Français
Guadeloupe.
On the issue of drinking water, the Region is “committed to transparency”
Access to drinking water remains a major concern in Guadeloupe. On Monday, June 15, through an online post on so-called “social media,” the Guadeloupe Regional Authority released some figures in the interest of “transparency.” The post states that 226 million euros have been invested since 2018 to improve access to drinking water on the island, “although water management does not fall directly under the Region’s jurisdiction,” it notes. 80.7 million were committed to construction projects, 34.3 million in grants were allocated to support the operation and maintenance of infrastructure, 77.2 million in European funds were mobilized, and an additional 80 are reportedly planned for the coming years. “Nearly 200 projects have been completed or are currently underway,” the document states.
U.S. Virgin Islands.
A budget of over 1.6 billion for 2027
The government of the U.S. Virgin Islands has presented a budget of approximately $1.64 billion for fiscal year 2027. Of the total proposed amount, general fund revenues are expected to reach $958 million, according to the Virgin Islands Consortium, primarily due to tax revenues. Julio Rhymer, director of the Office of Management and Budget, indicated that personal income tax revenue is expected to increase by 2%, rising from $421.79 million to $427.95 million. Corporate income tax revenue is also expected to rise slightly, from $72.32 million in 2026 to $72.45 million next year. In addition, property tax revenue is expected to increase by 2%, rising from $55.01 million in 2026 to approximately $56.23 million for fiscal year 2027. As for gross tax revenue, it could rise by 6.3%, from $230.42 million in 2026 to $244.97 million in 2027. According to Julio Rhymer, gross revenue is expected to total nearly $1.05 billion. Total expenditures, meanwhile, are projected to exceed $1.6 billion. In addition to the general budget, the government will have to manage more than 93 million in budget appropriations and nearly 43.6 million in non-budgetary funds. Federal funds for fiscal year 2027 total more than 543 million dollars.
Sint Maarten.
Protesters denounce the “practices” of the water and electricity company
Several dozen protesters marched through the streets of Philipsburg on Monday, June 15, to protest certain “practices” of NV GEBE, the water and electricity company. The march was organized by the Sint Maarten Consumer Protection Association (ACP-SXM). Its goal was to demand accountability and transparency from the company. To that end, a petition was presented to its executives. Peggy-Ann Richardson, president of the association, outlined the various demands that prompted the demonstration. The first concerns the cancellation of the fuel surcharge clause, which was applied retroactively and is “illegal and unauthorized.” The second demands the suspension of electricity and gas shutoffs for residential customers and the restoration of service to all households. Peggy-Ann Richardson specified that these two points required “immediate action” and that GEBE had seven days to comply, reports the Daily Herald, which notes that the demands were met “with cheers from the crowd gathered under the blazing sun on W.A. Nisbeth Road.” The other points concern transparency regarding the rate-setting methodology and the calculation method for the fuel adjustment clause, consumer billing practices for the period affected by the March 2022 cyberattack, and the lack of a customer service policy. In addition, the Daily Herald reports that NV GEBE is being asked to implement a formal policy to protect vulnerable customers, providing specific safeguards for low-income households, seniors, individuals with medical dependencies, and households with children. A delegation from the association was received for one hour by NV GEBE management.
Dominican Republic.
Collapse of the Jet Set Nightclub: Trial Postponed
On April 8, 2025, the roof of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo collapsed. The disaster claimed the lives of 236 people, including the famous merengue singer Rubby Perez, and left more than 180 injured. Earlier this week, Dominican Today reported that a court in the Dominican Republic ordered the trial of siblings Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, the owners of the nightclub, who are accused of being involved in the collapse of the nightclub’s roof. At the same time, the court ordered the seizure of assets worth 500 million Dominican pesos belonging to the Espaillat siblings and upheld the restrictive measures previously imposed on them. These measures include a bail of 50 million Dominican pesos, periodic appearances before the authorities, and a ban on leaving the country.
Puerto Rico.
One Million Dollars to Address Failures in the Superaqueduct
An article in the San Juan Star covers the request submitted by the company Genera to the Puerto Rico Energy Office. It seeks the release of $1 million to ensure an emergency water supply for the Central San Juan power plant. This request follows a series of failures in the superaqueduct that prevented the plant from accessing the water needed for its cooling operations, the San Juan Star reports. Three disruptions led to complete cuts in the water supply last week. Without a water supply to the plant, Genera says it must immediately rely on private water tankers. This five-day emergency operation represents a total investment of approximately… one million dollars.
Anguilla.
Success of Ferry Service from Saint Martin
44,834 passengers in April, 42,667 in May. To say the least, the ferry service connecting Anguilla and Saint Martin (both the French and Dutch sides) is a resounding success. At least, that’s what the figures released by the island’s port authorities suggest. In May, 31,481 passengers arrived from Marigot, and 11,186 from the Dutch side. Clayton JJ Lloyd Airport is not to be outdone, with 6,959 passengers recorded in May (+18.8% compared to 2025) and 6,771 in April (+28.3% compared to 2025).
British Virgin Islands.
Yacht relocations bring in 13.9 million
For the British Virgin Islands, the tourist season proved particularly profitable. This was largely due to the increase in charter rates imposed by the neighboring U.S. Virgin Islands on foreign-registered vessels. This measure convinced the owners of 90 yachts to relocate their operations to the British Virgin Islands. In a statement dated June 9 and reported by Virgin Islands News Online, Premier Natalio Wheathley said that this shift generated “approximately $13.09 million” in direct seasonal economic activity for marinas, suppliers, restaurants, and local businesses. The government took this opportunity to introduce a new fee schedule. The Virgin Islands News Online article notes that, for unrestricted foreign vessels under 35 meters (115 feet), the annual licensing fee has risen from $800 to $24,000! In addition, vessels based in the U.S. Virgin Islands and traveling to the British Virgin Islands are now limited to seven visits per season, with stays generally limited to four days and three nights per visit.
Saba.
Saint Kitts’s Essential Role in the Construction of Black Rocks Harbor
“Saint Kitts plays a crucial role in a major regional infrastructure project,” notes the Observer in an article published on June 16. Indeed, the Federation is supplying construction materials essential to the development of the ambitious port project in Saba. The facility is intended to improve maritime access and economic activity on the Dutch island. According to Jermaine Lake, quarry manager at the Department of Public Works in Saint Kitts, 80,000 metric tons of stone blocks will be transported to Saba each week over the next five or six months. The Black Rocks project was launched in October 2024 when Saba’s public authority and Ballast Nedam International Projects signed a construction contract. “By around the end of 2026, the material will be loaded here, transferred to the deep-water port, then onto a barge, and finally shipped to Saba,” Jermaine Lake told the Observer. According to Saba authorities, the central structure of the seawall is being built using local rock. However, the larger boulders needed for the outer protective structure are not available on the island in sufficient quantities, making imports from Saint Kitts essential to the project, the Observer notes. Black Rocks will be designed to accommodate daily ferry services, small commercial vessels, luxury yachts, dive boats, local fishing boats, and rescue boats.
Martinique.
The Collectivité is putting thirteen properties up for sale
Times are tough. So are the finances. This is particularly true for the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique, which has announced the sale of thirteen properties. The goal, as RCI notes, is to address “significant” financial difficulties and to “optimize” its assets “by giving them a second life.” The properties up for sale include land, buildings, villas, and land parcels. These are properties owned by the Territorial Collectivity that, in many cases, have been abandoned for years. RCI notes that applications must be submitted to the Territorial Collectivity by July 26 at the latest.
Antigua and Barbuda.
Tighter Rules for Work Permits
The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has approved a series of new measures aimed at strengthening the country’s work permit system and ensuring that Antiguans and Barbudans have priority access to job openings before foreign workers are recruited, reports the Caribbean National Weekly. In particular, ministers expressed concern that job openings are not always widely publicized among local applicants, which limits their awareness of available opportunities. The new measures include requiring employers to post job openings on various online platforms and tightening the conditions for submitting work permit applications. The government has indicated that the future policy will require applicants to submit their applications from their country of residence before entering Antigua and Barbuda to work there.
