Pulse of the Caribbean

#103 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 4 Week of August 25

• Pulse of the Caribbean

Share episode

The Caribbean region is experiencing significant geopolitical shifts and environmental challenges as highlighted in the latest episode of Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup. Here’s a look at what’s making Caribbean headlines. 

  • Venezuela accuses US of breaking regional nuclear ban after deployment of warships and nuclear submarine to Caribbean
  • Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister meets with Venezuela's Foreign Minister to discuss regional stability
  • Grenada Postal Corporation suspends all US-bound packages due to elimination of  duty-free exemption
  • Amazon establishing Caribbean distribution hub in Dominican Republic 
  • Scientists confirm 2024 was Caribbean's warmest year since 1950
  • Guyana opens first international airport hotel with Courtyard by Marriott, creating 100 job 

Listen and subscribe to the Pulse of the Caribbean News Round Up for news you need to know. 

Send news releases and information to news@pulseofthecaribbean.com.

To advertise email biz@pulseofthecaribbean.com

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 Run Walk, sponsored by the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. Victory Run Walk, Labor Day weekend, August 30th, St Thomas, US Virgin Islands. See you at the finish line. August 30th, St Thomas, US Virgin Islands. See you at the finish line. 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.

Speaker 2:

News Roundup, Episode 4, for the week of August 25th. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We start our report in Venezuela. The United Nations has been contacted by Venezuela after Washington sent warships and a submarine to the Caribbean. After Washington sent warships and a submarine to the Caribbean. Following the deployment of US warships and a submarine to the Caribbean, Venezuela accused the United States of breaking a regional nuclear ban and urged the United Nations to intervene on Monday. Three warships and 4,000 Marines were deployed to Venezuela last week as a part of a larger United States White House campaign against Latin American drug traffickers. Us President Donald Trump has sent the guided missile cruiser, USS Erie, and the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Newport. News anticipated next week. According to media resources, Venezuela has dispatched warships and drones to guard its coast. Venezuela's foreign minister, Yvonne Gil Pinto, wrote to the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, to restore common sense and denounce US soldiers and nuclear weapons in the Caribbean.

Speaker 2:

Our next stop is Antigua. Gaston Brown, Prime Minister of Antigua and Bermuda, met with Venezuela's Foreign Minister, Yvonne Gilpinto to discuss regional stability and security. Officials called the meetings constructive, focused on Caribbean and Latin American geopolitics. The leaders discussed dangers to their countries, peace and security. After the talks, neither party declared any agreements, but both stressed the significance of collaborations in addressing regional issues. Mr Brown has emphasized Antigua and Barbuda's regional diplomacy and discussions, while Mr Gill has advocated for increased Latin America and Caribbean collaborations to maintain stability. The conference comes amid escalating regional politic tensions and security challenges, but both officials voice optimism that discussions may improve mutual understanding and cooperation.

Speaker 2:

Now on to Grenada. All packages and small packages shipments to the United States are temporarily suspended by the Grenada Postal Corporation. Effective immediately. Effective immediately. Following Executive Order 14324, the US government eliminated the longstanding duty-free exemption of $800 on goods entering the United States. Everything entering the United States will be subject to custom taxes from the first dollar, starting Friday August 29, 2025. Here are some of the key customer impacts All US-bound deliveries and small items are halted. Documents only, letters. Mails without products will be allowed. Senders must prepay custom duties moving that to recipients. Every cargo must be prefiled online with US Customs using their new documentation standards. Postal providers in Europe, Asia and the Caribbean are suspending services due to unsolved issues. With this unprecedented move, International partners and the Universal Postal Union are helping Grenada Postal Corporation develop compatibility solutions. Once operationally viable, the Grenada Postal Corporation will restore US parcel services.

Speaker 2:

Now we head to the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic economic and logistical growth will change with Amazon's Caribbean distribution hub. According to the Dominican Republic's custom director, Eduardo San Lovaton, the company's first cargo flight will land September 2, 2025, a move that starts operations, speeding up trade and reducing delivery times, making the Dominican Republic a regional e-commerce leader. Amazon is expecting to boost logistics, transportation and technology. Jobs and businesses Next up. Regional scientists confirm 2024, the warmest year on record in the Caribbean after this.

Speaker 2:

St Thomas, 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, Directly located at the start and finish line of Victory Run 2025. 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. This is the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, Episode 4, for the week of August 25th.

Speaker 2:

Regional climate scientists and the University of the West Indies research say 2024 was the warmest year in the Caribbean since 1950. Last year's temperatures was 26.81 degrees Celsius, or 0.84 degrees Celsius higher than the period between 1991 to 2020. March and May temperatures were 1.05 degrees Celsius higher than usual. Since 1970, the region has warmed 0.19 degrees Celsius every decade. The American Meteorological Society 2024 Global State of Climate Report includes the finding. The annual report on global climate warns of record-breaking ocean surface temperatures, the highest sea levels and catastrophic weather events that cause substantial damage and loss of life. Five University of the West Indies scientists, in collaboration with the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology and the Meteorological Society of Jamaica, wrote a section of the report. The data shows extreme weather and heat, with average rainfall at 114% of normal levels and severe droughts in regions of eastern Caribbean islands between March and May. Later in the year, hurricanes and floods caused damage. Hurricane Beryl, the first Category 5 Atlantic storm, devastated Barbados, Grenada, St Vincent and Grenadines and Jamaica, causing approximately 1.4 billion US dollars in damage and several deaths. Caribbean scientists want to help analyze global climate change, since small island developing states are pushing for substantial greenhouse gas emission reductions. Scientists say the data is crucial and should spur more proactive efforts and strategic alliances for global and regional climate change responses. And here's our final note Courtyard by Marriott, the first international airport hotel in Guyana, the first international airport hotel in Guyana, has opened, creating 100 jobs and expanding the tourism and hospitality sector.

Speaker 2:

On Wednesday, Guyana's president, Dr Mohamed Efrem Ali, commissioned the $20 million investment in walking distance from the Chedi Jagagan International Airport. The six-story hotel has 150 rooms, including five executive suites and modern amenities for flight staff, diplomats, business travelers and transit visitors. At the commissioning ceremony, President Ali called the new hospitality facility a symbol of ambition and confidence in Guyana's future. These initiatives are part of the president's larger aim to promote tourism as an economic pillar.

Speaker 2:

This podcast has been brought to you by Victory Run Walk, sponsored by the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, Victory Run Walk, Labor Day weekend, August 30th. St Thomas, US, Virgin Islands See you at the finish line. 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. 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 25th. Here's a shout out to our listeners in Barbados, Texas and the UK. Thanks for listening and do spread the word and share our podcast with others across the region and the diaspora. I'm Keisha Blyden. See you next time.

Speaker 1:

For more Caribbean news stories and information, visit us online at pulseofthecaribbeancom. 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.