Français
St. Kitts and Nevis.
Cryptomillionaire wants to create a "state within a state" in Nevis
A "Monaco-Dubai of the Caribbean". Such is the description of the project dubbed "Destiny" that Olivier Janssens, a Belgian investor who became a millionaire thanks to the cryptocurrency bitcoin, has been planning for over ten years. The Daily Mail, on December 15, and Le Figaro, on December 16, reported on the project. Olivier Janssens' ambition, and goal, is to build "an ecological luxury paradise" on Nevis, which will be akin to "a state in the universe".It will be like a "state within a state", with its own legal and economic systems. The investor's project is becoming a reality. Mainly thanks to a law passed in 2025 by the government of Saint Kitts and Nevis, which authorizes the creation of "special sustainability zones". Olivier Janssens promises to invest no less than $50 million in local infrastructure - villas, a state-of-the-art hospital, technology hubs - to build an eco-luxury paradise powered by green energies and the most advanced technologies. To this end, Olivier Janssens has already acquired land through his company South Nevis Ltd. "If we just copy the current system, it won't attract anyone," the millionaire told a panel of St. Kitts residents and officials during a video conference. "Destiny is part of a growing trend among wealthy figures in the tech and cryptocurrency sectors to create semi-autonomous communitiess called 'networked states', designed according to libertarian principles and minimal state intervention," reports the Daily Mail. Indeed, while Olivier Janssens assures that the Destiny community will be open to Nevis residents and remain under government jurisdiction, he insists that he "doesn't trust politicians". Janssens holds dual Belgian and Nevisian nationality, says the Daily Mail. He obtained St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship through the federation's citizenship-by-investment program, which offers passports in exchange for minimum investments of $250,000 or eligible real estate acquisitions. For its part, Le Figaro points out that Destiny wouldn't be the first example of a libertarian enclave. "Liberland, a 7 km² micronation proclaimed in 2015, wedged between Serbia and Croatia, advocates a state without taxes or gun control and attracts crypto investors from all over the world," writes the daily.
Saint-Martin.
Three-way financing to acquire the Beauperthuy estate
At the Saint-Martin Territorial Council meeting on December 19, elected representatives voted by a majority (15 in favor, 6 against) to ratify the acquisition of the 198 hectares that make up the residual real estate assets of the estate of Pierre Beauperthuy and Marie Sauveur Desbonnes. In an article dated December 22, our colleague Ann Bouard of 97150 explains that the 22 plots of land located in the Griselle area and around Quartier d'Orléans will be acquired at a price of 38 million euros. The Etablissement Foncier Terre Caraïbes will act as financial intermediary on behalf of the Collectivité for 13 plots at a cost of just over 13 million euros, emphasizes 97150. Semsamar will acquire three plots, totalling 60,481 m2, for around 6.3 million. For its part, the local authority will take out a Gaïa loan with the Banque des Territoires for 18 million euros. A variable-rate loan, between 3.6% and 3.8%, depending on the destination, i.e. the development that will be carried out on the plot concerned, insists our colleague. The President of the Collectivité, Louis Mussington, has indicated that these plots will constitute a land reserve in order to anticipate development actions, build housing estates (collective or social), sell plots to private individuals and create one or more commercial zones. The 97150 adds that only non-constructible areas will be used to preserve natural spaces or for livestock farming.
Barbados.
Massive meat imports harm local breeders
In Barbados, small breeders and butchers are not happy. Indeed, despite an apparently buoyant Christmas season, breeders and butchers are still suffering the consequences of massive imports, reports Barbados Today in an article published on December 25. Interviewed by the daily, Kadeem Layne of DL Prestige Farm and Meats Ltd said that "sales are down on previous years". The producer claims that the continuing influx of imported meat is making it difficult for small breeders and butchers to sell their stocks. He explains that the loss of contracts with supermarkets is one of the main challenges facing local meat producers. He believes that a reduction in imports would go a long way to alleviating these pressures, or at least better coordination between importers and local producers. "If that's not possible, we should work with the breeders so that they can dispose of their surpluses first, then introduce imports," he suggests, assuring further that "local breeders can produce the amount of meat needed to supply Barbados."
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
A national debt of $3.1 billion
3.1 billion dollars. This is the amount of the national debt of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, according to Prime Minister Godwin Friday. He spoke on the subject on Friday December 26, declaring that "the situation is more critical" than he had anticipated before taking office, reports Caribbean National Weekly. "The debt is owed to various entities, including bilateral partner countries, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and through various financial instruments," the prime minister said. He pointed out that one of the main concerns is the pressure the debt is putting on public finances, with 36 cents of every dollar of government revenue now going towards servicing the debt. "The country has reached a point where it can no longer borrow and must find other ways to meet its obligations," Godwin Friday stressed. In addition to official debt figures, CNW reports, the Prime Minister referred to a significant amount of unpaid debt to local businesses. He stated that non-payment of these arrears is depriving the local economy of financial resources, without however specifying the exact amount of these arrears.
Jamaica.
Closed since Hurricane Melissa, 160 schools to reopen
Since the devastating passage of Hurricane Melissa over Jamaica on October 28, 160 of the country's schools have remained closed. Fayval Williams, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, declared on December 22 that these establishments should once again welcome students from January 6, report the Observer and Caribbean National Weekly. At a recent meeting of Parliament's Standing Committee on Finance, Fayval Williams revealed that 59 schools were still being used as shelters for people displaced by the hurricane. Of the country's 1,010 public schools, the minister said that 721 had been damaged by Melissa and 290 had been "seriously affected". However, she told the committee that 850 schools had already reopened. To support rebuilding efforts, CNW reports that the government has allocated $616 million to clean up schools after the storm. A further $1.7 billion was allocated to public schools in the third supplementary budget for the period ending March 31, 2026. However, the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) is concerned about the planned reopening in January, lamenting a lack of consultation on the part of the Ministry of Education. Writing in The Gleaner newspaper, JTA President Mark Malabver said: "Ultimately, we're going to end up with a chaotic situation, which will create a lot of inefficiencies within the system. If we're not careful, the transition won't go as smoothly as it could. "
Anguilla.
Electric assistance for Christmas
The Anguilla government, through its "Lights for Christmas" program, has provided assistance to families whose electrical service has been cut off for non-payment over the past six months.
This initiative was aimed solely at those in genuine need of financial assistance who had been without electricity for a period ranging from one day to six months. "This is not a general bill payment program, and customers are encouraged to keep their accounts in good standing," the government said in a statement. Customers should not allow their service to be disconnected in anticipation of receiving assistance. "Customers who wished to be reconnected before Christmas had to contact Anglec (Anguilla's electricity company) customer service to request a reconnection. After verifying eligibility by confirming that the customer's disconnection was the result of non-payment, and that the circumstances were consistent with the purpose of the program, the government has agreed to apply an additional credit of around 157 euros to the customer's account. "This measure is designed to provide immediate relief and help ease the financial burden of vulnerable households over the Christmas period," the government assures in its statement.
Saba.
Machines to process waste
Thanks to a one-off grant from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Waste Management (IenW), Saba's public entity has acquired specialized machinery designed to transform waste into reusable resources. Saba News reports that the investment includes equipment capable of crushing and grinding concrete waste, as well as chipping green waste, to produce base materials and landscaping products for use across the island. Among the machines acquired are two Komplet models: the Krokodile and the K-JC 503. The manufacturers will provide hands-on training not only to Saba's waste management staff, but also to interested businesses and members of the community, reports Saba News. The new equipment was essential in view of the planned construction of a new gymnasium and technical school in St. Johns. Above all, they contribute to the development of Saba's capacities while promoting regional cooperation to create intelligent and sustainable waste management strategies.
Martinique.
White plan activated at Trinité hospital emergency room
RCI reports that an exceptional organization has been set up by the CHU de Martinique in the emergency department of the Louis Domergue hospital in Trinité. According to the news site, the department is "currently experiencing a period of heavy traffic". The White Plan has therefore been implemented to guarantee the quality and safety of care.
Guadeloupe.
A woman arrested after the 52nd homicide of the year
A woman suspected of having fatally stabbed a 60-year-old man four times in the street on Friday December 19 in Saint-François, was arrested and charged before being remanded in custody on Friday December 26, according to RCI. The victim had been stabbed not far from his home on rue du général de Gaulle. RCI reports that this is the 52nd homicide recorded in Guadeloupe in 2025.
