#166 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 2 Week of March 2

Elections, energy, trade, and public health converge across the Caribbean on today’s Pulse of the Caribbean Podcast Episode #2 for the week of March 2, 2026. Here are today’s headlines.

• Haiti sets a transitional roadmap for security, recovery, and credible elections
• Dominican Republic business groups align to formalize border trade and drive growth with Haiti
• USVI Governor Bryan looks for local resolution with USVI-BVI charter policy 
• US House Bill for In-state tuition for U.S. territory students at US public universities progresses
• Dominica’s geothermal plant commissioning expected this month
• St. Kitts and Nevis shift to proactive sargassum management
• San Juan’s Hosting World Baseball Classic: Economic Impact Projected $43.8 million 
• Guyana Partners with Rizek Cacao Dominican Republic  Company  on cocoa production
• Guyana-China Friendship Park to Open in April  
• Antigua and Barbuda to host global summit for eye health in November

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Transcript

Sponsor Messages & Welcome

SPEAKER_02 0:00

This podcast is brought to you by Varlic Ventures for convenient airport transfers and ferry service in the U.S. Virgin Islands. For information and to book tickets, go online to St. Johnticketing.com. And Diamond Key Marina, Yosmondai, British Virgin Islands, home of Foxy's Taboo, Open Delhi 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, B-O-A-T-Y, Botiball.com, Welcome to the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode two for the week of March

Haiti’s Transitional Government & Security

SPEAKER_02 0:48

2nd. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We start a report in Haiti. Haiti's Prime Minister Alex Didier Philbs Ame introduced a new transitional administration to restore security, revive the economy, and organize the August 30th general elections in Haiti. The declaration comes about a month after he took over leadership after the transitional Presidential Council mandate expired on February 7th, and days after political parties and civic groups signed a national pact for stability and the organization of elections. Philz Ame stated in a national speech that the government will prioritize security, economic and social recovery, and trustworthy elections. Since 2015 to 2016, Haiti has been without elections, a result of the assassination of Jovenel Mois in 2021, causing continuous unrest. Six ministers from the previous administration remain, and eleven new ministries were appointed. After announcing the time for pretty speeches is over, Phil's Amey urged his team to exercise good judgment. Concrete economic initiatives created with the private sector, financial partners, farmers, and businesses were also emphasized. The Prime Minister commended the departing authorities for their commitment throughout the crises and hopes the incoming government will lead Haiti to stability and democracy.

DR–Haiti Trade And Border Development

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In related news, the Dominican Republic Federation of Merchants and the Association of Border Exporters of Cement and Construction met to strengthen trade with Haiti and promote sustainable development in border areas in Hispaniola between the two countries. Garcia emphasized the importance of collaboration to address difficulties and capitalize on the economic potential with Haiti. The two associations agree that the partnership would strengthen their members and create a multiplier effect in local economies of the Dominican Republic that are dependent on Haitian trade, launching a new phase of collaboration focused on formal trade, exports, and border community development. Now news from the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.

USVI–BVI Charter Dispute And Policy

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U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr. prefers a local resolution of maritime charter issues between the British Virgin Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands, even as Washington officials appear prepared to intervene. Bryan revealed at a press conference earlier this week that the U.S. Department of State officials suggested holding a summit in the U.S. Capitol to address long-standing charter fee and territorial water issues with the British Virgin Islands leaders. The disagreement concerns charter yacht costs and access between the adjacent territories interconnected marine businesses. Charter vessels have flowed between the British Virgin Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands for decades with familial, commercial, and historical ties. Fee arrangements and admission criteria have caused problems in recent years. Bryan said seasonal costs vary greatly. Right now, as you know, our yachts are paying $24,000 a season, while their yachts pay $4,000. It's incredibly restrictive, he said. However, the U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Bryan stated his preference for no U.S. federal government intervention. We think we could get this matter resolved in a local manner, he said.

In-State Tuition For US Territories

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In other news, a bill guaranteeing in-state tuition for U.S. Territory students at United States mainland public colleges has passed the U.S. House and is headed to the U.S. Senate where backers hope it will reach U.S. President Trump. The U.S. House passed a Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act bipartisanly. It will require federally funded public universities to charge in-state tuition to eligible U.S. Territory residents studying in the United States. The bill's co-sponsor, U.S. delegate to Congress from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Stacey Plaskett, called the vote a milestone for U.S. Territory students and their families. Guam Republican delegate James Moylan sponsored the measure, calling it an investment in territorial communities future. Representatives from American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico supported the bill. California's 24th Congressional District Democratic Representative, Salud Carabajal, also co-sponsored the bill.

Dominica’s Geothermal Milestone & OECS Support

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By the end of the month, Dominica's prime minister, Roosevelt Scarrot, expects the Laudat Geothermal Energy Plant to be commissioned. He announced it this week during a news conference. The plant is operational and have been testing for weeks, he stated. The Caribbean Development Bank is helping the OECS Commission strengthen capacity in Grenada, Sinkets and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines to investigate and develop geothermal energy. Next, we head to Sinkits and Nevis.

Sargassum Management In St. Kitts And Nevis

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The regional project on improving national sargasm management capacities in the Caribbean handed over essential equipment to Sinkitz and Nevis, boosting its national response to sargasm influxes. Sinkitz and Nevis Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Marine Resources, Samal Duggins, called the ceremony a turning point for the Federation's environmental and economic resilience on Thursday. Sinkitz and Nevis and four other Caribbean nations have improved their Sargasm management with support from the Government of Japan in partnership with the United Nations Development Program. The initiative has provided monitoring drones, tractors, workboats, dump trucks, all terrain vehicles, and protective gear and training. These resources aim to improve the Federation from reactive to proactive, risk-informed removal. The St. Kitts and Nevis Site-specific Sargasm Management Plan is a major component of the effort. Now here's news from Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico’s World Baseball Classic Impact

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San Juan Puerto Rico's mayor, Miguel A. Romero, noted that the 2026 World Baseball Classic at Hiram Bithorn Stadium on March 6 to 11th is estimated to produce $43.8 million in economic activity for San Juan and Puerto Rico. San Juan's municipality commissioned Advantage Business Consulting estimates the fiscal effect is projected at $5.3 million for the Commonwealth and $345,000 for the municipality. Romero said the economic boost will immediately affect small and medium-sized enterprises, tourists, and workers. Officials expect $145,000 fans to watch 10 games at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in the five-day tournament. The stadium seats 19,125 people every game, promoting visitor expenditure and business growth. The research also predicts 454 event-related employment in food, transportation, and entertainment. The World Baseball Classic, the official baseball world championship, features the world's greatest professional players playing for their national teams. It is organized with the World Baseball Softball Confederation, Major League Baseball, and the Major League Baseball Players Association.

Guyana’s Cocoa Ambitions And Park Launch

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Next up, Dominican Republic Company expresses interest in cocoa production operations in Guyana after this.com. Engage in networking and advertising with the Pulse of the Caribbean. Hey, on Wednesday, we premiered a new interview on the Pulse of the Caribbean Podcast with Dr. Nicole Grimes, founder of the Cara Biz Network. Listen to her story Breaking Barriers from Mechanical Engineer to Caribbean Business Champion. What a great way to start Women's History Month as we celebrate women past and present who inspire us through their legacy, work, and life story. Our interview with Dr. Nicole Grimes, founder of the Cara Biz Network, is Pulse of the Caribbean Podcast, episode number 165. Listen online on demand at our website, pulsofthecaribbean.com or your favorite streaming platform. Guyana's president, Dr. Ifrail, met with Dominican Republic's company Rizek Cacao, which wants to operate in Guyana. The team led by Dominican Republic Ambassador Ernesto Torres Pereira presented their project to the office of the Guyanese president this week. The corporation aims to work with the government of Guyana and farmers to make Guyana a cocoa producer. The conference included Guyana's agricultural minister, Zulfikar Mustafa. The two countries agreed to grow huge amounts of cocoa and coffee in Region 1 in July of 2025. The deal calls for Guyana to plant 200 acres of coffee and cocoa to increase economic diversification, rural lives,

Global Summit For Eye Health In Antigua

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and regional trade. At peak output, the project could produce 8,000 metric tons of cocoa. Employment and economic possibilities created by the program are expected to impact nearly 3,000 people directly and indirectly. In other news from Guyana, Guyana China Friendship Joe Viera Park, valued at 10.8 million US dollars, will open in April. The Joe Viera Park, rebranded the Guyana China Friendship Park, has a forest picnic area, wooden walkways, duck pavilion, landscape lake, bridges and corridors, a hydrophilic platform, football fields with 500 spectator seats, pavilions, and a manufacturing plaza. China Southwest Architectural Design and Research Institute Corp. Ltd. and China State Construction Engineering Corp. carried out the construction. Joseph Rudolph Vieira donated the park to Guyana in 1982 before these upgrades. Guyana and China inked an implementation agreement under the China Guyana Friendship Initiative in January 2022 to develop the park into a modern recreational place like the National Park to improve public health and well-being. The Protected Areas Commission of Guyana will maintain and manage the park after completion. And here's our final note. Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister Gaston Brown announced that Antigua and Barbuda will host the first global summit for eye health on November 2nd, 2026. The global summit for eye health is being held by Antigua and Barbuda along with the World Health Organization and

Closing, Greetings, And Calls To Action

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the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness. The summit held in November will occur during Antigua and Barbuda's hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. Prime Minister Brown invited the heads of government, ministries, and business leaders to St. John to prioritize eye health when announcing the summit. The Wednesday launch ceremony brought together international health officials and Commonwealth delegates to promote preventable blindness and global eye care. Global policymakers, health specialists, and advocacy groups will meet at the conference to confront the growing global vision impairment and blindness epidemic. Organizers say the gathering will focus on improving eye care systems, increasing access to treatment, and pushing governments to emphasize eye health in public health policies. This podcast has been brought to you by Varlick Ventures for convenient airport transfers and ferry service in the U.S. Virgin Islands. For information and to book tickets, go online to St. Johnticketing.com and Diamond Key Marina, Yosvendike, British Virgin Islands, home of Foxy's Taboo, Open Delhi for lunch and dinner, and your gateway to the bubbly pool, a natural jacuzzi and hidden gem. To reserve more aims at Diamond Key, visit Boatie Ball, B-O-A-T-Y, Botie Ball.com. 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 2 for the week of March 2nd. Here's a special greeting going out to our listeners in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Mexico, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Texas, Canada, the UK, and New Zealand. Thanks for listening and do spread the word and share our podcast to others across the region and the diaspora. Check us out online at pulse of the Caribbean.com and follow us on social media. I'm Keisha Blyden. See you next time.

SPEAKER_00 17:48

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.