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Saint Martin
Record Turnout for the Selection of the Island’s Future Flag
The people of Saint Martin responded in droves to the civic call to select the island’s future emblem, with a total of 13,610 votes cast online, according to information from 97150. The flag design process is now entering its fourth and final phase. In accordance with the specifications, the public votes will be converted into scores out of 20 to be factored into the final evaluation of the designs. A jury will then meet with the top three finalists to discuss their graphic designs, prior to final administrative approval and official adoption by the territorial council.
Saint Martin and Sint Maarten Join Forces to Showcase Their Culinary Talents for “Taste of the Caribbean”
November is shaping up to be a month of culinary delights in the region, and Saint Martin is set to shine on the international stage, reports 97150. From November 16 to 19, chefs from Saint Martin will fly to Barbados to participate in the prestigious “Taste of the Caribbean” competition held at Sam Lord’s Castle. A notable development since 2017: the territory will be represented by a unified, binational team, combining the expertise of Saint Martin and Sint Maarten.
The announcement was made official during a joint event hosted by the Saint-Martin Tourist Office and the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau. The delegation consists of Jewel Daal (senior chef), Djaya Coupey (pastry chef), Jamal Dormoy (young chef), and Erion Peterson (bartender), under the guidance of coach Renata de Weever. During the competition, they will face off against the best culinary delegations from across the Caribbean at this must-attend gastronomic event.
The St. Martin Jazz Festival in Marigot
The Marigot waterfront is set to come alive to the rhythm of jazz for the 4th edition of the St. Martin Jazz Festival, a must-see event presented by the association La Bonne Note, according to 97150. The free concert on November 8 promises an exceptional lineup featuring a top-notch “Jazz-Funk Ensemble.”
The stage will feature regional and international stars: Andrew Dorsett, Evan Amatojais, Carlyle Barriteau—Chaka Khan’s official musician—as well as singers Tyra and Illismo.
Antigua and Barbuda
The 45th anniversary of independence celebrated with great enthusiasm
Under the inspiring theme “Renaissance: Rooted in Pride, Bound by Prosperity for All,” the celebrations marking the 45th anniversary of Antigua and Barbuda’s independence took place on the island, an event highlighted by Karib’info. On this occasion, Dr. Didacus Jules, Director General of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), extended his official congratulations to the government and people of Antigua and Barbuda.
Emphasizing the need for shared prosperity that benefits young people and entrepreneurs first and foremost, the Secretary-General reiterated the relevance of the national motto, “Each Striving, All Achieving.” He also praised Antigua and Barbuda’s historic commitment to regional integration, describing inter-island solidarity as “fundamental” to overcoming the current climate and economic challenges threatening the region’s small states.
Commonwealth Summit: King Charles III Expresses His “Horror” at Slavery
At the opening of the Commonwealth Summit in Antigua and Barbuda, King Charles III called slavery a “monstrous injustice,” expressing his “deep sadness” while refraining from offering a formal apology, RCI reports. The monarch emphasized that this dark chapter in history continues to weigh heavily on the Caribbean islands, noting the Crown’s political neutrality, which leaves the decision to the British government.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was open to a “structured dialogue” that includes the issue of a state apology, while categorically ruling out financial reparations. CARICOM considers this position insufficient. Through its president, Philip Pierre, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, the region reiterates that “an apology without reparations is incomplete.” As an alternative, the United Kingdom is proposing debt restructuring and a 48 million euro fund to finance local infrastructure.
Martinique
Panic on board after an air conditioning failure
An Air Caraïbes flight from Fort-de-France to Paris-Orly Airport had to be urgently diverted to Guadeloupe’s Maryse-Condé Airport on the night of October 28–29, according to France-Antilles. The Airbus A350, carrying 442 people, experienced a failure in its air conditioning system mid-flight, causing passengers to feel unwell.
At the request of the emergency medical services (Samu), a full emergency response team was pre-deployed to meet the aircraft, which landed shortly before 12:30 a.m. Once on the ground, airport firefighters conducted an inspection inside the cabin. According to the official report, no further medical intervention was ultimately required upon arrival. The airline did not provide details on the exact circumstances of this technical malfunction, nor did it offer any information regarding the passengers’ onward journey to mainland France.
Young Man Shot and Killed in Le Lamentin
Gun violence continues to plague Martinique, with a new tragedy occurring overnight from Sunday, November 1, to Monday, November 2, as reported by La 1ère. A young man in his twenties was fatally shot around 12:30 a.m. in the Plaisance neighborhood of Le Lamentin. Despite the rapid response of emergency responders who arrived on the scene, they could only confirm his death.
This incident brings the total to 26 homicides recorded in Martinique since the beginning of the year, 25 of which were committed with firearms. This latest murder adds to a particularly grim toll for the island, following a weekend already marred by the deaths of three people and an attempted homicide by gunshot in the towns of Trois-Îlets and Rivière-Salée.
Guadeloupe
Bacterial Contamination of Water in Three Municipalities
The Guadeloupe Regional Health Agency (ARS) has ordered the affected municipalities to take immediate measures to prohibit the consumption of tap water, according to a report by La 1ère. Water samples taken in late October revealed bacteriological contamination posing a “risk to human health” in the Grands-Fonds water system in Le Moule, as well as in the Vernou distribution unit serving the Petit-Bourg and Baie-Mahault areas.
The presence of coliform bacteria above regulatory thresholds has prompted strict guidelines: the water must no longer be used for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, or personal hygiene until further notice. The Joint Water and Sanitation Management Authority (SMGEAG) is hard at work implementing corrective measures. However, there was some good news from Capesterre-Belle-Eau, where the water at the Anatol Beuve and Bananier schools has once again met regulatory standards following recent tests.
Faced with the high cost of living and violence, Naïma Moutchou on a “reconciliation visit”
With the average food price gap with mainland France reaching 42 percent and the territory experiencing unprecedented armed violence, Overseas Territories Minister Naïma Moutchou began a three-day visit to Guadeloupe on Wednesday, November 4, reports TV5Monde. This trip comes amid a climate of high tension marked by high school protests and looting, which the minister has strongly condemned. To support affected business owners, the government is offering interest-free loans of up to 50,000 euros while maintaining the “quality-price shield” and the VAT exemption on essential goods.
On the security front, the government is highlighting the 14 million euros and 74 additional officers allocated to the plan to combat drug trafficking. The minister is scheduled to meet with high school student representatives at the Abymes Regional Education Office and participate in a night patrol, prior to the 30th Conference of the Outermost Regions in Deshaies.
Dominican Republic
The global surge in diesel prices is weighing on the economy and food prices
In the Dominican Republic, concern is growing over the risk of an uncontrolled rise in the cost of living: industry professionals are sounding the alarm about the direct impact of freight transportation on basic necessities such as rice and chicken, according to reports by Acento and The Rio Times. Since the country does not produce hydrocarbons, it is bearing the full brunt of soaring energy costs. So far, the government has cushioned the blow by spending tens of millions of dollars each week on subsidies to freeze prices at the pump, but the pressure is becoming unsustainable.
To explain this critical situation, Minister of Industry and Commerce Eduardo Sanz Lovatón attributed the surge to international geopolitical tensions and global refining difficulties. In the space of a few months, the price of a barrel of diesel has doubled on world markets, rising from $100 to nearly $200, placing the Dominican economy at the center of a complex equation.
Haiti
The Electoral Council Sets New Presidential and Legislative Elections for July 2027
Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) has announced a new schedule in an effort to break the country’s political deadlock, according to a report by Outre-mer La 1ère. The first round of the presidential and legislative elections is now scheduled for July 18, 2027, the second round for October 4, and the final announcement of the results for October 23. This is the third date set for the country, which has not held elections since 2016.
This transition is hampered by chronic insecurity orchestrated by armed gangs that control vast areas, forcing nearly 1.5 million people to become internally displaced. Despite an alarming security situation and fewer than 900,000 registered voters, 19 candidates have already declared their candidacy for the presidency. The election is also taking place amid uncertainty surrounding the multinational aid mission, following the recent disappearance of four Salvadoran soldiers near Port-au-Prince.
