AGP Executive Report

Air Connectivity in the Eastern Caribbean: Caribbean Airlines will stop the direct Trinidad/Tobago/Barbados return flights from September 2, while saying it will keep links via other services and re-accommodate affected passengers; it also plans to cut Martinique and Guadeloupe routes to twice weekly. Health Leadership: Dr. Eva Jané Llopis has started as PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, tasked with strengthening resilient, equitable health systems across the region including the French Caribbean departments. Tourism & Travel Links: Air France launches a new Pointe-à-Pitre–Panama City nonstop route on December 11 (twice weekly), designed to connect passengers onward through Panama. Cruise Momentum for Martinique: MSC Cruises says its Winter 2027/2028 South Caribbean sailings will include embarkation from Fort-de-France and calls across the region. Local Governance & Heritage (Grenada): Grenada’s Drill Yard preservation fight continues as an interim court injunction blocks demolition while an international technical assessment runs to August 31. Regional Public Health Program: Grenada’s Food and Nutrition Council rolls out a hypertension self-monitoring programme, including home blood pressure monitors, recipes, and follow-up support. Sports Calendar: CONCACAF Nations League schedules were confirmed, with Trinidad and Tobago opening against Haiti on September 24 in Kingston.

Caribbean Airlines Route Changes: Caribbean Airlines will discontinue its direct Trinidad/Tobago/Barbados return flights (BW212/BW213) from September 2, saying it’s optimizing schedules while keeping connectivity via other same-day options; it also plans to cut French-island service to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly. Public Health Leadership: Dr. Eva Jané Llopis has started as PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, bringing 25 years of experience to help strengthen resilient, equitable health systems across the region. Health & Nutrition Programme (Grenada): The Grenada Food and Nutrition Council launched a hypertension self-monitoring and nutrition awareness programme, including validated blood pressure monitors, recipe packs, and home logbooks. Tourism & Travel Links: Air France adds a new nonstop Pointe-à-Pitre–Panama City route from December 11 (twice weekly), designed to connect Martinique and French Guiana travellers onward via Copa. Heritage Under Pressure (Grenada): An interim court injunction is pausing demolition plans for the historic Drill Yard while an international technical assessment runs to August 31. Sports (Regional): Trinidad and Tobago’s Georgia-Lee Gill secured a Miss World 2026 Top 40 spot after winning the Americas & Caribbean Head-to-Head Challenge. Cycling (Saint Lucia): Denver Alphonse Jr is in Canada training for the UCI Road World Championships after strong national results and a Martinique-based team stint.

Tourism & Travel: Club Med says it wants to grow from 60 to 100 resorts worldwide by 2035, with major renovations continuing at key Caribbean properties including Buccaneer’s Creek in Martinique, now set to add a new adults-only “Zen Oasis.” Aviation & Connectivity: French regional airports warn they could face survival threats as EU rules tighten public funding from April 2027, potentially cutting support for smaller hubs. Regional Air Links: Caribbean Airlines will discontinue direct Trinidad/Tobago/Barbados return flights from Sept. 2, while also reducing Martinique and Guadeloupe services to twice weekly. Health in the French Caribbean: PAHO/WHO’s new representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Dr. Eva Jané Llopis, takes charge with a remit that explicitly includes French Caribbean departments like Martinique and Guadeloupe. Heritage & Environment: In the French Caribbean, erosion is exposing and destroying an enslaved people’s cemetery at Raisins-Clairs in Guadeloupe, with researchers warning many more graves may be at risk. Sports & Culture: Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival returns Oct. 23–25 with big names like NE-YO and Martinique’s Maurane Voyer.

Maritime Dispute in Carriacou: Boat owners in Tyrell Bay are still stuck after 129 days, saying a fence blocking the marina slipway has left them unable to relaunch while a court fight between the developer and the Samuel Corion heirs drags on. Aviation & Connectivity: Caribbean Airlines will stop direct Trinidad–Tobago–Barbados return flights from Sept. 2, while also reducing Martinique and Guadeloupe service to twice weekly. Public Health in the Eastern Caribbean: PAHO/WHO named Dr. Eva Jané Llopis as its new representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, tasked with strengthening health systems across the region. Health Promotion in Grenada: The Grenada Food and Nutrition Council launched a hypertension self-monitoring programme, including validated blood pressure monitors and home logbooks for participants. Tourism & Travel Links: Air France adds a new Pointe-à-Pitre–Panama City nonstop route from Dec. 11, timed for connections via Copa. Cruise Options for the French Caribbean: MSC Cruises reshuffled winter 2027/28 deployments, sending MSC World Asia to the South Caribbean with embarkation in Fort-de-France and Pointe-à-Pitre. Culture & Sports: Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival lineup includes NE-YO, and Trinidad & Tobago’s Georgia-Lee Gill won the Miss World Americas/Caribbean Head-to-Head challenge, securing a Top 40 spot.

Cost-of-living relief in the region: Grenada announced six VAT-free shopping days (Aug 28–29, Sept 25–26, Oct 30–31) plus VAT removal on electricity bills from Aug 1 to Dec 31, alongside continued fuel and LPG price controls through December. Tourism push beyond the beach: Grenada’s Tourism Authority joined Atas to market more experience-led holidays to UK travellers. Health leadership across the Caribbean: Dr. Eva Jané Llopis began as PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries, covering both OECS nations and French Caribbean departments including Martinique. Travel connectivity for French Caribbean travellers: Air France added a new nonstop Pointe-à-Pitre–Panama City route starting Dec 11, with schedules designed to connect from Fort-de-France. Cruise options for the French Caribbean: Corendon will offer a 14-day Renaissance cruise starting in Aruba on Dec 3, calling at Martinique among other islands. Heritage under legal protection: Grenada’s Drill Yard preservation effort continues after an interim injunction halted demolition while a technical assessment runs to Aug 31. Sports spotlight: Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival lineup for Oct 23–25 includes NE-YO, Machel Montano, Maxi Priest and Martinique’s Maurane Voyer.

Telecom & Travel: Kyivstar launched a Travel SIM eSIM for roaming mobile internet, available in 38 countries and also in Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana—users buy only the data package (5/10/20/40GB) and calls/SMS aren’t included. Public Health Leadership: Dr. Eva Jané Llopis began as PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, covering Barbados, OECS states and French Caribbean departments including Martinique, with a focus on stronger, more equitable health systems. Heritage Under Pressure: In Grenada, an interim court injunction is halting demolition of the historic Drill Yard while an international technical assessment runs to 31 August 2026 to explore preservation and rehabilitation options. Tourism & Connectivity: Air France added a new nonstop Pointe-à-Pitre–Panama City route from 11 Dec 2026, designed to connect passengers onward via Copa, with schedules timed for connections from Fort-de-France. Cruise Market Signals: MSC Cruises reshuffled winter 2027/28 deployments—MSC World Asia will sail the South Caribbean with embarkation in Fort-de-France, while MSC World Europa stays in the Western Mediterranean. Sports (Regional Youth): CFU U-14 Challenge Series action continues across the region, with Martinique and other Caribbean sides featuring in the latest results and semi-final qualification races.

Cruise & Connectivity: Corendon will start a 14-day Caribbean cruise from Aruba on Dec 3, 2026, ending in Curaçao on Dec 16, with stops including Guadeloupe and Martinique—an extra boost for regional tourism and travel planning. Air Links: Air France adds a new nonstop Pointe-à-Pitre–Panama City route from Dec 11, 2026 (twice weekly), designed to connect passengers onward across Latin America via Copa. Health Leadership: Dr. Eva Jané Llopis took over as PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, covering countries including Martinique and other French Caribbean departments. Heritage Under Threat: Erosion on Guadeloupe’s Raisins-Clairs beach is exposing and destroying a centuries-old cemetery for enslaved people, with researchers warning more graves may be lost to the sea. Sports (Regional Youth): CFU U-14 Challenge Series action continues across the Caribbean, with Martinique and other islands featuring in the latest results and match schedules. Public Procurement Dispute (Grenada/Carriacou): A Privy Council ruling is fueling renewed controversy over the Tyrrel Bay Marina land lease, with allegations of improper government action and ongoing legal pressure.

Martinique in the spotlight: A new Air France nonstop route links Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe) to Panama City, launching Dec. 11, with schedules designed to connect travellers from Fort-de-France (Martinique) and onward via Copa Airlines. Cruise reshuffle for the region: MSC Cruises is changing its Winter 2027/28 deployments—MSC World Asia will sail the South Caribbean with embarkation in Fort-de-France, while MSC World Europa stays in the Western Mediterranean instead of the Middle East. Public health leadership: Dr. Eva Jané Llopis has taken over as PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, covering technical cooperation across OECS states and French Caribbean departments including Martinique. Culture & tourism: Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival (Oct. 23–25) has unveiled a major lineup featuring NE-YO, Machel Montano, Maxi Priest and Martinique’s Maurane Voyer. Sports (youth football): CFU U-14 Challenge Series results keep Martinique in the mix, including Bermuda’s Under-14 campaign that included a 2-0 win over Martinique. Environment & heritage: In Guadeloupe, erosion is exposing and destroying a long-lost cemetery for enslaved people at Raisins-Clairs, with researchers warning more graves may already be lost to the sea.

Cruise Tourism: Corendon will launch a 14-day Caribbean cruise this December aboard the Renaissance, starting in Aruba (Dec 3) and calling at Saint Lucia, Barbados, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Tortola, Sint Maarten, Antigua and Barbuda, and Bonaire before ending in Curaçao (Dec 16), with travelers arranging their own return to Aruba. Sports—Regional Football: The CFU Under-14 Challenge Series continues in the Dominican Republic, with Bermuda’s U14s advancing and then playing Jamaica in the semis; meanwhile, the wider tournament has seen Haiti, St Kitts and Nevis, and others post results across groups. Sports—Martinique in Focus: Bermuda’s U14 captain Adam Barritt starred in a 2-0 win over Martinique, scoring and earning player-of-the-match again. Heritage & Environment: In the French Caribbean, coastal erosion is exposing and destroying slave-era graves on Guadeloupe’s Raisins-Clairs beach, where researchers have already identified dozens of graves and warn many more may be lost. Local Economy/Travel: MSC Cruises reshuffled winter 2027/28 deployments, moving MSC World Asia to the South Caribbean with embarkation including Fort-de-France (Martinique) and Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe). Public Services: Grenada’s Inland Revenue Division reminds property owners that the 2026 property tax deadline is 31 August.

Archaeology & Heritage: Eroding coastlines in the French Caribbean are exposing slave-era graves—researchers say the cemetery at Raisins-Clairs in Guadeloupe has already lost dozens of graves and could still be hundreds more, with the sea steadily cutting deeper. Sports (Martinique in focus): Bermuda’s Under-14 boys beat Martinique 2-0 in the CFU Challenge Series, with captain Adam Barritt scoring and earning player-of-the-match again. Regional Football: The CFU U-14 Challenge Series continues in the Dominican Republic, with teams including Martinique in the youth mix and Nations League schedules also rolling out across the region. Cruises & Travel: MSC Cruises reshuffled winter 2027/28 deployments—MSC World Asia will sail from Fort-de-France (Martinique) and other Caribbean ports, while MSC World Europa stays in the Western Mediterranean. Local Economy & Services: Grenada’s Inland Revenue reminds property owners the 31 August 2026 property tax deadline is approaching, with online and in-person payment options.

Martinique in the spotlight at CFU youth football: Bermuda’s Under-14s beat Martinique 2-0, with captain Adam Barritt scoring and then being voted player of the match again, as the young Gombey Warriors keep building momentum in the CFU Challenge Series. Regional football fixtures: Bermuda will face the Dominican Republic in the CFU U14 Challenge Series semi-finals after finishing unbeaten in the group stage, while T&T’s U14s were chasing a must-win against French Guiana to stay alive in their group. Cruise travel for the French islands: MSC Cruises reshuffled its Winter 2027/28 plans—MSC World Asia will sail the South Caribbean with embarkation from Fort-de-France (Martinique) and Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe), while MSC World Europa stays in the Western Mediterranean. Culture and music tourism: Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival (Oct 23–25) announced a star-heavy lineup including NE-YO, Machel Montano, Maxi Priest, and Martinique’s Maurane Voyer, alongside major Caribbean and Dominican acts. Heritage under threat: Eroding coastlines in the French Caribbean are exposing and destroying slave graves, with researchers warning that more burials may already be lost to the sea.

Coastline Erosion & Slave Graves: In Guadeloupe’s Saint-François, researchers warn that accelerating sea erosion is exposing and destroying a historic cemetery of enslaved people at Raisins-Clairs, with 48 graves identified in past excavations and hundreds more feared lost to the shoreline. Grenada Marina Legal Fight: A Privy Council ruling has reignited the Tyrrel Bay Marina dispute in Carriacou, with private landowners pushing for developers to leave after alleged illegal leasing of non-state land—sparking fallout that’s even affected boat access. Sports—CFU U-14 Challenge Series: Bermuda’s Under-14s advanced in the CFU Challenge Series after a 2-0 win over Martinique, while the wider tournament continues across the Dominican Republic with multiple island matchups shaping semi-final spots. Music—WCMF 2026 Lineup: Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival (Oct 23–25) is set to feature NE-YO, Machel Montano, Maxi Priest, Alkaline, Skillibeng, Uncle Waffles, Capleton and Martinique’s Maurane Voyer, alongside major regional acts. Travel & Shipping—MSC Deployment Shake-up: MSC Cruises has reshuffled Winter 2027/28 plans, moving MSC World Asia to the South Caribbean with embarkation in Fort-de-France and Pointe-à-Pitre, while MSC World Europa stays in the Western Mediterranean. Local Governance & Procurement (Grenada): Grenada’s DPM says major road projects using a “design, build and finance” model sideline competitive bidding and violate procurement laws.

Caribbean Football Focus: The CFU U-14 Challenge Series is in full swing in the Dominican Republic, with Bermuda’s Under-14s advancing after a 2-0 win over Martinique and then falling 1-0 to Jamaica in the semi-finals. Regional Sports Roundup: In Tier I action, Trinidad and Tobago’s Under-14s were beaten 4-1 by Haiti and still bowed out, while St. Kitts and Nevis’ Sugar Boyz pushed through with a hat-trick from captain Alijah Mitchum in a 4-2 win over Curaçao. Martinique in the Mix: Martinique featured in the CFU group stage and was part of Bermuda’s path, underscoring how close the island matchups are in this youth tournament. Cruise Updates for the Region: MSC Cruises reshuffled winter 2027/28 deployments, moving MSC World Asia to the Southern Caribbean with embarkation in Fort-de-France (Martinique) and Pointe-à-Pitre, while MSC World Europa stays in the Western Mediterranean. Local Community & Education: Nexa Credit Union distributed 2026 CPEA grants to 135 students across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, supporting back-to-school costs.

Sports (CFU U-14): Bermuda’s Under-14 boys advanced through the CFU Challenge Series in the Dominican Republic, finishing unbeaten in group play with a 2-0 win over Martinique (Adam Barritt scored) and a 0-0 draw with the hosts—setting up semi-final action. Sports (CFU U-14): Jamaica’s Under-14 Reggae Boyz kept their title defence on track with a 1-0 win over Aruba, while Haiti surged in Tier I Group B with a 4-1 win over Trinidad and Tobago. Cruising & Martinique links: MSC Cruises reshuffled Winter 2027/28 deployments: MSC World Asia will sail the South Caribbean with embarkation from Fort-de-France (Martinique), and MSC World Europa will stay in the Western Mediterranean after Middle East route cancellations. Local economy & utilities: Grenada’s Inland Revenue reminded property owners that the 2026 property tax deadline is 31 August, and Digicel says its AI assistant Ruby is handling 55% of customer queries in Jamaica without human help. Environment & safety: Nova Scotia shark sightings are prompting calls for better monitoring, but officials say drones aren’t planned for now.

Cruise & Tourism Watch: MSC Cruises has reshuffled its Winter 2027/28 plans: MSC World Europa is pulled from the Middle East and moved to the Western Mediterranean, while brand-new MSC World Asia is redeployed to the Southern Caribbean with embarkations in Fort-de-France (Martinique), Pointe-à-Pitre and Bridgetown, calling at St Lucia, Grenada, St Maarten, Antigua, St Kitts and Nevis, Dominica and St Vincent. Youth Football (CFU U-14): Bermuda’s Under-14s beat Martinique 2-0 in the CFU Challenge Series, with captain Adam Barritt scoring and voted player of the match again; the tournament continues in Punta Cana with semi-finals set for Aug 21. Local Agriculture & Health: New data shows Martinique used 19.4 tonnes of glyphosate in 2023, down from 20 tonnes (2022) and 25 tonnes (2021), keeping pressure on the debate over the herbicide’s future. Energy & Community: Grenada’s PURC wrapped its Summer School Outreach, reaching 1,679 students across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique with lessons on renewable energy and conservation. Public Services: Martinique families in France’s overseas departments received the back-to-school allowance this week, while Grenada’s property tax deadline is Aug 31.

Cruise Routes Shift: MSC Cruises has redrawn its winter 2027/28 plans, pulling MSC World Europa away from the Middle East and keeping it in the Western Mediterranean, while sending the new MSC World Asia to the Southern Caribbean with embarkations in Fort-de-France, Pointe-à-Pitre and Bridgetown. Youth Football (CFU U-14): Bermuda’s Under-14s continued their CFU Challenge Series run, beating Martinique 2-0 with captain Adam Barritt scoring, as the tournament in Punta Cana keeps producing tight results across Tier I groups. Martinique Agriculture: New figures show Martinique used nearly 20 tons of glyphosate in 2023, down from 2022 but still highlighting heavy reliance in sugarcane and banana farming. Public Campaign Funding (French Antilles): Professionals in the French Antilles and French Guiana are alarmed by a state communications budget they say is far too low for local needs. Sports & Culture Calendar: Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival (Oct 23–25) announced a big lineup including NE-YO, Machel Montano, Maxi Priest and Martinique’s Maurane Voyer.