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Guadeloupe.
Psychiatrist killed by patient
On the morning of Monday December 1, Dr. Jean-Michel Gal, a 67-year-old psychiatrist, was fatally stabbed by a 48-year-old man. The stabbing took place at the Gosier medical-psychological center (CMP) in Guadeloupe, where the victim was giving consultations. Caroline Calbo, Public Prosecutor in Pointe-à-Pitre, held a press conference on Tuesday December 2 to provide further details of the events. In particular, she indicated that the presumed killer was arrested by the police at the scene, shortly after carrying out his act. It was at around 11 a.m., after his own consultation and following a nurse's request to leave the center, that the man pulled out a knife and fatally struck Dr. Gal several times. The prosecutor stated that the psychiatrist was hit "in the heart and several organs", as reported by RCI. Despite the rapid intervention of the medical staff on site, and then of the ambulance service, the practitioner could not be saved. The presumed killer has admitted the facts. He explained his act by his anger against psychiatry. The 40-year-old has never been convicted, reports RCI, which points out in its December 2 article that he had already been the subject of proceedings in 2021 for carrying a knife. Nevertheless, he was declared criminally irresponsible and placed in psychiatric care. The prosecutor stated that the man was a known patient of the CMP and that he had not, until then, posed any problems during his treatment. A judicial investigation has been opened into the murder of the man, because, as RCI points out with reference to the prosecutor's statements, premeditation has been ruled out. The investigation is expected to raise the question of the patient's criminal responsibility. The 40-year-old has been remanded in custody. Following the news of Dr. Gal's death, Martinique's health professionals' unions expressed their concern about a psychiatric sector undermined by a lack of resources and increasingly frequent acts of violence.
Jamaica.
6.7 billion in international aid
In a joint press release issued on Monday December 1, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank announced a three-year, $6.7 billion aid package for the Jamaican government. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and regional development banks in the Caribbean and Latin America have joined forces to help Jamaica recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. The initiative combines emergency financing, sovereign loans, grants and private sector investment to support a sustainable and financially responsible recovery. Jamaica's Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, is scheduled to meet with representatives of international financial institutions to discuss implementation modalities. Caribbean National Weekly reports that Jamaica's existing disaster risk financing facility has already enabled a rapid response, giving the government access to US$662 million in immediate funds. This includes $37 million from national reserve funds, $91 million from the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF), $150 million from the World Bank's Catastrophe Bond, $150 million from the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) and $150 million from the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF).World Bank Catastrophe Bond, $300 million from the IDB Emergency Credit Facility and $42 million (up to $84 million) from the World Bank Disaster Deferred Drawdown Option. The damage and material consequences of Melissa have been estimated at $8.8 billion.
Saint Lucia.
Philip J. Pierre retains his post as Prime Minister
Voters in Saint Lucia were expected to go to the polls on Monday, December 1, for the general elections. The election resulted in a clear victory for the incumbent Labour Party. With 55.77% of the vote (48,784 votes), Labour took 14 of the 17 seats in Parliament, one more than in the previous election in 2021. Philip J. Pierre, who was Prime Minister last term, will remain in office for a further five years. While former Prime Minister Allen Chastenet managed to retain his seat in parliament, it was the one and only seat won by his party (United worker party), which won only 37.20% of the vote. The last two seats will be filled by representatives of independent parties. There is room for the opposition in parliament," declared Philip J. Pierre during his speech. We will work together. "Saint Lucia is divided into 17 constituencies, and 180,000 voters were registered for the general elections. 44 candidates, including eight independents, stood for election.
Cuba.
Dengue, chikungunya, zika, a health crisis that has become "uncontrollable"
Cross-epidemics of dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika and Oropouche fever are affecting a large part of the Cuban population, reports Le Figaro in a report published on December 2. "The health structures, with their constant shortage of medicines, are unable to halt the spread of the diseases", says the journalist in Cuba. Agence France Presse confirms the scale of the epidemic, revealing that 33 deaths have been recorded in recent weeks, including 21 children and teenagers. "Up to Sunday, a total of 33 deaths due to arbovirosis had been recorded," confirmed Carilda Peña, Cuba's deputy health minister, on Cuban television. The chikungunya epidemic began in July in the western province of Matanzas, close to Havana. Within a few months, it spread to all 15 of the island's provinces, where dengue fever is also rife. According to Carilda Peña, the number of chikungunya cases on the island has fallen compared with the previous two weeks, as has the number of patients in serious or critical condition. However, the deputy minister pointed out that almost 9.7 million inhabitants are still affected by the epidemic. The epidemic has become uncontrollable, writes AFP, relayed in particular by RCI, notably due to the heaps of garbage accumulated in the streets, and the stagnant water stored in cisterns on houses to compensate for the lack of running water. A problem that has affected up to three million Cubans this year, according to the Cuban government.
Saint-Martin.
Draft regulations to put an end to beach conflicts
At the territorial council meeting held on Sunday November 30, the elected representatives of Saint-Martin discussed a draft regulation governing swimming and water sports activities in the 300-meter coastal strip. The text is intended to put an end to recurring conflicts between swimmers and watercraft users. Let's face it, the safety of bathers is more than uncertain on some beaches," writes our colleague from 97150. So much so that last March, La Samanna in Baie Longue and the Grand Case Beach Club in Petite Plage reported to the Collectivité conflicts of use on the beaches bordering their hotels. "Numerous activities have been identified in the 300-metre coastal strip, some of which are not compatible with each other," points out 97150. The project presented to elected representatives by Alan Le Bout-Ayassami of the Collectivité's blue economy department aims to regulate these excesses, and initially concerns only the Baie Longue and Petite Plage beaches, with Friar's Bay on stand-by. The project includes a no-motorized zone at Baie Longue and Petite Plage. The beach at Friar's Bay will be changed from a bathing area to a no-swimming zone, with a channel for the sailing club, explains 97150. Metimer, the yachting association, the tourist club and the local councils were consulted to establish these markings. Of the three proposed improvements, two will be 100% paid for by the hotels concerned, namely La Samanna and Grand Case Beach Club.
Dominican Republic.
Nearly 10.3 million tourists expected by 2025
Tourism Minister David Collado has announced that the Dominican Republic welcomed 10.284 million visitors by November 30, 2025, reports Dominican Today. This represents a 52% increase on 2019 (6.7 million tourists). This growth was recorded despite the loss of around 600,000 annual visitors from Russia and Ukraine, due to the ongoing conflict. The sector also posted a 13% increase on 2023 and a 3.1% increase on 2024, with hotels in the east of the country and in large parts of the territory fully booked from December to April. Tourism is expected to close the year with 11.7 million visitors and more than $12 billion in foreign currency earnings, said the Minister. From January to November, the number of arrivals by air exceeded 7.8 million passengers, while the number of cruise passengers approached 2.4 million. Over 6.5 million of these visitors were foreigners, and almost 1.3 million were Dominicans holding international passports. This record-breaking success has generated over 800,000 jobs in the tourism, agriculture and trade sectors, contributing $16.781 billion to GDP and DR 73.6 billion to public spending on essential services such as education, health and infrastructure.
Sint Maarten/Saint-Kitts/Saba/Statia.
"Four Islands, One Escape".
Sint Maarten, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saba and St. Eustatius (Statia) have joined forces to launch a new multi-destination tourism initiative. The program has been named "Four Islands, One Escape". The aim is to enable travelers to move more seamlessly between the five islands. The program was officially launched on Friday October 31 at the Sint Maarten Tourist Office. "This initiative proves what can be achieved when we transcend borders," representatives of the various tourist offices told the Daily Herald. "By working together as one Caribbean family, we are not only enhancing the visitor experience, but also strengthening the ties that bind our islands together. "Piloted by six tourism boards, the initiative is supported by the Makana ferry company and the participation of public and private sector partners, including accommodation, tour operators and booking platforms. Participating establishments include Koi Resort, Marriott St. Kitts, Golden Rock Inn (Nevis), Cottage Club (Saba), Cattleya Flor Hotel (Statia), Alicia's Inn and Hotel La Plantation (Sint Maarten).
Haiti.
Elections in 2026?
Haiti seems to have moved a step closer to presidential elections on Monday December 1, following the adoption of an electoral law by the transitional authorities. The law is intended to kick-start the process of democratic restoration in a country ravaged by gang wars. The electoral framework was approved at a meeting of the nine-member Transitional Presidential Council and an enlarged Council of Ministers. This body, created in April 2024 to fill a prolonged political vacuum, manages Haiti's civic and security agenda in the run-up to elections that could take place in February 2026. Haiti has not seen a presidential election since 2016, when Jovenel Moïse won the national poll against 26 other candidates. The president was assassinated at his home in July 2021.
