Pulse of the Caribbean

#121 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 4 Week of September 29

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We track a week where Haiti’s security plan evolves, the Bahamas locks in climate risk financing, Guyana deepens industrial ties with Brazil, and tourism leaders in Barbados weigh AI’s promise against the power of human hospitality in this episode.  Here are the stories making Caribbean headlines.

  • Dominican Republic push for global support for UN-backed gang suppression force in Haiti 
  • Bahamas secures $160m Inter-Development Bank loan for catastrophe risk and data systems
  • Guyana attracts Brazilian investment in quarrying, concrete, and agriculture
  • Puerto Rico Act 60 under scrutiny for credibility
  • Tourism leaders gather in Barbados discuss balancing AI with authentic human touch
  • Dr Kevin Dixon a St. Kitts National now living in the US Virgin Islands release new children's book on perseverance 

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

Send news releases to news@pulseofthecaribbean.com. For Pulse of the Caribbean marketplace feature opportunities email biz@pulseofthecaribbean.com.

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This podcast is brought to you by Boundless Bliss Hotel, St. Thomas, U.S. 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. Welcome to the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, Episode 4, for the week of September 29th. Here is a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We start a report in the Dominican Republic. Yesterday we reported that the Dominican Republic's President Luis Abinader welcomed the announcement that the UN Gang Suppression Force will replace the multinational security support mission in Haiti. A 5,500-person team will restore order and fight gangs in the neighboring countries. In developing news, President Luis Abinader has written to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping to request their cooperation for the UN Security Council approved Security Corporation mission in Haiti. Abinader wrote to Putin to request Russia's support to boost the mission enough to dismantle criminal groups. He stressed China's valuable support to pursue the efforts in his message to Qi. Haiti's growing crisis threatens the Dominican Republic's national security and regional peace, Abinader stated. The resolution presented by the United States in Panama established a new international force to battle gang violence in Haiti with 12 votes and three abstentions on Tuesday. He said that the United Nations Security Council's acceptance of the Haitian gang suppression force is the consequence of strong leadership. Now on to the Bahamas. Yesterday, the Inter-American Development Bank, the IDB, approved the Bahamas for a$160 million catastrophic risk management loan. The IDB said the loan has a 20-year repayment term and a 5.5 year grace period. This is the second of two loans, with the first in 2023. The project will help Bahamian officials identify and reduce risk and improve disaster preparedness and recovery. The IDB said Bahamian authorities will create a disaster data system to improve risk-informed decision making and preparedness. Public officials will also learn risk assessments to ensure disaster resilience is progressively integrated into public infrastructure. Two years after Hurricane Dorian destroyed the northern Bahamas, the Davis administration prioritized climate justice and funding. According to the IDB, the Bahamas has had 15 major natural catastrophes, predominantly hurricanes, in the last 25 years. Our next stop is Guyana. Representatives from Congregel Group, a Brazilian company that produces concrete quarries and grows soybean, visited the Guyana Office for Investment Go Invest on Wednesday. The officials expressed interest in expanding into Guyana, citing local investor collaborations. Director of Investments, Arvinda Ramcharan, discussed partnerships and investment atmosphere with the company. Congregel's quarrying and concrete production expertise can help meet the current needs and demands in Guyana. Trade and investment between Guyana and northern Brazil are growing, prompting this collaboration. Recognizing Guyana's quick growth and investment climate, Congrigel Group expressed interest in its mining, manufacturing, and agriculture sectors. In other news from Puerto Rico, the top U.S. Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Ron Wyden, claims Pantera Capital founder Dan Moorhead misused Puerto Rico's Act 60 incentives program to forego more than$100 million in capital gain taxes. Bloomberg Tax reports Pantera operates a$5 billion cryptocurrency hedge fund. Wyden wrote to Moorhead regarding his advisors, asset traded, and legal advice obtained following his move to Puerto Rico in 2022. He linked the case to an ongoing internal revenue service and U.S. Department of Justice investigation into Puerto Rico's residency-based tax advantages, which he alleged were abused. Next up, Caribbean tourism leaders gather for the state of the tourism industry conference in Barbados. After this, after this. Our central location offers 180-degree scenic hilltop views, and our tropical landscape distinguishes us among the many hotels and vacation rental services. Come share a slice of St. Thomas's gorgeous tropical paradise anytime throughout the year. Stay with us in one of our Deluxe King, traditional King bedroom suites, or classic queen double efficiency units. Boundless Bliss Hotel, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, a visit carved in time. Book your slice of St. Thomas's gorgeous tropical paradise anytime. Visit us online at Boundless Bliss Hotel.com. For Pulse of the Caribbean podcast advertising or marketplace feature opportunities, email bizbiz at pulsofthecaribbean.com. Get your ads in front of our ever-expanding Caribbean and diaspora community. Contact us at BizBIZ at pulsofthecaribbean.com. Engage in networking and advertising with Pulse of the Caribbean. This is the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, Episode 4 for the week of September 29th. The State of Tourism Industry Conference 2025 has brought together the Caribbean's top tourism thinkers to discuss emerging threads, including possibilities and challenges, and how the islands may thrive. From September 30th to October 3rd, at the Hilton Barbados, they will gather at the conference, themed Reimagined Caribbean Tourism, Research, Relevance, and the Road Ahead. On October 1st, conference organizers presented the conference's vision and established a tone for talks. LeVay Global Founder and Managing Director, Dr. Arlena Poon, was the keynote speaker. World-renowned tourism and sustainable development expert Poon worked in South Africa, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Greece, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Iceland, Australia, Mozambique, and the English-speaking Caribbean. As an economist, Poon has transformed these locations tourism sectors. Poon, a Trinidad national, emphasized how the Caribbean industry could address AI concerns. She encouraged industry executives to embrace their Caribbean-ness and to use AI to improve their offerings. She stated doctors, attorneys, content creators, and marketers, AI is coming for us all. She noted that tourism relies on human touch, which AI can't replace. And here's her final note. In his new book, A Brave New Beginning, the story of KJ Dr. Kevin Dixon, a Sandy Point St. Kitts native living in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, encourages youth resilience, leadership, and fate. The book follows a shy Caribbean child, KJ, who changes, believes, and perseveres. He struggles to adjust as his family moves from St. Kitts to St. Croix. KJ discovers his voice via fate, music, and community. The story emphasizes perseverance and possibility based loosely on Dr. Dixon's experience. Both children and adults love the new book, which targets 8 to 13 year olds. It's now available at Bunkinville Books and Gifts, Shadwell Great House, St. Kitts, and also on Amazon. This podcast has been brought to you by Boundless Bliss Hotels, St. Thomas, U.S. 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 Pulse of the Caribbean. Send news releases to news at Pulse of the Caribbean.com. This has been your Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode four for the week of September 29th. Here's a special greeting going out to our listeners in Trinidad and Tobago, Illinois, the UK, and Germany. 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.

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For more Caribbean news stories and information, visit us online at pulsofthecaribbean.com. 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 tourist for Caribbean Funny News.