Pulse of the Caribbean

#89 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 2 Week of August 4

• Pulse of the Caribbean

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The Caribbean stands at a crossroads where global policies, regional initiatives, and local challenges converge to shape its future as highlighted in the headlines of our latest Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup. 

  • US State Department announces pilot program requiring visa applicants from high-overstay countries to post bonds up to $15,000
  • Turks and Caicos implements six-month freeze on Haitian work permits and visas due to rising unrest
  • CARIFORUM overseeing EU-funded programs to improve criminal justice systems and security capabilities
  • OECS Commission and Sunrise Airways sign MOU to enhance regional air connectivity and integration
  • Jamaica to celebrate National Day at Expo 2025 in Japan with four days of cultural events themed "peace, love and solidarity"
  • $40 million financing deal in Dominican Republic targets women entrepreneurs, youth startups, and green initiatives

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Speaker 1:

This is the Pulse of the Caribbean Caribbean News Roundup. Now today's Caribbean News Headlines.

Speaker 2:

This podcast is brought to you by Victory Run Walk, sponsored by the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. Accommodations are now available. Register at VictoryRunWalkVIcom for the 5K, 10k and half marathon Labor Day weekend, august 30th. St Thomas, us Virgin Islands, and Diamond Key, marina, yosemite, british Virgin Islands, home of Foxy's Taboo and Gateway to the Bubbly Pool.

Speaker 1:

a News Roundup Episode 2 for the week of.

Speaker 2:

August 4th. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We start a report at the US State Department. Before entering the United States, the US State Department may require business and tourist visa applicants to post a bond of up to $15,000. On Tuesday, the US Department announced a 12-month pilot program that will require visa applicants from countries with high overstay rates and poor internal document security controls to post $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 bonds. Visa applicants are facing stricter policies under the Trump administration. Last week, the State Department made many visa renewal applicants undergo an in-person interview, which was previously optional. Additionally, the administration recommends that visa diversity lottery applicants have valid passports from their home countries. The program will list affected countries. Once implemented, bonds may be waived based on an applicant's circumstances.

Speaker 2:

Now we head to the Kirk and Caicos Islands. Turk and Caicos Premier Charles Washington Missick ordered a six-month moratorium on Haitian first-time work permits due to rising violence and immigration applications. The government of the Turk and Caicos will also freeze Haitian visas for six months to tighten immigration rules and improve public safety. Premier Missick remarked at a national press conference on July 30th that, due to the rising unrest in Haiti and the influx of work permit applications from there, the government will immediately impose a six-month freeze on first-time work permits for Haitians and will also apply an immediate six-month visa moratorium. Missick said his cabinet has tasked the Ministry of Innovation, technology and Energy with developing a safe city technology strategy, alongside the Royal Turks and Caicos Island Police Force and other security agencies. Smart street lighting, cctv, automatic number plate recognition and connected traffic policing systems are part of the plan. Depremiere also addressed public concerns about internal threats, recognizing that not all problems are external.

Speaker 2:

Our next stop is CARAform. The steering committee supervising two European Union-funded initiatives to improve criminal justice administration and bolster law enforcement and border security in CARAform countries recently assessed progress. The Caribbean Forum, caraform, is a subgroup of organizations of African, caribbean and Pacific states that acts as a focal point for economic dialogue with the European Union. Ms Vanette Barron-George, deputy Program Manager, representing Ms Alexis Downs, amsterdam Cariforms Director General, at the session, stated that the support of the effective administration of criminal justice systems in the Caribbean program aims to modernize and strengthen court services throughout the region. The implementing partners for the program include the United Nations Development Program, the Center for International Legal Corporation, the CARICOM Secretariat and the Caribbean Court of Justice, improving access to justice through the acquisition of software and technology, training and capacity building, procedural reforms, regional security system and national security agencies, allowing them to effectively respond to regional security concerns. This program aims to increase information and intelligence sharing in the CARAform region in order to prevent and combat crime and combat crime. The Regional Security Systems and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security carried out the implementation on behalf of CARIFORM.

Speaker 2:

Now we head to the OECS. The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Commission and Sunrise Airways Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding on July 31st. This strategic, non-binding corporation aims to improve air travel and transportation, two long-standing barriers to integration in the OACS. The MOU recognizes air transport's vital role in supporting trade, tourism, disaster response, education and free movement, in accordance with the revised Treaty of Bastyr. This collaborative framework also intends to promote sustainability and resilience in regional connections, demonstrating a commitment to improving cooperation among aviation and travel stakeholders, developing targeted policies and inviting new methods to addressing current gaps. Dr Didicus Jules, director General of the OSCS, emphasized the importance of regional connection. During the signing ceremony, philip Bayard, founder and chairman of Sunrise Airways, emphasized the possibility of overcoming the region's fragmented challenge. He stated the Caribbean remains disconnected not only because of aviation constraints, but also because there is still little trade, economic engagement and practical cooperation between us. The revised Treaty of Bastyr calls on the OSCS member states to work towards progressive integration of air transportation policies, particularly in tourism and trade. In addition, member states have promised to develop conditions that allow for the implementation of long-term solutions to meet their economic, social and environmental needs.

Speaker 2:

Next up, jamaica is celebrating its national day at Expo 2025 in Osaka, japan. After this, st Thomas Virgin Islands Victory Run 2025 accommodations are now available After race registration. Book your stay and be the first occupants to stay at the Hamptons by Hilton, directly located at the start and finish line of Victory Run 2025. While around the bend and at the beach shore is the beautiful Westin Resort and connecting waterfront villas of the Bowie House. Both locations are family friendly and here to accommodate you with special rates, making your stay a breeze as you gear up and get ready for St Thomas Victory Run 2025 USVI. Book your stay now. This is the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 2.

Speaker 2:

For the week of August 4th, jamaica will commemorate their National Day at Expo 2025 in Osaka, japan, with four days of cultural events. National Day is a highlighted event for each country at the six-month Expo. Jamaica's official day is Wednesday, august 6th. However, the celebration began yesterday, august 4, and runs through August. Japanese and international guests. A celebration ceremony will be held on August 6th and followed by a large concert. Reggae artist Maka Ruffin, with 35 years in Japan, will play with the Maka Roots Band. High school students from Sister Cities, westmoreland in Jamaica and Tottori Prefecture in Japan will perform together. Events include a poetry session and dance workshops on August 4th and 5th, and a celebration will conclude with a big street party and DJ jam on August 7th.

Speaker 2:

Jamaica's ambassador to Japan, shorna K Richards, stated the celebration's theme is peace, love and solidarity. August 6 is also the 80th year of the Hiroshima bombing. Jamaica's ambassador said that this is a chance to promote peace and Jamaican and Japan friendship. Last year, the two countries celebrated 60 years of diplomatic relations. And here's our final note.

Speaker 2:

A five-year 40 million us dollar financing deal between benesco banco, multiply and the dutch development bank aims to increase finance access for micro, small and medium-sized firms in the Dominican Republic, with an emphasis on women entrepreneurs, youth-led startups and green initiatives. The deal requires at least 40 percent of cash to help women and youth-owned enterprises and 30 percent to promote environmentally sustainable projects that boost local economies. The rest will target inclusive development, boosting high-impact sectors. Banesco's executive president, juan Carlos Canero, called the agreement a decisive step in supporting the economy's energizers. Banesco has worked with BidInvest, the OPEC Fund and the Eco Business Fund to deploy credit lines with social, environmental and gender equality goals. The new Dutch Development Bank financing will help hundreds of small enterprises in the Dominican Republic grow. It is expected to provide quality urban and rural jobs and achieve the country's sustainable development goals.

Speaker 2:

This podcast is brought to you by Victory Runwalk, sponsored by the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. Accommodations are now available. Register at VictoryRunwalkVIcom for the 5K, 10k and Half Marathon. Labor Day weekend, august 30th. St Thomas, us Virgin Islands, and Diamond Key, marina, yosvendike, british Virgin Islands, home of Foxy's Taboo and Gateway to the Bubbly Pool, a natural jacuzzi and hidden gem. Have news and information you'd like to share with us. Send news releases to news at pulseofthecaribbeancom. If you have an interest in sponsoring our podcast, email us at biz B-I-Z at pulseofthecaribbeancom. This has been your Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 2, for the week of August 4th. Here's a shout-out to our listeners in Seattle, washington and in Trinidad and Tobago. Thanks for listening and do spread the word and share our podcast with others across the region and the diaspora. I'm Keisha Blyden. See you next time.

Speaker 1:

For more Caribbean news stories and information, visit us online at pulseofthecaribbeancom. If you found value in this podcast, be sure to like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and thank you in advance for choosing Pulse of the Caribbean Caribbean News Roundup as your source for Caribbean centered news.