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Puerto Rico
US releases $365 million to address energy crisis
According to the San Juan Star, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced last Wednesday (October 1) that it would reallocate up to $365 million to address the power grid crisis in Puerto Rico. The aim is to provide affordable, reliable energy to the island's 3.2 million inhabitants. The funds will be used for necessary repairs and emergency measures to reinforce the stability of the grid and strengthen essential infrastructure. The announcement came just days after another power failure that left over 150,000 residents without electricity for almost four hours. "Puerto Rico's power grid has suffered from years of deferred maintenance, mismanagement and disastrous storms, exposing families and businesses to the risk of power outages.vast, exposing families and businesses to frequent outages and higher costs," writes the Star. "Puerto Ricans have endured an unstable power grid for too long, with outages and inflated costs," said Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
Sint Maarten
A brand-new hospital comes out of the ground
The Daily Herald devoted an article to the progress of work on Sint Maarten's new general hospital. The article reports on a speech by Veronica Jansen-Webster, Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), to the Members of Parliament. The Minister indicated that the main building should be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2026. Once this milestone has been reached, Veronica Jansen-Webster explains that the hospital will move from the old premises to the new ones. The old premises will then be demolished. "Everything should be ready by the end of 2026," she assures us. The Daily Herald reports that the Minister stated that, as far as the main building is concerned, the basement, including the water tanks and seismic isolators for earthquake protection, has been completed. As for the first floor, it is around 50% ready and should be completed by the end of October. Furthermore, Veronica Jansen-Webster assures us that there have been no "significant" additional costs since the project was modified in July 2023.
Trinidad and Tobago
Tornado ravages neighborhoods west of Port-of-Spain
A rare and devastating tornado struck residential neighborhoods west of Port of Spain on Tuesday, October 7, leaving behind a wake of destruction in Westmoorings, Victoria Gardens and parts of Chaguaramas, reports Caribbean National Weekly. The tornado touched down at around 11:55 local time. It damaged homes, uprooted trees and ripped off roofs. While no deaths or injuries were reported, residents described scenes of chaos, with high winds hurling debris and power lines swinging violently. Initial assessments suggest that the event corresponds to a tornado of low to moderate strength, although the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service has yet to confirm the official classification.
Bonaire
Global warming: residents take the Netherlands to court
An article in Agence France-Presse, relayed by La 1ère, reports on the legal action taken against the Netherlands by part of the population of Bonaire. At a trial which opened on Tuesday October 7 in The Hague, the residents of Bonaire, supported by Greenpeace, are seeking to force the Dutch government to accept its responsibility for the effects of climate change. This is the first legal action of its kind in Europe, as 1st points out, "since the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion last July, giving its legal interpretation of international climate law". It concluded that states that violate their climate obligations are committing an "unlawful" act, and can claim reparations from the countries most affected. According to the Greenpeace website, Bonaire is one of the Dutch municipalities most affected by the climate crisis, notes the 1st. What's more, a study by the Free University of Amsterdam estimates that the south of the island could be permanently submerged by the end of the century. "This climate change is not a distant threat for us," Onnie Emerenciana, a Bonaire farmer, told the four judges. Where we once worked, played, walked or fished during the day, the heat is now often unbearable," he explains. Parents tell us that their children can no longer walk to school as they used to... Outdoor games have been replaced by indoor activities behind closed doors. "The trial was due to end on Wednesday, October 8.
Virgin Islands
Yachting: relocations threaten the economy
An article in the Virgin Islands Consortium published on October 3 looks at the relocation of several yacht charter companies from the US Virgin Islands to the British Virgin Islands in recent months. This development poses a threat to the economy of the US Virgin Islands. According to the Bureau of Economic Research (BRE), quoted by the Consortium, the yacht charter sector generated nearly $92 million and 800 jobs for the US Virgin Islands in 2024. At a maritime workforce development summit held on St. Thomas, Kennon Jones, executive director of the V.I. Professional Charter Association, said that "the increased rates and licensing system introduced by the British Virgin Islands this year" was responsible for the exodus of charter boats. "I think we're here in America's paradise," said Dr. Safiya George, president of the University of the Virgin Islands. "This is a great industry that attracts many people at all levels," she added. She suggested that the Virgin Islands should be given the opportunity to strengthen its maritime industry and "take the lead" by stepping up training for captains, marine engineers, ship mechanics, etc., she said. A view shared by all summit participants. Like Joseph Cranston, maritime manager of the Virgin Islands Port Authority, who believes that the local maritime sector is facing "a revitalization process".
Caricom
Four Caribbean countries open their borders
Since Wednesday October 1, nationals of Barbados, Belize, Dominica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have enjoyed total freedom of movement and settlement within the 4 nations. This pact has been ratified by the Community of Caribbean States (Caricom). Until now, freedom of movement within Caricom was largely linked to economic objectives, in particular access for skilled workers to employment without work permits, says Caribbean National Weekly. Nationals traveling outside these conditions were generally allowed to stay in other member states for up to six months, without the right to work. The new agreement lifts these restrictions between the four signatory countries, paving the way for relocation for leisure and family life. The agreement was made possible by a March 2022 Caricom protocol that allows three or more member states to deepen their cooperation without requiring unanimous support. Jamaica has committed to joining the initiative, but has not set a timetable. CNW points out that a similar agreement already exists within the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), which includes Dominica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. However, this is the first time that Belize and Barbados have taken part in such a free movement system. Nationals of the four countries can now work, set up a business, access education, healthcare and social services, and settle down with their families for an indefinite stay, without having to go through complex administrative procedures.
Saint-Martin
14,000 tons of sargassum collected between February and September
The first meeting of the Copil (sargasse steering committee) was held on Thursday October 2 at the prefecture. "Under the leadership of Fabrice Thibier, Secretary General, Marie-Hildegarde Chauveau, Cabinet Director and Sub-Prefect, Bernadette Davis, 2nd VicePresident of the Collectivité, and in the presence of the Collectivité's technical staff, the Copil met to discuss the issue of sargasse.sence of technicians from the Collectivité and the State, the CCISM, the CESC, the nature reserve and the anti-sargasso collective", explains our sister from 97150 in an article published on October 6. She explains that in 2025, 14,000 tonnes of seaweed were collected between February and September, including 5,470 tonnes in July alone. This unprecedented volume is set to rise to 18,000 tonnes by the end of the year. As for their treatment, they are simply buried at the Grandes Cayes eco-site. This explosion in strandings has a cost, writes 97150. 4.4 million euros spent this year, compared with 700,000 euros in 2022. The funding is shared equally between the Collectivité and the State, but is deemed insufficient by Bernadette Davis: "We can no longer shoulder the burden alone. If the phenomenon grows, we'll need a global response. "97150 also notes that since a Copil was held on the subject in 2022, the implementation of a concrete solution has been slow. However, after two years of feasibility studies, the relevance of a diversion dam system has been confirmed. Le 97150 reports that a contract worth one million euros has just been signed.
Guadeloupe
Conviction for the driver who killed firefighter Wilfrid Bélizaire
On October 5, 2024, at around 6 p.m., professional firefighter Wilfrid Bélizaire, also a triathlete, was fatally struck by a motorist while training on his bike. A few months earlier, the 34-year-old triathlete had taken part in the sixth Swimrun de Saint-Barthélemy. He finished in second place with Alexis Wozniak. On Tuesday October 7, France-Antilles reported that the motorist who fatally mowed down Wilfrid Bélizaire (before fleeing at the wheel of his vehicle) was sentenced to one year's imprisonment for manslaughter. The sentence will be commuted, and the defendant will serve the remainder of his sentence under electronic monitoring. During the hearing, France-Antilles wrote that the defendant, aged 34 like his victim, initially explained that he thought he had " hit a shopping cart", before stating that he thought he had been the victim of an attempted "car jacking". The daily adds: "The investigation will show that he was driving a Fiat Punto in very poor condition, with no roadworthiness test and therefore no insurance. Worse still, between 6.06pm and 6.17pm, he was constantly on the phone. On the stand, he tried to justify himself, saying that every time he made a phone call, he was stopped. "In the end, the defendant admitted to all the charges against him.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Islands join regional agricultural economic insurance program
The government of St. Kitts and Nevis has welcomed the integration of the two-island federation into the regional agricultural economic insurance program developed by Lynch Caribbean Brokers Ltd, based in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The announcement was made at the 19th edition of Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA 2025), held recently in St. Kitts. Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources Samal Duggins described the initiative as "a key pillar of national resilience and regional innovation". Unlike traditional insurance systems that rely on individual loss assessments, explains Caribbean National Weekly, the program uses advanced index data and satellite monitoring to trigger compensation payments as soon as predefined thresholds are reached or exceeded. Coverage extends to crops, livestock and fisheries, offering comprehensive protection to producers throughout the Federation.
