Pulse of the Caribbean

#77 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 2 Week of July 14

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From political decisions to economic innovations and tourism expansions, the diverse island nations are charting their unique paths forward while navigating regional complexities and international relationships as highlighted in our latest news roundup.

  • OECS GEOBuild program improves regional geothermal energy development capacity 
  • British Virgin Islands Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley declines CARICOM call for free movement policy
  • US Senator Michael Bennett sponsors bill to strengthen US-Guyana security cooperation against potential Venezuelan threats
  • Dominican Republic fully supports extending the UN security mission in Haiti 
  • Dominican Republic recovers $6.5 billion allegedly lost to corruption under previous administrations
  • Barbados introduces 35 electric-powered buses and new electric vehicle "Zippy Taxi" service for sustainable transportation solutions
  • Southwest Airlines announces new service to St. Thomas, USVI beginning in 2026

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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 Varla Adventures for convenient airport transfers and ferry service in the 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 2 for the week of July 14th. Here's a look at what's making Caribbean headlines. We start our report in the British Virgin Islands. British Virgin Islands Premier, dr Natalia Whitley, said that the British Virgin Islands will not adopt CARIC. The Caribbean community, dr Whitley, said that its demographics and economy do not support such a move. Dr Whitley said not all CARICOM entities support free movement. Barbados, belize, st Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica plan to implement full free movement by October 1, 2025. Plan to implement full free movement by October 1st 2025. Dr Whitley noted that the Virgin Islands' unique circumstances necessitate a different approach. He said our population is minimal. Many nations have come from various locations to establish the Virgin Islands. The free movement of people policy of CARICOM aims to boost regional integration and economic cooperation. Since the BVI is an associate member, it is not bound by such ruling. Dr Whitley added that the BVI's economy is different from larger CARICOM member states. The BVI has been a member of CARICOM heads of government meetings and continues to push for its involvement in regional decision making processes, especially when it comes to trade, security cooperation and climate change.

Speaker 2:

Now on to Guyana. Michael Bennett, a US Democratic senator from Colorado and a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, sponsored a bill to make US corporation would Guyana stronger and to stop Venezuela from attacking the country. Bennett said the United States must work with Guyana to stop Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro from threatening Guyana. Bennett's bill would make the US Secretary of Defense give Congress a report on how well the United States and Guyana are working together on security right now and whether the US needs to give Guyana more help to stop a possible Venezuelan attack. Our next stop is the Dominican Republic.

Speaker 2:

On Monday, the Dominican Republic fully backed strengthening the multinational security support mission in Haiti. In Haiti, this was in line with the United Nations Security Council's unanimous decision to extend the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti until January 31, 2026. Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader said during his weekly news briefing that the Dominican Republic is committed to improving the mission. Haiti is still going through a deep and continuous crisis marked by violence and instability. Abinader called the situation in Haiti a constant event and stressed how important it is for countries to work together. On the same day, christopher Londa, the US Undersecretary of State, met with Alex Didier of Phil's Amy, the Prime Minister of Haiti, in Washington to ask for more foreign support for the multinational security support, which still does not have enough support.

Speaker 2:

In other news from the Dominican Republic on Monday, president Luis Abinader stated that his government's administration has recovered more than $6.5 billion that had allegedly been plundered through corruption during past administrations in the Dominican Republic. During his weekly address from the National Palace, he praised a government-appointed legal team entrusted with protecting public assets for their successful recovery efforts. According to Abinadir, $3.5 billion was recovered through legal settlements and court proceedings, while another $3 billion came from transactions linked to corruption in the energy industry. He underlined that these measures not only relieve the strain on public budgets, but also help reestablish public trust and improve the country's image in the battle against corruption.

Speaker 2:

Next up electric taxi service is launched in Barbados. After this, visit stjohnticketingcom, the reliable go-to service for locals and visitors alike. Charlotte 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 Airport. Purchase your downtown ferry tickets and see departure times for Cruise Bay and downtown St Thomas on our website, stjohnticketingcom. Safe, fast and affordable is the way to go. Designated taxi and transportation services are also available to pick you up from the airport and take you to the downtown ferry terminal. And on your trip back from the downtown ferry terminal to the to the St Thomas Cyril E King Airport, visit stjohnticketingcom, the reliable go-to service for locals and visitors alike.

Speaker 2:

This is the pulse of the caribbean news roundup, episode two for the week of july 14th. On friday, barbados's acting prime minister santiaacha said that the state-owned Transportation Board will add 35 electricity-powered buses by year routes in Barbados as part of a larger effort to modernize and develop sustainable mobility on the island. The privately run Zippy Taxi will operate short-haul routes. Like Barbados' Transportation Board, city Circle Bus, bradshaw and the Alliance Owners of Public Transportation Chairman Roy Raphael have been discussing PSV industry issues. Zippy Taxi, a partnership between the Alliance Owners of Public Transportation and Hussar Motor Corporation, leases tiny electric vehicles to taxi operators and aspiring transport entrepreneurs for short-haul travels.

Speaker 2:

And here's our final note Southwest Airlines will begin flying at Cyril E King International Airport on St Thomas, us Virgin Islands, in early 2026. Local officials say this significant move will transform US Virgin Islands tourism and economic development. The Virgin Islands Port Authority Department of Tourism and the Government of the Virgin Islands worked together for years to gain what is being called a huge victory. The addition of Southwest Airline flights to St Thomas is projected to increase visitor arrivals, accessibility and US national visibility. The US Virgin Islands will gain new markets and strengthen its status as a top Caribbean destination. With the arrival of Southwest Airlines, considered to be one of the United States' most reputable airlines. To be one of the United States' most reputable airlines, southwest will make St Thomas its sixth Atlantic Basin island destination, joining Aruba, the Bahamas, cayman Islands, cuba, dominican Republic, jamaica, puerto Rico and Turks and Caicos. It's the first of three new locations the airline plans to add to its travel destinations for 2026. International routes to Belize, costa Rica and Mexico give regional and worldwide connectivity for the airline. Flights will soon be available for booking with Southwest Airlines to St Thomas.

Speaker 2:

This podcast has been brought to you by Varlic Ventures for convenient airport transfers and ferry service in the 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 advertising on our podcast, email us at biz at pulseofthecaribbeancom. This has been your Pulse of the Caribbean News Roundup, episode 2 for the week of July 7. Here's a shout out to our listeners in the US Virgin Islands and Texas. 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.