Pulse of the Caribbean

#98 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 3 Week of August 18

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The Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup brings you critical developments from across the region. Here’s a look at what’s making Caribbean headlines.

  • US military reportedly deployed on anti-drug mission in Southern Caribbean, prompting Venezuela to mobilize 4.5 million militiamen
  • Cayman Islands Coast Guard seized 1,500 pounds of marijuana arresting three Jamaicans and one local resident
  • Four Dominicans agreed to US extradition for involvement in "grandparent scam" targeting American seniors
  • Inter-American Development Bank loaned Bahamas $30 million to strengthen blue economy businesses
  • OECS held first meeting on implementing Custom Union and Free Circulation of Goods Regime
  • Caribbean Association of Pharmacists hosting 2025 Annual Conference in Dominica focusing on healthcare transformation

These and other stories are on today’s Pulse of the Caribbean-Caribbean News Round Up Episode 3 for the Week of August 18. 

Listen and subscribe to the  Pulse of the Caribbean Caribbean News Round Up for news you need to know. 

Send news releases and information to news@pulseofthecaribbean.com.

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. Victory Run Walk is fast approaching and accommodations are available with discounted rates for participants in the 5K, 10k and half marathon. Labor Day weekend, august 30th, st Thomas, us Virgin Islands. Go online to VictoryRunWalkVIcom for more information. And Diamond Key Marina, yosemite, british Virgin Islands, home of Foxy's Taboo and Gateway to the Bubbly Pool, a natural jacuzzi and hidden gem.

Speaker 2:

Welcome to the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 3 for the week of August 18th. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We start our report in the southern Caribbean region. Reuters and CNN reported last week that the US military is being sent on an anti-drug mission to the South Caribbean. Two unidentified officials told Reuters that US Air and Naval Forces were on a mission to combat Latin American drug smugglers in the southern Caribbean region. Cnn now reports that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro deployed 4.5 million militiamen nationwide on Monday, assuring that no empire will quote-unquote touch the sacred soil of Venezuela, after reports that the US doubled the reward for his arrest and increased the number of troops sailing around Latin America and the Caribbean. However, a US Department of Defense official stated Tuesday that no US ships were in the vicinity or have instructions to get there. Venezuela has about 2,500 miles of coastline. Following reports of the US military buildup in the Caribbean, white House Press Secretary Carolyn Leavitt was asked Tuesday about sending troops to Venezuela. She said US President Donald Trump has been straightforward and consistent. He's prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country and to bring those responsible to justice. She said Now we head to the Cayman Islands.

Speaker 2:

Last Thursday morning the Cayman Islands Coast Guard found a suspicious canoe with 1,500 pounds of marijuana. The Cayman Islands Coast Guard, assisted by the police aircraft, apprehended the vessel at 2.40 am where four individuals seemed to be involved in illegal maritime operations. The men suspected of illegal entry into the Cayman Islands, possession and importation of banned narcotics were detained. The four men seized last week after the interception of the canoe with the 1,500 pounds of marijuana were charged with illicit trafficking, possession, intent to provide and conspiracy to import. Three Jamaican suspects 39, 45, and 64 were arrested. A Fort Mann, a Cayman Island West Bay resident, was also detained. He also faces three Jamaican illegal landing and human smuggling charges. After appearing in court on Monday, august 18th, all four men will appear in court again today, august 20th, for further proceedings.

Speaker 2:

Our next stop is the Dominican Republic. Four Dominicans arrested in Operation Discovery 3.0 have voluntarily agreed to be extradited to the United States, where they face charges linked to the alleged US grandparent scam. The network allegedly defrauded senior citizens in the United States using digital platforms to commit computer fraud, steal personal data, impersonate victims and launder money. The operation was carried out through a corporation between the Dominican Republic public ministry and international agencies, including the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, which conducted simultaneous raids in several United States states and arrested at least 10 people tied to the scheme. In the Dominican Republic, prosecutors have requested preventive detention for six additional defendants in Santiago and declared the case complex, with a hearing scheduled for today, august 20.

Speaker 2:

Now on to the Bahamas. The Inter-American Development Bank loaned the government of the Bahamas $30 million to strengthen its blue economy's small and medium-sized businesses. According to officials, this will promote entrepreneurship, tourism infrastructure and marine resource potential. These three areas will be executed under the five-year loan Under the blue economy. Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis stated that the project gives local entrepreneurs vital investment opportunities for private sector innovators. The loan will be used to build visitor centers on selected family islands and install signage at tourist and historical sites. In addition to supporting businesses, the Bahamas Agriculture, marine and Science Institute will also use grant resources to improve coursework and other institutional operations. The Bahamas Agriculture, marine and Science Institute, small Business Development Center, bahamas Development Bank and Ministries of Finance, economic Affairs, tourism, investments and Aviation are implementing the project.

Speaker 2:

Next up, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS, holds its first regional working group meeting on custom union and free circulation of goods. After this, 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 3, for the week of August 18.

Speaker 2:

The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Commission held the first meeting of the Regional Working Group on the proposed Custom Union and Free Circulation of Goods Regime in Castries, st Lucia, and, via videoconference. Senior government officials, private sector representatives and other regional stakeholders attended. Earlier this year, the OSCS Economic Affairs Council and Council of Ministers on Trade reaffirmed Protocol Member States' commitment to implementing the custom union and free circulation of goods in accordance with the revised Treaty of Bastyr. Free circulation of goods in accordance with the revised Treaty of Bastyr. The two-day meeting was held July 30th to 31st 2025. The group updated the custom union roadmap and implementation timelines and developed a conceptual framework for an early pilot implementation of free goods circulation. The group also worked on creating a single custom territory for the OECS Economic Union by advancing the policy, legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks for a fully functional custom union and free circulation of goods system. In his opening remarks, oecs Commission Officer in Charge, joel Richard, said A custom union regime will foster free trade among our members, enhance competitiveness of our firms and our economies more broadly, and create jobs, because we expect that there will be more economic benefits coming from the creation of a custom union regime. Richard's remarks certainly increased trade volumes expected from a custom union and free circulation goods regime would hopefully lead to higher GDP for our member states and greater collective wealth. Mr Ricardo James, head of Trade Policy Development, stressed that the regional working group will monitor and report on the custom union and free circulation of goods regimes implementation and advise on technical assistance and capacity building needs. Senior officials from Ministries of Trade and Finance, custom Administrations, standard and Quality Agencies, plant and Animal Health and Food Safety Authorities, port Management Bodies, the OECS Business Council and CARICOM and CARIFORM Secretariat and Directorate observers participated. A second meeting is scheduled for September. That meeting's recommendation will be sent to the Council of Ministers, economic Affairs Council and OECS Authority to ensure prompt implementation of the Custom Union and Free Circulation of Goods System. And here's our final note.

Speaker 2:

The Caribbean Association of Pharmacists is hosting its 2025 Annual Conference in Rizzo, dominica. The conference began on Monday, august 18, and will conclude on Sunday, august 24. In a press release that Pharmacy 2025 and Beyond Achieving Optimal Outcomes and Healthcare Transformation Through Accountability, innovation and Research, is bringing together Caribbean and international healthcare practitioners, policymakers, academics and industry leaders, organizers say conference highlights will include keynote speeches by regional and international pharmacy and health care experts, interactive workshops and training on research methodology, accountability frameworks and innovative pharmacy technology. Caribbean professionals will present research papers on latest achievements and discoveries. There will be exhibits for pharmaceutical businesses, service providers and innovative health care solutions. Conference attendees will also enjoy Dominica's hospitality and tradition at festivals and networking activities.

Speaker 2:

This podcast has been brought to you by Victory Run Walk, sponsored by the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. Victory Run Walk 2025 is fast approaching and accommodations are available with discounted rates for participants in the 5k, 10k and half marathon. Labor Day weekend, august 30th, st Thomas, us Virgin Islands. Go online to VictoryRunWalkVIcom for more information. And Diamond Key Marina, yosemite, 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 3, for the week of August 18th. Here's a shout out to our listeners in the Bahamas, maryland and Canada. 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.