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Cuba.
Tourism in Free Fall
As the economic crisis that has gripped Cuba for months continues to worsen, the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) has released a report showing that tourism on the island is in free fall. In fact, according to ONEI data, “only” 419,000 visitors arrived in Cuba between January and July, compared to 1.1 million during the same period in 2025. This decline in international arrivals represents a 62% drop in percentage terms. Between May and July, as noted by the Caribbean National Weekly, the U.S. State Department announced measures targeting companies in Cuba’s tourism sector, including restrictions that could freeze accounts or prevent the affected companies from operating within the U.S. financial system. Since then, major international hotel chains with a long-standing presence in Cuba, such as Meliá, Iberostar, and Royalton, have terminated their contracts in the country. Visa and Mastercard payment services have also been withdrawn, further complicating the situation for international travelers and tourism companies. Air service has also been significantly affected. Major airlines, including World2Fly, Air France, Turkish Airlines, and Iberia, have suspended their flights following the Cuban government’s announcement that aircraft would be unable to refuel on the island due to shortages. In 2019, before the COVID-19 health crisis, Cuba welcomed more than 4.3 million international visitors. Furthermore, the Cuban government estimates that the U.S. embargo has resulted in financial losses totaling $8 billion between March 2025 and February 2026. This figure does not take into account the oil embargo, according to the daily newspaper Le Monde in an article published on September 7.
Saba.
A Costly Project to Eliminate Stray Goats
In 2021, the Saba government launched a project aimed at eradicating feral goats. These ruminants, as in Saint Barthélemy, damage vegetation, cause erosion, and harm coral reefs due to sediment runoff resulting from the loss of vegetation. According to an article in Saba News, more than 8,750 goats have been “removed” from the landscape since the campaign began, including approximately 5,100 by local hunters. Funding for the operations has totaled $2.61 million since 2019, Saba News reports. Nearly $2.23 million has already been spent. Hiring outside hunters has cost more than $690,000, livestock rearing and meat management about $600,000, while slaughter incentives total $275,000—or $65 per goat. The remaining funds ($383,575), Saba News reports, are to be used to train the local wildlife control team. Furthermore, the article notes that satellite data indicates a 33.7% increase in vegetation greenness between 2017 and 2025, suggesting ecological recovery. Saba News notes that the program is far from complete, as the government anticipates it will take at least two more years to eliminate the remaining goats, followed by a one- to two-year monitoring period.
Dominican Republic.
Tourism tax revenue has tripled in ten years
In an article published on September 9, Dominican Today reports that tax revenue generated by tourism-related activities in the Dominican Republic has tripled over the past decade. They rose from approximately 15 billion Dominican pesos (220 million euros) to more than 45 billion (660 million euros) in 2025, according to economist Nassim Alemany. These figures include income taxes and other tourism-related levies, as well as taxes collected from passengers and revenue generated by hotel and tourism activities, the news site notes. “The sector’s broader economic impact was also reflected in its purchases,” the article notes. Tourism-related businesses made approximately 220 billion RD$ (3.2 billion euros) in purchases in 2025, including some 68 billion (997 million euros) from the retail sector, 26 billion (381 million euros) from the manufacturing industry, 22 billion (322 million euros) from the construction sector, and 6.8 billion (99 million euros) from the transportation sector.”
Saint-Martin.
A tax reform that divides elected officials
Elected officials of the Territorial Collectivity were unable to reach a consensus on the tax reform presented on Thursday, September 10, during the territorial council meeting. For the resolution on the reform to be adopted, 12 of the 19 council members had to vote in favor. Only 11 did so. Consequently, as reported by the Soualiga Post, the resolution was postponed to the next territorial council meeting by President Louis Mussington. The tax reform presented on September 10 consists of eight objectives, including updating tax regulations related to tourism activities, standardizing corporate income taxation, supporting employment through tax policy, and the implementation of tax support for the economic development strategy outlined in the economic development plan. In addition, the Soualiga Post reports that Louis Mussington “wishes to establish a committee to consider the measures needed to achieve the eight objectives and to develop specifically ‘tax measures that are updated, simplified, and better suited’ to the territory.”
Anguilla.
Strengthening Port Collaboration with Saint Martin
Since 2023, passenger traffic between the port of Saint Martin and the port of Anguilla (Blowing Point) has grown steadily. 197,000 in 2023, 251,000 in 2024, 270,000 in 2025, and, between January and July of this year, 240,000 passenger movements have already been recorded. This represents, in less than seven months, 89% of the total recorded in 2025. Consequently, a meeting was held last week between representatives of the boards of directors of the ports of Saint Martin and Anguilla. The goal for both parties was to work together to strengthen their collaboration. Several possible measures were discussed during the talks held in Anguilla, such as introducing additional ferry trips during peak periods or using appropriately sized vessels to better accommodate passengers. The government of Anguilla stated in a press release that “both parties agreed to continue holding quarterly technical meetings to address shared concerns and identify practical solutions.”
Puerto Rico.
A Record Season for Ferry Service
The San Juan Star and Foro Noticioso reported on information released by the Puerto Rico Integrated Transportation Authority, which announced last Thursday “record growth” in the number of passengers who used the ferry system between June and August 2026. During those three months, more than 558,000 passengers used the ferry service, representing an increase of more than 13% compared to the same period the previous year. For example, on the route serving the island municipalities of Vieques and Culebra, ridership increased by approximately 13% between June and August, reaching nearly 440,000 passengers during the summer months. In just a few months, this route has already carried more than 1.07 million passengers. Since the beginning of the year, the San Juan Star has highlighted the fact that Puerto Rico Ferry services have seen a sharp rise in ridership. This growth is in line with the trend observed in 2025, when more than 1.8 million passengers traveled on the various routes.
Guadeloupe.
Companies Suspected of Diverting Water from the Network to Resell It
A report produced in Guadeloupe by France Télévision and published on September 15 on the France Info website reveals that private companies are allegedly diverting water from the public supply system before reselling it at high prices to individuals, hotels, restaurants, and others. The report highlights the case of a retiree who, deprived of running water, is forced to buy water from a reseller for 80 euros per cubic meter. The report notes that the price charged by the public utility is 2.32 euros per cubic meter. “According to our information, water is also being stolen from fire hydrants and water towers,” the authors of the investigation point out. A spokesperson for the “Woul’o” collective, Yann Céranton explains to France Télévision that “80,000 Guadeloupeans live without water,” while the damaged network is like “a sieve,” since 70% of the water produced never reaches homes.
Martinique.
A billion-in debt for the Territorial Collectivity
An article by Martinique 1ère published on September 15 focuses on the final report from the Regional Chamber of Accounts (CRC). The document analyzes the Territorial Collectivity’s financial situation between 2020 and 2026. According to our colleagues, the report highlights that the Collectivité’s debt increased by 28% between 2021 and 2024, reaching one billion euros in 2026. This, as Martinique 1ère points out, is equivalent to the exact amount of the Territorial Collectivité’s budget. “At this stage, the debt level represents 94% of the territorial collectivity’s revenue,” the author of the article notes. She adds that the document “sheds new light on the many problems that have emerged this year, ranging from protests over delayed benefits to satellite alerts and a cascade of other issues.” It is noted that the Territorial Collectivity has payment delays of 131 days to businesses, suppliers, and even social benefit payments. However, the tolerance limit for a Territorial Collectivity is one month. “More and more creditors are going directly to the prefect to get their money,” explains the journalist. “The prefect is, in fact, authorized to issue ‘ex officio payment orders.’ The Regional Audit Office (CRC) has noted a 300% overall increase in the number of cases filed. The number has increased sixfold in five years.” According to the Regional Chamber of Accounts, the financial crisis is linked in particular to a policy of high investment combined with “systematic borrowing.” The first point to note is that the Collectivité’s executive branch attributes the situation to “a steady decline in state grants” (-2.5% per year) and the downturn in the real estate market, which is said to have cost the Collectivité approximately 23 million in tax revenue.
