AGP Executive Report

Trade & Investment: Saint Lucia is pushing stronger links with Martinique, with a five-member French delegation helping map plans to boost trade, investment and cultural cooperation and identify export opportunities under EU frameworks. Aviation & Connectivity: Caribbean Airlines is cutting routes and reducing flights from June 1, including discontinuing service to Dominica and St Kitts and slashing frequencies to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly, citing major losses and aiming for a more sustainable network. Regional Health Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will convene in Saint Lucia to improve access to safe, quality medicines and health technologies across the Eastern Caribbean, including pooled procurement and supply-chain upgrades. Environment & Marine Impact: SARSEA meetings in Dominica focus on sargassum management, with plans shaping field activities in Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1. France’s Colonial Reckoning: In Paris, France’s National Assembly voted unanimously to repeal the Code Noir slavery edicts, a symbolic step that stops short of reparations demands but moves the issue toward further Senate action.

Aviation & Connectivity: Caribbean Airlines is cutting regional routes from June 1, ending flights to Dominica and St. Kitts and discontinuing the Ogle (Guyana)–Suriname service, while reducing service to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly as it seeks long-term financial stability after major losses. Passenger Impact: The airline says affected travelers will be contacted directly and offered rebooking on alternative regional services, rerouting via partner connections, full refunds for unused ticket portions, or future travel credit (subject to fare conditions). Regional Health Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will hold a May 28–29 workshop in Saint Lucia to improve access to safe, quality-assured medicines and health technologies across Eastern Caribbean states, including a formal launch of a technical working group. Trade Links for Martinique: Saint Lucia’s government says it is advancing practical trade and investment cooperation with Martinique after meetings with a French delegation, including work on import-export facilitation for specific products. Environment & Sargassum: SARSEA meetings in Dominica (May 26–28) are shaping regional sargassum management plans, with field missions planned for Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1.

Aviation Shake-Up: Caribbean Airlines will cut several regional routes from June 1, ending flights to Dominica and St Kitts and withdrawing the Ogle (Guyana)–Suriname service, while also reducing flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly. Local Impact: The airline says affected passengers will be contacted directly and offered rebooking on alternative regional services, partner connections, full refunds, or travel credit. Finance & Policy: Trinidad and Tobago’s transport minister Eli Zakour linked the changes to sustained losses tied to the 2023 expansion, citing combined losses of more than US$18.84 million as of April 2026. Regional Cooperation: Caribbean Airlines also says it is working toward a codeshare deal to expand destination access through coordinated schedules and integrated ticketing. Environment: SARSEA meetings in Dominica (May 26–28) will shape national sargassum plans, with field missions planned for Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1.

Caribbean Airlines Network Shake-Up: Starting June 1, Caribbean Airlines will stop flying between Dominica and Suriname, St Kitts and Suriname, and the Ogle (Guyana)–Suriname route, while cutting flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly—moves tied to sustained losses and a push for a more “commercially viable” network. Passenger Impact: The airline says affected travellers will be contacted directly and offered rebooking on other regional services, refunds for unused ticket portions, or travel credit (subject to fare rules), plus help via partner connections. Regional Debate: The cuts are already reigniting questions across the Eastern Caribbean about who will fill the growing airlift gap as LIAT 2020 and other carriers watch for openings. Local Angle: In Martinique and the wider region, the aviation squeeze lands as sargassum experts meet in Dominica and trade talks between Saint Lucia and Martinique continue to look for new product exchanges. Culture & Nature: Grenada’s “Isle of Spice” bloom just won another Chelsea Flower Show gold, while a Diversity film festival in Cyprus wrapped with screenings featuring Frantz Fanon’s story.

Caribbean Airlines Route Shock: Caribbean Airlines says that from June 1 it will stop flights linking Dominica, St. Kitts and Ogle (Guyana) to Suriname, and will cut service to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly, citing long-running losses and a push for “operational reliability” and “long-term financial stability.” Passenger Options: affected travelers will be contacted and offered rebooking, refunds, or travel credit (depending on fare rules), while the airline also points to a codeshare deal in the works to widen connections. Local Trade Watch: In a separate development, France’s Eastern Caribbean envoy says Saint Lucia and Martinique could expand trade via an import-export facilitation push for 15 products. Regional Environment: In Dominica, SARSEA meetings are underway to shape next steps on sargassum management, with field missions planned for Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1.

Caribbean Airlines Route Shock: Starting June 1, Caribbean Airlines will stop flying to Dominica and St. Kitts, and end the Ogle (Guyana)–Suriname service, while cutting flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly—moves the airline links to operational reliability and long-term financial stability, with affected passengers offered rebooking, refunds, or travel credit and a push toward a codeshare partner. Regional Connectivity Debate: The cuts are reigniting calls for a unified ECCU–CARICOM transport strategy as the region grapples with repeated airline pullbacks and route failures. Local Sports Spotlight: Saint Martin’s U18 team topped the Sister Islands Basketball Tournament rankings, highlighting growing youth sports cooperation across the islands. France Politics & Memory: A new letter reflects fears over France’s rightward shift, while France continues grappling with slavery legacies—Macron says reparations should be addressed, and MPs back repealing the old Code Noir.

Airlift Shock: Caribbean Airlines will cut key regional links from June 1, ending flights to Dominica and St. Kitts and withdrawing the Ogle (Guyana)–Suriname route, while reducing service to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly—passengers will be contacted and offered rebooking, refunds, or travel credit. Regional Debate: The move follows Trinidad’s transport minister saying CAL’s 2023 Eastern Caribbean expansion racked up losses of about US$18.84 million, with some routes launched without solid commercial backing—sparking fresh questions across the OECS about who will fill the gap. Local Youth Spotlight: Saint Martin hosted the inaugural Sister Islands Basketball Tournament for U18 teams, bringing together territories including Martinique and Martinique and aiming to use sport to build youth pathways and regional cooperation. Caribbean Context: A separate discussion revisits the “Netherlands Antilles” question after the 2010 dissolution—Curaçao and Sint Maarten now stand apart, with the BES islands as special municipalities.

Aviation Shock: Caribbean Airlines says it will cut key regional links from June 1—ending the Dominica, St. Kitts and Ogle (Guyana) to Suriname routes, and reducing flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly—while affected passengers get rebooking help, refunds, or travel credit as the airline pushes “operational reliability” and long-term financial stability. Regional Fallout: The move follows Trinidad and Tobago’s transport minister citing heavy losses tied to CAL’s 2023 Eastern Caribbean expansion, and it’s already reigniting debate over who will fill the intra-Caribbean airlift gap. Youth Sports: In Saint-Martin, Team Saint Martin topped the Sister Islands Basketball Tournament for U18s, highlighting growing regional cooperation through sport. Culture & Lifestyle: A French-focused feature on how the French “live better for longer” adds a lighter note amid the week’s travel and policy headlines.

Caribbean Aviation Shake-Up: Caribbean Airlines is cutting regional routes and trimming service from June 1, discontinuing flights to Dominica and St. Kitts and ending the Ogle (Guyana) to Suriname link, while reducing flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly. The airline says the changes are meant to restore financial stability after losses tied to its 2023 Eastern Caribbean expansion, with Transport Minister Eli Zakour citing more than US$18.8m in losses and pointing to routes launched without solid commercial justification. Passenger Impact: CAL says affected travellers will be contacted and offered rebooking options, refunds, or future travel credit, and it’s working toward a codeshare deal to widen connections. Regional Ripple: The cuts are already reigniting debate over who will fill the intra-Caribbean airlift gap, with LIAT 2020 seen by observers as a possible beneficiary. Wellness Tourism Buzz: Travel and Tour World also released its 2026 list of the Americas and Caribbean’s top 30 wellness destinations, highlighting demand for shorter, nature-focused trips.

Aviation Shock for the French Caribbean: Caribbean Airlines says it will cut regional links from June 1, ending flights to Dominica, St. Kitts and the Ogle–Suriname corridor, and dropping Martinique and Guadeloupe service to twice weekly—moves blamed on sustained losses from the 2023 expansion. Travel Fallout: Passengers on affected bookings will be contacted and offered re-accommodation, alternative itineraries, refunds, or travel credit. Next Step for Connectivity: CAL says it’s working on a codeshare deal to widen destinations once regulators approve it. Regional Context: The airline’s restructuring follows earlier route withdrawals and comes as Air Antilles’ liquidation has already left parts of the French Caribbean with fewer options. Local Justice Watch (Martinique): The CTM disability-aid embezzlement trial begins in Fort-de-France, with six defendants facing charges tied to alleged forged files and money laundering.

Diaspora & Climate Recovery: Grenada’s Ambassador Terry Forrester says the next Diaspora Homecoming will include a major “Spice Replanting Day” on Sunday 28 June, with returning nationals helping replant nutmeg and spice trees devastated by hurricanes from Ivan (2004) to Beryl (2025). Aviation Shake-up: Caribbean Airlines is cutting regional links from 1 June—ending Dominica, St Kitts and Ogle (Guyana) to Suriname routes, and reducing Martinique and Guadeloupe service to twice weekly—while offering refunds or travel credit and promising re-accommodation. Regional Politics: A debate over CARICOM full membership in Bermuda is framed as an “influx of workers” concern, with critics saying public meetings may be more about pushing an agenda than taking input. Justice in Martinique: The CTM disability-aid embezzlement trial opens in Fort-de-France, with allegations of forged files and money laundering tied to funds siphoned between 2019 and 2024. Earthquake Watch: A 6.0 quake rattled the Eastern Caribbean and was felt across multiple islands, with no tsunami threat reported.

Aviation Cuts Hit the Region: Caribbean Airlines says it will slash its network from June 1, withdrawing from Dominica and St Kitts, ending the nonstop Guyana–Suriname and Ogle–Suriname routes, and cutting Martinique and Guadeloupe service from four weekly flights to two—moves blamed on sustained losses and a reversal of the 2023 expansion push. Travel Disruption Plan: Passengers on affected services will be contacted and offered re-accommodation, alternative itineraries, full refunds, or future travel credit, while the airline works toward a codeshare to widen connections. Culture & Politics: In Puerto Rico, writer Luis Rafael Sánchez weighs in on World Book Day and the debate over Puerto Rico’s statehood. Arts in the French Caribbean: Guadeloupe artist François Moulin was acquitted in a case tied to a Macron-referencing painting. Public Service & Jobs: Customs launches recruitment for officers across the French West Indies and French Guiana. Earthquake Watch: A 6.0 quake rattled parts of the Eastern Caribbean with no tsunami threat reported.

Courtroom Twist: In Guadeloupe, artist François Moulin (“Blow”) and two exhibition organizers were acquitted after prosecutors targeted a painting seen as inciting a crime against President Emmanuel Macron—an outcome that lawyers say protects judicial independence and artistic freedom. Colonial Reckoning: Across France and its overseas territories, lawmakers are moving to repeal the old “Code Noir,” while President Macron says reparations for slavery’s legacy must be addressed—without promising financial fixes. Martinique Watch: A major Fort-de-France trial is set to open this week over alleged embezzlement of disability aid linked to the CTM, with six defendants facing charges including forgery and money laundering. Regional Shock: A magnitude 6.0 earthquake rattled the Eastern Caribbean and was felt in Martinique and beyond; authorities reported no tsunami threat and no immediate major damage. Culture & Sport: St. Maarten’s youth team impressed at the PSG World Cup Tournament in Paris, finishing 5th out of 44.

Slavery reckoning in France: Twenty-five years after the Taubira Law, French MPs have backed a bill to formally repeal the old “Code Noir,” while President Emmanuel Macron used a major Élysée Palace speech to say reparations for slavery’s legacy must be addressed—without promising a specific plan. Local justice spotlight: In Martinique, the big CTM embezzlement trial is set to open in Fort-de-France, with allegations tied to disability aid and multiple defendants facing charges including fraud and money laundering. Hiring push in the region: France’s customs service is recruiting for overseas posts, including Martinique, to strengthen checks against drugs, fraud, and smuggling. Caribbean quake watch: A magnitude 6.0 earthquake rattled parts of the Eastern Caribbean and nearby islands; officials reported no tsunami threat and no major damage so far. Culture and sport: Martinique’s football youth development gets attention via Stade Rennais’ Ludovic Blas, while the wider region continues to celebrate achievements—from Grenada’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold to Nevis promoting air links and tourism partnerships.

Reparatory Justice Pressure: President Emmanuel Macron faces growing calls to launch a formal process on reparations for France’s role in the transatlantic slave trade as he prepares a major speech marking 25 years since the 2001 law recognizing slavery as a crime against humanity. Eastern Caribbean Shaken: A magnitude 6.0 earthquake rattled the region Saturday, with tremors felt across islands including Martinique, but officials reported no immediate injuries, no major damage, and no tsunami threat. Martinique Court Spotlight: In Fort-de-France, the biggest embezzlement trial in Martinique’s history is set to open, involving alleged misuse of disability aid funds worth over €3.2 million. Tourism Moves in Nevis: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley pushed air-connectivity and regional tourism partnerships, including plans to collaborate with Guadeloupe and Martinique. Caribbean Culture & Trade: Grenada celebrated another RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold, while the rum world leans into “destination distilling,” turning distilleries into part of the travel experience.

Courtroom Spotlight: The massive CTM disability-aid embezzlement trial finally opens in Fort-de-France, with six defendants set to face charges including public-funds embezzlement, forged documents, money laundering and receiving stolen goods—allegedly siphoned between 2019 and 2024 through falsified files, with some money tied to luxury spending. Regional Shockwaves: A magnitude 6.0 earthquake rattled the Eastern Caribbean and was felt across Martinique and nearby islands; officials reported no tsunami threat and no major damage so far. Tourism Push: Nevis is stepping up air connectivity and regional tourism ties, with Premier Mark Brantley promoting Nevis at “Saveurs Caraibes” and signaling collaboration with Guadeloupe and Martinique. Culture & Talent: In Martinique, Stade Rennais’ Ludovic Blas backs youth football and says recognition like the Golden Kid ceremony “opens doors for the years to come.” Island Pride Abroad: Grenada keeps stacking wins at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, taking another gold for its “Isle of Spice” display.