Pulse of the Caribbean

#123 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 2 Week of October 6

• Pulse of the Caribbean

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Regional security intensifies, environmental cooperation advances, telecom policy debates heat up, and investment momentum surges in the region as highlighted in this episode.  Here are some of the stories making Caribbean headlines.

  • US-Bahamas interdictions rise, multi‑agency enforcement seize$12.3 million in cocaine over the weekend 
  • U.S.–Venezuela maritime tensions increase, Russia declares support for Venezuela , and regional stability concerns grow
  • Caribbean officials meet at Cartagena Convention COP18  to address priorities on marine litter, biodiversity and ocean governance
  • Turks and Caicos Islands  telecoms operators and residents debate satellite licensing 
  • Dominican Republic tourism investment pipeline, rooms added and jobs created
  • Guyana newly commissioned Demerara River Bridge provide 24/7 traffic and trade benefits

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.

SPEAKER_02:

This podcast is 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. Welcome to the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode two for the week of October 6th. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We start a report today with a look at Caribbean weather. Showers and thunderstorms are gradually becoming better organized in association with an area of low pressure located a little more than 1,000 miles east of the Windward Islands. If these thrunes continue, advisories will likely be initiated on a tropical depression later today. This system is expected to move quickly west north westward across the central tropical Atlantic and then move near or north of the northern Leeward Islands on Thursday and Friday. Residents across the Leeward and Windward Islands are urged to monitor official forecast. Our next stop is the Bahamas. Weekend enforcement operations in the Bahamas netted 12.3 million in cocaine. Bahamian police detained two men on Cat Island on Saturday evening with 7.8 million in cocaine. It was a collaborative operation including drug enforcement agents, DEA, and local authorities on Cat Island. Bahamian Drug Enforcement Unit Superintendent Wendy Pearson stated at the Odyssey Aviation. Also on Sunday, Grand Bahama Police Customs and U.S. agents uncovered$4.5 million in cocaine at a shipping port. No one was arrested in the seizure. According to U.S. officials, regional cocaine seizures have surged since 2021. The Bahamas police recovered 2,461.37 pounds of cocaine between 2017 and 2020, and law enforcement sees 13,479.36 pounds of cocaine between 2021 to 2024. Last month during his nomination hearing to become U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas, Herschel Walker said the growth of drug smuggling in the Bahamas threatens the United States. He said managing the rising issue requires Bahamian and U.S. corporation. Wayne Monroe, the Bahamas Minister of National Security, said that the Bahamas Philip Davis administration added four GoFast interceptor boats to the force, and that Bahamas drug interdictions have increased since 2021. In related news, U.S. President Donald Trump said American military striked another drug-laden vessel near Venezuela's coast and threatened future action inside Venezuela. Russia criticized the United States missiles on a boat allegedly transporting illegal drugs off Venezuela's coast that killed four people on Friday and warned of Caribbean escalation. Serge Lavrov called Venezuela's foreign minister Yvon Gill on Sunday to protest the international waters attack. The ministers expressed serious concerns about Washington's escalation actions in the Caribbean Sea that are fraught with far-reaching consequences for the region, the Russian Ministry and Foreign Affairs said after the conversation, adding that Russia supports and stands with Venezuela's leadership and people. Now here's a look at regional environmental news. Officials and technical specialists from the wider Caribbean region will meet in Kingston, Jamaica from October 13 to the 16th, 2025 for the 18 meeting of the contracting parties to the Cartagena Convention. The United Nations Environmental Programs biannual summit will address Caribbean Sea environmental constraints and identify regional marine conservation priorities. At COP18, the Conference of Parties to the land-based sources of marine pollution and specially protected areas and wildlife protocols will meet. These meetings promote regional cooperation on marine pollution, biodiversity loss, and coastal ecosystem deterioration. The United Nations Environmental Programs Cartagena Convention Secretariat Coordinator Christopher Corbyn emphasized the summit's importance due to rising marine environmental challenges in the Caribbean. Corbyn said the marine environment is facing unprecedented pressures from land-based pollution, plastic waste, massive influxes of sargasm, warming seas, and coral reef bleaching, sea level and coastal erosion, ocean acidification, and habitat and species loss. He said COP 18 will allow the convention contracting parties to reaffirm their commitment and develop a coordinated strategy to protect these vital ecosystems. COP18 will review the 2023-2024 work plan, approve a strategic program and budget for 2026 to 2027, and adopt resolutions on developing environmental challenges. Delegates will evaluate suggestions to promote the regional action plan for marine litter, strengthen land-based pollution controls, extend protected areas and wildlife, and improve ocean governance frameworks to support a resilient and sustainable blue economy. In other news from the Turk and Caicos Islands, local telecom operators Flow and Digicel oppose a new license type that allows Starlink and Amazon to license satellite-based internet services into Turk and Caicos Islands. Flo, Cable, and Wireless said it opposes a satellite-specific license category due to anti-competitive behavior. It supports technology neutral licensing for internet networks or services categories. Digital said it opposes the new licensing structure because it undermined regulatory neutrality and gave unfair competitive benefits. Grand Turk and the Family Islands, North, Middle, and South Caicos are connected via microwave lines, which provide the backbone and carriage way for telecommunication services. The commission highlighted that over time, microwave links have been oversaturated due to consumer demand, degrading telecommunication services, particularly internet connectivity in specific localities. Next up, Dominican Republic noted as best place in Latin America to invest after this. All units provide furnished balconies facing the beautiful St. Thomas Harbor, relaxed, comfortable, and spacious with the convenience of a cooktop range, apartment size, refrigerator, dining area, and full bath. 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 two, for the week of October 6th. At the opening of the 160 million US dollar W. Puntacana Adult All-Inclusive Resort by Marriott International, Grupo Puntacana, and Mac Hotels, the Dominican Republic's president Luis Abinader said, The Dominican Republic is currently the best destination in Latin America to invest. Since the project began during the COVID-19 pandemic, the president stressed that it boosts tourism and the economy. He emphasized the expanding presence of North American hotel brands, ranking the country second in Latin America behind Mexico in U.S. tourism investments. He said 15,000 additional rooms are being built nationwide in the Dominican Republic, with 6,000 opening this year, creating thousands of jobs and boosting the economy. The new Juvero Alto Resort has 340 rooms and suites, 12 restaurants, and a luxury away spa with an all-inclusive music, wellness, and contemporary design experience. Industry executives lawed the government's tourism support. Frank Ilias Ramira, president and CEO of Grupo Puntacana, praised the administration for always supporting tourism, calling it an example of leadership and perseverance in the region. And here's our final note. On Saturday night, Guyana's president, Dr. Mohamed Ephraim Ali, revealed that the new Demerara River Bridge will honor former Guyana president and vice president Dr. Baharat Jagdio by honoring his achievements to the nation. The October 5th commissioning ceremony marks 33 years since Guyana returned to democracy, which President Ali said was a fitting time to honor one of its most prominent figures. The Baharat Jagdio de Morara River Bridge is the new name for the 262 million US dollar cable state bridge. The new bridge replaces the old floating construction with four lanes for automobiles, a pedestrian promenade, and a key 50-meter clearance over the river. The open development corridors will provide employment, investment, and opportunities to communities that thrive in its pathway. At its highest point, 50-meter high handy max container ships may pass below unimpeded, ensuring 24-7 road and river trade. The Bahara Jagdio River Crossing will cut travel time for 50,000 commuters daily. China Railway Construction Corporation Limited built the new bridge to last 100 years, ensuring an essential length for future generations. This podcast has been brought to you by Boundless Bliss Hotels, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Diamond Key Marina, Yosmendike, 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 pulsofhecaribbean.com. This has been your Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode two for the week of October 6th. Here's a special greeting going out to our listeners in Haiti, Ohio, and Mexico. 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_00:

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 source for Caribbean centered news.