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• U.S. Virgin Islands
In St. Thomas, a $100 million waterfront expansion project
A federal land issue that has long hindered the second phase of the “Veterans Drive” extension project in downtown Charlotte Amalie has been resolved thanks to an agreement between the government of the Virgin Islands and the U.S. Coast Guard, according to the Virgin Islands Consortium in an article published on November 0. The announcement of this resolution came from Governor Albert Bryan Jr., allowing the project—estimated to cost approximately $100 million—to move forward. The signed agreement resolves issues related to federal properties along the St. Thomas waterfront, which had been blocking the project’s progress for years. According to a request for proposals published on November 5 by the Federal Highway Administration, the Consortium notes, the planned work involves reconstructing and widening “Veterans Drive” by approximately 625 meters. The goal is to create a continuous four-lane roadway, with two lanes in each direction. The federal notice estimates the cost of construction between $80 million and $90 million, taking into account various construction schedules and contractual options. This estimate is separate from the approximately $100 million budget allocated by Albert Bryan’s administration for land acquisition and construction-related costs as part of Phase 2.
The population of the U.S. Virgin Islands is projected to drop by 41% by 2100
According to figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday, November 5, the population of the U.S. Virgin Islands is projected to decline from 83,896 in 2026 to 49,331 in 2100. “This would represent a loss of 34,565 residents—a decline of approximately 41 percent—due to falling fertility rates and continued emigration,” notes the Virgin Islands Consortium. These new estimates and projections constitute the first update to the International Database since 2017 regarding the outlook for the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. For these four territories, the projections indicate a smaller population by the end of the century than in 2026. The population of the U.S. Virgin Islands is projected to reach 82,139 in 2030, 76,430 in 2040, and 70,187 in 2050, according to the Consortium’s analysis. The database indicates an annual population growth rate of -0.46% for 2026. For the Virgin Islands, the Bureau also forecasts that the number of deaths could begin to exceed the number of births as early as 2027, a phenomenon that demographers refer to as “natural decline.” The territory’s total fertility rate fell from 2.5 children per woman in 2007 to 1.9 in 2026, a level below the replacement rate of 2.1. The Consortium adds that migration patterns are also contributing to this decline. In 2026, the net migration rate for the U.S. Virgin Islands was -5.4 per 1,000 residents, meaning that the number of departures exceeded the number of arrivals. According to census researchers, the negative net migration increased sharply between the 2010 and 2020 censuses, a trend likely linked to the closure of an oil refinery, Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, and persistent economic and structural problems.
• Sint Maarten/Curaçao/Aruba
Economic Prospects Linked to Suriname’s Oil Project
Suriname’s oil project, valued at 10.5 billion U.S. dollars, could open doors for Saint Martin, Curaçao, and Aruba, reports The People’s Tribune. The rapid development of Suriname’s offshore oil and gas industry could create new economic opportunities for businesses in Sint Maarten, Curaçao, and Aruba, the publication notes in an article published on November 10. Indeed, investments totaling billions of dollars are driving demand for specialized services, technical expertise, logistics, and international business partnerships. These prospects are generating keen interest in the Dutch Caribbean, the article’s author notes. The local chapter of the International Fiscal Association (IFA)—covering Curaçao, Aruba, and Saint Martin—is organizing a seminar on November 18. The goal is to examine how companies from these three territories could participate in Suriname’s rapidly expanding energy sector, while understanding the resulting international tax implications. This development comes as Suriname moves forward with its “GranMorgu” offshore oil project, one of the largest energy investments currently underway in the Caribbean region. Led by the French energy group TotalEnergies, in partnership with APA Corporation and Suriname’s national oil company, Staatsolie, this project represents an estimated investment of $10.5 billion. Located approximately 150 kilometers offshore in Block 58, the GranMorgu project is expected to begin oil production in 2028, using a floating production unit designed to process up to 220,000 barrels per day. The project holds recoverable reserves estimated at more than 750 million barrels. While this project opens up opportunities for businesses in Sint Maarten, The People’s Tribune notes that no specific contracts or investment commitments involving companies from Sint Maarten have been announced as part of this project. According to Total Energies, more than 100 Surinamese companies are already supplying goods and services to the GranMorgu project.
• Grenada
Elections—Historic Victory for the Incumbent Prime Minister’s Party
Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell, led his party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to a historic second consecutive election victory. In the general elections held late last week, the NDC won 14 of the country’s 15 parliamentary seats. This victory marks a first in the NDC’s history, notes the Caribbean National Weekly. The party has won two general elections in a row, thereby consolidating Dickon Mitchell’s mandate following the party’s return to power in 2022. The NDC had previously formed governments in 1990 and 2008, the CNW notes, but lost the subsequent elections in both instances. The opposition party, the New National Party (NNP), won the remaining seat, which will be filled by Adrian Joseph. The NDC also dominated the popular vote, garnering 37,369 votes, or 61% of the valid votes cast. The NNP received 22,567 votes (36.84%), while the Democratic People’s Movement came in third with 1,189 votes (1.94%).
• Saint Martin
Sandy Ground Bridge Closed for at Least Another Six Months
Since August 11, the Sandy Ground Bridge has been closed to maritime traffic. “This situation is hurting maritime professionals and sparking their anger,” reports the Soualiga Post, noting that on Thursday, November 5, several professionals rallied to protest the closure and demand answers regarding the bridge’s reopening. Major renovation work must be undertaken to allow the drawbridge to reopen. “Technical assessments have revealed damage to several pieces of equipment, including the hydraulic system, sensors, safety barriers, emergency equipment, and guardrails,” the Soualiga Post explains. The door to the technical room must also be replaced.” The author of the article, published on November 6, adds that “according to the estimates provided, it will take about three months for the bidding process, followed by an additional two months for the delivery of materials and repairs.” However, no specific timeline has been disclosed.
• Puerto Rico
A 32-MW solar power grid
The San Juan Star devoted an article (published on November 10) to the modernization of Puerto Rico’s power grid. The article states that LUMA Energy announced the completion of infrastructure and technical coordination work essential for connecting a new 32-megawatt (MW) solar power plant, developed by YFN Infinigen in Yabucoa. According to LUMA, the private operator of the island’s electricity transmission and distribution grid, this project will help diversify Puerto Rico’s energy mix and strengthen the reliability and stability of the power grid. The solar facility is expected to begin commercial operation in the coming months. A battery energy storage system (BESS) is also scheduled to be connected to the same substation. This storage system is designed to support grid frequency and voltage stability and to help meet demand during periods of high consumption. Once operational, this new generation source is expected to reduce Puerto Rico’s reliance on conventional fuels and help address generation shortfalls that have, in the past, led to power outages across the island.
• Guadeloupe / Saint Martin
The Court of Auditors Highlights “Serious Failures” at the CGSS
The Court of Auditors has just published a report on the General Social Security Fund (CGSS) of Guadeloupe and Saint Martin, covering the years 2020 through 2025. The CGSS manages, for the general and agricultural social security systems, sickness benefits (2 billion euros) and old-age benefits (700 million euros), as well as the collection of social security contributions (1.3 billion euros in contributions collected), and has 55,619 contributors. The Court examined the management of the CGSS of Guadeloupe and Saint Martin and found that these results are unsatisfactory for both the island’s residents and the public authorities. “The services provided by the health and old-age branches are underperforming, and the collection of contributions suffers from serious shortcomings,” the report emphasizes. In this context, and in light of “weakened governance and inadequate management,” the Court makes seven recommendations. In particular, it calls on the CGSS leadership to “take immediate and vigorous control of the situation,” including by strengthening, starting in 2026, its capacity to collect contributions and by ending practices that do not comply with current regulations.
• Anguilla
Controversy Surrounding the Title to Cinnamon Reef
According to an article on the Anguilla Focus website, Merrick Richardson, a member of the opposition, has called for the full disclosure of documents related to the “Cinnamon Reef” property. He therefore introduced a motion before the Legislative Assembly of Anguilla, aimed at clarifying the history of this property as well as the commitments made by the government. This motion follows the Assembly’s approval of a budget of 16 million Eastern Caribbean dollars (5.3 million euros) from public funds, intended to enable the government to repurchase this former hotel complex from the Anguilla Social Security Board, according to Anguilla Focus. This measure was part of a supplementary appropriations bill totaling $39.38 million, which also included subsidies for fuel costs, coverage for medical treatment abroad, and the acquisition of office space in the United Kingdom.
Located on approximately 4.7 hectares of land in Little Harbor, on Anguilla’s south coast, “Cinnamon Reef” was one of the island’s first resort complexes. American hoteliers Richard and Carol Hauser built and operated this Mediterranean-style resort from 1983 until the early 2000s, before putting it up for sale due to Richard’s health. It was subsequently acquired by Boutique Resorts before being taken over in 2009 by the Anguilla Social Security Investment and Development Corporation (ASSIDCO), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Anguilla Social Security Fund. A lease-purchase agreement has reportedly since been signed with the government. However, according to Merrick Richardson, the situation lacks a bit of clarity.
