Pulse of the Caribbean

#95 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 4 Week of August 11

• Pulse of the Caribbean

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The Caribbean region has become a focal point of international policy discussions. Here’s a look at what’s making Caribbean headlines.

  • U.S. restricts visas for Grenadian officials supporting Cuban medical missions
  • U.S. seizes Venezuelan President  Maduro's assets in the United States and the Dominican Republic 
  • Caribbean agriculture ministers visit Argentina to explore trade opportunities and sustainable farming practices
  • Hampton by Hilton opens first select-service hotel in St. Thomas, located near cruise ship port
  • Cricket legends mentor young cricketers in special sessions 

These and other stories are on today’s Pulse of the Caribbean-Caribbean News Round Up Episode 4 for the Week of August 11. 

Speaker 1:

This is the Pulse of the Caribbean Caribbean News Roundup. Now today's Caribbean News Headlines.

Speaker 2:

This podcast is brought to you by Victory Runwalk, sponsored by the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. Accommodations are now available. Register at VictoryRunwalkVIcom for the 5K, 10k and Half Marathon Labor Day weekend, august 30th. St Thomas, us Virgin Islands, and Diamond Key, marina, yosemite, 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 August 11th. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We start our report at the US State Department.

Speaker 2:

The US State Department has restricted visas for Grenada, africa and Cuban government leaders After calls by the US for countries to end current Cuban medical missions. Grenada's finance minister, dennis Cornwell, said in March that halting the Cuban medical missions would hurt Grenada's health care sector. Cornwell said the Cuban doctors and nurses who have visited our shores over the years have helped our people. Grenada's 2025 budget debate in mid-March saw its foreign affairs minister, joseph Andal, contend that Grenada has a legal, moral and ethical obligation to stand by Cubans and should not be opportunistic or transactional in its relationship with Cuba. According to the US State Department, it has imposed visa restrictions on African, cuban and Grenadian government officials and their families for their complicity in the Cuban regime medical mission scheme, in which medical professionals are rented by other countries at high prices and most of the revenues go to the regime. The statement said the US will continue to engage nations and take steps to end forced labor. It said the US supports the Cuban people in their pursuit of freedom and dignity and promotes accountability for those who perpetuate their exploitation. The US State Department declaration comes three weeks after Grenada hosted the fourth annual Afro-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum.

Speaker 2:

In related news from the US State Department on Wednesday, august 13th, the US State Department said today the Department of State took steps to revoke visas and impose visa restrictions on several Brazilian government officials, former Pan-American health organization officials and their family members for their complicity with the Cuban regime labor export scheme in the Mace Medicos program. It said these officials helped the Cuban regime force labor export scheme exploit Cuban medical personnel. This system rewards the corrupt Cuban leadership and denies Cuban vital medical care, it said. Cuban vital medical care, it said. According to the statement, dozens of Cuban doctors in the program have accused a Cuban regime of exploitation. Now on to the US Department of Justice. Us Attorney General Pam Bondi revealed Wednesday that the United States had seized roughly $700 million in Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's assets multiple Florida luxury homes, a Dominican Republic estate, two private jets, a horse farm, nine automobiles, luxury yachts, jewels, watches and cash are confiscated. Jewels, watches and cash are confiscated. Bondi told Fox News that Maduro's network is organized crime and that it operates despite the seizures. In 2020, the Venezuelan president was charged by the US Department of Justice with drug trafficking and terrorism.

Speaker 2:

Next we head to the Inter-American Institute for Corporation on Agriculture. The Inter-American Institute for Corporation on Agriculture in Buenos Aires completed an intensive week of activities to promote regional agricultural collaboration and innovation. Three ministers from Central America and the Caribbean visited Argentina to explore trade and collaboration opportunities with the government and corporate sector. The Inter-American Institute for Corporation and Agriculture sponsored their visit. For Corporation and Agriculture, over 15,000 farmers from Argentina and neighboring countries attended a three-day seminar with leaders and international specialists. Sustainable agriculture and technological innovation were highlighted at the event. The regional delegation included Panama's Minister of Agriculture Development, roberto Jose Linares, trinidad and Tobago's Senator and Minister of Agricultural, land and Fisheries, ravi Ratiram, and St Vincent and Grenadines Minister of Foreign Affairs, frederick Stephen. They were joined by the Inter-American Institute for Corporation on Agriculture Director General, manuel Otero. These nations, mostly food importers, offer great potential for Argentina's agricultural sector to meet their demands and promote regional food security. The tour included the Argentina Association of Direct Seeding Producers Congress, which provided insight into regional agricultural difficulties and potential. According to the Inter-American Institute for Corporation on Agriculture release, international experts discuss reshaping the narrative around agriculture in the Americas to emphasize its importance in food and energy security, soil health, biodiversity and climate resilience.

Speaker 2:

Next up, hilton has officially made its debut in the US Virgin Islands. Victory Run 2025 accommodations are now available After race registration. Book your stay and be the first occupants to stay at the Hamptons by Hilton. Book your stay and be the first occupants to stay at the Hamptons by Hilton, directly located at the start and finish line of Victory Run 2025. While around the bend and at the beach shore is the beautiful Westin Resort and connecting waterfront villas of the Bowie House. Both locations are family friendly and here to accommodate you with special rates, making your stay a breeze as you gear up and get ready for St Thomas Victory Run 2025 USVI. Book your stay now.

Speaker 2:

This is the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 4, for the week of August 11. Hilton opened Hampton by Hilton St Thomas, the US Virgin Islands' first select service hotel for business and leisure tourists in one of St Thomas' busiest commercial districts. The 126-room hotel is across from the Havensite Mall. The newly built modern coastal hotel has a 3,800 square foot patio, a 2,000 square foot pool deck, 850 square feet of meeting space, a fitness facility and a Harborview bar and lounge called the Helm. The Hampton is offering its free complimentary breakfast with signature waffles. The location near the West Indies Company's cruise ship port and Havensite Mall is expected to improve foot traffic to adjacent restaurants, retailers and tour operators. Hampton by Hilton St Thomas is a Hilton Honors Hotel. Hilton added it to its Caribbean portfolio of 50 hotels and over 25 under construction. And here's her final note.

Speaker 2:

On Thursday, july 31st, cricket West Indies Academy participants heard from Sir Vivian Richards, one of the game's and region's greatest icon. Sir Vivian spoke on what it means to wear the maroon and what it takes to be a champion in the global game. The cricket star shared on mindset, solidarity and sacrifices he and his colleagues accepted during their era of supremacy and how they triumphed in cricket. West Indies great Sir Kirtley Ambrose and Kirtney Walsh attended prior sessions in May as part of Cricket West Indies Players Development Strategy to help potential young cricketers succeed on and off of the field.

Speaker 2:

This podcast has been brought to you by Victory Run-Wog, sponsored by the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. Accommodations are now available. Register at VictoryRunWogVIcom for the 5K, 10k and half marathon. Labor Day weekend, august 30th. St Thomas, us 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 news at pulseofthecaribbeancom. If you have an interest in sponsoring our podcast, email us at biz B-I-Z at pulseofthecaribbeancom. This has been your Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 4, for the week of August 11th. Here's a shout out to our listeners in Barbados, virginia and Panama. Thanks for listening and do spread the word and share our podcast with others across the region and the diaspora. I'm Keisha.

Speaker 1:

Blyden. See you next time. I'm Keisha Blyden. See you next time. You in advance for choosing Pulse of the Caribbean Caribbean News Roundup as your source for Caribbean-centered news.