Pulse of the Caribbean

#108 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 3 Week of September 8

• Pulse of the Caribbean

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The Caribbean region faces significant developments including US military expansion across multiple islands for counter-narcotics operations is among the headlines highlighted. Here are other stories making Caribbean headlines. 

  • US military deploying forces in Puerto Rico, USVI, and Trinidad as part of counter-narcotics mission
  • Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce advocating nuclear energy and next-generation technologies
  • Dominican Republic investing in three meteorological radars worth 350 million pesos each
  • Miami-based Third Horizon relaunching Anansi TV platform for Caribbean and diaspora films
  • Nevis promoting itself as premium film destination with new global romance feature in production 

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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 Dominique Marina Yosvendike, british Virgin Islands. Home of Foxy's Taboo and Gateway to the Bubbly Pool, a natural jacuzzi and hidden gem. Welcome to the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 3 for the week of September 8th. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We start our report with a look at the US military buildup in the Caribbean. This week, us Defense Secretary Peter Hegsett reminded Marines on the USS Iwo Jima in Puerto Rico that their Caribbean deployment was not training and emphasized Washington's newest military escalation. The operation involves surface ships, surveillance aircraft and a US submarine near Trinidad and Tobago. After the Trump administration designated Venezuelan gangs, international terrorist organizations, the US military deployment includes the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Soldiers have arrived on St Croix. Governor Albert Brine of the United States Virgin Islands praised the deployment for its security and economic benefits. Brine said troops on St Croix have a great impact. Governor Jennifer Gonzalez of Puerto Rico praised Hegsett's visit and thanked the Trump administration for recognizing the strategic value of Puerto Rico to the national security of the United States and the fight against drug cartels in the hemisphere. Washington's counter-narcotic mission has expanded to the Caribbean, where US troops are stationed in Puerto Rico, trinidad and Tobago and the US Virgin Islands. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the president of the United States is going to wage war on narcotic terrorist organization. The military action mission intercepts US-bound narcotics.

Speaker 2:

Our next stop is Grenada. As reported yesterday, from January 2026, grenada will be unable to export fish and fish products to the United States market. The Grenada Ministry of Marine Affairs is seeking to repeal the restrictions by 2027. Legislative monitoring and reporting and early 2026 comparability reapplication are underway. Repairing the necessary legislation by the forequarter of 2025 and expediting regulations to ban commercial fishing of 2025 and expediting regulations to ban commercial fishing. Intentional killing or significant injury of marine mammals are unlawful also promise the ministry will also implement sanctions, enforcement, monitoring and reporting in the fourth quarter of 2025. The ministry also seeks stakeholder support in the fourth quarter of 2025 and into 2026 to guide and assist fishers and exporters during the transition and engages the Food and Agricultural Organization, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States and US counterparts for technical support and capacity building. Grenada can fish, sell and trade outside of the US. According to the announcement, over 3,000 active fisherfolk and 900 fishing vessels are registered with Grenada's fisheries division. According to the 2024 mid-year evaluation which was submitted in Parliament. More than 7% of the workforce works in this industry. Because Grenada failed to submit a comparability finding determination under the Marine Mammal Protection Act import provision, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Department announced in the Federal Register on August 29, 2025, that it would ban Grenada from exporting fish and fish products to US markets in January 2026.

Speaker 2:

In other regional news, nuclear energy and other next-generation technologies should be included in generation capacity purchases. According to the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce. The chamber asks the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau and Public-Private Partnerships Authority to increase power options for 3,000 megawatts. According to the chamber president, margaret Ramirez-Beyes, puerto Rico is in a vital energy revolution stage. Innovative sources can supplement established ones. Therefore, we can't limit our options. We want an open, transparent procurement process that evaluates all energy crisis solutions. The agency said additional qualified sources would improve cost, safety, dependability, environmental effect and technical feasibility proposal reviews.

Speaker 2:

Now on to the Dominican Republic. The three meteorological radars in Punta Cana, puerto Plata and Las Americas International Airport cost 350 million pesos each. A triangulated network of radars will cover the Dominican Republic airspace and warn of atmospheric disturbances. Rodriguez-duran noted that passenger-paid airline taxes fund the project, avoiding national budget allocations. Santiago features a primary secondary air navigation radar with the ADS-B satellite technology, and San Ysidro Air Base has a new control tower, encrypted communication, vor and upgraded runway illumination. Upgrades improve airspace security and make the Dominican Republic a regional leader in meteorological monitoring and international aviation requirements.

Speaker 2:

Next up, third Horizon, a Miami-based collective of filmmakers, has officially relaunched Anansi TV. After this For Pulse of the Caribbean, podcast advertising or marketplace feature opportunities, email biz B-I-Z at pulseofthecaribbeancom. Get your ads in front of our ever-expanding Caribbean and diaspora community. Contact us at biz B-I-Z at pulseofthecaribbeancom. Engage in networking and advertising with Pulse of the Caribbean. This is the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 3, for the week of September 8th.

Speaker 2:

Miami-based filmmaker group Third Horizon relaunched Anansi TV, a Caribbean and diaspora film platform Recently created. The website builds on Third Horizon's annual film festival, where it supports independent and culturally relevant filmmaking. Third Horizon executive director, ramola Lucas, said in a press release that the relaunch of Anansi TV honors us to be stewards of this collection and provide a platform for Caribbean film worldwide. The Anansi TV collection includes modern and historical pieces. Overtures, a Haitian film and the Sweetest Mango out of Antigua and Barbuda's first feature film are among the many titles available on the platform. The platform licenses educators, curators, broadcasters and viewers. This expanded availability promotes educational and institutional Caribbean cinema viewing. The John S and James L Knight Foundation's Knight Art and Tech Expansion Grant revives Anansi TV. Visit anansitv for platform and collection information. And here's our final note Sink, it's a Nevis Premier.

Speaker 2:

Mark Brantley revealed at his monthly press conference that Chuck and Bree West of Octech Productions are producing a global romance film feature in Nevis as a part of the government's marketing of the island as a premium film destination. The film stars local actors Winston Crook and Kayla Malalou with speaking parts to accurately reflect Nevis people and culture. Other locals are also involved in the production To promote tourism. Nevis hotels, villas, beaches and landscape views and local talent are included in the film. Brantley emphasized Nevision's involvement in all production elements, emphasizing the island's Ute's growing abilities and accomplishments. Us TV series the Real Housewives of Potomac was recently filmed on Nevis, illustrating its growing popularity with international filmmakers.

Speaker 2:

This podcast has been brought to you by 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. This has been your Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 3, for the week of September 8th. Greetings to our listeners in Dominica, atlanta, georgia and Canada. Thanks for listening and do spread the word and share a 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.