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Sint Maarten.
A 2.4 million euro loan to strengthen infrastructure
Earlier this week, Finance Minister Marinka J. Gumbs announced that Sint Maarten had been granted a 30.3 million Caribbean guilder (€14.3 million) investment loan (Capex). The funds were officially received on December 5 and will be used to finance priority projects aimed at strengthening infrastructure, improving public services and contributing to national development, the government states in an online publication. Although the approved budget for 2025 provides for a capital expenditure ceiling of 52 million Caribbean guilders (24.6 million euros), only 30.3 million Caribbean guilders have been obtained to date. This amount was determined on the basis of Sint Maarten's annual repayment capacity, interest rate standards and responsible long-term financial management. This approach guarantees sustainable and affordable financing for the country. The loan will be used, among other things, for the new prison project (4.93 million euros), the acquisition of land in Belvedere for a housing project (8.5 million) and computer equipment for public schools (213,359 euros).
St. Kitts and Nevis.
"Collapse" of the citizenship-by-investment program
The St. Kitts and Nevis Times published two articles, on December 16 and 17, on concerns about the fall in revenue generated by the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program. They averaged $600 million under the Tim Harris government, now plummeting to $120 million by 2025, their lowest level in more than a decade," notes the newspaper, which also reports that the CBI's revenues are expected to fall to $120 million by 2025.a decade", notes the newspaper, which refers to "a golden goose that continues to bleed" and "political errors that have wiped out a once model program". Between 2019 and 2023, the Times points out that revenues generated by the CBI program soared from $163 million to $229.4 million. These results were no accident," writes the Times. They were the result of rigorous management, strategic diplomacy, political stability and international confidence. "A credibility that has since been eroded. For the Times, the man responsible is none other than Prime Minister Terrance Drew. "As soon as he took office, he embarked on a very misguided public campaign, seen by many as an attempt to discredit his predecessor by publicly undermining the CBI program", writes the newspaper.
Antigua and Barbuda.
New visa agreements with Middle Eastern African countries
Foreign Minister E.P. Chet Greene told the 2026 budget debate that Antigua and Barbuda has just signed visa agreements with the United Arab Emirates, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and Benin. Caribbean National Weekly reports that the minister said the agreements are part of "a deliberate move to improve international mobility for Antiguans and Barbudans, while strengthening diplomatic and economic ties". According to Chet Greene, these new visa agreements are intended to facilitate citizens' travel abroad and foster closer engagement with key international partners. Although the Minister did not provide specific details on the terms of each agreement, he emphasized that they were intended to bring concrete benefits, not merely symbolic diplomatic gestures. Furthermore, Chet Greene referred to Japan as part of Antigua & Barbuda's broader diplomatic strategy, insisting that existing agreements with Tokyo remain in force, " even though no new visa agreements were announced during the budget debates," says CNW. He affirmed that the government continues to strengthen its long-standing relationship with Japan.
Haiti.
United gangs and a resilient city
An International Crisis Group report looks at the "Vivre ensemble" coalition formed by two powerful armed groups in Haiti, G9 + G-Pèp. "Long rivals but now allies", wrote RFI on December 16, which added: "A lasting understanding, according to the authors (of the report), which allows these gangs to coordinate their attacks and terrorize a large part of the country, further undermining any prospect of a return to security. "Interviewed by RFI, Diego da Rin, Haiti specialist at the International Crisis Group, explains that there are still tensions and rivalries between the two gangs, but that these are "evaporating". Diego da Rin tells RFI: "There is no exact data to really understand the magnitude of this group and their strike force. Estimates vary between 12,000 and 20,000 members, of whom 3,000 or 4,000 are said to be heavily armed. What's more, some of the gangs, with the collaboration of ex-members of the security forces, have begun to create elite units which they use for their most dangerous offensives.they use for their most ambitious offensives, when they try to take over territories, as they are doing on the Arcadins coast, or as they have been doing since the beginning of the year in the commune of Kenscoff. "
However, while Port-au-Prince, like other parts of the country, is living through another dark chapter in its history, one city seems to be managing to resist the chaos. It's Cap Haïtien. "Cap-Haïtien, historic cradle of the nation and artistic haven in full effervescence", writes the Géo website, which devoted an article to the city on Wednesday December 17. "Port-au-Prince and the surrounding area are the focus of unrest, but 200 kilometers away, the great city of the north, with its culture of resistance, remains stable, living in peace.Not least thanks to the presence of "refugee" artists who have fled the capital.
Cuba.
Communist Party congress postponed
In Cuba, the only authorized political party is the Communist Party. On Saturday December 13, at a plenary meeting of the Central Committee and on a proposal from former leader Raul Castro, 94, "who is now officially only deofficially no longer active since his departure as head of the CCP in 2021, but still retains a strong influence on Cuban politics", according to Associated Press, it was decided to postpone the 9th CCP congress. It was due to be held in April. This decision is linked to the economic crisis that the country has been experiencing for... five years. At the same time, for over a month now, a health crisis has added to the economic difficulties. An epidemic of dengue fever and chikungunya has already claimed the lives of almost fifty people.
Jamaica.
Homicide rate falls thanks to special operations zones
Jamaica has recorded a significant drop in violent crime, Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced to the House of Representatives on December 9. A total of 632 homicides were recorded as of December 8, "putting the country on track to record fewer than 700 homicides by the end of the year", said Andrew Holness in a speech reported by the Observer and Caribbean National Weekly. This figure represents 463 fewer homicides than at the same time in 2024, a reduction of 42.5%. The Prime Minister also reported that shootings were down 32%. These are figures that Jamaica hasn't seen in over thirty years," insists Andrew Holness, "and they are the direct result of sustained anti-gang operations, legislative reforms, coordination of the police, and the development of a new police force.This is the direct result of sustained anti-gang operations, legislative reforms, effective intelligence coordination and the rigorous application of the "clean up, hold, rebuild" strategy within the Special Operations Zones. The CNW points out that December 6 data show an overall reduction of 38% in homicides and 48% in shootings across all Special Operations Zones.
Saint-Martin.
Blue zone in Marigot and closure of the Beach Resort
In a press release issued on Tuesday December 16, the Collectivité de Saint-Martin announced the introduction of a "blue zone" parking scheme in Marigot. This scheme, which was tested in 2016, is due to make a comeback in the first quarter of 2026. Several zones will be concerned: rue de la République, boulevard Hubert Petit, boulevard de France (on the retail side only), rue du Général de Gaulle and rue du Président Kennedy. In its press release, the local authority states that it wishes to improve accessibility to the town center, ease parking congestion, enable "turnover" and enhance the attractiveness of shops during the day.
Another issue: the closure of the Saint-Martin Beach Resort, formerly known as Secrets, on December 15. Questioned by Le Pélican in an article published on December 12, a member of the resort's management cited "security reasons" to explain the indefinite closure. Three days later, according to the Soualiga Post, Saint-Martin Senator Annick Petrus announced that she had sent a letter to the Minister of Labor and Solidarity, Jean-Pierre Farandou, to alert him to the situation. "This closure affects 130 employees, who are currently in a worrying situation of social and professional uncertainty", writes the senator. She adds that, should the closure be confirmed, "the operating group would be required to respect all its legal obligations towards its employees.gard of employees, including, where applicable, the preparation of an employment protection plan (PSE), given the number of employees concerned".
Guadeloupe.
Former deputy Justine Bénin sexually assaulted
On Sunday December 14, between 6:30 and 7 a.m., while in the courtyard of the presbytery of Le Moule church, former Guadeloupe deJustine Bénin was sexually assaulted by a 44-year-old man. The man strangled his victim while lifting up her skirt. This brutal and sudden act was repeated on another woman. According to La 1ère, the assailant was quickly arrested by the gendarmes, after threatening them with a knife. A resident of the commune of Le Moule, the forty-something man was taken into police custody. While in custody, he was examined by a psychiatrist, who stated that the man was "absolutely responsible for his actions", Caroline Calbo, the public prosecutor in Pointe-à-Pitre, told La 1ère. In addition, the magistrate stated that the alleged perpetrator "will be tried for sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault on the second victim and aggravated sexual assault on the third victim".agression sexuelle aggravée sur la deuxième victime, puisqu'elle a une incapacité totale de travail de plus de huit jours, ainsi que pour des faits de rébellion". Justine Bénin held the position of Secretary of State for the Sea from May to July 2022, as well as that of Interministerial Coordinator against Violence against Women in Overseas France from June 2023 to January 2025. It was in this capacity that she made an official visit to Saint-Barthélemy in September 2023 (JSB 1533).
