AGP Executive Report

Cruise Redeployments: MSC Cruises has reshuffled its winter 2027/28 plans, pulling MSC World Europa from the Middle East and sending it to the Western Mediterranean (Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa-area ports, Messina, Valletta). At the same time, MSC World Asia is moving to the Southern Caribbean, with embarkation in Fort-de-France (Martinique), Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe) and Bridgetown (Barbados), and calls across the Leewards and Windwards. Local Governance & Procurement: In Grenada, the Democratic People’s Movement says a “design, build and finance” road approach “completely ignored” procurement laws, arguing it sidesteps competitive bidding and leaves costs/financing insufficiently transparent. State Communication Cuts: French Antilles and French Guiana professionals warn that a reduced state communications budget—€1.7m for the territories—falls far short of needs, especially for prevention campaigns. Public Finance & Cybersecurity: France’s tax authority DGFiP suffered a major cyberattack, raising phishing risks for taxpayers and property owners around upcoming bills. Culture & Sport: Martinique-linked youth football is in the spotlight as Barbados and Martinique are listed among Tier I teams for the CFU U-14 Challenge Series in the Dominican Republic; and Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival lineup includes Martinique’s Maurane Voyer. Business: French firm Les Bienheureux is set to buy Campari’s Martinique agricole rum portfolio (Trois Rivières, La Mauny, Duquesne), pending SAFER approval.

Caribbean Cruise Routes: MSC Cruises is reshuffling its winter 2027/2028 plans, cancelling planned Middle East itineraries for the MSC World Europa and keeping it in the Western Mediterranean, while the MSC World Asia is reassigned to the South Caribbean with 7- and 14-night trips starting in Fort-de-France (Martinique), Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe) and Bridgetown (Barbados), calling at Castries, St. George’s, Philipsburg, St. John’s, Basseterre, Roseau and Kingstown. Public Procurement Clash: In Grenada, the Democratic People’s Movement says the government “completely ignored” procurement laws in major road projects using a design-build-finance model, arguing costs and financing details are not publicly clear. Overseas Communication Budget: France’s plan to cut state communication spending is drawing fire in the French Antilles and French Guiana, where professionals say only €1.7m is earmarked—far below what they argue is needed for local campaigns. Tax Office Cyberattack: A major cyberattack hit France’s tax authority, DGFiP, raising phishing fears for taxpayers and property owners around upcoming taxe foncière bills. Rhum Agricole Deal (Martinique): Les Bienheureux is set to buy Campari Group’s Martinique agricole rum portfolio (Trois Rivières, La Mauny, Duquesne) pending SAFER approval. Fuel Prices (Grenada): Grenada’s August 2026 prices show no change for gasoline and diesel, but kerosene and some LPG cylinder sizes rise. Aviation Tax Legal Questions: The Dutch Council of State is challenging how a new flight tax would treat Caribbean destinations differently, with Martinique and Saint Barthélemy flagged for higher rates despite similar distances to Amsterdam.

Overseas Budget Clash: France’s plan to cut state communication spending is drawing fire in the French Antilles and French Guiana, where only €1.7 million is earmarked for public campaigns—far below professionals’ call for €11 million to cover local needs in places like Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana. Aviation Tax Legal Challenge: The Dutch Council of State is questioning the Netherlands’ proposed aviation tax differentiation, warning that neighboring Caribbean destinations could face very different rates based on legal status—highlighting how Martinique could be hit at the highest category while Sint Maarten lands in the lowest. Rhum Agricole Deal in Martinique: Campari Group has confirmed the sale of its Martinique agricole rum portfolio (Trois Rivières, La Mauny, Duquesne) to French buyer Les Bienheureux, pending SAFER approval tied to agricultural land transfers. Cybersecurity & Tax Alerts (France): A major cyberattack on France’s tax authority DGFiP is raising phishing fears for taxpayers and property owners, especially around upcoming taxe foncière bills. Local Culture & Events: CSIFF26 announced its 2026 official film selection—47 films from 14 countries including Martinique—set for Oct 9–11 in New York.

Overseas Communications Budget Row: France’s plan to cut state communication spending is hitting the French Antilles and French Guiana hard, with only €1.7 million earmarked for public campaigns—prompting an open letter from ten communications professionals who argue the territories need €11 million to cover local geography, social realities, media habits, and languages. Public Finance & Cybersecurity: A major cyberattack on France’s tax authority (DGFiP) has raised alarms for taxpayers and property owners, with warnings to watch for phishing and fake tax messages—especially around the period when taxe foncière bills are due. Aviation Tax Legal Challenge: The Dutch Council of State is questioning the Netherlands’ proposed flight tax differentiation, flagging how Martinique could be placed in the highest rate category while nearby Caribbean destinations get lower rates based on their constitutional status. Rhum Agricole Ownership Update: Campari’s agricole rum portfolio in Martinique is set to move to French buyer Les Bienheureux, pending SAFER approval tied to agricultural land transfers in Rivière-Pilote. Culture & Community Spotlight: CSIFF26 has unveiled its 2026 official selection, with 47 films from 14 countries including Martinique, ahead of Oct 9–11 in New York.

Overseas Communications Budget: France’s planned cut to state communication spending has hit the French Antilles and French Guiana hard, with only €1.7m earmarked for public campaigns—far below the €11m professionals say is needed for local realities like geography, media access, and language. Cybersecurity & Tax Administration: A major cyberattack on France’s tax authority (DGFiP) is raising phishing fears for taxpayers and property owners, especially around upcoming taxe foncière bills. Energy Prices Watch: Grenada’s latest fuel pricing update shows kerosene rising (to $15.84/IG) while gasoline and diesel stay flat, alongside LPG cylinder increases. Rhum Agricole Deal in Martinique: Campari Group’s agricole rum portfolio in Martinique is set to move to French buyer Les Bienheureux, pending SAFER approval, covering brands including Trois Rivières, La Mauny, and Duquesne. Aviation Tax Legal Challenge: The Dutch Council of State is questioning the legality of different aviation tax rates for Caribbean destinations under a new flight tax plan—highlighting potential mismatches for Martinique versus nearby islands. Cultural Memory & Resistance: A new spotlight on Nellie Ebou recounts an early-1800s enslaved woman’s resistance in the Grenadines, with her execution underscoring the brutal colonial order.

Aviation Tax Legal Fight: The Dutch Council of State has questioned the Netherlands’ plan to tax Caribbean destinations differently under a new flight tax system, flagging how Martinique could be hit with the highest rate while nearby islands like Sint Maarten get the lowest—raising constitutional fairness concerns. Caribbean Rhum Business: Campari Group has found a buyer for its Martinique agricole rum portfolio: French firm Les Bienheureux will purchase BBS (behind Trois Rivières, La Mauny and Duquesne), pending SAFER approval tied to agricultural land transfers. Local Governance & Infrastructure: Elk Grove Village residents raised concerns about a proposed WGN transmitter data center site, citing noise, wildlife and water impacts, and pushing for studies into low-frequency effects. Culture & Community: Conch Shell International Film Fest (CSIFF26) announced its 2026 official selection, with films from Martinique among 47 titles across 14 countries. Regional Youth Sports: Martinique is listed among the teams for the ITF/COTECC Under-12 Team Competition Sub Region Four in Trinidad and Tobago (Aug. 18–21).

Aviation Tax Legal Challenge: The Dutch Council of State has flagged legal questions over the Netherlands’ plan to set different aviation tax rates for Caribbean destinations, warning that places at similar distances from Amsterdam could be taxed very differently due to their constitutional status—an issue that could put Martinique and Saint Barthélemy in the highest bracket while Sint Maarten lands in the lowest. Rhum Agricole Ownership Shift: Campari Group has confirmed a buyer for its Martinique agricole rum portfolio: French firm Les Bienheureux will purchase BBS (behind Trois Rivières, La Mauny and Duquesne), pending SAFER approval tied to agricultural land transfers in Rivière-Pilote. Culture & Regional Links: The Conch Shell International Film Fest (CSIFF26) unveiled its 2026 official selection, with 47 films from 14 countries including Martinique, set for Oct 9–11 in New York. Sports Development: Martinique is among the teams heading to Trinidad and Tobago for the 2026 ITF/COTECC Under-12 Team Competition Sub Region Four (Aug 18–21), a Davis Cup-style youth tournament. Environment Watch: A Jamaica report highlights plastic waste washing in from other islands—citing debris labeled from places including Martinique—pushing calls for regional coordination to tackle the cross-border flow.

Aviation Tax Clash (Netherlands–Caribbean): The Dutch Council of State has flagged legal questions over how the Netherlands plans to set aviation tax rates for Caribbean destinations, warning that islands with similar distances from Amsterdam could face very different charges because of their constitutional status—an issue that could hit Martinique and Saint Barthélemy at the top rate while Sint Maarten lands in the lowest category. Regional Culture & Exchange: The Waitukubuli Artist Association says a three-week Martinique–Dominica residency by visual artist JKing (Kevin Jérémie) has wrapped, producing a permanent mural, school workshops, and driftwood sculptures tied to climate resilience and biodiversity. Connectivity Push (US–Caribbean): The U.S. State Department unveiled a submarine-cable initiative for the Caribbean and Central America, urging governments to use “trusted” providers and offering legal help—while Cuba is left out. Caribbean Infrastructure (Grenada): Carriacou’s Herbert A. Blaize Airport cleared a major hurdle toward 24-hour operations after a successful night-landing test, with licensing steps now underway to enable scheduled night landings. Caribbean Arts Spotlight: CSIFF26 (Conch Shell International Film Fest) announced 47 films from 14 countries for its Oct 9–11 run in New York, including Martinique entries.

Caribbean Aviation Tax Fight: The Dutch Council of State has flagged legal questions over the Netherlands’ proposed aviation tax “differentiation,” warning that nearby Caribbean destinations could be taxed very differently based on their constitutional status—highlighting Martinique’s and Saint Barthélemy’s placement in the highest category versus Sint Maarten in the lowest. Decolonization Politics: The International Decolonization Front adopted the “Corte Declaration,” condemning French colonial exploitation mechanisms and alleging repression of anti-colonial activists. Martinique–Dominica Cultural Exchange: Dominica’s Waitukubuli Artist Association says a three-week residency brought Martinican artist JKing to work on climate resilience, biodiversity, and cultural identity, including school workshops and a permanent mural. Regional Connectivity Push: The U.S. announced a submarine cable initiative for the Caribbean and Central America, urging governments to use “trusted” providers—while Cuba is excluded. Infrastructure Update (Grenada): Carriacou’s Herbert A. Blaize Airport cleared a night-landing readiness test, moving toward regulatory approval for 24-hour operations.

Aviation Tax Legal Challenge: The Dutch Council of State is questioning the Netherlands’ plan to apply different aviation tax rates to Caribbean destinations, flagging how Martinique and Saint Barthélemy could be hit with the highest rate while Sint Maarten gets the lowest—despite similar distances from Amsterdam—because of their different constitutional statuses. Regional Decolonization Politics: The International Decolonization Front adopted the “Corte Declaration,” condemning French colonial exploitation mechanisms, alleging rights abuses against activists, and calling out economic policies that drive unemployment and emigration. Caribbean Connectivity Push: The U.S. announced a submarine cable initiative for the Caribbean and Central America, urging governments to exclude “untrusted providers” and offering legal and technical help—while Cuba is left out. Martinique Cultural Exchange: Waitukubuli Artist Association says Martinican visual artist JKing completed a three-week residency in Dominica, producing a permanent mural and school workshops on climate resilience, biodiversity, and cultural identity. Cross-Island Environmental Pressure: Jamaica Environment Trust warns that plastic waste labeled from multiple islands—including Martinique—has piled up along Jamaica’s eastern coast, stressing the need for region-wide cooperation beyond national bans. Sports Development: Trinidad and Tobago is hosting the 2026 ITF/COTECC Under-12 Team Competition Sub Region Four (Aug. 21), with Martinique among participating teams.

Regional Aviation Policy: The Dutch Council of State is challenging the Netherlands’ proposed Flight Tax Differentiation Act, warning that Caribbean destinations could be taxed very differently despite similar distances from Amsterdam—highlighting how Martinique and Saint Barthélemy could land in the highest rate while Sint Maarten would be in the lowest, based on their legal status. Digital Infrastructure & Security: The U.S. State Department unveiled a submarine cable initiative for the Caribbean and Central America, urging governments to exclude “untrusted” providers and offering legal and technical help to draft trusted-supplier legislation—while again leaving Cuba out. Environment & Cross-Border Waste: Jamaica faces a growing plastic crisis as foreign waste labeled in Spanish and French piles up along the eastern coastline, with stakeholders calling for regional cooperation with the islands where the waste originates, including Martinique. Culture & Exchange: The Waitukubuli Artist Association says a three-week Martinique-Dominica residency for visual artist JKing (Kevin Jérémie) has ended, producing a permanent mural, school workshops, and driftwood sculptures tied to climate resilience and biodiversity. Local Infrastructure: Carriacou and Petite Martinique MP Tevin Andrews reports a successful night-landing flight test at Herbert A. Blaize Airport, moving the sister isles closer to 24-hour operations pending regulatory licensing.

Caribbean Aviation Tax Clash: The Dutch Council of State has flagged legal questions over the Netherlands’ plan to apply different aviation tax rates to nearby Caribbean destinations, with Martinique and Saint Barthélemy potentially facing the highest rate while Sint Maarten could land in the lowest category—differences driven by their legal status. Regional Anti-Colonial Politics: The International Decolonization Front adopted the “Corte Declaration,” condemning French colonial exploitation mechanisms across overseas territories and criticizing Paris for economic plundering, unemployment, and force against activists. Martinique-Dominica Cultural Exchange: The Waitukubuli Artist Association wrapped a three-week residency bringing Martinican visual artist JKing to Dominica, producing a permanent mural, school workshops, and driftwood sculptures tied to climate resilience and biodiversity. U.S. Connectivity Push (Cuba Excluded): Washington unveiled a submarine cable initiative for the Caribbean and Central America, urging governments to use “trusted” providers and offering legal/technical help—while Cuba is left out. Grenada Oil & Gas Contract Terminated: Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell says his Congress administration ended a Russian offshore exploration deal with Global Petroleum Group for missed obligations, including lack of required monthly reporting and failure to meet work and funding commitments. Environment Watch: Jamaica-linked reporting highlights foreign plastic waste piling up along St Thomas’ coast, including debris traced to multiple Caribbean islands, including Martinique—raising calls for region-wide cooperation beyond national bans.

Aviation Tax Clash in the Kingdom: The Dutch Council of State has flagged legal questions over the Netherlands’ plan to apply different aviation tax rates to Caribbean destinations under a 2027 “Flight Tax Differentiation Act,” warning that islands at similar distances from Amsterdam could be taxed very differently based on their constitutional status—an issue that could put Martinique and Saint Barthélemy in the highest bracket while Sint Maarten lands in the lowest. Regional Decolonization Politics: The International Decolonization Front adopted the “Corte Declaration,” condemning French colonial exploitation mechanisms across overseas territories and criticizing Paris for economic plunder, unemployment, and force against peaceful activists. Martinique-Centered Cultural Exchange: In Dominica, the Waitukubuli Artist Association wrapped a three-week residency bringing Martinican visual artist JKing (Kevin Jérémie), producing a permanent mural, school workshops, and driftwood sculptures tied to climate resilience and biodiversity. U.S. Connectivity Push (and Cuba Exclusion): The U.S. announced a submarine cable initiative for the Caribbean and Central America, urging governments to rely on “trusted providers” and offering legal support—while Cuba is left out. Grenada Oil & Gas Contract Terminated: Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell says the Congress government ended a contract with the Russian firm Global Petroleum Group, citing missed work, missing reports, and lack of funds. Environment Watch: Jamaica faces a growing plastic waste problem from other islands, including Martinique, as foreign debris piles up along its eastern coastline—raising calls for regional cooperation beyond national bans. Infrastructure Milestone in the Grenadines: Carriacou and Petite Martinique’s MP Tevin Andrews says Herbert A. Blaize Airport has passed a night landing test, moving the project toward regulatory approval for scheduled night operations. Youth Sports Across the Region: Trinidad and Tobago is hosting the 2026 ITF/COTECC Under-12 Team Competition Sub Region Four, with Martinique among the participating teams.

Decolonization & French policy: The International Decolonization Front adopted the “Corte Declaration,” condemning France’s colonial exploitation across overseas territories and accusing Paris of rights abuses, economic plunder, and impunity. Regional connectivity politics: The U.S. unveiled a submarine-cable initiative for the Caribbean and Central America, urging governments to bar “untrusted providers” and offering legal help—while Cuba remains excluded. Cross-island cultural ties: A Waitukubuli Artist Association residency brought Martinican visual artist JKing to Dominica for workshops, school engagement, and a permanent mural tied to climate resilience and biodiversity. Martinique-linked environmental spillover: Jamaica reported heavy foreign plastic waste on its eastern coast, including items traced to the wider region with labels linked to places such as Martinique, raising calls for cross-border cooperation. Local infrastructure & governance: Grenada’s government moved toward 24-hour operations at Carriacou’s Herbert Blaize Airport after a successful night-landing test, with licensing steps now underway. Youth & heritage: Carriacou’s Camp Flame programme trained young people in traditional boatbuilding, producing six Optimist boats for a planned launching ceremony.

Anti-Colonial Politics: The International Decolonization Front adopted the “Corte Declaration,” condemning French colonial exploitation mechanisms and calling out Paris for economic plunder, unemployment, and repression of peaceful activists. Regional Infrastructure & Security: The U.S. unveiled a submarine cable initiative for the Caribbean and Central America, urging governments to exclude “untrusted providers” and offering legal help to draft trusted-supplier legislation—while again leaving Cuba out. Local Governance & Public Services: Carriacou and Petite Martinique’s Herbert A. Blaize Airport took a major step toward 24-hour operations after a successful night-landing test, with regulators now preparing licensing for scheduled night landings. Environment & Cross-Border Waste: Jamaica faces a growing plastic crisis as foreign debris with Spanish and French labels piles up along its eastern coast, with experts warning the problem is transboundary and needs regional cooperation beyond national bans. Culture & Exchange: A Waitukubuli Artist Association residency brought Martinican artist JKing to Dominica for workshops, school engagement, and a permanent mural tied to climate resilience and biodiversity.

Regional Decolonization Push: The International Decolonization Front adopted the “Corte Declaration,” condemning France’s colonial exploitation across overseas territories and calling out repression of peaceful activists. Cultural Exchange & Identity: Dominica’s Waitukubuli Artist Association wrapped a three-week Martinique–Dominica residency with artist JKing, producing a permanent mural, school workshops, and driftwood sculptures tied to climate resilience and biodiversity. Cross-Border Environment: Jamaica’s Kingston Harbour Cleanup is urging regional coordination as foreign plastic waste—bearing Spanish and French labels, including from Martinique—piles up along St Thomas’ coast, threatening marine life and the food chain. Infrastructure & Connectivity: The U.S. announced a submarine cable initiative for the Caribbean and Central America, explicitly excluding Cuba, while also offering legal and technical help to draft “trusted supplier” legislation. Local Governance/Transport: Carriacou and Petite Martinique’s Herbert A. Blaize Airport cleared a major step toward 24-hour operations after a successful night landing test, moving now to regulatory licensing. Energy Politics (Grenada): Grenada’s PM Dickon Mitchell says the government ended a Russian oil-and-gas contract with Global Petroleum Group over missed work, missing reports, and funding concerns.