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Guadeloupe.
Already 28 Road Deaths in 2026
The Guadeloupe Departmental Road Safety Observatory has released an initial report on fatal accidents that occurred on the island in 2026. Our colleagues at RCI described the figures as “dramatic” in an article published on September 22 analyzing the report. Since the beginning of the year, 28 people have died in accidents. Among the victims, 68% are so-called “vulnerable” road users: motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians. The average age of those killed is 39. According to data released by the Observatory, 93% of the deceased are men. “In the case of fatal accidents, several factors recur regularly: alcohol, excessive or inappropriate speed, inattention, and risky driving,” notes RCI, which adds that the majority of fatal accidents occur outside urban areas, and Sunday remains by far the deadliest day of the week.
U.S. Virgin Islands.
Tax revenue down by $31.7 million
The U.S. Virgin Islands’ finances are in “a precarious situation,” writes The Virgin Island Consortium in an article published on September 22. “While personal income tax revenue has fallen by $31.7 million, senators have moved forward with the budget proposal for fiscal year 2027, while warning that federal uncertainty, slow spending on disaster recovery, and low revenue have left the territory’s finances precarious and under strain,” the news site reports. Senate Budget Committee Chair Novelle Francis Jr. stated that the consequences of federal policy and funding decisions were already being felt locally, with residents bearing the “repercussions of increased federal oversight as well as the impact on programs and services intended for our community .” The executive’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2027, presented to lawmakers in August, totaled approximately $1.64 billion, including $958 million in projected revenue for the General Fund and $543.3 million in federal funding, the Consortium reports. Personal income tax revenue had decreased by $31.7 million, falling from $434.7 million for fiscal year 2025 to $403 million for fiscal year 2026.
Saba.
A “climate plan” focused on biodiversity
Saba News published an article on the October 3 launch of the “climate plan” and its action program, which emphasizes the preservation of biodiversity on the island. “Saba is home to five interconnected ecosystems that help stabilize the island’s slopes, retain water in the soil, and support the local fishing and tourism sectors,” Saba News reports. “The protection and restoration of Saba’s biodiversity are a key component of the climate plan and action program, while also being at the heart of the work carried out under the political plan for nature and the environment.”
Anguilla.
Rising Revenues, Projects, and Nearly 82,000 Visitors by 2026
During a press conference on Monday, September 21, Prime Minister Cora Richardson Hodge shared important information regarding the country’s finances, infrastructure, water security, agriculture, tourism, sports, and health. In particular, she noted that the government had collected 456.65 million East Caribbean dollars (EC$, or approximately 147.6 million euros) in revenue between January and July 2026, exceeding the 359.93 million (116.33 million euros) projected for that period. Revenue from the registration of “.ai” domain names reached 217 million EC$ (70.1 million euros), while the cost of government measures to address the cost of living amounted to approximately 59.4 million EC$ (19.2 million euros). The installation of a new reservoir and a new drinking water pipeline to support farmers, roadwork, and improvements around Clayton J. Lloyd Airport were also announced. In addition, Tourism Minister Cardigan Connor reported that Anguilla welcomed 81,907 overnight visitors during the first half of 2026, representing a 19.9% increase. Anguilla has also been selected to host the first sports tourism summit organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), while preparations continue for major golf and tennis events as well as for the modernization of sports facilities. In addition, it was announced that the operating room at Princess Alexandra Hospital would be “upgraded,” while specialist physicians will be recruited, pharmaceutical services expanded, and a new MRI machine purchased. Finally, mammography services are being established at the Welches Polyclinic.
Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The Federation Celebrates 43 Years of Independence
On Saturday, September 19, the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis celebrated the 43rd anniversary of its independence. In 1983, two years after joining the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Saint Kitts and Nevis gained independence from the United Kingdom. It has since been a sovereign state and a member of the Commonwealth. “When I look at how far we’ve come, I don’t see the achievements of any single government, institution, or individual,” said Prime Minister Terrance Drew. “I see the work of generations. I see the sacrifices of our elders, the determination of our workers, the ambition of our youth, the strength of our families, and the enduring love of Kittitians and Nevisians at home and around the world. For me, that is the deeper meaning of independence. It is not simply the freedom to govern ourselves. It is the responsibility to believe in ourselves, to build for ourselves, to care for one another, and to leave behind a country that is stronger, more equitable, and filled with greater opportunities than the one we inherited. ” In a press release, the OECS highlighted the fact that this 43rd anniversary “comes at a time when small island developing states (SIDS) are facing climate pressures, economic instability, changing trade and investment patterns, rapid digital transformation, and geopolitical uncertainties.” Director General Didacus Jules stressed the importance of Saint Kitts and Nevis’s participation in regional initiatives. “It helps strengthen the Eastern Caribbean and bolsters the region’s collective capacity to address shared challenges,” he said. For the record, in 1998, a referendum on secession from Saint Kitts was held in Nevis. The proposal was rejected by the citizens.
Sint Maarten.
Mullet Bay: Finance Minister Opts for Sale
In its September 18 edition, the Daily Herald discusses the thorny issue of Mullet Bay. Sun Resorts, the company that operates the golf course (and previously operated the hotel destroyed in 1995 by Hurricane Luis), claims to own the beach and the land behind it. The Soualiga Post examined this issue at length in an article published on July 15. For her part, Sint Maarten’s Minister of Finance, Marinka Gumbs, stated that she would not participate in the proposed master plan for Mullet Bay and that she believed the property should instead be put up for sale. According to her, as reported by the Daily Herald, the goal should be simple: demarcate the land, put Mullet Bay on the market, and allow Saint Martin to determine whether the island can and should exercise its right of first refusal.
Saint Martin.
A Financing Plan for the Purchase of the Beauperthuy Parcels
The issue continues to generate a lot of discussion in Saint Martin. In an article published on September 16, the Soualiga Post discussed the Collectivité’s acquisition of 22 parcels from the Beauperthuy estate, totaling 198.45 hectares. As the Soualiga Post notes, in 2025, elected officials had agreed that these 22 parcels would be acquired by the Collectivité and its two partners, Terres Caraïbes (Guadeloupe’s public land agency) and Semsamar. Each entity was to purchase 6, 13, and 3 parcels for 18, 13, and 6.9 million euros, respectively, for a total of 38 million euros. Since then, the Collectivité de Saint-Martin has indicated that “a shift in the acquisition strategy followed in 2026 and led to the definition of a more relevant and strategic overall policy.” Le Soualiga reports that Terres Caraïbes says it is ready to acquire the 22 plots on behalf of the Collectivité. “To do so, the land agency will take out a loan from La Banque des Territoires (formerly Caisse des dépôts et consignations). A 15-year land-holding agreement will be signed with the Community. During this period, the Community will be required to repay the 38 million plus interest on the loan,” the article states. It also notes that the total repayment amount will be 51 million euros, which amounts to 3.4 million per year over fifteen years.
Haiti.
Assassination of Jovenel Moïse: Eighteen Suspects Extradited to Florida
Eighteen people have been extradited from Haiti to the United States for their involvement in the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse. The news was announced on Sunday, September 20, by the U.S. federal prosecutor handling the case, Jason Reding Quinones. The daily newspaper Le Monde and Agence France-Presse note that among those extradited is one of the main suspects in the investigation, Joseph Félix Badio, a former Haitian official with the anti-corruption unit under the Ministry of Justice, according to a Haitian government source and a Haitian police source who spoke to Agence France-Presse. The others are Colombian mercenaries, according to those same sources. President Jovenel Moïse, 53, was shot and killed by an armed commando unit on the night of July 6–7, 2021, at his home in Port-au-Prince. The assassination plunged the country into chaos. No elections have been held there since 2016.
Grenada.
Fifth Diving and Conservation Festival
Grenada will host its fifth annual Diving and Conservation Festival from October 26 to November 1. The Caribbean National Weekly reports that the event will bring together dive operators, marine experts, and conservation groups for a week of activities across Grenada and Carriacou. The Grenada Tourism Board announced that this year’s festival will be held under the theme “Sustainable Heritage,” with a focus on diving, marine conservation, environmental education, and community involvement. The program will offer participants the opportunity to explore Grenada’s underwater sites while learning about coral restoration, reef rehabilitation, and other initiatives aimed at protecting the country’s marine environment. The week will also feature bird-watching sessions, community clean-up efforts, and other activities focused on Grenada’s terrestrial and marine environments.
