Pulse of the Caribbean

#76 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 1 Week of July 14

• Pulse of the Caribbean

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The Caribbean landscape is evolving rapidly, with remarkable advancements in renewable energy, financial governance, and public safety making headlines across the region. Our latest news roundup captures these transformative developments that are shaping the future of island nations. 

  • OECS GEOBuild program improves regional geothermal energy development capacity 
  • Grenada secured $35.41 million from the World Bank for renewable energy infrastructure and climate resilience
  • Eastern Caribbean Central Bank creating Office of Financial Conduct and Inclusion to regulate bank fees and protect consumers
  • CARICOM Private Sector Organization urges member states to implement full free movement of nationals by December 31st
  • Dominican Republic ranks as the second most peaceful nation in Central America and the Caribbean 
  • St. Kitts and Nevis reports a 75% drop in homicides through holistic public health approaches to crime

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Send news releases to news@pulseofthecaribean.com. If you have an interest in sponsoring our podcast, email us at  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 Varlic Ventures for convenient airport transfers and ferry service in the US Virgin Islands and Diamond Key, marina, yosemite Dog, 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 2 for the week of July 14th. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We start our report at the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States. For the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States' GeoBuild program, a historic study tour and technical workshop for the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States was conducted in Guadalupe from June 23rd to June 24, 2025. The region's geothermal energy development capacity and collaboration is noted for being improved with this program. Technical officers, project coordinators and the government and community representatives from Organization of Eastern Caribbean State Member States visited Guadalupe's Boulante Geothermal Plant and Strong Local Governance Workshop for two days. The visit and workshop focused on capacity building, information transfer and regional relationships to accelerate Eastern Caribbean geothermal projects. Participants learned about Guadalupe's history from 1960s exploration to 1986 as the Caribbean's first operating geothermal facility, from plant operators, regulator authorities and government leaders. The plant supplies six to 7 percent of Guadalupe's electricity and will expand to 20 megawatts by 2026. Once a 10-megawatt plant in Laudate in Roseau Valley, dominica, is completed this year, dominica will join Guadalupe as the second geothermal energy generator in the OECS and the first in CARICOM. Grenada plans to explore its geothermal resources by 2026.

Speaker 2:

In related news out of Grenada, grenada signed a major financing agreement with the World Bank to fund the Caribbean Resilient Renewable Energy Infrastructure Investment Facility resilient renewable energy infrastructure investment facility securing 35.41 million US dollars to strengthen its renewable energy infrastructure and climate resilience. Participation in the resilient renewable energy infrastructure investment facility is a major energy transition milestone for Grenada. The financing includes an International Development Association loan for risk mitigation mechanisms, equity capital at project implementation units to address Grenada's unique needs and vulnerabilities. The International Development Association provides all financing. On small economy terms, pioneering resilient renewable energy infrastructure investment facility, worth $115.2 million regionally, was designed by the World Bank, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union member states. It addresses regional issues such as high investment risk, capacity constraints and small project sizes.

Speaker 2:

Now on to the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank is making significant steps to move closer to regulating commercial bank fees in the region. The Harmonized Banking Amendment Bill, central to the efforts has passed. Antigua and Barbuda, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, timothy Anton, said an Office of Financial Conduct and Inclusion will be created next. This new agency will safeguard consumers and ensure banking fairness. Other member states are amending the Banking Act. Once enacted, these reforms will allow the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank to accept or reject bank fees and address consumer complaints about specific financial activities. The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank is working with its member countries to adopt the new policies which should help Eastern Caribbean consumers in the long run. Member states include Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, dominica, grenada, montserrat, st Kitts and Nevis, st Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Speaker 2:

Our next stop is the CARICOM private sector organization. Barbados believes Dominica and St Vincent and the Grenadines will implement full free movement of nationals by October 1st, prompting the CARICOM Private Sector Organization to urge other member states to follow suit. On July 12th, the CARICOM Private Sector Organization urged member states to resolve administrative and legal difficulties to achieve complete labor mobility by December 31st. As a part of operating the CARICOM single market and economy, caricom nationals will have unrestricted free movement to live, work and do business in member nations with few limitations. On July 8th, caricom private sector organization chairman Grevis Warner addressed a business forum breakfast co-hosted by the private sector organization of Jamaica and Sandals Resort on the sidelines of the 49 CARICOM heads of government meeting in Montego Bay. Jamaica. Warner said intra-regional labor mobility restrictions had long slowed expansion, especially in construction, agriculture, tourism and the services sector. Next up, dominican Republic ranks among the most peaceful countries after this.

Speaker 2:

Visit stjohnticketingcom, the reliable go-to service for locals and visitors alike. Charlotte and Molly to Cruise Bay Ferry Service is now available at the Edward Wilmot Blyden Ferry Terminal located on the waterfront in downtown St Thomas, the fastest and most affordable way to travel when exiting the St Thomas Airport. Purchase your downtown ferry tickets and see departure times for Cruise Bay and downtown St Thomas on our website, stjohnticketingcom. We'll be right back Ferry Terminal and on your trip back from the downtown ferry terminal to the St Thomas Cyril E King Airport, visit stjohnticketingcom, the reliable go-to service for locals and visitors. This is the Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 1, for the week of July 14th.

Speaker 2:

The Dominican Republic is being recognized as one of the most peaceful nations in Latin America and the Caribbean nations in Latin America and the Caribbean. In the 2025 Global Peace Index, it ranks 79th out of 163 countries, with a score of 1,996, six places higher than the previous measurement and well above the regional average Between Costa Rica at 54 and Panama at 84,. The Institute for Economic and Peace Report ranks the Caribbean nation second most peaceful in Central America and the Caribbean. Increased internal conflicts, criminality and militarization in some countries caused a 0.7% peace decline across Central and North America, which includes the Caribbean. The Dominican Republic was one of the few bright spots. The Dominican Republic was scored the highest in the militarization index and in the lack of internal and international conflicts.

Speaker 2:

And here's our final note. In a news conference on Thursday, july 3rd 2025, the Royal St Christopher and Nevis Police Force revealed a stunning 75 percent drop in homicides across the Federation. The Federation's national security ministry policies are effective, as shown by this large gap, one of the Caribbean's biggest public safety gains. St Kitts and Nevis' government has adopted a public health approach to crime and violence, in conjunction with individuals and communities. This holistic approach has yielded results. It emphasizes prevention, intervention and rehabilitation to ensure community well-being and safety. The police high force command said community involvement is crucial to national security.

Speaker 2:

This podcast has been brought to you by Varlic Ventures for convenient airport transfers and ferry service in the US Virgin Islands. In Diamond King, 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 advertising on our podcast, email us at biz B-I-Z at pulseofthecaribbeancom. If you have an interest in advertising on our podcast, email us at biz B-I-Z at pulseofthecaribbeancom. This has been your Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup episode one for the week of July 14th. Here's a shout out to our listeners in St Kitts and Nevis and also in the state of Virginia. 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.