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Saint Martin.
290,426 euros in unpaid bills for the Territorial Collectivity
On Wednesday, September 30, the Soualiga Post revealed in an article that the Territorial Collectivity of Saint Martin was ordered to pay 290,426 euros to the company Verde SXM for unpaid invoices. The article states that Verde SXM filed a motion with the judge presiding over summary proceedings at the Saint Martin Administrative Court last February. Four motions were filed—one for each case of unpaid services—following reminders and formal notices. The Soualiga Post reports that in 2025, the same company had already filed a motion with the judge presiding over summary proceedings for a similar reason. The Territorial Collectivity had also been ordered to pay, this time 372,130 euros. These revelations are all the more damning for the Collectivité of Saint Martin given that earlier this week, it had contracted the company Verde-SXM. As a service provider for the Collectivité, the company is responsible for composting green waste and treating sewage sludge. The problem is that the company announced it was forced to cease operations, notably “due to the partial non-compliance of its facilities,” according to a statement from the Collectivité. It is not impossible, however, that the Collectivité’s failure to pay Verde-SXM’s invoices may have made it difficult for the company to stay afloat.
Sint Maarten.
A 3.9 million surplus for the 2027 budget
Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs presented the draft budget for 2027 earlier this week in Sint Maarten. The Daily Herald reports that the budget is expected to balance at 327 million euros in revenue and 323 million in expenditures. Marinka Gumbs presented this draft budget during a meeting of the relevant parliamentary committee, noting that it had been submitted in September—several months before the end of the year. She cautioned, however, that this early submission would only constitute a true milestone if the budget were approved, adopted, and published before the December 15 deadline, according to the Daily Herald. Taxes remain the government’s main source of revenue, with a projected 243 million euros, or about three-quarters of total revenue. Other revenues are estimated at 41 million, fees and concessions at 31.8 million, and licenses and permits at 12.2 million. Tax revenue is expected to increase by 9.2 million, driven primarily by higher collections from payroll tax, sales tax, income tax, tourist tax, and transfer taxes. Personnel expenses constitute the largest expense category, totaling 141 million euros. Marinka Gumbs explained that this increase is primarily due to the filling of long-standing vacancies. Expenditures on goods and services are estimated at 88.5 million. The remainder of expenditures includes 51.8 million for subsidies, 17.6 million for social benefits, 15.1 million for interest expenses, 7.8 million for depreciation, and 1.9 million for scholarships and grants.
Guadeloupe.
A Night of Chaos for Firefighters Ahead of Union Protests
On the night of Monday, September 28, through Tuesday, September 29, firefighters in Guadeloupe were called to various locations across the archipelago to respond to fires of various kinds and to clear blocked roadways. “These incidents occurred amid a wave of calls for protests shared on social media in recent days, in addition to the strike call initiated by several public-sector unions,” writes our colleague from the 1st, Nadine Fadel. The 1st reports a burning car wreck blocking the roadway in Sainte-Anne, a fire involving three cars on a vacant lot in Les Abymes, a trash fire in Colin (Petit-Bourg), a roadblock and a fire in Montebello (Petit-Bourg), and a trash can fire in Vieux-Habitants, where the gendarmerie was called in as backup by the SDIS. On Tuesday, September 29, both public-sector and private-sector unions mobilized in force. The General Confederation of Labor of Guadeloupe filed notice of a renewable strike.
Dominique.
The international airport under construction
With a 2,850-meter runway, a capacity of 500,000 passengers per year, and a 22,000-square-meter terminal, Dominica’s future international airport is gradually taking shape. In an article published on September 19, the Air Journal website quoted Michel Salbot, representative of the Dominica Tourism Board in France, who stated: “The project is entering a visible phase: earthwork is well underway, the runway alignment has been marked out, and the first buildings are going up.” The airport is being built in the northeast of the island, on the Atlantic coast. “It must avoid the challenges posed by the mountainous terrain and downdrafts, which could complicate approaches,” Michel Salbot told Air Journal. A Chinese company (China Railway No. 5 Engineering Group) is in charge of the airport’s construction. It is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2028. According to Air Journal, the 2026–2027 budget totals more than 80 million euros.
British Virgin Islands.
Residents Without Drinking Water for Weeks
Persistent water shortages in certain areas of the British Virgin Islands have left residents without running water for weeks. For example, on the island of Jost Van Dyke, some residents have reportedly been reduced to washing in the ocean, according to the Caribbean National Weekly. This situation was confirmed by Melvin Turnbull, representative of the second district, who stated before the Legislative Assembly that some residents of Jost Van Dyke have turned to the ocean due to water shortages. The government of the British Virgin Islands acknowledged that its aging water distribution system had suffered from years of underinvestment, while noting that repair and modernization work is underway. CNW reports that approximately $2.8 million has been invested in water infrastructure, including the installation of new pipes in Sea Cows Bay, improvements to the Ridge Road distribution network, and the rehabilitation of several reservoirs. The government is also working on a proposed merger between the Water and Sewerage Department and the British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation (BVI Electricity Corporation) into a new entity: the Virgin Islands Energy and Water Corporation (VIEWCo).
Antigua and Barbuda.
A visa waiver agreement with… Azerbaijan
Antigua and Barbuda has signed a visa waiver agreement with Azerbaijan, allowing eligible citizens of both countries to travel between the two destinations without having to obtain a visa in advance, reports the Caribbean National Weekly. The agreement was signed by Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, E.P. Chet Greene, and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeyhun Bayramov, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. E.P. Chet Greene also held discussions with representatives from Ghana and Kenya, as well as with the foreign ministers of Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.
Montserrat.
Limited finances: residents urged to show “ingenuity and pragmatism”
Like most territories and countries around the world, Montserrat must adapt to the rising cost of living. Therefore, in a recent radio address reported by the Cayman Times, Prime Minister Reuben Meade encouraged the public to demonstrate ingenuity and pragmatism in reducing their expenses, as the government’s ability to provide financial assistance is limited. “Geopolitics will continue to have an impact on us and on our prices,” the premier said. “It affects everything we buy from abroad. The prices of vehicles, food, and construction materials will rise.” Montserrat depends on imports and foreign aid, such as British aid, which funds nearly two-thirds of the government budget. Reuben Meade therefore advocates prioritizing local production to replace imports, particularly foodstuffs, while highlighting the prospects for small- and medium-scale agri-food processing and export opportunities, all supported by certain government incentives. The government has launched a program of preferential loans for local businesses as well as measures to reduce import costs, but has ruled out any fuel subsidies, deeming this measure “financially unsustainable.”
Puerto Rico.
A $139.6 million project to provide housing for seniors
The housing project was unveiled on Monday, September 28, by Governor Jennifer Gonzalez Colón. According to an article in the San Juan Star, the project involves building housing in the Santurce neighborhood of San Juan for the most vulnerable populations. “With this project, we are honoring our commitment to facilitate and expand the supply of dignified, safe, and affordable housing for seniors across the island,” the governor stated. “It also demonstrates our commitment to effectively leveraging federal funds, as this project combines federal reconstruction funds with tax credits.” ” The construction of the planned complex in Santurce represents an investment of $139.6 million. The financing package combines $80.6 million in federal reconstruction funds earmarked for recovery from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, $44.6 million in tax credits for low-income housing, $10 million from a loan drawn from the Public Housing Authority’s investment funds, and $2 million from the New York Federal Home Loan Bank’s affordable housing program. The complex will offer 222 apartments—including 218 one-bedroom units and four two-bedroom units—as well as 147 parking spaces for residents, people with disabilities, visitors, and administrative staff. It will include 28 apartments adapted for people with mobility impairments (12%) and seven for people with sensory impairments (3%).
Haiti.
More than 628,000 registered voters
Haiti’s general elections are scheduled for December 13, 2026, and February 21, 2027, coinciding with the presidential election, to elect all 119 members of the Chamber of Deputies and 19 of the 30 members of the Senate. With this in mind, the Provisional Electoral Council launched a voter registration campaign last July. According to a status report released on September 21, more than 628,000 people are already registered to vote. However, this represents only 10% of the potential electorate. Meanwhile, according to the Haitian daily Le Nouvelliste, nine candidates for the presidential election are listed on the Provisional Electoral Council’s platform. Two former leaders of the country—Claude Joseph (former prime minister) and Jocelerme Privert (former interim president)—as well as Ricardo Jean-Pierre (Haitian Nationalist Party), Gary Bodeau (Rekonsilye), Wilson Jeudy (Vision-Action-Réalisation), Wilner Joseph (Viktwa), Joseph Maxo (Réveil des citoyens haïtiens), Munir Joseph Moura (Mobilisation pour le progrès d’Haïti), and Gandy Dorfeuille (Ansanm nou fò). In addition, as of September 21, the Provisional Electoral Council had registered 162 candidates for the Senate and 419 for the Chamber of Deputies.
