1962. The investiture ceremony was held at King's House and presided over by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen. On September 3, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) won the general election with 35 seats against 28 for the People's National Party (PNP). While the PNP leader, former Prime Minister Mark Golding, congratulated the winner and underlined "the maturity of the electoral process in Jamaica", the ballot was nevertheless shunned by a large proportion of the electorate. Indeed, the electoral commission reported a turnout of just 39.5%.
Antigua and Barbuda
Crime down 14.6
According to a press release from the Attorney General of Antigua and Barbuda, reported by T&T Newsday, the crime rate has fallen since the beginning of the year. According to the Attorney General's document, between January 1 and August 31, it fell by 14.6%. A total of 2,163 offences were recorded in 2025, compared with 2,533 in 2024, a decrease of 370 cases. Newsday points out that "significant decreases were seen for burglary (600 in 2024 vs. 487 in 2025), 'simple' theft (771 vs. 659), intentional damage (367 vs. 288) and illicit sexual intercourse (16 vs. 8)". However, some offences have increased. In particular, the article cites aggravated theft (27 in 2024 versus 40 in 2025), attempted theft (7 versus 12) and "sacrilege" (17 versus 24). On the other hand, the total number of thefts has fallen from 103 to 72. Crimes against tourists are also down, with 23 incidents reported between January and August 2025, compared with 44 for the same period in 2024.
Sint Maarten/Saint-Martin
The threat of independent rentals to hotels
The Daily Herald looked at an analysis carried out by the St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) in partnership with data company Lighthouse. According to it, "independent vacation rentals (IVRs) have probably overtaken hotels as the dominant driver of the island's hotel sector", writes the Herald. Thus, the figures suggest that short-term rentals may now contribute more to the island's economy than traditional hotels, timeshares and guesthouses. The study shows that the island now has more than 5,100 active vacation rentals listed on platforms such as Airbnb, VRBO and Booking.com. "This figure equals, if not exceeds, the 3,568 hotel, timeshare and guesthouse rooms listed on the Dutch side alone," the Herald points out. In addition, out of a total annual turnover of 319 million dollars, around 37% (around 117 million) was generated on the Dutch side, for 63% on the French side (202 million).
Saint-Martin
Fighting the high cost of living: a first meeting for the price observatory
An observatory of prices, margins and incomes has been set up in Saint-Martin, with the aim of encouraging reflection and action to combat the high cost of living. Its members met for the first time on September 17. The Soualiga Post sums up the aim of this first meeting: "To launch negotiations on the Price Quality Shield, by broadening exchanges to include new partners: banks, insurance companies, telecoms operators, but also the departmental confederation of the family union. "Our confrères write in the article published on September 22: "This meeting took place in the context of the latest Inter-ministerial Committee for Overseas France (CIOM), held on July 10, which made the fight against the high cost of living a national priority. The meeting provided an initial overview of supply chains, operators' constraints and consumers' needs. "
Dominican Republic
Between cyberattack and sargassum invasion
On September 20, the Ministry of Defense reported that its cybersecurity systems had detected a massive attempt to disrupt the portals "mide.gob.do" and "c5iffaa.gob.do" via "a high volume of automated traffic". The attack was aimed at overloading the infrastructure, limiting access for legitimate users and detecting system vulnerabilities, Dominican Today reported in an article published on Monday September 22. Although both sites experienced a spike in traffic and temporary latency, no faults or compromises were reported, the ministry assures. Normal operation was restored the same day, and service availability was maintained. "Authorities have confirmed that the incident was aimed at exhausting resources and testing fraudulent access routes, rather than infiltrating systems," writes Dominican Today.
At the same time, according to the same news site and El Nuevo Diaro, many citizens supported by environmental associations are expressing their frustration and concern about the massive invasion of sargassum. "They are calling for a more effective government response to protect tourism, fishing and biodiversity", writes Dominican Today. The article notes that images posted on social networks show Boca Chica and other coastal areas covered in seaweed, browning the once crystal-clear waters and threatening local livelihoods. "Authorities have promised coordinated action, but clean-up efforts remain limited, with insufficient sea barriers, inadequate crews and sargassum harvesting plans that have yet to be the news site points out, adding that this situation "contrasts with that of other Caribbean countries that have adopted more aggressive measures, underlining the lack of a comprehensive strategy in the Dominican Republic". Environmentalists and tourism stakeholders warn that continued inaction could damage the international reputation of popular destinations such as Punta Cana, Bayahibe and Samaná.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
A protest march against the government's land policy
A "large-scale" protest march is scheduled for this Friday, September 26, in the streets of Basseterre, announces an article in the St. Kitts-Nevis Times. The demonstration is orchestrated by Regiwell Francis, owner of St. Kitts Marine Works (SKMW). Regiwell Francis, owner of St. Kitts Marine Works (SKMW), has for many months been voicing strong criticism, along with other citizens, of the current administration for "favoring foreign developers over local businesses". The Times explains: "At the heart of the storm is Francis' claim that the government owes SKMW more than EC$10 million (US$3.7 million) in unpaid ss for completed work, while simultaneously threatening its eviction from SKMW's New Guinea shipyard lands, which it has developed and operated for over 21 years. "According to Regiwell Francis, the government is attempting to transfer ownership of New Guinea to foreign developers from Nigeria who plan to build a wharf and jetty for commercial purposes. "The dispute over SKMW has rekindled public outrage at what many see as a government culture of betrayal, where foreign developers are systematically favored at the expense of locals," writes the Times, which lists examples. Land concessions in Christophe Harbour that have "marginalized local players", beach bar demolitions in Friars Bay that have " crowded out local residents for foreign-funded projects", the controversial Ritz-Carlton development that " favored foreign interests over locals", or the "scandal" of the private town of Nevis SEZ which has " ceded huge tracts of land to foreigners, leaving Nevisians deeply disturbed".
Saba
Firefighter shot dead
A local firefighter was killed in a shooting on Friday, September 12. "The victim is Sheldon Johnson, who would have celebrated his 33rd birthday on Monday, September 14," writes Saba News, which adds: "According to the Caribbean Netherlands Police (KPCN), the victim was shot in the village of Hell's Gate and was taken to hospital by ambulance. He was pronounced dead shortly afterwards. "Two men were arrested during the night of the incident. They were quickly transferred to Bonaire for detention. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the murder is underway. According to Saba News, the previous homicide recorded on the island dates back to 2015 ("A case of strangulation", the article states), while the last fatal shooting dates back to 1989.
