Pulse of the Caribbean

#114 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 1 Week of September 22

• Pulse of the Caribbean

Share episode

Here are the stories making Caribbean headlines.

  • Amnesty International demands that the United States cease its military operations in the Caribbean Sea. 
  • On October 1, four Caricom nations will start complete free movement. 
  • Grenada has begun employing skilled laborers from Haiti and Cuba to finish building projects. 
  • Puerto Rico and Amazon Web Services have partnered to offer free online training sessions on AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. 
  • By the second quarter of 2026, the government of Guyana, led by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, plans to digitize the majority of its services. 
  • CARICOM countries are among those that have signed a historic United Nations accord to save our seas.

Send news releases to news@pulseofthecaribbean.com. For Pulse of the Caribbean marketplace feature opportunities email biz@pulseofthecaribbean.com.

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

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

Speaker 1:

This podcast is brought to you by 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 1 for the week of September 22nd. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We start our report today at Amnesty International.

Speaker 1:

As US President Donald Trump builds up military forces in the Caribbean Sea, amnesty International warns that congressional authorized airstrikes could constitute unlawful assaults. Amnesty International's USA's Director of Security and Human Rights, daphne Iviatar, warned that if US legislators authorized the use of military force against suspected drug traffickers, it would not change the fact that such lethal strikes amount to extrajudicial executions and have no legal justification whatsoever under intialia. She said Congress must not rubber stamp further on lawful strikes and should instead work to hold the administration accountable for its illegal actions. International lethal force can only be used when strictly necessary to protect life from an imminent threat and when no less harmful means, such as capture, are available. Evitar added. Us Democratic Senators Tim McCain and Adam Schiff introduced a War Powers Act resolution on Friday to prohibit the use of US armed forces to hostilities against certain non-state organizations. The resolution reminds that trafficking illegal drugs is not an armed attack or threat of an imminent attack that would justify military action, and that the US president is not authorized to use military force by designating an entity a foreign terrorist organization.

Speaker 1:

Our next stop is CARICOM Barbados, belize, dominica and St Vincent and the Grenadines. Representatives met on thursday, september 18 2025, to coordinate, update and discuss actions toward full free movement on october 1st 2025. The four countries have agreed to let their citizens to enter, leave, re-enter, move freely, dwell, work and stay indefinitely in the receiving member state without a work or resident permit. The July CARICOM Heads of Government decision supports this. On Thursday, free movement administrative preparations were discussed under expanded corporation and sensitizations. Many systems are ready for the October 1st start date, according to the meeting. The revised treaty of Caga-Gurama's new enhanced corporation chapter includes this free movement provision. That chapter allows the Conference of CARICOM heads of government to allow groups of at least three member states to progress integration if the conference agrees that the community cannot achieve the state goals within a reasonable time. Caricom's single market and economy unrestricted movement is expanded by this. Caricom nationals of the four nations can use it. Other CARICOM single market and economy member states will maintain free movement under the current regimes of skills, services, business establishment and general travel facilitation.

Speaker 1:

Now Grenada Several private construction companies in Grenada have started hiring experienced workers from Cuba and Haiti, mainly for brickwork and carpentry, as they look for ways to finish their projects. Salim Rahman, a member of Grenada's upper house from the business sector, informed the house in December 2024 that he thinks Grenada should set up a seasonal and temporary employment program for the construction and other businesses where businesses there aren't enough workers. The Grenadian government hasn't made any official deals with the Cuban government about hiring competent workers from one state to another. Instead, private enterprises are working with Grenada's embassy in Cuba to advertise the opportunities and help with the interviews. Last week we reported in similar nature.

Speaker 1:

Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister, gaston Brown, has moved forward with nationals from the Dominican Republic to help his online cybersecurity, cloud computing and AI training workshops. Amazon Web Services Chief of Public Sector for Central America and the Caribbean, felipe do Carmo, joined Gonzalez at a news conference in La Fortaleza to sign. At a news conference in La Fortaleza to sign. According to Gonzalez, amazon Web Services and the government of Puerto Rico have signed a deal in which Amazon will train and educate Puerto Ricans in cybersecurity, cloud access and artificial intelligence with 80 hours of credits in an online course. An announcement date for the online modules December. Launch is expected soon. Any computer, phone, tablet user with internet connection can take the courses. Participants can train at their own speed. Gonzalez said these classes will ensure everyone has the training and tools to apply for AI jobs. Only a device and internet access are needed. Gonzalez cited a World Economic Forum study predicting 78 million additional global technology jobs by 2030 and 97 percent of enterprises employing AI by 2028. She added that many Puerto Ricans are tech savvy but cannot afford college or specialized training. Gonzalez remarked this is a great opportunity for Puerto Rico. Panama, argentina and Brazil have trained with Amazon before. However, we are elevating it. She continued. We will launch a public campaign and we believe this initiative could impact more than 50,000 people. In the weeks ahead, the government will reveal registration details. Our next stop is Guyana.

Speaker 1:

Guyana's president, dr Ifram Ali, said his government will digitize most government services by the second quarter of 2026 using digital infrastructure, ai, cross-agency collaboration and information and communication technology system integration. The head of state conducted his first press conference at the office of the president last week after being re-elected to promote his government's massive digital Guyana transformation goals. President Ali met with all information technology leaders to discuss the digital transformation strategy to digitize all government services by end of the 2026 second quarter. The chief technology officer, assisted by National Data Management Authority, will supervise digitization and develop a digital platform to track government agency key performance indicators, boosting openness, accountability and efficiency. The president stated that the border control and e-gate system went operational in January and the e-passport issuance system in February, increasing airport and border security. The president said the online passport portal will launch by the year's end.

Speaker 1:

The goal is to establish a resilient, service-oriented infrastructure by improving Guyanese citizens' quality of life, optimizing public processes and reducing bureaucracy. Optimizing public processes and reducing bureaucracy Citizens can apply for passports, birth certificates, driver's license and national identity cards, including e-identification cards, on the website and mobile apps. Education records, tax filing, company registrations, housing applications and bail payments will be available. In a recent live broadcast on his government's digital Guyana goals, president Ali unveiled plans to implement an AXE-Gov portal for 24-7 public help. Generative AI will allow the Guyana AXEgov to handle all government inquiries and issues without human intervention. Remote student and teacher learning will benefit from tailored learning and engaging curricula using AI. Health care will gain from AI disease identification and tracking. The software will map and monitor national infrastructures in real time using an integrated GIS, as President Ali's plans to digitize Guyana moves forward.

Speaker 1:

Next up, caricom nations among those signing landmark United Nations agreement to protect our oceans. After this, for Pulse of the Caribbean podcast advertising or marketplace feature opportunities email biz B-I-Z at pulseofthecaribbeancom. Get your ads in front of our ever-expanding Caribbean and diaspora community. Contact us at biz B-I-Z at pulseofthecaribbeancom. Engage in networking and advertising with Pulse of the Caribbean. This is the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 1, for the week of September 22nd.

Speaker 1:

The United Nations High Seas Treaty a significant ocean protection accord, has been adopted and will become international law, has been adopted and will become international law. The treaty was signed during the 88th United Nations General Assembly in New York City, attended by world leaders and authorities. First-time ocean health protection is a huge advance with the accord. The high-seas treaty, also known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement beyond national jurisdiction agreement, received over 60 ratifications over the weekend, allowing it to become effective on January 17, 2026. Morocco and Sierra Leone, the 60th and 61st agreement signatories, signed on Friday. This crucial deal adds deep ocean species protections. It also requires countries to manage ocean resources sustainably. It affects international ocean agencies like the International Seabed Authority and regional fisheries management bodies, caricom. Nations that have signed and ratified the historic pack include Antigua and Barbuda, bahamas, belize, dominica, grenada, jamaica, st Kitts and Nevis, st Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines. Other nations include Canada, china, cuba, the Dominican Republic, panama, suriname, the United States and the UK. Marine protected areas in international waters are crucial to the PAC. This implies the need to analyze the environmental impact of any activity in protected ocean areas. The treaty also promotes international cooperation to provide fair access to ocean resources, share ocean benefits and help poor countries develop marine technologies.

Speaker 1:

And here's our final note the Dominican Republic's high-end tourist sector is changing. Luxury is now evaluated by real, sustainable experiences that benefit local people. The country is solidifying its position as a strategic, responsible tourism destination, creating opportunities for investors and premium project developers. The roadmap to mindful tourism has attracted foreign funding. The central bank said that foreign direct investment Direct investment in the Dominican Republic hit a record $4.523 billion in 2024 and is expected to exceed $4.86 billion in 2025. Due to its sophistication by ecological sensitive law, the Dominican Republic is a competitive destination for those who value nature and local culture, energy and water efficiency, plastic reduction, local product utilization and community outreach are initiatives. Sustainable tourism has created jobs, built local capability and diversified the offering through distinctiveness, innovation and environmental responsibility. The Dominican Republic is growing its tourist sector and encouraging long-term economic and social benefits.

Speaker 1:

This podcast has been 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. Have news and information you'd like to share with us. Send news releases to news at pulseofthecaribbeancom. This has been your Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 1 for the week of September 22nd. Here's a special hello going out to our listeners in St Lucia, virginia and Japan. Going out to our listeners in St Lucia, virginia and Japan. 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 2:

For more Caribbean news stories and information, visit us online at pulseofthecaribbeancom If you found value in this podcast. For more 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.