Pulse of the Caribbean

#147 Caribbean News Roundup Episode 2 Week of December 1

• Pulse of the Caribbean

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We connect the dots between policy, connectivity, and mobility on this episode. Here’s a look at what’s making Caribbean headlines.

  • Escalation continues in US–Venezuela relations 
  • US suspends and re-reviews select immigration applications
  • US Virgin Islands Delegation visit Ghana on trade, logistics, and finance mission
  • Digicel invest in major upgrades in Trinidad and Tobago
  • JetBlue’s expands direct flight service to San Juan 
  • Caribbean Airlines to exit Tortola and San Juan, hub changes on the way

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SPEAKER_00:

This podcast is 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. To reserve moorings at Diamond Key, visit Botiball.com. Welcome to the pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup Episode 2 for the week of December 1st. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We set a report with statements made by the U.S. on Venezuela. Following multiple U.S. airstrikes on alleged Venezuelan drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that America will very soon start to strike bad ones living within Venezuela. U.S. President Trump said, we're going to start doing those strikes on land too. Trump's words at Tuesday's cabinet meeting point to more escalation between Washington and Caracas. Trump's words come after his administration faced widespread criticism for its conduct in an effort targeting alleged drug trafficking boats, which has killed more than 80 people. In other news, the United States has halted residency and citizenship applications for migrants from 19 countries, including Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela, escalating President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. A recent and unprecedented U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean has raised pressure on Venezuela, which the administration has targeted. Caracas says the operation seeks to remove President Nicolas Maduro, but Washington says it's fighting drug trafficking. After two National Guard troops were fatally shot outside the White House, senior U.S. officials defended immigration laws. The suspect, an Afghan national who came during the major evacuations in 2021, has entered a not guilty plea. The new policy suspends pending applications and requires that all immigrants from the list of countries undergo a thorough re-review process, including a potential interview and if necessary, a re-interview to fully assess all national security and public safety threats. Now on to the U.S. Virgin Islands. U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr. completed a week-long economic mission to Ghana to promote international trade, digital connection, and economic development in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The U.S. Virgin Islands government has said that the governor's meeting with President John Mahama was the trip's highlight and part of attempts to establish global alliance for long-term growth in the U.S. territory. Governor Bryan and the Virgin Islands delegation visited Port of Tima, Ghana's busiest port. The group learned about port operations, logistics, and regional trade. The governor also met with African financial institution leaders to discuss investment, corporate expansion, and Virgin Islands development projects, according to the administration. Government House said the governor met with tourist officials and Ghana free trade zone personnel to discuss potential links between the Virgin Islands and African growing travel and trade sectors. The administration said the meeting with President Mahama discussed St. Croix's free trade zone as a key link between Africa and the United States. The administration said Governor Bryan indicated that the U.S. territory is willing to serve as a gateway for Ghana and other African continental free trade area countries seeking expansion to U.S. markets. Digicel has invested over$1.2 billion in Trinidad and Tobago since its founding and is progressing with major renovations to create a stronger, faster, and more future-ready network. Digicel Trinidad and Tobago will replace aging outside plant equipment with underground fiber lines. To manage increased demand and maintain network performance, the corporation is modernizing big data carrying systems. Digicel Trinidad and Tobago may improve coverage capacity and reliability for customers nationwide in Trinidad and Tobago with this change. Next up, JetBlue expands Puerto Rico market with new direct routes after this. Officials said the upgrades boost San Juan's significance as one of the carrier's key hubs and open new unserved markets. In March, JetBlue will launch nonstop flights between San Juan and Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Norfolk, Richmond, and Buffalo. The five flights will add more than 185,000 seats yearly, strengthening JetBlue's position as the airline with the most direct Puerto Rico connections, government officials said. In the announcement, JetBlue and the Puerto Rico Tourism Company struck a$1 million collaboration agreement to assist targeted marketing and visibility efforts in certain U.S. locations. Officials said the project will boost Puerto Rico tourism, encourage new routes, and support JetBlue's long-term presence there. And here's our final note. Caribbean Airlines Limited has announced that it will stop flying to Tortola, British Virgin Islands, and San Juan, Puerto Rico starting on January 10, 2026. This is part of the airline's ongoing network optimization program, which aims to improve schedule reliability, stay competitive, and ensure long-term operational sustainability. The airline also announced plans to restructure its Barbados hub starting in February 2026. Aircraft and crew currently based in Barbados will move to operate flights between Trinidad and Barbados, ensuring continued connectivity across the northern and eastern Caribbean with a more refined flight schedule. Customers who book directly with Caribbean Airlines Limited will automatically get their money back if their flights are canceled. And those who book through travel agents or third-party websites will be contacted by their booking provider to provide process refunds. This podcast has been brought to you by Mystic by the Sea, offering a variety of jewelry, original art, and gifts in Palm Passage, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Diamond Key Yosvindike, British Virgin Islands, home of Foxy's Taboo, open for lunch and dinner, and your gateway to the bubbly pool, a natural jacuzzi and hidden gem. To reserve moorings at Diamond Key, visit Botiball.com. Have news and information you'd like to share with us? Send news releases to news at pulsofthecaribbean.com. This has been your Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode two for the week of December. Here's a special greeting going out to our listeners in Guadalupe, Dominica, Texas, Maryland, and the UK. Thanks for listening and do spread the word and share our podcast with others across the region and the diaspora. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook. I'm Keisha Blyden. See you next time.

SPEAKER_02:

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.